#edwin llewelyn

[kc-and-co]

Blind Dates are terrible for everyone, even Ed Llewelyn.

"I imagine I want what everyone wants. I want a strong and attractive man. You know, nice big muscles, and all. Of course, you know. He should be kind but not such a bleeding heart that he gives too much. Soft-hearted, but not weak. Secure. With his work, you know? Stable and secure, where Gringotts is concerned. Of course, you know. Ambition isn't a crime. Of course, he shouldn't have committed any crimes, or at least, shouldn't have been convicted of one. Generous. I want a man in my life who is generous with his attention and resources. And I want someone who believes I'm intelligent, attractive, and won't bore me with stories from all of the exhausting details of his business. What do you want?" the petite blonde peered at Edwin Llewelyn through the bulb of her teacup.

Dumbfounded by the response, Ed forced a smile and turned to the man peddling steaming cups of tea in the park. "I suppose I want a green tea," he nodded and shared a smirk with the commiserating peddler. Then, with a fresh cup of tea in one hand, he offered his free arm to the woman at his side. "And I want to see to it that you get home safely. Allow me to walk you to your door?"

The woman pouted and tugged a bit too aggressively on Ed's lapels, "I was hoping I'd get to see the manor tonight, Eddie. Perhaps even get to meet a dragon in the morning when we walk through the gardens. I expect that would be after Henri made breakfast. I like strawberries for breakfast," she continued.

"It's just Henry. He does make a wonderful breakfast. The sooner I return home to sleep, the sooner I'll enjoy his blueberry scones," he hadn't meant to sound relieved that his butler rarely worked with strawberries, though in truth, he was. The thought of having breakfast with her was twice as exhausting as the rest of her insinuations had been.

Lifting her gloved hand to his lips, the woman waited for his goodnight kiss as they reached her doorstep. Ever the gentleman, Edwin Llewelyn took the hand in his own hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. No kiss, no bow, no promises of scones or dragons. He turned and walked down her sidewalk, only breaking into a fast pace when he knew she had gone indoors.

His first date in the twenty-five years since his daughter's birth had gone exactly as expected. All he looked forward to at the end of the night was returning to the manor. His home had always been a sanctuary to dragons. Still, he had never indeed considered how much shelter it had provided to him or if the isolation it gave him was genuinely beneficial.

He ducked into a pub and nodded to the barkeep, who raised a glass to him. Though a drink was welcome, he made his way to the public floo. With a flash, he returned to his study.

Few things brought Edwin Llewelyn more satisfaction than removing his tie when required to wear one. Shrugging out of his soot-covered dinner jacket failed to bring him any relief. He scratched at his collar and unbuttoned his crisp white shirt. Nothing he did to feel more comfortable since returning to his study helped him relax. The thought of courting that woman seemed as oppressive as his tie had. He rolled up one of his shirt sleeves but, upon reaching the other, tugged out of the entire garment and tossed the shirt, jacket, and horrible silk tie into a pile on the rug. With a glance in the mirror, he felt more like himself for the first time in ages.

"... and that's how the entire breed went extinct," Reuben Willows said to Henry from his seat at Edwin's desk. The two men could pretend to be working all night if they wanted, but there was no fooling Edwin. His successor and butler couldn't have been more obvious in their attempt to wait up for him if they had tried. Knowing they'd been caught, Henry chuckled along with Reuben and poured a drink for each of the men.

When Ed downed the whisky in a single gulp, Henry and Reuben shared a glance. Reuben shook his head and nodded slightly, deferring to Henry. "The date went well, sir?" His longtime butler and friend asked, not expecting an answer but opening the conversation to turn to what was really on Ed's mind.

"She was a spitfire. That much was certain," he huffed and poured another round of drinks, filling all four glasses on the tray at Henry's side. He frowned, realizing the workday at the dragon rehabilitation center had ended and that Siobhan had gone home for the evening.

He knew she was happier than ever to call a new creature sanctuary her home. Though he had always expected her to travel the world, giving and attending dragonology lectures, he found that he missed her even more once she had ended her travels. At least when she was in Peru or China or Australia, he could worry about her as any nervous father would. There was nothing to worry about in her blissful newlywed existence. Knowing his daughter was as safe and loved in her new home as she had been in his was any father's goal, but as time went on, he felt like less of a father. Even his dragons didn't seem to need his care anymore.

"Speaking of spitfire, we have a Hungarian Horntail case. His wing was damaged from a near-poaching accident. He's going to be a challenge, and he's in a lot of pain, but Siobhan said his prognosis was good," Reuben said, handing his file to Ed. After five years of running Edwin's compound, Reuben still looked to Ed for guidance, not out of necessity but respect.

"I trust you both with the case as I would trust you with my life. Bring him in," Ed waved the file away.

Reuben opened the file, "There's a problem with that, Pa. The dragon can't be transported due to the severity of his condition. I need to be here for the dragons we have on-site, and Siobhan's headed to Norway for her honeymoon. I could ask her to postpone again, but I am almost certain that diving into a Kelpie pond would be a more enjoyable experience for both all us. We need to send someone capable and available and -"

"Henry, pack my things. Pack our things if you're up for the adventure," Ed laughed for the first time all night as he raised his glass.

A/N: It is impossible to picture Retired!Ed without his successor, Reuben Willows, who belongs to one of my favorite writers in the world @that-scouse-wizard

[kc-and-co]

Like father, like daughter - The best of Ed & Shiv

[kc-and-co]

The Edyssey - Finale

Edwin took a drag from the thick cigar and watched with a smile as the smoke swirled around the research tent. He’d done it. He had everything he’d always wanted.

In the ten years since his first night on a dragon reserve, he’d seen six continents, taught at three wizarding schools and fifteen dragon reserves. He’d written his textbook on the conservation efforts for endangered dragons and a memoir of his adventures. Now, he was able to celebrate with Henry as he held the payment for selling the millionth copy of his textbook.

“Come on, old man. Light up. We did this. This is our accomplishment,” assured his dearest friend and handed him a celebratory cigar.

A year into his journey, Edwin discovered he couldn’t act as talent and manager when it came to promoting his theories, lectures, and books. He’d immediately offered to double the wages Henry had earned at the Norweigian sanctuary. Neither of the men could have asked for a better situation in terms of employment. Though, the living conditions needed improvement.

The two had lived in a research tent at a dig site in Ireland for several months as Edwin assisted in the excavation and research of an extinct breed of dragon native to the area. He’d always been fascinated with the legends surrounding the long extinct Ironhead and was thrilled to be working with the fossils of a real specimen. It had been the experience of a lifetime, but Ed knew his time on the Irish coast would need to end soon. Despite all he had built for himself with Henry, he had recently determined that something deeper was missing from his life. He needed a proper home… and her.

Edwin smashed the cigar into the ground and stood. He felt like he could accomplish anything and there was just one thing left to do. “Coral Cliffs?” he grinned as he checked his hair in the mirror and buttoned his shirt. He’d found a particular affinity for a small sailors pub near the docks. He’d always preferred to share his whisky around the campfires with the researchers, but lately, nothing was more enticing to him than “The Cliffs”as it was affectionately known.

Henry had warned him a hundred times or more that the greasy food, smoky atmosphere, and buckets of rum Coral Cliffs had to offer wasn’t nearly as likely to kill him as the real reason he showed up at the bar night after night. “Damn it, Ed. That’s a Siren Song if I’ve ever heard one. She’s dangerous. Stay away,” he repeated, not standing to join Ed for a drink.

Edwin tied his tie around his neck, and then removed it. He added it once more before deciding he looked best without it. The redhead who entertained the sailors round the piano each night would start her performance soon. He couldn’t stay away. “Siren Song, old man? You know that’s the stuff of legend,” he rolled his eyes and slipped into his jacket.

“Sir, I believe there’s a large section of the world’s population who would say the same about dragons. Do be careful,” his words chased the smoke from his cigar around the tent. As smart as young Edwin had been, this woman had made him lose his wits more than once.

As he lifted the flap to the canvas tent, Edwin turned to Henry and smiled. His thoughts were on nothing but the blue eyes and lovely voice of the woman whose name he didn’t even know, but was sure he could love. “Lucky I’m not a sailor, then. What could a siren possibly do to throw my life off course?”

One Year Later

“A little help in here?” Edwin called in a panic. Henry was quick to burst into their shared tent. The living situation had become unbearable, but Henry’s responsibilities as Edwin’s butler were more rewarding than ever. “It’s happening again,” Edwin sighed as he paced the floor with the infant in his arms.

Henry traded Edwin his newspaper for baby Siobhan. He immediately started to feed the screaming little girl. The butler watched as Edwin opened the newspaper. He’d taken the liberty of circling exciting news he’d found in the real estate listings. He waited with a tinge of anxiety while he fed the girl and waited for Edwin to react to the article on the dragon sanctuary being sold just north of the dig site.

Edwin laughed and set the newspaper aside. “I’d love nothing more, Henry, but the idea of my daughter living on a creature sanctuary? I just won’t hear of it,” he shook his head as he stood to take the well-fed baby back from his dearest friend. She immediately reached for the discarded newspaper and wailed when she found it was out of reach.

“Perhaps,” Ed whispered to his daughter, “that’s not a siren song, but a dragon call, after all”.

[kc-and-co]

The Edyssey - 4

Edwin Llewelyn paced the floor of the sanctuary's library. It was usual for the room to be bustling with dragonologists, magizoologists, masters and apprentices, alike. But, here, in the wee hours of the morning, it was hauntingly quiet. Nothing but the stifled sniffles of his own regret made a sound.

The newest set of eggs was failing to hatch. The fate of the endangered Welsh Green was in his hands. "Common, my ass. This has to work," he grunted, barely above a whisper.

"Sir?" A soft but formal voice broke his concentration on the ideal conditions for the Welsh Green eggs to hatch successfully. Edwin looked up to find an older man standing in the doorway. He was overdressed for the hour. Giving it a second thought, Edwin hadn't seen anyone wearing a suit since he'd started training dragons six years before. He assumed the man was the elusive owner of the Norwegian reserve where he lived and worked.

Ed bowed his head politely towards the gentleman. "I'm sorry, sir. I can leave the library. I just came here to make certain I had not missed anything. I'm having a bit of trouble with a delicate conservation effort. I'm doing my best with these eggs," he followed. It broke his heart, feeling like such a fool.

"No need for an apology, sir. I've come to see if you want a cup of tea. Perhaps, given the circumstances, something stronger?" The older man's face softened, and Ed felt his burdens lighten immediately.

The prospect of having a drink with the sanctuary's owner felt like his dreams were coming true. He had a million questions about the Ridgebacks, but tonight, his focus was on the eggs he was fighting desperately to save. The man pulled a glass of brandy from out of nowhere and offered it to Edwin. He accepted quickly and with awe in the gentleman's talent.

"Might I offer you inspiration or advice?" the distinctly posh voice flowed through the dark. Edwin wasn't one to turn down wise words, especially where his beloved dragons were concerned. "One thing I have found to be helpful in my line of work is based on whether or not an egg can float. Sinking is a sign that all is well," he offered as he pulled back the massive curtains of the library. In doing so, he revealed the sky painted by the northern lights. Inspiration and advice all at once as promised. He was in awe.

"I feel like I'm sinking," Edwin lamented, immediately embarrassed to have done so.

"Then, all is well. You're a good egg. But, of course, Welsh eggs would require a basin of Welsh water to be thoroughly tested. Allow me," the gray-haired man was gone in a flash. Before Edwin could comprehend he'd left, he returned with a large basin full of water from the Laugharne coast. Edwin had never been so impressed with the willingness and ability to help him theorize on a course of treatment for a dragon. He admired the passion this great man had for his work.

Ed breathed a sigh of relief when the eggs in question sank to the bottom of the water. "I just want to save the species, sir. I don't even know where to start. I thought I was good at this, he dried the egg off and wrapped it in the towel the other man had instantly provided for the egg.

"When this little creature hatches, healthy and green as ever, he will believe you are good at what you do. Saving a species is hard, but you start by saving the one in your hands. Give it comfort, warmth, and all the patience you can muster. You'll see in time," he nodded and dried the other egg in the tank. The egg immediately began to show signs of cracking.

The two watched carefully as the egg continued to split. Both men, now were sipping Irish whisky and toasting to the conservation of the species.

Edwin listened to the dronings of a man who must have spent his whole life studying the beasts he loved so dearly. He must have been the greatest dragonologist ever to live as Edwin noticed there was not a scratch or scar on him. Unusual, though admirable, in his line of work.

"And most importantly, sir. I agree. Common Welsh Green is an offensively outdated term. I believe your words were 'Common, my ass.' I say it is time for someone with your passion for preservation to update the standard on dragonology research materials. You've clearly documented years of research on your skin. Why not take the ink to paper?" the brilliant man offered his greatest idea so far.

Edwin grinned a broad smile and felt his heart race. "You would allow that, sir? I have another year in my contract at this reserve, but I know I can balance both," he was breathless. His mind was spinning with all of the ideas he could share with the world of magizoology. He's always dreamed of writing his own textbook.

"I'm afraid you'll need to take that up with the owner, Sir. I'm his butler, but you may call me Henry".

[kc-and-co]

The Edyssey - 3

“Are you sure? It doesn’t seem very clean. I’m actually quite scared of the needle and I just don’t know if I should…” Edwin’s protest was cut short by the laughter of a group of men at the campfire. Only two things could elicit that kind of response from the group of budding dragonogists. Since there was no dragon in sight, he could easily guess one of his cohorts had a successful date. If that’s what they wanted to call it.

Edwin shook his head and looked around at the drunk and disorderly young men at the camp. He knew he would need to carry his roommate back to their shared tent by the end of the night. It was a well-known fact among the apprentices that the more vodka Anders drank, the more beautifully he played the harmonica. Tonight, he was playing with a skill that surpassed anything the men had heard before.

“A round for you, Ed?” Doru, the only native Romanian on the reserve, asked with a grin. Perhaps giving in to the pressure to share in the whisky would get the drunken needle-wielding apprentice to try to tattoo someone a little more adventurous than he was.

“Uh… How about a brandy?” Edwin asked, having once heard it was a good way to keep warm on the cold nights at the compound. If it was good enough for the dragons to consume by the bucket, it was good enough for him.

Five different types of whisky later, Edwin had decided he had an affinity for the liquid reminder of his Irish home. He’d started to tell the stories of his childhood on the dragon reserve and how he’d known from the start there was nothing else he would rather do. He’d even shed a tear at the memory of his favorite dragon Panjin who had gone back to China around the time Edwin was to leave Hogwarts.

“You know what you should do to honor him, Ed?” the young man with the needle raised a vial of scarlet ink, just about the color of Panjin’s scales, in his direction.

Ed nodded and took one last shot of whisky. “He had a bite mark out of his left wing. And jet black eyes. If we’re doing this, let’s do it right,” he huffed as he exposed his wrist to the artist.

[kc-and-co]

The Edyssey - 2

It had become quite the habit for Edwin to sneak into the kitchens near his dormitory for a second dinner late at night. Typically, there was no harm in doing so. The house elves who ran the kitchen were particularly fond of him and the rest of the Hufflepuff quidditch team. He’d certainly done enough for the win record in his five years as an all-star beater to earn the respect of any badger fan.

On this particularly cold night, he was drawn to the kitchens by the scent of cinnamon, vanilla, and ginger. He immediately changed his mind regarding his desire for Sunday’s roast and potatoes. After a hard-fought win against Ravenclaw, he was not paying attention to anything but the magical smells wafting from the kitchen. He ran straight into the brunette, pacing the length of the room with her eyes suck on her Care of Magical Creatures textbook, waiting for her baking to finish.

“Sorry! I’m so sorry, are you alright?” he asked the girl as he bent to retrieve the book from the floor. She didn’t even look old enough to be a third-year, like his sister, who only recently had access to Care of Magical Creatures classes. He felt terrible for not paying attention and nearly flattening the kid.

She scrunched her nose at the smudge on his face. “I’m fine. Perhaps better than yourself. Come here, Llewelyn. You’ve got mud from the quidditch pitch on your forehead,” she rolled her eyes. “It was a good game, though. As long as you didn’t take too nasty of a fall,” the girl added as she brushed the dried bits from his hairline.

“Do I know you?” he asked, standing up to find he was a head and a half taller than his housemate. Edwin never got used to being recognized for his talent and effort for the house team. However, he was too invested in his studies to wonder if he even had fans.

The girl shook her head and smiled. “No, and you won’t. You can’t tell the prefect who sneaks into the kitchen to bake and worry if you don’t know exactly who did it,” she reasoned before opening the book and returning to her studies. “I don’t know how anyone even reads these things, let alone writes them. What’s a cailpeach anyway?” she uttered to herself.

Edwin turned back to his frustrated housemate with a smile. “I will write one someday. My own textbook, that is. Calipeach is the origin of the term Kelpie. They are quite fascinating. In fact, Kelpies are most commonly found right here in Scotland. I studied them extensively a couple of years ago. Don’t study them in person alone. They can and do eat students. How about this? I’ll go with you with your studies if you give me the recipe to whatever makes that smell?” he suggested, equally out of hunger and kindness.

“You would do that? I was just going to study them in person,” she raised an eyebrow.

Edwin laughed and glanced at the oven, “My creatures are important, and you’re clearly a caring kid. It surely wouldn’t be a bad thing for someone so kind to know how to care for them. But, of course, my motivations are quite selfish. What is that? Bread pudding?” he sniffed the warm kitchen air with a satisfied smirk.

“With a butterbeer glaze,” she corrected as she handed him her textbook.

[kc-and-co]

The Edyssey - 1

"Edwin! Come back here!" Gertrude Llewelyn lunged after the child as he made his way crawling down the dirt path. There was no doubt in his mother's mind that he was on his way to see his father and the dragons; but for young Ed Llewelyn, dragons were strictly off-limits.

Taking the boy by the hand and delighting in the way he still took such wobbly baby steps, she led him back to the small house that sat near the edge of the grand estate. "Listen here, little man, dragons are dangerous. You'll have nothing to do with them. Although, potions can be just as dangerous, and I need to get back to mine. Will you hold the book for me?" she encouraged as she lifted him up to the counter space where she was making a healing potion for a chronically nervous Ridgeback.

Gertrude could have been just as effective of a dragonologist as her husband. She had the knowledge and the passion required of a top-level expert in the field. Though Gertrude understood caring for the magnificent beasts was not her place as a lady. Still, she found her enjoyment in helping the sick dragons through her work as a potioneer at the reserve where she and her husband worked.

"Darling?" her darling Owain's voice danced through the home, bringing a smile to Gertrude's eyes. She hopped off of the tall wooden chair and turned to envelop him in a tight embrace before helping him settle more comfortably into the chair she had occupied. Each day since he'd lost his leg to a Peruvian Vipertooth, he's seemed more and more handsome to her simply by having survived.

With a swift reach for his crutch, he stood to scoop young Edwin into his arms. The proud father kissed the boy's forehead and bounced him playfully on his remaining knee. "Did you play well with your brother today?" he asked his son, who only responded with a wide smile. "Well, then. Did you take care of your mother as I asked?" the giggly baby responded with a sound that might have been taken for 'Ma,' but Oswain wouldn't give in so easily. "Alright, Eddie. What would you like to talk about?" he teased, still hoping to coax his child’s first words.

“Dragon,” Edwin squeaked.

[kc-and-co]

Does Edwin need a 10 chapter backstory? No.

Is he gonna get one? You guessed it!

Are we ever going to find out who Siobhan's mother is? He wouldn't dream of it.