Chapter 3: The King and the Immortal Knight
Dear Lord & Lady Eveningshade,
It is at the behest of his Majesty King Hadrian Merlin Pendragon that I write to you. Your presence has been requested at the Court of Avalon, it is intended for you and your family to relocate to the Castle of Kings where his majesty has allocated rooms for you and your children. He hopes that you will resume your service as a Knight of the Round Table, and Sorceress of the Court respectively. Should you require assistance in moving your personal affects, reply to this letter and we will organise to have everything moved for you at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely, Kree.
Account Manager of the Pendragon, Emrys & Le Fey Vaults.
Lord Gregory Eveningshade was a large, built man. His body was muscular, tall with broad shoulders and russet brown hair which matched his hazel eyes. He had various scars that were sometime visible on his body, and many that were not visible and hidden underneath his clothes.
In comparison, Lady Morgause Eveningshade was a petite woman with cream coloured skin, auburn hair and killing curse green eyes. She hardly had a blemish on the visible parts of her skin, but like her husband, she had her fair share of hidden scars, not all of them physical.
The two read the letter and looked to one another before they came to a silent agreement. They had been around for centuries, waiting, assimilating and now the time had come for them to be called upon in service to the ancestor of the One True King. Albion may have changed, but their faith and belief hasn't. The place where they lived was now called Cokeworth, it wasn't a particularly busy neighbourhood, however, the place was saturated in ambient magic which ran through the lay lines beneath them.
"Lily, Petunia can you two please come here?" Gregory called from their living room.
"What for? I'm doing a potions essay for Professor Slughorn," Lily Evans huffed as she descended the stairs from her room.
Morgause winced, she was glad that she was finally going to be able to tell her youngest daughter the truth about her magic. They had decided that they would tell Lily and Petunia when Lily had finished at Hogwarts, however, receiving a summons and request of service from the Heir of Arthur Pendragon meant that they would have to be informed a lot earlier.
"And I'm getting ready for my date with Vernon," Petunia said irritated and sent a glare at Lily.
"I'm sorry Tuny, but you won't be going on that date. Your father and I have something important to discuss with you about family matters, you can call him and explain to him why you can't come. He'll understand," Morgause said and Petunia while annoyed did just that, apologising, and telling him that something had happened with some family. She then came back to sit on the couch in front of the fireplace next to Lily. Crossing her arms over her chest while looking at her parents expectantly.
Gregory sighed and then looked to the suit of armour and sword with the dragon crest on its hilt, along with the red tunic clipped on the back of the armour. As he closed his eyes to collect his thoughts, memories of his days as a Knight flooded back, the brother's he had made, the battles he had fought, the King he had served. And the woman he had found, loved and married.
"Do you remember the story of our ancestors?" He asked.
"You tell us every year Dad, our family is descended from a Knight who served in King Arthur's court, apparently. And the armour that we have displayed belonged to him," Petunia stated.
"It is with great regret that I inform you, that that is a lie. Our ancestor didn't serve in the court of Camelot, I did," Gregory said and Petunia and Lily raised an eyebrow at him.
"So, what, you're saying that you're a few hundred years old?" Lily laughed, then stopped laughing when she saw the expression on her parents faces.
"My Flower, you and your sister are the only children we've been able to have… in over a thousand years," Morgause said gently placing a hand on Lily's.
"Thousand? What are you saying your immortal or something?" Petunia snorted thinking this was a joke before seeing the look on her parents faces.
"Bullshit," Petunia said straight after.
"It defies all the laws of magic and of physics!" Lily stated.
"Yes, well, back in our time magic was very obscure. Your mother would know best, she is a sorceress after all," Gregory said and Lily and Petunia looked to their mother who sighed but she created an orb of energy in her hand and then expanded it to change the rooms image, holding it for a few seconds, before letting the illusion fade.
"What the fuck?" Petunia whispered.
"I was a Sorceress in the Court of the King along with my Sister, I proudly stood beside Merlin Emrys as he changed the world and brought Magic to Camelot with Arthur. I swear on my life and magic everything I have said, is true," Morgause stated, the magical glow surrounded her, and once again Morgause clasped her hands together and spoke some Latin words illuminating the room with magic to show she was not lying.
"Wait, you mean… all this time, you had magic? AND YOU LET ME BELIEVE I WAS THE FIRST OF OUR FAMILY! AND YOU DON'T EVEN NEED A WAND?" Lily shrieked at her mother.
"Lily, sweetie, your mother had to keep it a secret. Lest our true identities be discovered. We initially planned to inform the both of you on the truth when Lily finished her Hogwarts education and was ready to start learning with your mother, however, due to recent events we've had to tell you now," Gregory said trying to calm his youngest daughter's temper.
"Why, why revealed all of this now? Why… lie to us? Why let me believe that Lily was special… why can't I do magic?" Petunia said the last part in a bear whisper.
"A long time ago, we were both known by a different name. I was known as Gregory Eveningshade, Knight of the Round Table – the Immortal Knight they called me," Gregory said and Morgause spoke up after him.
"And I was Morgause Le Fay, younger sister of Morgana Le Fay. Tuny, I can't tell you why you don't have magic like your sister – it is not something one can just learn, it is something that you are born with. That doesn't mean that we love you any less. You are our eldest daughter, the first child that we've been successful in having despite the many centuries of trying. Your path is just different to your sister's," Morgause said, reaching out for Petunia's hand and clasping it in her own, offering her motherly smile.
"Our Aunt is Morgana Le Fey?" Lily's mouth was open in shock.
"The one and only," Gregory confirmed.
"What happened to cause you to tell us this now, Mum, Dad?" Petunia asked.
"Your mother and I received a letter from Gringotts bank, more specifically, it was a letter that was sent to us from the new King, Hadrian Merlin Pendragon. He has called upon your mother and I to resume our services to the Court of Avalon, offered us a home in the Castle of Kings – your mother and I cannot ignore our duties. Here, have a read yourself," he handed Lily the letter who read it then handed it to Petunia.
Location, Avalon
One by one, the Lords of the Sacred 28 took their seats, assigned with their name and their House crest on it. Harry looked each man in the eyes as he sat down on the throne, immediately tables appeared in front of each of them and Harry rested his hands on the one in front of him.
"Welcome to the Court of Avalon, Lords of the Sacred 28. I have summoned you all here to talk about the current state of Magical Britain and my concerns with it."
"No offence your majesty, but what have you been doing all these years? Why have you only come forward now?" Lord Abbott asked, his voice was polite and respectful.
"I was somewhere safe, being educated on my duties as King, as well as keeping up with current affairs from various sources in both the magical and non-magical world."
"And what concerns do you have, your majesty? As far as I'm aware, the magical community here is still rebuilding after the Grindelwald War," Lord Malfoy asked.
"It's come to my attention, that a terrorist by the name Voldemort, is starting to cause trouble in Magical Britain. I wish for it to be known that I will not tolerate any kind of terrorism whatsoever, and I thought I would bring it to your attention – as I am sure that many of you have heard his name before," if Tom Riddle knew he was being sussed out, the man certainly didn't appear to feel threatened as he sat in the Gaunt family seat.
"He has been preaching about the Mudblood threat your majesty, something that he wishes to solve. They are coming in and threatening our traditions with their muggle idealisms," Lord Lestrange sneered and Harry has to close his fist to resist lashing out.
"And tell me, Lord Lestrange – have you, Hogwarts or any of the families of the Sacred 28, considered actually educating the Muggle-born in our traditions, formalities and culture?" Harry asked, the faces on the various Lords looked surprised.
"Why should we have to teach them our cultures? We should just obliviate them and send them back to their muggle world where they belong," Lord Parkinson stated.
"And that, would be where your problems lie. You expect them to not bring in their non-magical views, when you are doing nothing to educate them on our traditions, culture and formalities. How can you expect young children to learn about our traditions and culture when you won't even attempt to educate them?" Harry said, he could see the gears turning.
"His majesty is right, we're not even trying to teach them what our traditions are. My son has told me how first years in Hogwarts struggle to write with a Quill and other such simplicities which our children learn from birth," Lord Longbottom spoke up.
"But how does this relate to the terrorist threat that is Voldemort?" Tom Riddle asked from his seat, Harry eyed him.
"Isn't it obvious, Lord Slytherin? Voldemort is pressing a dislike of Muggle-borns as his calling card, with it he is trying to sway Witches and Wizards like Lestrange and Parkinson to his cause," Lord Black grunted.
"He has the right idea when it comes to dealing with them," Lord Malfoy said and around them the room temperature dropped, everyone's eyes immediately went to Harry whose own eyes were glowing.
"I am going to pretend I didn't hear that, Abraxas Malfoy. Now, instead of arguing about this issue and the terrorist in question. I am about to TELL you what I want done about the issues at hand, both the education of the non-magical born, and the Voldemort problem that has begun."
"And why should we follow your orders?" Lord Bulstrode stepped in.
"You'll find in your family grimoire, that the families of the Sacred 28 are bound to serve the King of Avalon. You may want to read up on your history, the Original 28 Lords, swore on their magic and the magic of their future descendants that they would serve the King faithfully or he may strip them of their magic and their Lordship," Harry informed them, the indignant shouts of protest he was expecting occurred.
"SHOW SOME RESPECT, HE IS THE KING," A voice boomed, belonging to Lord Potter of all people, Harry regarded the man and could see where a lot of his original looks came from, the dark hair, the cheekbones and nose.
"Thank you, Lord Potter. Now, I am going to tell you what I want done, and I will give you a month for it to be completed, I will be checking in regularly. After we finish today, I would suggest that in the coming weeks, you read up on your family's history and oaths to the Throne."
Lily Eveningshade was nervous, she was dressed in the best outfit that her parents had ever bought her in her life. She had never seen something so beautiful in a piece of clothing as the emerald green dress she wore. She opted to wear black flats, as heels were never really her strong point and they hurt her feet, her red hair was curled slightly.
It had been a week since she and Petunia had found out the truth and that week had sure been a rollercoaster, not just for her but also for poor Tuny. Petunia had gone to speak with Vernon about the abrupt moving plans, only for her to walk in on him and her best friend having sex. She was heartbroken and had come home in tears, Lily had done her best to comfort her sister while their mother had to stop their father from marching over to Vernon's house and beating the living crap out of the boy.
While Petunia was in no mood to be dressed as nicely as she was, it was highly important that she was as today was the day they were to meet the King formally.
"Okay girls, remember what I told you about being in his presence?" Morgause asked, fretting over their outfits like any mother would.
"Speak only when spoken to unless given leave otherwise, do not look him in the eye unless directed to do so, don't do anything unless given permission, bow low and do not stand unless given leave to. We got it Mum," Lily said, she was shaking internally and trying her best to remember all of the rules her mother told her.
"Are we all ready, my love?" Gregory asked, kissing Morgause on her forehead, she smiled and nodded.
"The girls are ready and so am I," Morgause replied.
"Alright, Portus," the letter Gregory had received from the Goblins after his reply shot into the air and formed a doorway in front of them.
The well-dressed man straightened his back and walked through the doorway first, Petunia followed him, taking a few moments and then Lily, followed by Morgause last.
When Lily emerged, her eyes went wide as she gazed at the largest and most ornate room she has ever seen, paintings and statues adorned the sides of the large marbled walls.
"You've got some nerve showing up here," a male voice spoke, Lily looked to see four armoured… Knight's? the one in the middle being the one to speak.
"We were summoned by his Majesty," Gregory stepped forward.
"Were you then…" the man walked up to him, the two stared at each other before the man's serious expression turned into a grin.
"Good to see you again brother," he chuckled, Gregory laughed and they grasped forearms.
"Lancelot, it's been too long. Gawain, Percival, Leon – a pleasure to see you again," Gregory greeted each one with the same grip as the first.
"My lady Morgause, it is wonderful to see you healthy," Lancelot knelt and kissed Morgause's hand before he turned his attention to the two girls.
"Been busy have you?" Gawain wiggled his eyes at Petunia and Lily, both girls blushing under the Knight's gaze.
"Gawain, eyes off my daughters. Don't make me beat you to a pulp, again," Gregory threatened, the man in question looked offended.
"You'd be at a disadvantage my friend, you're an old man and haven't kept up with your swordsmanship," Gawain jeered.
"Even as rusty as I am, I could beat you with one hand," Gregory replied, the two laughed together.
"Besides, Gawain would be more worried about me than you. Dear Brother-in-law," a voice echoed through the room.
"Sister!" Morgause exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace Morgana who smiled.
"It is good to see you so healthy, dear sister. Immortality suits you well, now, I believe I have two Nieces to meet?" Morgana turned her attention to Lily and Petunia who were looking at the woman wide eyed.
"Lillian, Petunia – this is my older sister, your aunt, Morgana Le Fey. I'm sure your Uncle Merlin will be around somewhere, you'll get to meet him when we greet the King," Morgause said, Morgana beamed at the two girls and leaned down a bit.
"It's so good to finally meet the two of you, I've been watching you grow up all these years – Lily, I am proud of what you have accomplished at Hogwarts, Merlin and I helped build that place you know? So naturally, the castle would recognise you as having the same blood as one of its creators," Morgana stated factually, the next thing she heard was a THUMP, as Lily's body hit the ground – the girl having clearly fainted.
"Oh dear…"
When Lily's eyes began to open, she was staring up at a beautiful ceiling which seemed to be playing out some kind of star show. She thought it was quite pretty, then she realised where she was and what must have happened, she shot up in the bed only for a calming hand to be put on her and gently pushed back into the covers.
"Slowly Lily, it's alright. Take a few moments to adjust yourself," Morgause said with a small smile.
"Mum, what happened?" she asked.
"You fainted dear, it seems meeting your Aunt caused you to faint. In hind sight I probably should have factored in that you could possibly faint when meeting your Aunt and Uncle, especially given who they are," Morgause shook her head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"You alright there kiddo?" Morgana asked as she entered the room, bringing with her a tray of food.
"I-I'm fine, Sorceress Le Fey," Lily stammered, Morgana raised an eyebrow and Morgause chuckled behind her hand.
"Aunty Morg is fine, or even Aunt Morgana. You are my niece, you need not address me so formally," Morgana said placing the tray down on the bedside table.
"What's this?" Lily asked looking at the tray.
"Dinner, obviously. Harry asked to cook this himself for you – that boy, has a fond love of cooking," Morgana shook his head.
"Harry?" Lily question.
"King Hadrian, or rather, Harry, as we call him in private," Morgana explained.
"The Dinner!" Lily went to shoot up, only to have both Morgause and Morgana stop her and ease her back down.
"Don't worry about it, Harry had a little chuckle when we informed him about your state. Your father joined him for dinner with the other Knights, your sister is getting acquainted with her room – and we brought you to yours. Harry has decided that we will all have breakfast tomorrow instead."
Harry had been a nervous wreck all day, luckily no one from outside of the castle was visiting so he was allowed to worry like a normal person. Everything had to be right, the food, the atmosphere, his first impression. For Merlin's sake, he's meeting his Grandparents, his mum and his Aunt. Okay, Harry was a little less enthused about meeting Petunia, but, he was willing to forget the Aunt Petunia he knew as this was essentially, another time period.
"Harry, don't worry so much. You'll be fine," Arthur was trying to calm Harry down as best he could.
"But what if I mess up? Or do something stupid, or say something stupid? Oh GOD. WHAT IF I CALL HER MUM?" Harry panicked.
"I would get a chuckle out of that," Lancelot said, casually leaning against a desk with his arms crossed.
"You plan on letting them know the truth?" Morgana asked surprised, she frowned at her Great-Nephew.
"They're family, they deserve to know," Harry reasoned.
"I think it's a bad idea Harry," Morgana said sadly, Harry looked at her confused and slightly hurt, but waited for her to continue.
"While I know what you desire to do, and while it would surprise them and they would likely accept it. You are here to change the world as a King and protect them. I think it would be best to not let my sister, her husband and their daughters know about your true heritage and origin unless it absolutely becomes necessary. I know I am betraying my own sister's trust in saying this, but, Gregory is a Knight who serves a King, Morgause is a Sorceress who serves the Court. You can't let your familial connection and childish desires influence the job you were brought back to do."
"I… you're right. But, that doesn't mean I can't try and get to know her, and be her friend, does it?" Morgana smiled at Harry as he said this, she then gave him a peck on his cheek and walked towards the receiving hall where the group would be arriving.
"Of-course not Harry, even a King needs friends. You'll always have us and the Knight, and of course, Hela. But you are still a boy, and a boy needs friends. Even as a King," Merlin smiled looking at Arthur.
"Keep preparing everything as you want it, you can show them with actions that you want to know them and want to love them as your own family. But it must not be spoken out loud for the time being," Arthur suggested.
About fifteen minutes later, they received a message from Morgana. Lily Evans had fainted, Harry chuckled at the insanity of it all. Suppose he would have to meet her the next day, but, at least he could cook his mother some food and keep it under stasis until she woke up. He headed off to the Kitchen, waving aside the chefs who asked to assist him as he prepared a simple meal for the girl who he wanted to know the most, Lily Evans, the mother he never had.
Location; Nurmengard
"That fucking king! He's ruining all of my plans, years and years of planning, cultivating relationships, bills being drafted to oppress the right fucking creatures so they'd fall right into my lap. Now the King's fucking me over with his control of the Sacred 28, control that I previously had!" the man paced in front of the prison cell.
"It would seem, Gellert, that your karma has finally caught up with you," the man inside the cell coughed.
"It would have been so much easier if you had of joined me Albus, but, of course, stealing your identity and educating all those students of yours, turning them against one another AND of course, identifying the perfect person for our little body switch experiment again. It was all rather easy. After all, I have the Elder wand," Gellert cackled waving around the legendary death stick.
"Laughing at your prisoner again Gellert?" the earie voice resonated throughout Nurmengard castle.
"Master! It is always my most highly regarded honour when you visit," Gellert Grindelwald in the body of Albus Dumbledore bowed as the lights faded and all that was left were glowing red eyes.
"Silence."
"As you command master."
"My brother, sister and I are growing concerned with this Hadrian Pendragon's rise in both political and magical prowess, before he can ascend to a higher level we want him to be dealt with. Either as a host body or dead – makes no different to us. Many years ago you came to my tomb here asking for power from the three of us, now, we are asking something of you," the glowing red eyes were joined by a glowing white pair of eyes and a glowing emerald pair of eyes.
"Your wish is my command, I am your servant."
"Excellent. Now it's time to get to work."