Chapter 5

Harry stared at Argante and Lugh. Lugh smiled hesitantly.

"Hello son," he said softly. "I've waited centuries to meet you."

Harry swallowed thickly. "Dad," he said staring into Lugh's blue eyes. "I… I don't know what to say."

Lugh chuckled. "That makes two of us." He turned to Argante. "I don't blame you for taking him away. I just wish you'd told me where you were. I… err… guess tradition needs to be broken sometimes. I want you to know that I only had his best interests in mind."

Argante nodded stiffly. "Fostering might have worked in the old days, but he is my son to, and I am not letting another woman be his mother."

"You allowed Siobhan to be his mother for over a year. They never would've given him up if I hadn't cast that amplification spell on James."

"You what?" Harry asked.

"James was wary of you after you defeated Voldemort," Lugh explained. "I cast a spell to amplify that wariness into outright fear."

"Why would you do that?" Argante asked.

"You wanted our boy back. Had you stolen him from the Potters, you never would've been able to be free. This way, you got Harry back and you were able to live in the wizarding world without being hunted."

Argante swallowed. "Thank you. What do you want as payment."

Lugh winced. "I want nothing from you. I just want to spend time with my son and maybe reconnect with you."

Argante shook her head. "No. I have no problem with you getting to know Harry, you are his father after all." she shook her head again. "We will never be a couple again. Dad arranged our marriage to protect me from what was left of Mordred's forces after the fall of Camelot. I made it perfectly clear that I didn't like being a third wife. Trying to send Harry away was the final straw. If I marry, I want it to be a monogamous marriage, not a polyamorous one. That may work for some people, but it won't work for me."

Lugh looked away. "I love my wives and it's not fair for you to force me to choose you over them."

"I'm not making you choose," Argante said patiently, "but I don't have to stay in a relationship where I have to share my husband."

Lugh nodded. "Fair enough." He turned to Harry. "Can we talk later? I want to know what you like and don't like. I want to know about your training."

"We'll talk this evening," Harry said. "Is after dinner alright?"

Lugh grinned. "That's fine. I'll see you then."

As Lugh left, Argante touched Harry's chest with her fingers. Harry winced as the wounds healed with a stinging sensation.

"Thanks," Harry said.

Argante smiled. "Any time."

"So, what are we gonna do now."

Argante straightened. "I think it's time you met your great Grandfather, but first, we're gonna go and find Merlin."

**ACC**

Lugh entered Dumbledore's office and sat down across from the old man. He took a moment to look around.

The old man really liked his little trinkets. As old as he was, Lugh had no idea what all the whirling instruments cramming the tables around the office did. He glanced at the back wall and smiled at all the bookshelves. The books were something he was much more comfortable with. Finally, he turned to the old man.

He winced when he saw that Dumbledore had been watching him, his blue eyes twinkling brightly behind his half-moon spectacles. "You called for me, Headmaster?"

"The wards made me aware of a sylph in the castle. The students are a bit shook up and we can't find the sylph."

Lugh pulled the stone sphere from his pocket. He held up the slightly vibrating sphere. "It's in here."

"I see," Dumbledore said. "How long will that hold?"

"A few hours. By then, I hope to find out why she was here in the first place."

Dumbledore nodded. "How do you intend to get the information out of the sylph."

Lugh leaned back in his chair. "Whatever it takes. That little blighter harmed my son and I want to know why."

Dumbledore gave Lugh a hard look. "I cannot approve of this."

"You don't have to."

Quick as a flash, Dumbledore drew his wand and vanished the stone around the sylph. As they watched, the sylph pulled the silver needle from her head with a wet ripping sound and glared at Lugh.

"Thou shalt pay for what thy hast done to me, son of Cian."

Lugh didn't look at Dumbledore. He kept his eyes fixed on the sylph. "Albus's soft heart has freed you. I won't kill you if you leave now and give me an oath that you will never return to harm those I care about."

The sylph sneered. "Doth, thou take me for a fool? Such a broad promise would surely cause me naught but grief. Go ahead and kill me. My mistress will have thy head mounted on her wall."

A long spear appeared in Lugh's hands. The iron blade glowed with a bright golden light. "I think you'll find it far harder to end me than you think. I have been merciful, but I shall not remain so unless you give me your word."

Before the sylph could say anything, she vanished in a flash of flame.

"Is it dead?" Dumbledore asked.

"No," Lugh said through gritted teeth. "That was a teleportation spell. Someone rescued her. Why the bloody hell did you free her?"

"I despise violence," Dumbledore said. "However, I do recognize the need for killing to protect oneself or those one loves. I cannot condone torture and will not allow it in Hogwarts."

"She tried to murder my son."

Dumbledore's hand tightened on the handle of his wand. "I understand that, but Severus has truth potions we can use. There is also legilimancy and compulsion spells if it becomes necessary."

Lugh scoffed. "So, you're okay with mind rape, so long as the person is not physically harmed. How noble of you."

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, still gripping his wand. "No method of questioning an enemy is perfect as you well know. We used such tactics in the war. It may be… invasive, but a person can recover from an invasion of the mind far easier than they can from physical injuries."

"Mental trauma can be far more damaging than physical injuries," Lugh growled. "I would take no pleasure in torturing the sylph, but if it got me the information, I needed to protect my son then I'll do whatever it takes."

"We could have changed the sylph's memory to erase any trauma caused by her questioning. Physical wounds would no doubt leave scars and could cause animosity with whoever sent her."

"We are gonna have to agree to disagree," Lugh said. "You have placed my son in terrible danger, headmaster. Had you waited, I could have perhaps extracted a promise that she wouldn't return. As it is, she could return and target any student. I hope that is not the case." Standing, Lugh left the office without another word.

Dumbledore watched the fae leave with a frown on his face. Lugh had never struck him as the blood thirsty type of fae, but then again, his son had never been threatened before. Had he acted too hastily? He rubbed his face tiredly. Just when he'd hoped the war was finally over, something happened to reignite his fears.

Could this be a plot by Tom? He knew that Voldemort had several of the Unseelie fae on his side in the war, but Tom didn't have a body at the moment. Had that changed? Had Voldemort returned without him being aware of it? He sighed.

He glanced over at his phoenix. It was time to re-establish some old contacts. He needed more information. Tom wasn't the only one with contacts among the magical creatures.

**ACC**

"Why does he live here?" Harry asked as they approached a small cave.

Argante shrugged. "Search me. He loves this place. After Nimue trapped him in that tower, I'd have thought that he wouldn't like confined places anymore."

As they approached the cave, they heard loud snoring coming from inside. Ducking their heads, they stepped through the low entrance and into Merlin's home.

"Wow," Harry breathed.

The cave was obviously larger on the inside than it appeared. They stood in a large open room. The stone floor was covered in thick rugs. A large TV hung on one wall. A sofa was against the opposite wall. Merlin lounged on the sofa, his black robe open to reveal a bare chest. Seeing Harry and Argante, he straightened.

"Hey guys," he said hurriedly closing his robe. "I didn't expect you to drop by." He grinned at Harry. "How's Hogwarts?"

Harry blinked. "Err… fine," he said slowly.

"Good," Merlin said. "That's good listen…" he was interrupted when a scaled feminine hand reached over the sofa and ran through his hair. A soft smoky voice spoke.

"Merlin, are you coming back to bed, darling?"

Merlin blushed. "Um… in a moment… honeybun."

"Honeybun?" Harry mouthed at Argante.

"Darling?" Argante mouthed back.

"Um… Dad… we need your help."

The scaled hand was running down Merlin's chest and Merlin was beginning to squirm.

"Um… can it wait? I'm kind of busy at the moment," The last sentence was said in a near squeak as the scaled hand began tugging at his robe.

"Lugh is back. I think it's time Harry met Grandfather."

Merlin winced. "Must we go see him? You know I'm the black sheep at the Seelie court. Tatiana never forgave Auberon for sleeping with my mother."

"Dad please," Argante said. "Harry was attacked by a sylph earlier and I want to introduce him to his extended family in case it becomes necessary for him to stay with them."

Merlin stood. Just like that, he wore a t-shirt, blue jeans, and cowboy boots. "Come on," he grumbled. He turned in the direction where the scaled hand came from.

"I'll be back in a bit luv."

"Hurry back," the smoky voice crooned. "I get lonely without you, and you still have to fertilize my eggs."

Blushing, Merlin led the way deeper into the cave. As they walked, Harry stared at the back of Merlin's head.

"So, you've got a girldragon? Dragonfriend?"

"Lizard with benefits," Argante quipped.

"Shut it," Merlin snapped.

"I'm surprised you used the magic required to give her a human form," Argante said. "That must have knocked you out for days."

"We tried it in dragon form," Merlin grumbled. "We… wanted to try something new."

"I see," Argante said. Before they could say anything else, Merlin stopped in front of a ring of mushrooms growing out of a crack in the stone floor.

Waving his hand, the air over the mushrooms shimmered.

"Come on," Merlin said. "Let's get this over with."

Merlin stepped into the circle of mushrooms. Harry and Argante followed.

**ACC**

Harry stared at the tunnel's earthen walls as he walked. A worm poked it's head out of the wall before retreating back into the earth. The tunnel sloped upward steeply. A dim light lit their way as they climbed.

"Duck," Argante said.

Harry ducked his head as they passed through a small opening. He blinked in bright daylight. The sounds of birds chirping caused him to look around.

"Woe," he whispered. Tall green grass waved in the wind. The sky was a forget-me-not blue. Trees full of apples, oranges, and pares were everywhere. The fruit was ripe, swollen, and ready to be picked. All the colors were brighter, and each smell was sharper than anything he'd experienced before. It was as if he were waking up from a long sleep. Harry could feel himself relaxing. Even though he'd never been here, this place felt like home.

"Welcome home," Argante said.

As Harry turned to face her, he jumped in surprise.

Argante chuckled. "We all look a bit different when we are home. Some people have a different eye color. Some are a bit shorter, and some don't change at all. Me…" she spread her hands.

"You're a good six inches taller and your face is different. Your nose is a bit hooked, and your skin is paler."

"You're taller to," Argante said smiling slightly.

"I am?" Harry asked, looking around. He started again as he noticed he had no shadow.

"Mum, I don't have a shadow."

"No one does here," Merlin said speaking for the first time. "The sun is different here. Look up."

Harry looked up and saw a yellow sun high in the sky. There was something… different about the sun here.

"As the day goes on, you'll notice that the sun won't move," Argante said. "It's just there."

"That's weird," Harry said. "So, the earth isn't spinning? Everything is just stationery?"

Merlin shrugged. "No idea. Physics, weather, day, night, all of that is just here. The sun will dim as night comes, like someone is turning down the lights and will then grow brighter as day approaches again. We don't know much more about our world than the humans do about theirs."

"Is everywhere like this?"

Argante shook her head. "Different regions have different environments. Avalon and Annwn have conditions like that of earth. Everyone has a shadow, the sun moves, and there are even seasons." she gestured around them. "These are Seelie lands. Long days and short nights. The sun won't go down until about nine tonight and it'll begin coming up around five in the morning."

Argante began walking Harry and Merlin following. As they walked, Harry continued to look around. "So, why are things like this? Why don't we have a shadow here, but we do in other places?"

Argante shook her head. "How did humans come to be? How is the earth able to support life? Fact is that humans are on earth, and it does support life. Elfame is just Elfame. It is the way it is. Different places on earth have different climates and conditions. Here is no different."

Harry glanced up at the sky. "It's like someone took a picture of a sunny day and brought it to life."

Argante shrugged. "A good description. The fae are old. Some of our races even predate humanity. We live a long time, but we're… incurious where our world is concerned. How it got here and why it is the way it is are questions we don't worry about. Sure, we no our histories and we try and learn from the past, but we just aren't that concerned about why the sun doesn't move or why we don't have a shadow in certain places. Magic is as good an explanation as any."

Harry nodded. "I feel stronger here. It's like there is more magic to draw on."

"This place is magic given form and substance," Merlin said. Your body will constantly absorb magic while you're here. You'll get use to it."

"So, where are we going?" Harry asked.

"The Seelie court," Argante said.

**ACC**

As they approached a dirt road, Argante whistled sharply. A wooden carriage appeared out of nowhere, stopping right in front of them. Harry blinked at the carriage.

The carriage was made of a dark wood with bronze and brass fittings. A silver lantern hung from the front of the carriage to light the way of the driver. The wheels resembled the tires that would go on a moderately sized car. The door swung open in clear invitation. Harry, Merlin, and Argante climbed inside and sat down.

The inside of the carriage smelled of leather and freshly cut grass. Harry leaned back in the soft leather seat and relaxed. Once they were all inside, the carriage began to move. Turning Harry looked out the opening that served as a window and watched the scenery glide by.

Several other carriages passed on the road. Harry noticed that none of the carriages were pulled by anything.

"What is pulling the carriage?" Harry asked.

"Poltergeist," Merlin said. "They get paid a fair amount to pull the carriages and no one tries anything stupid while we're in the carriage. You never hear about a carriage getting robbed."

"Why?"

"Because most people like their houses to be standing and not pull down with them in it."

"Are Poltergeist fae?"

"More things than fae live in Elfame and the surrounding realms. Even with the gates open, most magical creatures and beings wanted peace and not to be persecuted or to be drawn into humans conflicts."

Before they could continue their conversation, the carriage stopped in front of a set of massive silver gates. Beyond the gates, Harry could see what looked like a large hotel.

As they climbed out of the carriage, Merlin dropped a handful of strange golden coins on the seat. "Thank you," he said to the air. "A pleasant ride as always. May your family be safe and prosper. I shall recommend the silver Lamp carriage service to my friends and family."

A feeling of happiness filled the air and the carriage sped off. "What was that?" Harry asked.

"Gold is not the only currency in the fae realms. A person can also be paid with a time of service, land, food, tools, gold and silver, or anything someone might need. It really depends on the type of fae you're dealing with. Think of it like a barter system. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. To use the poltergeists as an example, I paid with gold, and I am honor bound to tell people about that particular carriage service."

"What happens if you don't?"

"They'll bury me alive in my cave."

"Right," Harry said slowly. "Don't get on the wrong side of a poltergeist got it. What is this place?" He jerked his head at the hotel. "Is this where we're staying?"

"This is the Seelie court," Argante said.

Harry opened his mouth to say it didn't look much like a castle but thought better of it. He followed Argante as they approached a pair of pure silver gates etched with runes and sigils. The gates swung open on silent hinges. Harry and Argante stepped through, but before Merlin could follow, the gates started to swing shut.

Merlin cleared his throat. "The queen may not like it, but I am still a prince of this court and I have every right to visit my father."

The gates stopped just before closing and slowly opened wide again. Merlin stepped inside and the gates slammed shut.

Harry looked around. A large courtyard stretched before them. The grass was freshly cut, and several flowerbeds lined either side of a stone path to a pair of enormous oak doors. What had been a hotel was now a large castle at least three times the size of Hogwarts.

"It looks different from the outside."

"It's part of the defense," Merlin explained. "The glamour is even strong enough to fool most fae. Everyone looks for a castle , but no one expects it when you pull up in front of a hotel. Only those that the king or queen allow can get through the gates."

As they approached the castle, Harry noticed the guards in leather armer standing beside a pair of heavy oak doors. Harry stiffened as the guards dropped their hands to the hilts of their swords.

"Twitchy," he muttered to Argante.

"The fae haven't forgotten how to defend themselves, from each other or mortals."

"Wouldn't it be best to have the technology that mundane folk have and combine it with magic?"

"The fae have created certain magical technology. We've perfected prosthetics, weaponry, and we even have a form of computers. We never really worried about mimicking the combustion engine, not when we can create portals and transmute horses that can run faster than any mortal car."

"Wy not study human advancements? You may learn something."

"We do study them, if for no other reason than to know thy enemy. We don't want war, but we won't allow magic to be destroyed either. If the mortals find out about us, we'll be ready."

Harry ignored that last statement. His past life had shown him that the statute of secrecy existed for a reason and some things were better left hidden. Instead, he focused on Merlin's statement about Elfame not being safe. "Elfame isn't safe even in the courts?"

"Especially not in the courts."

Before they could continue talking a man appeared in front of them. He nodded to Merlin before smiling widely at Argante.

"It's been a while," he said. "What brings you here?"

Merlin nodded back a bit stiffly. "Father," he said. "Argante wanted you to meet your great grandson."

The man turned to Harry and his grin widened. Harry noticed that the stranger had disturbingly sharp teeth. His golden eyes had no iris or pupil. He held out one pale glowing hand.

"Welcome to the Seelie court, Grandson. I grant you safe passage here. May you come to no harm during your stay."

"Thank you," Harry said slowly. "Um, who are you?"

The man laughed heartily. "I am King Auberon, king of the Seelie court." He brushed his bright blue hair out of his face with one long fingered hand. "Merlin hasn't spoken of me, has he?"

"Um, no," Harry said in a small voice.

Auberon shrugged. "I made some mistakes. The boy has every right to be bitter. I would be to if I were him."

"So nice to have your permission," Merlin said quietly.

Auberon ignored him. "Come on, I met you here so you wouldn't have to go through the guards. Let's get you inside."

As they started to move, a tall woman with long blond hair stepped out of the castle. Her long white gown blew out behind her, and her high heeled shoes sounded like horses hooves on the stone path as she walked. Seeing the trio with Auberon, she stomped towards them.

"What are they doing here?" she said, her blue eyes flashing with rage. Her voice was soft and scratchy, like a razor blade on velvet.

"Tatiana," Auberon said. "This is Harry, my great grandson."

"We have a legitimate granddaughter. why would you want to know your mistakes?"

Auberon's golden eyes flashed. "Arlais was a good woman. She was the sweetest person I ever met. My relationship with her was not a mistake and neither was Merlin."

Tatiana's eyes narrowed. "You want him to be the next king of the Seelie court," she hissed. "You want to cut Autumn out."

"I and Merlin have both assured you that he has no interest in ruling the Seelie court."

"And yet he married a fae, had a daughter, and now he has a grandson who is also fae."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Harry asked. He flinched when Tatiana turned her glare on him.

"Don't be a fool. Everyone knows that half-blooded fae can't inherit the thrown unless they marry a pure-blood fae. That bastard," she gestured to Merlin, "now has a greater claim to the thrown than my daughter."

"A claim I have said repeatedly I do not want," Merlin said stiffly. "I'm happy in the mortal world. I have my daughter and my grandson. The only way my life could be better would be if Cliodhna was alive."

"You would say that wouldn't you," Tatiana said acidly, "but we all know humans lie, don't we?"

"Do I need to remind you of your own mother?" Merlin asked pleasantly. "If memory serves, she was a lowly housekeeper when Dagda found her wasn't she?"

Tatiana's hands sparked with power as she clenched them into fists at her sides. "How dare you," she shrieked.

"Enough!" Auberon boomed, his voice echoing across the courtyard.

"I will not be spoken to like that," Tatiana snapped.

"Like what?" Auberon asked his eyes hard. "For too long I allowed you to speak to my son however you wished. Arlais died when he was young. You could've stepped up and been the boys mother. Instead, you belittled and verbally abused him every chance you got. For my shame, I allowed it to keep the peace between us. Merlin has not insulted you. He just said your mother was human. Is that not the truth?"

Tatiana was silent, merely glaring at Auberon.

"Furthermore," Auberon continued. "It was you that arranged the marriage between Autumn and Philip, a human. If our daughter inheriting the thrown was so important to you, you should have arranged for her to wed a fae."

"You know why I did that," Tatiana spluttered.

"I do," Auberon agreed calmly. "I also know that you only had her best interests at heart. Autumn will inherit the throne. Merlin has said that he doesn't want it and I shall not force it on him after everything he has suffered." Auberon's voice turned stern.

"Having said all that, Harry, Argante, and Merlin are my family as much as Autumn. I'm not gonna ask you to treat them like you would treat our daughter, but you will show them the courtesy that all guests of the Seelie court receive. Is that clear?"

"Crystal," Tatiana said icily before turning away. She stalked back towards the castle. Auberon watched her go before turning back to the trio.

He forced a smile. "I'm sorry about my wife. Come with me, we'll get you settled in."

"I just wanted to introduce Harry to his extended family," Argante said slowly. "If we're not welcome here…"

"No," Auberon said. "This has been a long time coming. Come with me, I want to hear everything I've missed. I haven't seen either of you in centuries."

As they followed Auberon towards the castle, Harry wondered just what he'd gotten himself into."

A/N Made some slight changes and corrections. Please read and review.