ToFF 11

A/N:

Do you remember me? Well, I have emerged from the shadows to give you a new chapter. Happy New Year, happy Pongal, happy Women's Day and happy any other festivals you may have celebrated.

Un-beta'd. I will have my friend beta it later.

ToFF till now:

Rowena and Helga have found someone who seems to know both of magic and of Rowena's identity. Salazar has discovered that his father had been hiding a secret basement to keep all the people safe. Godric has run, and is en route to Ireland, where, co-incidentally, Helga and Rowena are...

So, with no more ado, have the chapter!

Godric stood on the prow of the ship, his coppery red hair flying behind him as the golden hues of dawn lighting up the strands to a golden colour. He thought that he looked rather dramatic looking out into the water and thinking of adventures to come, but it was rather uncomfortable. His cloak was dampening fast, and his tunic had begun to cling a little to his skin.

He decided that dramatic or not, he could not stand there for any more time, so he turned and strode down the ship, his cloak not billowing as much as it could have due to that damned sea spray.

The ship he had taken from Holyhead was little more than a big boat, with three cabins- one for the crew and captain and two for whatever passengers chanced upon this ship to travel to the country of Ireland.

The deck was also fairly small, with two benches which were so rotted that they looked like they might break if one sat on them. There were a lot of ropes, to be sure, and the usual activity found on the precious few ships Godric had been on.

He had not been happy to leave Celix behind, but the man in charge of the stables had promised to keep the stallion safe provided he could breed him with some of the mares.

Godric had granted permission, albeit reluctantly, for up at the castle the stable master had wanted the blood of his thoroughbred and would not be pleased upon Godric's return, but he liked his horse too much to take away anything that might take away his safety, even if it was risking the stable master's wrath.

Sparing a glance towards the benches, Godric decided that it was not worth the risk and entered his cabin. Since there were only two passengers aboard the ship, they had both gotten a room for their own.

He had spoken to his fellow passenger but once- an Italian man with tanned, olive skin, brown eyes and dark hair, and an odd hooded robe who seemed rather friendly, and had even given Godric some useful tips on his swordplay. His weapons were of a sort that Salazar would have rather liked. In fact, the man, with his charming personality and his habit of cracking (sarcastic) jokes reminded Godric rather vividly of his younger brother, excepting the fact that the man did not seem to have more than a drop of magic within him.

His cabin was a tiny, dingy place which stank faintly of fish. The smell of fish was something that Godric did not put up with in good humour- Salazar could have gleefully recounted several occasions when the smell had gotten too overpowering and Godric had 'obtained refuge by sticking his head in a not-so-metaphorical bucket.'

The smell was again rather uncomfortable, so Godric got up again and went back to the deck of the boat. The Italian man sat on the bench, polishing his blade and humming a song. He gave Godric a nod of greeting, which Godric returned.

"Land ahoy!" announced the captain in a strong Yorkshire accent. "We'll be in the land of the Ah-rish soon enough, mah friends!"

"When?" called the Italian- Ezio, his name was- looking up from his blade.

"Bah noon, sir," came the immediate reply.

He heaved a sigh. He was getting bored aboard the ship. He liked the water and the company, and the food was tolerable, but one can have only so much of something and especially after all that travelling, he found himself rather bored, and he had polished his sword so many times that it actually sparkled every time sunlight fell on it.

"Bored, Godric?" called Ezio.

"… Yes," he replied, not hesitating.

"Come on, sit here, there are a few things I would tell you," replied Ezio, gesturing to the spot on the bench. Eyeing the bench with some caution, he moved to sit down. Sure, Ezio sat on it, but the man was of far lighter build than Godric. Noticing his hesitation, the Italian laughed.

"It will not break, amico mio," he said, and Godric, with some hesitation

For the next half an hour (or so) Godric learnt of an odd hidden blade the other man had. He had to admit that it was incredibly useful, although it was not of his style and he even took the design, which the man parted with with great reluctance and a lot of warnings. Such a weapon would be perfect for his brother, and maybe he could gift it to him when he returned. The man also taught him the basics of hiding and subterfuge. He was understandably confused, but he was willing to accept help.

By the time he had finished, they had neared the coast, and the port where ether were to dock had come into view. The crew on the ship bustled around. The two men sat in silence. Finally they rose, parting ways.

"Arridiverci, Godric," said Ezio. "I would make an invitation to you, but I sense you carry a lot on your shoulders."

"Farewell, master Ezio. And I thank you for the thought, but you are right. I carry too much on my shoulders. My thanks for all the help you have given me. May luck go with you!"

Godric felt that he would miss his new friend. He had felt some curiosity at his mysterious invitation, but he knew that this was not the time. If he ever saw the man after they got back to their relatively normal lives…. He shook his head, ridding himself of such thoughts. He knew it was time for him to go on with his very own adventure.

Godric stepped of the wharf and surveyed the little town. There was a small inn, two shops and several small houses. He decided that he would spend the day at the inn that day, so, making up his mind, he entered it. He would get a horse later on that day.

As he stepped into the place, which was rather relaxed, he was greeted by a man, whose name Godric did not remember. Heeding Ezio's advice, he introduced himself as "John", trying to modify his accent to be far lighter and less of an open indication of his position.

He sat, waiting for his food, when two girls of his age stepped down the stairs, arguing. The girl on the left was breathtakingly beautiful, with black hair she had seemingly sheared short and copper eyes. She spoke with an Irish accent, talking to the other girl, who had yellow-blond hair, light brown eyes and an incredibly cheerful air around her. She looked incredibly familiar, while the other girl looked like someone out of a picture.

Hardly thinking, he got up and he approached the two. The yellow-haired girl looked up.

"Godric?" she whispered. The raven-haired girl's eyes widened.

"Helga!" he exclaimed softly, not wanting to cause a scene. "It has been a long time, indeed"

He embraced his friend. This was unexpected, but not unwelcome. She would help him in accomplishing his mission, with her friend.

Helga pulled away.

"Godric," she said hesitantly. "This is Rowena Ravenclaw. We were travelling toward's Godric's Hollow."

"Godric Gryffindor, at your service."

He did not bow- it would be too conspicuous.

"We certainly did not expect a welcoming committee, Master Gryffindor" said Rowena. She held herself proudly, her voice as regal as her bearings. Godric felt slightly unsettled.

I am no welcoming committee, Madam Ravenclaw," he said. "I have grim tidings, and I am glad I have crossed paths with you."

"We too have tidings, but not all of them are grim," replied Helga, her voice grave.

"I think we should sit down, though," said Rowena. "What is our story?"

"I am John, a farmer's boy from England. I am meeting…. My wife and my sister?" said Godric.

Helga nodded. "Helena is your sister," she said, gesturing towards herself. "In superficial appearance, we are alike. Rose is your wife."

"Do I have to be the wife?"

Helga shot the princess a worried look. "I am sorry, but it is simply more practical, as Godric and I have similar colourings and skin types. Also, you speak with an Irish accent so…."

Rowena rolled her eyes. "So be it."

Lunch took some time in coming, but when it came Godric was too happy to eat. All his meals over the past few weeks had been cold, for back in England, he had been to frightened to eat in a town, or even start a fire. He was incredibly hungry, and the appetite with which he dug into his food surprised even him.

As they wound up their meal, Helga spoke. "So, what are your tidings?"

Godric took a deep breath as he told them the whole story, from his mother falling ill to the impending attack on his home. Upon hearing the story, Rowena shot up.

"We must go help them!" she said. "These barbarians have no right to…"

Godric shushed her frantically. "What are you saying? I have no doubts that you are an incredibly talented warrior, but you must understand- we are horribly outnumbered. The three of us, whatever we do, cannot take over them."

Helga laughed suddenly, making both Godric and Rowena turn to her.

"I'm sorry. It's just that… Go- John, you have become so wise, and you have grown a good bit since I last saw you."

Godric glared at her.

"Ach, Helena, that is no wisdom. Several times upon my journey I have considered going back, and aiding my brother and my father, but my mother…. I must save her."

"Your brother? Hel- Helena spoke of him. His name is Salazar, yes?"

"Yes. He is, sadly, not my brother by blood, but I consider him such. If all goes well, the two of you will meet."

Rowena nodded and rose gracefully. "Then come, we need to buy you a horse."

Godric looked at her, flabbergasted. "What?"

"I said that we need to go buy you a horse. Obviously, you could not bring your horse across the channel. Grow some brains."

"My apologies," said Godric sarcastically. "I always knew that I had something lacking. Must have been brains. I am too dumb to figure it out, after all."

He could not deny that he was impressed, and he was glad that the seemingly 'perfect wittle pwincess' Rowena- alright, he had not actually considered her such, but she had seemed too… capable?- not because she was a woman, but how many people, man or woman were undeniably beautiful, genius-level clever and capable warriors to the boot? Not many, he was sure of that.

She was offended, though, and a small, rebellious part of Godric…. 'No,' he told himself, shutting down that part of his mind.

Rowena was glaring at him. "We will leave in an hour, if it suits you," she said, turning around and regally walking away.

Helga groaned slightly. "Great heavens, I have no idea how I am to assist you if the two of you keep on squaring off like this! Honestly, 'Ric, could you not try?"

Godric frowned. "i tried! I like her! But… I do not like being insulted!"

Helga merely groaned again. "In the interests of peace, I shall go talk to Rowena. We shall see you in an hour- there will be an hourglass in your room. I assume that we are looking for that weird animal?"

"Yes…," said Godric, rising.

"I have an idea. i will let you know! Now, go get some rest!"

Almost exactly one hour later, Godric strode down the rickety wooden stairs. He had napped, mindful of the timings. This tiny wayside inn had surprisingly advanced - time-keeping systems (he assumed it was because ofit being so close to the harbour).

Rowena and Helga were chatting easily on a broad bench in the common room. As he descended, Rowena looked up and gave him a curt nod. Following her gaze, Helga beamed at him. She rose, cheerfully, and the taller princess did the same.

He followed the two girls out of the tavern-inn, and only as they fell into step on the cobbled stone Godric wondered where they were going. Choosing his words carefully- He was not ready to get into an argument with the princess again- he spoke softly to Helga.

"You do know where we are going, right?"

Helga looked amused. "We have horses, Godric," she said lightly.

Godric nodded, perking up considerably. "So, after horses, any suggestions for the future?"

Rowena turned back and smirked. In that moment she looked like a different person, her shoulder length hair wind-tossed and her eyes a bright brown.

"We know just the person, Master Gryffindor."

A/N:

It's ALIIIIIIVE! I have exams, so of course my creative juices are up and running… -_-… Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I profusely apologise for the delay, but I cannot say I will not repeat it. You can blame Danisnotonfire, AmazingPhil, Pentatonix, Glee and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. for being so awesome.

Oh, and previously, Ro' and Helga met this person…. Who? What? Yeah… last chapter (read: a million years ago).

I apologise for the weirdly sudden arguments, but I imagine godric and Rowena to be a really combustible pair, like, Romione combustible, but…. well, different. Please review!

PS: I realised that while Rowena's name can be shortened to Ro', Godric becomes "God'" and Helga "hel'". Who is also the Norse god of death. I find that hilarious, for whatever reason… Yeah, I'm weird.