The Brightest Sun

Chapter 45

It had been so long since the last time he had been locked inside a room that Harry forgot how mind-numbingly slow time seemed to move.

He had slept fitfully, baking in the heat of Dorne as he ached to leave. The guards had left him locked inside, a servant bringing him plates of food as he waited to hear of Oberyn's return. He'd given up counting sometime after they had brought him breakfast, knowing only that he was still so very far from his family.

Is it only one more day? He wondered, wishing he knew where the Water Gardens were and that he wasn't so exhausted before he stilled, cursing his forgetfulness.

"Winky," he called lowly, wary of any listening guards.

He felt the shift in the air before she materialized, eyes wide as she took in the sight of him. Quickly, he pressed a finger to his lips, gesturing at the door before she snapped her fingers.

"Master Harry Potter sir is being free to talk now," she told him.

"Are you well? How's Tweak?" he asked, scanning her for any visible signs of distress.

"Winky and Tweak is being fine Master Harry Potter sir," she said, an almost admonishing note in her tone. Still bitter over the order to keep hidden, he thought. "Winky is keeping Master's trunks safe."

"Good," he said, relieved that at least they were doing well. "That's good. Can you tell where they are?"

She went quiet, likely focusing on whatever thread of magic connected elves to their families before she shook her head.

"Winky can tell they is being close, Master Harry Potter sir, but I is needing them to call me," she said sorrowfully. "Does Master Harry wish to leave?"

"Not yet," he murmured, glancing outside. It was still early, before noon he guessed, a servant having come earlier to take his plates and informing him that they would be bringing water for a bath.

"Master Harry Potter sir wishes to remain here?" she asked, aghast at the thought of him staying cooped up. She was too polite to say anything more – too used to the Crouches – and for a moment Harry missed Kreacher, certain the crabby old elf would have had words with him by now.

"No, Winky. I've no plans to stay long. Head north," he told her, trying to recall where the Water Gardens lay relative to Sunspear. "Keep hidden and follow the shore north. You should find a palace, and if what I've heard is true Elia and the children should be there."

"Winky will go and find them," she said firmly. "And Master Harry be leaving this room."

"When you find them," he agreed. "Be careful not to be seen."

Winky left with a barely heard crack, and Harry grabbed hold of his knee in feigned pain when the guard poked their head in suspiciously.

He was so very close, and Harry grinned at the thought of only having to wait a few more hours before he saw his family again.

They had brought lukewarm water alongside his lunch, and Harry had eagerly washed off the dirt from days in the desert before attacking his meal. It was appreciated, the constant source of food boosting his reserves, and Harry had grinned at the sight of a relatively large ball of light floating in the palm of his hand.

Another week, he thought, knowing his reserves would bounce back quicker now that he had passed that critical first stage.

He was picking at the orange they'd given him, tossing the peel aside when the door to his cell opened.

They froze, staring at one another for a moment before Viserys closed the door, a quiet order to the guards bringing the noise of clinking armour as they moved away.