The chronic of Narnia

Tori Caudill

The Chronic of Narnia

Blazing in the wardrobe:

Chapter 1:

“Hard times don’t create heroes. It is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed”. You don’t have to be like Hercules or Superman to be a hero… after all, heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes the bravest of them all can come in the smallest package. The smallest thing can have the ability to help the most people, far and wide. It was just that, which saved my people. Four children and a small secret from Mother Nature herself…

The Great Frost

My people have never seen anything like the frost that came in the late October of 1900. The frost was a fatal tragedy. We lost a lot and to gain back what was once ours and to prosper would be impossible. As a king you are expected to protect your people and lead them out of the darkness and the harsh cold that sabotages our survival. Does that make me any less of a king because I couldn’t do this on my own? I lost the majority of my soldiers and servants of valuable resource. There’s the few that survived through the arrival of the frost but they were holding on for the last inch of life that remained in their weak lungs. Crops were frozen, supplies were diminishing, and my people were freezing. Until our great leaders came to our aid, when we were all so close to losing existence. Little did they know what was set before them. Little did they know that they would be the great rulers of this world. They would save us and rehabilitate the witch that froze our lands. They would be our heroes and it all began with René. The youngest and the smallest of the four.

The Train to British-Columbia

“Lynn! Augustus took Cheech, and won’t give him back”, whined René. The train ride was a long journey on its own for the children and all four of them were growing more impatient as each hour passed. By train it took about five days to get from Ontario to British-Columbia. This journey would change their lives forever. They knew right away that nothing would be the same after their parents’ recent death. Their parents suffered in a tragic bombing due to the current World War II that raged across London. The whole world was at a melancholy standstill. They were assigned to be delivered to their great uncle, their closest living relative, who lived in British-Columbia. They never met him prior to this life event. His name was Theodore Pevensie. He was known for his relentless and studious work on astronomy and horticulture. When word got around town in B.C., The town questioned the judgment of the local authorities’ choice of putting the children in his care. Theodore Pevensie was well known for being a bit mad. The children didn’t know what to expect. All they could really hope for is that he not be cruel to them. They have been through so much already.

“Augustus, please, give René back her toy. You shouldn’t tease her so; She’s your sister”, Lynn quipped. “All the more reason for me to tease!” he chuckled. Augustus kept to himself but effortlessly gained the attention he craved by bullying René. He would steal her favorite stuffed rabbit, Cheech, and he would tug on her mousy brown hair. She had freckles on her cheeks just like Augustus. They both took after their mother. Lynn and Wesley had green eyes and sandy curly hair like their father. Lynn hated her curly hair and constantly kept it braided to one side, so to keep it out of her way. She loved each sibling for each of their individual traits that made them exactly who they were. This didn’t make them any less difficult to deal with though. Augustus is at the awkward age of fourteen. His attempts for attention wears on Lynn’s nerves as well as the high-pitched whining that René uses to complain about Augustus’s annoying antics. Wesley chimes in “We will be there soon! Quiet down and ready yourselves we should be arriving any minute and we need to make a good impression”. Augustus leaned back in his chair, threw his hands behind his head and uttered “He’s our uncle, he’s not going to abandon us… were family”. “You’ve heard what they’ve said about him! He’s mad!”. “Hush René, don’t exaggerate. I’m sure he’s a fine man who will take care of us… We will be happy here”, Lynn muttered as she gazed out at the rain sputtering against the train car’s window. The train car jerked from side to side as the conductor applied the brakes. The roar of the engine gradually became soft, and soon, non-existent as the train finally arrived in British-Columbia.

New Beginnings

Lynn smiled as she heard the whistle of the steam engines smoke rising. She took a deep breath and thought of her secret happiness. Despite all the obvious troubles that are worrying her sixteen year old mind, she couldn’t help but wonder if she will be able to reach the one thing that brings her peace. She glanced at Wesley and gave him an encouraging smile. She remembered when he found out her secret. He wasn’t angry with her… he understood. He had a little secret of his own which he exposed to Lynn shortly after catching her with their fathers old pipe just a year ago. Their father had no idea that Lynn was the reason that his oak pipe went missing. It wasn’t normal for a lady to smoke tobacco. Most couldn’t afford it. It was even rarer for a woman to smoke hemp. Wesley knew what was inside the pipe the moment he smelled the loud odor that surrounded him and his sister. She explained to him that she made sure Augustus and René were oblivious to this guilty pleasure. Wesley advised her to stop because it wasn’t proper for a lady but he hesitated to argue with her because Lynn is a very stubborn girl and his efforts would be wasted. Wesley isn’t as pure as he tries to appear. He has smoked tobacco with their father and he has smoked hemp with his friends from school. He secretly enjoyed all the benefits gained from smoking the plant.

Wesley stood in the train car to adjust his coat. He was tense. He tried to remain strong for his little brother and sisters but this was hard. This is what parents do… not children. Regardless of which job applies to parent or child, Wesley doesn’t have a choice. The parental responsibility was thrust upon himself and Lynn. He thought of all the times him and Lynn would sneak out to the garden to puff on a joint and he thought of just how much he would savor a drag right about now.

A middle aged woman greeted them on the platform. “Hello, are you the Pevensie children? My name is Josephine Sheffield. I’m Professor Pevensie’s, er, your uncle’s, assistant”. “Great Uncle” quipped Wesley. He set his jaw and straightened his back. “Right then” said Ms. Josephine, “Well your luggage will be delivered shortly to Professor Pevensie’s home-“, “We don’t have any luggage”, muttered Lynn. Josephine cleared her throat, “Oh dear, I suppose the bomb then…” Lynn nodded and looked down so to fight back the tears that burned the corners of her eyes. Ms. Josephine bent down and grasped René’s hands while also making eye contact with each child, “Look I’m sorry children. You have been dealt a very sorrowful hand. I offer you my condolences. Your un-… your great uncle”, she says softly as she acknowledges Wesley, “is a fine man. Despite what you have heard, rumors are just rumors. Professor Pevensie is a fine gentleman he’s just… a little peculiar” she smiled and placed a fingertip on René’s button nose. René giggled and shook her head. Ms. Josephine’s smile reached her eyes, crinkling the corners, warming all four of the children’s hearts. Wesley hid his smile but he couldn’t deny that he felt Ms. Josephine to be a very fair woman. Like his mother, she was an exquisite example of a fair woman. “Alright children, this way”, and Ms. Josephine escorted the Pevensie kids to the Theta 35 HP torpedo that waited for them in front of the station.

Professor Theodore H. Pevensie

As little René made her way into the grand foyer she couldn’t help but think of her size. Never has she ever felt so small in her life like she did when she passed the threshold of her great uncles home. René knew she was relatively petite for her age. In primary school, she was always the smallest in the class but this never stopped her young and determined mind from keeping up with the other children. She was quite small but she always felt ten feet tall… until now. The house was old but breathtaking. Dark hard wood floors adorned with great Persian rugs in each room. Tiffany fixtures and stain-glass windows. Never have any of the four children seen a house so luxurious. Ms. Josephine escorted the children into the parlor and rang a small silver bell that hung against the wall. Swiftly, a short but stout woman came waddling into the room. Ms. Josephine smiled that heartwarming smile of hers and she ever so politely asked “Mrs. Shirley, will you please prepare a pot of tea for the children. These are the Pevensie children that I told you about”. Mrs. Shirley nodded at the children and replied with a thick Irish accent “right away ma’am”. Ms. Josephine then turned for the door but before exiting she looked over her shoulder to inform the children “Professor Pevensie will be ready to meet you shortly. Please make yourself comfortable, children”, and with that she exited the room. Augustus thrust his hand toward the plate of biscuits that rested on the table that he and his siblings were seated at. He then kicked his legs up on the table and leaned back in his chair. Lynn shoved his feet off the table. “Have some manners, Augustus”! “What, Lynn, she told me to get comfortable”. Lynn just rolled her eyes then looked at Wesley for some support. Wesley just shrugged. Not too soon after, Ms. Josephine returned to the parlor. “Professor Pevensie will see you now. I’ll have Mrs. Shirley bring the tea to the library that is where your great uncle is waiting for you”. Lynn and Wesley exchanged a nervous look. Ms. Josephine, not missing a beat, said “don’t be nervous dears, he is quite eager to meet you all”. Lynn relaxed a little but Wesley’s broad shoulders remained stiff as ever. The children slowly followed Ms. Josephine across the great hall in to another large room. One wall was solely made up of what looked like window. A glass wall. While all the other walls were lined with countless rows of books. “He must have every book ever made!” whispered René. “Shush!” hissed Lynn. Lynn then squeezed her sisters’ hand and continued to lead her into the middle of the room with Ms. Josephine a few feet ahead. Against the great glass wall sat a great mahogany desk. Behind that, sat a tall, leather office chair; and in that tall, leather chair sat a delicate old man; Professor Theodore H. Pevensie.

“What a pleasure to finally meet my nieces and nephews! Thank you once again Ms. Josephine for retrieving them from the station”, croaked the professor. “You’re quite welcome sir” replied his assistant. Professor Pevensie made his way around his desk and across the office space to properly greet his family members. Wesley stepped forward to shake his uncle’s hand but was startled when the professor reached around and gave him the tightest hug he has ever received. Lynn took in a sharp breath as the professor squeezed her with a tight hug. As professor Pevensie also hugged Augustus and René, Lynn and Wesley exchanged concerned looks. The only grown-ups they hugged that way were their parents. It was also strange for a man, so smart and professional like the professor to greet them in such an informal way. Wesley, discreetly, twirled his index finger in circles next to his ear signifying his opinion on his “crazy” uncle. Which Lynn responded to with a subtle elbow to Wesley’s ribs.

“I wish I had more time to spend getting to know you children right now but I am a very busy man, busy, busy busy! I bet your travels have been tiresome and I’m sure you’re ready to get settled in. Ms. Josephine will show you to your rooms and I will have to take the pleasure in getting to know you over dinner”, the professor then turned to Ms. Josephine, “Ms. Josephine, will you so kindly return here after you are finished helping the children get settled, I would like to speak with you about their living arrangements here”. “Yes, professor” answered Ms. Josephine. She smiled at him and then the children, and started for the door. “One more thing, my son shall be joining us for dinner this evening, will you inform Mrs. Shirley so she can set a place for him at the table”? Ms. Josephine nodded and opened the door, motioning for the children to follow her.

And so it begins…

The children followed their great uncles assistant up the grand staircase. They were all now eye level with the massive chandelier hanging in the foyer. As the sun shined through the stained glass window above the door, the light reflected off of the fragile teardrop crystal hanging in front of René making a tiny rainbow dance across her cheek. Lynn smiled and tugged on her hand “C’mon René”. This new house had many rooms and many hallways that anyone could easily get lost in. Even Augustus thought about how he would even find his way back from the bathroom. The five of them finally reached a short hallway with two doors on the left and two doors on the right. “Behind each door is a bedroom for each of you children and you have the liberty to choose which room will be yours, I hope you find everything to your liking and if there’s anything that you need don’t hesitate to tell me, Mrs. Shirley or Mr. Carroway, our butler, you four have not met him yet, he has been out running errands for the professor and I but you shall meet him along with professor Pevensie’s son, James, at dinner. Dinner is served at six o-clock so go and wash up and I will come fetch you when dinner is ready. After dinner I will gladly show you around the house if you would like”. Lynn then said “that would be great Ms. Josephine, thank you for all your help”. “My pleasure darling” and Ms. Josephine smiled and left them to choose their rooms. Augustus turned to the door closest to him, the first door on the left and opened the door. Inside this room was a queen sized four poster bed made of oak with a matching desk and armoire. Wesley, Lynn and René looked into the room then eagerly turned to the other doors. Wesley stepped up to the second door on the left, Lynn to the second door on the right and René to the first on the right. Wesley opened his door to find, also, a queen sized oak poster bed with matching desk and wardrobe. Lynn and René opened their doors to find similar matching furniture sets but theirs were made of cedar. To their surprise each room had its own bathroom. The children never had their own bathrooms before so they were excited to indulge in this luxury. They obeyed Ms. Josephine and washed up for dinner. They would have changed into more suitable clothing but they didn’t have any to change into.

They lost everything when the bomb hit. All their belongings were blown to bits. Every toy, every article of clothing, every book and scrap of paper as well as their parents. It’s a hard experience to lose a parent. It’s an even harder experience to lose both. When this kind of tragedy occurs many wonder why it happened, how it happened and how to even go on without them. Parents are supposed to be there to teach right from wrong. To be there for every birthday and every Christmas. How do you celebrate without them? How do you even listen to a simple joke knowing that they aren’t there to laugh at it with you? All anyone can do is to just keep moving forward and take every day one step at a time and in time thinking about what could have been doesn’t hurt as bad. The Pevensie children had fresh wounds to their hearts that only time would be able to heal.