Will and the Word
Chapter 16
Everyone but Beldaran agreed, Beldaran silently left Harry standing outside their tent. "Can you guys give me and Bel a few minutes. I misspoke to my wife." Harry sighed before turning to the other three couples "Gentlemen let what I just did stand as a lesson of what not to do when speaking to the woman you love."
Harry steeled himself then ducked into the tent he noted Beldaran was not in the main area's he walked to their bedroom door and knocked "May I come in?"
"It is your tent" Beldaran responded her voice laced with sarcasm "Far be it for me to tell you what to do." Harry winced at the tone of her voice he felt the chill of her anger
"Would it help if I apologized?" Harry said looking at her from behind as she studiously ignored his physical presence. "No, good because I won't. I will not apologize for keeping you and our family safe. Do you understand what I will do if someone hurts you? Or worse yet if someone were to kill you?"
Beldaran froze at his question he had wanted to die and join Luna and his friends. She did not set out to claim his heart or let him claim hers but somehow, he had and she did as well. "I won't abandon you. I despaired of ever finding a man. Because I had such good role models for men in my life none ever measured up."
"I can understand that your father and his companions are some of the best men I have ever met" Harry took it as a sign that he had broken the ice a little bit. "Your highness. It would kill me if harm befell you if I could keep it from happening."
"Your Highness. Will just have to remember that I am not a delicate flower to be looked on and appreciated from afar" Beldaran stated boldly "I am your wife, your partner where you go so too will I"
"I never meant to insult you, love." Harry said in a low voice "Since you have been to Tol Honeth and I have not. I will need you to educate me. But in open combat please trust my judgment unless I give you reason not to." Harry looked at her being as open as he could Beldaran turned and saw the look on his face and melted a little.
"Never treat me like that again and we will have no arguments, my Lord." She said reaching out to her husband.
"As you wish My lady" Harry responded pulling her to him kissing her shoulder where his lips touched felt as if she was burning. He then swept her up bridal style laying her gently on their bed and with great thought, he dimmed the lights and cast several privacy charms before making love to his wife.
The next day they spent back up at their tower. Aldur had come "Harry, I would have you begin construction on your tower."
"I wanted to draw it out Master" Harry admitted "Then I was going to survey the area for appropriate materials."
"So much like my son Durnik you are wanting to work with your hands." Aldur responded the kindness in his voice gave harry pause "I want you to close your eyes and envision your tower! can you do that for me?" Harry nodded and did as his master asked "Now I want you to release your will and speak the word to make your tower."
Unbidden Harry thought of the tower in his vision thinking about what it would look like in and out. Gathered and released his will "Arise!" he called out for an hour Harry held exercised his will upon the world. Beldaran noted as the tower seemingly built itself Harry had forgotten something she too pulled in her will and created some exterior stairs and doors and added six floors, with an interior spiral staircase, and as an afterthought, she made a balcony that circled the entirety of the top floor.
For the first time, Aldur was at a loss most of his disciples hit the wall when asked to do something of this magnitude a moment later Aldur was not alone His family was with him most of them looking a little slack-jawed then his father appeared and with him came Poledra."
"Master one wonders if it is wise for My newest grandchild to be exerting his will like this?" Poledra asked a slight edge to his voice "It was only last week the child lay on the brink of death's door."
"I thought they would hit the wall all of my other disciples had in their training," Aldur admitted somewhat sheepishly. "I think we will have to sit down with Harry and Beldaran and discuss this."
"One thinks that will have to wait!" Poledra replied pointing at an unconscious Harry being held by Beldaran on a conjured couch "Granddaughter how is your husband."
Beldaran looked at the assembled gods and her grandmother "Considering he drew nothing from the surroundings that all came from with him. I don't think he will wake before sunset" She frowned "we should have seriously offered him some instruction on how to gather his will instead of just applying what he has naturally."
"One thinks that is a good idea bring him home tomorrow." Poledra said sagely "I will go put everyone's mind at ease."
Soon the gods left leaving Aldur alone with the pair. Many creatures wandered up and nuzzled Harry before wandering away a half an hour later Harry started shifting in his sleep. Fearing a nightmare Beldaran ran her fingers through his hair "I am here. I am not leaving you Love" slowly Harry Opened his eyes and was looking into the Beldaran's eyes.
"That was not a dream was it we built our home in a day?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Young one you did. tomorrow I would have both of you at my tower an hour past dawn until noon." Aldur commanded "You surprised me today Harry and scared all of us tomorrow we will show you another way of working with your will. For the rest of the day take your ease." Aldur turned and started to walk slowly fading from sight.
"Husband you worried me" Beldaran admitted quietly "You drew nothing from the world only from yourself. You could burn yourself out, performing like that." She held him tightly the desperation apparent in her voice "Please do not do it again"
"I am going to be apologizing a lot aren't I," Harry said with a put-upon air all the while smiling "I did not know I could draw on the world. It was not a thing where I am from. Or if it, was it was lost to history." Harry sat up turning and pulling Beldaran onto his lap "I am not a good student but I will try to learn everything I can so you and I can have a decent life."
"Good, Now do we fly back down, or do we sleep in our new home."
"Is that a trick question?" Harry asked standing and helping Beldaran to her feet then off her feet he carried her into the tower.
Down in the Vale
The second Harry released his will all the sorcerers turned toward the mountain and were halfway into changing their forms when Eriond stopped them "Aldur is having Harry complete their home." Young god said a gentle smile graced his face "I just do not think Aldur was ready for what Harry did."
"They are not in any trouble?" Polgara asked looking at Eriond whose smile widened "Harry overexerted himself and is pretty much out of it while Beldaran holds him."
"That boy worse than you and Belgarion combined," she said going back in the house
"Is that including the Raft incident Aunt Pol?" Garion asked barely holding a chuckle until he saw Polgara turn slowly
"Yes even including both the rafting and sledding into the river incidents." She replied going into the house.
"What rafting incident are you talking about Belgarion?" Ce'nedra asked Belgarion suddenly blushed "Come on dear you can tell me
Mid-day the next day
Taryn had taken every shortcut he had known to get to the grasslands of Algaria. His stopover at the stronghold had changed his life
He had found her standing on the battlements of the stronghold her long dark hair free-flowing in the breeze also brought a sound that made his heartbreak his friend a girl he loved as a friend and more was crying, he came up behind her and pulled her into an awkward embrace "I am so sorry Thierra. I never wanted to hurt you." He paused before saying more "Ul told me to pull the Ulgo out into the world and that I should follow my heart."
"Where does your heart lead?" She asked her voice muffled because her face was buried against his chest. "I must know"
"To you and Khyri in keeping with my Morag heritage, I love both of you. I love you enough to let you find your happiness. Even if it leads you away from me." Hearing this made her cry even more "I cannot and more importantly will not make you choose a path that leads to me
"If we returned your love, "she asked her voice choked with emotion "If the path we chose led us to you?
"I would be the luckiest man in the world," he said with a smile "You chose another though and I would not have you break both his and your own heart. Besides, there is no guarantee that Khyri still wants me."
"You know for a wise man you are stupid," The princess said with a smile "Gods, I love you more importantly I am in love with you. Brendon knew and threw it in my face during court in front of mother and every one his father apologized and recalled himself to Sendaria to be reassigned "Khyri and I have discussed it over time we both want you if you will have us."
"I may be stupid, but my mother did not raise an idiot." He said as he raised her head and kissed her for all he was worth. "I hate to think of my life without either of you in it."
"That will never happen my love." She spoke. "I and Khyri have been planning this for years.
A day and a half later
Thierra, Taryn, and their Algar escort rode up to the farmstead. Belgarion and Harry were training with Mandorallen and Edrik. Beldaran was looking on and saw them crest the hill. Recognizing her friends' horse, she let out a whoop and ran to meet them. Harry had a dumbstruck look on his face as he watched her hips swayed and her hair trailed behind her when he felt the flat of Belgarion's sword tap him on top of the head "Anyone home in there"
"No sir, I am with watching the girl I love to be happy," Harry said distractedly "I hope one day I make her just as happy"
Belgarion smiled "You got it, bad son, now back to it there will be time for introductions later."
Harry gave them one last look before he took up his guard and the pair started circling each other again.
The leader of the Algar escort turned to the princess as she dismounted and took off at run picking up the smaller Rivan Princess and twirling her around and they were both talking excitedly. "Your Holiness since you are with Belgarion and extended family we will ride back now."
Taryn watched as one of his betrothed and their best friend was talking and pointing Thierra at him Beldaran at the dark-haired man who was sparring with the Rivan king while Edrik and Mandorallen stood watching offering pointers to the young man in question. Edrik saw Taryn riding down the hill following the princesses "That will be fine thank Her majesty for me again"
"Hold" Mandorallen called "Enough Training for today, we have time. His Holiness Taryn and Her highness Thierra are here." Belgarion and Harry stopped and turned to the new arrivals.
Harry looked at how easy Beldaran was with Thierra and saw Taryn dismount and lead his horse. Harry drifted off thinking about his adventures with Hermione and Ron, the department of mysteries. Finally, he thought of the day he lost them. He did know if he had it within him to truly reach out to anyone but Beldaran.
Belgarion noted Harry's withdrawn demeanor "What troubles you, Harry?"
"I do not want to infringe on her time with her friends but at the same time I have a hard time connecting with people around my age." Harry admitted "In truth, I am more comfortable with you and Mandorallen your majesty. We have Common ground."
"I think by the end of this trip your circle of friends will grow," The elder man said "No go do not make her have to hunt you down to make an introduction!" Garion walked away shaking his head Ce'nedra who had been watching them met her Husband halfway from the training area
"Harry seems to be picking stuff up fast." She admitted with a frown "I wish he did not have to. I noted that he seemed uncomfortable just now what's that about?"
"He is remembering his friends. He had not reached a decision but he was shying away from trying to connect with anyone else his age." Belgarion replied in a quiet voice "I worry for him he has lost so much that he is not in tears all the time is surprising"
"Maybe it has not hit him yet," Ce'nedra said as she closed the distance between her and her husband "But when he does, he will not be alone."
"So, you and Khyri are going to do it?" Beldaran asked Thierra who looked at her friend "It's okay I am not judging I love Taryn too but more as another older brother."
"Yes, we are. Mother and father both like and respect Taryn, their majesties Urgit and Prala do as well" Thierra answered before looking at harry "He is rather delicious looking, Another brother perhaps?"
"No, that is my husband" she replied and kept walking not realizing she had just broken her childhood friend until she was ten steps away and noticed Thierra was stone still "What's wrong Thierra?"
The sun-tanned brunette sat in thought for a moment "I could have sworn you said he was your husband." She looked at Harry who had stopped his approach seeing something was wrong "That is crazy there is no way you would have married anyone without introducing him to all of us."
"Normally you would be right!" Beldaran hoped her friend would not ruin the bit of happiness she and Harry had found for themselves. "Originally it was going to be a long betrothal and we were going to marry at my leisure." Then her face cracked into a shy smile "My leisure was last night after he shared a very profound memory with me. Our Master Aldur performed the Ceremony last night for immediate family and friends. I would like both you and Taryn to my Husband Harry James 32nd duke of Gryffindor." Her voice dropped into a whisper "He is special, and in the short while we have known each other has become the world to me, please give him a chance."
Taryn sidled up to Thierra "Dearest we can at least give him a chance, UL said I should talk to him." Taryn addressed Thierra gently "Through him, we could perhaps find a solution for the major problem that prevented me from asking for your hands in the first place."
Thierra's face hardened and she marched up to Harry "Beldaran is my oldest friend. My sister in a way you could probably never in thousand years understand. Treat her well and we will have no issues."
A voice cleared behind Harry causing Thierra to look past Harry to see Belgarion and Ce'nedra looking disapprovingly at her until they both smiled and Ce'nedra crooked a finger beckoning her to come to them. "Yes, Auntie" the princess of Algaria huffed going with Beldaran who stopped long enough to embrace Taryn and give harry a soft promising kiss." Leaving the two boys together
"I am Taryn, Son of Relg and Taiba, Gorim of Ulgo" The young man introduced himself extending an arm Harry thanking the gods that it was a sign he recognized grasped the other man's forearm "It is a pleasure to meet Aldur's newest disciple."
"News travels fast!" Harry murmured "I am Harry James Potter son of James and Lily Potter" harry then smiled "But I am nobody" he then felt the sting of a hand across the back of his head "Ouch"
he turned and saw Beldaran frowning at him. "Luna thought you were someone and I am betting your other friends may their souls rest in peace probably thought the same as she. You are someone to me! By the gods accept it you may not have been born here and your titles from home may not be worth a damn here but up on that mountain we built a home and I have seen all manner of creatures come to check on you while we let you recover two days back." She huffed "One of them was a gryffin so that mountain, our home will be called Gryffin's Aerie, And if I have my way you will be the first and only duke until we decide it is time to leave this life together. Come on Thierra let's go see my brother and Eleanora. I need to get away from my husband for a bit and cool off" she stalked off leaving Harry in stunned silence
"Taryn, it has been nice meeting you!" Harry said quietly "For the sake of your friendship with Beldaran it would be best if you accompanied them. If they need Fawkes will be able to find me," he said pointing at the sleeping phoenix. He then changed forms and flamed to the tower. Leaving Taryn Alone and angry at one of his oldest friends.
Authors Notes: Yesterday my son started coughing up mucus they killed an entire box of Kleenex. My wife got him home and thoroughly used up to wash rags and it kept coming. now for a little more background here I live in Grand Forks, North Dakota however i work in Minot, North Dakota (three hours west) I work eight days on six days off. I was feeling run down yesterday and took the day off napping the day away. So when my wife calls me from the ER they have deep suctioned my son three times and we are waiting for labs so i hop in my car and drive as fast as i was reasonably able to (76 in a 70 ) to make it home in time for him to be transferred down to Fargo Children paediatric unit in case he needed to admitted to the PICU Fast forward to today we are awaiting a more comprehensive set of labs but we have ruled out RSV and Covid 19 as a result i had time on my hand watching my son sleep to work on chapter 18 of this tale. and another new tale that the muse gave to me Harry Potter: Eorzean Odyssey for those of you who might enjoy Final Fantasy XIV and Harry Potter