Child of the Stars

There is always a price. For those with power, it was often in service to something more or greater than themselves. Embrace the power, embrace the responsibility. While it did not require all of you, it often required you to dedicate a part of your life. The greater the gift, the greater that was demanded of you. It was not without rewards or compensations for the time and effort and how much you gave of yourself. The ties of responsibility could snap if there was nothing given back in balance.

It was in part why Harry could walk away from his first life. It took and took and took from him, without giving much back. It stripped away the human part of him. Until the elven spread to fill the void. That is what gave back. That is what tied him to family, to those that cared, to an offering to be a part of something bigger than himself, but that he would never again be alone. Was it any wonder that he chose to embrace it? Chose to take on the role that would allow him not only to save his new found family but also claim a new life for himself.

Not many could take on the powers and responsibility that he chose for himself. They had to know both darkness and light. Death and life. To face down cruelty and still choose kindness when one could. While it was true that it was always a choice and one could say no when it was offered to them, those that the role was meant for could never walk away from it. For those that embraced it, they sought out ways to use it to improve the lives of those around them.

Sometimes, oh sometimes they forgot that there were times the power itself would call for them, and they would need to answer. For one that was a newly turned adult and had been actively seeking out ways to use their gift to help others, the pull had rarely come. Now though, it seeped into him. First a quiet whisper easily overlooked. Yet it did not stay that way.

The deeper Harry moved into the forest, the greater the forest sang to him. Speaking of a need, of a healing, of what needed to be given back to one that protected them. Part of why the trees were willing to give aid in such an endeavor, by healing their guardian, they prevented outside forces from taking advantage. They were linked, the forest and the one that served it. Corruption in one, would weaken the other. Blind them to dangers. When he had stopped at the tree and received the staff, it was just a soft murmur. By the time he reached the doors of the Elven King’s Halls, it had become a full-throated song. They were immersed in a symphony of music. This had not gone unnoticed.

Most of the guards were silvan and the two that were not had long since learned to heed their fellows. Even the most deaf among them could hear the way the trees were singing and how it intensified. They all could see the effect it had on their prince. The frivolity faded away, leaving quiet reverence. Even the ravens quieted. Soon the Elven King would see what all of them had learned of in their time guarding the young one. The deep connection to the land.

Now it pulled at him, binding his awareness up in its purpose and need. Oh Gilriant knew that others around him were tending to the travel needs and watching him. Taking care of baggage and the horses that traveled with them. They were close, and soon the young elf slid off Tindil’s back. When he touched the ground wisps or silver started to seep up and encircle his feet and ankles.

When the doors of the Elven King’s Halls opened, Gilriant realized that he might have slightly underestimated the ability of the gifts to pull towards a cause. Not that there was any regret. Just a faint sense of sheepishness from within that threaded to the faint exasperation coming from his bond with Haldir. He knew that the marchwarden would swiftly travel towards him. Yet the Keeper knew he would not arrive until after they fulfilled their purpose today. For now two of the guard remained to deal with the mounts and baggage the other four followed in their wake.

The ripples of power spread from each footsteps. Bright and welcoming and very obvious to an elf. The guards of the realm reacted instinctively, placing their dominant hand in a fist over their heart and giving a bow. None dared to step in front of the Keeper to lead them to the throne room, it was entirely unnecessary. Each step was taken with the surety of one that already knew the way. The personal guard had already fallen in step behind them. There were some that might have protested the fact that a deer was striding in besides the young elf. With one look at the shining light of the antlers and any word against his presence faded away unspoken.

Hedwig had winged away as soon as they moved through the door, singing as she went. It didn’t take long for her to return, with Legolas following behind. She settled on the left set of Tindil’s antlers. As she did so a bright burst of flames announced Fawkes arrival, he settled on the right side. “Gilriant?” The prince of the greenwood had slowed as he grew close, the warm bright smile that was first on his face fading. This was the aforementioned young elf, but not as the woodland elf knew him. At the slightly uncertain greeting the Keeper stopped, turning to offer a smile. “Hello my friend.”

Legolas’ searching gaze studied his friend even as the rest of the entourage stopped around them. “This is the power you have told me of. Why?” The Keeper locked gazes with the elven prince, a gentle expression on their face. “Sometimes it calls me. In this case the Greenwood petitioned me and I will answer.” Their friend kept looking at them, even as the song of the trees strengthened and rang through the great hall.

“Prince Gilriant?” When they didn’t immediately turn, another name was called. Yet not without a touch of hesitation. “Faircoivar?” Legolas’s eyes widened even as they turned to face Maethel with a smile. They knew the captain of their guard had a connection to the trees. They must have whispered that name to her. “Lord Haldir . . .” Knowing what she wanted to ask, he replied, “Is coming.” While the guard’s tone was respectful, it was also full of her concern. “Should you not wait, or send for him to arrive more swiftly?” The question almost seemed to amuse them, even as they replied gently. “The petition has been made and I must answer. My friends are a part of what will come, and cannot leave at the moment. Worry not daughter of the forest. All will be well.”

They tilted their head in consideration, “Though there is something I should do.” Placing the staff they held to one side, it balanced in place as they reached for the clasp of their outer robes. While the fabric and style was fine indeed, they held too much other meaning to be of use here. The simple tunic and pants would have to do. They shrugged them off and offered them to Maethel who took them. Removing the circlet, for it was not the correct one either, they turned and offered it to Legolas. With a bemused expression, he accepted it. The Keeper reached to gently close one of his friend’s hands around a particular section of the symbol of rank. “Help me keep my secrets?”

“Always.” The reply was swift and certain. “Though, I do not understand.” The Keeper just smiled serenely and dropped his hands away from Legolas’ taking the staff back in hand. “You are my friend, you will in time.” Unerringly they turned back towards the path to the throne room.

Pacing towards it, they finally noted they apparently lost their shoes at some point. Gilriant did wear them for travel, just in case difficulties occurred. So it was a bit of a puzzle but one that was shoved to the side of their thoughts as irrelevant. Shoes were not important. Not compared to the knowledge that flowed from their feet from the stone of the path. All things were connected and through all of nature information could flow. You just needed to know how to, and have the gift to, access it. That connection, and the grounding that came with it was needed.

As they maintained their fluid walk along the path the silver light twining around their legs strengthened. Each step upon the stone brought more twisting out of it. Adding to the silver already there, building into a shifting swirling outer garment that flowed around them. This is what they needed to be seen at this moment. Not wearing signs of rank, but only of the power of the Keeper of Balances.

Thranduil watched them approach, the elfling turned young adult. The one that was something more. A fraction of which he had glimpsed long ago when a message was given to him. The signs of the power then were to what he saw now not unlike the difference between the fawn from before to the stag that walked besides them now. Nor was it lost on the King that the one that approached him carried a staff whose style matched that of the pillars of his hall. What it meant he did not yet know. He slowly descended the stairs up to his throne and stood on the lowest steps, expression carefully neutral. A Power may be approaching but this was his place, and he would not bow.

The Keeper strode forward stopping short of the dias,Tindil still at their side, glittering phoenixes perched on the stag’s antlers. Soft sprinkles of light radiating down to the deer's coat, even as his antlers shone with the light of the stars. Their personal guard had stopped first. Legolas followed a few steps further in before pausing. He did not completely understand what was happening with his friend. Still it was clear that this was important. Glancing down at the circlet in his hand before looking up to his father. The movement was not unnoticed by Thranduil. Nor did the elven king miss the fact one of the guard carried ornate over-robes.

“Guardian of the Greenwood, I greet you.” The Keeper gave a small tilt of his head towards Thranduil. “That is not a title many use,” The King observed. “Yet it is one that belongs to you. For the forest knows you. I came as an invited guest, yet when I entered the forest, it called out to me. It petitioned for my aid for its Guardian.” Came the even reply. Though they were inside the sound of wind through the leaves, like a thousand whispering voices seeped in through every entrance and whirled around those gathered there. Tugging at hair and clothes and carrying the song of the trees. “I ask that you permit me to give it.”

Keeping a steady regard of the young one in front of him, Thranduil asked. “What aid do you think you can grant?” There was a faint smile on Keeper’s face as they replied. “There is an old injury, one that never fully healed. What weakens the forest can affect the Guardian and it is the same in reverse. I ask that you allow me to remove it.” The only change in the King’s expression was a raised eyebrow. “And you think you can do that?”

In response the Keeper placed the staff to the right. “With the aid of the forest and my friends, yes I can.” The arching roots at the base of the staff grew, sinking into the stone and down around the side. The branches reached upwards and grew, sprouting leaves of silver and gold, lightly dusted with a glowing light. Thranduil did permit his gaze to move to the new tree as the wind which had died down rose up again. It swept through the branches letting the sprinkling of light drift and flow around the pair. “Very well, I will permit you to try.”

“Thank you,” they replied as they took a step closer. The phoenixes lifted from their perches on Tindil’s antlers. The ice phoenix landed on Thranduil’s right shoulder and the fire phoenix on the Keeper’s right. Lifting their hands up, the young one rested them on either side of the King’s face, thumbs and index fingers brushing against his jaw. “Hold still, this shouldn’t hurt you.”

Before anyone could react to the potential implications of that statement the silver light rose up and the phoenixes opened their wings and sang. From Hedwig a sparkling shower of cool snowflakes swirled around Thranduil. For Fawkes, it looked like flames were being pulled towards him. They flowed from the left side of Thranduil’s face, and sank into the Keeper. The old injury flared into sight on the King’s face. Only to be mirrored on the young elf’s face before him. As it faded from Thranduil, it grew more defined on the other. The Guardian of the Greenwood was locked into place by the power swirling around them, they both were. He could not move and stop the process if he wanted to. Even though he had a close range look of what this was doing to the one that aided them. The flames faded away and slowly the injury on the Keeper’s face faded but this was not the end.

Now the phoenixes swapped the people they were perched on. Hedwig on Keeper’s left shoulder and Fawkes on Thranduil’s. Their song changed as bright and soft looking warmth flowed from the fire phoenix into the King. For her part, Hedwig looked to be pulling something dark from the center of the older elf’s chest. The cold dark twisting and drawing away before sinking into the young one’s chest. The darkness thinned and then there was nothing more to be pulled away. The pair stood still as the phoenix’s song finished with a flourishing sound of triumph, and they closed their wings. Shining light faded from Gilriant, Tindil and the tree as the wind died down.

Then Gilriant crumpled forward, going to one knee. Freed from his immobility Thranduil swiftly moved to catch him and prevent the young elf from falling further as Legolas rushed to his side. The phoenixes jumped down with a trill of concern. “You fool! What did you do?” With a faint huff Harry leaned into his friend as the woodland prince wrapped one arm around him. Tindil slowly sank down to the ground as he did so. “Rude. Not a fool. I knew what I was doing, mostly.” The King’s voice was sharp with concern. “And what was it that you did, exactly?” Before he could respond, a sound of distress escaped the young elf as one of the Greenwood guards stepped forward to try and aid the deer before the young one’s personal guard could stop them. Thranduil looked over, his voice ringing with authority. “Don’t touch the deer.”

“Hallows will help him when she arrives with Haldir. Who is probably going to give me that disappointed look. This probably goes under stuff I shouldn’t do without him. But hey, everything turned out alright and you feel better right?” With a shiver Gilriant half closed his eyes and leaned into the warmth of his friend. “That is besides the point at the moment.” Thranduil bit out, he reached to touch the side of the younger elf’s face before uttering a soft curse. “You are cold.”

“I beg to differ, that is exactly the point.” Gilriant couldn’t help but to protest even as Maethel came up and tucked his outer robe around him like a blanket. “I’ll warm up, and you now never have to feel like you did again.” Legolas looked at his friend and then over to the guard. He knew that she would protect the young elf’s secrets and likely had so he silently held out the circlet to her. Understanding she inclined her head and took it, holding it close.

Now that the hand was freed, Legolas scooped up Gilriant and stood, cradling him close despite the slight sound of protest he gave at the action. “I can walk!” Hedwig flew up to land on the Greenwood prince’s shoulder while Fawkes moved to stand guard by Tindil. The rest stood up. It was Maethel who replied to the statement. “My Prince, would Lord Haldir be more or less upset with us if we allowed you to try to walk now.” Long practice had taught her exactly what angle to pursue to help get the young elf to behave more reasonably. At least most of the time. With a faint huff, the young elf curled into his friend’s hold, a hand reaching out to grip his shirt.

“Speaking of Haldir, is there a reason he is not with you, and a reason you attempted this without him?” The displeasure was clear in Thranduil’s tone. “I sent him to visit his brothers, he hasn’t seen them in some time and I knew he could catch up to us quickly if needed. I insisted. Didn’t know this was going to happen.” The answer didn’t seem to make the King any happier as he asked. “And why did you not wait for him to get here?” Gilriant’s eyes which had started to drift shut opened again. “Couldn’t wait. Pull was too strong.”

While they digested that, Legolas looked to Maethel and asked. “What does he need right now?” She studied Gilriant and answered. “Rest, warmth, someone he trusts to stay with him until Lord Haldir arrives. He will know if anything more is needed.” After a beat she added, “He is likely to arrive in under two hours at this point.” The woodland prince’s grip gently tightened on the elf he carried. “From Lothlorien, so quickly?” She nodded once. “Hallows is fast my prince. She is only slowed down that much because of the need to carry Lord Haldir safely.”

“M’fine,” Came the half awake reply which Legolas answered with an amused quirk of his lips. “I do not think your definition of fine is the same as everyone else’s. No matter, I can stay with you as needed.” He looked towards his father and received an incline of the head in agreement. Then he turned to carry Gilriant to a place of rest. Maethel moved to follow only to be halted at Thranduil’s command. “You, stay.” She only hesitated a moment and then bowed her head. “Yes my King.” Legolas did pause long enough at that point so she carefully set the circlet on the chest of the young elf he carried. Knowing that the Greenwood's prince would keep it safe. Looking to the remainder of her prince’s personal guard they correctly interpreted her look. Gonben took a step closer to Tindil and stood there on guard. Ferdil and Erecthel moved to follow the royal pair out. While the likelihood of anything happening was near nothing, they still knew their primary duty. Despite the fact they were within the Elven King’s Halls, they still would hold fast to it. Only then did she turn back to stand at attention before her King.

Thranduil first turned his attention to the deer resting there. “Is there nothing more that can be done for Tindil?” He asked. “No my King. He is made of magic and only needs rest and Hallows when she arrives.” Studying the deer a moment longer before turning to walk back up the steps to his throne. “Prince Gilriant’s magic specifically.” The statement was a fact known by more than a few elves. Still she responded. “Yes my King.”

Turning and settling on his throne, Thranduil regarded her before he started questioning her. “So what affects the Prince affects the deer and the same in return.” She inclined her head slightly in agreement but volunteered no further information. The King’s expression remained neutral as he considered that. “Was there a reason you allowed things to unfold the way they did?” If the question surprised her, she showed no sign. “Prince Gilriant is no longer an elfling, he is my Prince. As there was no obvious sign he was putting himself in danger it was not my place to interfere.” He tilted his head at the qualification. “And if he was obviously putting himself in danger?” Her answer came swiftly, “Stall for time once I knew Lord Haldir was on his way. He is the one with the ability to do more than that.”

He studied her for a long time. “I believe I have a few more questions for you.” Thranduil wanted as much information as he could get, and to determine what level of loyalty that Prince Gilirant had earned from his guards. He needed those answers, wanted them. In part to prevent the idiot from running off and doing something foolish again. Even as he relished the feeling of the warm bond at the back of his mind. Ever so faint due to distance, but it was finally present once more.

The tree would definitely have to stay. He could see it still standing with leaves of silver and gold. The faint glow was currently gone, but he could tell that it still stood strong.

*

Fuzzily, Gilriant’s awareness swam towards consciousness recognizing a pair of soft voices speaking. His head was currently pillowed on something warm and firm and somehow familiar. With a sleepy sound he tried to pull it closer grumbling slightly when there was some resistance. An amused chuckle sounded, and the person it belonged to asked. “Is he always like this?” A familiar voice answered back in a dry tone. “When he has exhausted himself, yes.” Harry blinked brain slowly processing the words. “And how often does that happen?” There was a put-upon sigh. “Far more often than it should. Though I admit he has gotten better about it.” “Well that’s good at least.”

His gaze managed to focus on the face of the person he was apparently cuddled up to. Which was Legolas. Were he fully awake he might have felt some degree of embarrassment about that. Or would have in the past. Harry gave that up a long time ago when he realized that close contact with those he cared about helped him. Instead he just freed up a hand to rub his face before noting the smile directed at him. “Well hello there, finally awake?” Gilriant blinked back in reply before grumbling something and starting to sit up.

As he sat up, he heard someone that had been seated nearby get up and go to the door. A familiar voice called out, “Cured-leaf tea if you have it, strong, and something light to eat would not go amiss.” Then a door closed and he could tell Haldir settled back in the chair. Briefly he contemplated curling back up and going to sleep. But he knew that wouldn’t really prevent things, just postpone them a little. Turning his head he offered Haldir a sheepish smile. “Hey.”

A deeply unimpressed look was directed at him in response. “And what did you learn from this?” A faint flush colored the tips of his ears as he responded. “Not to send you away when I’m going somewhere new even if I think it's safe?” Haldir’s expression didn’t change as he asked, “And?” “Ah, find a way not to do something new until you are there?” Trying to prevaricate at this point would definitely not help any. “At least you learned something from this.” Ouch yeah that was the tone of disappointment. “Alright, let me get a look at you now that you are awake.”

Obidiately, Gilriant shifted to the side of the bed close to Haldir, putting his feet on the floor. The marchwarden reached to hold his face between his hands as he studied the young elf. Harry sat still knowing that his friend was examining him with more than just physical sight. “Well, you are in far better shape than you have any right to be under the circumstances. Which is likely thanks to Legolas as you latched on to him before falling asleep.”

When Haldir dropped his hands Gilriant twisted around to face his other friend. “Sorry about that.” Legolas gave a small shake of his head and smiled warmly. “No need. I’m just glad I managed to help you.”

“What, exactly, did you manage to accomplish this time?” At the question Harry turned to face the marchwarden. “The Greenwood reached out for me and asked me to help heal King Thranduil. As he is connected to the land any vulnerability to him can create a weakness that can be exploited in the forest. The trees also wanted him not to hurt anymore.” Legolas’ voice was soft, “My father was hurting?” Moving across the bed, the other prince sat by his side as he nodded. “Yes.The injury, well injuries were very old and he hid it well. I would say he’s very experienced in masking it and coping with it. Still once I picked up on it I would have asked to heal it without the request being made.” At Legolas raised eyebrow Gilriant gave a small shrug. “He’s your father, for that alone I would ask to.”

“How and what did you heal, exactly.” Shifting his attention back to his partner Gilriant answered. “An old cursed burn, dragon fire I would guess by the feel of it. Also some wounding to his fea. And wow no wonder he was cranky at times carrying that with him. I would be too if I was in that much pain all the time.” Haldir studied him. “You felt it.” Harry nodded. “Yes, in order to heal something I need to understand it. The best way to do that was to take it into myself and then heal the damage. Easiest on the other person as well, that way they don’t feel anything in the process.”

“You do realize my father is going to be quite upset when he realizes you deliberately caused yourself pain in order to help him.” A slight smile quirked up on Gilriant’s face. “I did consider that. However I wasn’t going to let it stop me. There is always a price to everything I do, it must balance out. I long ago accepted that.” Haldir tapped him on the nose. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean other people have. When what you are doing affects them directly, you need to make sure they understand the consequences before you act, not after.”

Gilriant considered that with a tilt of his head. “You are right. If I have the luxury of time I need to make that clear first.” Looking satisfied, Haldir stood up as there was a knock at the door. Opening it, he let in a few elves carrying trays. They brought them over to the table Harry could now see was in one corner of the very large room and started setting things out. A full tea setting, as well as several plates of food. Standing up he moved towards the table, thanking the elves when they finished and before they left the room. Once the door closed the marchwarden continued.

“You are going to accept, whatever it is Thranduil comes up for you as long as it is within reason.” Haldir settled with them on one of the chairs making sure Gilriant was getting tea and something to eat. “And I will be the one deciding if something is unreasonable, not you.” Hedwig had been perched on the bed frame, but as they settled at the chair she fluttered over to share in the bounty. Harry gave a faint groan at what Haldir said as he worked to set out tea and a treat for her. At Legolas’s grin he gave his friend a steady look. “Please do not tell your father Haldir said that.”

Legolas just grinned. “My father is smart. I won’t have to. He’ll figure it out quickly enough.”