(Prompt 29 was a forum drabble.)
Thanks to all readviewers! Kestrel: honestly, I don't think he would. I think he'd just keep stewing over it forever.
For once this year I knew instantly upon reading the prompt what I was going to write. The basic idea here is canon for the DU, but I've never nailed down the details and timeline, so it may end up inaccurate later. If it's confusing, I apologize—I still have this harebrained notion that someday I might actually write the DU down in story form, and I'd rather keep some things less obvious just in case.
Prompt: Someone is reading (or hearing) the Chronicles of Narnia for the first time.
On Eleanor Reeves' first birthday, a mysterious package arrived.
It was mysterious not only because it had come from England, but also because it had come by courier rather than by post. The courier, a smartly-dressed woman with a British accent, required both of them to show their driver's licenses and then sign for the parcel.
When she had gone, they put it on the kitchen table and stared at it.
Evan squinted at the return address. "I have no idea who this is."
"Me neither," said Savannah. "I don't know anyone in Oxford. Or even in England in general, come to think of it."
"You don't suppose it could be..."
"I doubt the Unabomber delivers via international courier," Savannah said dryly. "I think we're safe."
They opened the package. Inside the box was was another box, metal and carefully wrapped against damp, and two envelopes in a plastic bag. One was yellowed with age; the other was new. The older one was addressed in script to Evan and Savannah Bell Reeves. The newer one was addressed in a different and printed hand to Evan Reeves and Savannah Bell, and was also labeled "read this first".
The couple traded stunned looks.
"Who on earth..." whispered Savannah. "Who besides us and the government knows I'm legally still Bell? I go by Reeves everywhere else!"
Evan bit his lip. "I think we'd better find out."
They opened the newer envelope. The first words stopped them in their tracks.
To Evan Reeves and Savannah Bell:
I am writing to you on behalf of the Clive Staples Lewis Estate...
To Evan Reeves and Savannah Bell Reeves:
Though really, my dear, it ought to be Reeves alone, for in marriage the two become one flesh. I have been told that you have a good reason, but nevertheless. However I write to you a different matter, concerning the gift enclosed herein for your daughter Eleanor...
When they had finished reading the letters, they sat in silence for several minutes.
"We can't tell anyone about this," said Evan at last. "Anyone. First of all no one would believe it, and second of all the press would be an absolute nightmare."
Savannah nodded, white-faced. "But we'll have to tell the girls something. I've already read the Chronicles with Lucy, and she's old enough to notice the difference. And she'll be at school soon—you know how children talk. And it's..." She checked her watch. "...nearly two now. Folks will start showing for the party in less than hour. Let's put this on hold until afterward."
"Agreed."
There were friends, there were gifts, there was cake, and the guest of honor was so delighted with the dessert that she smeared it all over herself and required a bath.
That evening, when they sat down for the family bedtime story, Evan brought out one of the books that had been in the package.
"Yay!" yelled Lucy, who was four. "Wardrobe!"
"Yes," said Savannah. She adjusted her hold on Eleanor, who was inclined to grab at anything and everything. "But Lucy, listen. This is a special version, just for our family. We won't talk about this one with anyone else, okay?"
"Okay!"
Husband and wife looked at each other and smiled. They had no doubt this was a conversation that would need to be repeated in future. But for now, it was enough. Evan carefully opened the book and began to read.
"Once there were four siblings whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, and a fifth child of whom we shall learn more presently..."
