AN: The usual disclaimers apply!

All conversations in this chapter are in Elvish, just so you know.

PHOENIX and DRAGON: Through the World Gate

Chapter 2

Myrddin winced as Naf Ianwdd slapped the stone table once more, his irritation clearly seen by the rest of the High Council. "The child goes back to his people! He is clearly out of danger now. Take him to the magic folk's aurors - let them deal with his relatives, if they can even find them again. Either way, the boy will be safe and back where he belongs, with the humans!"

Myrddin sighed and rubbed his eyes wearily. They'd been debating this for hours, some arguing about the prophecy, despite Etain's assurances concerning its validity, some objecting to him bringing the boy from the human world and risking the humans discovering them. Some even wanted to close the World Gate altogether...about the only thing they all agreed on was that Harry had to be returned to the humans. The High Council had never before moved quickly to any decision, but this time it looked like their fear of the human world would overcome their usual tendency to think things through.

"The boy must stay," Myrddin said for the fifth time in as many minutes. "He is the prophesied child, and he needs to stay here to train or the Darkness…," he stopped as several of the councilors stood and started shouting at each other. He sighed and rubbed his face with both hands in frustration, then stood as well, waiting until the others fell silent.

"Will you at least wait until the child has fully healed before making your final decision?" Myrddin asked wearily. "It would be cruel to send him back as he is." The rest of the councilors looked away, as if ashamed to be thought capable of causing harm to a child. Finally, they each nodded as they reached a silent decision.

"We will wait one week so he may heal, but then he must be returned to where you found him after that," Naf Ianwdd stated firmly. "Do we have your word on this?"

Myrddin sighed and reluctantly nodded in agreement. "I will return him in one week."

A small shadow moved quietly away from the open window of the council room, stepping carefully so as to not disturb the dry leaves on the pathway, then broke into a run towards the intricately carved posts framing the entryway of the elven healing hall. A short moment later, Gavin was kneeling beside the bed where Harry was lying.

"Harry!" Gavin whispered, lightly touching the smaller boy on the shoulder. "Wake up!"

Harry stirred, lifting one spindly arm to rub the sleep from his eyes. "What is it Gavin," he mumbled sleepily. "Why are you here so late?" The healers had sent Gavin to his Grandfather's home hours earlier, and he wasn't supposed to return before morning.

"There's a council meeting," Gavin whispered, looking carefully around in case a healer was nearby. "They want to send you back!"

Harry froze, his eyes widening in fear. "No, I can't," he whispered shakily. "I won't go back! Uncle Vernon will kill me!"

"I know!" Gavin whispered back, reaching to hold Harry's hand. "We've got to figure out something so they will have to let us keep you! You're like my brother, and I'm not going to let them take you back!"

Harry's eyes widened with worry, and then narrowed again as he had a sudden thought. "What if I was your brother, Gavin? What if we did like Lleu and Pwyll?" Gavin looked confused, so Harry continued. "Like in the story your Grandfather read to us this morning! They were fighting, and everyone was mad and wanted them to quit, so they made a pledge to stop fighting each other by holding hands through the Serpents Stone, and sweared brotherhood to each other, and the gods changed them so they were really brothers!"

Gavin's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open in shock, then closed and widened into a grin as he considered the idea. "Everyone will be in the cer'monal circle tomorrow night for the solstice so they won't notice if we go to the stone!" He frowned as he had another thought. "We have to cut our hands though, to share blood, and we'll need a special knife." Gavin ducked down beside Harry suddenly as he heard the faint sound of voices and footsteps approaching from deeper in the Healers Hall. "I've got to go, that's Naf Awel! The meeting is over and my Grandfather will be mad at me if he sees I'm not in bed! We'll talk more in our dream!"

Harry watched as Gavin darted out the door, heading back to his grandfather's house at a run. Maybe things would be alright after all. Maybe he would finally have a family!

AN – Sorry this is so short, but at least it's an update! I hope to add another chapter soon.