Author's Note
Hello, dear reader!

This story has beenupdated and rewritten, but its heart remains the same.If you've been here before,welcome back. If this is your first time, I hope you enjoy the journey.

Happy reading!
All rights to C.S. Lewis

Chapter 1 – A Sibling Reunion

The rain had been falling since morning, drumming steadily against the windows of the Pevensie home in Finchley. It was the sort of rain that soaked through coats and made everything smell of damp wool and pavement.

Inside, the sitting room was warm, the soft glow of the fire flickering against the walls. The Pevensies had gathered—a rare occasion these days, as life had slowly pulled them in different directions.

Peter sat near the fireplace, sleeves rolled up, a stack of papers resting on the arm of his chair. He had barely touched them in the last ten minutes, though; his attention had drifted to the chessboard between him and Edmund.

"I don't see how you always win," Peter muttered, rubbing his chin.

Edmund smirked. "I see three ways out of this for me, all of them a victory."

Lucy giggled from the couch, hugging a cushion. "You say that every time."

Edmund glanced at her. "Because it's always true."

Peter sighed, moving a piece. "There. Happy?"

"No, because that was a terrible move," Edmund said, effortlessly countering it.

Susan, perched elegantly in the armchair with a magazine, flipped a page. "You two argue over chess like it's a matter of national security."

Edmund raised an eyebrow. "Chess is strategy. A good commander knows how to—"

"—Read the room," Susan finished for him, lips twitching in amusement. "And right now, dear brother, you're boring us."

Lucy laughed out loud at that. "I love watching them bicker. It's the same as always."

Peter shook his head, a small smile forming despite himself. "And yet somehow, you never get tired of it."

Lucy grinned. "Of course not. It means we're all together."

For a moment, that thought settled over them. It had been a while since all four of them had been in the same room like this. Peter had his own place now, a modest bachelor's house near their parents. Edmund lived at college, rarely home except for holidays. Susan had only just returned from America, where she had spent a season with their aunt and uncle. And Lucy—Lucy was the only one still properly at home.

"Speaking of which," Susan said, breaking the silence. "I assume you're all coming to the dinner party next week?"

Edmund groaned. "That's not a real question, is it?"

Peter looked unimpressed. "If it's anything like the last one, it'll be a long evening of listening to people pretend they're more interesting than they are."

Susan pursed her lips. "You could at least try to enjoy yourselves."

Lucy leaned forward. "Will there be dancing?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll go!"

Peter chuckled. "You just want to twirl around the floor and make the rest of us look bad."

Lucy beamed. "Naturally."

The conversation meandered from there—Susan talked about London's latest fashion trends, Edmund made an offhand comment about the state of politics that set Peter into a counterargument, and Lucy occasionally threw in a lighthearted remark to keep things from getting too serious. It was a familiar rhythm, comforting in its own way.

And then—

The teacup slipped from Susan's fingers.

It shattered against the floor, a sharp, sudden sound.

Silence fell over the room.

Susan was staring at the window.

Peter frowned. "Susan?"

She didn't answer. Her hands were trembling slightly, her face unusually pale.

Lucy turned to look, then gasped.

Edmund was already rising from his chair.

Peter followed their gaze—

And froze.

Outside the window—where there should have been the street, the rain, the houses—stood aforest.

Tall, ancient trees loomed where pavement had been. The misty drizzle of Finchley had been replaced with golden sunlight filtering through shifting leaves. The air itself seemed richer, like the scent of pine and earth had somehow seeped into the room.

Peter's heartbeat pounded in his ears.

This was impossible