Alliance of the Light Keeperoliver Chapter 3
The sun lit the ice cave like it was alive. It radiated heat inside the cave but, did not melt the ice structure. The resident of the cave started to rise, greeting the day with a smile. It had been a long time since his home for the last 5,000 or so years shined like this, and he showed his appreciation by admiring every minute of it's brilliance. Archimedes, being a night creature, did not have the same feelings, complaining about being woken up at such an ungodly hour. It just goes to show you, not everyone has the same feelings about what makes us happy. The resident laughed it off, and continued to prepare for the day. It was going to be a long one, and was anxious to get it started.
He cleaned up, and ate. He then walked over to a stone monument, where a sword rested in its scabbard. He pulled the sword out and held it up. "Are you ready to start the search for the heir, Excalibur?"
He could hear the voice in his head, 'Quite ready Myrrdyn, and might I say excited about it. It has been far too long, since I was last claimed by a rightful owner. I do hope this person is worthy of his or her heritage. It will not do to have a cowardly thumb-sucking little frightened mamby-pamby. As an heir to Arthur, he has to be valiant and brave. He or she can be no other way."
"You have to think differently, Excalibur. Arthur was an exceptional leader, and a strong wizard, although few realised this. If not for his magic, you may still be imbedded in that stone. Not all people are going to be as strong as Arthur. If he or she is one fourth as strong, it will be acceptable. Now off we go, as I have much to do, today, and there are only 24 hours in a day."
And with that, Myrrdyn and Excalibur made their way north, in search for the heir of Arthur Pendragon. They did not realise that their search was going to be quickly over, and the heir found.
Lily and Petunia were still talking about yesterday evening. The unbelievable circumtances that led to Petunia having a dinner date with the greatest wizard who ever lived, was beyond comprehension. Lily's year back to the living has been one miracle after another. So much had changed in that year, all because of Her sons. That was another thing to feel proud of. Harry and Dobby being brothers, was the most amazing thing she had ever heard of. No one had ever shared blood with a house-elf before, and the results of that act were, well, again, unbelievable.
And as if that were not enough, Merlin was in search of the heir of Arthur Pendragon. Lily had her thoughts of who it might be, Arthur Weasley, or Draco Malfoy, were the top two on her list. She was probablt wrong, but the names fit. James had laughed at her, when she had mentioned this to him. Men were such idiots. Do they over think everything? Can nothing be simple, such as a name?
While they were sitting over their cup of tea, a beautiful owl arrived at the kitchen window. Lily let it in, and it flew over to Petunia and awaited her to remove the letter from his leg. While he was there, Hedwig flew in from her morning hunt. She had seen the owl fly into the house, and her curiosity got the beter of her. She landed next to the owl in question, and stared at him with her amber eyes. The other owl at first ignored Hedwig, but finally turned to look at her and hopped back when he saw her. Hedwig tried using her mind ability to communicate with this owl, and was surprised when he answered. 'Hello, I am Hedwig, what is your name?'
'I am Archimedes, familiar to Merlin. It is nice to meet you Hedwig.'
'The feeling is mutual, you can be assured. Are you here for any particular reason?'
'Yes, I am delivering a message to my familiar's accompanyment for the evening.'
'So, there is a chance I may be seeing you again, Archimedes?'
'There is always that possibility.'
'Well then, I look forward to that moment. Now if you will excuse me, I will be off.'
'Of course, and it was nicew to meet you.' WOW, never have I seen such a magnificent creature.
Meanwhile, Petunia had a funny look on her face. She had just realised something Emmryc had told her. "Lily, can I ask you something?"
"Of course Tuney, always."
"I just remembered something that Emmryc said and was wondering how such a thing could be. He told Tonks and I to say that he looked forward to seeing you again, but yet, he told Tonks and I that he had not died, but was under a spell until just recently. If he was not dead, how could he see you and James, in the after life."
"Merlin is what you would call an Astral-Traveler. He able to visit other plains, in his astral projection. I assume being a captive for 5,000 years, you have a lot of time on your hands to find different ways of travel, that do not include your body. Did you know that there are different plains that you could travel to when you die. most have their choice as to where they wish to go. The Elyssian Fields is one such plain, as, is muggle Heaven. There is also Hell and purgatory. There are others, but you don't need to know those, as they are mostly for people who perish in combat. They are not chosen anymore. Merlin is able to visit these plains, and that is how he met Sirius, James and I."
"Oh, how nice. Great way to break the boredom. I guess after 5,000 years, any break in your lifestyle is acceptable. I hope he doesn't expect me to accompany him on one of his excursions. Not much of a date if you ask me."
"Tuney, I don't think it is something you have to worry about." Lily said while laughing at her sister's thoughts on dates.
Merlin had been traveling for 20 minutes, listening to Excalibur,as he honed in to the magical essence of Arthur's heir, when Excalibur told him to land at the gates of the castle just below them.
He arrived at the gates, and waved his hand, and the gates opened.
In the castle, a signal went off, causing Minerva to jump out of her seat, wand in hand, as someone had just breached Hogwarts security, and was entering the grounds. She rushed down the stairs, through the halls and out onto the grounds, to see a lone individual walking across the lawn, towards the castle. She approached the individual, wand in hand, to see what he wanted.
"Stop where you are, you are trespassing on private property. You must be a wizard to see the castle at all. Now if you please, state your business."
"My dear Madam, I am here on the most urgent of business, and perhaps you can assist me. I am searching for a person of mixed blood. If there is such a person here, I would be indebted to you to introduce him to me."
"Why, nay I ask, are you looking for a person of mixed blood? We have two people here of that nature, and neither one of them I want to see hurt. Now please tell me who you are, and want you want of these people?"
"Well, Madam, my name is Emmryc Myrrdyn, and I am searching for the heir of Arthur Pendragon. My sources tell me that his heir is a half-blood, but not of what blood."
"What did you say your name was?"
"Emmryc Myrrdyn, but you may know me better as Myrrdyn Emryc."
"I would indeed know you better as Myrrdyn Emryc, if that indeed, is who you are. And seeing as I don't have the faintest idea as to how to prove this, I must insist you turn over your wand to me, and follow me." Minnie called for her Patronus, and sent a message to Filius, to meet her in Hagrid's hut.
Merlin did what he was asked, and handed Minerva his wand. He followed her to Hagrid's hut, and were soon joined by Filius. When they arrived to the hut and knocked on the door, and Hagrid answered. As soon as Merlin saw Hagrid, Excalibur entered his mind, and said, this is him. This is Merlin's heir.
They sat down at Hagrid's table, and Merlin told Filius and Hagrid who he was, and Filius about fell out of his chair, while Hagrid just sat and listened. He knew who merlin was, but was skeptical as to the validity of this man's statement.
Merlin could see that this was not going to be easy, so he pulled Excalibur from beneath his robes, still in the scabbard, and laid it on the table. Knowing who the heir was, he had Filius draw the sword first, to let Hagrid know he was the heir. When Filius Drew the sword, he was excited when he realised the importance of the sword, but felt no connection with it. He put the sword back in the scabbard, and handed it to Hagrid. When Hagrid had the sword, he looked to Minerva. and she nodded her head, and Hagrid drew the sword. As soon as the sword was free of the scabbard, there was a sound in the air, like a song, and suddenly, Fawkes was perched on Hagrid's shoulder, continuing his song. The expression on Hagrid's face changed to one of acknowledgment, as if he knew that, in fact, he was the heir of Arthur Pendragon. The sword started to glow, encompassing Hagrid's body in a blue glow that never got bright, but gave a warmth that was felt by all in the room.
"Scuse me, but, I know I'm the heir, an all, but what's it mean. I mean 'taint every day the 'eir of Merlin is announced, but what really changes. I mean, does that make me king or sumpton. Not that I'm lookin ta be king, but it must mean sumpton?"
"Hagrid, becoming king is not in the future of the heir, but a Knighthood is certainly in order for you. Whatever else, is up to the Ministry, and the Crown. One is for certain, you will become quite popular, and big in the Ministry. I would not be far off, if I were to say you could run for Minister, and make it."
"Why would I want ta do that, Lily is the current Minister, and a right good un I might add."
"I am just saying Hagrid, that what ever you want, is practically your's for the taking . That is what the heir of Arthur Pendragon can expect."
"I'm perfectly appy right where I'm at."
"Hagrid, it is good to see you do not wish to use your heritage for personal gain, but you also can not waste it. You must consider what can be accomplished with this knowledge. Just do me a favor, and talk to someone who can help you. You spoke of Lily, and I can think of no one else who could assist you more. There are others who could help as well. You need to seek them out, and ask them to help you find what could help the most by use of your blood-line."
"Alright then, I'll talk to Lily, and if she can't help, maybe she could sorta point me in the right direction. Mind ya, I don't like the idea of leaving Hogwarts. It's me home, ya know. And what would I do with Fang, he's getting on with age, and he don't take kindly to being cooped up."
"You will figure something out, Hagrid, I know you will. In the mean time I have a date with a very lovely lady this evening, that I don't want to miss. If you will excuse me, Hagrid, Minerva, Filius, I will talk to you all later. Oh, I will leave Excalibur with you, as your mind has to get used to his link. And just to warn you, he can be quite a chatter-box. Till we meet again." And with that Merlin left.
Hermione talked with Tonks, Lily and Petunia for the most of two hours, picking their brains for any thing she could get concerning Merlin and Arthur. To find out he been alive all these years was amazing. And the fact of an heir now, is beyond imagination. She wondered who it could be. She considered Lily's thoughts, and though sound, she did not feel either was correct. She thought since everything that has been happening to Harry, one more thing would not be beyond comprehension. There was also Neville to consider. He would be a likely candidate. She was looking forward to meeting Merlin.
Hermione asked if she could floo Petunia to the Leaky Cauldron just so that she could meet Merlin. Every one agreed, so Hermione and Petunia flooed to the Leaky Cauldron for Tuney's date. When they arrived, They looked around, trying to find Merlin. They were approached by an elderly gentleman, and Petunia was surprised, "Emmryc, is that you. I am sorry, but you look so much older than the last time I saw you. Oh, please excuse me, Emmryc Myrrdyn, I would like you to meet Hermione Granger, Hermione This is Emmryc."
"Pleased to meet you sir, it is an honor I will always remember and cherish."
"Thank you my dear Hermione, meeting you will also be a memory I will cherish always. Now my dear Petunia, as to your remark, I am afraid that being freed from my enchanted prison, has also released from my non-aging spell. What is happening to me, is that time is catching up to my body. I am afraid that I do not have much longer to be here. If you wish to cancel our dinner, I fully understand."
"No, please, I wish to continue on with our date, as planned. If, as you say, you have not much time left, then we should take advantage of every minute of it, don't you agree."
"Thank you Petunia, and I fully agree with you, waste not want not, especially when it comes to time. Where have you decided to dine this evening?"
"Australia."
"You are kidding right?"
"No, Harry has made special arrangements for this evening, and they start with a visit with Ragnok, in Gringotts."
So they left for Diagon Alley. and Hermione left for home. When she arrived, and told everyone of Merlin's plight, they felt sorry for both him and Petunia. To find someone and lose them in a span of less than a day was just not fare.
Life is not always fare. It throws hazzards in your path at the most inopportune times, and you have to deal with them.
