Harry knew from twigs where the island should be. He flew his Firebolt high over the clouds south-east. The short moments he spent below the clouds, he could see fields and forests full of snow. Untouched hills and valleys zooming by. Only a few small villages dotted the area here and there.
After almost 10 hours on the broom spending the last few hours searching along the western coast. Harry found the island. From high up on his broom he had a great view.
The first sign was the grey fog beneath him which lay like a thick ring around the island. It would be hard travelling through it without the aid of magic. The Island was actually a massive atoll with a decently large sized island in the middle. Although the island was rather far north, geographicly, the climate seemed to be mild and the weather relatively warm.
It seemed perfect for farming. Although Harry doubted the Goblins would farm any land at all.
Harry landed at the base of the biggest mountain on the island and surveyed the area. There was a small lake near him and the area look good to start his new place.
Harry knew the Goblins would want to come out as early as possible so he unstuck one of the marbles on his chest which contained the Goblins and lay it in front him on the floor.
He stood near the sandy beach that surrounded the sea and the trees of the forest on his left were a few dozen meters away. That would be enough space he decided and summoned the Elder Wand.
He concentrated and enlarged the thousands of puzzle pieces that had made up the marble. He enlarged them and transfigured them back to their normal stature. At last he ended the Stasis Spell.
The drain on his magic was so high that Harry fell to his knees, as if a brute had punched him in his gut.
His vision faded and he dimly heard a few gruff voices before he fell unconscious.
Harry awoke a few hours later while the sun was going down. He lay in a comfortable bed with fluffy white pillows. After lifting his head and looking around Harry realised that he was resting in a bed in a medical ward. Most of the beds and equipment around him were of a smaller size, likely made for goblins.
A large goblin with a monocle and a wrinkled old face made his way over to Harry.
He wore a dark brown coat that reached to the floor.
He came to stand on Harrys bedside and pulled a small vial filled with red liquid out of a pocket deep in his coat. He gave a small bow and said.
"Lord Peverell, I am healer Gorknasch. You have suffered from a mild case of magical exhaustion after performing the anti stasis spell. Your body had time to regenerate while you slept, and this pepper up potion should do the rest." he said in a clear scientific voice and offered Harry the red potion.
Harry took the potion and waited for the steaming effect to subside. He stood up and realised that he still wore his black leather clothes. His magical sense told him, that his cloak was hanging near the entrance of the makeshift tent that made up the infirmary. A quick scourgify later Harry wandlessly summoned his cloak and let the warm feeling of remembrance flow through him when the cloak slithered trough the air and hugged Harry's figure.
The Goblin watched the moment without any hint of interest on his face and patiently waited.
"Vice Clan Leader Bakhook has asked for you presence, in the temporary command tent, as soon as you have recovered Lord Peverell." The Goblin healer said.
"Thank you for you care healer Gorknasch" Harry said with a smile gracing his lips.
Harry fastened his cloak and made his way out of the tent. Two Goblin guards in full plate armour and regalia, flanking the entrance, stood rigidly at attention when Harry exited the tent. He nodded at them and wordlessly walked along the long rows of tents that had been erected at the Base of the looming mountain.
In the few short hours Harry had been out the Goblins had already done mos the planned work. They had erected a small city of tents. From small cooking tents to stores the goblins had thought about everything.
The wizard extended his sense, and found Bakhook in a tent a few dozen meters to his right. He walked to the tent that looked from the outside like the rest and entered.
The command tent only had one big room. There was a big stone hearth on one side and the walls looked like they were made of marble. In the middle stood a large heavy oak wood table that could easily seat two dozen men or goblin. Many parchments lay strewn over the table. Two dozen chairs padded with red velvet were arranged around it.
Bakhook sat on the right side of the table at the far end. Around him seated were multiple goblins. Some Harry recognised and some faces were knew. There were after all a few thousand goblins.
The Seat at the Head of the table had been left free for Harry.
They were loudly bickering when he entered. Harry could see Bakhook trying to regain control over the group, but without success. Harry walked silently along the wall of the room up behind the seat at the Head of the table. He imbued his voice with a bit of magic and said in a strong tone that promised finality.
"Silence"
He did not bother to let his aura flow. The Goblins knew how powerful he was.
The bickering stopped immediately and it became deathly silent in the magical room. All eyes were directed at him. Harry sat down and studied the faces looking at him intently.
It still amazed him how obedience the goblins were. In fact, ever since Griphook had sworn fealty to him almost 280 years ago, the clan of his descendants regarded Harry as their King.
They had never held an election or a coronation. Harry had never seen the worth in these things when they were fighting for their lives on the old world. And while he would always place his subjects first, he by now appreciated the power that came from command.
Stopping his train of thoughts he gestured for Griphook and said in a much more comfortable voice.
"You have outdone yourself Bakhooh. As I have seen almost all the tents are already standing. What else happened while I was out?"
Bakhook straightened a little under the praise from harry and said with his chin held high.
"As you said sire, all the tents have been erected. I have sent scouts to explore and map the island. The prospector have already set up a mining site and are testing the rocks there. So far we have promising results for iron, copper, tin and silver. We are sure that more will be found. The ground looks very promising."
"We also have something completely new to us at the beaches surrounding the island to the open sea. They consist of some kind of iron sand. We have already smelted some of it to test it. It shows consistency and seems to be of a better quality than normal steel when refined."
Bakhook gestured to a bookish looking goblin who wore glasses and sat at the other end of the table and said with a barely contained sneer.
"Tip-ket has taken a closer look at the climate and the plants that grow on the island."
the mentioned goblin enthusiastically nodded and almost lost his glasses before he said in a soft voice.
"It's a lot warmer than it should be at this geographically location, and the ground seems to be rich in minerals and nutrients. There are many magical plants that we know from old earth. But also an array of new plants and animals." he cleared his throat and continued "So far we have not discovered any magical species but we will keep looking." he ended enthusiastically.
Harry gave him a small nod and bid Bakhook to continue.
Bakhook grabbed a small parchment from the table and continued.
He shuffled the papers in front of him and pulled another one out.
"As our architects have been planing the general layout of the new city for quite some time before our coming we now only have to adjust it for the local conditions. The construction should proceed swiftly. We estimate that the city will be able to hold us goblins in about 6 months. From there it will easily be extendable until we reach the first sett of walls."
The goblin chieftain showed Harry the different plans and sketches of the future city. It looked marvellous. For hundreds of years the goblins had been forbidden from purchasing any land in England. Coupled with the statue of secrecy the goblins did not have the possibility to build any structures above ground for centuries.
While they liked their tunnels and caves they preferred to live everyday live at the surface. Now without all the former limitations they wanted to construct the city as a show of wealth knowledge and skill that the goblins had accumulated over centuries.
Since Harry had no idea about city planing he gave the goblins a carde blanche to do what they want. They declined the help of his magic, saying their own was enough.
Harry had only wanted one thing for this new city. He wanted to rebuild Hogwarts Castle with a few differences. Since he was not sure if there would be any magical persons at all on this planet. He did not plan a school yet. But he knew the goblins would press for him to take on the mantle of King of this new city.
He did not shy away from the title and responsibility. He knew that if he wanted to be taken seriously in the centuries to come he had to garner a reputation. And while he did not plan to reveal this islands for quite some time to come. It would make everything easier for this day when he were king.
Besides he was the only immortal one of his folk. He had to make sure that they stayed on track.
Bakhook interrupted Harry's musing when he said.
"We will build the castle at the highest point of the city, partially carved in to the mountain. While we take into consideration the plans and Layout of Hogwarts, we aim to make it much easier to defend. From magical and mundane attacks alike." The goblin had an almost manical stare in his eyes when he said that. They would build the castle and set up the wards. At the end Harry would infuse the structure with a massive boost of magic.
The goblins were free now. And no one would take that away again.
They talked almost for 2 more hours after that settling many smaller issues like food and water, until Bakhook shifted a little uncomfortable on his chair and said cautiously
"Many of my fellow goblin insist on officially crowning you as King. While goblins have never hidden their hatred for the old wizards. You are as goblin as a man can get. You saved our ancestors in their greatest moment of need and have defended the clan ever since. You are strong and honourable."
Bakhook rose from his chair and unsheathed the sword from his side. He knelled before Harry and looked up at him with deference.
"I Bakhook of the Hook Clan swear my sword to you, my King. From this day till my last day I will serve and obey you. As will my descendants after me. I will protect and defend you with mine own body. So help me Blood and Honour."
With the last two words he cut himself on the short sword and pressed the bleeding fist on his chest.
Harry carefully regarded the reactions in the room. All of the present seemed to be pleased with the proceedings and were anxiously waiting for Harry's response. It was a good move from Bakhook. Even if harry had wanted to decline, he could not do so now without offending the Goblins that had fought and bled for and with him.
Harry sat calmly at the head of the table and let his gaze wander along the assembled Goblins. He let the barriers on his eyes fall and regally stood up. He directed his glowing eyes at the still kneeling Bakhook and answered with a deep and penetrating voice.
"I accept your oath of fealty. You and your family will always have my protection and a place at my table."
Harry thought that sounded good, since he did not no the historically correct answer.
The rest of the Goblins present followed Bakhook's example and swore fealty to Harry.
The message spread through the camp at such a fast rate that half an hour later all the goblins knew what had happened. Many more came to swear fealty to Harry. Since the clan leaders had already done so, it was not strictly necessary, but they saw it as a show of loyalty.
The Coronation took place the next day. Harry had to leave it to them. They did not waste any time.
It was a grand occasion. The Goblins had built a big wooden dais in the place where the castle would stand in the future. Harry had enlarged the second marble at the last evening, since the goblins needed a lot of their stuff from the suitcases for the coronation.
Hundreds of goblins wearing finest goblin armour and weaponry lined the way to the dais. Behind them were the rest of the Goblins for once shouting and crying when Harry walked down the aisle. He wore new clothes he had received this morning.
Black trousers and a dark grey shirt made of Acromantula silk. On top a dark green basilisk hide west. Above this he wore parts of his royal armour. It was not finished yet so he only wore the Breastplate. It was beautifully crafted, yet had only few adornments. They were inlaid with a white shining mithril silver. In the middle of the Breastplate was his family weapon engraved. The sign of the deathly hollows inlaid with a black stone.
Apparently the goblins had already started the breastplate before the departure, cunning little creatures.
He walked up the stairs of the dais with purposeful strides. He let his magic flow freely and projected an aura of power. He looked like a King of old.
Harry kneeled before Bakhook who invoked some sort of magical ritual before he presented the immortal an old looking crown. It was made from an onyx black metal and had nine spikes that looked liked sharp shards of Bone. They had reforged it from the ancient crown of the former Goblin King.
There was only one black stone inlaid in the front of the crown. It was the resurrection stone. Harry had given it to the smith the day before, insisting it be the only gem on the crown. The triangle with the crossed circle was faintly visible on the stone.
Bakhook reverently said
"With this crown you will take your rightful place as King." He said a few more words in an old language Harry did not understand before he placed the crown on his head.
A fuzzy warm feeling enveloped Harry.
He straightened himself and let his gaze wander over the cheering masses.
He cast a sonorus on his throat and stepped to the front of the dais.
In a deep vibrating voice he spoke.
"I solemnly assure you not to falter in the face of the enemy. I swear to always guard our Folk and realm from every one that wishes harm upon us. I swear to always aid and care for you, till the end of my days."
Harry spoke every word with an iron conviction in his voice. He never faltered once and let his shining eyes roam his people.
"Today we usher in a new golden age. Where there is no need to hide and only your own skill and imagination set the limit. Every one will be free and I will not differentiate in judgement between rich or poor, between high or low born, or between man goblin or wizard. In our grand new city Iron-Shore everyone is equal."
Harry left the dais along the aisle with his new crown atop his head.
They feasted for the next two days straight before returning to normal duty. Harry stayed there for a day longer to settle some small disputes and lay down some easy rules for the mining and the foraging. He also commissioned them to start building an entrance to a vault system underneath the future castle. For now with only one vault to store all the gold, gems and artefacts they had.
On the fourth day Harry left Iron-Shore on his Firebolt on the way straight to Winterfell.