Author's note: Written in honor of Veteran's Day. Thanks to all the men who served in our wars but especially to the men who served in World War Two. We all know that the characters in this story are fictitious but they represent the men who bravely fought and sacrificed everything for us. When I started writing, I thought it would be completely unbelievable to have Peter and Edmund meet up, but then I talked to my great uncle who fought in the pacific during WW2. He had enlisted and his brother had been drafted. They were able to meet up one day on an island. It even made it into the paper back home! So not only would I like to dedicate the ending of this story to the veterans of World War Two but I would also like to dedicate this to my Great Uncle Vin.

Chapter 20 – Together Again

Peter began to walk down the dusty road. He looked back over his shoulder to where he had last seen his father and brother. The truck was just starting up and soon it charged away in a cloud of dust. Peter turned back around and kept walking. Now that he was alone, he finally allowed the tears that he had held back to fall. He had been brave for Edmund's sake but inside he had felt torn in half. He wanted to stay with Edmund to look after him and make sure he recovered. But he knew he had to return to the RAF. He knew that he couldn't break his agreement.

Peter continued to walk along, kicking at the stones in the road. He wondered how far it was to the airbase. He seemed so alone and abandoned. But he wasn't completely alone and he knew it. As he walked, Peter began to pray for the safe travels of his father and brother back to their home in Finchley. He also prayed for his mother and sisters as they eagerly await the arrival of their loved ones.

A truck roared up the road behind Peter and he moved over to let it pass. The driver slowly stopped and yelled out the window asking if Peter would like a lift. Peter, of course, agreed and soon he was bumping his way to the airbase. When the truck slowed down as it reached the airbase, Peter thanked the driver and hopped out. He walked quietly along, hands in his pockets, as he headed towards the main office. But he was stopped before he could reach it.

"Peter!" Warren shouted as he hurried over. Peter turned around and grinned.

"Warren!" The two friends heartily shook hands. "How have you been?" Peter asked.

"Well enough." Warren shrugged. "It hasn't been the same without you. Where on earth have you been all this time?"

Peter smiled. "It's a bit of a long story."

"And I want to hear your tale in full," assured Warren. "But I'm sure that you are supposed to see the officers first and by the time you are done with that it will be time for supper."

"Yes," Peter agreed. "I will talk to you at dinner. But Warren? You've been managing alright?"

"Yes," Warren answered. "I have taken part in several of the major battles. I even earned an award."

"Good for you!" Peter exclaimed. "What has happened to our friend, Galvin?"

Warren replied sadly, "Galvin was shot down about two weeks after you were. It was a pretty bad wreck. There was no way he could have survived even if he had been rescued." Peter nodded gravely. It made him all the more thankful that God had brought along Newman and Chris to rescue him out of the wreckage of his plane.

"Well, I should let you go. I'll talk to you at supper, right?" Warren asked.

"Of course," Peter answered. Warren smiled and waved as he walked away. Peter turned back towards the office but right as he reached the door, he felt someone clasp his shoulder in a friendly manner.

"Well, I see you have looked after yourself well, King Peter."

Peter spun around. "Jones? What are you doing here?"

"You didn't think that they would keep me in England for the eternity of the war, did you?" asked Jones.

"N-no," stuttered Peter in surprise. "I just – you were the last person I was expecting to see here."

Jones laughed before he sobered. "Warren Meeks told me that you had received a letter that said your brother, King Edmund, had followed you here. Do you find him?"

"Yes," Peter answered. "Through many twisted events, God brought us together again. And he also reunited us with our father. But how have you been, Jones? It's been such a long time."

"Yes, it has been a long time," Jones agreed. "But I have finally come to terms with what happened in my childhood and the plans God has for me here."

"I'm very glad to hear that," Peter stated.

"I want to hear your story but I can wait. I'm sure you are expected in the office and I'm fairly certain that you are hungry."

Peter laughed. "Yes, I am working up an appetite tonight. I hope we're having something good."

Jones shrugged. "The food isn't the best but we make do. Farewell, my King."

"Farewell, Jones. And please, you don't have to keep calling me by my titles. Just Peter Pevensie, please."

"Of course, Peter Pevensie," Jones answered with a smile.

Peter lay awake on his cot, staring up at the top of the tent. He couldn't sleep. The day had gone fairly well. At dinner he had related the events of his separation to Warren and Jones. But still he was unsettled. His thoughts continually returned to his younger brother. He had to admit that he was jealous of Edmund. Why couldn't he go home as well? Why couldn't some other pilot take his place? He felt a growing sense of discomfort and almost anger. In the faint early morning light that was peeking into the tent, Peter found his Bible and flipped it open. He stopped turning the pages at Genesis 4. He began to read.

But for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain was very angry and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it." Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

Peter looked up from the page. He prayed that he would never be angry enough to kill his brother. But he in the past he had been angry enough to neglect his brother to the point where he never thought he would find Edmund again. No, Peter shook his head. He wouldn't go there. It was all over and settled and he would never abandon Edmund like that again.

Peter began to turn the pages of his Bible again. Exodus, Deuteronomy, and Job all flashed past until the pages stopped at Psalm 37:8. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

"Father," Peter whispered, "whatever you're doing inside me feels like chaos right now. But I know it is something bigger than I could ever imagine. I don't know whether you are changing me or using me to change others but I hope that my life points to You."

Peter closed his eyes. Now he would finally be able to sleep serenely. All traces of his anger and jealousy had disappeared. All that was left was a sense of peace. And now sleep quickly overtook him.

April 1945

Peter stared out the dark window of the train compartment in disappointment. He was tired, cold and he just wanted to see something familiar. He had hoped to watch through the train window to see Finchley coming into view but it was around four in the morning and still dark out. There was hardly anyone else on the train except those returning from late night excursions or night jobs that ended early in the morning.

Finchley. He wanted to see it, to hear it, smell it, touch it. He wanted to be home. His family would be sleeping. They wouldn't expect him. He had wired them from Canterbury and he wondered if they had had difficulty falling asleep with expectations of his arrival. He sighed and looked out the dark window. Occasionally a bright light flashed quickly and then was gone.

Peter had parted ways with Warren at the train station in Canterbury. Warren was headed home to his parents in Wembley. Peter had wished him well and they promised to try to keep in touch. Warren hoped to have a chance to meet Susan again. He wondered if she had changed much from the school girl he had admired. He hoped not.

The train was finally slowing down and Peter could finally see as the station came into view. The lights seemed strange and unfamiliar. It was then that he realized with disappointment that it wasn't the station at Finchley. A few people boarded the train but none came to the compartment when Peter sat. The train lurched forward again and was soon speeding along the tracks. Peter knew that the next station was Finchley.

When the train slowed and eventually stopped, Peter was the first person to alight from the train car. There was a young lady standing on the edge of the platform and she cautiously approached him.

"Thank you for serving our country," she said shyly.

Peter smiled at her, easing her fear. "It was my honor," he answered.

"Thank you," she said again before melting away into the darkness of the shadows scattered about the platform. Peter slung his bag over his shoulder, winced as the corner of his Bible poked him, and left the station.

He was in Finchley at last. He drank in the familiar sight of the little houses and looming trees that had been there for centuries. He looked at the street lights with a new appreciation as he turned the corner. And as he saw his house appearing at the end of the street he began to run toward it. He felt a powerful urge to whoop and shout that he was home at last, but with a wry smile he restrained himself. The whooping could wait until later.

No lights were on at the Pevensies' house and the front door was locked. Peter walked around to the backdoor, which was also locked, but he knew where they kept the spare key. He inserted the key into the door and stepped into his home. He returned the key to its place and quietly shut the door, locking it behind him again. Then he slipped his dusty boots off and placed them on the rug next to Edmund's.

His feet made no noise as he walked through the kitchen and the living room, smiling at the familiarity of everything. He crept up the stairs and into the room he shared with Edmund. One bed was empty but the other held the sleeping form of his brother. Peter slipped into the room and closed the door in case Edmund should have the sudden urge to scream. He tiptoed over to the bed and gently sat down. And as he did so he remembered that today was Edmund's birthday.

Peter leaned over Edmund's face and whispered in his ear, "Happy Birthday, brother-mine."

Edmund woke with a start at the familiar voice. "Peter?" he whispered sleepily.

"Yes, Edmund, it's me," Peter replied.

"Peter!" Edmund shouted in surprise. "Oh, you're finally home!" He held on to Peter and never wanted to let go again. Peter hugged him back and thought the same thing.

"Oh, Edmund, I have missed you so much," Peter announced.

"I've missed you too," Edmund answered. "Have you had any other adventures without me?"

"Of course not, Ed," Peter teased. "Yes, I actually have. I have several experiences that you will hear about in time. Edmund, there was this little girl who could have only been seven or eight. She was so cold and I gave her my coat. She called me an angel. That's what makes it worth it, Ed, when they appreciate your help."

Edmund reached out his hand in the half-light to touch his brother's face. He frowned. "Wait…Peter, you grew a little bit of a beard."

"Like it?" Peter laughed. "It's been a long trip, Edmund, and I am so glad to be home." He playfully ran his fingers through Edmund's hair, making it even messier.

"Come, Peter, I think there are two girls who would like to see you as well as your father and mother," Edmund replied.

"Of course," Peter answered. "I hadn't forgotten about them. I just wanted to see you first."

Edmund quickly climbed out of bed and followed Peter to the girls' room. Peter opened the door and peeked in. Edmund crept off down the hall to find his parents. Peter stepped into the dark room and first went to Lucy's bed.

"Look at this nice bed. I wonder who it belongs to," Peter joked and he flopped onto it. Lucy screamed, but when she realized it was Peter, she threw her arms around his neck, holding on tightly. Susan jumped out of bed when she heard Lucy scream and she seized her pillow.

"Get away from my sister!" she shouted and began whacking Peter with the pillow.

"That's not a very nice way to greet your brother," Peter replied.

Susan dropped the pillow. "P-P-Peter?" she stuttered.

"Dear Susan," Peter responded and took hold on her hand. Susan began to cry and she flung herself on top of Peter and Lucy. Footsteps were heard in the hall and Edmund entered the partially illuminated room bringing with him Doctor and Mrs. Pevensie.

"Dad! Mum!" Peter cried. He tried to loosen himself from the death grips of his sisters. At last he was free and he hurried to his parents.

"My good lad," Mrs. Pevensie whispered and kissed Peter's forehead.

"Welcome home, son," Doctor Pevensie greeted. He shook hands with Peter before Susan and Lucy enveloped their brother again. The Pevensie family was laughing and crying and hugging, and Peter thought his heart would burst for joy.

"I knew you would be home for Edmund's birthday, I just knew it!" shouted Lucy. Peter didn't care that it made his ears ring, because it was true. He was home.

And he realized once again that home was not the house he lived in, but home was the dear ones he loved so much. He had come so far to find them and now he was home.

Epilogue

World War Two came to a close on V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day), May 8, 1945, but it was not the end of the strife. Earlier, the Japanese had been bombed by the Americans, and in Europe, the Germans were surrounded by the Allies. The Axis Powers had finally crumbled in defeat.

Throughout the remainder of the war, Jones distinguished himself as a capable airman and received many promotions and awards. He stayed with the RAF until his sudden death in 1949. Peter was unable to keep in correspondence due to Jones's frequent changes of address.

Jimmy Hawthorne returned to his home in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. Jimmy was still called a miracle and many were amazed at how agile he was without his left leg. He lived with his mother until he married his childhood sweetheart. They raised their family of five children on a farm surrounded by the Amish countryside.

Returning to his family in Wembley, Warren Meeks attended college the following year. He received a degree in physics and became a professor. He was a frequent visitor at the Pevensies for many years and still showed an interest in Susan.

Chris Dinkfeld safely survived the war and was reunited with his wife and two young daughters who barely remembered their father. Relationships became strained because, during her husband's absence, Margie Dinkfeld had begun attending church and recently accepted Christ as her savior. Chris refused to have anything to do with God, but He was at work in Chris's soul. Chris's story is not yet finished because the One Who Saves has many great plans for his life.

Proud father and mother, Doctor and Mrs. Pevensie found favor in the sight of God and man because of the upbringing of their children who feared the Lord. A happier couple could not be found in Finchley.

Lucy Pevensie, the youngest of the family, studied diligently in school and she knew more than most girls her age. A smile almost always graced her cheerful face and she grew into a very pretty girl but she never cared for things like that. Lucy was too busy storing up treasures in Heaven to worry about her looks and who might care for her. Her family secretly agreed that she was admired more for this.

However this was not the case for Susan Pevensie. Twenty-one found her as a social butterfly, attending all the popular parties with her pathetic friends. She found nylons more pleasing than her Bible and she certainly never mentioned Narnia anymore. She simply pretended that it was all just a childhood game. She lied to herself and believed that He never existed and that she was never a queen.

Edmund Pevensie was as stouthearted as Lucy in his belief in the Lion and Narnia. He had nearly indestructible dreams and ambitions which his family supported him in. Edmund was attending law school and planned to become a lawyer for those who couldn't afford one. He would be the voice for the widows and the orphans just like the Bible commanded.

At the end of the war, Peter Pevensie was released from position in the RAF. He felt God calling him to seminary. Peter faithfully followed his Father's guidance and soon he would become the pastor of a small congregation. He had hopes of finding the wife God would lead him to. Peter remained close to all his siblings, including Susan. He was perhaps the most attentive to her since they had always been the closest. But soon he found that she had begun to reject even him. And his decision to become a pastor greatly impacted that separation.

But life did not last long for the faithful believers. Their time had come quickly and He was calling them Home.

In 1949, Peter Pevensie was twenty-two years of age when he died in a tragic train wreck that also took the lives of his beloved siblings, Edmund and Lucy, as well as his parents, Doctor and Mrs. Pevensie. His cousin Eustace and three other family friends, Professor Kirke, Polly Plummer, and Jill Pole, were also killed. However, Susan Pevensie was left behind. Alone and fallen from her faith, Susan struggled through the bitter pain as she lived with her Aunt Alberta and Uncle Harold who were grieving the loss of their only child, Eustace. Peter, Edmund, Lucy and their parents were reunited in the New Narnia. There they live for eternity with Aslan and many of their beloved Narnian friends and subjects. And they pray that, one day, their sister and fellow monarch, Queen Susan the Gentle, may join them there and that she would at last come Home to Him. But like Chris Dinkfeld, her story is left unfinished and only He knows how the story will truly end. But for the others it was only the beginning of the true story.

"All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before." – C. S. Lewis, The Last Battle

The End

Author's note: This is my last Author's note for this story. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S DONE! I'm not sure whether I am very glad or kind of sad. Thank you, thank you to everyone who either reviewed, followed, favorited or gave advice, or any combination thereof! I have greatly appreciated all of your support through the past few months. You guys are amazing! I pray that God will do many great things through you. Keeping reading and writing and using your talents for His Glory!

The Lion's Blessings to all of you,
narniagirl11

P.S. Feel free to check out some of my other stories. I hope to have a chapter for "Their_Majesties at Cair Paravel. gov" soon and perhaps some more for "Fragments of Glory" plus many other short stories.