I know it took me a long time to update this but, as you will see, this is a very loooong chapter. Initially I wanted to include more things in it but I gave up and decided to split it up. I think it is time to explain you as well as I can how to pronounce Radu and Madalina. So, the "a" from Radu is pronounced just like the "a" from apple and "u" is pronounced like "oo". The first two "a" from Madalina is pronounced like "e" from spider and the last "a" like the one from apple. I hope you understood what I said. Anyway, let's go to the reviews.
BAGGE: It was my pleasure reading your stories. I hope you'll like this chapter too. You're right, Monica should be careful for Ginny not to find out that she and Harry had been al alone in one room and that they even went outside to watch the sunrise even if they did it just as friends. She would probably hex Monica for that.
Deb-lil: I'm glad you liked what I wrote. About the nutcases: I won't tell to shout up. Indeed I'm right about the word because this is the one used in British English. I try as much as possible to use the British words because I once had a funny accident. I was supposed to write for my English class a letter in which I thanked my aunt for the presents she had sent me, and I wrote pants instead of trousers. The professor looked confused at me for a second and she asked me if I meant trousers because in British English pants mean underwear.
Damn, stupid windows! Now that I want to post the story it tells me that there is an ip conflict and the internet isn't working. ARRRGH!
10. Oh my, she's Morwen!
Monica and her grandfather aparated in front of a wood. Near the wood passed a road which, thankfully, right now was deserted. Romendacil sighted:
"This definitely wasn't here before. Oh well, this way."
"Locomotor nutcases." Monica ordered and her nutcases started to float. They walked in to the wood for about five minutes when they suddenly stopped.
"Panta i' ando, Tel' tura naa sinome!" Romendacil ordered to an invisible force. After this they walked another 10 meters and arrived in a place with no trees. The place was huge and as much as Monica could see, it seemed to be round. It was clear that there had once been a beautiful garden but now, it was full of weeds. The once, perfectly cut roses had grown in all directions and some of them were dead.
In the middle of the place was the most beautiful building Monica had ever seen (and she had seen many of them, because, after all, she was the daughter of two architects). It was made of the whitest stone she had ever seen. It was even bigger than she though it would be. It was about 250 meters long. Right in the middle of it was a large wooden double door of an essence she did not know for it was also a bright white. The door had the shape of a broken arch. The numerous windows were also large and made from the same wood essence and had the shape of a broken arch. The manor (although in Monica's opinion was more like a castle) had 2 floors plus, as Monica suspected due to the number of windows that were on the roof which by the way was also white, an attic. A part of the house front was covered by ivy which had grown uncontrolled, and this made the building look even brighter but also made it look sad.
Monica looked at her grandfather. For a moment he didn't observe his grand-daughter starring at him and he's face was very sad, but when seeing her gaze he immediately smiled:
"So, what do you think?"
Monica looked once again at the manor and answered: "I'm glad I'm not a muggle!"
"Why!" asked her grandfather in bewilderment.
"Imagine how it would be to do the cleaning. Just when you think you finished, you discover that the first rooms you cleaned are already full of dust. Also imagine if you would lose you're keys or anything else as a matter of fact. It would take you an eternity to find them. "
Romendacil chuckled: "You have a point. I never thought about this. Anyway I propose to take a walk around the house so you can see it better."
"OK." And they took a walk around the house. In the back of the house there was another garden. In it she noticed a large green house, but all its windows were broken, a large wooden pavilion that also was in poor conditions and near the wood was a stable which seemed to be in a better condition.
"Come, I want to show you something. " Romendacil said taking his grand-daughter hand and leading her to an old silver birch. Under the cool shadow of the tree there were two white funeral stones. Monica read the inscriptions on the first one. "Keanu Silverwhite 28 December 1950- 15 January 1978. The best son-in-law a father could wish for. We will never forget you." She felt her heart stop. She gazed at the funeral stone for a few moments before reading the inscription on the second stone." Ancalime Silverwhite 7 August 1952- 27 September 1979. The best daughter a father could wish for." Under this was writing in a different alphabet and language. Monica read it loud: " Ile gurthar rauva ed' Tel' er Tel' Mori Heru onte. You shall be revenged by the one the Dark Lord created." Monica translated looking at her grandfather for a confirmation of her translation.
"I see you're getting better and better at elfish. You translated it very well." The old man looked again at the grave stones. Monica was feeling strange. She knew that she was supposed to be sad at seeing her mother's grave but she found it difficult because she hadn't met her and she didn't know to much about her because her grandfather avoided the subject and she hadn't insisted on it, hoping that one day he will tell her stories about Ancalime. She read the writings a few times in silence when suddenly she realized something. Her mouth spoke without her:
"When did they get together?" Monica realized she had opened a delicate topic and flushed badly.
The old man looked at her for a few moments. He was pondering whether he should answer her question or not. She deserves to know. She needs to know more things about her mother.
"They met when your mother was 15 and he was 17. They were both in Gryffindor and he was a year ahead of her. Also he was an orphan. They married two years after your mother finished school."
Monica was looking at him attentively like she was trying to absorb all his words. She felt a bit disappointed at the quantity of information she had received but she was surprised her grandfather answered her question at all.
"Just like Radu and I, and like Radu's grandparents! We all met at the same age, and if I would have been at a muggle school, Radu would have been a year ahead of me."
"Yes I know that. Let's go now. I want to see if the electricity and the water still work although I doubt it"
"We have electricity and running water?"
"Yes. My father was muggle obsessed and when he first heard about electricity and running water he decided that we should have them to. We have a small power generator in the wood but I doubt it's still working after all this time." And with this they went to the front doors. There, Monica noticed that on each door there was engraved a beautiful tree. Monica knew that the tree was the family emblem. They entered the house.
There was a huge hallway and in the middle of it there was a big wooden staircase that split in two in the middle of the way to the first floor. The floor was made also from wood that was dark brown although it was a bit reddish and covered with a thick layer of dust. The walls were covered whit 5 feet high panellings (?) made from the same wood and had as model, squares. The walls were white and the place was full of spider webs. Both on the left and on right there was a wooden door.
"The door one the right takes you to the kitchen, dinning room, living room and 3 bathrooms, as for the one at you left, it takes you to the weapons and training room, two libraries: one with muggle books and one with wizard books, a room dedicated to preparing potions and two bathrooms. If you'll go up the stairs you will find many dormitories, a painting studio, a relaxation room were you will find some dart games, a billiard table and other things like that and in the attic you will find an astronomy room equipped with everything you need.
"There's a weapons room! Asked Monica surprised.
Romendacil smiled when seeing her eyes twinkle with happiness. "Yap! Come I'll show it to you." Monica followed her grandfather through the door on the left, leaving the nutcases in the middle of the hallway. They didn't have to walk too much because the room they were looking for was the first one. When they entered the room, Monica gasped of disbelief. The walls were full of beautiful swords and shields. On the far wall was a big black flag with a white tree on it. Also next to the walls there were armors, but what really caught her attention were some chain mails that seemed to be made from silver. She went to one of them and touched it.
"Is this mitril?" Monica asked. Her voice was shacking with enthusiasm.
"Yes." Answered Romendacil with a big smile across his face. "And all this is yours as much as it is mine. If there is anything you want just take it." He added opening his arms
"No, I couldn't." Monica answered quietly.
"Why?"
Monica flushed and looked at the floor which apparently was much more interesting. "You know very well that I can't take something without asking first, I just can't. It has something to do with the way my parents raised me."
"And I fine job they did! They are wonderful people and I'm glad I've sent you to them. What about you? Are you glad I've left you with them?"
"Are you kidding! Of course I'm glad that they're my parents! I mean, yes we had our differences like in any normal parent-child relation, but still they're the greatest parents ever. How many fathers would tell their daughters when they are still 14 that they can't wait for them to get a boyfriend, or how many fathers would ask their daughter, jumping up and down with excitement, about her first date. Everyone who met my parents said, and I'm quoting: they're cool. Andrea always envied me for this." Monica said this very quickly.
"Yes, I know. I just wanted to be sure I hadn't made a mistake by sending you to live with them."
"Trust me, you haven't." Monica hugged her grandfather and got on her tiptoes in order to kiss him on the cheek.
"Wow… Slow down with the hug or you'll break my ribs."
"Sorry." Answered Monica sheepishly.
"Anyway, I have something for you. Close you eyes and open your hand."
"Why?" Monica asked curious.
"I said close your eyes."
Monica closed her eyes but then slowly open her right eye trying to see what was going on. Her grandfather saw her.
"No peeking!" Monica quickly closed her eye. She heard her grandfather searching for something in his pockets and then felt something cold in her hand. She opened her eyes and saw a gold key. She looked confused at her grandfather. He smiled gently at her:
"I decided that it was time you received full access to the family vault. Although I told you many times that if there was something you needed or just wanted, to come and tell me, but you never did. I always had to go around asking your parents and Radu."
Monica flushed badly and didn't say a word.
"Oh well, we'd better get going. We have a lot of things to do." Said the old man breaking the awkward silence. He went to the door and pushed on a switch but nothing happened. "Just like I thought. This means the water isn't working as well, because the water pomp worked with electricity. I'd better go and see what happened with the generator. Meanwhile you should go around the house and see it, and maybe you could do something about all this dust."
"I want to come with you!"
"No, you stay here. Don't worry I'll be fine." said the man smiling. Monica knew there was no point in arguing with the old man. They both went in the hallway where Romendacil called for his toolbox leaving Monica alone in the big house.
Monica spent a few seconds deciding where to go first. Finally she went to the right door. Again there was a long corridor with doors on the left. She entered to first room which she discovered to be the living room. Just when she entered she heard someone ask:
"Who are you? How did you get here?"
Monica jumped in surprise. She looked around the room and saw that the walls were filled with moving paintings of men and women. They all had questioning looks. Just when she was about to answer a woman yelled:
"Oh my, she's Morwen!" At this statement all the persons in the paintings started murmuring things between themselves. A couple of them disappeared but came quickly with more persons. They were all crowded in the existing paintings. Finally they all looked at Monica and studied her from head to toes. The girl didn't say anything. She still was in shock.
"Yes, indeed it's Morwen." Said one of the men.
"She looks so much like her mother." Said a woman while blowing her nose. This made everyone nod their heads and murmur some more. Monica finally managed to speak.
"I'm sorry, but you're wrong. My name is Monica not Morwen."
Everybody looked at her in surprise. "Aren't you Ancalime's and Keanu's Silverwhite daughter?"
"Yes, I am but…" She never finished her proposition because she was caught off by another lady.
"Then you're Morwen. That's the name your grandfather gave you when you were born." Monica looked surprised at the lady. She never knew she had an elfish name.
"By the way, where is Argeleb?" spoke another man.
"Eh… he's repairing the power generator."
"Wonderfull! Are you here to stay?" asked another painting.
"Yes. Soon they'll be other people joining us."
"Oh, I can't believe it! They'll be living people in this house." Everybody was happy about it.
"Can we ask you something?"
"Eh… yeah." Answered Monica.
"Could you do something about all this dust and spider webs?" asked a lady.
"Of course. Scourgify!" Monica yelled pointing at the floor and all the dust disappeared living a beautiful pearl with carpet. Monica continued casting the spell towards the 3 very big pearl white sofas, the fireplace the tea table and walls. After ten minutes everything was shining. All the painting's occupants were pleased by her work and thanked her.
"There would be something I'd like to know." Said Monica shyly.
"What?" asked a man with long white hair dressed in a crimson cloak.
"What does Morwen mean?
"Hasn't Argeleb told you?" asked a beautiful young lady with long golden hair dressed in a pale pink dress.
"No, he hasn't even told me that my name is Morwen." Monica admitted.
"Then you should ask him." Answered the same lady.
"Fine, I will!" Monica answered a bit harsh. She was pissed off because she they didn't answer her question. She stormed out of the room muttering under her breath:
"Stupid paintings. All they know is gossip, asking you questions and sticking their noses in other people business. Never when you need help will they give it to you, never." Monica had had some bad experiences because of paintings. Because of some of them both she and Madalina got themselves into detention because of their night walks.
She opened the next door which proved to be the dinning room. It was a very big room. There was a pearl white carpet on the floor. In the middle of the room there was a long table and chairs. Monica counted 30 seats. On the left wall there was another fireplace. On the table there where, what it seemed to be the remains of a lonely dinner. The plate and the piece of bread where covered by a thick layer of black mould. It smelled horrible. With a look of disgust, the girl made the mould disappear. Now she was studying two beautiful silver candlesticks that were lying on the mantelpiece. They both had a small tree engraved on the bottom. She turned and looked at the whole room. She liked it: it was simple yet elegant. With a few swishes of her wand the room was clean. After a little struggle she managed to open a window to allow fresh air to come inside.
She exited the room and entered the next one. This time it was the kitchen. It was huge. There were 5 blaugases and a really long working table. On one side there was a huge cupboard filled with all kinds of pots and plates. Monica observed that there were 3 more doors in that room. Two of them were on the wall with the cupboard and the other one was near a window. She opened one of the doors near the cupboard. When she opened the door a horrible smell of mould and decomposed food hit her. She immediately closed the door and decided that she didn't want to know what was behind the other door. Instead, she tried to open the door next to the windows but she didn't manage to do it. Monica forced herself to remember seeing that door from outside, but her memory failed her. "I probably didn't pay attention." Monica concluded. She left the kitchen without cleaning it. She past near two other doors which she deduced to be the bathrooms. At the end of the corridor she found a staircase. She climbed up and found herself at the end of another corridor at first floor.
To her exasperation the walls on her left where covered with paintings which once again started to murmur at her sight.
"Oh, just great. More paintings to annoy me." Spoke Monica under her breath.
"Did you say something young mistress?" asked one of the paintings.
"No, I said nothing." Answered Monica annoyed. She walked a few steps until she got at the first door. She tried to open it but it was locked.
"Alohomora." Said the girl but the door remained closed.
"What is here?" she asked the paintings which didn't answer her. They started once again murmuring things between themselves.
"You know, it's not nice to talk between yourselves when there's another person in front of you." Monica's temper started to rise. The paintings shut up but still they didn't answer her question. Monica made to leave to the next door but something told her that she must open that door. She tried to force it a couple of times but it didn't work. In the end she decided to try the muggle way. She took two clips from her hair and with the help of some magic she managed to open the door.
It was a bedroom. It seemed to have belonged to a girl or better said a woman. In the middle of the room there was a beautiful four-poster. But what actually caught Monica's attention was the impressive collection of dolls that had their faces, arms and legs made from china. They were beautiful and there weren't two of them alike. There was also a mirror with a table and a chair in front of it. The table was filled with what seemed to be old make-up sets and creams. She moved to a beautiful wardrobe made from mahogany. She opened the doors and found an impressive collection of long dresses. They were all beautiful. She inspected them for 5 minutes when she finally decided to move along. Just like in all the other rooms she had visited, there was a fireplace.
Monica went to the large window and looked at the garden. She had a beautiful view towards the part of the wood from where Romendacil and she had come. She turned around to leave but stopped dead. Next to the bed there was a baby crib. Monica went slowly to it and touched it. She now knew to whom that room belonged. With shaking hands she pulled aside the curtains and looked at the bed. The sheet had a large dark spot that looked very much like… blood.
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"Finally!" Romendacil said glad that he had finished repairing both the generator and the water pomp. He was covered in dust, sweat, spider webs and diesel oil. He slowly started walking towards the house.
"We'll need to go in town to do some shopping." Thought the old man. "We need to buy some diesel oil, food, detergent and other cleaning products." His stomach made a strange sound. "And I think we should also eat something." Caught in his own thoughts he didn't realize when he arrived to the house.
He entered the hallway putting down the tool box and shouting after her grand-daugther.
"Monica!" no one answered. "Monica!" still no one answered. "Oh well, I'd better go and find her." Told the man to himself. He decided to follow the footsteps left in the dust. He opened the living room door.
"Argeleb, how nice to see you!" shouted a man from a painting.
"It's nice to see you all." Answered Romandacil with a smile across his face.
"Where have you been all this time? We thought you would never return."
"I've been here and there. Judging by how clean this room is, I assume that my grand-daughter passed here."
"You mean Morwen. Yes she's been here. She looks very much like her mother, although I don't really know to who she resembles at her temperament."
"What do you mean?" the old man asked looking concerned.
"Yes, well she asked us what Morwen means and when we told her to ask you she went crazy and stormed out of the room."
"You told her that her name is Morwen!" the man was totally panicked.
"Yes, we didn't know that she had no idea about this." Answered the same man in his defense. Everybody nodded their heads in approval.
"Where is she?" asked the old man with a croaked voice. All the paintings decided not to answer the question and not to look at the man.
"Damn it, where is she!" shouted the man. This made all the paintings jump in surprise.
"She's… eh…in the ...eh mistress bedroom." Squeaked a woman. The man face faded away.
"But, but… the room was closed." Said the man who now was scared.
"Yes, but she managed somehow to open it." The man hadn't paid attention to the last statement. He started walking towards the bedroom where Monica was. His heart was beating really fast. She probably hates me now. God, why did she have to find it out like this? It looks like it's time for me to answer all of her questions.
Romendacil arrived at his destination. The door was opened but he couldn't hear any sound from it. He entered the room. Suddenly he heard a sniff. He got round the bed and found Monica sitting on the bed holding the dirty sheet in her hands. Her face was blank and she didn't make any sign of noticing her grandfather. The man sat next to her and waited for her to yell at him, but that didn't happened. They stayed like that for 5 minutes. This hurt the old man more than if she would have yelled at him. In the end Monica spoke. Her voice was calm although it was a bit trembling.
"What does Morwen mean?" The old man hesitated answering the question. No more lies and secrets or you'll lose her, a voice in his head spoke.
"It means Daughter of Darkness." Answered the old man sadly.
"Daughter of Darkness." Repeated the girl slowly.
"I wasn't thinking straight when I gave you that name. I had just lost my daughter and I hated you because I thought you were responsible. That's another reason why I left you with Michaela and Adrian. I was afraid that because of my anger I would have transformed you in the female version of Voldemeort. If you hate me and you don't want to see me again I'll understand it. Just say if you want me to leave and I will."
"No, I don't want you to leave and I don't hate you. I'm just disappointed that you never want to talk to me about mum. Every time I ask you something about her you just change the subject. You keep secrets from me because you want to protect me but you only make things worst. I'm tired of finding things out by accident. It only hurts more because I know I was lied again. Please, no more secrets." Monica was looking in the old man's eyes. Tears were now falling down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry." Whispered the old man hugging Monica. They stayed like this for a while, both crying silently. In the end Monica broke off her grandpa hug and wiped out her tears. She smiled sadly: "You know, you didn't choose the right name for me. It should have been Death Child or something like that."
The old man smiled back at her." Well I did think about calling you like that but Morwen sounded better then Sellgwanth."
"It's nice to know that you though about the way it sounded. You know, you should call me Morwen from time to time." Monica smile looked a bit happier.
The man's heart missed a beat. She doesn't hate me!