Lore
By: Tara
Author's Note: I know it has been awhile. Chapter Four will be up soon. I'm currently working the kinks out of it. I am determined to finish this one... it is one of my favorites! Don't forget to leave a Review! Thank you!
Disclaimer: I own not anything from JKR's books or of the Labyrinth. But my dragon lore is mine! :p
Genres: Humor, Romance, Dangerous Muse, Who Knows
Rating: M just for safety purposes
WARNINGS: The Dragon Lore is my own creation and would like to state that it is in fact mine and would like it to remain so. I would like to NOT see it turn up in other stories. Thank you! ^.^
Chapter Three: Marked
Sarah glided into the gardens. Finding son, brother, and babe, her eyes searched out her husband.
"Dear sister, I do believe the king is in his study," Toby replied to the unspoken question. "He is not so pleased with me."
Sarah arched a brow in another silent question.
"I let him see my magical pattern."
"You mean lack there of," Sarah exclaimed. "By the land, Toby! What were you thinking? What if you couldn't control it if it acted on its own? What if you took his powers?"
Toby shook his head. "Conrí," he addressed the boy. "Watch the boy-child for a bit. Your mother and I need to talk." He paused to catch Conrí's eyes with his own. "And no trying to listen in. I've got many more tricks than you."
Conrí pouted as the adults walked away. Entering a small room, Toby cast some power about to ensure their privacy."
"I am sorry sister, but I need Jareth to find the source. One reason I took Harry was his link to us." Toby paused. "Sarah, he possesses a link to the same source as our power. Not only that, he has complete control over his chaotic magic. He's only a babe, sister, but he is conscious of everything that happens around him."
Sarah sighed. "That's all well and fine, but why put Jareth at such a risk?" she demanded.
"There was no risk sister. He could not access all my power nor could he sustain his own near mine," Toby spoke knowingly. "I have a theory of sorts and I need Jareth's research to work it out."
His sister stood there silently for a few passing moments. "What happened Above, Toby? Why this need to know? Why this drive?"
Toby summoned a plush chair and sat down. "An evil thing, sister. Not man, wizard, Fae, or beast. But a thing that took the shape of a man in the world of wizards. He suspects the Fae and has caged many a beast. He seeks destruction and darkness. It is a dark time for wizards, but the boy-child stopped it in its tracks. His mother's final act, and consequently her sacrifice, linked the boy to us. I don't know how, but it happened."
Sarah shook her head, summoning her own chair. "Thanatos will arrive shortly. How are we to convince him to allow a meeting? Jareth will only be thinking about power patterns. I need a blessing from the boy-child's mother to claim her son."
"The wizards cannot have him, sister. I swore an oath to his parents to find him the best home without an influence of the higher powers of greed and deceit found readily in the wizarding community. A place of magic without limitations," Toby paused, laying his head back and closing his eyes.
"What else was in the oath, Toby?" his sister pushed.
Toby let out a slow sigh. "I swore to watch over the boy until a time he will return to the wizarding community at the age of 11 mortal years Above. I promised to show him his own place and mind; to show him how others could use him. I am to see he has the training of a prince and not a pawn. Perfect health of mind, body, heart, and magic."
Sarah came around the back of her brother and began to work the tension from his neck. "Noble in all of it," she approved. "With us, he will be a prince and know his place. To rule and be ruled by his people. But what is this about limitation you have spoke of?" she inquired.
"Wizards," Toby relaxed to her ministrations, "place limitations and what they consider as 'laws' on the powers of magic. The more I learn, the more I see that they do not work with magic, but attempt to control it."
Toby stopped, thinking of his time Above. Sara, for her part, remained silent, knowing her brother needed the moments to gather his thoughts.
"After James had befriended me, I showed both he and Lily magic without limitations. I showed them what magic was to us, here in the Underground."
"Life," Sarah injected.
"Yes," Toby agreed. "Life. And what I showed them they want for their son." He paused. "He can no longer use his birth name. In the wizarding world, he will be praised and will be seen as a celebrity. I want to keep him from that."
Sarah nodded and moved from neck to shoulders. "Avoid the corruption of popularity and fame. From being spoiled and self-centered."
"Precisely. I want him to know the compassion you possess and the ruling knowledge of Jareth.' Toby bent his had back to look at her. "That king of yours is loved by his subjects and the land. He is just and does not seek to control his people or bend them to his will. He listens, Sarah. He listens and acts and in return, they willing follow his rule. That is not very common Above."
Sarah kissed his forehead. "I remember my childhood schooling and I know my husband, brother. It is you I worry about. You spend so much time Above and when you come home, I can see that it takes a toll on you. So much exposure to iron is unhealthy, no matter how high your tolerance or where you were born."
"I know," Toby said wearily, "but it is all necessary now. When the boy-child returns Above, I need to be in a position to keep him safe, continue his training and keep the wizards from him. If all goes according to my manipulations, they will be praising him and mourning his supposed death."
Sarah moved to kneel before him. "You are my beloved brother, Toby. I will be here whenever you need me. We will claim him Fae and raise him with Conrí as brothers. He will know the life we've come to know and I will beseech the healers to help with the pain, but I must implore you to make frequent trips back here if only as a short repress. I will not lose my brother to self poisoning no matter how unintentionally."
A loud crack of thunder echoed throughout the Labyrinth and its castle, halting the words on Toby's tongue. When the after shocks of the sound had mild, Sarah rose, pulling him with her.
"Come brother, Thanatos has arrived and our brother-in-law is never patient when it comes to seeing Conrí."
Sharing a laugh, the siblings made their way toward the throne room to greet the king's brother.
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"And how is Purg, brother?"
"As it always is. Always shifting, always interesting," the man paused to grace Jareth with his legendary mischievous smirk. "Always entertaining, for sure."
Jareth laughed with him as they strolled through the throne room, talking of kingly affairs.
Awhile later, Sarah and Toby entered with boy-child in hand and Conrí dashing about their feet. They found the two kings in their thrones, chatting about the art of punting goblins.
Clearing her throat, Sarah shook her head at the two. "Welcome, Thanatos," she greeted. "Conrí," she addressed her son, "go greet your uncle." Conrí happily obliged, darting up to the Fae king and flinging himself at the man.
The King of Purg grunted and dramatically feigned a fatal wound and death. The young prince laughed and squirmed in his lap thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.
"Uncle Thanatos! You can't die!"
The blond Fae peeked an eye open at the boy. "Oh? And why not?"
Conrí shook his head from side to side vigorously. "Cause you're the ruler of Purgie!"
"Purgie?" Thanatos's one open eye landed on Sarah who's hand lay delicately upon her mouth stifling what he was sure was a laugh.
"Yes! Purgie is where the dead ones go! You can't go to Purgie and rule it!"
"He does have a point," Toby added.
Thanatos gave a sigh, opening both his eyes. "Alright," he exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air above his head. '"I give! I'm alive!"
Conrí giggled and clamored up onto his uncle's unusually large shoulders.
"So," the king of Purg began. "I know my presence is stimulating and highly sought out by everyone, but shall we discuss the last minute dinner invite? Just as long as this little discussion of ours produces a cart full of Labyrinthian delights for my long and arduous journey home."
This time, Sarah let her laughter fill the throne room. "Your cart shall be full, brother Thanatos. I am sure traveling by thunder is quite arduous on that appetite of yours."
Laughter of a gentle rolling thunder followed Sarah's musical tones. Thanatos hefted the prince for a moment, stretching his back. Once the boy was back in place, Thanatos's eyes landed on the bundle in Toby's arms expectantly.
"Summoning an audience is no small task and not a thing to be taken lightly." Thanatos held Toby's gaze as the younger man stood his ground. Silence reigned as the two held fast in a contest of wills. Eventually, Thanatos sighed and shook his head, breaking the connection. "It is no small request, true. Yet, the life and laughter dimmed in your eyes, Sir Toby, cannot be taken lightly either."
Thanatos looked over his brother and sister-in-law. Truth was, he would do anything for the woman. It wasn't every day the Labyrinth chose a Champion. That woman held all the powers of the Labyrinth at her beck and call. It was more power than even the council was combined. Especially when magic itself was disappearing slowly from the Underground.
"I wish to claim this child as my own, brother Thanatos," Sarah confirmed. "Toby made a vow to provide for him and Conrí has requested a sibling for his birthday."
Thanatos glanced up at the hopeful expression bursting from the young prince.
"He is from the Above," Toby continued. "I know the wizarding war has marked its presence within your kingdom," Toby paused as Thanatos nodded. "This boy is the cause of the sudden halt of activity up there. His mother sacrificed herself to protect him and the boy became something new when the power she gave him saved his life."
"I know the facts, Toby," Thanatos cut in. "In fact, I was expecting this as soon as Lily and James Potter entered my realm. The touch of Fae was marked upon them. It is not often this happens, and when it does, it is my responsibility to seek the truth and unbind their ties."
Sarah and Toby took in the new information with great curiosity. The King of Purg held the most secretive and secluded position in all of the Underground. Not even the council could demand anything from him. Thanatos was bound by the most ancient of magics and only played along with Fae laws out of respect and convenience.
"What price must be made to keep the balance?" Sarah inquired.
Thanatos gave her a sad smile. "Only Purg could tell you. You must be prepared, though. I may keep the balance and rule its lands, but in truth, I am merely a caretaker and a gatekeeper. I weigh those who pass through my gates and typically the price to pay is within my power."
"What is so different now?" Jared injected.
"The touch of Fae," answered Thanatos.
"So it is more than just knowing me?" Toby surmised.
Thanatos nodded, careful of the child sitting on his shoulders. "Quite. It is similar to the idea of the ties of destiny. The touch of Fae is an actual mark upon them which restricts them from fair passage through my kingdom. In essence, they could pass straight through without atonement or trial and disrupt the balance. Also, it means that they still have a physical tie holding them in place."
Toby held the babe closer to himself.
"It was not you, Toby," Thanatos said, seeking to reassure the man. "It was their own actions. Lily gave her life essence to her son to protect him. James gave him his magical essence. They did not die cause they were weak against their foe. They died cause they gave themselves to that child. That child is the one whose mark they bare."
Three pairs of eyes landed on the babe in Toby's arms. Sarah awed at the commitment and love of the boy-child's parents. Should the child become one of her's, she only hoped to live up to that same devotion.
Jared, however, took in all this information as any true mortal scientist would. Where Sarah focused on the emotional, Jareth honed in on the facts. By his brother's testimony, that child held the entire life experiences and essence of his mother and the fundamental power essence of his father. Such immense power in a small child should have killed him or even made his own power go crazy. Yet, instead, there was clam and control. Not to mention a link to his wife.
Conrí was trying to fully understand what his uncle was saying. What he did understand was that the baby in his Uncle Toby's arms lost both of his parents. "If he needs parents, Mother and Father are the best."
The innocent comment from the prince brought a smile to everyone's face.
"That they are, eh?" Thanatos asked.
Conrí vigorously nodded his head. "Oh yes! The best of the best!"
Laughter resounded as the adults relaxed.
Sarah took the babe from her bother and walked up to the King of Purg.
"They called him Harry," she said, showing him the child. "I will make the request, Thanatos. I will stand to pay the price that Purg chooses."
Thanatos looked from the babe to the woman and saw the motherly protection prominent in those depths.
"And I will be by her side," Jared added. "He is to have two parents, not just a mother, after all."
Thanatos looked up at his nephew. "Well, boy, it looks like you're getting yourself a brother after all."
The throne room filled with laughter as Conrí tackled his uncle as any young, ecstatic boy would.
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R & R