Hello everybody and welcome back to "To Eternity, My Witch". Last time we had James and Wanda getting the first of the two Mirror shards from the reflection of the temple of time. This chapter is short yes but sweet.
I forgot to mention at the end of last chapter that I referenced a fellow Fan Fiction writer's story. The scene where Clint see and talks with Reila about the book she is reading "Little Son of Durin" is an actual fan fiction story written by ThatOtherWriterGirl and she is an amazing writer to boot! She also has another alias FantomPhan33. Both of her aliases are on my favorite author list. Check her out! Her stories are amazing.
I DO NOT OWN ANY of these characters. Again… I DO NOT Own any of these as they are and were created by their respective creators. Marvel is owned by the late Stan Lee via Disney. Phantom of the Opera (PotO) is owned by Andrew Llyod Weber. LofZ : TP and OofT by Shigeru Miyamoto. Fire Emblem by Shouzou Kaga. Black Butler by Yana Toboso. And finally, Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter 26 Reunion
~Peter's POV…~
I sat there on my bed roll with MJ nearby. I was greatly relieved. Stefan, Thor, Pietro, Clint, Link, Zelda, James, and Wanda had come to bring us back to from our exile here in Vanaheim. I had been rather worried for James and Wanda as they went on their journey. Since arriving here in Vanaheim weeks ago, I had been quite nervous and worried about everything.
Tony had, before all the craziness when Steve, Clint, James, Wanda, Natasha, Scott, and Sam had arrived in Scotland at The May, informed me that he and Pepper were working on adoption papers. Though when Steve and the gang arrived, I felt more like a family with them as a mismatched group than I did without them at Stark Tower.
I did hear the noises from the basement occasionally, which caused me to blush majorly. Something I knew would happen in the future when I met my future wife. But that was a long way off. MJ, even though we were dating, was as immature as I was. We were barely over seventeen. Much could change in the span of four or five years. Who knew if we would still be interested in each other by that time in our lives? Though we were going strong, she and I had several deep conversations since this chaos with Thanos started and ended and now with this War of Twilight that Ragnar started.
I glanced over to MJ and watched her slumber on in peace, a twitch on her face every once in a while. I smiled. Perhaps we could make it work. I do love her very much. And we've been dating for close to ten months now. She had followed me from New York, and we had been going to the local school in the Scottish town while I was running Aunt May's Inn. Before the chaos with Thanos and now with Ragnar.
The locals had been kind to us and made sure to include us as we lived there. It was a shame when we had to go on the run with Steve and the others at the time. Perhaps I could have my friend Ed Thomson rebuild and have him run the newest idea of a bed and breakfast once this craziness was done back in Scotland. I liked it there. It would be my escape when I needed time alone. To which had me thinking about Wanda and James again.
Wanda and James were such a great couple. Wanda was like an older sister to me, though when I first met her, I remember, I had a crush on her for her pretty face and beautiful personality. Though now I had MJ in my life. I sighed, falling asleep quickly, my nerves finally relaxing.
~The following morning…~
As soon as Charles had the wagon hitched and Meg had the supplies in it, they were off for the transgate. Charles and Meg had, with the blessing of the village, left Tofte for Asgard to talk peace between Vanaheim and Asgard again. The town would send them several more of their best fighters and an elder to fight in several days. After that the group set out and within several hours the group was well on their way from the Bifrost to Trondheim.
By evening, they were in said town. Steve raced to the wagon and pulled Natasha to himself, and kissed her hungrily, tearfully as he did so. "Tasha! My love!" He cried, simply holding her close. Natasha reciprocated the kiss and clung to him as well. Lovers reunited after weeks of being apart.
Pepper rushed over to Peter and MJ and pulled them both into a tight hug, beyond happy to see her adopted son and potential daughter-in-law, crying all the while. Tony was back on earth to prepare in case of a possible impending invasion from the Twilight. Laura screamed in shocked, frozen at the sight of her children and husband, before dropping her basket of onions and rushing over, taking all three of her children into her arms, blubbering incoherently. Clint completed the family hug, and everything was restored. All present who saw the family reunion, cried, knowing how hard it was for Clint and Laura to have been separated from their children. James and Wanda sported large smiles; eyes alight with joy as they watched to reunion.
James jumped off Sleipnir, who in turn rubbed his chin on his shoulder as a sign of trust. Wanda floated next to his shoulder, a humorous smile on her masked face. Last night was fun… Once this is all over, James and I will have an official honeymoon. She glanced at James who smiled at her, and she blushed in response as she turned away feeling loved. They both cried some in joy at the reunion of their exiled, now returned, Avengers and family members.
That evening after a joyous and raucous dinner, they decided to stay in their room alone again. James and Wanda talked about the different things they needed to accomplish for the twins before and after they were born when she remembered James needed to speak with Reila.
"Shouldn't you speak to Stefan about Reila?" Wanda cautiously probed. She looked to James who was tinkering with his arm. It had taken some damage from the fight with Stallord and from Twinrova. Not only that, but it was also dirty as he hadn't had a chance to take a shower in almost a week.
James stopped and looked at her, a troubled expression on his face, "I know I should, but since a few days ago, I don't know how to go about it."
"Would you like to have me help you with the issue?"
James sighed, "Sure. I need a shower though. It's been too long since I've had one." James laughed at Wanda's wicked smile.
Though he never got to shower as going downstairs, James and Wanda found Reila was sitting on the floor in front of Stefan. Said man was seated on a comfortable chair, braiding the Reila's long unusual brown and white hair. He was also humming a song of sorts to her, and she relaxed further into his knees. Once he was done with her hair, Stefan smiled, patting her shoulder, "You have hair just like your mother. Wildly curly and thick. But there we are, Reila, it has been tamed and braided. How is that?" James, with Wanda behind his shoulder, listened from the shadows of the doorway.
"Thank you, Stefan. I haven't had my hair braided since mama died a year ago. She used to do it even while she was sick, even at my age. She used to braid the girls' hair at our church as well." Reila mused sadly, she wore a flattering, sky blue linen tunic with a belt, and lacy sleeves that flared out at her fore arms, clearly letting others see her arm.
Stefan hummed, "Your adoptive mother was a great woman, Reila. Both your adoptive parents were great people."
Reila let out a whimper, "Yes… yes, they were. Even though I loved them, I have room in my heart for others."
That was enough for a decision, James cleared his throat, "May I speak?" His question effectively getting their attention. Reila turned away, tears clearly in her eyes.
Stefan had sadness written on his face, though he nodded, "Yes, come over James and Wanda." He waved them over.
James hesitantly came over and sat on the ground in front on Reila. Wanda floated down until she stood on the floor, leaning onto James' left shoulder.
James, sadness filling him yet peace also, leaned over and took Reila's hands in his. "Reila, I've made my decision." Reila looked up cautiously, tears falling. "Wanda and I spoke with Stefan while we were away in Vanaheim, I accept you as daughter." Reila cried, bringing his hands to bow over them.
"Thank you so much. I…" Reila started, yet James interrupted.
He closed his eyes pausing for a moment to try to get the courage to speak. A moment more and he opened his eyes to look into hers, "I have observed your relationship with Stefan. As much as I would love to have you, I cannot give you that fatherly love that Stefan clearly has been giving you since you were a child. I am unable to be that father to you that Stefan has been, though I suppose given enough time, we could have that relationship if he leaves for Reslutia. Thus, if it's fine with you and are open to it, I give Stefan the ability to adopt you. If, however, he and Amelia do somehow go back to Reslutia permanently without access back to us, I'll fully accept becoming your father. I am sure we would develop our relationship over time." He raised her hands and kissed them.
Reila nodded, a sobbed further, "Father, you will always be that to me. Thank you… James. I… understand… completely." James pulled his daughter into a hug, surprising them both. A permanent bond forming.
Stefan nodded, ordering, "Now, Reila give me your hand." James and Reila parted to look at him. Reila looked at Stefan's hand, eyes questioning. He offered his hand to her. Looking to James, who smiled and nodded in encouragement, before turning back to look up at Stefan. She took Stefan's hand hesitantly, standing up. She looked at Stefan, cautiously and questioning, and nodded.
Stefan asked, "Do you trust me?" When Reila gave him a shy, hesitant nod, he nodded and he put an unreadable expression on his face as he drew a knife out. James stood and Wanda jumped into the air, watching in horrified shock as Stefan cut his left hand and handed the knife to Reila. She opened her mouth in shock at first and then proceeded a few moments later.
Said woman in turn, hesitantly cut her right hand with the knife before she and Stefan pressed their hands together. A light shone out from between their pressed hands, a miniature dragon appearing as it flew around their hands. It blew a pinkish flame at Reila's wrist and a deep blue at Stefan's. The dragon flew around their entwined hands, disappearing after the third circle, and the two separated their hands. A faint scar on each of their hands. Though if one looked closely, Stefan's hands had several scars on them, evidence he had done this before.
"There. You're officially my adoptive daughter Reila. Welcome to the family!" Stefan grinned, giving her a bear hug.
Reila, in turn, hugged him back, "Thank you, papa."
James and Wanda simply stared both happy at the occasion yet confused at what just happened.
Wanda floated near Stefan's shoulder, curious confusion written on her face, "Uh… what just… happened?"
Stefan laughed, "You witnessed the dragon bind. It's a simple bind that dragons do when they decide, after much reflection and many years, to do with specific person or group of people. It involves a knife and the pressing of hands to mingle the blood. Afterwards, the Angel of the Dragon speaks with the two or more people involved and asks what form of relationship the two or more people that are going to be.
"In this situation, I was adopting Reila as a daughter. When our blood mingles in our pressed hands, the Angel causes our bodies to recognize each other's blood and therein the DNA and proteins as family. When her blood entered me, my body and soul recognized her as daughter. And when mine entered her body, her body and soul recognized my blood, protein, and DNA as father, breaking the ties from before. Despite you being her biological father, James, Reila's now my daughter, protected via the Angel of the Dragon. Though when Amelia and I pass back through the Mirror of Horizons, she'll be your daughter until you pass."
James smiled and held out his hand to Stefan, who took and heartily shook it, "Thank you. Reila, may you have a blessed life with Stefan as your father. Until he leaves or you get tired of him being your father. Stefan, you have my blessing." I gave her a teasing smile.
Reila smiled, giggling at James' teasing, despite the tears flowing, "Thank you. And I sure would love to have that relationship if he does."
James nodded as did Wanda. Stefan smiled wide, though it faded into a stern expression moments later. "Tomorrow afternoon, James, Wanda, I will be going with you both to Svartelfheim. It's a realm below all others and is considered dark and dangerous. Most likely it will have many monsters roaming about because of its already evil aura. Not only that, but it's also considered the realm that dead people's souls go to once they died in life."
Wanda frowned, "Is it truly a place where the dead go and is there a temple?"
Stefan nodded grimly, "In a way, it is a place where the dead go. Though not in the way you or most people would think. Svartelfheim acts as a literal physical portal to the realm of the dead and the point where its portal is, is in the temple there. Presumably, the portal itself is in the guardian's room. Even though the temple itself is in ruins, it has been reformed. It's called the Shadow Temple. And like the Temple of Time, is a reflection from Hyrule's Shadow Temple. With the added creepiness from the realm of the dead, it will be a most frightening place. Even for you, James. It will bring back memories of HYDRA. Most of them. If not every single one to deter you from getting that last mirror fragment."
James frowned and bit his lip, his eyebrows furrowed and a face fearful, Do I want to remember?
"You have me, soldier. As far as your memories with HYDRA are concerned, I don't want you to remember either, but if you did, you appreciate the good memories that much more. And you can put those memories to rest if you face them head on." Wanda mind spoke with him. He relaxed at her wisdom and his frown turned into a concerned look.
James looked to Stefan, Reila hanging on to his arm, "Sounds like a plan."
"Steve and I will be accompanying you to the temple. I want to make sure that nothing is a miss there. Plus, there may be evil beyond comprehension there. Far too much for just that I don't want to have you face it alone, with just Wanda at your side."
James nodded. Wanda touched his shoulder tapping her head, silently asking permission to be there. He smiled softly, nodding. Stefan and Reila headed to their rooms to prepare for the evening and to head to bed.
The next morning, James watched as their family bustled about. Wanda floated near James' shoulder and watched as Reila fuss over them both, by just being with them and providing food and water. James and Reila were getting along very well for just meeting, and they were getting to know each other as father daughter.
"James?" Wanda asked.
James held out his left arm and she sat on it, looking him in the eye. You know you never have to ask permission with me doll. You are my wife. Plus, you are the mother of our twins. Wanda blushed, looking away at nothing. Reila giggled, clearly knowing what they were talking about without physical words. She hugged James' right arm, making all three of them to smile, before she left to grab something for Stefan. Both ignored her as she retreated. Wanda answered James.
"I know, keep reminding me. Do you think we'll ever have peace? What if something happens in the battle with Ragnar?"
Hmmm… Perhaps there could be something that will happen. But… let's not dwell on it, doll. I found that dwelling on potential bad things can be go horribly wrong. James mentioned as he brought Wanda close to hold her. She cuddled into him, loving his touch.
Though as soon as they parted, a quiet call was heard. The Hero's Shade whispered almost too quiet, but still insistent, "James. Come to me. Learn the sword." James and Wanda looked at each other confused before James remembered the Hero's Shade. Making their way outside, James followed the call to the graveyard behind the inn. There standing at the back was the golden wolf of the Hero's Shade. Nearby another new gossip stone had been made.
As James approached, the wolf tensed into attack mode. James pulled out Psipherion, waiting for an attack. The wolf jumped and just like before transported him to the Aetherworld. The Hero's Shade taught him the skill the helmet splinter. As rather difficult skill. Though he learned it rather quickly after a half hour's work.
Back in the real world, James stood and breathed in deep as his sense of awareness came back. He looked around to find Wanda was looking over the gossip stone near the dead tree. "Hmmm… Conveniently placed… eh Wanda?" James smirked as he came over to pat the carved marble.
Wanda rolled her eyes, "Indeed. Time to become a wolf." When he nodded, she touched him with the talisman, transforming him into a wolf. Turning to the stone wolf, he howled the gossip stone's song, a hauntingly beautiful melody called Zelda's Lullaby, which he had heard Stefan, his son, and his daughters had all sung at one point or another many times over the past few months. James felt reality bend away and he found himself once again in the Aether realm, only this time as a wolf.
On the floating ledge, James looked around to find that the Hero's Shade's wolf was above the Bifrost. They howled Zelda's Lullaby and soon the Hero's Shade spoke, "Let teachings of old pass to you. Take sword in hand and find me." The golden wolf stood and leaped off the ledge it sat on, disappearing into the mists below that were on the Bifrost's bridge. Coming to reality, James shook his furry head to clear his thoughts. He looked to Wanda and growled before she could change him back.
"What is it?" Wanda asked. James pushed her to encourage her to get on his back.
The Hero's Shade is on the Bifrost… With the last skill. We need to get there. But I believe we should head to Svartelfheim before I should meet with him. He mentioned as he trotted down the stairwell, stopping near the last grave. How about you rest Wanda as well…
Wanda smirked and floated up, snapping her fingers. "Very well." He transformed. He crossed his arms and leaned again the grave's side, smirking as he gazed at her with a sultry look.
Wanda raised a brow at the twinkle in his eyes, "What?"
James smiled, "Nothing. Just admiring the view in front of me." Wanda blushed as she turned to look away. He came over and brought her to face him again with his fingers. "Wanda, I will not lie to you. You are beautiful, in this form and your true form. I love you, Wanda."
Wanda felt like she was going to melt under James' gaze. So much emotion was going through his eyes. Love was the top one.
However, the moment broke when someone cleared their throat. James frowned, Wanda giggled, at Reila, who was smiling sheepishly, knowing full well she had interrupted a private moment. "What do you want, Reila?" James asked, still frowning at his daughter.
Reila giggled like a little girl, acting like one all the way, "Sorry, father and Wanda. But papa wants you both in the inn now. He and Steve are preparing for the journey later today to Svartelfheim and they are waiting for you two to arrive."
Wanda giggled, "Well, the sooner we get to Svartelfheim, the sooner we can get that last fragment, James. And the sooner we can get this war over with." James rolled his eyes as he followed Reila and Wanda who chatted like magpies about hair and whatnot.
Hope y'all liked this chapter. Yeah it's shorter than the other chapters, but it was the best cut off before the next chapter.
Please leave a review and like the story if you think. Check out FantomPhan33 and her other page ThatOtherWriterGirl.
Until next time!
WS. Z.
