A/N : Well, the past month has been quite crappy for me (and most of this is why I've not updated in that much time). First, for some reason, March is a absolutely horrid month for me and, like usual, I got sick and fell into utter depression (which I had hoped would not carry over o this month, but it has). Secondly, with my depressing and ensuing writer's block, I decided it was time to get back in touch with my religion, as I had been severely neglecting it for some time so I needed to do this. And, about that writer's block…I had the worst case of writer's block yet on this story over the "make-or-break" portion of the story (well, in my opinion, at least). I had gotten to the main events that for this story make Voldemort who he is (at least for the most part) and I realized if I could not work this problem out logically (and I stress that for a reason) I would literally have to stop writing this story. Luckily, with the help of two of my best friends, I worked it out…and then had to go work out the fight scene in the chapter after it (these are chapters 18 and 19). Well, I got all these things done (and had planned to update on today even before I had finished these chapters so I'd be sure to have plenty of time to get caught up) and then the spy-ware, ad-ware, a virus, and a failing hard drive finally did in my beloved 4 ½ year old computer (which means I lost the few stories - and my already typed up A/N and responses for this chapter, so I had to redo it). As that I suck at typing on my husband's laptop, I've not done any writing on any stories since last Thursday when she officially died. But, well, that's all in the past now. My writer's block is over for this story (I think), March is over, my computer's being sent 900 miles south so my brother-in-law can do data recovery for me and get my precious stories, and we will be getting a new desktop with the tax returns. I cannot, though, guarantee that I'll get the next chapter up in a week, it all depends on how I feel and if I can get any typing/editing done on the story with this laptop's keypad. But, well, enough of my massive author's note…on with the story!!!

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Chapter #11 – Ambrosia & Nectar

It was three days later when he woke with his head throbbing and he groaned. The bright early afternoon sunlight was not helping matters any. He cracked open his eyes and saw Lena sitting on the edge the bed. He almost wanted to smirk at her shocked yet relieved expression but his head hurt too much. He tried to sit up, but she held him to the bed, looking at him sternly. He saw that he was back in the Eklekti's home, in the room he and Lena had been given while they stayed there.

"You had me so worried, my lord. I was afraid you'd never come around."

"Well," he said, "with a nurse like you, how could I not recover?"

A slight pink color came to her face as she picked up a glass from the bedside table. She gave him a potion that looked and smelled familiar – Melantha's potion she had taught him and Lena to make. Lena had surely thought of everything while he was unconscious. That was one of the things he kept her around for. He drank it quickly.

"Is there anything you'd like me to get for you, my lord?"

The pain in his head was already starting to leave him as she took the cup from his hand. "Actually, yes, there is, though it may sound rather strange."

"What is it," she asked curiously.

"A book of Greek myths."

Lena stared at him. A what?! Why did he suddenly want to study Greek myth? They were Muggle creations. Had his injuries knocked him silly after all? After a shocked moment, she nodded and left the room to go searching the shops for a book on the subject. She did not know if she would actually find one in the wizard shops, though, for she had not noticed any. She may have to go look on the Muggle islands nearby, but she had no Muggle money…nor any Muggle-like clothing, which could be a problem.

Once she was gone, Tom attempted to get out of bed but found his legs were extremely stiff. Lena had not said how long he had been unconscious yet it seemed that it had been a while. He massaged his legs for a while then flexed his knees and ankles, loosening the muscles, then he was able to stand without much trouble. He walked downstairs and into the kitchen, where Calida was preparing lunch. She smiled at him, happy to see him up finally.

"Good morning, or afternoon, whichever it may be," Tom said with a slight nod.

"It's afternoon, and good afternoon to you as well." She went back to pitting the olives for a salad. "You were one of the lucky ones, you know."

"How so?"

"Myles, Charon, and Tityus were all killed in the struggle. Akantha, Lethe, Hesperos, and my dear Aristid were captured and sent to the Pyrgos. The children are currently in 'safe keeping' until they decide what to do with them."

Tom looked at her with shock, though she was not facing him at the moment. The Pyrgos was the Mediterranean's version of Azkaban, though with minotaurs as guards instead of dementors. "I'm sorry to…"

"Oh, don't concern yourself. Eunomia and her brother, Eugenios, are planning to break out those that are being held and steal the children back. Then we're going to Kateríni to the safe house there. Ophelia's there now making sure everything clear for our arrival." She smiled at him. "We're always ready for such things. We have to be."

"Being ready for anything is always the best plan."

Calida nodded then glanced at him. "So where did your lady run off to in such a hurry?"

"I ask her to get me something. She, better than anyone, would know where to find it with all the shopping she's done."

"May I ask what you seek?"

"A book on myths."

"Ah." She stopped pitting the olives and turned to him with a grin, wiping her hands on her apron. She had known instantly what he was talking about. "So you're one of those, are you?"

The young wizard was puzzled. "Excuse me?"

"You've decided to find the Nectar of the Gods." She was still grinning. "My father was looking for the means of immortality as well – before one of his experiments killed him, at least. I actually have a book of his here…somewhere. I'll see if I can find it after lunch."

Tom looked at her in complete awe. His search seemed to be getting off to a good start at least. This was surely a good sign. "Thank you."

"It's nothing." She turned back to start chopping the tomatoes. "I'll never use it. It'll only collect more dust here. Best put it to some use."

By the time Calida had finished preparing lunch, Lena had returned with only two books (both on the subject Tom had asked for). Tom was shocked, having expected her to return with a dozen books, with maybe only one of them being what he wanted. She told him that as soon as she had found the one called Mythos na Pragmatikotita: Anazitisi gia Athanatos (or in English - Myth to Practicality: Journey towards Immortality) she knew what he had meant when he made his request. And that day Tom started his quest for immortality, pouring over the three books he now had (for Calida had found the one she had told him about as well).

Over the next few weeks, Tom did not participate in the plans that the Nychta Paidia were making for the break out and their ensuing escape to the north. He studied his new books and wanted to start his experimenting, but he had a feeling that it was time for him to leave Greece…to leave Europe. He did not want to go to Kateríni with the rest of the Nychta Paidia. He wished to start making his plans to leave, but he did not know where he might go. And he had made a point of not telling Lena that he was making such plans, either.

Tom thought that Arabia or northern Africa might be a very good place to head to next. With as much as he had heard about the wizarding schools there being nearly unable to accept any Muggle students due to the nature of the area Muggle's religion and its strictness in the matters of magic and witchcraft, he thought it might be interesting at least. So he started to make plans to go to Alexandria, Egypt (which was not that far away). He had a few contacts there from his studies under Melantha which could turn out to be useful now…but another opportunity was about to present itself.

Pei Shen came by the afternoon before the planned break out of those that had been captured when the Nychta Paidia's headquarters had been taken. He went to the garden to speak with Tom in private. This got Tom wondering why the Chinese wizard had come to see him. Shen was very rarely secretive.

"Tom, I…I was wondering," he had an awkward smile on his face, "as that all the Paidia are leaving for Kateríni tomorrow, if you would like to have a chance to…steal away, as that it would be a good time to leave."

The British wizard raised his eyebrow. "Steal away with you, you mean?"

"Well, yes, I was planning on returning home to China. Though if you prefer to go your own way, I fully understand. We all have different paths to follow."

Tom looked at him, very puzzled. "Why do you want me to come with you?"

"Well, other than the strong desire I know we both have to get away from here," he smiled knowingly, "I feel that we're both seeking the same thing, and, perhaps, we can teach each other."

"And what are you trying to discover?"

Shen smiled again, but this time there was a strange gleam in his eyes. "The secrets of magic…"

When he said that, it brought back what Melantha had told him about why she thought it best for him to leave her study. A smile crept across his face as well. That was exactly what he wanted, and if China was where he might find it, so be it. He would discover these secrets, these truths, and find out what Melantha was talking about finally.

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To my reviewers -

(Insert name here) - of course I think you'd be interesting to talk to as that we seem to have very similar ideas and I think collaborating with you or getting your help with some things would be great. And I'd be doomed too as I certainly have the curse of the Gemini when it comes to talking. *evil little laugh* Dumbledore's evil…^_~ I have thought from the beginning that Voldemort had another snake before Nagini (and he gets him in Egypt). I can't stand those people that think Nagini's been with him since he started to Hogwarts - not even magical snakes can live fifty or sixty years Yes, he's more interested in learning at the moment than with "looking" like a Dark wizard, but, I think the learning part is more important than the looks part anyway (and I have a feeling Tom'd agree with me). You have to get the knowledge/power before you can get the puppets/followers anyway. He'll be learning a lot more about the more covert means of taking on the system when he gets involved with his next Dark Arts group (which is much more attune to what the Death Eaters will become). Dropping hints makes things less of a shock when the main event happens (like what Rowling is doing…*keeps her glaring eyes trained on Dumbledore*) because no one, not even great Voldemort, can put everything together at once, no matter what others might think. Tom's quest to become immortal (and hence, to becoming Voldemort) is the central focus of this part of the story and is the key factor in that "make-or-break" point I mentioned in my author's note up top. You'll see lots more about it. Looking for immortality is not something that can be done overnight and I think it's eventually his greater pursuit during his journeys. No jail time for the two of them, Lena's too inventive to let that happen, but, yes, their relationship does take a turn towards inevitability in chapter 17 (a ways to go, yeah, but Tom'll have other things on his mind).

lord archimonde - well, this fight just shows that Tom's still very inexperienced. He's only dueled with Lena and Melantha before so there was no real question that he went in totally unprepared. And, well, I had to find some major traumatic event to have his mortality become a reality to him. Greece was just such a natural place for him to discover this since the "nectar and ambrosia" is well known as the thing that makes the Greek gods immortal.

Liv - I'm glad you liked the fight and it's good to know I did a nice job with the spells…I really tried with them. Tom still trusts Lena mainly because of the Legilimency, yes (though I'm sure he didn't think she might be using Occulmency right back at him). But he also really doesn't want to suspect her because 1) she's his potions expert, 2) he needs a constant companion and he's used to Lena filling that gap, 3) she's female, he's male and there's some things that can't really be handled any other way and this stay pretty much a "kids'" story…^_~ And it's not that I wove in the part about his not wanting to die, it was more the entire reason that the previous chapter was. Those last lines were the most important part of that chapter.

RivanKnight - *drinking shake* Glad you think the story's coming along nicely. And, as I told Liv above, those last lines were the main focus for the story. The reason I had him duel Aurors was because I had to give a logical reason for him to have started his search for immortality (to fear death). But, yes, there is a reason for everything, it's just thinking of the reasons.