In The Hall Of The Mountain King
Disclaimer: SEE FIRST CHAPTER
Review Answers:
Mark Andrew: Yes, and he'll probably count up all the enemies he defeats too, aiming to beat a human – actually, I can just imagine him and Sirius doing that, so thanks for the laugh;
Corvus M Black: Then here you are: sorry for how short it is, but it does have some more revelations, including some new characters;
Jostanos: Well get ready for a real mixed bag of portrayals;
WhiteElfElder: Truer words were never spoken…though not yet;
"O…kay…" said Harry, looking from the prostrated Kyjin to his mentor and companion as he swallowed nervously, "Um…Filius? I think I'm about ready for that explanation now, if it's not too much trouble?"
"I thought you would be, Harry," chuckled Filius, looking from his confused comrade to the still-kneeling dwarf before them.
"I trust the Council Halls are available to His Majesty now, Guardian Kyjin?"
Chapter 3: The Halls At The Top Of The World
The Council Halls, also known as the Halls of Katharya, were easily the largest set of halls Harry had ever set his eyes on, and that included the size of the Great Hall of Hogwarts and the Chamber of Secrets.
Admittedly, he wondered why they were called halls, when they were one giant chamber, with doors leading off of to all sides, like a rotunda in an old library or museum. The Main Hall was also occupied by a ring-shaped table that appeared to be made from obsidian, with many chairs gathered around it, as well as, to Harry's surprise, a raised platform at one side, above which, he could see a large, red-and-black throne with jewels in its armrests, as well as a pure, silver engraving of what Harry somehow recognised as the Norse Mythological Tree of Worlds, Yggdrasil.
As he stared up at the throne, Harry gulped hard as he asked, "Um…is…is that…"
"Your throne, Majesty," rumbled Kyjin, thumping his heart with his left hand three times before bowing to said throne; as Filius repeated the gesture, Harry gulped hard, suddenly feeling like he was in less of a strangely-named hall and more in a court seated before a High Judge.
At the same time, as he went to mirror Kyjin and Filius in their gestures, his Professor and companion quickly stopped him as he explained, "No, Harry; as King yourself, you are the only one who gets away with not saluting your throne…for obvious reasons, really. However, when a Dwarf enters the Halls of Katharya, they are bound by oath and honour to show due homage to the Seat of the King of Fire, otherwise they can be declared a traitor and, if it is the King's Command, they can and will be put to death!"
Harry's eyes widened as he heard that last part.
Kyjin, meanwhile, turned away from the throne before he explained, "However, my King; in order to take your place upon the Throne of Flames and Forges, you must first re-ignite the flames of Nidavellir and allow yourself to be respawned in the flames of those who have come before you and all who may yet follow in your glory."
"Um…didn't I already do that?" asked Harry, a small part of him then noticing how Ginny seemed to stay in the shadows, her expression one of fear as she not only heard all this, but found herself unable to move, speak or act out without the wish of the King, meaning Harry. "When I confronted you, Kyjin, the flames from Gryffindor's Sword ignited in that…um…I'm guessing Meeting Hall or something, am I right?"
"The room where we met and were stood before is the main hallway between the entrance to Nidavellir and its many different levels, chambers and, yes, even the Great Forge itself, Sire," replied Kyjin, before he stood at the head of the table where, to Harry's curiosity, the sturdy-looking dwarf warrior pulled out a single chair, indicating for Harry to apparently take a seat upon it while Kyjin continued filling in the blank for Harry.
"However, while your power did light the fires that illuminated Heimdall's Atrium, as it is also known, it did not light the fires of Nidavellir itself; instead, in order to light the Forge and issue the decree and summons to the Dwarf Clans who remain in the world to this day, you must take your throne and, as you did with me, you must declare both your right to rule, as well as your Regal Name, which is the title that all your Dwarf Soldiers, as well as allies, representatives and servants will know you as, Majesty."
"But I have a name," argued Harry, frowning in curiosity as he fingered the hilt of Godric's Sword. "I even said it when I challenged you, speaking your language when I did, Kyjin."
"And I recognised you and your claim, Sire," agreed Kyjin, watching as Harry finally moved to join him and Filius, taking his seat at the apparent head of the table; this was also the cue for Kyjin and Filius to do the same, while the dwarf guardian continued.
"However, while you told me your birth name and human name, the Regal Name is not one simply given to you, or chosen on a whim; it is a name that will reveal itself to you within the Fire that gives you power, my King. In the past, many of those names had a fiery connection, or something that is linked to Dwarven Legacies long since lost to the knowledge and memories of humans. Why, some years ago, one of your predecessors even earned the mantle of the Thunderer himself, Thor, as well as another whom dubbed themselves Loki…ironic, is it not?"
"And…how do I find my…my Regal Name?" asked Harry.
"Through training, Sire," answered Kyjin, earning a nod from Filius, which only made Harry's discomfort and confusion grow.
"Then I think it'll take a long time, since I can't exactly be both training in dwarf arts and being a student at Hogwarts, where people apparently seem to have their own ideas for who I am, what I can do and what my destiny is supposed to be!"
Filius smirked when Harry glared at the still-shadowed Ginny as he emphasised both of his words – apparently and supposed to be – before the young king looked back to his once-teacher as Filius cleared his throat, "Actually, Harry, if my theory is correct, and if I remember the old tales well enough, I think you'll easily be able to deal with your studies and prepare yourself to become King. Regrettably, going down the path I suspect is coming for you will draw people's attention to you, since you will not only be able to be away from Hogwarts, even if only for a year, but you will also become something far greater than the weak wizard they seem to want you to become."
"And…will you be able to help me with that, Professor?" asked Harry, earning a soft clearing of the throat from Filius, which made Harry blush. "Sorry, I mean…Filius? Are you going to be able to help with my training or are you going to have to go back to Hogwarts, even if only to vouch for whatever I'm going to be learning and becoming through my training?"
"I can vouch for your training, Harry, yes," answered Filius, finally taking his seat on Harry's left while he continued. "As a renowned Master of my Craft, if it is what you decide as an option, I can claim you as my apprentice and have it known that I am giving you private tuition. However, while this is an ideal option, I'm afraid it will leave those who may be your true friends and confidants exposed to those who may want to use them to get to you…such as a certain brilliant young lady whom I imagine is also the straw that broke the camel's back in forcing you to take action and face the Chamber in the first place, am I right?"
Suddenly, Filius stiffened with naught, but intimidation when he saw Harry's hand grip the sword's hilt tightly as a flash of a petrified face, as well as a whisper of said person's faith in him and his skills, crossed his mind.
Flashback Start
"You'll be okay, Harry…you're a great wizard…me? Books and cleverness…there are more important things…friendship…and bravery…"
Flashback End
"Hermione…" whispered Harry, looking up to Ginny, his eyes hardening in their sockets as he growled, "She…she'd be okay…if not for you and your…your nonsense idea of what my life is meant to lead to…Ginevra!"
Ginny flinched, as did Filius, though that could have been because of how he saw embers dance along the sword at Harry's hip as the boy's wrath grew in force as he snarled at his new servant.
"I'm sure she's okay, Harry," said Filius, placing his own hand over Harry's, earning a sharp, sideways glare from Harry, the sight of which had Filius withdrawing his hand as quickly as he'd offered it, only so he could raise them, reminding his charge and future liege-lord he was unarmed as he pressed on. "However, if it will put your mind at ease, we may return to Hogwarts together, since I am also sure you would like to make sure she is going to be all right in your absence and I will need to do what I can to reduce the suspicions and general nosiness of those who are neither meant to, nor should be able to interfere in your ascension."
"I think I should also leave Hedwig in her care and retrieve my possessions," said Harry, moving his now-trembling hand away from Godric's Sword, before he set it on the table. "But are you sure I can get there and away again without anyone being able to stop me? I mean, okay, you see me as a King, Filius, and so does Kyjin, but I think we both know how little your word would mean…what with you being…um…well…"
"Half-human," said Filius, chuckling softly as he patted Harry's arm supportively. "You can say it, Harry; much like another we both knew and whom I loved like a daughter, I know that, when you say it, it is being said in a way that is neither venomous nor with ill intent. You are also correct that my word won't stand for much, if hardly anything at all; however, if my theory is correct, the solution may yet present itself before morning…and I mean morning in British time, not the new dawn that is rapidly approaching here in Nidavellir."
"Meaning we're…where? Australia?" asked Harry, earning a loud, bark-like laugh from Kyjin.
"It is true, I suppose we haven't told you where you are, have we, my Liege?" laughed the guardian, indicating the ceiling high over their heads, as well as the halls around them, his eyes shining with mirth, if not a hint of personal apology at missing the bleeding obvious, as he cleared his throat.
"As you are not aware of it, I'll tell you: Nidavellir is, in point of fact, located within the labyrinthine halls, corridors and enchanted levels found inside the walls, heights and shape of the greatest, and highest, point on the surface of Planet Earth!"
Harry's eyes widened.
"You…you mean we're inside…"
"Mount Everest," finished Filius, earning an awestruck look from Harry as he looked up to the ceiling himself, earning a soft laugh from Filius.
"And, if I might borrow a phrase your dear Mother once told me she'd seen on Muggle TV, as you'll soon find, Harry, as large as it is to the humans from the outside, where Nidavellir is concerned, Mount Everest is…bigger on the inside!"
HMK
As Harry tried to wrap his mind around what he was already sure was just the first of many revelations of the day – or night, or whatever time of day it was…he couldn't quite figure out the time difference – he didn't know that, not too far from Nidavellir's entrance, located in a hidden cave close to the summit of Everest, within a temple structure that had been hidden from view for over 300 years, a loud, resonating gong echoed through the seemingly-empty structure.
Nine times, much like the chimes of Big Ben on New Year's, the gong sounded, leaving shockwaves of ethereal, otherworldly magic that seemed to shake the entire temple to its core.
Irony of ironies, under the courtyard of the temple, at the core of its oddly-warm, magical design, the nine clangs of the gong caused nine mysterious symbols to glow, forming an archway-like design that, with the ninth chime, then grew into a fierce, red-and-gold-coloured rendition of the Worlds Tree – Yggdrasil.
As the light filled the underground chamber, the roots of the Worlds Tree sent the red-and-gold light flowing into what looked like five oddly-shaped sarcophagi, each one decorated with the same unknown symbols as those on the walled arch where the Worlds Tree shone brightly.
One by one, the mysterious caskets lit up with the same red-and-gold light before, as one, they all opened with ominous, but not-malefic creaks and groans, all of which were the cue for five shadowy figures to rise up from their slumber, each one coming from one of the five sarcophagi, all of them craning their obviously-tired joints, groaning with exertion and staring up at the glowing tree that lit up their apparent resting place.
"It's happened," said one voice, a woman's voice.
"About time," grumbled an elderly male voice, before that same voice laughed. "Thought we'd be bound in there forever."
"The seals have recognised The Master," argued a strong, male voice, whom seemed to take centre-stage amongst the five, his voice ringing with unnatural strength and pride. "Our time to repay the long-owed debt has come."
"What if the Master doesn't want us to repay the debt, Brother?" asked a younger female voice, earning a low growl from her apparent sibling.
"Pray that doesn't happen; our honour and that of our fallen kin depends on it."
"If the seals have been broken," argued another voice, this one soft, but also male, and filled with a cold sense of indifference that was both badass and mystical to behold, both to the eye and ear. "Then the Path will be open to us; we should proceed straight to the doorway. The Master will need our aid in making certain he is ready to take his throne and fulfil his destiny."
"Let's be going, then," insisted the first lady, her voice suggesting a sense of rash decision and fierce independence. "We've been in this dreary place long enough; come on. Last one there's a decapitated goblin!"
All five vanished in bursts of smoky shadows, leaving no trace they were ever there.
Seconds later, even their resting places crumbled away to nothing, while the temple they'd been laid in seemed to be swallowed up by the snowy environment of Mount Everest, leaving only drifting flakes and a chilling wind.
An east wind was blowing.
The winds…of change…
So, Chapter 3 and it looks like Harry's definitely not in Kansas, anymore, but what answers await him at the top of the world?
Also, who are these mysterious five figures and what is their connection to our King of Fire?
Keep Reading to Find Out
Next Chapter: It's time for the truth: Harry learns of his destiny, while he also has some…unusual visitors to Nidavellir, all of whom have only one wish: to bow down and serve their Lord and Master, preparing to help him light the Last of the Nine Forges;
Please Read and Review
PORTRAYALS:
(Physical descriptions will be in the next chapter, but here's an early sneak peek via their voices)
First Woman – Karen Gillan
Elder Gentleman – Jeremy Irons
Younger Woman – Ariel Winter
Team Leader – Chris Hemsworth
'Badass' Voiced Male – Luke Evans