Legacy Disowned - Book 1

Chapter 27 - The Final Repository

Eleazar was anxiously pacing the map chamber, wringing his hands as his imagination drew up more and more troublesome explanations as to what could be keeping Miss Darling. The four portraits of the Keepers silently watched him from above. He understood that they were unable to fully understand the worries that still plagued the living, but that didn't make their apparent calm any less unsettling.

Where was she? He had made all the preparations with Professor Weasley, but his ward was late. Too late. Surely it shouldn't take this long to craft a wand. Each minute that ticked by made his heart sink further.

He had just made up his mind to go look for her himself when the sound of rapid footfalls echoing down the corridor beyond reached his ears. Eleazar froze, holding his breath until the door finally burst open. His relief was short lived however as he got a look at her. The tiny girl was completely drenched from head to toe in blood.

"My dear!" he exclaimed, rushing toward her. "Are you—?"

"Rookwood's dead," she cut him off, doubling over to catch her breath. "Confronted me outside Ollivander's. Had to defend myself."

"Godric's heart." Eleazar gasped, placing his hands on her shoulders as he quickly scanned her for any sign of injury. "Rookwood himself? I know you can handle yourself, but—"

She shrugged him off impatiently. "I'm fine. None of this is mine." With a deep breath she straightened, locking eyes with the portrait of Percival Rackham as she gestured to her bag. "I've got the wand," she said firmly. "I'm ready. Let's do this."

For a moment, Eleazar wanted to protest but he knew she was right, time was of the essence.

Rackham folded his hands, looking down at the girl imperiously. "You have completed the trials, Miss Darling, under circumstances even I could not foresee. By now you must understand why all of this was necessary— to ensure one with your rare gift would make the same choice we did, all those centuries ago."

San Bakar nodded in agreement. "You have witnessed my memories. You know what is at stake, and that not everyone is what they seem."

"You must realise that light cannot exist without shadow, nor shadow without light," Niamh Fitzgerald added gently. "Just because you have the power to eliminate darkness does not always mean you should."

Charles Rookwood fixed her with a stern look as he concluded. "Even the best-intentioned and most capable among us cannot fully predict the consequences of meddling with what should remain beyond our reach." 

Rackham held up a hand. "What lies in the repository must never be unleashed. You must resist any temptation to try and destroy it, or exert control over it. That power is not meant for mortal hands. Guarding this secret is now your solemn duty. We leave our legacy in your hands."

Eleazar watched Miss Darling closely as the weight of the Keepers' words sank in. Her jaw was set, but there was no mistaking the anxiety that shimmered behind her already tired eyes, and he felt a deep sense of loss for a future that could have been. This burden was far from one that she would have chosen for herself.

He couldn't help but feel that he had failed her in some way. It had been his duty to guide her to a better life than the one she had known, after all. Would she ever find pockets of normalcy, of laughter and lightness? Would there be those with whom she could share her secret, to help shoulder the load? The thought of her carrying this alone, isolated by her gift... it broke his heart.

But Miss Darling lifted her chin, her back straight and confident as she met the eyes of each of the Keepers in turn. "I understand," she said clearly. "I'm ready for what comes next."