The Brightest Sun

Chapter 44

Elia
"Elia," Doran said, surprise evident in his tone.

She'd given in to the urge to laugh, seeing the look on his face as she rummaged through her trunks, searching for the one that held the brewed potions. She and Harry had spent the better part of a year brewing them, Narcissa and Astoria helping as they placed a number of everyday - and some emergency use - potions under stasis. Linfred's portrait had been most helpful, the elder Potter directing them to his journals and the additions made by various Potters as Fleamont and Euphemia added their input.

"It works, then?" She questioned. She had worried the lack of magic might prove harmful, but blood rang true and Doran was able to safely take them.

"I've not felt like this in years," he told her, wonder on his face.

Seeing the relief in his features had been painful, and it was for that reason Elia sat at the table a week later, a tome of healing potions opened before her as the children looked through their belongings. Having the portraits on hand would have been better, nearly half the Potters being experts on potions, but it looked as if they would have to make do without until Harry found them.

The sound of footsteps pulled her attention, and Elia smiled at seeing the stack of books Teddy was floating in front of him.

"Is that all?"

"No," he said, shaking his head as he placed the books on the table. "There's a pile of them in the trunk, but these are the only ones I could think of off the top of my head. I don't think there's a potion specifically for gout."

"Probably not," she said, turning to look at the first book in the pile. Magical Regrowth, it read, and she raised a brow at seeing the different titles within. "Skele-Grow."

"Never taken it, thank Merlin. Dad swears it tastes disgusting," he told her, shadows crossing his eyes before he perked up. "Think Uncle Doran would let me vanish his bones?"

"Not anytime soon," she retorted, shaking her head at the small smirk on his face. "Stop torturing your uncle."

"S'not my fault he's scared," Teddy muttered.

"What's not your fault?" Aegon asked, sidling next to Teddy as he grabbed the book closest to him. "Uncle Doran freezing whenever he sees your wand? Have you forgotten the bit about dangling his very skilled sworn sword by the ankle?"

"See if I keep you from anymore accidents," Teddy sniffed. "You'll have to find another knight to protect you now."

"You're not a knight," Aegon quipped, squirming as Teddy put him in a headlock.

"Blasphemy, little brother," he teased, laughing as Aegon broke free. "I guess I'll be Rhae's protector."

"I hope you're ready to take her place then," Aegon snorted. "Wouldn't want a Kingsguard who so willingly harms his king."

"Boys," she cut in sharply, hearing their chorus of "Sorry, Mum."

She sighed, seeing the quick glance they shared. "Are you planning to dance around whatever it is for another week or have you finally decided to ask?"

Teddy sent a pointed look at Aegon, lifting a shoulder as he took a seat at the table.

"We've been here for over five weeks now," Aegon said, pacing as he gathered his thoughts.

She knew where this conversation was headed, and she felt a twinge of regret at taking so long to get there. Hearing of Rhaegar absconding in Dorne of all places had thrown her off balance, and Elia had thrown herself into finding an answer to Doran's ailment.