Chapter VIII:

Antien watched the kitchen door close and felt the warding and silencing spells go up. He wanted ever so much to know what was going on and what had spooked his father so much. All he knew that Lily's gift was a simple diary, nothing sinister about it. Even when Tonks checked it for spells, Antien already knew the only spell on it was a privacy spell that prevented anyone from reading the journal Lily didn't want to read it.

He sat in his favorite chair near the balcony window and watched his brother, and his sister, and cousins, and Alexa and Teddy play with the young girl's gifts. Antien knew that they were making a good try at ignoring what was going on in the kitchen but Antien saw the worry lines that were growing on James' face. Antien picked up the book he abandoned when his family commandeered the living room for Lily's party and tried to read. He barely had read a paragraph (and a short one at that) when he felt the cold chill of winter on his neck. The room was silent as Antien turned to the now open window and saw a dark figure perched precariously on the ledge.

The figure was covered from head to toe by his dark cloak; his face obscured by the deep hood. Antien knew instantly that this was the person that had taken him captive. The figured jumped from the sill with a grace that Antien had only seen in Legolas and the twins: a deadly grace.

Antien belatedly realized that he should have gone for the twin blades he always kept on his person when James stood with his blade against the stranger's neck. Antien saw Rose and Hugo poised with their hands on their hidden hilts. "Who are you?" James asked slowly.

"Stay your sword, young one," he said raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "I am a friend."

"A fine friend to be sure," James countered. "Why come through the window and not the door?"

"I tried that once," the stranger answered. "She would not allow it again." There was no doubt who she was and the figure smirked under his deep cowl.

"You're the one that attacked my brother," James stated and Antien saw the figure stiffen and the rest in the room gape in shock. James's face hardened and Antien realized that James mistook the tense as an attack and moved between his brother's blade and the stranger.

"James! No!" Antien turned to the stranger. 'Pedich edhellen?' You speak, do you not?

The smirk deepened. 'Indeed, young one.'

James froze, while Alexa looked confused. Teddy, Hugo and Rose looked between the stranger and Antien, each trying to figure it out on their own. 'Who are you?'

'You are L.G. A friend of our fathers',' Antien said suddenly.

The person nodded before moving past the stunned Potter boys. 'Now if you will excuse me." Antien offered no barrier as L.G. broke through the expert grade spells without breaking a sweat and was bathed in the bright light of the kitchen.

Antien heard "It means that the Valar have sent their messenger." before their father's friend said 'So you have come to it at last.'

… … … … … …

Antien did not understand the draw that he had to the mysterious L.G., who he found out was Locien Galad. Locien was the one thing that was never mentioned in all of the Potter children's combined years. Not knowing who Locien really was made the pull worse.

Antien meant to talk to Vayna about it, but he only was able to direct her to the Library where he could feel Locien was hiding from the rest of the family before she too disappeared behind the door. He took his place at the Breakfast table ignoring the left out feeling he had. His mother placed a plate of food in front of him and he ate half-heartedly.

'What happened? Vayna looked like death warmed over." James said talking a seat across from Antien.

"She had another attack last night after you went to bed," Amariel answered from in the kitchen, before she appeared with another plate of food.

Antien dropped his fork the clatter breaking through the silent heavy air. "Is she alright?"

"She was walking, wasn't she?" James said sarcastically.

"Hush, James," Rodwen chided. She turned to Antien who felt like he was going to throw up. Something wasn't right and he really needed to get to Vayna. He stood despite his mother's protests and tried to make his way to the library but he was only able to make a few steps before he collapsed.

… … … … … … …

When Antien woke he knew that his was in the infirmary and that he wasn't alone. Yet when he opened his eyes he was surprised to find that his parents weren't there, but Locien was.

'What did you see?' He didn't even realize that Locein knew he was awake.

'Where are my parents?' Antien asked avoiding Locien's question.

'They both went to check on Lily,' Locien said simply and in a neutral tone. 'What did you see?' he pressed.

'See? I didn't see anything!'

Locien muttered something about an Orc's backside and tried to regain his composure.

The door opened and his parents and James walked in. Locien stood and backed away from the bed but Antien didn't miss the glare his father sent the blond elf.

'How are you?' Rodwen asked sitting on the bed next to his feet.

'I'm alright, Naneth,' Antien answered. 'I'm just confused.'

'You have every right to be,' Locein said ignoring Estel's low growl. 'I was the same when my gift started to materialize.'

'He doesn't have the Sight!' Estel said jumping to his feet.

'You deny his gift?' Locien countered. 'Are you willing to kill him because that is what you think killed me?!'

'Ada?' Antien said quietly. 'Ada, what is he talking about?'

Estel's face changed as he looked at his son. 'I would prefer to wait and tell everyone at once. For now,' Estel turned to Locien. 'Stay away from my son.'

Locien didn't look happy, but nodded formally. 'As you wish, my king.' Estel started but Locien was gone before he could ask him what he was talking about.

With the look on his father's face that Antien avoided all thought about asking about Locien. Instead, he asked. 'How long was I out?'

'Two days,' his mother answered. 'It's actually your uncle Charlie's birthday, but he's in Romania so there won't be a party…' By the party comment, Antien knew that his mother was trying to make sure the silence didn't become oppressive.

Antien sat in thought for a moment and knew he had several essays due in a week, before the holiday started. 'How long do I have before I can get out of here?' he asked not thinking to ask in English for the healer to hear, who was tidying up the infirmary.

'I'll ask.' Rodwen said standing. After a few moments of quiet conversation Rodwen and the healer walked over. The healer did a quick spell before smiling.

"I doubt you want to stay here any long than you have to. Just eat when you get the next chance and you can leave now; however, if you feel sick at all, even if it is a headache, you come straight to me."

Antien smiled and nodded then made plans to meet James in the Great Hall for lunch. Until then he had to speak to his professors about the work he missed.

He said a quick goodbye to his parents, before changing and heading to Vayna's office. He knocked lightly not knowing if she had a class. When he heard the solemn come in he entered cautiously. He wasn't surprised to find Locien talking with Vayna but was when he excused himself the moment Antien walked in.

'But—"

"It is your father's expressed wish that I stay away from you and I cannot go against his word,' Locien explained quickly before shutting the door in his face.

Then he heard Vayna sigh behind him and he rounded on her. 'Vayna what the hell is going on here? And don't give me that I don't Know crap because I know you do!'

Vayna sank deeper into her chair suddenly looking very tired. 'Antien… I can't."

'Like hell you can't!'

'Antien Sirius Potter!' He cringed at the sound of his full name. He turned around to face his mother, his father in the background with a half angry half amused face.

But before his mother could even start her rant he looked between the three of them and said, 'I can't do this.' And walked out the door.

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A/N: Hello again! Are you glad to find out that I am not dead? I am.

Anyway, there are many reasons why this chapter is over a month in the making and why it is so short. One reason is I got a job this summer and that has greatly destroyed my creative… ness. Another is really bad writers block and a point where I realized that I didn't know where I was going with this story. I must have had 10 different versions of this chapter but none of them lead me anywhere good. As to why this is so short…. That is where the chapter wanted to break off. I think Antien needs some time.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it and if you could be so kind as to leave a message it is greatly appreciated.

Always,

Vàna

P.S. I did go back and went over the previous chapters and fixed minor stuff, nothing that the story is critical on, mostly grammar.