Quoth the Raven, Nevermore

Disclaimer: See chapters 1 and 2. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't.

A/N: Although we couldn't find any evidence that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second has ever visited the Tower during her reign, we can only assume that she does do some sort of royal inspection. And if she does, I would imagine that the public wouldn't be informed for security reasons. If we are wrong, please let us know. -GF and the Frau

Chapter 5: More Forgotten Lore

Scrapper was one confused little raven -er- boy. Was he a raven or a human boy? He could remember a time when he was living with humans. Nasty, hateful humans that called him 'Freak' and 'Boy.' He remembered being locked in darkness and always hungry and wanting someone to take care of him. He remembered the pain of that time. His small body shivered.

Now he had feathers and raven parents, well sort of. Thor and Hardey took their parenting duties very seriously. They offered him food regularly and he learned not to be too squeamish about what they fed him. Thankfully, the men in the black and red uniforms fed him much more tasty things. 'Ravenmasters' that's what they were called.

In the evening, when the Yeomen Warders walked their rounds and the ravens were locked up for the night, Scrapper the raven became Hadrian the boy.

Silvery glowing people came to him then and taught him things. Things like reading and history and manners. Hadrian huffed to himself. Ravens didn't need manners!

His favorite teacher was Queen Anne. She was funny. She carried her head under her arm most of the time and sometimes she placed it where it should be, on her neck! She told the best stories in Scrapper's opinion. Stories about Kings and Knights. She also taught him his letters and manners.

Then there were the two boys in night shirts, Richard and Edward. They made up great games. They also told how they liked to prank the guards. Hadrian liked them. He just wished he could play with them during the day.

Hadrian was afraid if the guards found him, they would make him go back. He didn't want that. So he made sure they never saw him as a boy.

"Now Lord Hadrian! Pray, please attend me!" Queen Anne scolded lightly.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Hadrian said politely. The first thing he learned was how to address this particular regal spirit and several others. Her Majesty constantly chided him, "Manners are very important and must be adhered to at all times. It is what separates well bred folk from the commoners."

Thor thought that statement funny and Hadrian was polite enough not to share Thor's thoughts.

0O0o0o0

There was something going on within the Tower compound. All the Yeoman Warders and Ravenmasters could feel it. The spirits were hiding something. They were too quiet. The usual hauntings weren't happening. It was as if they were focusing on something outside their normal areas. It was starting to put people on edge.

However as the days grew more brisk with Autumn's arrival, everyone that lived and worked at the Tower turned their thoughts to the Queen Elizabeth's annual visit. The day varied from year to year but she did come to inspect the Tower's defenses as was her duty. So everything needed to be polished, painted, and/or repaired for her arrival.

The rookery was given a thorough cleaning and the birds doubly inspected. Even the ghosts were on edge.

The night before Her Majesty was due, Hadrian was asking Queen Anne about her.

"How can there be two queens? Aren't you a Queen as well?"

Queen Anne laughed. "Oh no, child. Queen Elizabeth the Second is very much alive."

"Oh. . . " Hadrian said, sliding closer. "What is she like?"

"Oh Hadrian. How shall I put it to you?" Her Majesty said thoughtfully. "A queen has so many responsibilities thrust upon her royal shoulders. So a good queen and yes, my royal cousin is a very good queen, must be everything a good mother should be."

"I wouldn't know what a mother is suppose to be like. Do you think she'll be a good mother to me?"

"Oh my Lord Hadrian. She would be the very best mother." Queen Anne leaned over and touched the young lad on top of his head as she smiled. "Any good mother would love such a sweet child."

"Hadrian! Hadrian! A guard cometh thy way! Hide!" came Richard's voice.

As the guard strolled past he thought he saw one of the ghost princes flicker at the side of his vision, but he wasn't sure. Shaking his head, he continued on his patrol. Ignoring the echos of giggling whispers on the night air.

0O0o0o0

The day finally arrived. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, was due at any moment. The Yeoman Warders and Ravenmasters, all in their best formal uniforms, lined up for inspection.

The ravens were roaming the greens as was their wont. Even Scrapper was enjoying the bright autumn sunshine.

The Tower was closed to the public for the day for the Queen's inspection. Everyone waited with bated breath as the Queen's motorcade pulled up to the Gate.

Her Majesty stepped out, dressed not as a queen from medieval times, but rather looking like an elegantly dressed elderly lady. Her clothing was prim and proper with a quaint pillbox hat with a wisp of netting perched comfortably on her grey hair. She looked for all the world like someone's favorite grandmother.

After the Yeoman Warders formed up on either side of the walkway, she, along with her husband and her retainers, entered the Tower.

Scrapper watched all this with nervous anticipation. He watched as the Queen was escorted across the Tower Greens with a wreath to be placed on the front of the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula's doors.

'Elizabeth. Queen. . . Mother. . .Mum?' These words echoed in Hadrian's thoughts. 'Was it possible?'

Last night as he fell asleep he could hear the Dark Lady whispering in his mind. She told him that he was her beloved child and that he should follow where his heart led him.

"Your Majesty, if I may?" said the Ravenmaster, catching the lady's attention as she fixed the wreath to the chapel doors. She was by herself at the moment. The rest of her party waited to one side until it was time to the inspect the Crown Jewels. "If you look over to your left Madam, you will see the newest addition to the Tower. I believe you've seen the reports?"

They were all looking at him! The guards, the yeomen and the elderly lady. This is it! Here was his chance for a mother. The Lady said to follow his heart.

"So this is young Scrapper," Her Majesty said, stepping closer to peer at the fledgling raven.

"Careful, Your Majesty, Ravens are a very unpredictable lot."

"Yes. Yes. I understand," she said, stopping.

'No! . . No! Come closer!' Scrapper squawked.

"A very handsome fellow, Ravenmaster," she said, turning away.

'Wait! Don't. . .' . . ."go!" the squawk changed to the voice of a very young, very naked child.

Gasps and muted curses echoed across the greens as many of the guards drew their weapons. The queen was pushed back at the sudden appearance of the strange child.

"Don't go! I want me a mum! Please don't go!" Scrapper called out as tears started to fall. "Iff'n it please your Majesty?"

"Blimey! It's a kid!" said one of the guards.

"He's got no clothes on! Where did he pop from?"

"Bring that child to me," commanded Her Majesty. "It is clear to me, that he isn't a threat in his condition."

"Do you think that is wise, beggin' your Majesty's pardon? It could be a trap?"

"Stuff and nonsense." She sat on a stone bench just off the green, one favored by many tourists. "Anyone can see that child isn't a threat. Just where would he hide anything?"

The child was brought in front of Her Majesty. At least he remembered his lesson from Queen Anne as he went down on his dirty knees. He bowed his head waiting to
be recognized.

"And what is your name child?" Her Majesty asked kindly. "You may look at me." She stated quietly with a puzzled look.

"Uhm. . . It depends, if it please your Majesty. When I am a bird, I'm called Scrapper. When I'm a boy, it's Hadrian and before I came here, I was Freak, but I am told that wasn't a proper name."

"I see. And tell me, Hadrian. Do you know how you got here?"

Hadrian thought for a moment. "I remember a lot of pain and I was hungry. Then I remember being warm and fed. Huge hands took care of me and fed me. Then I went with Thor and Hardey. They take real good care of me. Then the Lady came. She gave me this necklace and told the glowy people to teach me. Queen Anne says I am very smart. Oh! I wasn't suppose to say that."

"Well I won't tell. Come here child. Aren't you cold?"

"A little, your Majesty. When I'm Scrapper, I don't mind the cold so much."

A man's cough interrupted their little chat. He leaned closer and said something softly in Her Majesty's ear.

"Yes, I quite agree. Bring Lady Thatcher and the Magic Liaison, whoever it is. Lets get to the bottom of this, shall we? And someone bring a blanket for this poor child!"

Hadrian felt something warm drape around him and looked up. It was the ravenmaster that normally took care of him. He smiled up at the man. "I know you. You gave me my name."

Ben McIntyre nodded as he lifted the boy up to cover him better. "That's right, lad."

Hadrian snuggled into the man's arms. "Thank you."

"Don't you have family, Hadrian?" Her Majesty asked.

Hadrian shook his head. "No. Only my aunt 'Tunya and Uncle Ver'on. They don't like me much."

"I see. Well. Do you know where you used to live before coming here?"

Hadrian thought for a moment and shook his head. "I used to live in a cupboard at my Aunt and Uncle's. Queen Anne says that they weren't nice people." He brightened. "I live with Thor and Hardey now. They tell me stories and feed me and keep me warm."

Everyone that was listening to Her Majesty question the boy, chuckled at his shy innocence. They were dismayed at the apparent abuse and neglect that the child was relating. Someone was going to lose more than just their freedom when everything's said and done. Her Majesty had no leniency when it came to mistreatment of a child. The press is going to have a field day with this.

0O0o0o0

Please forgive two old ladies their depiction of the Royal Family. We could never do their private personalities justice, so we tried to stay with the royal presence and hoped for the best.

According to Wikipedia, Margaret Thatcher was PM at the time.

As for Harry's age, he's about 5 but could pass for three. Please note, I wrote this during NaNoWrMo and Frau is just now seeing these chapters. When we write it is like shuffling a deck of cards, I write and she shuffles in her two cents. On this story, we have dealt in a third party to help out. Thanks again Phil! We would send you cookies if we knew your address!

-Until next time. -GF and the Frau