Falling From Stars
By: Abby Ebon
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter….
The Arrival
He bowed; whether it was mocking, or sincere, was unclear. None the less he grinned mischievously, flashing fangs, and disappeared.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
…Only to reappear in the home of two centaurs (a little girl one; and a male) and no sign of the babe with a lightning blot scar- only to be promptly knocked out before he could utter a word.
The Fleet-Foot Clan was in a panic, and it was no wonder the forest elves had been summoned so quickly, by the Honored Mother's of the Clan, to guard the Dark One who had appeared amongst them in the form of a desert high elf.
As the wild haired warrior elves were able to sense their true kin, despite a Changeling tricks- they knew the intruder wasn't one of their kin. He was held in the centaurs' version of a holding cell. It was a wide hut made of thick mud-brick; the daemon was bound by silver – which the high elves had brought.
Two of the warrior elves and two centaurs (Hordi, Aswan's son among them) stood guard over the unconscious Dark One. Hordi had sent for his mother, who was with the Lady-Grandmother's Strange-Child among the sphinxes with Mars.
Osakis, who had been with him when the Dark One had appeared - had been checked over by a Healer, and then let loose among the other children of Fleet-Foot. Thus was how the news of the Dark One had spread so quickly.
The high elves might have brought up the chance that this Dark One was the one who was bargained for by the Lady-Grandmother and Dark-Mother to the Honored Mothers of Fleet-Foot then, when things were starting to settle- but they weren't given the chance.
Because, the Lady-Grandmother had arrived- and was flanked by two upset looking dryads- Maia and Tillie who had seen how things had gone so wrong (as a Dark One could be killed by metal shaped by fire- and silver was a more dangerous element, being pure in nature) and had at once gone to the Lady-Grandmother.
The Lady-Grandmother had at once ordered the high elves to remove the chains, and without explanation had gone into the hut and started healing the young Dark One.
When the Lady-Grandmother had announced in the night that she had to leave, Aswan had not questioned her.
The Lady-Grandmother had explained that something of significance was to occur after the Clan-Herd Gathering, and that it would be better if Aswan watched Mars and Adios (who they called 'their' Star-Child) with the sphinxes Liam and Lea, among their three cubs Mejia (shyest, and only she-cub), Trig (the middle-cub), and Liao (the youngest).
The cubs had welcomed Adios, and consequently Mars - warmly, and Aswan, while nervous of the predators - trusted that being a friend of the Lady-Grandmother would mean her and Mars's safety.
While Lea nursed her cubs, and Mars and Adios, Liam had explained to Aswan that sphinx milk would ease the little ones into sleep and build upon the cubs' sibling-bond.
Aswan had seen the wisdom in the Lady-Grandmother's plot to keep Mars and Adios safe by making them 'siblings' at a young age, to some of the most deadly magical creatures.
It would also explain the pregnant Nagini's stay. Nagini's kind were among the most loyal of snakes, to their Masters they would go against their very natures.
For a sibling, or parent, or their children, they would go against their Masters willingly. It was a strange logic, but it was why they weren't amongst the Dark-Mothers' ranks.
Of Nagini, she had followed the Lady-Grandmother and was sunning herself not very far away from the cave. Night passed swiftly, and Aswan had begun to wonder at dawns light if she should take Mars back to the Clan.
None the less she stayed, until while searching for food- one of the forest elves approached her. Their wild appearance and fierce stares had always a nerved her, none the less, like the dryads and the centaurs they were protectors of the Black Forest- and in those matters to be trusted explicitly.
The one who had approached her was tanned and had wild dark-red hair. His eyes were fierce green, and he had approached her with staff in hand unnoticed, a high compliment to his training indeed. He bowed, not taking his eyes from her, and addressed her.
"Honored Mother Aswan of Fleet-Foot, your son, Hordi has sent for you." The tone was soft and as musical as one would expect form a high elf, but there was an undertone of command. Aswan nodded, wary, and told the high elf to wait while she went to gather her things.
Although this was false, and the high-elf likely knew this- fore she had brought little with her when the Lady-Grandmother had called, the high elf let her return to the sphinxes.
Aswan went to check on Mars, and gain the sphinxes promise to watch out for him while she was away- they seemed insulted that they wouldn't, but promised none the less.
Aswan swiftly returned to where she had left the high elf waiting, and they quickly returned to Fleet-Foot. She found it – and in less danger then she had feared. The forest elf seemed almost puzzled by this, none the less; Hordi approached her once she had assured the safety of Osakis.
Hordi knew well not to interrupt his mother when her instincts demanded she check her youngling's health first- then the Clan second. No male- or intelligent being got between a mother and her youngling.
Aswan upon learning a Dark One was amidst them unexpectedly, and had appeared before her son and daughter first- wasn't prepared to see the Lady-Grandmother caring for a Dark One.
"Lady- Grandmother, what is the meaning of this?" Aswan asked, putting forth command in her voice- and hoping the Lady-Grandmother had good reason for this 'madness', as some of the Clan was calling the Lady-Grandmother's actions.
"Ask your dryad allies, they asked for his assistance." The Lady-Grandmother murmured her attention on healing the fierce burns of the Dark One.
The two dryads looked faintly uncomfortable at having the whole attention of an Honored Mother directed at them. Maia and Tillie glanced at each other, and decided they'd best explain to the Fleet-Foot Clan.