Chapter 8


Fate knocked lightly on the door, hoping Harry had finally awoken. An ordered "Enter." Was proof enough and he swayed into the room, smiling bemusedly at the scene before him. Harry was curled up in front of the fire, a book in his lap and a glass of wine in his hand. He looked pale but also as though he were recovering.

"I had a very interesting night, My Pharaoh."

It was a standing joke between them. It was really the only epithet that Harry had not been awarded.

"Oh? Do tell."

"Well. I sat with a very obnoxious princess from Saird Nole and a very handsome prince from Fray."

"Hands off." Harry warned.

"The two talked animatedly about the baby they would be having."

"WHAT?"

In amusement, he continued with, "Well not between them personally. I believe that the baby would be yours and Esmeralda's. She is to be your, and Astyr's child's surrogate mother."

"Huh?"

"Ah yes. They had a name picked out and everything."

"Oh dear lord."

"Your child's name shall be Tierainney. His hair will be blonde, his eyes bright green. He will live under Esmeralda's care whilst you save people from destruction and you will visit him only occasionally. His favorite sport will be polo. He will be married to princess Hannah from East Parsh."

"Isn't she a little old? She is a 40 year old widow," Harry said absentmindedly, still dismayed at this turn of events.

"Yes. That is irrelevant. He will only ever wear royal blue. Or leopard skins."

"You're having too much fun. What exactly did Astyr say about this?"

"He said that she had his full encouragement and should bring the matter to you immediately. The agreement is only pending you actually having sex with the girl. Which, I might add, she is planning to do on the throne in the great hall. With leopard skin blankets."

"I'm going to kill Astyr."

Fate could only laugh.

Harry sobered. He knew Fate had not come simply to tease him about Esmeralda. Something had happened tonight. Something that would probably leave Harry thinking for a long while after hearing whatever it was. Fate was like that.

"I went for a walk with Astyr after dinner."

"He isn't…He didn't…"

Harry couldn't form the sentence. He was afraid that Astyr might have fallen for the merman. He'd seen him shiver when the man talked once, as though it made him tingle. Harry could not bear it if Astyr turned out to be single, gay, and in love with one of his closest friends.

"I think I talked his ear off."

"Why? You have never been one to talk unnecessarily. Unless you find the need to tease me."

"True. But he asked a question which I could not answer fully without a great deal of explaining."

"It wasn't 'do you love me?' was it?" Harry was dreading this very scenario.

"Yes." He said, surprised at Harry's accuracy.

"Oh. So he is infatuated with you."

"What? No. His question was 'Do you love Harry.'"

Harry blinked. Well. That was interesting.

"And you said…?"

"Of course. And then I proceeded to explain our entire relationship."

"Fuck."

"And how we had agreed that we were not each other's mates."

"Oh."

"As you can tell, I did a lot of talking."

"What was his response?"

"Actually, I think I did all of the talking…"

"Fate, you are not helping me." He growled in annoyance, putting his book down and rubbing at his eyes tiredly.

"It was not my aim to help you. I was helping him. Don't you see? You probably are completely head over heals in love for each other." Fate gestured strongly to illustrate his point.

"He thinks I'm a bloody hero! How do you love a hero?" Harry erupted out of his chair to back his inquiry.

"Passionately."

Harry let out a frustrated groan and started pacing.

"No Fate. He doesn't see me. He sees Facis. I saved his life, I fucking poured my heart into him to keep him from dying, I panicked over his dead body and all he can say is 'How can I be of service to you lord?' like I was some bloody machine. Or worse. A bloodthirsty princess."

"Actually, if I recall Bain's description correctly, he told you to go shoot yourself, too."

"I--! What?"

"And called you some sort of endearment which made Remus laugh."

"Shag."

"That was it. Did it perhaps occur to you that he sees you not as a legendary figure, but as a man with supreme abilities? Perhaps he sees you as a wonderful, intelligent, sexy man with whom he simply hasn't got a chance."

"Are you pulling all this out of your ass?"

"They are merely some conjectures I made when I observed a few choice facial expressions."

Harry ran a hand through his hair, contemplating this strange revelation.

"What am I supposed to do…?" He asked longingly.

"Simple really. What do normal people do when they want to impress someone?"

Harry stared at him uncomprehendingly. Normal people? Harry had never been normal. Well, he reflected, that's not true. He was a pretty average height. That had to count for something.

Obviously he wasn't getting through, so Fate decided on a different approach.

"Court him." The blunt approach.

A dawning comprehension swept across Harry's features. And why not? Flirt, impress, and act like a completely normal person. It just might work.

As Harry descended into a reflective mood, Fate made as if to leave. He paused at the door and spoke out into the quiet of the room.

"And Harry? Catch him soon. He may be gone before you realize."


The next day proved to be as boring as Fate had predicted. The sun was shining but it was not particularly warm. The day progressed in a normal way with very few events worthy of note. All meetings and political agendas were postponed in favor of preparing for the feast that night.

Astyr found Harry walking through a hedge garden midmorning. He had wanted to apologize to him since the whole arrow thing. He steeled himself, trying to think of exactly what to say. Finally he walked over to the man who had just sat down on a bench. Nervously he rubbed at his chest, feeling a twinge from the phantom wound he'd received the day before.

"H—." Oh no. He didn't know what to call him. Harry? Commander? Facis? He was saved the trouble as Harry saw him.

"Astyr." He said, clearly surprised.

Astyr took a few steps closer and drew in a breath.

"I…I just wanted to say…I wanted to say that I am sorry."

Harry raised his eyebrows, "What for?"

"I assumed, because you are…important, or busy…I assumed that you were callous as well. I assumed that I was beneath your notice and that you expected…me to be beneath you."

"But…?"

"But you are still...Harry." He was taking a dare. If he really wasn't interested in him, he was making a fool of himself. "You are someone I have come to count on as a friend. When I acted as I thought you would want me to…I was wrong, and—and I think I unintentionally hurt you. I was the callous one, while you were a caring friend. A caring friend who has just saved my life. And I apologize."

Harry was rather happy with that. Astyr wanted to remain friends! He knew he wasn't a callous machine! Harry smiled at him.

"Come on over here. Sit." He said, gesturing to the bench across the path from him. "And of course you're forgiven. I was hurt by that and I'm relieved that you don't think so little of me."

"Most would die for that kind of recognition and respect." Astyr said tentatively as he sat down.

"But since when am I ever normal?" Harry retorted, remembering his thoughts of last night. Then his voice took on a concerned and wistful tone. "Ah Sparkle. I was so worried about you. You up and got assassinated."

Astyr laughed. "And yet here I stand, breathing no less. Some assassin."

"Don't put him down. He was actually quite good. Short of magic, there was no better way to do it. We can't even find him, though I have all my men working on that. And he did kill you. Your heart stopped, your lungs were punctured, and a central artery was ripped. Your life blood drained from you."

"Then how am I here, my heart beating, lungs breathing, and with blood flowing through my veins?"

"That would be my fabulous healing skills. You are very lucky that I am a natural healer."

"And what else are you a natural at? Dancing? Planning weddings? Shagging?" He teased.

Harry blushed brightly and grinned saying, "Oh yes, definitely that last one. But from what I hear, you are better at planning weddings than I am. Specifically, that of my unborn son, Temainnery."

"Tierainney." He corrected. "And really, we only picked out the bride and color scheme."

Harry laughed harder into Astyr's amused gaze. "You do realize that this isn't a joke to her? That she is going to be try to sleep with me for the next 10 years?"

"Nonsense. It wont be more than 4."

"I'm doomed."

"Yes. That's what you get when you leave me to my own devices around mischievous mermen and stupid women."

Harry laughed. It seemed their troubles from the week were forgotten and they simply enjoyed each other's presence.

"So do you know what this big welcoming feast will be like?"

Harry groaned good naturedly, "Oh yes. It's going to be horrible. There will be dancing and music and everyone and their mother's best friend is going to want to talk to me and shake my hand. I will be required to dance with at least a million people because to do otherwise would be an insult. At dinner I will be surrounded by vicious matrons and at least 4 people will challenge me to duel. After that, the real festivities will begin and there will be countless jokers and clowns reenacting hideously exagerated tales about me. I'll have to smile and pretend that I am incredibly conceited. And the vampiric princesses will not leave me alone."

"Pure torture. You should just kill yourself now."

"Like that will work. Doubtless they will somehow reach me in the underworld and demand that I fulfill my obligations! And what if I become a ghost? My unfinished business will be to dance with everyone in the world! Oh no…Can you imagine that? The great fucking Facis waltzing people down the halls of the imperial palace at Haven. I want to see you try the Tango with a ghost. Just bloody wonderful."

Astyr was laughing, causing Harry to smile as well, momentarily forgetting his annoyance.

"You could regard it as one of your more fatal adventures. Your armor is a dress robe, your weapons are your wits, and your victory is survival by the end of the night."

"Astyr, I would gladly face a demon above those arrogant duelers, an army of trolls ahead of those scheming matrons, and an entire world filled with Voldemort clones before facing those bloodthirsty princesses." This Harry said with dramatic conviction, making them both burst out laughing at the end of the statement.

"Sounds like you need back up."

"Yes! You don't mind do you?"

"Mind what?"

"You will be my backup! When I am in particularly desperate straights, with a wall at my back and a she-dragon in front, you will sweep in and save me from matrimony!" Harry was excited. This was a good idea.

"Exactly how will I accomplish that?"

"You're a prince. You think of something. You've probably had your fair share of suitors and have so far managed to allude them, correct?"

"Sure. It involves the words 'flaming homosexual' printed on my forehead."

Astyr hadn't really been paying attention to his words. He regretted them slightly but was curious as to Harry's reaction. And it was true after all. He did inform most women that he was not really into them. His father had begun finding male suitors two years before but so far none of them had struck his fancy much either.

Harry's heart skipped a beat and his mind was reeling. Astyr was gay? That was almost too good to be true. He only allowed his expression to remain surprised for a second before addressing Astyr, failing at containing his grin.

"Really? Is that even allowed here?"

Astyr was confused, "What do you mean?"

"It's just that some places do not accept that idea. They demand that people wed the opposite sex. The non-magical community on my home world hates gays. Thankfully the wizarding world has no qualms. I, myself, wasn't lying to Esmeralda that day. It just doesn't seem to have spread as far as my reputation."

So Harry was gay. Not that it really mattered, Astyr thought with a touch of bitterness, What chance do I have?

"Of course they 'allow' it. Sometimes it is even encouraged. It depends on how many princesses are available verses princes. My grandfather was forced into a male partnership. It is really not a problem as any apothecary can give the ingredients and spells to create a child outside of normal means. My mother was such a one."

"You mean you use magic to create a human being?"

"Well they aren't really human. For one thing, the created person is unable to perform magic and they don't even have the small spark of magic that indicates that a person is alive. Technically, they are only machines. But they grow, have feelings, and have the ability to create. I believe the man who cuts these bushes is in fact magic-born. The entire process involves complicated runes but doesn't require a wizard to draw them."

Harry was stunned. This kind of magic would be invaluable at home. He resolved to find these ingredients and runes so that he could replicate the process. He knew a few people who would appreciate it.

"Well will you save me, Mr. Star? I am afraid I will not survive the night without your help."

"I will see what I can do."

"Perfect."

They talked for the entire morning, pausing only to grab some lunch, which they acquired at the outdoor entrance to the kitchen. They spoke freely, ignoring their surroundings and making their way down to the pond that Fate and Astyr had talked at the night before. Astyr looked over the water, remembering the conversation. Facis truly was a strange individual.

Lost in his recollection, he failed to notice Harry's devilish expression as he walked over to a tree overhanging the water. Harry spelled a rope onto a sturdy branch and walked backwards, up the hill to get a good kickoff. He toed off his shoes and readied himself. He jumped, clutching the rope and aiming towards the turned back of Astyr on the edge of the small dock. Harry barreled into him, pushing him hard into the water, whooping at the air he achieved before letting go and plunging in.

He surfaced, whipping his hair out of his eyes and looking to where a sputtering Astyr should be. He found nothing. The water was calm, not betraying the position of the errant prince. Harry began to get worried. He turned, grin fading, looking for the boy. Could he not swim? Harry regretted surprising him and forced himself to remain calm as he looked around. Very little time had passed but to Harry, it felt like minutes.

Suddenly, something seized Harry from below the water, powerfully drawing him into the depths. At first he thought it was a tentacle from some man-eating lock ness monster but quickly revised his opinion as the grip on his ankle let up and a boot landed on his shoulder pushing him even further down into the pond.

Astyr broke the surface, taking a breath before diving down again, just as Harry came up, gasping. Looking around, Harry still found no one.

"Astyr! Not funny! Come out now!"

Harry was at a loss as to how Astyr was holding his breath. Could he breathe under water? Unlikely. Harry was saved from more speculation as he was once again pulled from beneath. Harry's arms went up, flailing as he attempted to stay above water. Astyr was too strong though, and pulled him under again.

Harry surfaced again and was startled by a bird trilling happily at him. He glared at it.

His distraction caused him to fail to notice the water moving ever so slightly as Astyr snuck up behind him. He dunked him, pushing his head down and trying to keep it under, laughing as Harry struggled. Harry hooked an arm around Astyr's back and flipped him forward, dislodging him from his shoulders and gasping for air.

Astyr's laughter echoed in his ears and he growled, turning to the man, intent on splashing him. Astyr, however, was not very compliant and didn't end up being anywhere near where his laughter had come from. Instead, he had circled around Harry and then got his leg around his chest, pulling him close and putting his head in a headlock.

"Give up?" Astyr asked behind his left ear, happiness apparent in his voice.

"No." Harry said rebelliously and grabbed one of Astyr's legs, pulling him forward, causing the prince to lose his grip and go under.

Harry grinned triumphantly, only to become wary, as the other offered no resistance. Astyr slid into the water, following his momentum to come under and then in front of Harry beneath the surface. He swam forward, touching Harry lightly in the side before twisting around and touching him on the leg. Harry flailed, trying to strike the invisible person tickling him. He laughed as Astyr's fingers tingled over his foot and on his chest. With Harry disoriented, Astyr easily dunked him again.

"Ok! Ok stop!" Harry gasped as he came up again to find Astyr treading water right in front of him, his amused smile causing Harry to pout.

Astyr laughed at the expression.

"This time I do not have an arrow in me. I am told I am a very good swimmer."

"Good? You're swimming circles around me!"

"And I don't even have elemental powers to help me. Tut tut. Looks to me like you were just a little too cocky there."

"Prat." Harry said, splashing him slightly. "How did you learn to move like that?"

"I live on an island. There is water all around. There is not a single person in Fray who cannot swim adequately."

"Well I guess I won't ever be doing that again unless I stay safe and sound on dry land."

"I doubt that you will ever try that again even with that added security measure. I think maybe princess Esmeralda and her friends would love to know that Facis' feet are particularly sensitive." A conniving smile graced Astyr's face, causing Harry to feel a wave of attraction.

"You wouldn't dare!" He said as the words sunk in.

"Would I? I don't know…"

"You're a bloody slytherin in disguise!" Harry said with a mourning tone.

"A what?"

"Never mind. Let's go. I want to get out as soon as possible in order to save myself the humiliation of one more dunking." Harry said this as they approached the dock off to the left of the tree.

"Certainly." Astyr replied.

Then he dunked Harry again. He scrambled quickly up onto the dock and stood above him as he resurfaced. Harry came up gasping and glared at Astyr's triumphant grin.


A/N It seems like this entire chapter is unintentionally conversation. Sorry.