Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. If you don't recognize the character, they are an OC and belong to Frau and me. . The song is "The Stolen Child," by Kate Price, a very haunting song and a good Goggle Search will get you the rest of the lyrics. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't --GF
Chapter 24: Stolen Child
Master Albyn, his white haired elven sword master, wasn't too pleased with his student. "Well, at least you are still alive, young prince for all the foolishness you displayed with your school yard battle with a basilisk. Did you think I would not hear of your adventure? Warm up and then we'll see just how much of my training you allowed to let slide these last months."
Garion groaned. He was in for it now. He was going to be sporting bruises tonight. And the day wasn't over with yet. After this, he had dancing lessons, voice lessons, and tonight he had to sit in on the choreographing of Annie. He had a bit part, one scene. Big deal! Since it was only one scene, his instructors decided to pour on other lessons.
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Garion groaned. It was the last week of his summer hols and he was miserable. His brothers were laughing at him. In fact, they were rolling on the floor in mirth. Garion was in pain, physically and emotionally. Sword-master Albyn had decided to give Garion as many bruises as he could so that he wouldn't forget his lessons this time around. On top of that, there was a summer fete that he just couldn't get out of attending. Damn Elves and their endless need for parties. Elves tend to party for days on end and Garion was just a poor young human who just didn't have their stamina. Being royalty isn't all it's cracked up to be!
This was the reason behind his brothers' mirth. Garion had just been informed that the three of them would be performing. While that wasn't a bad thing in and of itself, they each also were required to escort a fair young thing to the dance. Ewwwwwwww! Girls! Yuk! He wasn't ready to do the 'social thang' just yet.
"Aw come on Bro!" said Jarrod. "It can't be that bad. Father would never pair you up with some old crone."
"Yeah Bro! Father does have good taste in women," Garrod laughed. "He did choose mother after all."
Garion rolled his eyes at his brothers. "Some help you are. I'm too young to be leg shackled like this."
For all his aches and pains, Garion was ever the courtly gentleman. His tutors had made sure of that, if not, his father would have something to say about it. At least his date was a fair maiden – of impeccable lineage, of course. She had a winning smile and shimmering golden hair. If Garion was a few years older, he would be thinking about how lucky he was but right now, he was just thankful she wasn't as old as stone faced Professor McGonagall.
The fete was being held in the Labyrinth's Rose Maze, mother's favorite garden. The night was perfect as always Underground. The fairy dust caught the moonlight in shimmering sparkles. Rippling streams of silver seem to cascade from fountains adding a melodious harmony to the pageantry. Hundreds of white roses in full bloom added their delicate fragrance to the mood.
A stage had been set for Garion and his brothers. Bardic magic was always a hit at any Elven gala. Not many humans were gifted with bardic magic and when one was found, as was in Garion's case, they were highly cherished. Human bards could create magic from nothing but their own imagination whereas Elves could only recreate it. Garion and Sarah were both bards in their own right. She with words and he with music.
Tonight, the Hooligans were going to play Gyspy and Celtic music. Always a crowd pleaser, in the young bard's mind. They started out with the wild Irish jigs and songs and finished with a new song by Kate Price that they had been practicing. His brothers faded into the darkness as Garion sat center stage with an Irish harp. Garrod accompanied him in the darkness on a hammer dulcimer. Jarrod added his clear tenor as a counter point to the vocal melody.
". . . Come away, O human child
To the waters and the wild
With a fairy, hand in hand
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand
Where the wandering water gushes
From the hills above glen-Car
In pools among the rushes
That scarce could bathe a star
We seek for slumbering trout
And whispering in their cars
Give them unquiet dreams
From ferns than drop their tears . . ."
Garion's choir boy voice filled the night, weaving in and out with music of his harp. It drew a picture in the minds of all who heard of unwanted human child claimed by the fairies. Sorrow and hope wove themselves into the last refrain as it echoed into the night. Tears glimmered on every face. Jareth was holding tightly to Sarah. After all, he was the one that took the unwanted and the unloved when asked. In essence, this was Garion's Song.
Garion lifted his angelic face up into the night sky as he sang. Glowing fairies encircled his black hair adding to the ethereal effect of the song.
". . . For he comes, the human child
To the waters and the wild
With a fairy, hand in hand
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand. . ."
A brief silence hung in the air when Garion bowed his head, his fingers stilled the harp's voice. The silence was almost deafening until Jareth started clapping. That broke the spell as a wave of thunderous applause broke over the garden. Garion looked up as the little fairies scattered back to the rose hedges in a flurry panic. He gave a slight smile to his parents as he stood to take his bow.
0o0o0o0
Garion and his brothers had been allowed to sleep in and equally thankful was that Underground ran on a different time scale than Above. Time was so screwy that Garion could spend an hour Underground and have several days or years pass by Above or vice versa. Which was why Garion couldn't live Underground like his brothers. He was human after all and they weren't.
Sirius came bounding over to Garion when everyone was at the luncheon table. "Garion! We need to talk, pup!"
Garion looked up at his godfather and smiled. "What's up, Uncle Snuffles?"
"The changeling at Azkaban has faded away. They are looking for me."
Suddenly, Garion's appetite died. Closing his eyes, he had known this day would come. He had been preparing for it for years. "That means you have to go back with me, doesn't it?"
"Afraid so, pup. Your father wants to talk to you."
0o0o0o0
Time has a way of getting away from you even Underground time. Uncle Cory escorted Harry to the Leaky Cauldron two days before he had to leave on the train. He had arranged for them to meet up with his friends to buy school supplies.
"Harry!"
"Mate!"
Harry found himself surrounded by red haired Weasleys and squeezed to death by a bushy haired whirlwind. Arthur managed to get Cory and Harry apart from his family to warn that Harry had to be careful as Sirius Black was on the loose.
"Don't worry Sir," Harry said. "I know all about Mr. Black. My parents explained things to me. I'll be careful." Harry wished he could protest that Sirius was innocent of all charges but his father had been very clear on the matter. No trying to learn more than he should. No trying to clear Sirius. The time line must be preserved. All things in their time no matter how much Harry wanted to change things. Events had to play themselves out as close to the original timeline as possible.
0o0o0o0
Dear Mother,
The Welcoming Feast was as over done as ever. We have a new DADA professor, Remus Lupin. Yes, the same one that Uncle Snuffles likes to go on about.
The train ride was interesting. I met Prof. Lupin for the first time there. We were sharing a compartment together along with Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Neville also a new girl, Luna. She's interesting Mom, to say the least. She acts more Fae then the Fae do. I think she may be part Fae. We were talking about the Crumple Horned Snorkack, driving Hermione nuts. I couldn't figure out how Luna knew about them as they don't live Above anymore.
The train ride was interrupted by dementors. Prof Lupin said that they were searching for Sirius Black. I was just about ready to dismiss them back to the dark side of the Labyrinth when he used a spell called Expecto Patronum and drove them off. Oddly enough, they seemed to recognize me and were about to leave. I think I'd rather face a Nightmare than a Dementor any day of the week. Dementors are scary and smell worse than the Bog.
Uncle Snuffles is hiding nearby. The castle goblins are keeping an eye out for him and trying to keep him fed and out of trouble.
Oh I almost forgot. You know that crazy house elf that tried to keep me from going to Hogwarts last year? The one I managed to free? Well, he's here at Hogwarts. My life just became became more complicated. I don't know if he's more loyal to me or to Dumbledore. House elves tend to babble more than they mean to, unless their 'masters' tell them not to. So I'm not sure what Dumbledore knows.
Another thing, I'm pretty sure Dumbles was the one that sicced the Dursleys on me last summer. I know we talked about it over the summer. The headmaster was giving me such looks at the Feast tonight. My little allies tell me that Dumbles has been corresponding with them on a regular basis. I wouldn't be surprised if he wants to meet with me soon about my summer. He is determined to learn who you are. Again, have I mentioned that I'm very glad that you are my parents and I'm not staying with the Dursleys?
I must go. I'll write soon. Love – G
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First let me say, that I am sorry if I snapped in a couple review replies. I didn't mean to. Also, sorry about taking so long to update. Every time Frau and I wanted to work on this chapter, something came up.
I know I got a couple of comments about the Dursley. It was fun to write and maybe a little improbable but still. Dumbledore could've set it up that way. He has the means and the magic.
As for Snape and Harry? Well, you'll just have to wait and see, won't you?
Until next time -- GF and The Frau