DISCLAIMER: I only wish I owned this! Anything you may recognize belongs to JK Rowling, and I ain't makin' a dime off of this. Wish I was though, then maybe I could move out of this spacious cardboard box, lol!
A/N: Well, since only two people voted(but a lot of people begged for me to update quickly) I'll be updating more often with shorter chapters. Chapters will typically be 4-5 pages and things will appear to be moving much quicker. I don't really need a beta for this story, but I could definitely use ideas for it, put any ideas in reviews or email me if you want. I'd definitely appreciate it. Thanks everyone!
Chapter 10: Healing And Repercussions
Both Dielare and Eliz sat in the waiting room of the medical ward biting their finger nails waiting for news on Seliv as the medi-witches were doing emergency surgery to try and save her life from the opening in her stomach and the amount of blood she had lost. They had both taken turns pacing in front of the other looking desperately at each other every minute or so in fright because of how they both felt about Seliv. She was the sister neither of them ever had and to lose her right now would hurt both of them tremendously.
"How do you think it's going in there," Eliz asked nervously.
"I'm sure that Madame Roselaray is doing everything that she can to keep Seliv alive and keep her around for us," Dielare responded, though she wasn't sure if it was more for her benefit or if he was trying to convince himself of that. At this point Dielare had been pacing and he sat down when he finished next to Eliz scooping her up in a hug. She crawled into his lap burrowing herself further into his chest sobbing as her fears were building. As the time had past she had gotten more and more nervous and she had begun thinking of worse and worse things, and now all of them were crashing down on her. He just held her tighter whispering into her ear that it would be all right and that Seliv was strong and that she would pull through. They remained like this for another hour before the sound of a door opening made both of their heads shoot up looking towards the ward with hopeful eyes.
"She is going to be all right. It was touch and go for a while but we managed to get her to pull through. She's sleeping right now and you two are more than welcome to go and wait by her bed until she wakes," Madame Roselaray told them.
"Thank you Madame," Dielare replied before lifting Eliz off of his lap and standing but never letting her go. They walking into the ward arm-in-arm towards Seliv's bed where Roselaray had pointed them to. When they got there they noticed that she was paler than normal, but other than that she just looked as though she was sleeping, which they reminded themselves she was. They conjured a couple chairs next to the bed quietly and sat watching her waiting and wondering why Leos had not showed up yet as he was her father. No sooner had this thought crossed their minds then the ward doors been practically blown off their hinges. They both stood up with their hands up ready to cast a spell if necessary until they saw that it was in fact Leos who was frantically looking around for Seliv.
"Where is she," he practically yelled.
"Right here Leos," Eliz responded calmly. He ran like the devil was on his tail towards the bed and scooped his daughter up in a hug crying in relief that she was alive and safe at the moment. Both Dielare and Eliz backed off and let him have his moment but never left the room not wanting to be gone in case she woke up. Ten minutes later it appeared that his tears had been spent and he laid her back down brushing a few errant locks out of her face lovingly before he whirled around causing the younger two in the room to gulp. They noticed a fire in his eyes that they had never seen before and it quite frankly frightened them.
"What…happened," he demanded in a strangled voice.
"Well you see…We were all out and…," Dielare couldn't seem to find a good way to explain what happened and couldn't really seem to find his voice while he was looking at Leos so Eliz responded knowing that the lack of an answer was only enraging Leos further.
"I, Dielare, Seliv, and Zolegran went on a double-date to Marlo's earlier today. We had the proper guards with us, but they made themselves scarce as we were in a private area that they had swept previously and all the food was tasted prior to our receiving it. After we had eaten, but before we had left an explosion was heard. I and Dielare immediately went to check it out assuming that the guards would stop Seliv and Zolegran from following us, which was foolish. In the street was four Dark Wizards controlling three manticores and five chimeras," she said in one breath. She took a deep breath before continuing, "We, and by we I mean Dielare and I, summoned our weapons and while we waited for those we sent the strongest spells we could think of to slow them down. What we failed to see was that Seliv and Zolegran had come up almost right next to use and also had begun to send spells. Unfortunately a Chimera got close, too close," she struggled a bit at this point. Dielare decided it might be better for him to continue.
"The Chimera leapt at Seliv with the intent to kill her on the orders of one of the Dark Wizards, but Zolegran jumped in the way. He died saving her life, but unfortunately the tail curved around his body when he was struck by it and hit Seliv," he explained without looking up, "I am so sorry that I could not protect her. It was at this point that I banished all of the beasts into a single area before opening up a crevice in the ground swallowing them whole and closing it back up. Eliz handled the Dark Wizards while I finished off the beasts then I transported Seliv directly here. I am extremely sorry that I couldn't protect her," he said finally looking up with tears falling from his cheeks as they had been running down his face during his entire explanation.
"There is nothing to forgive. You two did your best in the situation at hand," he responded kindly.
"Thank you sir," they both responded gratefully.
"Where were the guards while you were fighting," he asked with an edge in his voice.
"They said that they could not get out of the restaurant," Eliz said with the same edge in her voice, "I told them to return to the castle and prepare for repercussions of their actions. I had felt that you would want a hand in their discipline."
"You bet your arse I do," Leos growled. Neither noticed that Dielare seemed to be shaking in fear from both of them at the anger they were both producing. The only person he had seen this angry was his Uncle Vernon and it never ended up well for him, well, other that Josh, but he didn't see much of that. When Eliz turned to ask Dielare a question she noticed his reaction and reached out to put a calming hand on his shoulder but he flinched away as if burned. When he looked at both of them his eyes were wild with fear and he back himself into the corner.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I'll be good I promise," he kept muttering over and over again. What they didn't know was that instead of seeing them when he began panicking his mind brought him back to when he was dealing with his Uncle and he thought he was dealing with an angry Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. Leos and Eliz shared a concerned look before she tried moving towards him again but he began shaking so much that he dropped down to the floor pulling his knees to his chest with his back to the wall. Eliz looked pleadingly at Leos for him to try as she didn't seem to be able to get close. When he tried though the reaction was much more violent, the shaking became much worse and Dielare yelled "NO!" before sending his head back into the wall and he knew no more. Before either of the could move Roselaray burst into the room.
"What happened," she demanded.
"Eliz and Dielare told me what happened earlier today in town and the failure of the guards," Leos told her, "And after Eliz had explained that the guards had not showed up and I had agreed to help in their discipline we turned to him and we found him shaking in fear. She reached out for him but he back away as if burned."
"And let me guess," Roselaray practically snarled, "Both of you kept trying to approach him?" When they both nodded she sent a glare that they were sure would have killed them if the matron wanted it to. "What part of 'abusive childhood' do neither of you understand? It is very common when someone grows up in that type of environment that at a display of anger their mind will revert to that place and they will panic thinking they are there! Don't Even try to tell me you were discussing it calmly," she growled when it looked as if Leos was going to try and defend himself. He just looked guilty after she chastised him.
"What do you mean abusive childhood," Eliz asked. She had known that his relatives hated him but he had never told her that he was abused and Seliv never told her what she had seen when her and her father had looked only that it was horrifying. She knew that a life could be horrifying without abuse so she had never connected that.
"What I am about to tell you doesn't leave this room," Leos told her while Roselaray was examining Dielare. She had already heard it all before since she was the main medi-witch in the castle and needed to know things like this. She cast a silencing charm around his bed and got to work so Dielare wouldn't hear that they knew. "When Dielare was a child, a very young child at that, he was made to sleep in a cramped cupboard. In fact I don't know if he ever got to move out of that cupboard until he moved out of his relatives home. They starved him, neglected him, forced him to do all the manual labor around their home on little to no sleep or food, and they physically abused him."
"Bastards," she spat out.
"I quite agree," he intoned. He hated telling this as it wasn't his to tell, but he felt that she had a right to know being as close to him as she was. Obviously Dielare wasn't going to tell her so he felt that he should. The real pity about it was, was that if anyone would understand what Dielare experienced it would be Seliv after what she went through after her mother died. He had tried remarrying but the woman abused Seliv constantly and she was quite young so he divorced her as soon as he found out. While she wasn't happy about that and had swore revenge on him it hadn't happened and he felt quite certain it wouldn't. Roselaray came out after he had finished his musings and told him that Dielare would be fine and that he should wake up any time, the same with Seliv. After that she disappeared into her office to brew some more blood replenishing potions that they were running low on due to using so many for Seliv. Normally a person needed no more than half a cup to a cup, but Seliv had required four cups as she had nearly bled to death. The ward only keeps five cups worth on stock because it's shelf life isn't very long.
"Eliz," they heard Dielare croak out. She dashed over to his side grabbing his hand while a few tears made their way down her face.
"I'm here Dielare," she replied.
"What happened," he asked.
"You panicked when you saw Leos and I angry, but I don't know why," she told him lying slightly.
"I was scared. I thought I was back with my Aunt and Uncle, I thought I was going to be punished again," he said not being able to control his reply.
"How did they punish you," she asked already knowing the answer.
"Are you sure you want to know," he asked. She was shocked by the amount of pain she saw in his eyes.
"Yes, I really want to know," she told him honestly.
"I grew up in a cupboard under the stairs. When I asked a question or didn't finish my chores on time they would deny me meals and lock me in my cupboard but not before hitting and kicking me. A few times I had to drag myself to the hospital," he intoned lifelessly. He had no idea why he was telling her this, but he felt he needed to tell someone or it was going to eat him alive. He saw Leos there but didn't care, he felt that both of them would understand his need to talk. "They used to tell me that I was a useless freak and that nobody would ever care about me. I didn't even know when my birthday was until I needed to know for a school project when I was 15. I didn't get any presents for Christmas and more often than not was locked in my cupboard for it. Every time I asked a question I was yelled and before beaten and told not to ask questions. They encouraged my cousin Dudley to beat me up and to discourage anyone from being my friend. I didn't even have proper friends until he went to a private school when he was 11. They said that I was a burden and that they would have been better off shipping me off to an orphanage."
"They were wrong," she told him while more tears fell from her eyes, "You aren't useless or a freak." She wrapped him in a tight hug while stroking her hands through his hair and whispering caring words into his ear.
"Dielare," Leos began tentatively, "I think you should talk to Seliv about this." He could see the young man tense as he said this but he knew he needed to finish so Dielare would understand. "After her mother died I remarried and her step-mother was abusive. When I wasn't around she did a lot of the same things that you described, and I think that Seliv would be able to help you get past that." Dielare visibly relaxed when he finished but when he looked up Leos could see a fire in his eyes that surprised him.
"Someone abused her," he growled. Leos just nodded his head.
"When I found out I banished her from the kingdom relinquishing every hold she had on any bit of wealth she might have been able to get her hands on. She swore revenge, but it never came," Leos responded.
"I'll talk to her," he replied, "If you don't mind my asking Leos, how did her mother die?" Dielare was visibly apprehensive asking this. Even though he had come a long way and was normally able to ask questions without getting nervous this was a sensitive subject.
"When Seliv was a baby, around six months old, they were both attacked by a Chimera. Her mother died in the attack before the guards could slay the beast," Leos responded in a choked voice. Dielare suddenly realized why he had taken this attack so hard, he had lost his wife and almost his daughter in the exact same way. He almost pitied those guards, almost but not quite.
"Why don't you two go deal with the guards and I'll sit with Seliv. If she wakes I'll send a messenger to get you," Dielare told them. They both agreed knowing that he'd want to talk to her in private for a little bit. Eliz kissed him quickly before they left and Dielare walked over to Seliv's bed before conjuring a chair mentally preparing himself for the upcoming discussion.
(Break)
"I'm glad that he finally opened up and told us what happened, although I wish I could get rid of the images that I received from the memories I viewed," Leos said as they stalked towards the common room of the royal guards.
"That's understandable, from what he described I wouldn't want to see that either. I hope that Seliv is able to help him past that," Eliz responded, "Leos, wait a moment there's something I need to talk to you about."
"What's that," he responded warily.
"When Dielare goes home I am going with him," she told him in a determined voice.
"When did this come up," he asked intrigued.
"He asked me while we were at lunch today. I told him that I didn't know if I would be able to go, but after hearing that I don't want him going back alone. I am going back with him and there's nothing you can do to stop me," as she told him this her voice got more stern with each sentence.
"I never said I would try," he responded defensively, "I was just curious as to when it came up. You're not one known for your spontaneous decisions." His eyes were twinkling with mirth as he said this. "I'm actually going to encourage you to go with him. He needs you to go, and if the prophecy is to believed then Seliv and I are his ancestors otherwise I would suggest one of us going along as well."
"Thank you Leos," she said before hugging him. They both reminded themselves where they were going and began walking again. It didn't take much for Leos' previous anger to return at almost losing his daughter in the same way as losing his first love was very hard on him. When they reached the door they shoved the doors open so hard along with their anger making their magic help a bit the doors indented the walls a bit. The guards that were in the common room took one look at the two figures in the doorway and cowered in fear.
"Commander Pareker! Lieutenant Lanale! Front and center," Leos ordered in the coldest voice anyone had heard from the king ever. The two men in question wasted no time in rushing in front of the king and saluting. "What is your excuse for not keeping my daughter and Prince Zolegran in the restaurant?"
"They were out of the restaurant before we could react your highness," Pareker responded fearfully.
"Why were you not immediately outside then," Leos shouted.
"We couldn't get by the patrons of the establishment! More kept coming in off the street," Lanale said with a shaky voice.
"Why did you not just push them out of the way or order them to move so you could get out," Eliz yelled.
"We tried ordering them out of the way but the noise in the restaurant was deafening. They couldn't hear us over themselves! We tried pushing through but after Nene was stunned and we revived her the fight was over. Only at that point were we able to get outside," Pareker explained.
"If it was that loud in there you should have just blown a hole in the damn wall to get out there! My daughters life is more important than a little property damage! We easily could have repaired it afterwards," Leos shouted, "You are both forthwith stripped of your office and ordered to section 3, night duty. The rest of your regime will repeat the training regiment until I feel they are satisfactorily trained. They will also be psychologically evaluated to ensure that they are up to remaining on this detail." With that Leos and Eliz turned around and stalked out of the common room. They could see one of the royal messengers running towards them as if the devil was biting his arse only to skid to a stop almost falling on his face.
"Can I help you son," Leos asked kindly. He had always liked this messenger and always treated him kindly no matter his mood. The boy had lost his parents when he was a young boy and had become ward of the state so Leos had ensured him a place in the palace to work when he was old enough.
"Your highness," he panted, "Your daughter is awake."
"Thank you," Leos said before taking off.
"Shoge, why did it take so long to get to Leos and tell him that Seliv was in the medical ward the first time," Eliz asked confused. She knew this boy as well and knew that when it was an errand for the king he ran as fast as humanly possible to get it complete.
"Delegate Farew had ordered the guards to not let anyone into the council chambers this afternoon no matter what. I tried to tell them that it was an emergency, I even told them why I needed to get in, but they wouldn't let me in! It was like they physically weren't able to," Shoge responded mournfully. Whenever he failed to do something fast, and especially something at this magnitude, for Leos he felt like a failure.
"Don't feel guilty Shoge, you did your best. I'll bring this up to Leos and I know he won't blame you in the slightest," Eliz told him kindly before running after Leos herself.
A/N: Well, I didn't think this chapter would turn out that way! I thought I'd have to struggle a bit more with it, though I quite like how it turned out! I got quite a few ideas for the next chapter. Next chapter we'll be seeing what the Evil idiots are up to and the first real battle will happen. 2-3 chapters left in this part of the story before Harry is done in his time in Atlantis, hope everyone is enjoying it!
Review Responses:
Night-Owl123: Lol, glad you like it! I hope this is soon enough for you.
Shadowmonk: Glad you're enjoying it, and I hope this chapter holds to your expectations!
BreAkINgdARuLEs: Thanks.
Tanydwr: I know, I'm horrible to her aren't I? LOL! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
TuxedoMac: I'm glad that you liked how I did the boggart and the fight. Seliv had her stomach cut open by the tail of the chimera. Harry isn't going to do the potions training. I had thought about it, but since the war is effectively starting he won't have time to do it. I thought of another way to get that training in.
Wowsergirl: You're the only person that really voted so I'll be getting chapters out sooner on this story tho they'll generally be shorter than what I'd like. I hope you enjoy the story. As for Seliv, 'til the end of this section of the story she'll be in mourning but as she's an ancestor of Harry she obviously moves on and gets married, but we won't see it. Mostly because I suck at writing romance, lol! Mostly cause of my own love-life, lol. Hope you liked the chapter.
Kaaera: Lol, I'm glad to see that you're enjoying it so much.
Furnunculus: Glad to hear it.
Heala: Sorry, I missed your review when I went through to see if anyone voted. I'll be trying to update faster, but since you like the way things are going I'll make an attempt to make chapters longer while I'm at it. No promises though as I'm out of practice with making long chapters, but I'll give it my best shot.
Blackdragonofslytherin: Everyone is in shock right now so you'll just have to wait 'til next chapter to find that out. Hopefully I'll have that out in the next few days. I'm glad that you're lovin' it.
Telan: I'm glad that you think I did a good job of portraying Harry correctly. I'm doing my best. I hope you continue to like the story.
Thehappydementor: snort that is so weird to type, lol. A happy demetor, lol. I'm glad that you're enjoying the story, and I hope that you continue to enjoy it.
Shadow pheonx: It's a good idea, but I had this all worked out previously so Harry wasn't super powered. I had another of those stories and while when he goes back to his time he'll be really strong compared to normal wizards and witches in Atlantis he's not. I'm only going off the colors red, green, white, and blue though. Those four mixed together don't make black, and if you remember from chapter # when someone has a second element it is normally represented in their hair color as it is in Eliz. If there was a third then it would be represented in maybe a second eye color, but nobody can have all three. I'm glad you're enjoying the story.
Athenakitty: They exist in that time, eventually, oh yeah, pervert! LOL! Seliv will eventually move on and get married to someone, but we won't see it. Just out of curiosity, what do you do with your days? I have absolutely no life and spend most of my time reading stories yet every time I read a new one I usually see you've read it already, lol.