Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters end up in. Everything else belongs to someone else, and that's the way of it.
Note: So in this chapter the nature of Eggsy and Daisy's non-human heritage is revealed. For the record I need to credit Amber Kell and her novella 'My Man Declan' for first giving me the idea, though the looks, mythology, and abilities will be coming from my own imagination. Thanks.
Don't Bet On It
Draping his tie over the shoulder the suit jacket he'd already discarded before returning to his desk, Harry silently dared anyone to tell him to put it back on. He'd strangle the bastard with it. Bloody, fucking, heat wave. Yesterday had been bad but this…Englishmen were not meant to function in this sort of weather. Particularly when they were also selkies who preferred cold water at all times. And while it was tempting to sneak out of his office and take a trip into cool water…he was made of sterner stuff. Probably.
On the A side he wasn't going to have to bring any paperwork home with him tonight barring some unforeseen circumstances. And odds were both Eggsy and Daisy would be in excellent spirits when he got home as both of them were strangely adaptable to the warm weather. Both were hardly bothered by it it seemed, and had somehow managed to get tans the day before that they were planning on working on today by spending a fair amount of time at the park this afternoon. Or at least that had been the plan when he'd left that morning. Daisy had been pretty excited about the idea, though the girl had been bubbling over with happiness since yesterday when he'd informed her about the charity event and how she'd not only get to meet some ponies, but get a new dress as well.
And thank all the powers that be that Miss. Morton had agreed to go with them on Friday so that they'd have a trusted female perspective on the dress. He'd never really noticed what the children wore at these things and their flower deserved only the best.
A knock on his door pulled Harry from his musing and had him glancing up from his laptop, the thought that this was likely the start of some 'unforeseen circumstances' crossing his mind as he called out for whoever it was to enter.
The sight of Merlin strolling into his office wasn't cause for alarm, but Kay and Percival following after him with grim expressions on their faces was. Particularly since Merlin was also wearing a similar expression and holding in one hand a null collar that was meant to inhibited the wearer's magical abilities.
Rising to his feet, slowly because he sensed sudden movements would not be a good idea right now, Harry asked what was wrong.
"Harry, I need you to trust me. I need you to let me put this collar on you and Percival the restraints in his hand. There's a chance you might be bespelled by a member of the Fae."
Staring at Merlin, Kay's presence meaning the man was dead serious as William had no sense of humor to speak of, Harry kept his hands where the three could see them as he pointed out all the reasons that they had to be wrong about this. "As you all know all Kingsman agents have protective spells preventing mind magic from being used on them without their knowledge. And even if those shields were to fail I'm not just Water Gifted, I'm a selkie as well. My blood would protect me. And that's on top of the fact that he or she would have to be pretty stupid to target one of us."
"Chloe looked at the scans that other healer took. She saw signs of elvish magic."
Well…shit.
If there was the slightest chance that she was right, and Chloe was almost never wrong, Harry had to go along with this plan no matter how god awful it was. So he nodded and came around his desk slowly and with his eyes remaining on them as he put his hands behind his back and turned around so that Percival could snap the magical restraints into place. And then the collar was around his neck, Harry grinching his teeth when it was activated. The damn thing left him feeling numb and slightly out of it which was proof it was working. Especially since he could feel the way it blocked his ability to change, which set his teeth on edge.
But at least everyone in the room was now looking a lot less tense and worried, which soothed his ego a little at least.
"She should be here in twenty minutes." Merlin informed him with a sympathetic pat to his shoulder, not that it made him feel any better about this.
"Fine." A moment's reflection. "Are you three going to stay here until she arrives?"
Three nods.
Harry sighed then looked back at his laptop. Damn. "I don't suppose this means one of you will be doing my work for me as my hands are tied at the moment."
"Technically they're shackled." Percival pointed out, because of course he did.
Merlin shared a look of understanding with Harry. "You can read and sign off later. I'll sit beside you and move the mouse as needed."
Nodding in agreement, what else could he do at this point, Harry carefully maneuvered his way back into his seat while Merlin picked up one of his visitors' chairs and set it down beside his. Kay being the most responsible of the bunch took point at the door while Percival leaned against the space between Harry's two windows.
Awkward.
"So is this something we're going to do from now on? Having birthday parties for each other?"
Glancing over at Percival Harry stated that it would seem so.
"I still can't believe Bors agreed to it. Either your boy is just that brilliant in the kitchen or you bribed the hell out of him."
"He is that brilliant in the kitchen, but I didn't give Addison any say in the matter. Daisy's been looking forward to it all week. She even has her outfit all picked out." And she did, right down to her footwear. She even planned to put a bowtie on Mr. Fox for the occasion.
Percival made a sound of amusement. "That's another thing I don't get. Why you would want to risk the child being scarred for life by subjecting her to Bors's company. The man makes grown men cry, much less toddlers."
Unable to argue that fact, he'd seen it with his own eyes more times than he cared to count, Harry settled for stating that Bors would be on his best behavior during Daisy's visit. And it was only for half an hour for goodness sakes. Even Addison could behave for that long.
The sounds Percival and Merlin made in response to that suggested they weren't quite as optimistic as him. But then none of them had seen the man around Daisy, so Harry didn't bother to call them on it. They'd just have to see for themselves. And could join him in kicking Bors' arse if they so desired should that become necessary.
Turning his attention back to his work while trying to find a comfortable seating position with his hands cuffed behind him, Harry wasn't having much luck with either which was why his mind was wandering enough that ten minutes in it occurred to him to ask if there were bets being laid as to how Sunday was going to go.
"Of course there is."
Harry gave Merlin a dark look for that before glancing in Percival's direction. "Your idea?"
"Roxy's, actually. Sort of. She and I were arguing about how it would go and she was willing to put money on it. It expanded from there." Percival shrugged his shoulders. "She and Merlin seem convinced that between the child's cuteness and the boy's looks and food Bors will get through the whole thing with minimal grumbling by the way. If that makes you feel better."
It did right up until it occurred to him that Percival might hit on Eggsy at the birthday party. After Roxanne Percival was the youngest Kingsman agent at thirty four, and perpetually single. And like most Gifted Percival found both sexes attractive, and from what he knew of the other man's type Harry could see him being interested in Eggsy without trying the boy's food. Shit.
Surely he could find some sort of mission in another country to send him on. It wasn't like Bors would be upset if the other man missed his party. He'd probably be thrilled, actually. It would be another birthday present to his agent even if the man didn't know about it.
Crap. It wasn't like he could send Percival away for every birthday party or special occasion Eggsy felt needed to be celebrated. That would be embarrassingly obvious after the first couple times. Merlin would torment him relentlessly over it.
How was this his life, seriously.
Morosely returning his attention back to his laptop Harry sent up a silent pray that Chloe would arrive as soon as possible so that he could kick everyone out of his office so that he could sulk and plot how to keep Percival's hands off Eggsy's in peace.
)
When she arrived Chloe didn't bother to knock on his door like any well-mannered person would do. Of course she didn't. She just opened it and the silent and perpetually aware and watchful Kay got out of her way so that she didn't crash into him. Following after her was the healer who'd originally looked Harry over as well as Chloe's apprentice healer. All three had grim expressions on their faces, which Harry could absolutely relate to as his arms ached from being restrained and he had a massive headache to look forward to as soon as they removed the collar. Which better be soon or he was going to be tempted to throw up Eggsy's excellent lunch all over Chloe for getting him into this situation in the first place. Because he was most certainly not under the control of any member of the Fae and he was going to rub her mistake in her face in a very ungentlemanly fashion without regret very soon.
But this was Chloe he was dealing with so of course she paid absolutely no attention to the death glare he gave her, instead marching over to his desk while demanding that he come around it so that she could thoroughly look him over.
"Well that's easier said than done."
Pushing back his chair while still sitting down Harry then carefully maneuvered his way to his feet while Merlin held the chair on place with one hand and placed the other at the small of Harry's back in case he needed the support. Thanking his friend for that Harry then walked around the desk to face her squarely while Percival and Kay moved in closer so that they could intervene if Harry were to suddenly try and attack the defenseless healers.
"This is utter nonsense and you're going to owe me for this, just so we're clear." Harry informed her, just so that he could tell her he'd told her so later.
"Hush."
"Yes, Dear."
Her lips curved in a hint of a smile before her eyes went white and the studying of his aura began.
That she was soon frowning, brows knitted in concentration had Harry sharing a validating look with Redwall since Chloe had no doubt ripped him a good one when he'd first informed her that Harry had gotten a clean bill of health.
"Merlin, remove the collar. Just the collar."
Well that was something at least, though Harry winced at the pain that caused as his magic was suddenly allowed to flow and function properly. Damn collars. He hated them. He'd curse the inventor of them to the deepest regions of Hell if the man hadn't been Merlin's father.
More frowning and thoughtful sounds escaped from between Chloe's lips before an unexpected smile curved them and had Harry exchanging confused looks with his men. Obviously she'd found something, the relaxing of her features and posture made that clear, but finding out that he was actually being bespelled would not be something to smile about even if it would prove her right.
"The restraints can be removed. He's of no danger to anyone. And my apologies again, Redwall, for doubting you. I understand even better now."
"Of no danger? Well aren't you just full of insults today."
He not dangerous. I beg your pardon. He was getting up in years, yes. But he was NOT not dangerous. He was very dangerous. He was the most dangerous man in the room, thank you very much. Or at least the second most dangerous. And only because his arms were cramped as hell and he was still feeling the effects of the collar. He could still take Merlin and Percival down though. Kay…would be harder to take down. At least in anything resembling a fair fight.
Making a sound of relief once Merlin had the restraints off Harry brought his aching arms back around so that he could rub feeling back into his wrists while Kay asked for confirmation that there were in fact no signs that his boss was under the influence of elves.
"He is being influenced, but not in a way we need to be concerned about." Chloe smiled reassuringly at Kay before turning her attention back to Harry. "Though I am curious, wherever did you find one?"
"One what?"
"A house elf. Well two, it seems, though the one's so young he or she hardly counts at this point."
"Chloe, I have no idea what you're talking about. I haven't seen a house elf in years, much less bonded with one."
House elves were extremely rare, and that was just the mixed blood ones. Finding a pureblood house elf was like looking for…something nearly impossible to find. Harry couldn't come up with a good analogy at the moment because he was too busy trying to remember the last time he'd met anyone with that sort of magical heritage.
After the Industrial Revolution most had chosen to leave this world for other less polluted and populated ones. To have a house elf keeping your house had always been considered quite the status symbol and they could ask for outrageous fees that magical families were usually more than willing to pay them. A house elf meant a spotless house, ambrosia in food form, and depending on the strength of the bond between the family and their elf the elf could transfer some of its natural healing, long life, and magic to their 'masters'. Not that money was all that important to this particular elvish branch. In personality and lifestyle choices house elves had far more in common with Tolkien's hobbits than they did with other members of the Fae. They loved good food, tidy living spaces, and nature. As a rule they weren't vain or greedy or interested in material things, and if they worked for a magical family it was because there were few things they loved more than making a happy home for themselves and others.
"Well according to your aura you've bonded with one, Harry."
"And I can assure you that my housekeeper, Mrs. Talbot, is not a house elf." Harry shot right back, since she was the only one cleaning up after him at home.
And surely if they had one on staff in Kingsman he'd know about it regardless of their appearance. Though then again…house elves generally looked like regular human beings, only shorter. Generally the pureblooded ones didn't reach heights greater than four and a half feet with only their slightly pointed ears hinting at their relation to their much taller and infinitely more complicated kin. So he supposed they could have someone with mixed blood working for them. Could it be a case where-
"I don't think that's who she means, Sir." Kay's voice cut through Harry's thoughts as neatly as a hot blade through butter. When Kay spoke there was just something about him that compelled you to give him your full attention.
"What?" It took Harry a moment to remember what they were talking about. "Well who is she suggesting then? Because unless I'm remembering my mythology wrong a house elf just working for me wouldn't be enough to form a bond. And really the idea that I've bonded magically with someone without my knowledge…I don't have a life outside of work and the house these days. And if someone I've met through Daisy or Eggsy was of the Blood Eggsy would have told me if I didn't realize. He has a sixth sense about that sort of thing."
Kay's gaze gave away nothing as he met Harry's squarely, seeming to order him to use his brains. "The answer is staring you straight in the eyes."
"No. It's really not." Harry informed her, silently relieved when both healers, Merlin, and Percival indicated they didn't know either.
"Ah, I see." Chloe turned to meet Kay's gaze, the two exchanging a look of understanding before she looked back in Harry's direction. "I had heard that you recently adopted not only a child, but took in her older brother as well. How old is the boy?"
"What's Eggsy's age have to do with this?"
"He's twenty two." Merlin answered her. "Though I have to second Harry's question because it's not like…"
"The boy's the house elf. The girl as well." Kay stated in his matter of fact way. "It's the most logical conclusion. It explains everything."
"But I looked into the boy's history personally." Merlin argued.
"I would know…he only has a very minor Air Gift." Harry added.
And yet…all the pieces fit if they were right.
"Well there's a very simple way to find out whose magic I'm seeing all over your aura, Harry. We need to go to the visions room. Now."
