Fate Interrupted

Arthur was tired, the constant wars and heartaches, the desolation that had overtaken his land. People sought him out, asked him to intervene, swore fealty to him for protection and so his people were dragged into war after war. But this… Arthur knew that for good or ill, this would be his last. He faced the opposing army with his loyal knights at his side (all except for Lancelot who Arthur tried not to think of). He looked at the smug young man across from him, his half sister’s stepson and one who thought he’d had a claim to Albion. Foolish enough, the secret of his birth, the fact that he was born from the wrong side of the sheets as his father laid with a scullery maid, had been hidden from him.

Kay was on his left, bristling with righteous fury, his adoptive brother was angry on his behalf and furious at having to leave Andrivete as she delivered their third child. Arthur had all but ordered him to stay with his lady-wife but he had still shown up at their camp and Arthur had been resigned to his brother taking his place by his side. Merlin was farther down with Nimueh as they prepared themselves for combat against Mordred’s chief sorcerers. Arthur frowned as he thought of how this had all begun, how Mordred, earnest, and kind, had implored his uncle to stop leading their people into wars. He’d been conflicted by the suffering and he’d been removed from the field, too sensitive to the deaths. That had been Arthur’s greatest mistake, that was when the vile witch had gotten her claws in on his nephew and twisted his mind.

Morgana was in Avalon and perhaps still unaware of this battle, probably for the best. After what his last wife had done she had been antagonistic and unreasonable. Still, his nephew’s children may pose a problem for his son, Amhar, down the line. Arthur raised his sword to steady the men as his horse stamped its hoof nervously at the charging men. As soon as they were close enough he signalled the archers and suddenly a barrage of arrows brought down countless men from Mordred’s army. He stared at them before he turned to his men and shouting ‘FOR ALBION!’ .

As they rushed to face Mordred’s army, most of whom had been conjured by his silver-tongued devil of a wife, the thudding of the horses and the screams of the men dulled to silence for a moment as his eyes locked with his nephew’s deranged blue eyes. The sounds of combat flooded into him in an instant as he spurred his horse faster, jumping over the enemy combatants till he landed in front of his nephew. They fought and he saw Kay fall not too far from him and he gritted his teeth but willed his despair away. He felt the blows that Mordred had landed, severe but not instantly deadly and as his nephew fell to the ground, eyes empty, he collapsed beside him, the battle died down. ‘Forgive me, Morgauess. Forgive me for killing the son you’ve raised.’ He could feel the relief in his nephew’s soul as it passed on, the compulsion gone.

A cry rang out and he saw that his men had won the battle and Merlin approached him sadly. “I cannot help you.” His friend had said.

“ I know. But promise me my son will be safe?” Arthur said tiredly, his words coming out in between pants.

A hush fell on the company and he felt Morgana’s presence beside him. “Sister?” He asked.

“ I’m here brother.” She said softly, lifting his head on to her lap.

“ I’m so sorry.” He said begging her to understand, willed her to know just how sorry he had been to banish her, to take his wife’s side over hers.

“ I forgive you.” She said and pressed a kiss to his forehead. He felt droplets of water splashing on to his face and he opened his eyes and locked eyes with her, green on green and that was the last thing he saw as his heart gave up.

Percy’s eyes opened slowly as he tore himself away from his memories as Arthur Pendragon. The comforting weight of Annabeth’s head on his chest anchored him to the moment. He slowly removed himself from her grasp and walked out of his cabin door heading to the beach. The sun had yet to rise but he knew where he was going without any light to guide him and he was surprised to see Nico there as well. Percy cocked his head to the side. He and Nico hadn’t really had a chance to talk much since their conversation just before he left to transport the Parthenos.

Percy beckoned to Nico and waited patiently as his cousin followed. “What do you want Percy?” Nico asked with a glare, his face pale.

“ I just wanted to say thank you for keeping your promise.” The glare his cousin gave him became confused for a moment before it returned full force.

Before Nico could speak he raised his hand to silence his cousin. “I also wanted to say that I know about what happened at Diocletian’s tomb.”

“ Did Jason tell you? He swore…”Nico’s protests died with Percy’s stare.

“ He didn’t but…” Percy paused for dramatic effect. “it’s kinda hard not to notice when people are fighting in my tomb.” He saw the look of shock and recognition flash through his cousin’s eyes.

“ You… you were… Diocletian?” Nico whispered.

“ Yeah… and Nico… about what you confessed… it’s alright you know. It doesn’t change who you are. Besides, we all knew already. Why do you think I’ve been doing my best to make you feel like a little brother? I know that the person who’s meant for you is someone close to you, and that you just have to really look at him. And don’t look so surprised; mom’s family is descended from Venus so I have some control over her domain.” Percy said with a smile and a pat on his hair. He left his cousin to think about what he had said, this was something that needed to be said and he felt that a little nudge towards Will would help them.

Percy sat beside his cousin and they stared out at the water enjoying the silence. “How are you doing?” Percy asked quietly and he knew that Nico understood that he was referring to his mental well-being. Percy had Annabeth during the Tartarus ordeal but Nico had been alone and had been captured by the enemy.

“I’m fine, my sisters are hardly letting me do much work. They’re taking Will’s side on everything.” The pale grim boy beside him said as he sighed, his voice almost a whine.

“I missed the stars when I was down there. I honestly thought that I wasn’t getting out of there. My mind just kept swinging between ‘close the doors’ and ‘get Annabeth out of here’ so when we reached topside… I was surprised.” Percy remembered trying to control his dread and drowning it out with Annabeth’s presence, his mind saw everything… the true state of Tartarus that most mortal and demigod mind protects itself from.

“Bob and Damasen should’ve been let out by now.” Nico didn’t add ‘ if they’re still alive ’.

Percy kept quiet as he stared out at the sky. “Will and I will be going out for burger tomorrow night. Maybe you and Annabeth can come with us?”

“No. We’re heading to Boston early morning the day after tomorrow, she’s going to her cousin’s funeral and then we’re heading to see my mom.” Percy didn’t add that he didn’t want to interrupt the date that Will was planning.

A glint of something caught Percy’s eye and he tensed. Nico turned to him. “What is it?” Nico asked.

“Do you see that?” The glint seemed to be getting closer and Percy stood quickly, reaching for his sword, beside him, Nico followed suit but still looked confused. The distant and familiar roar of a dragon barely reached their ears and the two cousins stared at one another in disbelief as a smile found it’s way on to Percy’s face as he saw Festus bearing two people on his back.

The beat of the bronze dragon’s wings stirred the sand as it landed in front of them and Percy saw Calypso with her arms wrapped around Leo’s waist and raised a brow. He grinned at them as they dismounted and he grabbed Leo in a tight hug as soon as he was within reaching distance. “You lucky little ass!” He said cheerily.

“It’s a good thing Nico told us you weren’t dead or we’d be pissed and you’d be in trouble with the Gods. Thankfully we’ve smoothed it over. Your reward for your role in the war is that you get to keep this second life.” Percy told him as soon as he let go. Nico stood to the side with a soft smile on his pale and usually solemn face.

Percy turned to Calypso as he stepped away from Leo and allowed Nico his turn to welcome their friend back. “My Lady Calypso. I welcome you to the 21st Century and to America.” He said with a small bow and a smile and her shoulders sagged in relief.

“Thank you, Perseus Jackson.” She said in reply as she curtsied at him.

“Nico spread the word that I’ll be addressing everyone at breakfast and that it is mandatory to attend this one.” He told his cousin who nodded and left. Just as he said that Apollo on his chariot appeared overhead and a burst of sunlight hit their little gathering for a moment. Percy glanced up just a bit and saw Apollo wave down at him.

“Wow! Making speeches and announcements! You’ve really gone up in the world… unless this was how camp was under you.” Leo teased as his hand immediately entwined with Calypso’s.

“No.” Percy said laughingly. “This is relatively new but the Romans leave tonight and there’ve been some developments since the war ended a few days ago.” He said as he motioned for them to follow.

He took them around and he pointed out the Roman barracks at the end of the fields, there were constructions all over Camp, ones that reminded him of New Rome. All around them people were starting to wake up as the Nymphs and Satyrs began their day cheerfully, the sombre air of the losses that had been dealt was still there but as people began coming out of the cabins, laughter began to fill the air. It was relaxed and there was an air of promise, an eager and anticipated change.

“We’re making a city here. We haven’t decided on a name yet but we’re leaning more towards Ειρήνη.” Leo’s mind automatically translated Eirini to Peace . “We don’t want to just name it New Greece because Greece didn’t just have one central city, we had many and this is the beginning of a new era between the Romans and the Greeks.” Percy told them.

“It will be a lovely place to live.” Calypso said as Percy turned to her in surprise.

“You’re staying?” He asked shocked. “I thought you would be itching to go around the world by now!” He exclaimed as he stared at the woman on Leo’s arm.

“I’m staying.” She affirms, her braided her swinging as she nods. “I don’t think I’m ready for a sudden reintroduction to how the world has changed since I’ve been on Ogygyia.”

“Then we’ll be happy to have you, My Lady.” Percy said with a smile and led them on.

As soon as Percy was sure that everyone had arrived, he left Calypso and Leo to hide behind the trees for a grand entrance. All talking stopped as soon as Percy stepped onto the raised dais where Dionysus once sat with Chiron. “Today we’re going to be celebrating the return of one of our own.” Percy announced and allowed the excited whispers start up for a few moments before silencing them with a raised hand.

“And we’ll be welcoming a lady who belongs with us no matter what anyone says.” Percy said as his hand motions for Leo and Calypso to step forward.

“Lady Calypso of Ogygyia and Leo Valdez son of Hephaestus.” He said to the thunderous applause of the Romans and Greeks as the two reveal themselves. Leo is engulfed in hugs by his siblings and those who’d been party to the quest in Europe and peppered with kisses by Piper.

Once everyone’s seated and his family was sitting with him at his father’s table, the food appeared and it’s grander, the signs that it was nothing short of a true celebration. There was much for them to celebrate and soon enough Percy announced a celebratory dinner and after-party to see their Roman kin off.

It isn’t until mid-afternoon that same day that Leo and Calypso finally learn of Percy’s new post. Leo had merely been teasing Percy about doing speeches and the conversation had turned from there. It wasn’t until Piper frowned and looked at Leo that it had begun to sink in that Percy had forgotten something in his tour.

“You mean he didn’t tell you?” Piper asked.

“Tell me what?” Leo asked with a frown.

“The Gods have crowned Percy as the Emperor of the Greco-Roman Pantheon.” Piper tells him and Percy glanced up from the reports he’s been reading to see the looks of astonishment in Leo and Calypso’s face.

“If it helps, I spend my time trying to forget about that little title.” Percy said sheepishly.

“ If it helps?” Leo shrieked and that set the tone for the rest of the day, or at least until they’d gotten Leo settled in a department for the rebuilding and revitalization of the Empire and brought up to speed with the Albion matter. Calypso was an easier fix, she’d been a healer and enchantress, she loved gardens and was of the nurturing type so she’d been brought to Will Solace, Lou Ellen, and Katie Gardener. She’d been given a room at the Big House and been given joint custody of the children with Chiron now that Dionysus had been pardoned and allowed back on Olympus.

After the awesome farewell party complete with the special fireworks, the Romans (after being given leather cords with a single bead painted with the mural crown on it) left through a one-time magical door conjured by the children of Hecate and Trivia. Percy found himself back on the beach, Annabeth was writing down the cleanup duties for tomorrow and he just found himself staring out into the night sky.

He felt more than saw Calypso sit beside him. The huntress shone brighter than any constellation that night as if Zoe was watching over her sister and the only boy she’d considered friend and brother. The silence was comforting, he had no idea how to talk about the girl that they’d held in common.

“She was always kind to me. Out of all of the Hesperides, she was the only one who ever spoke to me. I… when I was told that she’d died, I hated my father so much.” Calypso confessed.

“She didn’t get along with me at first. I was a male who seemed to remind her of one of the most painful moments of her life but I’m still grateful she considered me a friend enough to call me her brother. I’m sorry you lost your sister.” Percy said and they returned to silence as they finally grieved for Zoe Nightshade.

The sound of waves was soothing and familiar as he lay on the sand. Finally deciding to return to the comfort of his warm bed and the arms of his beloved, Percy stood and assisted Calypso. “Good night, My Lady. And I’m glad you’ve found someone who loved you enough to find the strength to defy death and return to you.” He said before making his way back to his cabin.

Meeting Magnus Chase was… interesting. The boy had walked into his own funeral and apparently had a talking sword, he was reckless and impulsive and preferred to attack first rather than talk, a trait that had gotten him killed and would no doubt continue to do so. Needless to say, the Asgardians weren’t all that thrilled by the idea of a diplomatic ambassador not just from the Greco-Romans but from Albion and the Egyptians as well but the current climate being what it was with the mortals, it was best to be able to hide themselves rather than run the risk of a divine war that could lead to their very annihilation should it spill out to the mortal side.

But the best part of their trip to Massachusetts was seeing his family. Graham Manor stood tall and welcoming, his ancestral home calling to his blood through the immeasurable amount of wards layered over it through the generations. The door opens and his mother flew out through it and into his arms. The nature of their blood meant that Sally Jackson was a combat trained woman and it showed in the crushing hug she’d given Percy.

“My baby boy.” She said as she buried her face in his chest. “I’ve been so worried.”

Percy said nothing as he hugged his mother and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m sorry, Mom.” He whispered as her clenched fingers tightened its grips on his shirt.

It was Marius and his wife that came next. His great-grandfather looked greatly aged, his eyes were warm but the exhaustion was clear in the lines of his face. Percy bowed to them but his great-grandfather’s warm hand held his face and forced him up, his eyes unusually bright as Abigail Black placed a warm kiss on his cheek, her hazel eyes cataloging every bandaged appendage.

Petunia was much like his mother, a deathly tight hug and a smattering of kisses, a hand on his back stroking him soothingly. Vernon and Paul had given him claps on the back and had led Annabeth and him inside the Manor. They stayed there for two nights before heading off to Maria’s Island to visit the Owens. They needed to talk about the magic available to the Owens and Spellman clans, a Horcrux, he knew would spur them on.

Jasper was frustrated and was definitely considering taking his anger out on the next being he’d come in contact with. He’d run from Forks and was halfway through Idaho before he realized that he had no idea where his Muse was. Sure the British accent told him something but then again, her cousin was running around America so that couldn’t count. He’d spent the past three weeks running around America before he finally decided to head to Maria’s island and talk to her kin. That was when he barrelled straight into Peter and Charlotte.

“Finally! I’ve been looking everywhere for you two!” Jasper exclaimed as he was pulled into a warm hug by Charlotte.

Peter smiled at him, eyes red and teeth practically bared. “I had a feeling.”

“What do you need, Jasper?” Charlotte’s worried gaze tracked him, it was a habit that had stayed with her through the century she’d been a vampire.

“She’s alive. My muse, she’s alive and I… I need your help finding her.” Jasper breathed in a rush.

He caught the looks traded by his two friends and he knew it wasn’t bewilderment nor were they doubting his sanity and claim. No, this was something, expectant? Knowing? “You know something.” He said, voice flat and face neutral.

“When Clara died… she spoke of… of reincarnation among her family. She said that… well… that Elizabeth was going to return one day when her brother was born.” Charlotte’s hesitant voice reached him and his mind was blank.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Jasper rasped.

“We thought it was the ramblings of a dying woman. None of her kin confirmed it.” Peter replied. “I’m sorry, brother.”

He closed his eyes, reined in the frustration he felt as he thought of all the times his muse had been in danger, had been hurt. “Help me find her?” He asked, voice barely a whisper but he knew it didn’t matter to vampiric hearing, they heard it loud and clear.

“Of course.” Charlotte said her smile was bright and sincere. “And we know just where to begin.”

September 1st came and went as Holly and her friends spent the entire day just trying to keep their minds off of the thought of Hogwarts and what should have been their final year. But more than that, they wanted to erase the reality that was Hogwarts under the Walpurgis’ regime. She closed her eyes and counted to twenty, thinking of Neville, Luna, and Ginny leading the ARDA from inside Hogwarts.

She turned back to the maps and plans, the boards that lined the walls filled with Umbitch’s movements, the maps of the ministry, and of Magical England itself. Updates and enquiries and forms appearing through magical means onto her desk and being summarised by Hermione while Ron drafted battle plans and strategies one after another. Magical theories floating about between them, communiques between the Camelot branch of Arda and the Order of the Phoenix, the research and information coming from the Greco-Roman Empire and the Egyptians all piled onto tables and desks.

She rubbed her head, this was far too much for just the three of them to handle. They needed more people, needed more support and there was the fact that they needed to hunt down the remaining horcruxes. Avalon might need to be reopened as well and the Potter properties were already taking its fair share of refugees. They needed someone who was good at the clerical things, the administrative side… and they needed someone who knew how to fight and run a war… they needed a decorated soldier.

The Knights of Arthur’s Camelot had remembered but they were already stretched thin. She sat down and drank some of the tea that Kreacher had served before she made a decision. She sat up straight, there was one resource that she knew would be overlooked by those bigoted purists. “Winky!” She called out.

A house elf appeared at her side. Her dress was slightly tattered and she was quivering. “Miss has been calling Winky?”

“Yes, are you bonded to Hogwarts?” Holly asked.

“No, Winky is not. Winky is wanting a family to bond with her.”

“I would take you for my own then, if you are so willing.” Hermione who had been keeping silent in the background gasped but Holly sent her a cutting glare to silence her.

The little elf’s eyes filled with tears and she nodded. “Winky is being grateful, Mistress Potter.”

She reached out her hand and Winky did the same, the little elf bowed before her. “I is promising to obey any and all laws you is being set for me, My Mistress, my family shall do the same, we shall serve you and yours for as long as you is wanting us.” She vowed.

“And I swear that I would treat you fairly and kindly, that I would take you on to my home and give you the magic that you and yours require to survive. That I would never ask you to harm yourself as punishment, not for the simplest of things. I swear that so long as I shall live and so long as my blood shall prove true, that you and yours shall never fear for my magic shall let you  thrive.” She swore and everyone gasped at the edited and reworded vows she had pledged to Winky. Hermione nodded from where she sat.

“What is Mistress be needing Winky to do?”

“Go back to Hogwarts, I need you to be my eyes and ears there, I will give you a list of names that you can communicate with, do not share what I have to say with anyone that is not approved of and you will obey their summons and mine. If my theory is correct, Hogwarts still recognizes Minerva McGonagall as the rightful Headmaster… err… Headmistress, am I correct?”

“Yes, Mistress is being correct.”

“Good, then the elf bonds are with her no matter what the ministry and Riddle might believe.” Holly said in relief before she stood up. “I won’t be able to dress you in Potter crests, not when I want you to blend in as a Hogwarts Elf but find a suitable outfit for them. I’m sorry, I know this goes against convention and you’ll be placed in a certain amount of danger but I truly do need this. I need to know what’s going on, I need someone who can bring communications and packages to me directly.”

“I is understand, Mistress.” Winky said before disappearing at Holly’s wave.

She turned back to her friends to see their looks of comprehension. House Elves went unnoticed by most witches and wizards, often treated as nothing more than furniture but all three of them knew that they were far, far , more powerful than is often believed. One more communication came in, this time from the head of the Goblin Nation, from their King… and it was addressed to Morgan le Fay, sister of the High King.

I address you now, Morgan le Fay, Queen of Avalon and sister to the High King of Albion Arthur Pendragon to remind you of the treatise that was signed thereabouts two millennia ago. In it we, and quite a number of what you witches and wizards have termed us, creatures, were promised equality and a fair voice to act in our interest, a seat at your councils and peace.

While the promise held true at first, the deterioration was quick and we soon found ourselves relegated and pushed away from our own lands, bound down and struck, persecuted and hunted. I write, not just in the interests of my people but for the other leaders of the creatures. We call on you and yours to keep your word, we will fight for you if you call should you promise us the same, and that our treatise will once more be fulfilled.

I write to you now due to the absence of our King to remind you of your obligations and duties to us. We will fight for you in the hopes of the prophesied Golden Age, the Renaissance of Magic and of the Gods will come about. We call upon you to attend a council to determine the future of your rebellion and of the Kingdom itself and implore you to ensure that the High King shall arrive as well.

May the Fates favor your gold,

Ragnok IV

King of the Goblins

She passed the letter to the other two and shook her head. Things were taking a different turn then she had anticipated and she needed to tell the others of this development. She rubbed her head again and winced at the sharp stab of pain radiating from her scar. Ron took her hand and led her to the couch.

“Why don’t you rest for a bit? You’re no good to us like this.” Ron said as Hermione draped a blanket over her and shushed her before she could complain.

“You’ve been working yourself far harder than we have.” Hermione reminded her gently. She fell asleep after that, ears trained on to the gentle murmurs of her friends. All the while she dreamt of a man with honey colored hair and warm brown eyes. A kiss upon her lips and a hand laid on through mail and plate trying to infuse enough magic (and come-back-to-me and I-will-always said over and over and willed into a spell) and one last glance spared before a quest that would take him from her forever. The anger, the accusations, the heartbreak. War and Guinevere-the-whore-who-destroyed-Camelot; a man trapped in a cycle and I’m-so-sorry-shouldn’t-have-been-trapped-with-us and her knight coming back to her in different lives because he had promised he would and he wouldn’t take her apologies for being trapped in her cycles of rebirth because I-love-you-forever-means-forever and… and… ‘He is coming, soon.’ mother magic whispers into her ears as she catches a glimpse of her knight, a vampire this time, running with two others before he stops and their eyes catch. The moment is broken and Holly gasps awake.

Jasper smells something sweet and enticing but oddly enough not in the way that blood would usually smell and he stopped in the clearing, eyes scanning it before he sees her apparition standing there, their eyes locked and before he can say anything she disappears from him. She was clear, so very vivid and clear and he longed to hold her.

He turned to his two friends. “Where are we going?”

“Why, to Maria’s Island of course. It’s time to talk to the Owens witches and get some answers.” Peter said with a smile.