Will and the Word

Chapter 10

Beldaran walked into the tent and sat on one of the couches unsure if it would be comfortable, she was surprised how it seemed both soft and firm at the same time. Hearing her Parents conversation, she smiled her father was not ready to let go yet

"Come in, we cannot have this discussion without you," Beldaran called out. Ce'nedra stepped through the flap and was mesmerized followed shortly by her father who remained hunched over for a second before realizing he could stand up "Impressive isn't it?"

"How?" the queen asked turning to her husband "Have you come across anything like this during your studies?"

Belgarion scratched his head "I saw someone trying this and accidentally opened a rift to hell."

"Where did you see that dear" Ce'nedra asked patiently wondering why he had not mentioned something like that before

"The last time we were in Melcene at the university" Garion nodded absently "The demon grabbed the guy and ate him. Had to banish him back through the gate. Nasty business all around really"

"Harry said the short answer is Magic." Beldaran answered softly "The longer answer is Space expansion runes" seeing that look at her confused "Don't look at me!"

"I can explain a little, hell I can even show you the girls notes on this tent as they wrote most of the rune sets. They used me to power them." Harry said carrying a big stone basin on top of a really big tom that looked to have fangs growing out parts "as for accidentally opening a rift to hell… the creator may have been trying to force the space expansion with just their power alone and it got away from him." Setting the: items on the table Harry continued "The book is the Most Macabre Monstrosities you can read the entry for the basilisk it has a picture that does not do it justice." Handing the book to Beldaran he turned his attention to the stone bowl and began to draw the memories out starting from when they went into the chambers till the moment dobby blasted Lucius Malfoy down the hall.

Beldaran looked at the book and read the passage

"Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents. This snake, which may reach a gigantic size, and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chicken's egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it."

Handing the book to her mother who settled on the couch next to her father she crossed to the "What are you doing there?"

"Getting the last of the memories I want to show your parents ready" Harry answered turning to her his arms snaked out pulling her into a hug. "As we have already been through it, we don't have to see it if we do not want to" Beldaran wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I want to see it with you knowing what it gives more context to what I lived in your dream" Beldaran explained looking at her mother and father she whispered "My mother likes you. That show out in the field was just the first sign. If we are not careful, she will be planning a wedding."

Harry's eyes grew big "Please tell me you are joking" feeling Beldaran's head shake "I was assuming you would want a proper courtship. You know to get to know one another."

"Why do you think I am not returning home after the summit next month?" She asked him in a whisper before kissing him. "You and I will be going on a grand adventure after which we will return and we will likely be wed."

Harry looked concerned "How grand of an adventure are we talking about?"

"Six to twelve months on the inside," She said quietly not noticing her mother right behind her "Two years on the outside" before she could continue Her mother interrupted her

"You have made your decision then?" the tiny queen asked "Were you going to tell us or just vanish after your brother's wedding?"

"I have been looking for the words to tell you for the last year and a half…" Beldaran stopped talking and looked up at Harry "That has got to be a coincidence?"

"Possible not likely though" Harry raked a hand through his hair messing it up just the way Beldaran liked it "But we can discuss that later. Everyone put a finger in the bowl" he turned to the queen "Your majesty you are going to see things in this memory that is going to anger you. Largely because you are a good mother. Please know that the events you are about to see happened seven years ago and that something wonderful came from the events you will witness. I have included others that the older memories of your family may watch after I will answer questions"

Ce'nedra looked to Belgarion and back to her daughter who was ensconced in Harry's arms "I make no promises" Belgarion nodded in agreement. They landed outside of the defense teachers' class following you a much younger Harry and Ron Weasely. They watched as the painfully thin boy was separated from his best friend by the cave in. Silently Ce'nedra thanked the gods for sparing both boys.

Belgarion growled at the Shade of Tom Riddle the man reminded him of Asharak. As a father watching as that little girl lay dying and that creature treating it as nothing made Belgarion's blood boil. When the basilisk made its appearance Belgarion took an involuntary step back. Beldaran and her mother tightened their hold on Harry. They watched helplessly as a Harry desperately climbed the statues wielding a sword, which he did so poorly was not commented on.

Gasping as he impaled the beast through the roof of his mouth and beginning to cry as he destroyed the diary, comforting Ginny Weasely all the while dying from basilisk poisoning. Their Spirits were raised by Fawkes song and the fact that the phoenix saved his and his friends lives by flying them out and back to the castle Ce'nedra was not happy with the elder Weasley's or the headmaster both children should have been bathed and looked over by physicians not interrogated when they came out of the Pensieve an hour later, Beldaran in tears clinging to Harry babbling about how he could have been killed, Ce'nedra angry at the complete lack of adult support and the fact that the boy had been bit by that enormous poisonous snake could now only see harry as that boy who risked death to save his friends, little sister. She broke away from her husband sobbing as she wrapped herself around her daughter and Harry "Never again! never again!"

Garion had been seething. Where were the adults when a child stood against evil? "Harry I am trying not to be judgmental but where were the adults, your parents, her parents the teachers?"

"Crap," Harry said in a whisper as he tensed up his hands full of crying women "My parents were killed when I was 15 months old. We were at boarding school when this happened and as time went on, I asked the same question you did. Adult wizards in my world were both illogical and mostly useless."

"My Queen has the right of it." Belgarion said quietly before roaring "Never again! "With that, he dropped to the floor holding all three of them.

This was different from the bone-crushing hugs that Mrs. Weasely, the hugs he got from his friends and it was different than the hugs he had gotten from Luna or Beldaran now that he thought about it "You are right never again"

The family had gathered outside the tent

"Old Friend I have never seen anything the likes of what that young man did today," Silk said quietly "If he is ever roused to defend others it will be a bloodbath"

"That is why I brought him here Silk," Eriond said seriously looking around "He needs us, All of us. And I think we will need him before too long"

"His control is phenomenal" Polgara complimented the missing young man "But subtle he is not."

"Our granddaughter is insisting on seeing the world we have these few weeks" Poledra surmised "Perhaps we can extend the summit and push Our grandson's wedding out a few weeks." She said looking at the young royal couple. "Geran, Eleanora What do you think?"

Eleanora looked thoughtfully at Geran who mumbled something no one could hear "We can accommodate that considering Bel is going to be my Maid of Honor, I hope that Lys and Rana will be my bridesmaids. Since we will be in Tol Honeth getting dresses should not be a problem." She looked to lady Polgara "Aunt Pol I know you are itching to be in the kitchen or something I was hoping you would instead be my matron"

"I would be honored," She said "Geran dear would you mind asking Harry to be your best man"

Geran looked confused for a moment before he understood why "It tells the world that Bel is off the market and should anyone try to harm or even inconvenience her Harry will do many bad things to them." The crown prince mused "And we will likely be right there helping him

Belgarath smiled then touched on their familial Bond his granddaughters and grandson were a whirl of emotions 'Garion is everything okay?'

Garion heard his grandfathers' question as did Ce'nedra. "No grandfather could you Bring Grandmother, Aunt Pol, Durnik, Silk, and Mandorallen in I think you should all see this."

The adults came in and seeing Belgarion's grim face knew something bad had occurred "I have put all my memories in the Pensieve," Harry began trying to find the words "You took me into your home and hearts you deserve to know who and why I am the way I am."

The adults nodded and as a group went into the Pensieve. Leaving the two young adults holding each other on the couch where the two fell into a troubled sleep.

Beldaran sniffled waking from a dream where the phoenix did not get to her Harry in time. Her Family was coming out of the Pensieve with grim looks on their faces. None more so than Poledra she approached the young couple "One Knows what it is like to lose their pack. That you did not and have not succumbed to grief is a miracle. One hopes you will stay with our pack and make it your own."

Harry was at a loss for words he had forgotten what it felt like to part of a family and here was Beldaran's grandmother saying she wanted him to be a member of her pack. Harry then surprised the older woman by hugging her fiercely Poledra spent time holding him and her granddaughter until Harry could collect himself.

Durnik came next "Your aunt and uncle were wrong in their treatment of you. Children are blessing" Durnik said quietly "You are welcome in our home for as long as you want to stay, we will gladly help you learn all you need to."

Harry quite liked the quiet man Harry could feel the power within the man but sensed he used it sparingly preferring to work with his hands "Thank you Durnik that means the world to me."

"Hello, I am prince Kheldar, you can call me Silk." The older man started "At some point, I would like to sit down and talk with you there are something's I would like to pass on to you. Things my son has no interest in being as he is squired to Mandorallen."

Harry was reminded a bit of Sirius listening to Silk talk and pegged the man for a marauder. "I will learn whatever you want to teach me." Silk nodded and then left the tent.

"I thought I had my hands full with Belgarion and Eriond," Polgara said with a watery smile on her face. "Whatever Durnik said know that I echo his sentiment. If you want to help me in the kitchen, I will welcome your company either cooking or cleaning but whoever cooks does not clean up. If we are to be a family then no one person has to do anything."

Family the word almost overwhelmed Harry again Like Poledra he wrapped Polgara in a bone-crushing hug.

Belgarath put a hand on Harry's shoulder "You have led a very busy life young harry. Remember if you need to talk, I will listen."

"Thank you Belgarath" Harry responded "I will likely take you up on that."

Belgarath steered Polgara back to during and the older couples left the tent.

This left the younger couple with Mandorallen and Beldaran's Parents they were locked ins an intense discussion Mandorallen gesticulating wildly. Belgarion pointed at Harry and clearly said tell him.

"Lord Gryffindor, for most of my life I have held the title of Mightiest Knight on Life. I have known no equal in combat." The older knight began "I fear I must now relinquish that title to you."

Harry drew in a breath "The Basilisk, right?" receiving a nod "Sir knight, knowing what you know now about the creature would you have done as I would have and gone into the beast's lair willingly?"

"If it were my best friend's sibling or a friend's child yes I would." The Baron of Vo Mandor answered, "in heartbeat."

"Then I consider myself in good company!" Harry declared "I dare say at age twelve you were likely more competent with a sword than I am now. You are the queen's champion and even Beldaran considers you the greatest of all the knights she knows." Harry's face took on a serene look "If it is all the same to you. I would have you remain the Mightiest Knight on Life, and I will just be Harry for a while."

Mandorallen looked confused for a moment before Ce'nedra whispered something in his ear "It shall be as you say, Sir Gryffindor." The elder knight made his way out of the tent leaving Harry with Beldaran and her parents.

"Your majesties may I have a moment alone with Beldaran?" Harry asked, when they nodded and made to follow Mandorallen out of the tent Harry took a knee. Looking up into Beldaran's eyes and he felt something he had not felt since well before Luna was taken "Your highness Beldaran of Riva, I Harry of Gryffindor wish to court you to make you, my wife. I have naught but my heart to give to you."

Beldaran was caught by surprise at his forwardness "My Lord Gryffindor, what of your grief surely it has not run its's course?"

"No, your highness it has not. But from what I understand we have a grand adventure ahead of us" Harry admitted then spoke in a low tone "It is a beginning for us and we can court as long as you desire."

"Do you have a token you wish to give me?" Beldaran asked her heart in her throat. "I am told such things are customary!"

"Indeed, they are. I do have an item however it is no mere token" Harry said as he reached into a pocket and pulled out a small box opening it and showing it to Beldaran, the gem that was brilliantly cut perfectly round not too small as to be construed as cheap nor so large as to be considered gaudy. "This is the ring my father gave my mother the day he began courting her it is one of the few things I have of them it would be my honor for you to bear this ring hence."

"Yes, Harry I will

It was then they heard another sniffle having thought the king and queen had left they were both surprised to see the royal couple looking on with love in their eyes "Harry please ask my father?"

Harry decided to do it right taking a knee "Your majesty in this world my titles mean little, I have money to build our home and to see to our family for many years to come. I would like your majesties' permission to court Beldaran with the intent to wed at a time of her choosing."

"Harry of Gryffindor, I know your quality and it is of the highest measure," Ce'nedra said solemnly "While the titles you inherited may mean little here. I give unto a title that is important to me, Son."

Harry had been looking down his head snapped up "There is sign two." Beldaran snickered

"I concur," Belgarion said unsheathing his sword. Beckoning for Harry to take a knee he tapped him thrice "I welcome you into my court, Sir Gryffindor. I also welcome you to my family son. Now let's go meet the family."

Belgarion opened the tent flap and offered his queen his arm which she gratefully accepted motioning for Harry and Beldaran to follow.