CHAPTER 37: ELDERS OF THE FOREST
A few days had passed since Harry's arrival in the past when he was given permission to wander around and explore. Since his training was being done at his ancestral home in the past there was no real danger, but he still had a guard watching him at all times.
He was walking along the edge of the forest when he came upon a very young black unicorn that happened to be lying on the ground whimpering and wounded. Harry ran over to see if there was anything he could do, but the guard warned him not to get too close.
"The unicorn might be hurt bad," Harry said. "I just need to see if there is anything I can do to help it."
"Please be careful Harry," the guard warned. "They do not take kindly to humans.
"I will do my best." He walked cautiously to the unicorn and stood quietly letting the animal take a good look at him. He never broke eye contact and began to speak. "Hello there my friend," he said in a quiet tone. "My name is Harry Potter. I can see that you're hurt and wanted to see if there was anything I could do for you." 'If only it was that easy,' he thought to himself.
The unicorn looked at him and turned his head from side to side. He sat there studying Harry. The unicorn bowed its head and blinked at him. "Greetings to you Harry Potter – Heir of Gryffindor, and of Merlin," it said to him in his mind. "I am Dark Light son of Fire Scar – Elder of the Black Unicorns."
Harry looked puzzled. "How is it that you know my name Dark Light?"
"Oh I read your thoughts. It is within my abilities to do so since I am a magical creature."
"Yeah I forgot about that. Can you tell me what happened? Is there anything I can do for you?"
"I was attacked by a pack of wolves and the only thing that you can for me is a wrap for my leg. My father can heal me the rest of the way, but I doubt I'd make it to him. I can sense the wolf pack near bye."
Harry closed his eyes and concentrated on the surrounding area. He felt everything around him including the pack waiting for the injured unicorn. "I see what you mean," Harry said opening his eyes. "I can feel the pack lying in wait." He walked closer to the unicorn. "May I touch you?"
"Yes you have my permission Harry Potter," Dark Light replied.
"Thanks." Harry knelt to see the wound. It was a deep cut and it looked like it was beginning to get worse. Harry reached out and gently traced his hand along the injured leg. "This looks bad. I'll clean the wound and wrap it for you. Is there anyway to contact your father?"
"I can call him magically, but it will take away from the healing process. There is another way, but it's never been attempted before."
"That would be?"
"Well you could call to him, but I don't know if he'll answer you. As I said it has never been attempted."
"I won't have you sacrificing healing power to do something I can do," Harry said firmly. Once again he closed his eyes and concentrated his magical energy. He let his magical energy flow around him and he was covered in a golden glow. 'Fire Scar – Elder of the Black Unicorns please hear me,' he thought. 'Fire Scar can you hear my thoughts? Your son is in danger. Please hear me.'
"Stay where you are and we will come to you my young Lord. Thank you."
"He answered me Dark Light," Harry said opening his eyes.
"That is good news Harry. I promise you that my kind will know of your generosity."
"That really isn't necessary Dark Light. I just wanted you to be safe."
Minutes after Harry called for Fire Scar he emerged from the forest along with three other black unicorns. His three companions stayed on the edge of the forest while he went over to Harry and Dark Light.
"Greetings Harry Potter I am Fire Scar – Elder of the Black Unicorns," he said.
"Hello Fire Scar," Harry replied. "I'm glad that I got through to you."
"So am I. The council was worried when Dark Light didn't return." He turned to face his son. "I will heal your wound and then you can tell me what happened to you."
After he was healed Dark Light explained about the incident that brought him to meet Harry. As he told his story he was testing the injured leg and allowed Harry to get on his back to see if the extra weight would have any after affect.
"Looks like you're as good as new Dark Light," Harry said.
"It appears so my friend. I made a promise to you and I intend to keep it."
"Nonsense Dark Light there is no need to."
"Harry there is something that you don't understand," said Fire Scar.
"What might that be?"
"When one of us makes a promise, like my son has with you, we are honor bound to keep that promise. There is something else too. You aren't the only Gryffindor that we speak highly of. Your ancestor from this time saved my life when I was younger and I will stand by him as Dark Light will stand by you for as long as we live."
"Fame and fortune are not what I want. The only thing I want is to rid the world of Voldemort. He is a dark wizard from my time who needs to be stopped."
"Then it will be our honor to help you defeat him. We will pass word from generation to generation of the promise made by Dark Light to you. Our clan will help you in any way it can."
"I thank both of you then. It will be an honor to fight beside your clan when the time -"
"Harry? Is everything alright?" asked Godric.
"Yes Grandfather. Everything is fine. I was just talking with Fire Scar and Dark Light," he said motioning to the two unicorns standing beside him.
"Greetings to you Lord Gryffindor," said Fire Scar and Dark Light.
"There is no need to be so formal my friends," Godric said smiling. "I see you have met my Grandson Harry."
"Yes Godric. It seems that he saved my son from a wolf pack that has been hunting here."
"Hunting you say? Well I'll put a stop to that right now." Godric closed his eyes and called out in his mind. 'Leshovan – Elder of the Wolves I call to you.'
"Lord Gryffindor I hear your call. How may I be of service?"
'I ask you to come to the edge of the forest to meet with myself and Fire Scar – Elder of the Black Unicorns.'
"I will come immediately Lord Gryffindor."
Minutes later Leshovan – Elder of the Wolves came running out of the forest. He was accompanied by three other wolves who were his guards. They just like Fire Scar's escorts took positions at the edge of the forest in a defensive posture.
"Greetings Lord Gryffindor," he said. Turning to Fire Scar, Dark Light and Harry he bowed his head. "My greetings to you as well Fire Scar – Elder of the Black Unicorns."
"Hello Leshovan," Godric said. "Let me introduce my Grandson Harry and Fire Scar's son Dark Light."
"Greetings young Lord Gryffindor, and to you as well Dark Light," he said turning to Godric. "I smell blood in this place Godric. Is that why you called me here?"
"Yes my friend. It seems that young Dark Light here was attacked by a wolf pack."
"When may I ask?"
"It was about half a day," Dark Light answered. "I was running an errand for the council and was attacked. The lead wolf had a white band around one of his legs."
Leshovan sighed deeply and shook his head. "His name is Lesik. He and the pack that follow him do not wish to heed to the laws of the Wolf Council." He turned to Fire Scar. "I wish to apologize for his actions and for those under him. I will call to him and bring him here. His punishment will be for you to decide."
"No, that won't be necessary Leshovan," Harry said. "We will let you deal the punishment, but in return there is knowledge that I seek. I think that only wolf kind may know the answer."
"What might that be young Lord Gryffindor?"
"I have a friend that was bitten by a werewolf. I was wondering if there might be a cure for that."
"There is a very slight possibility, but I really cannot tell you any more than that. I will have to confer with the rest of the council."
"Thank you Leshovan. That is all I can hope for."
"You are quiet Fire Scar my friend. Is there anything you wish to add?" Leshovan asked.
"No old friend. I was just in thought over how much our young Lord Gryffindor reminds me of Godric. Do you not agree?"
"Yes my friend I see the resemblance." Turning to Godric he asked, "Is there anything else my Lord Gryffindor?"
"No Leshovan that was it. I thank you for making yourself available to us."
"That is no problem. I'm glad that I had a chance to meet our young Lord Gryffindor and the son of Fire Scar. I will call a council meeting in one week to discuss Lesik and his pack. I would ask for you to be in attendance. That way if there are any questions they could be answered quickly."
"I think that's a good idea," Harry said. "Do you think they would have an answer for me by then?"
"It is a possibility young Lord. I will get to work on it right away. I will see you in one week then." He walked up to Dark Light. "Dark Light, son of Fire Scar – Elder of the Black Unicorns, I ask forgiveness for Lesik of the Wolf Clan and his followers."
Dark Light knelt on one knee facing Leshovan. "My Lord Leshovan – Elder of the Wolfs I accept your apology and would be honored if you allow me to escort you back to your den if it is acceptable by my father."
"We will both walk with you Leshovan. It would be my honor as well."
"Thank you my friends. Until next we meet my Lords Gryffindor. Farewell."
"Farewell old friends."
"Goodbye Leshovan. Bye Dark Light. It was nice to meet you Fire Scar. We'll see you in a week's time."
"Goodbye young Lord," said Fire Scar. "I look forward to our next encounter."
As the group of wolves and unicorns walked quietly into the forest Harry heard one last voice in his head. "Goodbye Harry and thank you once again."
"Goodbye my friend. I am glad that we met," he replied.
Godric saw Harry smiling and started to himself. "C'mon Harry there's lots to do."
"I'm right behind you Grandfather."
As both Gryffindors walked away there was a pair of eyes looking at them from behind. 'So kind he is, and always helping others without fear. He will be a great warrior and cunning leader. He is the one.'
A/N: Hello to all. I just wanted to again thank all of you for reading my story. I do intend to keep this as a one shot deal. I know that there are a lot of you that want the chapters to keep coming faster, but with school and work it is kind of hard. I know that I've said this before, but there is a ton more to come. I just finished writing a three part chapter that needs a bit of tweaking, but I can tell you that it deals with September 1st. Again thanks to all for being so patient.
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A/N2: P.S. I also wanted to say that I have a great ending battle and aftermath so stay tuned.