The Spartan soldiers stood in line, anxiously awaiting their commander's return. One saw a figure approaching from a distance.

"WARG RIDER!!!"

The men were instantly in combat position, summoning magic shields on one arm, aiming their wands with the other.

"It's Lord L/N!" another yelled. The men returned to an ease pose as the young Lord approached with a smile as he dismounted the terrifying creature. He stroked the creature's face, looking into it's eyes lovingly as the men watched on in shock.

"Go now Sköll, to your new home. Relax in peace you magnificent warg. Your suffering is over."

He stood back from the terrifying creature as the men watched dumbfounded, opening up a portal which the beast ran through before closing it.

"How.... what news my Lord?" Artemis asked.

"We return to Sparta, Captain. Send word to the other units- Azog is dead and the orcish armies are retreating. They are no longer a threat and have been taken from the board. They answer to me now."

The soldiers looked at Y/N astonished before Artemis answered.

"Of course my Lord. At once."

Y/N nodded and strolled off to take in one last look at the Greek landscape they had been defending. Astinos followed him.

"So that's really it? The war is over Y/N?" The young Spartan asked as he approached his friend.

All other Spartans addressed Y/N as Lord, out of duty and respect. Y/N and Astinos had developed a close friendship quickly after meeting, after fighting beside each other in bloody battle. He alone out of all the Spartans was permitted to address Y/N by his Christian name.

"It's far from over Astinos, but the orcish battles have been won and the incursions stopped. Come, let us return to Sparta, I have need of an ale, and I must report to the King and the Ephors. It will be good to see my brothers."

Sam and Jacob had each been placed in charge of a separate unit, holding a line of defence across Greece. Wards kept muggles at bay and funnelled enemies into narrow corridors, where their vast numbers counted for little. A playbook borrowed from Grandfather Leonidas, and perfected in the following 2000 years by Spartan generals. It had served them well.

"You know if you are thirsty Spartan wine is known for its exquisiteness. Not to mention the other delicacies on offer" Astinos teased.

Y/N had proved especially popular among young Spartan women. Many had made it a crusade, a competition to bed him. He had resisted all advances.

"I don't drink that sweet piss, and you know my heart and body belong to Lady Granger" Y/N smiled.

Astinos chuckled. In private Y/N was relaxed, friendly, funny- except when any mention of infidelity was raised. He was dedicated to Hermione, and would entertain no notion otherwise.

—~—

The joyous news of the orcish retreat had reached the ears of the Elders before Y/N and his unit had apparated back. They were now hours in to a celebration in the mead hall of Themistocles, the current King of Sparta.

He raised his stein high in the air.

"To Lord L/N! Slayer of Azog! Breaker of Orcs!"

AROO!

The gathered leadership bellowed in response.

"And to our honoured dead!"

AROO! AROO! AROO!

Y/N held his stein towards the king, toasting him before drinking deeply from it. No sooner did it return to the table then a beautiful Spartan maid filled it again, smiling and winking at Y/N before turning to fill other glasses.

"When a woman looks at a man like that, she wants him to taste more than the mead" a familiar voice called out from Y/N's left.

Y/N smiled and stood, turning to see his eldest brother walking towards him, outstretching his arms.

"Jacob! It is good to see you brother" Y/N said as the two siblings met in a heartfelt embrace.

"You too Y/N. You too. Well done on single handedly ending this conflict. Leave some glory for the rest of us would you?"

"Trained me too well Jacob. You've only yourself to blame" Y/N chuckled.

The two brothers laughed as Jacob was handed a stein and took a seat next to his youngest brother.

"Where's Sam? Has he not returned yet?" Y/N asked with a hint of concern. Jacob smiled.

"He has. You know Winchester. Last chance to get more studying in. He returned to the restricted library of the castle. We both felt as this conflict is resolved we should return to Blighty tomorrow. Bobby's had his hands full over the summer without us."

Y/N nodded.

"I had the same thought. Although I need to spend a few weeks with Grandfather and then turn back" Y/N answered. He wanted to see Gellert, he truly did, but he was missing Hermione terribly. He missed Penny too of course, but not in the same way. He had considered turning back to the start of summer and spending the whole break with Hermione but it wasn't worth the risk in the end. His exploits would be known internationally and if he was spotted in England at the same time he was fighting in Greece it would raise too many questions. Possessing his Time Turner was an imprisonable offence after all.

"No worries, you going to apparate to Nurmengard?" Jacob asked as the brothers fell into conversation.

"I am. I still have to pick up Hermione's present in the morning though. How about you two- Portkey?"

Y/N chuckled as Jacob's attention was drawn to another barmaid who winked at him and told him to come here with her forefinger.

"I'll be back soon little brother" Jacob smiled finishing off his drink.

"Not too soon Jacob. At least make it worth the young lady's time!" Y/N called out as he laughed to himself.

Spartan women had none of the hang ups of British women. Spartan society was much more accepting of promiscuity- and Jacob had enjoyed a very productive summer.

Y/N smiled to himself. This summer had been the first time Y/N had seen Jacob happy, relaxed. Likely it was the first time he had been in more than a decade. Prior to rescuing Y/N from the whore, Jacob had been trapped in the cursed vault for close to five years. Now that his job training Y/N was complete he was letting his hair down. He deserved it.

Y/N conversed with the King and with a number of Spartan generals before Jacob returned- smiling and dishevelled.

"I'm going to miss Spartan women!" He chuckled as he toasted Y/N again.

—~—

It was late in the evening and most of those celebrating had left or passed out. Y/N and Jacob were sat drinking still, although both were heavily intoxicated.

"I owe you an apology Y/N" Jacob suddenly slurred.

"What do you mean Jac-ob?" Y/N asked in a drunken state of confusion.

"I was so hard on you when you were a kid. When I trained you. The things I..."

Y/N's heart broke as Jacob started to tear up.

"I'm sorry Y/N. If there had been another way..."

Y/N hugged his brother and squeezed.

"I forgive you Jacob. I understand. I love you."

Jacob squeezed even harder as Y/N said those three words.

"But behind you, I think those two want to say goodbye" Y/N chuckled.

Jacob turned and saw two Spartan women smiling at him, winking. Y/N chuckled again as Jacob turned back smiling and patted his face.

"I'm proud of you Y/N" He got up and drunkenly sauntered towards the two women.

Y/N rolled his eyes as he finished his drink and headed upstairs. He entered the palace room he was granted when they arrived and he had passed his Spartan initiation. He chuckled to himself as he conducted his nightly ritual, summoning a Patroni Ball.

"I love you my darl-arling. The orcs have been vanquished. A major threat defeated. I will be home soon. I love you. I miss you. I will be home soon!"

He sent the heartfelt message and collapsed on his bed in a drunken stupor, falling asleep not long after.

—~—

Y/N woke to glaring sunlight, a pounding headache and a banging at his door. He grumbled as he rose from his bed opening his chamber door.

"Yeah?"

Sam smiled at him.

"Rough night? You look like shit!"

"Thanks Winchester. Is that it?" Y/N replied hoarsely.

"Just letting you know we're off. Jacob said you had a few things to do so we're parting ways. I'll see you in the UK in a few days. Great job with Azog and the orcs. I'm proud of you."

Sam hugged Y/N tight and Y/N returned it.

"Yeah yeah. Be safe, I'm going back to bed."

Sam laughed and left as Y/N closed the door and returned to slumber for a few hours.

—~—

Y/N woke about 4pm and felt slightly less hungover. He had a shower, dressed and packed his belongings in his pouch. After he had eaten he apparated to the local jewellers. His order was ready which he happily collected. He thanked the jeweller and returned to the palace, entering the throne room. He bowed deeply.

"I thank you for your hospitality, my King and Queen. It has been a pleasure and an honour to stay in the land of my ancestors"

Themistocles smiled.

"It is us who are in your debt, Lord L/N. We thank you for fighting so bravely for Sparta. You are now counted as a Spartan and may call on us when needed. Darkness is approaching our world. We must stand together or fall divided!"

Y/N bowed as a Spartan soldier burst through the doors behind them.

"Forgive me my King and Queen. A distress call has been received. The Bulgarian Ministry is under attack!"

"Did the Bulgarians come to our aid? We have requested assistance for months with no reply. Sparta will not answer their pleas!" The King growled.

Y/N understood the King's anger. Many Spartan widows and orphans were created during the Orcish incursions. Even when Sparta was defending Bulgaria's borders they did not respond to calls for help.

"With your permission my King, is the Palace's floo network connected to the Spartan embassy in Sofia?" Y/N asked.

"It is my Lord" the King replied.

Y/N turned to the Spartan soldier.

"Take me to the floo immediately. I will answer their call!"