AN: Hello! Hope everyone is doing well! I've been doing so well with regular updates! I'm so proud of myself! Sorry I haven't been replying to reviews, but I do read each one and I can't thank everyone enough for their support! I hope y'all enjoy this chapter!
Music: "Dragonborn" by Laura Platt
NOTES: "Only in the Darkness can you see the Stars."
Chapter 9: The Missing Prophecy
She was weightless. Floating.
Darkness stretched out in every direction, but so did the endless shelves that towered over her with impossible heights.
There was a rush and the vision change. She could see a door. It was a simple door, standing in the middle of the room as if it led to nowhere.
Another flicker brought her to the other side of the door. The room was small and made entirely of wood; the floor, the walls, the ceiling. It creaked as if it were a ship swaying on the waves.
Her vision grew sharper, the tune of a melody she'd heard somewhere before brushing at her ear. In the center of the room was a strangely-shaped pedestal that was topped with a carved dragon's foot, the fingers and claws wrapped around a small orb that swirled with white clouds inside.
A prophecy...
Merida's eyes snapped open, revealing the cozy Gryffindor dormitory. It was still early in the morning. The sun not quite up, and all the other girls were still curled up in their beds. The sudden alertness wouldn't leave her, though, so Merida kicked off her blankets, knowing that she wouldn't be getting any more sleep.
She dressed and grabbed her bag, leaving the girl's dorms quickly and quietly. She went through the kitchens and grabbed a biscuit for herself before heading out to the stables. Within a few minutes, she was riding hard along the water, following the main path to Hogsmeade. Angus was moving fast this morning, and Merida had every intention of taking him around the back fields behind Hogsmeade.
It was a long ride for first thing in the morning, but she hadn't been able to take Angus out for a proper ride in a few days and they both had excess energy to burn.
Especially with that vision still fresh in her mind.
It was nearly an hour and a half later when Merida and Angus rode back into the stables at a trot. Both of them were breathing a little hard, and Merida's face stung with the cold air, no doubt turning her cheeks and nose a bright red. Meanwhile, the sun had finally climbed over the horizon, though it was hidden behind a thick layer of clouds, and the rest of castle seemed to be waking up to meet the day.
Merida washed and brushed Angus before putting him away in his freshly cleaned stall with a trough full of breakfast. Once that was done, she hurried up to the Great Hall to get some food for her growling stomach.
It had been a few days since Jim and the Fourth-year boys had marched off to the defensive line. Only eleven boys total had gone, as well as Claire and another Beauzbatons girl named Darci for their medic, but Merida couldn't help noticing how much more quiet and empty the Great Hall was at meal times.
At one of the long tables off to the side, Merida spotted Astrid and the other teenagers from Berk. They were sitting with Tadashi and his fellow Ravenclaw graduates, which made Merida's lips curl up into a grin. She moved over to them and stood at Wasabi's side where there was an open spot.
"This seat taken?" Merida asked.
"Yeah, by you!" Ruffnut grinned from where she was trapped in a headlock by her brother.
"I didn't know you lot were coming back!" Merida beamed at the graduates.
"They called us back for reassignment. We just got in this morning." Wasabi told her. "We were telling these guys about how Thuggory and Camicazi were reassigned to the Archipelago's southern trade route."
"I'd heard they'd lost four ships in the last fight there." Merida nodded. "Pitch's nightmares are wreaking havoc on the island Kingdoms."
"I hope Thuggory and Camicazi are okay out there. Seems like everyone we know is getting moved to the front." Fishlegs worried.
"Well, I guess that was the point of sending the Fifth and Fourth years out to fight." Gogo remarked. "I just don't get why they dragged us all the way back to Hogwarts when they're just going to send us out again."
"It's a 'leave period'." Tadashi said. "Time to rest and heal before we have to fight again. Let's make the best of it while we're here, okay?"
"How were things over in Northuldra?" Merida wanted to know, turning to get some food on her plate.
"Cold enough to freeze your spit mid-air!" Fred shared, and the twins stared at him, before Tuffnut snickered and said something that sounded like 'cool'.
"Okay, as awesome as that sounds, I think she meant the war." Snotlout pointed out in a fairly mature manner.
"We didn't see much fighting. But the Northuldrans' have a wonderful relationship with the creatures and spirits of their forests, so Ahtohallan should have plenty of protection." Honey Lemon reported hopefully.
"If only the Prime Minister was willing to just reach out to the Centaurs." Merida muttered, stabbing a potato with her fork. "Maybe then we wouldn't be spread so thin."
"You're a princess, aren't you? Can't you bring up something like that to the Royal Council yourself?" Jim Hawkins spoke up from the other end of the table.
"I've tried. So has Rapunzel and Toothiana. The Prime Minister always counters and gives it to the vote." Merida huffed out a sigh. "I just wish we could get some solid footing in this fight."
"We all do." Astrid assured her.
"Well, there's no use sitting around here and grumbling about things we can't control." Gogo stretched her arms over her head and then turned to Merida. "I hear you're still running the Dueling Club when you're here at the castle. Mind if we join today?"
"We'd be happy to have you." Merida nodded. "North let's us use some of the lesser halls now. Some of them have been cleared to act as armories and practice areas."
"What about the Room of Requirement?" Tadashi asked.
"We still use it occasionally, but it's less effective now that all the teachers know where it is." Astrid shrugged.
"Plus, the new armories have some really cool weapons you can use!" Tuffnut added.
"You're welcome to head there now, but I'm going to finish my breakfast first." Merida threw out teasingly.
"She's right, you know! Never know when your next chance at a decent breakfast will be!" Wasabi agreed, though it gave Merida a sudden and powerful sense of deja vu. Like when they were all younger, and Wasabi would try to avoid the more violent Quidditch practices.
They stuck to lighter topics for the rest of their meal, even joking and laughing some. Once they all finished, they all went to the training halls together. They went to one of the larger ones where some people were practicing fencing with some of the younger students watching in awe. It seemed Justin was up against one of the guardsmen from Corona.
Merida spotted Talia at the back of the small crowd that had gathered and made her way over to the other girl. Talia was leaning back against the wall, her eyes tracking every move of the fight with practiced ease. Merida stopped next to Talia, facing her.
"His upper left side is open." Talia said without taking her eyes off of the fight, and Merida followed her sight just in time to see the guard come at Justin with a downward swing, angled from the left. Justin leaped back and out of the way, stumbling and having to right himself as the two began circling each other again. Talia huffed. "It's like watching baboons trying to beat each other with sticks."
Talia shook her head and turned to face Merida and the group following her. They were all dropping their things on the floor along the wall, and Merida followed the example, dropping her bag from her shoulder.
"We're going to be practicing too. Did you want to join?" Merida asked, and Talia shrugged.
"I'll stay and watch. Not sure about joining in." She offered as she looked off to the side. "Not much of a Dueler when it comes to spells, ya know?"
"All the more reason to practice." Merida grinned back, but then relented. "I think some of the others want to practice hand-to-hand or weapons... Who knows, I might even try a bit of sword myself."
With that, Merida turned to go remind everyone that the hall was reserved for Dueling Club at precisely nine o'clock and that they were welcome to stay, but they would be expected to participate in the practice. Almost immediately people began shifting around either leaving, moving off to the far benches to watch, or preparing for practice. Within half an hour, nearly everyone was warmed up and the first few duels were already taking place throughout the hall.
Merida watched each duel for a time, sometimes giving advice if they were younger or if someone asked her, but for the most part everything was going smoothly. She looked over at a smaller group of people practicing spells on their own. Among the singles was Gabby Numeral, tucked in the back corner.
Merida locked gazes with her, and for a time neither of them moved. After a very long moment, Merida took a breath and gave the girl a small nod. She returned it and then went back to her training. Merida turned and walked the other way, shaking her head a little to see if that was real or just a very weird dream.
Merida hadn't heard much of Gabby since Fifth year, after Lady Tremaine's little pack of hall monitors fell apart with her demotion. Daren Fouls had left Hogwarts entirely, along with a few others, but Merida had seen Gabby around school and in classes. For the most part the girl seemed to stick to herself and her small group of friends. That was fine as far as Merida was concerned, but she wasn't sure how to feel about her joining a Dueling Club practice.
Merida decided to go with hopeful because she had plenty enough to worry about already.
She's pulled from her thoughts when Baby Tooth comes flying at her through the open door. Baby Tooth gives a few squeaks, pointing towards the door. Obviously she's being summoned, and Merida sighs before going over to where the others are watching the fights.
"I have to go." Merida said, picking up her bag before turning to Tadashi. "Can I ask you to lead the rest of the practice? Astrid knows the schedule too, you can let her know when she's finish."
That comment was follow by Snotlout letting out a shriek as Astrid threw him over her shoulder.
"Do what you need to do. The rest of us can make sure no one ends up in the Hospital Wing." Jim smirked.
Merida gave a nod and a wave before following after Baby Tooth.
Ironically, the Hospital Wing is exactly where Merida ended up.
The room was filled with people from different villages who were suffering from the strange Fearling-like-curse. Baby Tooth led her to the back room where she found all the other Guardians gathered around Dr. Sweet and Rapunzel. Merida slipped in next to Toothiana as Baby Tooth flew up to the low rafters above to join her sisters.
"What have I missed?" Merida asked.
"We were just about to get started. I've found something that I think you'll all find very interesting." Dr. Sweet addressed to issue, picking up a jar from the desk behind him. "This illness that's been spreading among the villages isn't the Fearling Curse. It's an Infection of some kind that has clear roots in Dark Magic." He held up the glass jar so they could see the black ooze that appeared to be bubbling in very slow motion.
"What is that?" North squinted at the substance.
"We've found it coming from the worst cases. Sometimes it comes out the nose like a nosebleed, sometimes it comes out their eyes, on one patient we found it oozing out of a -" Rapunzel was rambling, and Merida quickly cut in.
"Rapunzel, I'd like to keep my breakfast in my stomach, please."
"Gonna have to agree with Merida on this one." Jack nodded, wincing at the jar full of goo.
"The point being, I've never seen anything like this before. It's nothing like Pitch's Nightmare sand, but it does... Move on its own. And while visually it's similar to the Fearling Curse, it doesn't have the same symptoms or results." Dr. Sweet looked like he would tear his hair out if he had any.
"Do you think Emma has this Infection too?" Jack wanted to know.
"She has some of the symptoms, yes, but she's been mostly stable for months now where all the others are getting worse and worse." Dr. Sweet sighed. "If she isn't the victim of a Fearling Curse, then I don't know what her condition is because it's certainly not the same as the victims from this new plague."
"Is it a plague, doctor?" Bunny gave him a pointed look, and Dr. Sweet gave him a tired look in return as he nodded.
"I'm afraid so. It isn't airborne, but too much contact with someone who's been infected will make it spread. Until we understand more, I have to declare it a threat." Dr. Sweet told them.
"Do we have any lead on a potential cure or treatment?" Percy's voice was low and thoughtful as he stroked his chin, eyes distant.
"Nothing so far." Dr. Sweet turned and picked up a book from the desk, flipping a few pages as he spoke. "I'm looking at some old plague remedies and possible leads on what exactly this thing is, but it's going to take time."
"Then we should let you get back to work. Please, let us know if there's anything we can do to help. For now, we'll handle the Royal Council for you." North extended a hand and they grabbed forearms as Dr. Sweet nodded.
Merida gave Rapunzel a hug and Jack squeezed her shoulder before they left with the older Guardians, allowing Rapunzel and Dr. Sweet to get back to work. North came to a stop outside the Medical Wing and they all fell into a circle, speaking quietly.
"Well, things just seem to be getting better and better." Bunny remarked once they were all together.
"What are you thinking?" North's voice was soft as he looked directly at Percy, but the other man's expression was hard and closed off.
"Nothing." Percy's head snapped up as if he'd only been half listening. He cleared his throat and continued. "We're taking hits on every front in this war."
Sandy nodded in agreement, while Bunny shook his in frustration.
"I know what you mean. Feels like Pitch has been playing with us right from the start." Bunnymund grumbled. "I still wonder what he could've wanted with that old Grimbeard prophecy from the Ministry."
Merida opened her mouth, but no sound came out. When her brain started working again she snapped her jaw shut and looked over at Jack. His brow had furrowed just slightly and he'd tilted his head.
"Whatever his reasoning's, I don't know how he could've Seen anything with it. The Prophecy was locked." Toothiana shrugged. "And anyways, I think the more recent hits have been a lot harder to deal with."
"I think it's about time we tried hitting back." Percy said.
"What do you suggest?" North raised an eyebrow at him.
"Camelot." Percy replied. "We need to contact Merlin. The Old King may have refused to join the Allied Kingdoms, but there is hope now that King Arthur is on the thrown. At the very least he can send his Mages to help us. Camelot has more Knights than any other Kingdom."
"While I agree that King Arthur is more agreeable than his father, he's made no effort to join the Allied Kingdom's or the Royal Council despite being King for nearly two decades now. How do we know if he'll agree to help?" Toothiana chewed her bottom lip nervously.
"Because Merlin is his top advisor. We just have to catch Merlin's interest." Percy's mouth curled up into a smirk. "I'm sure the Mighty Mage will be eager to see his first ever Human Trollhunter."
"Eh, I don't know, Percy. Merlin comes and goes like the wind. Picks up and drops his little pet projects left and right. Just because he managed to help Arthur and his sister make peace with the Trolls, doesn't mean he'll have any interest in what's happening with them now." Bunny crossed his arm, one ear dropping down and back as his face scrunched up skeptically.
Sandy was rubbing his chin thoughtfully, but then smiled and nodded enthusiastically at Percy, a few images dancing over his head.
"Thank you, Sandy." Percy grinned. "Would you be willing to contact him? It'd probably be best if it came from you."
Sandy gave a thumbs up.
"Well, if Sandy thinks it'll work, we don't have a reason not to try." Toothiana admitted.
"Yeah, whatever." Bunny rolled his eyes. "Can't believe we're going to that guy."
"Merlin may be eccentric, but he is a very powerful Mage." North reminded him before turning to Sandy. "If he is willing, then we will gladly accept his help."
"It's settled then. We'll have to inform the Royal Council about this new plague, but Sandy can contact Merlin in the hopes of securing us some reinforcements." Percy nodded.
"It is the best we can do for now. In the meantime, we should all get back to work on trying to find Pitch." North straightened up.
That seemed to be the end of it as all the adults went off to their individual tasks and duties. Merida lingered there in the corridor with Jack. Once the others were gone, she nodded towards a smaller corridor off to the side, and Jack nodded without hesitation.
"Did you hear what I heard?" Merida whispered as soon as they were out of anyone's direct line of sight.
"Yeah... I thought you brought the Prophecy back with us." It was a statement, not a question.
Because they both knew the Prophecy came back to the school with them.
"After we got back there was so much going on and I lost track of it. I swear I left it in my bag but when I came back it was gone." Merida closed her eyes, trying to remember everything that happened that night. "I always thought the teachers took it. They went through our bags and pockets after we got back, remember?"
"I do... But I don't remember them ever finding the prophecy." Jack said slowly. He lifted his eyes to her and they stared at each other as a cold realization came over them both.
"I had a dream about it this morning." Merida blurted out without really thinking. "I... So if the Guardians didn't know about it, that means that only the people who came with us could've known we had it."
"And a couple people we talked to after coming back." Jack added with a murmur, his eyes were distant and he bit on one of his index fingers.
"I know that look. You've got an idea of where to start lookin', don't you?" Merida asked, drawing Jack's attention again.
"Maybe." Jack confessed. "But I really hope I'm wrong. I'll look into it, see what I can find. But let's keep this between us for now, okay?"
"Alright. Let me know if you find anything." Merida said. Jack just nodded and then hurried off towards the Slytherin dorms. Left to her own devices, Merida wondered if perhaps it'd be best to go and try some Divination. Perhaps she could See something that would prove useful.
She was making her way back to the main stairway by the Great Hall. As she drew closer, she could hear someone playing the piano, and the tune made her heart stop before leaping into a sprint. It was the song from her visions. The song she'd heard when Lady Fate first led her to Grimbeard's prophecy.
Rushing over to the door, Merida peered into the Great Hall which was completely empty except for one person.
Emma was practicing her piano.