Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns everything you recognize
as hers.
A/N: Thanks a lot to all of those who reviewed and to Ally Serenity for betaing
this chapter
Chapter Ten
Just as Lily fainted, James caught her.
"Bring her into the throne room." Said Sir Albus. "Lady Bella, can you go and fetch Mistress Pomfrey."
Bella nodded before running to the nurse's quarters.
Meanwhile James, followed by the King, the Queen, Sir Exer, and his friends, had arrived in the throne room. Here, Sir Exer conjured a couch on which the prince put Lily. She lay there, still. Everybody stared at her injuries, which were bleeding, not knowing what to do. All of a sudden, the doors opened and someone burst in the room, despite the guard's yells. All the people looked up and saw with relief it was Praïn. He didn't bother to salute, and went straight to Lily's side. He studied her for a few minutes, and then put his hands on her forehead. He seemed to concentrate hard. Slowly, under the awed looks of everyone in the room, the wounds started to heal. After all the injuries had disappeared, the elf chief continued to concentrate. People in the room saw his face became serious, then angry, as he was arguing with someone. Finally he sighed, before turning to face the people present.
"She will sleep for about two hours. I would have like her sleeping for at least six hours, but she would not hear of that… Quite a stubborn girl if I may say."
"Indeed" nodded Sir Albus.
"Excuse-me, but how have you been able to heal her in only a few minutes? Even with magic it takes hours before a wound is completely healed." Asked a puzzled King.
"It is part of our nature, your Majesty." Explained Praïn. "The Elves are earth creatures and are charged of preserving the nature and all the living beings. In order to fulfill these duties, we were granted some powers as the ability to talk with animals, and to be healers. Lilyaris is a part elf so she has inherited a bit of these powers, which is why she has good relations with animals. She is able to heal them too, but it takes a big part of her energy, whereas an elf can heal a lot of people before being tired. The reason is very simple: to heal, an elf will use the energies he found in nature, but Lilyaris has to use her own energies."
Everyone starred at him.
"Is there something wrong?" asked Praïn, a bit taken aback by their behavior.
"No, no," answered Sir Albus, snapping out of his stare. Suddenly the doors opened again to let the nurse pass.
She immediately went to Lily and started to check on her.
The others started to discuss about the information brought by the spies, elaborating strategies to stop Lord Voldemort and the Tarelys's armies; but a thought was on everyone mind: What had happened between Lily and the Dark Lord?
While the adults were conversing, James, Bella, Sirius, and Remus were quietly talking. Bella kept shooting worried glances to the sleeping body on the couch, Remus was deep in thought, Sirius was looking at the ceiling, (apparently bored), and James seemed torn between two feelings.
"I really wonder what happened." Said Remus.
"Me too, I can't wait for her to wake up!" added Sirius.
"I told you that she was not strong enough to handle this." Suddenly said James.
"How could you say that! You do not even know what happened!" replied Bella.
"Look at her! You saw how she was when she came back!"
"In your opinion, how would you be if you have just dueled with the Dark Lord himself?" asked Bella.
This silenced the prince. Sensing the tension in the air, Remus quickly changed the subject.
Two hours later, Lily woke up. As soon as she opened her eyes, everybody rushed to her side. She looked slowly around her, wondering where she was, and she quickly remembered the past events. She saw with pleasure that Sir Albus, Bella, and Praïn were there.
"It is a pleasure to see you, but would someone be kind enough to explain me what has happened?" she said smiling.
"We are happy to see you awake, Lilyaris." Answered Sir Albus. "As for what happened, you came back to the castle badly injured. As soon as you landed, you started to heal Amaris despite my orders to stop; and then you fainted."
"Is Amaris alright?" immediately asked Lily, worried about her dragon.
"She is perfectly fine", replied Sir Albus, reassuring. "But I think that we are all dying to hear what had happened to you, my dear…"
Sighing, Lily started to tell them what had happened…
"… Then I took advantage of the fact he thought I was defenseless, to use my wandless abilities. I stunned him, summoned my wand and flew away as fast as Amaris could with her wounds. Four hydrias started to chase us, but we managed to reach the place from where we were able to disappear before they could stop us. You know what happened after."
As Lily finished her explanation, everyone was starring at her in awe. Particularly the Prince, Sirius, and Remus who did not know that she was able to do magic without a wand.
A few minutes passed. Seeing no one was about to speak, Lily sighed again.
"Well, when will I be able to come back to the wings?" she asked to Praïn.
"I don't know, you will to wait for Mistress Pomfrey to check on you.
Lily groaned and turn to face the nurse who had stayed in a corner in order to look after her without listening to the talk the King was having.
Answering to her silent question, Mistress Pomfrey approached.
"I forbid you to fight or train for the two following days."
"What? But I need to train! I can not stop training because of a few small injuries!"
"Small injuries? You fainted! You need some rest and I will make sure you will have it."
"But I am perfectly fine! I..."
"End of discussion. You have the choice, either you are sensible and do not train on your own, or I will lock you in the hospital. Choose!"
"Alright, I won't" said Lily very, very reluctantly.
"Better." With that the nurse left.
"Lily I think it will be better that you go to sleep." Said Praïn.
"But…"
"No but Lily," cut Bella, "you are coming with me!"
She grabbed Lily's arm and despite her protestation, dragged her out of the room.
"Bella, let me go! BELLA, IF YOU DON'T LET ME GO I WILL…!"
Everyone shook his head with amusement, before going back to what they were doing.
During the two following days, Lily tried all the ways possible to train, but each time she was about to start, somebody found her. Amaris was not helping; she kept on warning someone every time she saw or felt that Lily was about to train herself.
Amaris! I NEED to train! How will I be able to fight if I don't train? shouted Lily as Amaris had just prevented her from started magic training by warning Bella.
Two days of rest will not make you forget all the things you have learned so far. Mistress Pomfrey said TWO days of rest and you shall have TWO days of rest.
But…
No but, Tomorrow you will be able to start your training again… Why do you not go take care of your young students, I am sure they will be delight to be trained by you…"
Amaris, you're evil.
I know, I know, and that is why you love me, right?
Right as always my beauty.
Well, go make those riders regret the days when they were trained by Sir Exer. It will prevent you from being bored.
Alright.
Indeed, the riders came back completely exhausted. They had just the strength to get up to their dorms. One thought was on their minds: Tomorrow, Lily will be able to fight.
Indeed the next day was the day when Voldemort had planned his massive attack on the castle; but thanks to the information brought by the spies, the King had been able to prepare his defenses.
Very early in the morning, every one was woken up by the sound of trumpets. Groaning, all the fighters got up and started to prepare for the coming battle. One hour later every body was ready. All the fighters knew they might not see their friends again but they were willing to defend their kingdom. All the fight dragons had been required to fight, along with the soldiers, and the horse riders. The phoenixes and the griffins had also sided with Erkanswald, along with the fairies and the elves. The fairies and elves did not fight though. The fairies had been charged to transport the injured to the elves, which would heal them.
One hour later, Lord Voldemort's army and the Tarelys's came in view. The battle that would decide of the fate of the kingdom, started.
Lily had joined the Lions, along with Bella. The battle was violent and brutal. People were dying everywhere. The Dragons were charged to take care of the hydrias. The phoenixes were attacking the Basilisks. Lord Voldemort had also succeeded in having Vampires and Werewolves to join his side. In the first moment of the battle, none of the armies had the upper hand, but slowly Voldemort's army started to become weaker… All of Erkanswald's soldiers started to cheer and fight stronger. Lily was puzzled; the Dark army had not been really hurt, but why were they acting as they had been? …
Suddenly realization hit her: It was a trap! Their target was not victory, it was something else… Lily started to look around her, trying to find what their enemies were looking for… She finally saw ten huge hydrias flying quickly towards something or someone. She froze when she saw towards what they were flying towards: The King!
The King had decided to fight along with his soldiers, despite his counselors' warnings, and now he was about to be kidnapped! Mentally cursing, and warning mentally the others riders, Lily flew at full speed, as she was not able to disappear because she couldn't be sure the place she chose to appear would stay spare during her disappearance, even if she knew she would not be able to reach them in time to stop them. Few dragons started to hurry at the king's side. Desperate, Lily saw the Death Eaters grab the king, throw him on one of the hydrias's back, and disappear in a blink of eye. Immediately Voldemort's army started to retreat. The soldiers cheered loudly, not aware of what had just happened. All the riders were wearing desperate looks with fear in their eyes.
When the news of the King's kidnapping was heard by everyone, all the victory feasts were stopped. People were talking quietly to their friends, scared of what the future may bring. The counselors and the Queen had locked themselves in the main headquarters. Lily and Bella were leaning on their dragons that were trying to comfort them. Sirius and Remus had a hard time of trying to help James. The Prince seemed completely destroyed by the news, and his friends had run out of ideas.
You should talk to James, Lily…
Why Maris?
Look at him.
Lily looked up and saw the prince. He was sitting near his dragon. His face was expressionless and blank; a few tears were running down his cheeks. Lily had never seen him crying. She saw Sirius speaking to him, but he continued to stare at nothing in particular. Sirius then looked up at Remus who shook his head, not knowing what to do. He shuddered before leaving, followed by Remus, apparently having decided that leaving him alone was the best thing to do.
I know how he feels, thought Lily. But his father is still alive; dead, he will be useless to Voldemort; He has no right of giving up!
Lily got up and approached the prince. He didn't seem to notice her presence.
She sat near him.
I don't know why I'm doing this! She mentally sighed. But she hated seeing people sad and always did all she could to give them hope, happiness… It was a part she had inherited from her elf-side. She placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
"Go away Sirius or Remus or whoever you are." she heard him whisper.
James felt a hand on his shoulder. Why will they not let me alone! He thought.
"Go away Sirius or Remus or whoever you are." he said lowly.
"I am not Sirius nor Remus, and I will not let you alone like this even if I do not know why I do this." Answered a feminine voice. He looked up and saw two green eyes looking at him. He immediately looked down.
I don't need her pity!
"Do not even think that I pity you. You do not need it, whereas some others need it much more than you."
"Why?" he asked a bit taken aback by this.
"They have lost someone. A friend, a father, a son… They have every right to be sad and to mourn over their losses."
"And why cannot I? I have lost my father!"
Lily's hand tightened her grips on his shoulder.
"Don't you dare to say it again!" she hissed. "Your father is not dead. Do you never think? Dead, he would be useless for Voldemort's projects."
"How do you know?"
"It's logic! Or else, why would have they bothered to catch him alive? They could have killed him, but no they kidnapped him!"
James seemed to understand.
"Yes!" But instantly, his face darkened. "I know my father, he will not accept any exchange."
Lily patted his shoulder.
"Do not worry, he will be fine."
"Maybe; but if I had been more careful, he may have not been captured!"
"There is not anything you could have done to modify it. Your father wanted to fight, it was his duty, and I admire him for it."
"But…"
"Dwelling on it will not help him you know. Moreover, your mother needs you."
"…"
"Do not bottle up your emotions like that; it is not good." She added.
"How would you know? You do not know how it is." The prince immediately regretted these words, suddenly remembering that Lily's parents had died a few years ago. "I am sorry," he said.
A sad look passed in Lily's eyes.
"Do not be, they are dead, yes, but I know that wherever they are, they are happy." She said with a faraway look. "Cry; do not be ashamed of it, if you don't, it will never heal."
While discussing, James had more and more difficulty trying to hold back his tears. Unable to continue, he allowed himself to cry. Lily hugged him without thinking. After a few minutes, he calmed down.
They remained silent for a long time. Each was lost deep in his or her thought.
"Thank you, Lily."
"No need to do so, I know how it is, and I have always regretted not having someone to help me get through it. You should go see your mother now." With a last squeeze on his shoulder, she got up and left him.
He stayed there for a moment, not knowing what to think of it. She had helped him despite everything he had said to her. He got up and headed towards the headquarters, but everywhere he looked, he kept seeing two green eyes. He shook his head trying to focus his thoughts, but they kept drifting to Lily…
Finally he arrived near the headquarters. Taking a deep breath, he entered.
The Queen was talking with Sir Cornelius, Sir Albus, Lady Minerva, a few other counselors, and Sir Exer. They had discussed this kidnapping countless times. Queen Dorilys looked up to see her son enter the room. She gave him a trembling smile. He approached her and without a word, hugged her. After a few minutes, they pulled away. The Queen wiped away a few tears. She then turned back to the counselors.
"I am not qualified enough to take care of the kingdom. So until either my husband's return or the crowning of the prince, I will name people to take care of the kingdom. Sir Albus, Sir Exer, you will take care of everything concerning strategies. Sir Cornelius I charge you of taking the army and the wings. Training, jobs, and missions will be under your responsibility…"
She talked to a few other counselors, charging them of different duties.
When she was finished, Sir Cornelius started to talk with her, while Sir Albus, Sir Exer, and James were listening.
"I would like to make a few changes…" He started to talk about a few pointless things, then he said something which caught everyone full attention.
"I do not think that silvers should be allowed in the wings, So Lilyaris and Lady Bella shall be dismissed of their positions. They will not continue to train the fight-dragons. Beside, I am sure that their training is useless. How could females understand something concerning fighting. They shall be assigned to other duties."
James was amazed at the man's prejudice and scared at the reaction Lily would have when she heard. Then he realized that he would have had the same reaction a few weeks ago. This made him think deeply about things he thought would always be true.
Sir Albus was about to protest along with Sir Exer; when a loud noise could be heard outside. Everyone rushed to see what was happening.
The army was gathered around something. They approached and saw a huge hydria without a rider flying away, and soldiers hurrying towards them.
"Your Majesty, Sirs, Ladies, it dropped this." He handed them a parchment. The Queen quickly took it, opened it and started to read aloud.
"I, Lord Voldemort, will release King Regis, only if the following conditions are fulfilled:
First, Erkanswald's army must stop the fight. Second, the throne will be given to Warad, King of Tarelys, along with full powers on the kingdom and its people. Third, Lilyaris will be sent to me. Fourth, all the parchments, books, manuscripts concerning magic owned by Sir Albus will be given to me. In our generosity we give you two days to think, any time further than these days, and the King will be killed."
The Queen had become very pale and seemed about to faint.
"We will not submit to him! These conditions are unacceptable." Said Sir Exer.
Then, they left to the headquarters to try to find a solution.
James remained there. His friends reached him and tried to cheer him up, but failed miserably.
Lily and Bella joined them too.
"I am so sorry James," said Bella, hugging him.
Lily remained silent, and then spoke.
"I am sorry too, I should not have used my powers in front of him to escape, it is my fault…"
"No, you did the right thing; you would have died if you had not uses your abilities." Stated Remus.
"And?"
"We care about you Lily!" said Bella.
"Really?" asked Lily doubtfully.
"Really Lily." Said Remus.
"Bella, Lily, I have something to announce to you." said James, "But before I say it, promise me you will not do anything drastic after hearing it."
The two girls looked at each other, then nodded.
"While I was with my mother, she gave the counselors some duties. Sir Cornelius was charged of the army. He has decided to dismiss you, as you are, I quote 'females who are unable to understand anything about fighting'."
Lily clenched her fist and the boys could see a murderous look appear on the faces of two girls.
"I am going to …" started Bella.
"You are not going anywhere." cut Sirius.
Lily was trying to calm down.
"Did he say what we will be charged of?" she asked in low voice.
"He did not." Answered James.
They continued to talk for a few moments. It was then nightfall, and everyone went to his or her quarters to get some sleep.
The next morning, Lily woke up early. She found a letter on her bedside apparently dropped by an owl. She had found a spell that allowed the owls to enter in the room through the window even if it was closed. She looked at it and saw Sir Cornelius writing. She noticed Bella had also received one.
She got up and woke her friend by shaking her.
"What?… What happened?"
"Look we have received a letter from our dear friend Cornelius."
"Hmm?"
Bella groaned when she saw the letter.
"Let us see what he has done." She said grumpily.
"All right. We open it at the same time?"
"Yes. Ready? At three: One…Two… Three!"
They opened the letters and read them silently.
Then two loud yells could be heard throughout the castle.
"WHAT! NEEDLEWORK! EMBROIDERY!
