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Harry's wings fluttered lazily as the morning sun streamed into their hut and managed to land directly on Harry's lashes. He groaned as he rolled over, giving a grunt when he felt Speed's hard shell dig into his ribs and then rolled the other way, rewarded with a loud indignant snore from Jean Bob. He finally gave up and glared into the blinding sun, which he noticed seemed to have singled him out and as he stretched his wings batted against his back as he searched for his shirt.
Harry stepped out into the morning sun and watched as the small village went about its day. He smiled remembering the town where Derek's Palace was and was comforted as he noticed that it didn't matter if it was a large town or small village, people in general did the same things in the morning.
Thinking about Derek and the home they had once shared made him frown lightly; he looked back up at the villagers and felt as if there was a glass wall separating him from them. He shook his head at his silly thoughts, but couldn't help but wonder what Derek was doing at that moment.
Derek moaned, he was used to the outdoors and surviving in the woods, however he made a careful note to never sleep on a branch again, his back burned from the strain and he came up with another reason as he stretched his aching muscles and then promptly fell off.
Derek pulled the beautiful white feather out of his bag and stroked his fingers against it. He felt a tingle go through him and he just knew that it had a connection to Harry. He tucked it back into his bag and fed and groomed his horse. He had been so sure that Harry would be kept at the lake, but he had other options to explore, and refused to give up until his consort was safe once again.
Bellion smiled at the young consort noticing how lost the young boy looked, his wings fluttering helplessly behind his back. Of course Bellion couldn't see in a physical sense, but his spiritual sense gave him a closer view of the world around him than any other eye out there. He came to Harry's side, seeing the wellspring of power inside the young boy he decided to teach him a bit of what he knew, it would help him in the days ahead.
Cain groaned as he woke up and then smiled as his arm stretched out to pull Bellion against his chest, he was surprised when he was met with open air and shot up in bed, wondering if it had all been a dream. He looked down and saw strands of Bellion's dark hair on the sheets and remembered that the Shaman got up with the Sun and slept very little. He shook his head at his own foolishness as he got up to prepare for the day. He hadn't noticed before how much stress their separation had caused him; but now that they were back with each other again he realized that a great weight had been lifted off his chest.
Harry was amazed by Bellion, the kind Shaman had offered to give him a few training exercises to do "It's undetermined how long it will be before you return to your school, so it would be best if you continued your training on your own." Was all Bellion had said when Harry had asked him why he was helping out. Harry smiled as Bellion showed him a new move and carefully mimicked Bellion's actions.
Cain stepped out of his hut and grinned warmly at his village, they had all seen Bellion leave his tent earlier this morning, and from the look on their Chief's face they could only assume that the two long parted lovers had reconciled; something that brought happiness to the villagers and nothing more needed to be said. Many had started to wonder if they should simply force the two back together since they were obviously perfect for each other, and were glad to see the couple had managed on their own.
After doing his usual rounds around the village Cain noticed that Harry and Bellion were outside of the Shaman's tent, the fire before them was dancing and changing colors as he heard Bellion's smooth and calm voice instructing and correcting Harry as he needed. Cain smiled, liking the image it produced and he remembered he wanted to give Harry some survival tips before he went back on his quest.
Rothbart was humming a merry tune as he made his way down to the little hut that he had kept Harry in during the winter. He had been impressed with the boy's will as he refused to come into the warm castle even in the depth of winter; but now spring had sprung and he was sure that the boy would be dying for a change of scenery.
Therefore he was very disappointed when he saw that the hut was empty and had been for some time. He growled and let out a furious shout as he incinerated the hut. It appeared he had been a little too nice to the boy and that he would have to change his tune.
Derek heard the shout and knew it was Rothbart, he smirked apparently the evil enchanter had just found out that Harry was gone. This gave Derek some peace as he knew that Harry was not with Rothbart and that Harry had been at the lake, but the relief was short lived as another question came to him…if Harry wasn't with Rothbart, who was he with?
Harry was panting in exaughstion, he had learned so much from Bellion in their few hours together; already he could feel his magical sense developing. He smiled proudly at the Shaman and he received a kind one in return. The Shaman looked up at the sun and said "You should eat…I'm sure Cain will want to take you out into the forest later to learn survival skills." Harry nodded eagerly and went to gather Speed and Jean Bob so they could scavenge some food.
Bellion gave a little sigh as his empty eyes watched Harry dash off. The young boy was filled with so much life, despite all the things that had happened to him, he had a burning determination to prove himself, to make himself necessary and that only endeared him to Bellion more.
Cain had not missed the interactions between Harry and Bellion and after the boy ran off he made his way to Bellion's side. For the first time in years he pulled Bellion back against his chest and nuzzled the Shaman's soft long hair "He's a very charming boy…" He said lowly, making Bellion shiver against him.
Bellion didn't know what Cain was up to, but he could bet he didn't need his Shaman abilities to tell him. "Yes…he is…and so young too." He said the last part a bit sadly, he had seen visions of the small eleven year old huddled inside of the hut as the winter snow piled up outside. It was spring now food and warmth were abundant, but it was still dangerous for the young boy to be out in the forest with only a turtle, a frog, and two small wings as protection.
Cain smiled, he could always tell what Bellion was thinking and he leaned in "I…know that it might be a little too soon for us, but if the Prince is searching for Harry he is sure to find the village eventually, and we can keep Harry safe until he does."
He smiled when he saw Bellion's eyes widen and continued "Besides, you told me that Derek had missed Harry by a mere hour at the lake, who's to say that they won't keep that up until one gives into despair? At least this way Harry will be safe and stay in one place."
Bellion smiled, he did adore the boy already and could see him fitting into their lives seamlessly, though he did worry about the day when Harry would have to leave, he realized that Cain was right. It was better to keep the young consort with them and safe rather than trusting the wilderness and fate with him. He smirked, fate would still play against the two young loves, but Bellion had already seen the ending and had found it acceptable. He felt hope rise in his chest but tried to keep it down "If…if he would like that…"
Cain smirked and pulled Bellion into a tender smile as he whispered against the Shaman's soft lips "How could he not? You can teach him as much if not more than that school he was going to, and I'll teach him how to survive without his magic if he finds himself in a situation where he has too." He smiled; he rather liked the idea of the lad learning from both of them, sleeping in a nearby hut, eating with them, making them a family.
When Harry returned he blushed when he saw Bellion and Cain wrapped around each other and wondered if he should come back later. He felt sadness well up inside of his chest when he remembered how he and Derek used to do the same thing when they needed comfort from the other. He shook his head, and was about to turn back to the hut they had lent him when he heard Bellion call softly after him.
Bellion had sensed Harry approach and had taken an inventory of the young boy's feelings he smiled when he came across the sadness and reminiscing and then let out a small chuckle when he found the embarrassment and saw that Harry was turning to return to his tent "Harry." He murmured softly, letting Cain know that the subject of their conversation was now there with them.
Cain slowly pulled away from Bellion, though he didn't fully separate and motioned for Harry to come over to them "We would like to ask you something Harry." He started as the young boy settled on a log across from them, his eyes curious and slightly nervous.
Cain laughed at him and put a comforting hand on Harry's back "Bellion and I were just wondering…would you like to stay in the village…with us?" He didn't want to push the idea of them being a family on the boy too soon, but knew that he had nothing to fear at the bright smile on Harry's face.
Harry couldn't believe that the Chief and Shaman were asking him to stay in the village; he had thought he would be on his own again as soon as he had learned a few tricks from them. But now to find that they wanted him to stay! He smiled and nodded eagerly, if he stayed he thought it would make searching for Derek that much easier, and he hoped that if Derek was searching for him it would make matters easy for him as well.
Bellion smiled softly at the young boy's reaction "Jean Bob and Speed can of course stay as well…" He answered before Harry had a chance to ask, the pure joy that he sensed from Harry told him that they were doing the right thing.
Thank you all for reading my work, I hope you enjoyed it and more is coming soon!