Chapter 20
The older Merlin looked up at Harry and Hermione and smiled. The younger one looked at them with curiosity. He wondered who they were and why they were wearing strange clothes, almost as strange as Merlin's.
"Ah, Harry, Hermione. Glad you could come. I want you to meet Emrys, but he likes to call himself Merlin."
"Hullo," Harry offered his hand. Then he noticed the scars that covered most of his face, especially his eyes. He hadn't known the reason why Merlin liked his beard so much; he knew at that moment it was to cover the scars.
"Hello," Emrys took his hand and at that instant he felt as if a lightning bolt ran through him. He staggered back a bit and clutched on his staff.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked a bit concerned. He didn't feel the shock, but he felt an instant connection the same he felt when he touched the older Merlin. He'd told him then that blood would always recognize blood in their family unless there was a spell cast to hide it, which was the case with Dumbledore.
"You're of my blood?"
"Actually, yes. This is Hermione, my fiancé." Merlin looked at him with raised eyebrows. Harry had failed to tell him about their engagement.
"It's nice to meet you," he told Hermione who was offering her hand in greeting.
Harry looked at the older Merlin still waiting for an explanation. "If it makes you feel better, I haven't told grandfather yet either or Hermione's parents for that matter."
Merlin smiled then. "Well, then this calls for a celebration. Emrys do call your mother and sister. I am sure they will want to help in the celebration."
"Oh, no. You don't have to go to so much trouble. We just came here for a little while." Hermione said.
"Nonsense. Rhia and mother would be ecstatic to have a feast. I should send Ixtma to get them. Where is that silly squirrel?"
"Sorry, but I sent her to stay with one of my friends. To help keep him out of trouble."
"Ah, just as well. I will send Cwen instead." Just then a stick figure came out of the kitchen. She looked like a small thin tree with arms and legs.
"Youuu calllllled?" Cwen asked.
"Yes, Cwen. Would you mind calling Rhia and mother home. There's to be a celebration."
Harry and Hermione were staring at Cwen. They'd never seen such a creature before. They'd seen the a few animals and a few resident of Fincayra, but nothing like Cwen. Emrys noticed and couldn't help but stifle a chuckle.
"Sorry, I forgot you're not from around here. Merlin was telling me about you and to expect you. He didn't say you were related to me and that we would share many traits like our hair." He chuckled loudly then. "I didn't mean to be rude, this is Cwen. She's a treeling. She was the one who'd taken care of Rhia since she was a baby and was lost to us."
Harry and Hermione's eyes practically popped out of their sockets. They couldn't believe of all the days they were there to not search for the meaning of the song, was the day they would actually get a break in looking for the meaning of the song.
"Come now Harry." Merlin chuckled as well. "She's not so different from us."
"No, it's not that. Forgive us for being so surprised. It's not the way you look or anything, it's because we've been looking for a treeling for over a month."
"Reaaaallllllly?"
"Yes, I just can't believe it."
"Well, you can talk to Cwen when she gets back with Rhia and mother."
"Why don't you just call them, Harry?" Merlin suggested.
Emrys looked at his older self with a questioning expression. "What do you mean he should call them? How?" Hermione chose that time to go and talk with Cwen. They walked into the kitchen as Cwen started preparing food for the celebration. Hermione asked her questions as she helped out.
"Yeah, Merlin. How?" asked Harry also wondering what he was talking about. He noticed that Hermione left with Cwen. She turned back briefly to smile at him and let him know that she was okay with Cwen.
"Ah, Harry, haven't you learned yet that the mind is quite powerful. Use it."
Harry knew then Merlin wanted him to practice of all things on his leglimency. So much for a day off, he thought and Merlin smiled. Harry closed his eyes to concentrate. He used his second sight to locate them and sent out a power of suggestion into their minds. He did the same thing with the other five of his friends although he didn't look first just in case the couples were busy doing other things.
"So, I guess you've been training with Merlin here?"
"Yes, and how do you two get along?"
"I guess you must be wondering how we could see each other even though I am his future?" Merlin asked and earned a nod from Harry and Hermione.
"Easy, he's a stubborn old fool who never tells me anything that happens in my future. He's quite vague about where I've gone and what I've done. He does give me some type of warning on some things, but that's only so that he wouldn't be stuck caged up in a cave of his own making."
Merlin smiled at his young self. They've been so many things he'd wanted to change in his life, especially with Hallia, but he knew that anything other than vague warnings would be too much of a change.
"I thought you told me we couldn't go back in the past to alter?" Harry asked.
"Didn't I say vague? When I say vague, I mean I don't even know what he's talking about."
"I never told myself anything about the future Harry or how to avoid certain things. I've just given the younger version of me vague clues and hope that he will somehow understand when the time came and he had to decide our fate. I haven't done anything to alter anyone else life or fate. Everything remains the same. They only know me here as the visitor. They do not know that I am from the future nor that I am him (he pointed to Emrys) in the future."
"I'm sure mother knows. She is my mother after all." Emrys told them confidently.
"I've never actually met them before, but I have heard a lot about them. Did you get a chance to meet my dad?"
"No, I don't think so. I would have remembered. Merlin, was it because he couldn't actually leap to this time on his own?"
"Hmm! I knew I was just as smart when I was younger." Harry rolled his eyes heavenward and Emrys smirked at him. "To answer your question, yes. James didn't have the power of leaping and only those who have them can leap back in time. I couldn't leap him back here to meet Emrys, as I did not exist in his time. You on the other hand have mastered the power of leaping and were able to leap yourself and your friends to this time because you are all from the same time. Does that make sense?"
"Yes, I guess so." They heard Arbassa's door open and in skipped Rhia holding a basket full of berries, which was her favorite. She had curly brown hair with grey-blue eyes and a very high energy. Ellen followed her in and noticed they had visitors. Ellen had hair like summer and deep blue eyes. She walked with poise, regally as if she were royalty.
"Mother, how was your walk?"
"Well, watching Rhia pick berries is always a breath of fresh air. Although, I don't think we were gone long. We both suddenly had the feeling we had to come back home."
Harry smirked at Emrys. Merlin smiled at his protégé. He was so much like him when he was younger: a lot of hubris when it came to some things and a lot of weight on his shoulders. "Well, we're to have a celebration. Merlin's friend here, Harry and Hermione have recently been engaged and have not had a proper celebration, so we're going to give them a Fincayran feast. Their friends should be arriving in a moment."
"Really, Emrys. You should have given us more time to prepare." She saw Harry and then Hermione up at the kitchen already chatting away with Rhia. She was on her way down now with Hermione still chatting away as if they'd been best friends for a long time.
"Merlin, I didn't know you had guests." Just then she noticed Harry. Her mouth dropped. She hadn't seen anyone her age so handsome in Fincayra. Since she was so busy looking out for her precious druma wood, she hadn't really had time to explore all of Fincayra properly except for the adventure Emrys would take her on.
"Rhia, where are your manners. You're not to ogle at the guests. Besides he's Hermione's fiancé. I believe you're holding her hand." Emrys teased his sister. They've rarely had time to tease each other.
"Sorry, I've just never seen any man so beautiful." Harry blushed. He'd been used to girls giggling when he passed by, but never really gotten used to being openly admired.
"What am I? An Ogre?"
"You're my brother. You don't count. You know, he resembles you in a way."
"Rhia, you haven't yet given me a hug." Rhia finally noticed the older Merlin and ran to him and hugged him.
"Merlin! I didn't see you."
"Well, it's no wonder the way you were perusing my friend here. This is Harry, by the way, my great, great, great grandson and you've already met Hermione, I believe."
"Oh, yes. She's a very smart girl and quite pretty. Are you two really engaged?" She asked Harry.
"Er, yes. It's nice to meet you, Rhia."
"Well, it's good to meet you too. Just as well I suppose, since you are related to me too!" She sighed and Harry, Merlin and Emrys looked at each other in surprise. "What, you didn't think I'd be stupid enough to accept that you're just someone from Britannia when you're so much like Emrys, here."
Emrys cleared his throat. "How long have you known?"
"I think since the first time we met him, right mother. We just thought you'd tell us when you're ready. But it's become quite irritating to pretend we didn't know." Ellen nodded as well but with a smile on her face. The older Merlin finally gave up the pretense and went to embrace his mother properly. Something he'd been wishing to do ever since he'd lost her years ago.
"I guess welcome to the family, Hermione." Rhia went to give Hermione a hug. Then she went to Harry and gave her a hug. "Congratulations my dear nephew. I don't really want to add the great ,great, great in front since we're the same age right now."
Harry felt so overwhelmed with emotion. His eyes were misting. He hadn't felt so welcomed and loved in one place since the Burrow. He felt nervous about one day actually meeting his family, but doing so now, was such a great feeling. He had no words to explain the elation he felt.
Before he could rub his eyes, Ellen was holding him in her arms. She was teary eyed as well, and laughing at the same time.
"Whatever happens here in Fincayra, I know now that Merlin will have a future somewhere." She then took Hermione in a hug, "Welcome to the family."
"Thank you," Hermione choked out. The tears that threatened to fall, finally fell and Harry, Ellen and Rhia joined her.
"Hey, this is supposed to be a celebration, remember!" Emrys finally called out though his eyes had been tearing as well.
They were all wiping off the tears and laughing at the same time over the happy reunion when Arbassa's door opened to let Draco, Ginny, Lavender, Ron and Neville inside.
The five looked at each other as if they've walked into a mad house.
Harry noticed their presence and introductions were made. The five were aghast when they were introduced to Cwen. They all looked at Harry questioningly and all he did was nod. They couldn't believe how long they'd searched and to think they'd almost missed out on their chance had they not gone with Harry and Hermione to Fincayra.
Harry knew what the five wanted to do, but he told them to wait until after the celebration. He explained it was Merlin's idea and they all looked at Emrys. Harry had to tell them it was the older Merlin's idea and to refer to the younger one as Emrys and the older one as Merlin so that they would get confused.
Neville was enthralled with Rhia. And Rhia was just as fascinated by him and his knowledge of plants. They'd distanced themselves from the others until Harry was getting strange vibes from their corner. He went to them and let them down gently by telling them what the possibilities were if he'd even thought about it.
"Neville, if you don't like long distance relationship and in this case a very long, long, long distance relationship, I suggest you and my great aunt remain friends."
Rhia and Neville looked at him in understanding. The party was in full swing. Ellen was holding and hugging Merlin and Harry every chance she got. Harry loved the attention from her and Hermione was enjoying seeing Harry so unrestrained. He'd let his guard down and was enjoying himself without the worries that plagued him.
Creatures from the druma arrived one by one as the party progressed and the seven young people were held spellbound by the different creatures. There were ravens, blue birds, speckled lizards, peacocks, unicorns, phoenix, foxes, bees, a canyon eagle and even Emrys' giant friend named Shim stopped by for a visit when the word was out. They were taken aback at the resemblance Shim had with Hagrid. They all looked at each other at the same time with the same thought. They thought of the possibility of Shim being Hagrid's ancestor.
When the party started dying down and the visitors started leaving after wishing Harry and Hermione the best, the seven were left with Merlin, Emrys, Rhia, Ellen and Cwen. Ron couldn't wait any longer. He'd been dying to ask Cwen questions since she was introduced to them.
"Will you please help us?" He asked her impatiently.
"Whhaat iiss itt yoooou wiiiiishhh too knowwwwwwww?"
"Well, really what you know about changing?"
"Ahhhhhhhh. Thaaat." Before their eyes she changed into a beautiful butterfly and then change back.
"Well, that's easy. Isn't it Harry? I can change into my animagus form." Ron changed and then changed back.
Then Cwen changed into a fish and then back quickly. "Well, then. I don't think I've learned to turn into anything else. I still don't get it really."
"There might be something I think you may learn from," Rhia commented. "You see, Cwen at one time during a dark time here at Fincayra, well, she switched sides on us."
"What do you mean?" asked Hermione.
"I beeeetraaaaaaayeed myyyyyyyy Rhiiiiiaaa."
"What she means, is that she thought she would gain help for her ailment by helping a powerful dark force that was plaguing Fincayra. There were Goblin warriors that were under a dark spell who were sent to search for Emrys and have him killed. She led them to us and almost lost her life in the process by trying to save us when she discovered she had been lied to. Emrys and I had forgiven her since her action, and with Emrys' healing power he'd been able to ease her pain a bit."
"I think I know what the first song means," Draco volunteered and all eyes were on him. "I think it has to do with all of us having the possibility of changing. You see I was frightened of being actually like my father. I was afraid I wouldn't be strong enough to stand up to what I want or what I feel in my heart. Cwen changed her loyalty for a mere instant, but deep down in her heart her true loyalty was to Rhia that is why she still tried to save her."
At the instant Draco finished talking his features started changing one by one. They all stared at him as his nose would change and go back to normal. His hair changed color then go back to normal. His hands, body, eyes… for a few minutes it was as if his body had a mind of its own.
A/N: So did you expect that? Do you know what Draco is? Stay tuned. Thank you for all reviews. I'm trying to accommodate everyone's needs, but please be patient if the chapters don't have the story line you wanted.