A/N: Request from Nightshade sydneylover 150! If you don't know the myth, look it up! Oh and avoid the drivel about the world's tallest man movie please. 'Shades, I do pay attention to your very appreciated reviews! Words with one of these (*) will be explained after the Ending A/N. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!
DISCLAIMER: No matter how much I wave my wand, I will never own Sev and our favorite green-eyed Wizard. *sobs*
WARNING: Yaoi is an important part of these. Please desist in flaming. Antler and other types of fondling...You've been warned!
-Ryder
P.S. There may be more than one title that gets a continuation; Dragon's Might, Dragon's Might II... etc.
TWH TWH TWH TWH TWH TWH
Harry lunged for the forest as the Wizards on the Hunt for him rode their horses as though the Erl King* himself were chasing them. His antlers knocked away branches and the forest guided him ever-deeper as he fled. Hooves that drummed the ground faded as he leapt over dead trees that were thicker than those from the Forbidden Forest and landed deep in the tunnel that brought him out to the perfect clearing; a herd of Daicorn and Unicorns frequented the meadow and purified it annually.
Greetings, young Cerennos! It was Phillip the Unicorn stallion who greeted him this time instead of Midori the Daicorn.
"Hey. Wizards this time around."
Will they never learn? The black hind is not for their entertainment. You balance out the white hind, who protects this great Forest and is it's very strength. Compassion and kindness are your forte...
"Wizards aren't known for their smarts, Phil. I wasn't either when I first dropped down the tunnel..."
-FLASHBACK-
He'd been running for days from Death Eaters who wanted to avenge Voldemort's death. Falling suddenly, he sprained his ankle as he didn't catch himself in time. He limped out to the moonlit field and lay there gasping for breath. A voice sounded off to his left.
A young Wizard?
Nay, that is a Cerennos in the making, Phillip. Look at how his body is formed. Harry knew he was sleek and fit, even after being on the run for so long.
"Cerennos? What in Circe's name is that?" he rasped aloud after panting for a few more minutes.
He swears by our beloved Goddess! Welcome, young Cerennos, to Sherwood Forest.
-END FLASHBACK-
He'd eventually grown the pitch-black antlers and the shaggy hind-quarters of a very large stag. Harry was particularly fond of his tail. Speaking to the ram-horned snakes had been his best moment in the Forest. They spoke with him and shared news of the forest as well as anything else he'd inquired about.
*Foresst Lord, we bring newss of the white hind. He iss currently leading the Wizardss away and having a difficult time of doing sso the farther from the Foresst he getss... Will you help him?*
"I will. Show me the way."
He called upon the Forest's Olde Magik, chanting as he traced Runes in the air, running to the white hind's aid. After a brief bow, the Forest was at his command. Vines tugged on clothing as the forest came alive causing men to be unseated or stolen from their horses entirely as Harry wreaked havoc amongst the Wizards.
"Leave Sherwood! You are not welcome here Kin of Merlin! Long have you forsaken your vows of Olden Times..." he thundered as he scooped the white hind up and to safety with the thick vines. "Your ancestors would be shamed; be glad you have not awoken the True Forest Lord!" The trees creaked and the wind howled as it herded the malicious Kin of Merlin from the Great Forest.
Harry gasped as the white hind shifted forms into a Cerennos also of dark coloring. Bruises and cuts showed where the Wizards had cruelly aimed their curses & jinxes. "Foolish men... I shall Heal you as best I can."
"Nngh... I must be dead or hearing things. Potter's been missing for more than a decade? Perhaps two, considering time here does not-Ouch! It is you!" Harry's jaw dropped and he squeaked as the larger
Cerennos sat up. Onyx eyes roved over him seeming to check for injuries, finding his new form a surprise. "Potter?"
"Snape." he said evenly, not at all disturbed by the once over.
"Care to tell me what you're doing here?" was said in stereo, one with a sarcastic drawl, the other in curiosity.
Harry recovered first, drawing on Earth Magik as he Healed the various wounds. "By the way, it's Harry to you."
-PoV-
"Hmph. What has earned me that dubious honor?"
"You're the white hind." came the careless reply. "If you protect the Forest, who protects you?" Severus was surprised at the response and hummed softly as genteel Earth Magik washed over him in a Healing Wave.
"You Healed me."
"So? Cerennos hold no grudge, especially against another. That was a lifetime ago. Might I call you by your first name?" Gentle green eyes looked at him with interest, tracing over his pure white antlers that spread across nearly a meter in distance and curled in odd places. He hated his antlers; they reminded him too much of his past. A hesitant hand reached for them and he allowed it, curious to see whether or not the Potter brat would hurt him. The touch was damned erotic! Slender fingers ghosted over each dip and curve in the vibrant white of his antlers.
"Oh, gods, yes..." he managed breathlessly, cursing the sensitivity as well as his reaction.
"That turns you on?" The shocked tone had him nearly sneering.
"Let me try on you, see how you react." he countered snarkily after Potter had stopped stroking. He stretched out a hand slowly, smoothing his fingertips along the pitch-black antlers, surprised to find that the coloring was natural. Green eyes glazed over and rolled up as the brat let out a moan that sounded way too sexy.
"Holy Circe... That's ridiculously erotic..."
"Agreed." he murmured as the tingling down his spine ceased.
This field is Pure for a reason, Cerennos.
"Sorry, Midori." the blush on the brat's face probably matched his own at being caught by the Daicorn stallion.
Something you are most definitely not, Ebony Hind. The field suddenly glowed with a soft silver light.
Cerennos are exempt from your ways and you know it, Stallion Midori. Purity is not only of the body, but of the heart and mind as well as soul. Circe's voice had Severus closing his eyes. You, my Princeling, are pure; these woods would no longer be your home if that were the case. Ah, our latest guest! Hello, Prongslet. Shelter and warmth may always be found here in my home.
"Thank you." the brat's voice cracked, a deep underlying grief on the surface.
The Dogstar and Wolf will be reborn. Prongs and Lily are quite pleased with the way you've turned out. Be ready for fawns come Spring, little one.
-PoV-
Harry sighed quietly as Circe faded back into her own Realm. Midori looked suitably shamed, the stallion shuffling from hoof to hoof miserably.
"Apology accepted." he giggled, unable to help himself as the stallion fled.
"Clearly you need help, Potter."
"Mmm-mmmm; my name's Harry, not Potter. Severus, right?" A scowl darkened Severus's face but onyx eyes scrutinized him again, their depths unfathomable.
"Very well... Harry. Care to tell me how Sherwood accepted you into the fold?"
-Two Months Later-
Harry lolled in the wide field in front of Sherwood, his antlers cradled gently in Severus's lap, his head on a well-formed thigh as they sat in comfortable silence. Horns broke them of their revere, both of them up and dashing for the Forest before the second note of the hunting call had come forth. Panting heavily in the Purified clearing they stared at each other for a moment and then laughed until they cried.
"Hey, do you think they'll give up if they see us in a Mating Lock?" he asked casually, glancing over his shoulder to see Severus lightly brushing his tail with his (Severus's) fingers.
"I doubt it." the other Cerennos drawled, eyes widening as they heard hoof beats. The Unicorns nor the Daicorns made such noise while running. "Run." Their hooves drummed against the ground as they were chased once more, only to be shielded by Circe Herself; the light coalescing into a silvery woman that stopped the oncoming rider with a single motion of her hand.
Cease, Erl King! They are mine.
"They ran before the Hunt." the monotone was chilling in its single-minded intensity.
Living or dead, any being would run! Cease this at once. The Aesir will be displeased if I have to contain you again.
"Yes, Milady. I apologize."
Harry chuckled softly, his legs still trembling as the Hellhounds sat obediently, aware that his hand was in Severus's. My favored Cerennos! It is good to see you again, though not under these conditions. How are you?
"As well as we can be... What with running from two Hunts in one day and less than an hour apart." he murmured shrugging his shoulders when the Erl King stared at him with bewildered crimson eyes.
"Master of Death. You failed to mention I was chasing Master..." Wide silver eyes looked at him in open astonishment. He turned to Severus to see the taller male merely raise an ebony eyebrow.
"Another thing to add to the inane titles you hold. Pray tell, how is this supposed to amaze me?" Harry giggled, glad to know his constant hadn't changed much. "I fail to see the humor. You have more titles than Albus on a good day."
You make light of an important title, my Princeling.
"He's been stared at and pointed out as different. As I said, what is supposed to amaze me?"
"Master, what are you doing here?" He sighed, closed his eyes and organized his thoughts. "My question..."
"Is perfectly alright, Ciran." He hummed, giving his signature lazy grin. "It's a long story."
-FLASHBACK-
Voldemort's body landed with a thud, Harry tearing out of the Great Hall as if chased by the spirit of the one he'd killed. He Summoned his broom to him mounting it to increase his speed. Jumping off the broom, he bashed open the front of the Shrieking Shack with a wandless spell, cradling his barely-breathing Potions Master.
"You bastard... I'm not giving you permission to die just yet!"
"P-Pott-ter! Get o-out..." the man rasped, breath coming out in gurgles & whistles. Harry huffed and repaired the wounded area with a wave of his hand.
"No. You deserve to live. My Mum wouldn't let me hear the end of it if I let you past my grasp."
"Potter, what nonsense are y-ou blathering about? I'm dead."
"Like I said, I get to decide. Ever heard of the Master of Death?" Onyx eyes had widened impossibly, a gasp leaving the man's mouth.
-END FLASHBACK-
He explained the rest to his captive supernatural audience; how he'd Called to Death, the Erl King's brother, and asked him a favor. In return for releasing Ciran from the geas that held him bound to only hunt for a Dark Witch named Resari he'd gotten Severus's soul.
Choosing to return it was the best decision he'd made in a while. Not only was the Potter Life-Debt cancelled entirely, Harry wouldn't hear of Severus owing him anything. Soon after, the Potions Master had fled to Sherwood leaving no note of where he'd gone. Harry'd lasted about three years before his mind had been made up to leave the Wizarding World. He'd frozen all of his assets allowing the goblins to make profit where they may so long as he got a share in return. Occasional forays into the Magical world had resulted in him being a very rich Cerennos.
-PoV-
Severus smiled as both his Goddess and the Erl King left with a small bit of confusion in their eyes. Harry hadn't explained that all he'd wanted from Severus was a relationship, a relationship he'd feared would not work as Harry was nearly two decades younger. Merlin had Harry proved him wrong, he thought drowsily as he rested his head on Harry's shoulder and listening to a soft lullaby.
"You must go where I cannot
Pangur Bàn Pangur Bàn
Nil sa saol seo ach ceo
Is ni bheimid beo
Ach seal beag gearr..."
Ending A/N: Hmm, not sure about this one, but you guys seem to love the ones I hate... Oh well. There, happy now 'Shades? Hope this was the correct Wild Hunt! As always, folks, ASK ME FOR DRABBLES! Whoever can guess FIRST where the 'lullaby' is from get their own story!
Erl King- Figure in Norse Mythology known for being the main leader in the Wild Hunt, using hellhounds and chasing the souls of those lost in the Nine Realms. Usually has a Horn to Summon said hounds before beginning the chase.