The Devil as a Father - Chapter 45
Chloe ran her hand through the red hair and Ron looked around. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?" he asked plaintively, "Please don't send me away, please."
Chloe bent down and kissed his forehead, "Never," she said calmly, "But you are probably on kitchen duty for life."
And Ron laughed.
Lucifer looked at Ron and picked him up, "I don't want to have safety at the price of your life," he said rather sternly. Ron smiled at him, "I wasn't going to die. I didn't cut deeply. I wanted to give Mars enough to let my love bind to make the magic."
Then Daffodil pointed across the way, "Look, a door!"
The Morningstar family stared at the wall of sheer rock before them. It reached up perhaps a mile or so until it hit the surface of the planet, and yet, here where magic had touched the world known as Mars, a rather friendly looking door stood, large and heavy, but also rather pretty looking, like a door into adventure or a fairy tale. It was trimmed with vines and leaves and flying dragons.
Lucifer looked at the door and sent forth every sense he had that was both magical and celestial and sensed that whatever was behind the door was for the protection of Morningstar house and all its allies. "Oh my," he muttered.
"What is it, darling?" asked his queen, as she touched Ron's head and kissed him.
"I think Ron has done a great magic here," said Lucifer, "and made a place for our entire family. A place of protection and love," his voice trailed off.
"What is wrong?" she asked.
"The opinion and beliefs about protection, safety and happiness of 12 year olds as interpreted by Mars may be very interesting, Darling."
"Oh my," said Chloe, remembering that little boys liked gross things, violence and monsters.
Maze looked curious and Lady Malfoy/Black looked like someone had set up Godzilla as a new pet. Lucifer remembered his brief childhood when he was learning about stars and blew up about 80 before his Father noticed.
Daffodil said softly, "Nothing will hurt us," and hugged Ron who was still in his Dad's arms.
Lucifer carefully nodded. "It appears to be friendly, and frankly, my Darlings, I don't want to make Mars sad or feel we don't want to see what has been made for us. It would be very rude."
So, calmly, he put a hand on the door knob and clicked it open. Before them all seemed like the pit of darkness until they all saw a soft light. Lucifer walked in and saw again soft lights opening like flower bulbs opening to the sun.
They all stood in a hallway that was huge as a cathedral and it seemed to go on forever. And about 20 feet apart all the way to forever grew trees, tall willowy trees with shining white bark and thick, red glossy leaves that seemed to reflect light with red hints that danced in the shadows of the hallway. They were beautiful. Around each tree were twinkling somethings that he could not see, but knew to be alive, colored like exquisite jewels.
"Mars," said Lucifer, "You have outdone yourself. This is lovely, and yet also definitely not of earth."
A thought came to him about the white bark, and he unfurled his wings and could see that the bark of the trees was the same color and shine as his own wings. Then Chloe cried out.
The glittering jewels were no longer twinkling around the trees, they were coming towards them and there were a lot of them.
"Get behind me children," he commanded and wondered where Chloe had gotten the sword she now held in her hands, ready for a fight and to defend her family. Maze took out her dual fighting knives and was ready.
Something gave a squeak of rage and all their house-elves were there in front of even him, ready to die for their family. Goldie appeared in front of him and gave an imperious creel that he had never heard from her before.
All the lights stopped instantly, then slowly coalesced together and formed a giant "M" above them in the chamber. It hung in the air, like flying jewels, glittering and moving in place.
"M?" asked Chloe. "Morningstar," said Ron calmly. "They serve the House of Morningstar,"
Lucifer called to Goldie, who flew to his shoulder and rubbed her little head against his cheek. Lucifer petted her elegant head and asked her, "What is happening, my darling?"
"They are like me," said Goldie, "And now I can have nestlings," and the golden dragon rubbed her head again against Lucifer's cheek, "They say that I am the Queen Mama."
Lucifer smiled, "Apparently Ron doesn't want you to be lonely and Mars agreed." That spoke well of Ron's love of the family and his imagination.
The family walked through the hallway, enjoying the little dragons now that they knew they were no danger to them. The dragons flew about excitedly and landed on many a shoulder and asked to be made of. They communicated but it was obvious they were not yet old enough to talk like Goldie and instead sent forth more feelings of friendship and love.
They walked through the great hallway and then found another door. Lucifer didn't usually care much for doors, but the ones here seemed beautiful and strong, and not like the ugly doors of hell.
This opened to what appeared to be a huge area with a castle in the middle, strange white trees with red leaves were here too, and far overhead there were even clouds, this far, veritably miles under the surface of the red planet. The castle was made of black stone and glistened in the light that shone overhead amidst the clouds. Lucifer was impressed at both the beauty and the castle.
They walked solemnly to the castle door, and Lucifer read the sign over the door and started to laugh.
The children looked and then smiled and began to laugh to. Ron blushed, at first with humiliation but then his father picked him up and hugged him. "Your imagination is incredible. Your love and imagination created this wonder. We are not laughing at you, my darling; we are laughing with joy with you."
Ron slung his arms around his Father's head and kissed his cheek. "You are the best dad ever," he muttered.
The sign said, "Ron's Fun House,"
They opened the door, still smiling and saw a slide that went down, twisting in all directions. Everyone dove in and shrieked with glee as they slid all over. The inside of the castle was apparently made of slides that went in all directions. At first Lucifer was concerned, but realized he knew where each of his little ones were sliding and his beloved Queen was laughing and that they were all having fun.
It was a little like flying and it was fast. Lucifer laughed. He noted that the slides seem to be sending them all to the same location, which was a glistening blue.
It was a huge beautiful pool. Lucifer had taught all the children to swim so he wasn't hysterical or anything, but he enjoyed it more after he knew all of them were safe and having fun. And then suddenly he felt strange. He lept out of the water and nearly gasped; he was a dolphin. They all were. They sang to each other in dolphin song and played a good half an hour. It was glorious fun and a lot of the pain of dying or nearly dying seemed gently cured. This was more than a refuge. It was a place of healing. Then he was himself again, Lucifer Morningstar, and he strode out of the pool before another door with an ancient symbol on it for Mars. He smiled and looked. The children all had transformed. They were all wet and giggling in joy. His beautiful Queen's eyes were shining at him. He smiled at her and opened the door.
Quietly he walked into a great chamber. The door faced a throne and the only light in the room was there. He smiled and walked, thinking of his own sad throne in hell. This looked lonely and austere as well.
"Hail, Principality of Mars. I, Lucifer Morningstar, greet you and honor you for this tremendous gift even if it only for this scant hour. The memory alone touches my soul and heals the wound my celestial brethren put upon me."
The man on the throne looked up. His hair was long, his face noble and strong and his clothing looked practical like what one would wear during sparing. He was definitely a God of War.
"Hail, Lucifer Morningstar, King of Hell and true Father to Ron Weasley. Your blood in my dry sands woke me, your children's tears touched my cold and sleeping heart and made parts of me viable. They all brought life to me, even as they wept for you. But Ron Weasley has blessed me with freely given blood in love of you and his family here. He thanked me, me Mars, who have been half dead for uncounted millennium. His love and imagination touched me deeply and even caused the scant water on my world to come again and flourish. New life flourishes and it is of Mars. I am pleased to have you me visit me in my loneliness.
He looked into Lucifer's eyes and Lucifer found himself understanding being forgotten and alone as he had been for so long. He was a father now. It was the most wonderful thing in the universe. Without his old reserve, he gently took the Principality of Mars in his arms and hugged him, taking him in his heart. And Mars wept and clung to him. "Brother," he gasped.
Chloe couldn't let someone cry like that without helping, so his beautiful queen was soon holding the being of Mars and the children were also holding him and consoling him. Even Maze came forth and put a hand on his shoulder as one would do with any battle brother.
"What can I do for you to help with this vast pain?," asked Lucifer, filled with rare empathy. Usually he only felt this for the children who came to him and Chloe's friends, or his employees. But now he felt burning sorrow for Mars.
He got out a clean handkerchief and gave it to Mars and the Principality of Mars sniffled into and blew his nose. "Make me part of your family, King of Hell. I would be so glad to be part of all of you."
Harry looked at Mars and asked, "Do you want to be an elder brother?"
Lucifer felt the excitement suddenly coming from the children.
"No," said Mars, "I want to send the Avatar of myself with you all to earth and experience the love of your family. I don't expect the same affection, but just the kindness you are showing now is a treasure I desire greatly."
Ron suddenly shouted, "Brilliant! You would be a great brother."
Lucifer looked at Chloe who had the look that said she was willing. After all, his Queen had adopted demon dogs, a dragon or two, magical children, the members of his family who resided with them. Why not Mars. He was alone and needed healing. Lucifer looked at Daffodil who looked like she was turning into statue. "Mars never had a childhood. Neither did you, Daddy Lucifer. I foresee joy for us, a path with golden interludes and more wisdom."
Maze looked interested and happy. "I like the idea. Will your avatar need to be trained again in fighting?"
"No, he will retain my knowledge and skills. He will truly be me. And I choose the name Ares," said Mars.