Disclaimer: See chapter one. Reviews are welcomed but flames aren't. Please review. Thanks.
Chapter 8: All Alone in the Moonlight
Gone was the soft white poets shirt, black leather vest and buff breeches. The man who now stood before Garion was robed in white and silver, as befitting the Goblin King. Draped around his shoulders was white-featherd cloak, symbol of the owl he could become.
Garion gulped nervously as he took in the shimmering white and gold aura that surrounded his father. 'What had he done this time?' Quickly he ran through a mental list of all the latest pranks...'Nope'. Nothing that would warrant his father going full Fae! Wait, maybe it was time to send him to his relatives? Garion frowned as he felt his heart plummet at the thought.
"Garion, my son," Jareth's soft voice broke into the boys musings. "It is time you learn more of your past".
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Later that night Garion sat on his bed thinking of all his father told him as their 'talk' replayed in his mind.
"Garion, you know you are adopted, now I need to tell you how it came to pass." Jareth spoke so softly that Garion had to lean closer to hear him. "You see, my son, you were wished away," Jareth said, strain evident in his voice. "Your Relative, cousin to be exact, wished you away when you were 16...and because I could see the pain and sorrow in you, I rearranged time and brought you home as a babe."
Garion nodded, reluctant to interrupt his fathers words. "There is more, my son. We must return you to the Wizarding World soon." Garion felt a warm hand rest on his shoulder, "To fail to do so would spell disaster, for it would interfere with a prophecy and the part you must play in it. It would 'unmake' time and could well shatter both our worlds." The young wizard felt strong hands draw him to his feet as Jareth drew him into a warm embrace. "Know this my son, no matter where fate may take you, we will always love you and claim you as our own." The soft warmth of the cloak enveloped them as Garion clung to the only father he'd ever known.
Garion strummed his new guitar, thinking about 'the talk' he'd had with his father earlier. Jareth had finally told him the reasons behind the nightmares that plagued him. It seems they were from his 'other' life, from before he'd been wished away. Father had explained that as he grew older the other timeline would run parallel this one until finally, the lines would merge.
"Man, no wonder it sometimes seems as if there are two of me!" Comparing events in the nightmares to the life he now lived, he knew he was coming out ahead of the deal. Especially on those nights he woke up crying for the frightened, abused and starved child in his dreams. He never wanted to go through that again! "Father can be very scary sometimes!" he whispered to no one in particular. "Oh well, at least I'm not in trouble." He grinned suddenly, "At least it wasn't the 'Sex Talk," he muttered. He didn't want to even think about that, he'd be scarred for life, thank you very much! 'Girls are just plain icky!' And as if all of that wasn't enough, he learned that he was now in for more lessons!
Bright and early the next day, Garion learned just how many more 'lessons' he'd have. Uncle Snuffles would still be teaching him, along with Uncle Cory and his other instructors. But now, added to that would be an Elven Master Bard! Last night his father had explained to Garion that he was gifted not just with Wizarding magic and Elven magics, but with Bardic magic as well. Now he had to learn the craft and lore of a Bard. ". . . for you, my son, have a rare and treasured gift. You can create magic through your music. It is the only 'Creation Magic' left and has not been seen among men since the time of Taliesin."
"Hmmm, might explain why I love music so much, but who'd ever guess?" Garion yawned, leaning his guitar against his nightstand and slid down in bed. He was just dozing off when he recalled something else his father had said.
"Remember my son. This next year you'll also be studying acting skills for you have a role to play and it must be played perfectly. So keep a journal of your dreams," came the whispered words, "You must follow the time-line as closely as possible and the journal will help. While you must tread carefully, do not repress your talents. You were meant to shine, Garion. To bring beauty and joy to life through your music, and shine you will."
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This next year seemed to fly while Garion honed his acting skills as well as his Bardic talent. He was surprised, and pleased, that his Bardic abilities brought with them enhanced memory skills. Studying was easy, his mind seemed to absorb and retain whatever he read, or heard..
It was almost as if he had a photographic memory. When he mentioned this to his Fae music master, the answer surprised him.
"Yes, young Prince. The Bards of old were not just singers and entertainers. They were the Lore Keepers for their people long before there were words on paper. It was their duty to learn and remember all that was important, including the bloodlines of important and powerful families."
The elderly Bard looked at him with a smile. "It is for this reason that a Bard could claim safe passage throughout the lands. Their persons were sacrosanct and to harm one was to draw down the wrath of the gods." Garion sat, stunned by this knowledge. "Oh yes, perhaps I should tell you, the stronger the Bardic talent, the better the memory."
"Life is but a walking Shadow, a poor Player That struts and frets his Hour upon the Stage, And then is heard no more; It is a tall Tale, Told by an Idiot, full of Sound and Fury, Signifying nothing." Garion quoted Shakespeare softly under his breathe.
His family found it amusing when he would start spouting Shakespeare, lines from Disney movies and several blockbuster movies as easily and carelessly as other children could sing their favorite commercial jingles. At first. Then came another revelation, one which pleased his mother. Garion disliked most current music. He found heavy metal and hard rock offensive,
He much preferred the protest songs of the late 60's, 70's and 80's. He had also developed a fondness for old musicals, especially those of Gene Kelly. Folk songs too, found their way into his music.
Sirius, skeptical at first that music could really be magic, became a believer the first time his godson, 'called up' the magic and wove it into his song. He simply sat in awe as Garion glowed with a soft golden aura.
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That year the Summer Theatre decided to perform 'CATS' and even though all the important parts were for adults, it didn't stop three hooligans from clamoring for a part from their Uncle Corey. It seemed that the name their mother had given the trio when they were very young children had stuck. So much so that in the program the parts the three were given were listed as "The Three Hooligan Kittens."
The intricate dance routines required for their parts were literally like child's play to the trio, thanks to their training in court dancing and martial arts. They were able to keep up with the rest of the cast and were highly praised by the choreographer for their efforts.
Opening night was always so magical. Tonight was no exception. Magic, both Fae and Bardic, filled the old 200 seat wooden building causing the very building itself to shimmer.
Sarah smiled as she took her reserved seat in the audience, feeling the magic swirling around her. Carefully, she began to take in her surroundings and the crowd around her. She frowned slightly, counting under her breathe, over half the seating section around her was occupied by Fae, both high and low court. She hoped that Jareth and Cory could quell a 'feeding frenzy' if Garion's bardic magic went into over drive tonight.
"Is this seat taken?" Sirius asked with a smirk, as he plopped down beside her.
'Thank the gods, he wasn't performing in this play. He really couldn't sing or dance his way out of a paper bag,' she mused. Leaning over, she whispered softly, "Sirius, there may be a problem tonight."
He looked over at her as she continued, "I've counted about 25 Fae. I'm sure there are more I can't tell. I just hope that Garion doesn't lose control tonight. I'd hate to see my son mobbed, or worse kidnapped by the Fae." Sirius paled and muttered a few choice words under his breathe. Quietly, he inched his way out to check in with Cory.
True, they had been training Garion more and more on how to ground and center his magical core. Now, he could add to the forming node of magic under the theatre. However, that left a huge problem, it attracted magical creatures of all sorts, light and dark. 'He's really come a long ways in his training," she thought with a smile of pride of her son's accomplishments.
Returning, Sirius plopped back into his seat and leaned close to her ear. "All taken care of," the wizard said softly. "The count is 28 Fae of both courts, five wizard couples, three vampires plus their mates and a partridge in a pear tree." he grinned as he sang the last part, before turning serious once more. "Cory is locking down the node as we speak and sent word to Jareth. Don't worry, your pretty head about it." Sarah gave him a glare as he continued, "Garion is in full make up and looks adorable as a marmalade kitten. He won't be recognized."
Sarah made a shushing noise, looking around nervously. He continued to smirk. "Silencing charms are wonderful things. Not even the Fae can listen in." He grinned at her glance of annoyance as he removed the charm. "Sh. The performance is starting."
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The Goblin King looked down from his perch in the rafters. He scowled as he noticed Sirius whispered into his queen's ear. His anger flaring when he couldn't hear what was said. For the moment, he had other things to deal with. The irritating wizard would have to wait. It was more important that they locked down the node. He wanted to send a clear message to all that they were in His territory and they would respect His wishes.
The lights dimmed and the orchestra started the first refrains, breaking into Jareth's thoughts. He was more worried about the wizards than anyone else. Wizards were the parasites of the magical world, and the theatre reeked of magic. They would try to leach it dry. Then there was the likelihood that if they knew that their precious savior was here in cat costume, there would be absolute pandemonium.
A goblin appeared at his feet. "All is set, Sire. No one will get to the young Sirs. We will protect them. As always."
"Very good," the Goblin King purred softly. Stepping off the rafter, he transformed into his owl form and flew off.
o0o0o0o0o
The play was over and had been a huge success. Garion sat in a corner back stage playing his acoustic guitar softly. The roar of the applause still ringing in his ears, however, it wasn't the accolades that were making him uneasy. It wasn't just the magic alone but overload of all the released emotions from the audience as well. It was a serious overload and it was making him hyper. He felt as if ants were crawling over him, tickling him and making him itchy. He couldn't help it, raw magic did it to him. He needed release or he was going to do something destructive.
A hand rested on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw his father's concerned gaze. "Ready, my son? We are alone."
Garion nodded and stood. With a rueful look, he made his way to center stage where Old Deuteronomy sat for most of the performance. Making himself comfortable, he began to play. At first, he just played the tune "Memories." His clear angelic voice sweetly rang through the empty threatre:
Memory:
All alone in the moonlight
I can smile at the old days
I was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again
Every streetlamp
Seems to beat a fatalistic warning
Someone mutters
And the streetlamp gutters
And soon it will be morning
Garion forgot about his father standing off stage. He forgot he had been doing this sort of cleansing magic for only a few months. Slowly the melody shifted as the magic took hold. He stopped singing and simply played his guitar. The magic showed him that several conduits were in place as well as several wizarding blocks.
'Wizards. How stupid can they get? Just because they were paranoid that non magical people would see, let alone touch magic, they think they have the right to block it. Stupid parasites. Magic must be free to all.' Swiftly, like a surgeon, the blocks were sliced away as ribbons of shimmering power swirled to his call.
The conduits were next. The Fae were notorious for seeking nodes. When they find them, they coveted them greedily and tap into them, siphoning the power to their realm. He noticed that most were not authorized by his father or Uncle Cory. These too were sliced away. Only the main conduit, the one that lead to the Labyrinth and his father's domain, remained.
The music picked up. The ribbons of magic caressed his skin as the magic flowed around him like a soft summer breeze. It warmed him as if he was lying out in the sun. He gathered up all the rainbow of ribbons in the theatre, pulling them closer, carefully feeding them to the node.
At last, the wild music and the raw magic faded. When the last note echoed in the darkness, only then did Garion took a deep breathe.
'There done. For now. Hopefully, I don't have to do this again tomorrow night as well. Opening Nights can be such a bitch,' he sighed as his father came up to him, breaking into his thoughts. Looking up, Garion gave the Fae a tired smile.
"I'm proud of you, My son. You are growing in power and getting better at control."
"Father. Do I have to go to Hogwarts this fall?" Garion whined. "Wizards are such pricks."
"Do not let your mother heard your language, my little goblin," Jareth said, raising an eyebrow. "You know what happened last time."
Garion shuddered and nodded. "Sorry Father."
"That's better. And yes, you do. The time lines will converge soon. You know the laws that govern time. Reordering it is exhausting and dangerous. We have to be careful."
"Yes, Father."
"But that doesn't mean we have to follow them that closely," Jareth said with a smirk, giving his son's shoulder a comforting squeeze. "You are allowed to have fun this time around. Come. It's late and you need your rest."
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I seriously thought about making people guess the quotes that Garion/Harry says or thinks but I won't be that cruel. The quote is from William Shakespeare's "Macbeth." As for Garion's opinions on wizards, he really is so much anti-wizard as he adores his father and parrots his views.
Thanks for the reviews. --GF and The Frau