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Pendragon: The King Stag
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Chapter 1
"Pumpkins"
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October 30th, 1976
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'Pumpkins,' Lily thought irritably. 'Pumpkins! Why do they always have so many pumpkins?'
Hogwarts was already decorated for Hallowe'en, and, as always, it was bothering Lily to no end.
'Sacrilegious, that's what this is.'
The Great Hall was full of huge, candlelit pumpkins, and the house elves were busy arranging the tables and cleaning everything. It was her duty as a prefect to oversee the preparation for one of the biggest feasts in the school year.
Thankfully, Remus Lupin was helping her, or else she probably would have snapped by now. For obvious reasons, the Hallowe'en feast always aggravated her.
"What do you think, Lil? Should the sky be just like outside, or should we change it?"
She turned around to look at him, trying hard not to retort too sharply.
Remus managed not to wince; Lily's redhead temper was about to snap, he could sense it - hopefully, they'd finish choosing the decorations before it did.
Why had Dumbledore wanted Hogwarts to be adorned for Hallowe'en on October 30th? Lily wasn't sure, but the rumour going around the school was that he wasn't going to be there tomorrow, so he wanted to make sure everything was in order before leaving.
Lupin looked up; the moon was a Waxing Gibbous. As if he needed reminder of that fact, as if he couldn't sense the phases of the moon as easily as he could think or breathe…
'Tomorrow's full moon,' he thought, a shiver running down his back.
'That's auspicious,' Lily pondered, hearing Remus' thoughts as easily as if he were speaking out loud. 'October 31st, the Samhain…'
"I think we should change it, Moony," she said pointedly, with a raised eyebrow. "People shouldn't be reminded the moon is full on Hallowe'en."
'They shouldn't have to be reminded! Tomorrow's Samhain! The supposedly most educated wizards in Britain, the Hogwarts students, are going to celebrate by devouring enormous amount of food… In a few decades, they might as well go out trick-or-treating… How did it come to this?'
Lily's trail of thought startled her. What was she going to do next? Curse the many wizards throughout history who had contributed to this bitter reality? Or even worse, criticize Dumbledore for allowing the simplistic celebration to happen?
'He's the Merlin of Britain,' she reasoned. 'Of course he knows what he's doing.'
Naturally, the Hogwarts Headmaster, even though he was one of the few Initiated, couldn't speak openly about the Mysteries. The wizarding world had turned from that path long ago…
'Sí vanwa ná…'
And now Avalon was lost, forever lost in the mists…
'Why?' Lily thought, tears welling up her eyes - tears of anger, frustration, sadness… 'Why have they chosen the path of ignorance, simple-mindedness, frivolity? Why have they driven Her away from their lives? Oh, Mother…'
"Lily?" Remus repeated.
She had temporarily forgotten he was there; now she glanced at him again.
"Sorry," she said, grinning sheepishly. "I was just thinking - uh, what were you saying?"
"I said, 'fine by me; it's not like I'll be here tomorrow night anyway'."
"Oh, okay then," she replied with a sympathetic grin.
Lily and Remus watched the house-elves scurrying around for a while, and then they stood up in near unison.
"I'll ask Dumbledore to change the sky," she suggested. "And you should take a rest, save your strength and everything."
"I will," Remus assured her. "I'll see you next week, then, Lil."
"Good luck," Lily called as he walked away.
After Lupin was already far away, Lily raised her hands in a quick blessing. Remus could have become quite a druid if that werewolf had never bit him… What had he done to deserve such a curse in this life?
And he didn't even know! Remus, like every other wizard, studied Avalon and druid lore as if they were part of a distant past… They didn't know druids and priestesses were still trained by the Lady of the Lake, that Avalon was still the heart of Britain, or that there was a Merlin to guide them if necessary… They didn't know, they didn't know!
How could they live with the despair of being born only once, of not caring about the highest forms of magick? How could they ignore the true magick, the eternal cycles of Live, Death, and Rebirth? How could they think magic was nothing more than silly wand-waving or potion-brewing?
This wasn't the first time Lily had mulled over these questions, but she had never found a proper answer. Of course, she had studied about how Avalon had slowly grown more and more distant from the wizarding world, just like wizards had grown distant from Muggles. But did it always have to remain that way? Couldn't the situation change? Couldn't History be changed?
Irritated, she shooed away one of the thousands of bats flying around. How could they? And how could Albus Dumbledore, the Merlin of Britain, watch and do nothing? He had been working at Hogwarts for about fifty years - how had he been able to stand it?
Lily now fully understood why, for centuries, no priestesses or druids had been allowed to study at Hogwarts. It was very annoying to anyone who practiced magick in its true form to endure the simplistic Hogwarts education.
But she didn't regret staying at the school to finish her seven years. To her, studying there felt like attending Muggle Studies did to most wizards - it seemed a bizarre, shallow reality.
One of the house-elves was about to drop a huge pile of golden plates; Lily quickly said a spell to levitate them. Her wand, made out of willow, had a few discreet runes carved in it - she didn't want her colleagues to notice them, but she also didn't want to waste most of the power she could channel through that consecrated piece of wood. She also had another wand, made out of nemo, the sacred oak - but that one stayed in Avalon. It wasn't meant to be used for puerile hexes or trivial conjuring.
Lily walked to the Headmaster's office slowly, appreciating the silence in the hallways - most students were still in the classrooms. Usually, the amount of noise around the school was rather deafening, and very aggravating for someone who appreciated silence as much as Lily did.
She envied all the other priestesses a little, the ones who stayed in Avalon all year long. But in truth, Lily liked Hogwarts. She knew that, after a few years, she would retire to the solitude of the Holy Isle and hardly ever return to the outside world. It wasn't forbidden to leave, but… Well, Avalon was a wonderful place to live, and people just didn't want to face the wizarding world - its emptiness, superficiality, and gloom were rather depressing.
If Lily hadn't been a very fast learner, she wouldn't have been able to complete her training while living away from Avalon. Novices usually had daily classes, from sunrise to sundown, with very little spare time. Nalune, the Lady of Avalon, had often sent some of the older priestesses to Hogwarts so that Lily could catch up on the training.
But Lily was a natural priestess, and everybody knew that. Her gift of Sight was second only to the Lady's, and she could perform most of the Rites almost instinctively. Lily had already Seen that she had been a priestess in another lifetime - well, anyone could have guessed that, really.
So now here she was: a sworn higher-level priestess who owed allegiance only to the Lady of Avalon - and to the Goddess Herself.
"Pumpkins," she muttered to the gargoyle in front of her. The entrance to the Headmaster's office opened instantly.
'What an appropriate password!'
Entering the office, Lily saw the aged man standing by the window. As usual, he sensed her presence, and turned to greet her.
Lily laid her right hand over her breast and raised it slowly to forehead level - the usual salute given to the highest initiates. Dumbledore bowed his head slightly.
"Remus and I think it would be better if the Great Hall ceiling were changed, so that it doesn't show the full moon."
"I'll take care of it. The Lady requests your immediate presence," said Dumbledore. "I'll find someone to replace you for patrol duty tonight."
Lily bowed and turned to leave. Even though she was a bit curious to know why she was being called, she knew very well that Nalune hardly ever explained her actions - not even to Dumbledore, Merlin though he was.
"Ask James Potter to come here before you go, please," requested Dumbledore. "Tell him I have to speak with him as soon as possible."
"Yes, sir."
Lily didn't know why Dumbledore's last order had disturbed her so much. Well, she didn't know because she didn't want to know. Stubbornly, she refused to allow the Sight to come to her. Lily could feel it approaching - an empty, powerful force pushing all her other thoughts away…
But she had been very well trained, and only Saw when she wanted to. This was certainly not one of those times.
Lily disliked James Potter, mostly because he could push her buttons better than anyone else. Intuitively, he had recognised her strengths and weaknesses from the very first time they'd met - for in truth they had met many, many times before…
No! Resolutely, she refused the Sight once more and kept her mind focused on the reality surrounding her.
She couldn't care less about what James' past lives had been! Nothing very special, probably… This time, he had been born into a wealthy, but rather ordinary wizarding family - he would certainly never find out about Avalon… Like everybody else, he would never know druids still existed. And Lily didn't feel sorry for him, not at all.
He had always been an annoying, arrogant bully - even though one couldn't tell it by looking at his great grades and impeccable conduct around the teachers. But around girls… He used them all, dumping his girlfriends after a week, at the most. A player! And for some reason Lily couldn't possibly understand, all the girls still liked him, were still attracted to him, and still giggled every time he passed them…
No, definitely not a druid - thankfully.
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"A few centuries ago, in times of peace - and even in some times of war -, this country was ruled by women. Londinium was the main city, economy-wise, but the true heart of Britannia was in Avalon, where the Lady dwelled and trained numerous novices."
Albus Dumbledore took a deep breath before continuing.
"Time went by. War in Britannia occurred more and more often. The man whom the Lady indicated as Year-King - Pendragon, Duke of War - took over the throne, whilst she only meddled in politics when she thought it necessary. He was sworn to protect the land, or die trying, and had to go through several tests that proved him worthy of the honour of being chosen. You know all about how Avalon slowly grew distant from the wizarding world, I'm sure."
James stared at the Headmaster. He had studied Druid history years ago! Why was Albus telling him this? Avalon was now lost in the mists forever… No Lady had become Headmistress in the most ancient of British wizarding schools in centuries. Right?
"Yes, sir. But it's been long since there was a Lady in Avalon… Why are you telling me this?"
Dumbledore shook his head and frowned slightly. Suddenly, his clear blue eyes seemed cold and eerie.
"No, James. The Avalon House of Maidens still trains priestesses, and the Lady is very much alive and active."
James blinked a few times, quickly absorbing that surprising bit of truth. "Well, hiding that fact from everybody is certainly very clever."
Dumbledore grinned. "Very few people know about it. All the novices are sworn to secrecy, and we take pledges very seriously."
We. He should've guessed Dumbledore would be involved in this. "Still… Why are you telling me all this?"
Albus sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. Why had James been chosen to do this task? He was such a happy, juvenile teenager! No one deserved to have such a burden cast upon him at such a young age…
Dumbledore felt sorry for the young man. If the choice were his, James would become an Auror, an active member of the Order of the Phoenix, and would mature in time. Not this… he wouldn't wish this upon his worst enemy.
He had once been called to be the Pendragon, but Nalune - and the Goddess through her - had chosen someone else to fight this time. He had another part to play in this struggle, she had told him. Only through the powers invested in him by the ancient rites had he been able to defeat the Dark wizard Grindenwald in 1945, after decades of fighting.
The Headmaster sincerely wished the burden of defeating Voldemort hadn't been cast upon James, but there was truly nothing he could do.
"I'm the Merlin of Britannia," he said at last.
James was slightly taken aback for a few seconds… but it was logical, really. If the Lady of Avalon was still around, there was obviously still a Merlin.
"You still haven't answered my question, sir."
"The Lady has Seen you in her visions… She told me you were practically born a Druid. I mean - well, of course your initiation depends on your decision. Do you wish to become one?"
This actually startled James more than anything else had so far. "Oh," was his eloquent answer.
"You don't have to decide right now. It's just that… Well, tomorrow is Samhain," said Dumbledore, correctly pronouncing it 'Sowen'. "And Avalon's always quite a sight at the turning of the year - the magickal year, that is."
"October 31st…" James said slowly. Everything he'd learned about ancient magic (shockingly little, now that he thought about it) was resurfacing rapidly. "I - okay. Yes, of course I want to be a Druid. I don't think I can sing, though," he added as an afterthought.
Albus grinned. "I'll take you as my Acolyte, then. You can tell your friends I'm training you. We don't have time to lose - I have to teach you ten years' worth of knowledge in two, so…"
"When will we start?"
"Tonight."
"So you're going to train me for the next two years… what exactly are you going to teach me?"
"Oh, Druid history, posture, music, religion, spells - ancient magic; true magick. None of this Latin, small-minded silliness."
James nodded.
"I won't teach you everything, though. The Lady will send a few priestesses to do some of the work, too."
James was trying very hard to absorb everything without question. He had always thought Avalon existed only in history books… All this, so suddenly - it was just too much, too fast.
"You'll have to spend your holidays in Avalon," said Dumbledore abruptly. "Of course you can pass by to see your family, but you can't waste too much time at your parents' house."
James' reaction was a half-smile. "So I guess I won't quite have proper holidays."
Albus smiled. "No, you won't. But I think you'll enjoy Avalon. The isle of Ynis Witrim is a very beautiful place."
With a pang of guilt, he remembered that James, like himself, would have his heart bound to Avalon forever. He would never find true peace or happiness anywhere else, and would probably move to the Holy Isle after he fulfilled his task.
Oh, for the tranquillity and bliss of leaving all the problems behind him and becoming a Bard in Avalon! How Albus longed for the water of the Holy Well, the coolness of the mists in the sunset, the serenity of the Tor…
"So… you'll go?"
"Yes," James replied resolutely. "What's the point in thinking about it if the Lady, who has the Sight, already knows I'll accept?"
Albus nodded; he had learned that lesson a long time ago, but it had taken him a while longer than it had James. That was very wise of him; Nalune would certainly like that attitude.
"I won't have to quit Quidditch, will I?" James asked, suddenly worried.
"No, of course not."
"Well then, I really should go, if you don't mind. My team's going to start practice in ten minutes - and I'm the captain, so things don't really work if I'm not there."
For a moment, Albus considered the possibility of telling James he would meet a familiar face in Avalon. He quickly decided against it; it was better to let him find out all about it in his own time.
His own time… Lily's own time was more like it. She wouldn't want him to know about her being a priestess before it was strictly necessary - the morning after they went through the Dragon Isle testing together, probably.
"Of course. Have fun. Be here at nine o'clock."
"Yes, sir."
Nalune was going to ask Lily to be a part of the rite that would anoint James as the Pendragon. She wouldn't like the idea very much, but she was sworn to obey the Lady's will… She would eventually yield and become the Virgin Huntress who'd help James become the King Stag. She knew better than to participate in the ritual half-heartedly - that could result in James' death.
In truth, Dumbledore truly admired the Avalon priestesses, even though he feared them a bit, especially Nalune. There was too much power in her, of a kind he could not understand; it was as if she were beyond good and evil. She was powerful. But the Lady usually chose what was considered the 'good' side; she protected Nature, and the Equilibrium of all things…
'Druid lore,' thought Albus, amused. It was funny how deeply those teachings had entered his mind, surfacing at the most unexpected times.
He did not regret sending Lily to Nalune after her parents had died. She would not have been happy living with her sister and a distant aunt… But now he wondered if that had truly been the right thing to do.
Well, it certainly had seemed perfect at the time: she had loved studying Druid history, even though she had thought it was nothing but legend. She couldn't have dreamed she had already met the Merlin of Britannia, who wore the serpents on his wrists and had once passed through the ancient rites of the Dragon Isle…
Lily went to Avalon willingly, Dumbledore reminded himself sternly. And Nalune had been very glad to receive her. He had been merely an instrument of Destiny… Lily was a born priestess; he had heard Nalune say so many times.
And James… he would make a fine Druid. Even though his disregard for rules was well-known, Albus had no doubt he could also be very self-controlled and stern when necessary.
James would surely like Avalon. He would be a perfect Pendragon… He, Albus, was too old to face Voldemort. James would defeat the Dark Lord, or die trying…
'He must die, for the world to live…'
The words of the ritual chilled him to the bone.
No, James couldn't die…
Albus fervently hoped that James would defeat Voldemort, and not the other way around. He thought of Lily - definitely the smartest witch he'd ever met, and a born priestess -, and his hope was rekindled.
Lily and James, together, would defeat Voldemort.
He was sure of it.
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November 1st, 1976
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The wind was always cool, and the sun always shone brightly in Ynis Witrim. Beyond, in the distant borders of the lake were the mists, keeping Avalon unseen to Muggles and wizards alike.
Why did she miss it so, the serenity of Holy Isle? From the moment Lily had arrived there, shortly before her fourteenth birthday, she had begun to love that land as if it were a part of her. Avalon had been home to her when her world had fallen apart; Avalon had given her comfort and a reason to live…
Her mother had died of cancer and her father had shot himself soon afterwards. Petunia, her Muggle older sister, had gone to live with a distant aunt. But Dumbledore had offered Lily another option: to go to Avalon and study in the House of Maidens during the Hogwarts holidays.
Heaven on Earth - that had been Lily's foremost thought after crossing the mists for the first time. The island was absolutely perfect. The weather never changed much, and the passing of the years had had little or no effect on Avalon, which remained as beautiful as it had been when Arthur or even Cassandra promenaded there.
There, Lily's emotional wounds had been healed, and she had learned about magick in a way she didn't even know existed. There was more to it than simple wand-waving or potion-making, so much more… Magick was everywhere: the land, the trees, the sky, the beasts… Magick was a part of her, alive, changing, and powerful.
November 1st was one of the best days of the year. It was as if the world had been renewed - everything seemed fresh and full of energy. Magick had been rekindled, and the Goddess was even more present in the nature. Thankfully, Dumbledore had let Lily spend the day in Avalon - yesterday had been Samhain, after all, and he knew that she still felt a bit drained.
It was great to have the Merlin of Britain as Headmaster. He spoiled Lily a bit - she was, after all, the first Avalon priestess to study at Hogwarts in centuries. The House of Maidens probably would have trained her better if she had studied there full-time, but Nalune, Lady of Avalon, had thought it wiser for Lily to finish the normal Hogwarts seven years. Lily was already in her third year when she was initiated, and her friends would certainly wonder where she had gone if she left.
Practically no one knew Avalon still existed. Everybody studied the Holy Isle and its major importance in the ancient history; all students were told it had disappeared in the mists forever, and that was partly true - no uninitiated was able to find his way to Avalon without a guide.
That wasn't her case. She could already call the barge, lower the mists and get to Avalon at any time she wanted. Of course she still depended on Dumbledore to get her to the lake shore - she was too young to Apparate…
Lowering the mists… That had been the last part of her testing to become a priestess, last Yule: to be left outside Avalon, without her wand or food. She'd had to call the barge and lower the mists separating the Isle from the rest of the world. Exhausted and weak, she'd been received in Ynis Witrim with honours. They'd tattooed the blue crescent on her brow that day…
Lily was now a sworn priestess, and while in Avalon wore that sign of her status on her forehead proudly. For obvious reasons, she had to hide it while at Hogwarts.
She took a deep breath, staring longingly at the Tor. Oh, Mother, she felt horrible… The ritual herbs she'd took the night before helped the Sight become clearer, but also made her feel quite woozy for days afterwards. Of course she was already somewhat used to them by now, but it took a while for their effect to fade nevertheless.
Moreover, yesterday's ritual had been specially demanding - it was her first Samhain since she'd taken her vows, and she had much more of a key role in the rites now.
"It rained yesterday," a voice behind her said quietly.
Priestesses were trained to move so quietly that no one could detect their approach. Their self-control was also extremely honed; Lily didn't look alarmed upon suddenly hearing Nalune's voice.
Lily was going to stand up to salute the Lady properly, but Nalune's hand on her shoulder stopped her.
The High Priestess sat beside Lily. Even now - visibly weary and worried -, the Lady of Avalon still retained her awe-inspiring majesty. Her dark hair, untouched by the many years she'd lived, was loose, reaching her waist; she wore the dark blue priestess robes, her ceremonial silver knife hanging from her waist. The only difference between her outfit and Lily's was a simple silver necklace illustrating her status.
"It rained yesterday outside Avalon," said the High Priestess sadly. "Not a powerful, good rain - just an ice-cold, persistent drizzle."
Lily sighed. That weather in the beginning of the magickal year prognosticated no good…
"But something's changed," she said suddenly. Lily had no idea where that certainty had come from - she just knew she had to say that.
"What?" asked Nalune, looking at curiously. "What's changed?"
Lily grinned slightly and shook her head. "I don't really know."
"Well, then, I suppose I should tell you."
Lily, intrigued, turned to look at the Lady.
"Did you notice there was a new Druid yesterday?"
"Yes - the Merlin brought him, but I didn't see his face. He didn't participate in the rituals; I figured he was just a novice."
"The Merlin has chosen him to be his Acolyte."
Lily raised an eyebrow. Dumbledore had been looking for a worthy disciple for many years, but… Well, she'd always thought she'd pick one of the other druids, not a completely new guy. "He's chosen a neophyte?"
"Well, he's rather… singular."
A shiver ran down Lily's spine. She knew exactly Nalune was talking about. This man would be no druid.
Yesterday, she'd Seen once more that there was need for a new Pendragon… She'd already Seen it several times before - and the urgency in her visions seemed to grow as time went by.
"I just thought you should know - we'll need your help in his training."
"My help?" she asked, confused. "But - I'll be at Hogwarts -"
"Exactly. He studies there, too," Nalune said, smiling impishly. "In fact, judging by what the Merlin's told me, you know him quite well."
Lily barely had time to hold her breath before she realised that she somehow already knew who he was, deep inside.
She didn't even need the Sight to know his name - of course it'd have to be him, the only Hogwarts student she really couldn't stand... She'd be stuck with him now; she would have to teach him how to be a Druid…
"Not… James?" she asked miserably, lifting her eyes to meet Nalune's, demanding an answer. "James Potter is the Pendragon?"
James, the annoying bully she'd hated at first sight. James, who had had a crush on her last year; she'd had to turn him down several times before he had actually gotten the point. James, who had been rather nice to her since last year, and hadn't tried to ask her out again… yet.
James. JAMES!
"Yes, Lily, James is the Pendragon. Or rather, he will be, after he passes his ordeals."
James was going to be the man she would have to obey almost unconditionally? James was the Pendragon?
"But… he's unworthy," she breathed out, irritated. "He's unworthy of wielding the power of the Holy Regalia; he's not noble enough to hold the fate of Avalon in his hands!"
"Do you presume to know more about the fate of Avalon than I?" Nalune reprimanded her softly. "Do you dare to criticize the Goddess' instructions?"
Lily lowered her head, recognizing the authority of the High Priestess. She hadn't meant to argue with her in such a disrespectful manner… But she could not stand by and let that irresponsible jerk take on much more power than he could handle. It would kill him… James certainly would never manage to become the King Stag.
"It might kill him," she whispered, closing her eyes.
The Sight, stirred by Lily's intense desire to pierce through the veil of time, came quickly - James was running, fighting the King Stag. Lily could sense the strength and power running through his veins as if they were one… She heard herself, saying all the charms she knew to strengthen him and encourage him on…
Suddenly, James had transformed himself into a stag… Go on, go on, the power is yours; this is your calling, your Fate, our Destiny… After a hard fight, he killed the King Stag… Covered in blood, he transformed back into his human form…
Lily opened her eyes, suddenly out of breath. How? James was going to become the King Stag; he would show his valour and worthiness… He was the Pendragon; he had been born to save Britannia…
Lily bowed her head slightly, and Nalune could tell that she was thoroughly convinced.
"You're going to ask me to take him as my consort," Lily stated calmly, feeling even sicker to her stomach that she had before. Oh, Goddess… She was going to have to sleep with him! "In Dragon Isle, you'll want me to be there for him after he kills the King Stag."
Nalune wasn't surprised by her statement. Lily's Sight was extremely powerful and well trained - she had undoubtedly already Seen the ritual and its inevitable outcome.
"Yes."
Lily took a deep breath. She definitely had never thought that she would actually have to sleep with James Potter. Oh, Ceridwen, anyone but him… How could she wholeheartedly help someone whom she hated during that extremely dangerous and vital ritual? His very life would depend on her actions…
Well, Lily had been trained very well. She wasn't supposed to question the Lady's decision - and, well, Lily had already seen herself in the ritual, so she was obviously going to accept.
"I don't think he should know about my being a priestess until we meet at Dragon Isle," she said at last. "Please, Lady."
Nalune acquiesced with a smile. "You will help the Merlin with his training. Remain disguised if you must… But your presence is essential. I know you don't really like him, but - I have Seen it. Unmistakeably."
Lily nodded, feeling utterly miserable.
The High Priestess stood to leave, and Lily followed suit. "This isn't his first time as the Pendragon, you know," she said conversationally. "Well, of course you know - you had already noticed that you knew him from another lifetime, hadn't you?"
She nodded again, even more desolately.
"He's been your consort before, actually," Nalune said, grinning. "I don't think it'll help much if I tell you that you'll soon discover a side of him you don't know about…"
Lily shook her head, and stood up. "This is the will of the Goddess, Lady. I have long since yielded my wishes to Her; this will be a small sacrifice, that's all."
The Lady of the Lake smiled sadly as Lily saluted her and walked away. She depended heavily on the Sight to rule Avalon, and its constant use had led to her knowledge of several woeful future events she couldn't alter or prevent.
If Lily only knew…
Lily and James' hate didn't disquiet Nalune at all - their love, on the other hand…
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The water of the Holy Well reflected the baby blue sky. Obviously. In fact, that small well looked just like any other.
"It isn't just like any other… It can't be called the 'Holy Well' for nothing," James muttered, staring at it. What could possibly be so special about that thing?
That little pond right beside it looked awfully ordinary, too. But he'd been told it was the Lady's Sacred Mirror. Of course, it was pretty and all, but it didn't seem special in any mystic way.
Maybe it was unique solely because it was in Ynis Witrim, even though James highly doubted it. But then again, he had seen so many extraordinary things in the past two days that he was pretty much prepared to believe anything.
The very existence of Ynis Witrim, for example. He'd always studied Avalon as part of a distant history… And then one day Dumbledore had simply called him to his office and invited him to spend the day in the Holy Isle.
It was an extraordinary place. In fact, James' first impression upon seeing it was a strange sense that he was coming back home. Obviously, he had never been to Ynis Witrim before, but… It was like he knew it somehow…
James shook his head. He had always been an essentially rational guy. Okay, he had felt an unexplainable attraction to ancient magick when he'd studied it. And yes, he had wondered many times if all druids had really given up completely on contacting the outside world. But… this -
He had never imagined he'd one day be offered the opportunity to become a Druid. And now here he was - a novice, Acolyte of the Merlin of Britannia.
James was still having a bit of a hard time believing it all. Merlin, he'd -
He immediately censured himself. No more using Dumbledore's title in vain, he thought with a smirk.
"Hello."
James looked up, startled. The Lady of Avalon was standing right beside him, her stern brown eyes piercing his.
Nalune wasn't very tall, but she seemed so powerful and distinct that her true physical appearance didn't matter. She exuded power and enchantment like no other woman James had ever seen.
He had never met Nalune, but she was so singular - even when compared to the already exceptional Avalon priestesses - that he could never have mistaken her for anyone else.
"Hello, Lady," James said nervously. "How - how should I - I don't really know -"
Not many people had ever made James Potter stutter. But he really didn't know the proper way to salute the Lady of Avalon… And he didn't want to seem disrespectful in any way.
"Put your hand on your chest," she instructed, smiling condescendingly. "And raise it to your forehead slowly."
He obeyed, and she nodded in approval.
"Do you like Avalon?"
"Very much. It… feels like home somehow."
Nalune nodded again. "You've walked the path of Light in another lifetime - you've lived here before, I have Seen it."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
The Lady sat down beside him, and James couldn't help but think that it felt strange to have an amicable conversation with such an extraordinary woman.
"How did you become High Priestess? I mean, were you trained to do it ever since you first came to Avalon?"
"I was born in Avalon. My mother was High Priestess before me - but that had no influence in my choosing. I even had other sisters who also became priestesses… The Lady of the Lake must at some point choose among the sworn priestesses the one who will succeed her and train that priestess accordingly."
"Have you already chosen your successor?"
"Yes."
"How do you choose? I mean, what kind of trait do you look for?"
"In truth, it is the Goddess who chooses, not I. She has never failed to reveal to her High Priestesses the one who will best serve her as Lady of the Lake."
"What about the Merlin? How is he chosen?"
"It is a similar process."
"How about the Pendragon? I mean, is there a Year-King now?" James suddenly felt nervous, and realised that he was probably being inconvenient. "I'm sorry, Lady; I must be tiring you with all these questions…"
Nalune smiled. James had felt uncomfortable upon mentioning the Pendragon, but he hadn't understood why - well, he was about to find out.
"No, there isn't."
"I thought there was always a Pendragon in times of war… And we're at war - against Voldemort. No?"
The Lady of Avalon sighed and did not answer.
"Isn't there always a Pendragon when there is need?"
"Yes, usually."
"There is need… Voldemort gains more power every day!"
"You're right - there is need. And the Goddess has already chosen a Pendragon."
"Oh - so there is -"
"No, he hasn't passed through the ordeals yet."
"Oh, I see."
"In fact, he didn't even know he's been chosen… until now," said Nalune quietly.
James released the breath he hadn't realised he was holding. "And -"
She interrupted him, looking soberly straight into James' eyes. "Will you be willing to do it, James? It is too heavy a burden to be borne without complete consent… But the Goddess has unmistakeably selected you to be the Pendragon."
James blinked a few times, waiting for Nalune's statement to sink in properly.
The Lady of Avalon - someone he had always considered a historical figure, mythological even - had chosen him to be the Pendragon.
James' head started spinning. That didn't make any sense. He was only seventeen! He hadn't even finished his sixth year! Surely, the Lady wouldn't ask him to quit school just to… save the world. It felt strange to even think about it.
This was crazy… This couldn't be happening. It had to be some sort of practical joke. James, the Pendragon? The Marauder, the prankster, the ladies' man, famous for his disregard of rules and authority?
"What exactly does that mean?" he asked when he had managed to find his voice. "What will I have to do?"
"You will be trained while at Hogwarts by the Merlin and some of the priestesses. On Beltane - not the next one; the one after that - you will go through a test to see if you're worthy of the power and blessing of Avalon. If you are… well, then, you will receive them. And you will swear to protect Britannia from Voldemort, or die trying."
James lowered his head. It seemed like a task too great for him - he was definitely unworthy of the trust they were showing in him.
But the Goddess had chosen him - he couldn't quail.
"All right," he agreed simply. "Okay, I'll do it."
Nalune smiled. "You are an Animagus, yes?"
James was startled. "Well - yes, but -"
"Don't worry, the Merlin knows nothing of this; I have other sources in the school. I just thought maybe you'd like to know - your ordeal will consist basically of becoming the King Stag… Had you never wondered why that is your animal?"
James grinned weakly. "I guess this was really meant to be, then."
"Oh, yes," said Nalune, standing up to go. "Never doubt that, not even for a second. You were born for this."
He had been born for this… He was the King Stag, the Year-King… He would spill his blood for the land if necessary… He would be sworn to kill Voldemort or die trying…
He was the Pendragon.
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November 2nd, 1976
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Without doubt, Dumbledore liked aggravating Lily every once in a while. Either that or he was trying to see if she could maintain her self-control at Hogwarts as well as she could in Avalon. Okay, that wasn't very likely. In fact, he probably didn't even realise that Hallowe'en decorations really got on her nerves.
Well, at least this time no one would mind if she blew up a pumpkin or two.
'Removing the decorations is definitely something the house-elves could do on their own.'
"Sorry I'm late," a voice behind her said breathlessly.
As always, that voice sent shivers down her spine - and not in a good way. James Potter didn't have to do anything to irritate Lily; his very presence already annoyed her.
And she was going to have to get to know him better, train him, spend loads of time with him, sleep with him…
"How was your Hallowe'en?" she asked, startling him.
It felt strange to hear Lily acting… normal around him. Of course she just wanted to see how good he was at truth-bending, but he thought she was just being civil.
"It was… fine," he replied. "October 31st is always a fun day."
Lily knew that he was thinking about how he had to stop calling Samhain 'Hallowe'en' now. She remembered the beginning of her training very well - all the new truths to which she suddenly had had to adapt.
"How was yours?"
"Fine, too."
He nodded and looked around the Great Hall. There were still plenty of candlelit pumpkins floating around, and hundreds of bats were flying. House elves scurried around, cleaning and tidying everything up.
"I love the Hallowe'en feast," he said suddenly. "It's definitely the best day of the year."
She cast him an exasperated look, but he didn't notice.
Lily could tell James was counting on the fact that she hated him too much to notice he hadn't been there for the feast.
'He likes this silly Hallowe'en celebration… Oh, yes - you'll surely become a great Pendragon someday, James Potter.'
"The bats are always fun, and these pumpkins look great, too. Hagrid does an awesome job of growing them. They're very… Hallowe'en-ish."
James slapped himself inwardly. Shut up, for goodness' sake! Oh, why did he always have to babble whenever he was around Lily?
Clenching her fists, Lily glared fiercely at a nearby pumpkin and it exploded.
She groaned inwardly, levitating the fragments before they hit the floor and made a mess.
'Oh, Mother, he likes the pumpkins… A great Pendragon indeed.'
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