CHAPTER 7:

THE LUNATIC QUEEN

Hermione was never really fond of flying. True, it could be quite exhilarating, as her flight with Harry on Buckbeak showed, but she never enjoyed it to the degree Harry did. After all, when flying on a broomstick, there was only a single piece of enchanted wood between you and gravity's harsh embrace, unless you knew the right spells.

That, and she was mildly astraphobic.

So, why was she clinging to Harry's back as they flew over Liurnia of the Lakes, heading for Raya Lucaria? A number of reasons. She wasn't sure she truly trusted Ranni, but the demigod was a potential ally in the Lands Between, and was certainly more pleasant than her father. In addition, Hermione was already trying to figure out about why the Night of Black Knives happened, and given that Ranni survived, she would know why. And by doing this, maybe she could prove herself to her father, especially if they gained access to Rennala's Great Rune in the process.

She knew already from Gideon that Ranni no longer had her Great Rune. She had discarded it somehow, though how Gideon learned this, Hermione had no idea. But maybe Rennala could, if cured, either be persuaded to give her own Great Rune up, or else cooperate to find a way to fix matters in the Lands Between.

Admittedly, another factor was that she felt a kinship with the demigod witch, this thirst for learning. The things she could learn, that she could discuss…they enticed her. True, Ranni had centuries on her, and yet…there was definitely something there. And as much as she lamented Harry's 'saving people thing', she'd be lying to herself if she said she had nothing of the sort herself.

True, Ranni could be manipulating them. She had admitted that, through her doll, she had actually corrected parts of the ritual Hermione used to get to the Roundtable Hold. Just because Ranni was more polite than her birth father didn't necessarily make her better than him. And there was also the disturbing nature of the fact that she had a secret friendship with Delphi, a nightmare to any parent.

But there were times when you needed to go out on a limb. Sometimes, faith was needed rather than logic. Not religious faith or even faith in humanity. Just a hope that things could be better, even if you had to make them better yourself.

Still, as she looked around at the landscape, including the Erdtree, the massive golden tree shining like the very sun itself to the northeast, she murmured, "O brave new world, that has such people in it."

"Pardon?" Harry asked.

"Sorry, I was thinking. That quote from The Tempest came to mind."

"Right, your parents were Shakespeare buffs, weren't they?"

"Yes. It's not like Hermione's that common a name these days," Hermione said. She winced at the reminder of her parents, the ones who raised her. It had been a few years now since they died, but the pain never truly went away. All because she was, in the eyes of those damn Purebloods, an uppity Mudblood who rose above her station.

Harry, thankfully, realised this, and changed the subject. "Hmm. Do you think we could save her? Rennala, I mean?"

"I don't know. It depends on what we find. Once we clear those scholars of hers, I'll have you keep an eye out while I check her. Actually, I was thinking Stunners and Incarcerouses on the scholars as well as Rennala until we're done. Hopefully, the potions stores I have in the expanded trunk are enough."

"…Well, let's get this over and done with, then…"

Ranni watched them through her scrying vessel, with an uncharacteristic anxiety. Then again, the fact that she had known these people for some time already caused this. She cared about them already, in more than her detached manner showed.

True, most of her contact had been through Delphini, a lonely girl with few friends. At first, Ranni thought it was due to the isolation of her father, as she had noted his overprotective attitude, but over time, she realised that Harry Potter had given her many opportunities to form friendships. The only solid one, however, had been with her cousin Teddy.

Ranni did believe that part of it wasn't just the isolation. Delphi went to school, at least until her true parentage came out into the open. But she had been a sullen, withdrawn and bookish child who only seemed to come to life around her family. Part of that was trying to keep her magic secret from the Muggles, but she also knew she had been adopted, and that was eating away at her.

The irony was, when the secret came out, it actually helped matters. Not initially, Delphi spent a long time complaining and raging to Ranni. But by then, Ranni had gotten the measure of Harry Potter, and while there was a little she found wanting, honestly, she felt jealous of Delphi. At least Harry genuinely cared about Delphi's wellbeing, whereas Radagon, may he be cursed forevermore, only pretended to. Ranni was the least of his children, especially after many, many bitter arguments about the Golden Order and Radagon's treatment of Rennala.

Which was why Ranni coaxed Delphi into reconciling with her father. Adopting Delphi, the child of two of his mortal enemies, may not have been his greatest act of heroism, but it was a considerably more personal one than saving an entire country from a megalomaniacal warlock. And he would defend her to the death. More than Radagon would do for Ranni.

There was also a reason Ranni reached out to Harry when he arrived in this world, persuading Delphi to arrange a meeting. Leaving aside their similarities, Ranni, bluntly, needed a champion. So many of her allies and underlings had either died or betrayed her. Darriwil the Bloodhound Knight was the latest. A traitor who had vanished. Blaidd was tracking him down. All they knew was that he was somewhere in Limgrave or the Weeping Peninsula, and there were plenty of places for him to hide there.

While she had agents and contacts throughout the Lands Between, of her highest-ranking allies, there were only three left, and only two, she trusted with her life. Blaidd had been by her side since she was announced as an Empyrean, and Iiji had been loyal to the Caria family since time immemorial. True, there was always the possibility of the Two Fingers taking control of Blaidd, but she knew he would fight their influence to the bitter end, and maybe Hermione or even Harry had a means of preventing that. Maybe a protection against this Legilimency they spoke of?

Seluvis, she didn't trust. True, she didn't have any substantial or conclusive evidence, but she was almost certain that Seluvis was little more than a proxy, a puppet ensnared long ago by Pidia, a simpering sycophant of an Albinauric servant in the Caria Manor. She had nothing against the Albinaurics. Indeed, she had, albeit discreetly, helped the first generation Albinaurics found their little village long ago, and as ambivalent as she felt about her half-siblings Malenia and Miquella's little project, she did help send Albinaurics to the Haligtree where she could.

But Pidia had a perverse lust for the dolls she was sure he hoarded, dolls created from living beings. Oh, she had no conclusive evidence, but Pidia, and thus Seluvis, were useful, but not trustworthy. The moment he had outlived his usefulness, either by treachery or because she needed his services no longer, she would discern the truth…and make him pay for what he did. Maybe she would send Gideon both Pidia and Seluvis' heads as a gift and an apology.

That girl, Hermione…she was little like the All-Knowing. Whatever compassion within Sir Gideon Ofnir had died with Dolores the Sleeping Arrow. Whereas Hermione…her righteousness, while a little flexible, was better than her sire. True, she shared something of his imperious nature and thirst for knowledge…but it was tempered by her empathy.

Still, she hoped that Hermione would rekindle what was left of the All-Knowing's heart. Hypocritical of her, considering that Ranni deliberately blunted her emotions at times, but while Ranni was cold, stoic, and focused on her goal, Delphi had her remember her conscience, her empathy. Not that she truly lacked it in this form, but it was good to have a reminder that, for all her ambition and her personal desire for power, she was also doing this to free not just herself, but all of this world from the Greater Will.

She watched as Harry and Hermione landed, avoiding the Knight who waited down below. If her mother was ever cured, Ranni would ensure that Sir Moongrum was well-rewarded for his dedication to guarding his queen. The rest of the knights were not so loyal, though Ranni did understand why Loretta left for the Haligtree. Indeed, the Albinauric knight left with Ranni's blessing and help, including in setting up the projection that guarded the stargazing garden of Caria Manor.

She watched as they made their way through. They watched as the scholars surrounded them, before they took action. They fought together well, Ranni noted with approval. Not as disciplined as, say, the Cuckoo Knights, but their teamwork made up for any shortfalls. They soon made short work of Mother's barrier, and the moment they did, her mother was knocked unconscious (albeit after several Stunners, Ranni noted with some pride) and restrained, soon followed by the remainder of her scholars.

Hermione then began casting her Diagnostic Charm, before frowning. "Ranni, are you watching?"

Ranni nodded, activating the illusion ward she left in the room, allowing her to speak with them. "I am. Well done, to both of thee. A masterful fight. But prithee, Hermione, what hath thou discovered?"

"…There's something wrong. Well, a couple of somethings. Firstly, I was right, your mother is showing signs of having been attacked mentally. It's not unlike Legilimency. But there's a lingering…something. A curse or something."

"I would hath detected a curse, Hermione," Ranni said, before she muttered, "Unless…depending on who was involved, they could hath concealed it from my reckoning somehow. Few would know my abilities intimately enough to do so as well as…" Suddenly, she came to a horrified realisation. "Hermione…use thy spell on the amber egg."

Hermione did so, frowning, before casting more. "…Shit," Hermione hissed, and Ranni already knew that swearing was rare for the bushy-haired young woman. "Ranni, there is something here. A curse, by the feel of it. But why could this detect it, and not your spells?"

"There art a number of reasons, I imagine," Ranni said. "Firstly, thy magic is different to ours. Secondly, the curse may hath been blocked specifically from my sight, not from others' sight. And thirdly, if I am correct, then the one who hath done this is an even more powerful Sorcerer than even I. I suspect this curse was inflicted on my mother by Radagon himself."

"…But why would your father do such a thing?" Harry demanded.

"I shalt explain later. If there art any means of breaking the curse, then prithee, use them forthwith," Ranni said, trying to keep the imperiousness out of her tone.

"Right…there's a few Andromeda taught me," Hermione said. She began trying some. Eventually, something golden seemed to explode off the amber egg. She then cast another spell, and nodded. "The curse seems to be gone, or else is severely weakened. However, I think that's only part of the problem."

Ranni nodded, having reached a similar conclusion, she felt. "I believe the curse held my mother in its thrall, preventing her from healing the damage done to her psyche by Radagon or his peon. My mother had a formidable mind, so mayhap she may heal from her madness on her own. But I hath another solution, one which I hath tried ere this day, but which availed her naught before. I will bring the draught there soon. Prithee, wait there and ensure Mother and her…children doth not rouse from their slumber…"

Harry looked around uneasily at the slumbering, restrained child-like scholars ranged around them. "Easy for you to say," he muttered. Fighting these creepy kids was rather arduous, though at least Stunners and Incarcerous spells worked well. He was surprised that Rennala went down as easily as she did.

Hermione, meanwhile, was peering pensively at the amber egg. And Rennala, despite the arduous battle they had just fought and her surprisingly massive size compared to them, or even Ranni, was snoring gently, a little rivulet of drool trickling from her lips. Then, in her sleep, she mumbled, "…Oh, Radahn…I ken that thy love for Leonard is a beautiful thing, and yet…"

"…Leonard?" Harry asked.

"My brother's horse," Ranni said, appearing out of the very air. "And ere thou ask, this means of travel is exclusive to I, and I alone. I cannot use it to take thee hither and thither." She headed over to Rennala, and pulled out a bottle from her robes, before gently getting her mother to swallow it. As Rennala swallowed, Ranni continued, "My brother was a warrior born, not as much a scholar as Rykard or myself were, but he learned gravitational magic when he began to outgrow his steed Leonard. He learned that magic all so he could continue to ride poor Leonard. For all that he was a loyal dog of the Golden Order, and hath hobbled my chosen path…he was a kindly man."

"What was that potion?" Hermione asked.

"One of my own devising, derived from the ingredients of both the Clarifying Boluses used to treat frenzy, and from certain Crystal Tears used in Flasks of Wonderous Physick, to both reduce madness and to boost the mind's energy. If I am correct, it shalt quicken her healing from her madness."

As if on cue, Rennala moaned, her pale blue eyes fluttering open. "Oh…mine skull aches…prithee, how much did I drink ere this morn? I hath not imbibed this much since my time as a student." She looked at Harry, Hermione, and Ranni. "…Lady Renna? What jest is this? I thought thou hath died long ago. Prithee, remove these chains this instant."

Ranni gestured to Harry and Hermione, and they removed them. "…I am afraid I am not Lady Renna, Mother," Ranni said.

Rennala did a double-take. "…That voice…impossible…my dear daughter Ranni…what hath thou done to thyself? Why art thou in…is that a doll of Lady Renna?"

"Tis a long story, Mother…but…art thou lucid?"

Rennala blinked, before looking at the amber egg, and then the restrained, sleeping scholars. "…I know not whether I am," she murmured. "The last I remember with any clarity…Radagon was leaving for Leyndell…chosen to be Marika's consort, and…he gifted me…Ranni…how long hath it been?"

"Mother…"

"How long?" Rennala said, her voice hard, but trembling with despair.

"…Centuries, Mother."

Rennala began breathing heavily, her eyes wide and darting about madly, until she calmed herself with an effort. "…It seems I hath much to learn about what hath transpired," she said with considerable understatement.

"Indeed," Ranni said solemnly. "But…I am glad thou hath regained thine faculties, Mother…"

Deep within the Erdtree, a figure was crucified on an arc of crystalline light. It looked like the broken statue of a woman with golden blonde hair, cracks covering every surface of skin. Her only seeming concession to modesty was a skirt of red material around her waist. A spear of crimson impaled her abdomen.

Few knew of the true state of Queen Marika the Eternal, that she was being punished by the Greater Will and its vassal, the Elden Beast, the living embodiment of the Elden Ring itself, for having the temerity to shatter the Elden Ring. And should anyone be able to enter the Erdtree proper, her body would be usurped by her consort, the one she fused with, Lord Radagon. And he would smite them for the temerity of attempting to change the status quo.

Marika had sent out her summons to the Tarnished, using what little control over Grace that she had, hoping that one of them, perhaps even her first consort Godfrey, would become strong enough to become the next Elden Lord. And Melina, dear Melina…mayhap she would find someone promising. She didn't want her youngest child to sacrifice herself, but events may yet prove that to happen, given Radagon's willing to block entrance to any comers.

Still, she sensed the newcomers at the Roundtable Hold, and had watched them in the same way she watched Hewg. The child of that All-Knowing Fool and the Sleeping Arrow, and her entourage. Most interesting, those who could shake things up. In fact, they might be quite receptive to a gift of Grace.

Then, she felt it. A surge of anger from Radagon. "What ails thee, Dear Consort?" she rasped weakly, the appellation venomous.

…Someone hath removed my influence from my gift to Rennala, came the voice of her Consort, her other half. A barely restrained snarl that made him sound more like Morgott when he was in a tizzy than a dignified god. Then again, Morgott was always in a tizzy, he just hid it for the most part. Understandable, considering what was done to him, but still…

Despite herself, Marika chuckled hoarsely, dust trickling from her mouth as she coughed. "Ah…mayhap little Ranni hath had fortune smile upon her at last. Can thou feel it, Dear Consort? The more thou attempt to keep a grip on matters, the more they slip through thy fingers, like sand."

This changes little, Radagon replied. Defying the Greater Will is the height of folly and futility, my other half. All thou did achieve with shattering the Elden Ring was to spread misery to all. None shalt rise to challenge me. None shalt overthrow the Golden Order. And all who try shalt fail.

"We shalt see about that, Dear Consort," Marika whispered, thinking to the newcomers. "We shalt see…"

CHAPTER 7 ANNOTATIONS:

So, Rennala has been cured, and Radagon has taken notice.

Now, keep this in mind: there'll be bashing of a number of characters, particularly in the Elden Ring world (honestly, the only characters of the Potterverse I've done any bashing of for this fic was Percy and, to a lesser degree, Dumbledore). Radagon in particular will be a major target, and there's quite a lot of lore to support this viewpoint, though as always with Soulsborne games, the story and lore is also vague enough to support multiple interpretations.

Radagon being responsible for Rennala's fate through actively cursing her is entirely my own invention. However, him being callous towards Rennala is already well-established. After falling in love with her (enough to actually basically go through magical atonement and baptism prior to that), he then ups and ditches her for Marika. This is pretty damn callous. Even in the best interpretations of his character, that he did so out of duty to Marika and the Golden Order, it's a pretty cold thing to do.

What's more, as VaatiVidya points out in one of his videos, Radagon is heavily implied to be the one who caused those thorns to block your way into the Erdtree. The thorns are arranged in a pattern similar to Radagon's personal Rune (which can be seen in his Scarseal and Soreseal, as a background to his statues, on the Elden Ring itself, and briefly in his hammer as he readies himself for battle), and he also has been trying to repair the Elden Ring after Marika shattered it. He's the one who fights you. So calling Radagon a villain isn't that much of a stretch.

On the other hand, Ranni not apparently trying anything to cure her mother in the game seems callous, hence what I wrote here and in prior chapters. I honestly wrote a lot of this chapter and how Hermione and Ranni cured Rennala by the seat of my pants. Hopefully, you bought my bullshit. Really, the spell only worked to break the curse because the Blacks are masters at making or breaking curses, and Andromeda no doubt learned more than a few tricks that she taught Hermione.

Now, I should point out, I am of the belief that Radagon and Marika were formerly separate beings, but they were fused together some time after they were wedded. There is evidence for them being two beings in one body from the get-go, of course, and who split in much the same way as Kami and Piccolo did in Dragonball, but there's evidence for my fanon too.

So, allow me to elucidate the events that led to this point, for this story. Radagon was an ambitious Numen general working for the Golden Order, and who wished to ascend to become Elden Lord. When he met Rennala in battle, however, he was genuinely smitten, and married her as detailed in the game. But his old ambitions still plagued him.

When Godfrey was banished, the Two Fingers or some other envoy of the Greater Will urged him to fill the gap. In a choice between ambition and love, ambition won out. The process of divorce was long, messy and embittering (as is often the case), and Radagon was paranoid that Rennala would become an enemy of the Greater Will once more. So he deliberately ensured Rennala would not be a threat to him ever again, using a Preceptor in his employ to shred her mind, and a curse on the amber egg to keep her in her state of madness, as well as to hinder the rebirthing process.

This may seem unnecessarily spiteful, but remember, the Carian Royals were heretics to the Golden Order in many regards. And the Greater Will's urgings may have poisoned Radagon's soul. In turning him into its true champion, the Greater Will made him truly evil. It also wanted someone who could keep Marika, who was already harbouring doubts about the Golden Order, on a leash. Remember, Marika's magic embodies Causality, that something will lead to another, cause and effect, or progression, whereas Radagon's magic is about Regression, returning things to a prior state. Radagon is set in his ways and resists any attempt to change things for the better.

I'm not necessarily making Marika out to be a hero or virtuous. She's just a lighter shade of black, a manipulative mastermind who caused a war in the possibly vain hope that things would get better.

No numbered annotations this time.