#thinking too much about rayla believing she can never Be Enough / bring callum peace

[raayllum]

Our coming-of-age has come and gone Suddenly the summer, it's clear I never had the courage of my convictions As long as danger is near And it's just around the corner, darling 'Cause it lives in me No, I could never give you peace

#rayllum #rayllumedit #pining!rayla #parallels #arc 1 #taylor swift #my edits #graphics #song link in the first one #post that semi insp this in the second link #thinking too much about rayla believing she can never Be Enough / bring callum peace #when she's the only thing that ever does / has

[iwillhaveamoonbase]

The Long Game Ch 1

Instead of striking a few months later, the Moonshadow assassins guild decides to play the long game. Rayla will pose as a human and kill Harrow and Ezran when the time is right all while gaining valuable information. One problem: Rayla falls in love with Callum and doesn't think Ezran deserves to die for a crime he doesn't he even know was committed.

Now, Rayla has a choice: tell the truth and risk losing Callum but fixing the divide between Katolis and Xadia or staying quiet and having a chance at a happy life with Callum, Ezran and Harrow but losing the best chance they have at peace and probably never seeing her home or family again.

---------------------------------------

The assassins guild had been talking for days about whether or not to go in and kill King Harrow and Prince Ezran now or wait a few more months or even a year.  Queen Zubeia was in distress and the call for revenge was ringing loud and clear throughout Xadia.  First, eight years ago, the humans had attacked them unprovoked and murdered one of their citizens for their perverted dark magic.  Now, they killed the Dragon King and the Dragon Prince's egg.  Xadia could not let this go.  The only question was: when?

Runaan looked at Rayla out of the corner of his eye.  He knew she wanted to prove herself worthy.  He personally found it difficult to believe that his friends, Tiadrin and Lain, his parents, had abandoned their post.  In the back of his mind, it didn't make sense.  They knew better.  But, a Skywing elf who had also been part of the Dragon Guard had admitted they had all fled when the humans killed the Dragon King.  There was nothing anyone could do to stop the Silvergrove Ghosting the pair now.  But, Rayla could do the right thing in their stead and proclaimed herself ready to do whatever it took to right their wrongs.

"It's better to go now.  Who knows how long the Dragon Queen has?"  Runaan turned his attention back to the conversation his guild mates were having.  A cacophony of sounds as they tried to plan the best course of action that would bring them all back home and, hopefully, stop these humans from killing anymore Xadians.

"The humans will know it's us right away."

"So what?!  We want them to know what they did was wrong!"

"True, but, if we wait, maybe we can cause doubt.  They'll destroy themselves trying to figure it out."

"We have never not admitted we've taken life before.  Why should we do it now?  We take life but we don't take it lightly."

"Yes, but this is our chance to not only get the humans fighting each other, but to also get the Moon Nexus back!"  There was silence for a few moments.  Every Moonshadow el,f even a thousand years after the humans were forced out of Xadia, still felt the string of losing contact with the Moon Nexus.  It went deeper than pride; it was an irreplaceable piece of their heritage, culture, and magic that was forever lost to them because the humans refused to accept their lot in the universe as non-magic users.  "All I'm saying is, kill two Moon Phoenixes with one arrow.  Sow dissent AND fulfill the contract."

Runaan turned to Rayla.  Her young face was stony as she took in what everyone was saying.  Young...  He looked her up and down.  She was strong, but those who didn't know better would see her as a slip of a thing.  Slowly, a plan formed in Runaan's mind.  At any other time, he would have been horrified by the idea.  Rayla was his daughter as far as he was concerned.  His apprentice, his greatest joy besides Ethari.  Ethari would never forgive him.  But...  Runaan stood up, getting the attention of everyone in the room.  "I have an idea.  It involves my protegee, Rayla, and getting honor back for her parents as well as stirring doubt in the Pentarchy."

"What do you propose, Runaan?"  The guild master had a steeling expression as he stroked his beard.

Runaan smirked.  "We play the long game."

-------------------------------

"Absolutely not!" Ethari roared.  "We already lost Tiadrin and Lain.  We aren't losing Rayla!"

"She's going to be fine, Ethari."  Runaan breathed through his nose.  As he expected, Ethari was displeased.

"She's too kind, Runaan!  Too loving. Her heart isn't made for a regular mission and you want her to do this?!  Send Bandlr or someone else."

"She's the only one her age whose properly trained. She's faster than all of us and quick on her feet."

"Then send yourself or a group."

"They won't suspect a young girl travelling on her own.  The longer she does nothing, the more likely they will be to think everything is fine."

"And if they catch her after she succeeds?  They'll kill her!  They'll kill our daughter and you're sending her to the slaughter."

"She'll die with honor and rise above what her parents have done."  Even to Runan's ears he sounded so detached.  He winced.

"You...you can't be serious.  Runaan, she's our child.  Not by blood, but we raised her.  She's only 15.  She'll be 16 when her training's over.  You can't...you can't do this."  Ethari's voice was shaking as he started to breath a little harsher.  "She's just a child."

"Rayla's already agreed, Ethari.  There's nothing either or us can do now."

"You didn't even ask me first!"  Ethari breathed deeply for a few moments before his face became stone.  "So, that's it, then?  You're just going to say good-bye to our little girl?"

Runaan ran a hand through his white hair.  "My love, it's not that simple.  Queen Zubeia ordered the two hits.  We have to do the job."

"Then take a squad like tradition says and do it!  Do not send our Rayla into the human lands alone.  What if the spell fails and she's found out?  What if she slips up?  We have no idea when the time is even right.  We may never see her again!  Do you want that?  Because I don't!  Rayla shouldn't be made to go because of her parents' actions."

"No one is making me do anything," Rayla piped up from the chair.  Runaan had completely forgotten she was in the room and, judging by his slight jump, so had Ethari.  "Yes, Runaan offered my name for the plan before asking me, but I agreed.  I had a fair chance to give someone else the job and I said I would do it.  I'm going, Ethari."

"Rayla, please, don't do this."

"Why do you lack faith in me?"

Ethari shook his head.  "It's so much more than that.  You're a child, Rayla.  Don't throw away your chance for a future when tradition holds you shouldn't even be considering this."

"What future?  If Xadia doesn't do anything, the humans will eventually believe they can do whatever they want.  What if they start killing elves or more dragons for dark magic?  We're already at war.  We have to act!"

Ethari looked between the two of them.  "You know what?  Both of you, do whatever you want."

Runaan started reaching for his husband.  "Ethari-"

"I'm going to my sister's, Runaan.  I need time to process sending my child, OUR child, over the border to be alone and carrying out a mission ALONE for who knows how long."  Ethari slammed the door behind him; silence reigning for a few minutes.

"Well," Rayla looked up at Runaan, "he took that better than we expected."

Runaan sighed.  "He's right, Rayla.  Think long and hard about this.  You have been given 24 hours before you're officially assigned this task.  We are asking you to give up an untold amount of time.  You might never come back."

Rayla looked directly into his eyes.  "I know, but I don't have a choice.  Someone has to do this and it should be me.  If my parents had just stayed, maybe, the Dragon Prince would still be alive.  Besides, they'll probably believe me easier than someone like Bandlr whose already all muscle at 14.  I'm young and fast, but I'm slight enough.  No one will believe I'm a threat if I say I come from a farming village."

"You're right.  I'm so proud of you, Rayla.  I'm sure you'll be able to come back home one day."

It took Ethari two weeks to come around, a new blade for Rayla in hand and a flower for when she went on her mission.  He still barely talked to Runaan and, if Runaan was being honest, he couldn't blame him.  Rayla was going to be spending a few months with Lujanne at the Moon Nexus followed by a bit of time in the village by the Cursed Caldera before making her way to the capital.  There was no room for error and she was going to have to learn how to act human fast.

The flower Ethari made was set into the fountain, the whole of Silvergrove watching.  Runaan knew he and everyone else would be keeping an eye on it.  Rayla had to succeed.

-----------------------

6 months later

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Callum groaned as Soren sent him to the ground again.  "C'mon, step-prince.  Wasn't your mom the strongest general is Katolis?  You shouldn't be this weak after this much training."

Callum glared a bit at his...friend?...tormentor?  Callum wasn't sure who Soren was to him anymore besides the big brother of his crush.  How Claudia and Soren came from the same parents was beyond Callum.  Though, Viren did give Claudia more attention because of her magic.  More love, probably.  "My mom was a lance specialist.  Why don't we try that?"

"Princes use swords; even step-princes."

Callum looked down at his feet.  "The king can use a lance."

"ARGH!  It's just not how it's done, OK?  Sword first, than lance.  Now, on your hands and knees and give me a hundred push-ups."  Callum groaned and was about to follow through when Caludia raced through the courtyard to stand in front of Soren.  She started miming a bit, a big smile on her face.  "What is it, Clauds?  Use your words."

She squealed.  "There's a girl whose just come from the border.  She asked to see the king and she looks about my age, maybe a year younger."

Soren and Callum's brows furrowed.  "Why does she want to see the king?"

"Don't know, but she's pretty cute.  She might be your type, Sor-bear."

"Uh-huh.  You don't know my type, Claudia.  You've proven that how many times now?"

Callum didn't bother staying for what was bound to be an argument between the two.  Instead,he hurried to the throne room, running to Ezran and Bait with a handful of jelly tarts with them.  "What do you think she wants?" Ezran asked.

"No idea.  Whatever it is, I'm sure the king will hear her out."

"You know, you can call him 'Dad.'  I really think he'd like that, Callum."

"He's the king, Ezran, and I'm just the step-prince."

"But, he raised you and I know he loves you."

Callum closed his eyes briefly.  "It's complicated, Ez."

Ezran pouted a bit, but dropped it.  When they finally made it to the throne room, they stood to Harrow's right while Opeli and Viren were standing to his left.  Before them was a pale girl with hair a few shades lighter than Soren's and light blue eyes.  She stood perhaps an inch taller than Callum and was dressed in plain robes that marked her as a member of the farming class.

"Your Majesty," her voice was clear and projected throughout the room.  She took a sweeping curtsy, though almost lost her balance doing so.  She raised her eyes when Harrow told her to rise, slowly coming back up to face the room.  "I come from a town on the border.  We were attacked not too long ago."  She looked down, a tear slipping down her cheek.  "I'm all that's left of my village.  Please, I need help.  I have no family."

"Who attacked your home?"  Viren looked straight at her, eyebrow raised.

"I believe it was elves."  Viren and Harrow shared a look before turning back to the girl.  "They kept saying something about dragons when they came but everything happened so fast it's all a blur."

Viren cleared his throat.  "And why did you come all the way here?  Surely there were others who could look after you."

The girl looked distressed, twisting her hands together a bit.  Callum couldn't help but notice just how pretty she was, with a Cupid's bow on her top lip, high cheekbones, and large eyes.  But, there was something slightly off, something that in the back of his mind was saying it wasn't quite right.  Maybe she was too pretty?  "To be honest, I tried a few times but they either didn't want me because of the possibility of the elves coming after me.  I just hoped that I could be safe here."

Harrow nodded.  "Of course, dear child.  You are welcome to stay as long as you like.  And, I am so sorry for the trials you have faced before coming here today."

Viren sent a glared at Harrow.  "Harrow-"

"Not now, Viren.  We have to look after our citizens.  Always."  Harrow turned back to face her.  "What's your name, child?"

She looked at the five in the room, a soft smile on her face.  "Rayla.  My name is Rayla."        

#rayllum fanfic #rayllum #the dragon prince #tdp #the long game #whelp #the first chapter is here #despite me saying I was going to wait #I don't keep my word apparently #please enjoy

[violaswimmer]

Hopes for TDP Season 4

Yo! For those of you who don’t know I love the Dragon Prince on Netflix, I’m a huge fan of the show especially of this past season! There was so much that happened (Spoilers btw) and I have so much I want to see in season 4/future seasons! So here we go, some things I hope to see in season 4!

1. Rayla trying to understand and overcome taking a life. Whether we want to admit it or not, Rayla did kill Viren (even if he was brought back to life later). It was somewhat indirect, since Rayla tossed both of them over the tower’s edge. But she probably knew that it would be very unlike for either of them to survive, no matter how powerful Viren had become. I don’t think she will regret her actions, but I think she still feel the guilt of ending someone’s life. Especially knowing that Viren is Soren (now an ally, yay!) and Claudia’s father. 

Also that introduces a new dynamic between Soren and Rayla, who now that they are allies, will probably begin to develop some sort of friendship (hopefully). Soren would have taken his father’s life to stop him, and killed his illusion in front of Claudia without hesitation. Rayla however, actually did kill him. It will be interesting to see how that may help or hinder whatever relationship they will form. It could be that Soren will learn to respect her greatly, knowing that she will do the right thing no matter what (killing Viren to save Zym, knowing that her own life would be in danger). But he could also still view her as his father’s murderer as he deals with his own guilt at attacking his illusion. 

2. Our heroes meet the real threat, Aaravos. Everyone will know that something is up when they can’t locate Viren’s body at the bottom of the tower. I think the search for him will be spearheaded by Amaya who never trusted him and knows the danger he posses and Rayla who would want to retrieve the bag filled with coins, knowing that the bag somehow contains a collection of Moonshadow elves. Something big will definitely happen when Aaravos breaks free of his cocoon. I’m also sure that the Dragon Queen will grow concerned when she hears of the battle and someone describes to her the giant purple worm hanging onto Viren. I’m sure that will begin to jog her memory and our heroes will be introduced to the true villain of the series. 

Viren and Claudia will also be in trouble, the tide has turned and when the cocoon breaks, it’s likely that Viren will not be in control anymore. Aaravos will become the master and promise Viren (and by extension Claudia) what they want, the destruction of Xadia. Claudia may also turn towards the dark side even further, at the loss of her brother choosing Xadia over their family and at Rayla if she is to find out that Rayla was the one who sent Viren to his death. Rayla can also be blamed (at least by Claudia) for the reason that Ezran and Callum no longer trust her, and honestly being the source of the beginning to all of this. Rayla could easily become the object of her anger. 

3. Ezran becoming king, for real this time. Ezran came back to his thrown too early, being a bit naive in his attempts to be king of Katolis. I think he had good intentions which will translate to his true rule and I hope he maintains his ideals for peace having quite literally been the one (along with Callum and Rayla) to forge it. The new threat of Aaravos’s return will shake the unstable foundation of that peace, as a human (Viren) was the one to bring him back. With his new allies, and the battle solidifying his intent as king to maintain peace, Ezran will be the great child-king of Katolis. 

4. Callum and Rayla going on another journey. The Aaravos threat means that the world is going to need all the help it can get! As Ezran sits on the thrown, these two go on a journey to find answers while Callum learns more magic and Rayla helps him while maintain his safety as well as finding out what they can about Aaravos. We think that Callum is the only human to ever understand an arcanum, but perhaps he isn’t the only one. We will also hopefully see what exactly Aaravos did to deserve his imprisonment aside from using dark magic. 

5. Soren and Claudia solidifying sides. We saw Soren and Claudia make some pretty big decisions this past season. Soren knowing what wrong looks like and deciding to join the fight against his father and Claudia trying to please choosing to stay with Viren. Though this one fight did cause some big decisions it doesn’t mean that either of them won’t choose different sides later on. I think eventually everyone will be on the same side (at least briefly) when Aaravos comes into full power. He may try to manipulate Claudia and Viren into following him for a time, but I would find it hard to believe that either of them would allow themselves to be subjugated to him for too long. 

Although I love Claudia’s character, I think she’s going down a road that she can’t come back from (especially bringing her father back, presumably by sacrificing another life, and it probably isn’t another deer). She has consistently shown that she can’t adapt to the idea of elves not being monsters, and that her father may not be the person she thinks he is. He has seemed to treat her kindly (not always but better than he treated Soren) but manipulates her constantly. Making her believe that Soren is a fool (he can be but that doesn’t mean he is a fool, he has his great moments). She also seems to take his word as gospel, never challenging him even when Soren whom she cares for deeply, tried to tell her about the order to assassinate the princes. 

Soren on the other hand has to deal with losing both his sister and his father. Also he has to sit with the fact that when the moment counted, he chose to protect his king and was willing to kill (or severely injure) his father in order to do it. This is something that he will feel guilty over but I don’t think he will regret his actions. He gave every warning to illusion Viren that he wouldn’t stand by as Ezran was killed. That scene is pretty spot on in terms of Soren and Viren’s relationship. Viren has had every chance to be a better father to Soren and for some reason refuses to. He constantly demeans him and underestimates him, favoring Claudia much more. It’s hard to tell when Viren started treating Soren this way, since when their parents split it seemed like Soren liked his father a great deal, enough to want to stay with him instead of going with his mother. I also hope we get to hear about Claudia and Soren’s mother, what is her name and where did she go? It would be neat if Soren met with her again, and we got to see the opposite of the divorce. Soren with his mother and Claudia with her father. 

I’d also like to see Soren begin to learn his true value with his new group. Instead of having his ideas dismissed or mocked I’d like to see him become a really force of good will, seeing that he truly made the right decision by leaving his father. I want to see him develop more into a warrior and leader. 

6. Continuation of relationships development both romantic and platonic. Rayllum anyone? Yes, thank you for this blessing. Janai and Amaya? Beautiful, amazing, love it! Runaan and Ethari, so so good! I hope to see these relationship develop along with new friendships! Soren and Rayla, Soren and Ezran, Amaya and Rayla, so on and so forth! I hope we also get to learn even more about these character pasts, and see them grow as they encounter new challenges!

I think that might be it? For now at least! Let me know your thoughts on the season and what you hope to see next! 

#tdp #tdp spoilers #the dragon prince #tdp season 3 #tdp rayllum #tdp callum #tdp rayla #tdp soren #tdp viren #tdp claudia #tdp amaya #tdp aaravos #tdp janai #tdp thoughts

[lumateranlibrarian]

Let’s talk about Claudia and Soren, because I’m pretty sure their conflict is going to be one of the biggest parts of The Dragon Prince’s endgame.

The Dragon Prince’s main recurring theme is breaking the cycle of revenge and hate, and how that duty falls on the newer generations when their predecessors failed to do so. This theme is so prevalent that we see the children of The Dragon Prince being placed over and over in chilling parallels to their parents.

Rayla’s parents were the last line of defense for the Dragon Prince’s egg, and yet they failed to protect it, running away or losing their lives (or so we’re led to believe); Rayla chose to be the last line of defense for Zym and Zubeia during the final battle. In her confrontation with the exact same man her parents faced, she was put in the same position, and was also willing to die to save Zym (and would have if Callum hadn’t pulled that spell out of his ass, but that’s beside the point).

Ezran sits on the throne of Katolis, and has to decide whether he’ll let a man driven by vengeance and fear tell him how to use his power. This man inevitably decides that dark magic will lead him to his goal. Like Harrow in his final days, Ezran chooses peace over conflict - and yet, for this choice, Ezran is ousted from his throne and placed in a prison he later escapes (unlike his father, unless you consider a birdcage, subsequently escaped, to be a prison too - oh, wait).

And then. Soren and Claudia.

Buckle up, ladies and gentlemen and variations thereupon. Shit’s about to get real.

The scene where Soren snuck away from Viren’s army, leaving Claudia behind, was masterfully executed, and I’m still both delighted and heartbroken over it all. But to map out why it was so excruciating, we have to go back a few episodes. Specifically, the finale of Season 2.

In Breathe, Claudia apologizes to Ezran for her actions attempting to capture him. When Ezran admits that he knows about his father’s death, Claudia empathizes with him by explaining the circumstances of Viren and her mother’s separation.

CLAUDIA I know it’s not the same, but… when I was a kid, my mom and dad split up. I remember hearing them fight a lot at night after we went to bed. And then one day, they told us Mom was moving back to Del Bar, where her family was from. And then they said… we had to choose. And Soren chose Dad. How could I choose? How could I do that? Then my mom looked at my dad, and she told me to stay. She said that I had to stay with Soren, that this was my home, and my brother and I needed each other. And then she left.

EZRAN But how could she do that? Why would she leave you?

CLAUDIA I think she needed to leave for herself. To be happy… somehow. You might have noticed my dad is pretty intense.

EZRAN You must miss her.

CLAUDIA Losing her has been the hardest thing that’s ever happened to me.

EZRAN When you grow up, sometimes there are changes you don’t expect, and you have to face things you’re not ready for. Callum told me that.

CLAUDIA You are so lucky to have a brother like Callum.

EZRAN I know.

CLAUDIA And… I’m lucky to have my brother. Soren is a doof, but he’s my doof! I know he would do anything to protect me, and I would do anything for him.

Pretty upsetting, right? I can understand why a young Claudia would be so torn - after all, no child wants to make the choice between losing one parent or the other. And Claudia clearly recognizes that it was not abandonment, when her mother left - rather, it was her mother doing what was right for herself. Of course, Claudia didn’t come to this realization immediately, and says as much. It just took a long time for her to get there. Again, an understandable response.

Hold onto that! It’s a surprise tool that will help us later.

So, with this in mind, let’s proceed to Season 3, Episode 7, Hearts of Cinder.

Soren has seen some shit.

Where to even start? Viren told Soren all but explicitly to kill the crown prince and his brother. And when Soren and Claudia confronted Viren about this, Viren gaslighted the shit out of his son, to the point that even Claudia was convinced Soren had misunderstood their brilliant, intellectual father for the umpteenth time. This left a deeply upset Soren was wrestling with what he knew and what he was being told. Every time Soren tried to ask for more information, he was harshly rebuffed by Viren, or more gently brushed to the side by a (perhaps willfully) naive Claudia. He knows what Viren wanted him to do with Ezran, and this has been weighing on him for a while. When Ezran spared his and Claudia’s lives, and then was himself thrown in jail (a fucking ten year old boy cuffed in the same prison cell used to contain a treasonous archmage), Soren finally put his foot down and said, actually, fuck this.

And, before I get into the quotes once more, I’d like to point out: Soren isn’t actually stupid. He has his blatantly obtuse moments, yes, but he did come up with the plan (and muster the sheer audacity it took to pull it off) to get Ezran out of Katolis. That doesn’t happen by being an idiot.

Anyways, hold on to that. It’s a surprise tool that will help us later.

By the time Viren, with Aaravos’ help, manages to siphon the power of the Sun Elves’ city, Soren has seen enough. And when Viren straight-up assumes that Soren will be blindly willing to be the first transformed soldier - perhaps because he assumes Soren is too easily led to refuse - Soren says no. He says, I don’t want to do this. I’m scared.

You know how the rest of that scene goes.

Let’s get to the good stuff.

Soren flees, and Claudia goes after him.

CLAUDIA Soren. What’s going on? Where are you going?

SOREN I can’t stay here anymore, Claudia. You’ve seen what’s going on. What Dad turned Kasef into. What Dad turned into.

CLAUDIA Maybe he’s just doing what needs to be done.

SOREN Claudia, you’re changing, too. But it’s not too late. Come with me, Claudia. You can leave him!

CLAUDIA Please, Soren, don’t… don’t do this to me. Don’t make me choose. Not again!

SOREN Okay. Goodbye, Clauds.

CLAUDIA No! No! No, no no!

Do you see the parallels? Yes? No? All right, let’s go.

Both of these scenarios have arisen because of some sort of discord between Viren and his (I hope) loved one

Both loved ones (the children’s mother and Soren, respectively) decided that they could no longer stay with Viren, and had to leave.

Both loved ones gave the remaining family members a choice, to stay with Viren or come with them.

Claudia couldn’t decide, or Claudia wouldn’t decide, and this drove her to intense distress.

Hoping to spare Claudia pain, the leaving party told her to stay with Viren and Soren (or, just Viren), and Claudia had to watch someone she loved walk away.

The writers are bringing their A-game here, in case that hasn’t been made abundantly clear yet. There are a couple of reasonable assumptions we can make, going off these pretty blatant similarities:

Claudia and Soren’s mother was likely also upset about Viren’s growing reliance on dark magic. Or at least, that was a part of it.

Claudia and Soren’s mother returned to live with her family in another city, far away. This raises the possibility that Team Zym and associates are now Soren’s “family”, and like his mother, he’s not likely to go back.

Remember that first “surprise tool”? Claudia, while heartbroken now like she was then, may be able to forgive Soren for leaving her, as she came to understand her mother’s reasons for finalizing the divorce and moving away from the capital. Whether she does, and if doing so leads to reconciliation, however, remains to be seen…

This scene was beautifully executed, and kudos to the writers, animators, and voice actors for a superb character study. I am curious, though. Claudia has been closely paralleled with Viren, here. It’s possible that Soren has had several moments in the series so far where his actions and motivations mirror his mother’s, and we just don’t know about it because of how little we know of her.

But wait! We’re not done. I did say I think a final, major confrontation between Claudia and Soren is part of the endgame, right? Let’s dive into that.

Point: Claudia is either more powerful or more dangerously driven than Viren. Why do I say this, given all the crazy shit Viren’s done, especially under Aaravos’ counsel? Because Claudia brought Viren back from the dead. She has done what Viren either never could, or never dared to do. If Viren had been able or willing, he would have saved Sarai.

(If that’s not true… if he chose not to save Sarai, in favor of collecting her last breath in order to make a cursed weapon that could bring down Thunder… well, any shred of redeemability Viren had is now gone in my mind. Because how do you look your friend, a grieving husband, father, and king in the eye when you hold his wife’s last breath in your hands and say, “This is all I was able to save,” when it’s a lie?)

Point: Viren failed Aaravos. Viren failed Aaravos, but Claudia has managed to perform what is, as far as we know, the impossible. From the split second glimpse we have of her face immediately after Viren is revived, it seems like she just cast the spell - her eyes are pure black, but quickly fade to their original color, much as they did when Claudia restored Soren’s ability to walk using life force siphoned from a pair of deer. We also know that Aaravos has been spinning himself a new form over the two days before Viren was revived - it’s possible that Aaravos doesn’t yet know what Claudia has accomplished. What will Aaravos do, I wonder, when he learns about the impossible prodigy he has access to? It’s implied that Claudia still doesn’t know about Aaravos speaking through the caterpillar, but that hardly matters to a master manipulator like Aaravos. When you want to conquer Xadia, do you want a broken, old pawn, or a young and innovative replacement instead?

Point: Soren is not stupid. He’s not booksmart, obviously. But he’s got a keen eye for strategy. How do I know? Because he made Captain of the Crownsguard at the age of 18. Because it took him all of two seconds to see a dragon brought down by ballista during the battle to realize that the only way to give the dragons a fighting chance was to keep them in the air. Because he planned - no, he masterminded - Ezran’s escape from the dungeons and subsequent journey across Xadia to get to Zym before Viren. And because he timed it just right, Viren has no idea Ezran has escaped until the final battle - if he even knows at all, given that the only interaction we see is between them after Ezran’s escape is on the battlefield, with Ezran and the illusion Viren created by Claudia.

Point: The Illusion Viren.

This frame was the one that, of the entire season, truly stole my breath away.

Viren (well, illusion Viren, but that’s not the point of this frame) is the dividing factor between Claudia and Soren, and he has caused this rift between them due to his intent towards Ezran. Soren’s compassion and duty towards Ezran has allowed him to see the truth of Viren’s actions, whereas Claudia’s compassion for Ezran has blinded her to the fact that her own father could act so horribly to him.

And, if you’ll indulge me for just a minute, I have to wonder - why was this the ploy Claudia chose to use, to distract Soren and Ezran from the threat at the top of the Storm Spire? She has adamantly been opposed to the idea that Viren would ever orchestrate Ezran’s death, including several clear warning signs and Soren’s testimony. So why did she use this illusion - of Viren going after Ezran, clearly trying to kill him - against Soren, when his resolve to protect Ezran from Viren is what led him to the Storm Spire in the first place? Claudia is horrified when Soren demonstrates that he is willing to kill his own father to protect Ezran (who is, by the way, still a ten-year-old boy, king or not). But isn’t this what Soren has been saying all along? That Viren has been telling him to kill Ezran, and that Viren is wrong, and Soren believed this so much that he chose to leave rather than continue gong along with Viren’s plans? So, whose resolve is Claudia really testing here - Soren’s? Or her own?

I think it’s the latter, honestly. But back to our regularly-scheduled programming. Where was I?

Ah, yes.

Endgame.

So what do we know? Claudia is quite possibly the most powerful dark mage in the world. She’s chosen to continue aligning herself with Viren and Viren alone. Soren is a strategist driven by duty, and is surrounded by other warriors of similar mind and similar or even better skill. Unless a new threat emerges beyond the alliance of Viren and Aaravos (which isn’t impossible, of course), the two siblings are in direct opposition to one another. Claudia must live with the fact that her brother was willing to kill their father, and has left her to pick up the pieces. Soren must live with the fact that he was willing to kill their father, and that Claudia’s manipulation is what drove him to it.

The two of them have also, believe it or not, grown up with vastly different influences during their formative years. Differences in treatment from Viren aside, there’s an implication that Claudia and Soren have been on separate paths for a long time. Claudia is clearly Viren’s favorite - he has actual conversations with her, listens to her questions and attempts to answer them (whether the answers or truthful or not is another issue). Meanwhile, Viren puts very little effort into understanding Soren. Likely, he believes he already does, as Soren isn’t, shall we say, the most complicated of individuals. So, Claudia gets private tutoring under her father, and academic and intellectual training that Viren can relate to and challenge and encourage. Meanwhile, Soren, the family jock, goes into the castle guard. It’s not clear what all this would entail, but I imagine he trained with other recruits for a time in his own age group, reported to a commander or other superior officer, and probably received some sort of advanced training when it became clear he was a prodigy in his own right - after all, it’s not your average eighteen-year-old who is placed in charge of the security of a monarch. To sum up, Claudia was favored and likely spoiled to some degree by her father, whereas Soren excelled in military boot camp, which requires recruits to learn how to carry their own weight and take responsibility for protecting others in a very different sense than Viren’s supposed dedication to the realm.

Narratively speaking, despite first impressions, Claudia is the sibling with more cards stacked against her. She is falling faster and faster towards the point of no return with dark magic, whereas Soren has fought for every inch of his venture into the light. I’m anticipating larger confrontation between the two siblings than what we have seen so far. My heart breaks for both of them, but when I think of how future generations of humans and elves will tell the story of the Dragon Prince, these tragic siblings will fill one of the most resonant threads of the epic.

Ezran rode into the throne room that was his by birthright on the back of a massive, black-furred beast whom he charmed into loyalty. Rayla tackled a madman off of the highest peak in Xadia, and Callum dove selflessly after her. Claudia raised her father from the dead. Soren crossed miles of hostile territory in a single night to warn the Dragon Prince of a coming army.

There is a story being told here. Sometimes, history repeats, and sometimes, it rhymes. Cycles are meant to be broken, but only time will tell how Claudia and Soren handle the one they’re trapped in.

Can I just say, though?

Claudia is going to make one hell of an epic villain.

Bring it on.

#the dragon prince #meta #my meta #I think this is the longest meta i've ever written #it's just over 2800 words #that's longer than most of my Ao3 pieces #LONG post #tdp

[shy-badger]

A Strange Moment in Time Ch.3

Callum couldn’t believe it. He was walking down the hallway to the throne room, with his mom and dad, a baby Ezran, and a young version of himself. He had so many questions. He bet that they all had a million questions between them, and yet everyone was in a sort of confused silence. There would be time to sort all of this out with Ezran, for now he just needed to root himself in the moment.

Rayla took his hand without a word. She could probably tell that he could use the help staying calm. Following her example Callum held his other hand out for his daughter. Callum felt better when Sarai took him up on the offer, and hand in hand, they led his old family to meet the rest of his new family.

Then, the doors to the throne room stood before them. Callum turned to his parents.

“Okay, before you meet Ezran, you should know, a lot of things have changed.” Callum raised his and Rayla’s hands a little to illustrate his point. “Elves and humans are no longer enemies. In fact there are many here today to help us celebrate the end of our hostilities. It’s not perfect, but we have peace.”

Harrow let young Callum down, standing tall again as young Callum moved behind his mom.

“There are so many questions I want answered, that I don’t even know where to start.” Harrow said.

“I know what you mean, but hopefully we can work through them together with Ezran.” Callum turned around and motioned to the clearly bewildered guards to open the door.

Ezran placed the marker on the map of the city, satisfied with the route he had planned out.

“I think this path would make it easier for the sick and elderly to see the parade from the hospital. They should be able to see it from the windows, without being close enough to disturb those that need rest. What do you guys think?” He eagerly waited for the response from his advisors.

Opelli spoke first, as usual. “My King, some of the roads along the way are rather narrow. It may require us to move more slowly to keep things in order.” Ever the voice of reason.

“That’s okay. It means that everyone will have more time to enjoy it.” Ezran responded smiling.

“If that is your wish. Though I may suggest we begin an hour earlier to avoid delaying the ball at the castle.” Opelli said.

“Is everyone else okay with that?” Ezran asked the others. The Katolin council members all nodded in unison, followed by similar responses from the elven diplomats. 

Then, with a loud clang, the throne room doors opened to reveal Callum and his family, with some guests behind him.

“Callum! I think we have the parade all mapped out. Now all we have to plan is the ball.” Ezran said. Then he noticed the people behind Callum and Rayla. It was their mom and dad, complete with little versions of himself and Callum. Ezran was shocked for a moment. 

“Um practicing your illusion magic?” he asked.

“Can we have the room please?” Callum asked the entourage of diplomats and advisors. After various salutes, and awkward shuffling and confused looks, the guards shut the doors.

“Callum?” Ezran asked when the group was alone. 

“Um so, we don’t know what is happening, but these aren’t illusions. I think these are really our parents.” Callum’s words were shaky, as though he only just realized it in that moment. Tears seemed to be forming in Callum’s eyes. Ezran was unsure of how to take the news. It was admittedly hard to see his parents just moments before when he thought they were illusions, but now he found his own eyes growing misty. It couldn’t be real. Right?

“How?” was all Ezran could muster.

“We’re not really sure. One moment we were in my study, the next a strange wind came out of nowhere, and we wound up here.” Harrow answered, still seeming in shock to see his baby boy as a full grown man. A King no less. The crown sitting on his brow just like Harrows, only fully connected, with what looked like olive branches bridging the gap that should have been an empty space between the uneven towers.

“Dad?” Ezran whispered. Before he knew what he was doing, he rushed forward and hugged Harrow. Now the mist in his eyes became fully realized tears. It was real. The man he was hugging was really his father. After a moment’s pause, Harrow wrapped his arms around Ezran, which caused Ezran to sob.

Ezran had no memories of his mom. He felt guilty, but all he could think about was that he had never said goodbye to his dad, and that made him hug Harrow even harder.

After sobbing a few more minutes, Ezran tried to compose himself and pulled away from his father.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have fallen apart like that.” Ezran said shyly. Harrow smiled softly.

“It’s ok. Even a king needs to let things out sometimes. You look like a mighty king indeed.” Harrow said. Ezran thought he might cry again, but held it back.

“Okay, so you said you were in your study when all of the sudden you were here?” Callum interrupted the moment to ask Harrow. Ezran saw the red in Callum’s eyes and knew that he had cried some too. If he had to guess, Ezran would say that Callum was trying to focus on the mystery at hand in order to avoid losing control of his emotions.

“Yes, I brought the kids in to say goodnight to their father when Viren came in. Shortly after a weird wind came from out of nowhere. When it died down… your wife came in the study asking what the noise was.” Queen Sarai answered, hesitating with a tone Ezran couldn’t quite place. There was no malice behind it. After, Callum had everyone involved recount every detail they could remember about what brought the family from the past. 

“Hm, well obviously none of you used any spell that would have done this, and I’ve never heard of ANY magic backfiring in this way, not even dark magic. And if it was something in the past that brought you forward, then we would have known already that something had happened to make the royal family disappear. So maybe something happened here in the present to bring you here?” Callum was talking mostly to himself at this point. Ezran heard a little yawn, and saw the culprit was none other than young Callum.

“Hey, um, Mom? You said that you were letting Dad say goodnight to us right? Well why don’t we let these two get some sleep after all.” Ezran offered, holding a hand out towards the throne room doors.

Callum looked at the younger version of himself and his little brother and his face twisted with guilt.

“I’m sorry guys, I didn’t mean to keep you up. I should have got you some rooms.” Callum said.

“Well Dad, you and mom can use the royal suite. The bed is a bit too big for me still, I'll take a room near Callum until we figure the rest of this out. We can even get some beds for you two brought in there so you can still be close to mom and dad. How does that sound?” Ezran directed the last bit to young Callum to try and make him feel better. The whole time he hid behind Queen Saria’s legs. Young Callum seemed to cheer up a bit knowing he wouldn’t have to sleep far from the only people that made him feel safe in this crazy situation.

“Hey, are you ok?” Rayla asked Callum as she climbed into their bed for the night.

“I don’t even really know. I mean, this is all so crazy. Am I going to wake up tomorrow and find out all of this was a dream?” Callum asked, staring at the ceiling.

“I don’t know. But I mean, it’s your parents. You gave me back my whole family and we both wished that you could have yours back. Now here they are. Maybe not in the way we would have expected, but they’re here. Love, I hope this becomes something amazing for you.” Rayla meant that. For everything he had done to reunite her with Runan, her mother, and her father, Callum had no chance of ever being with his own mother and father again. Or so she had thought. The world would always be a strange place.

Rayla kissed his cheek and laid her head on his chest.

“Don’t stay awake too long thinking about it. We can deal with it in the morning. I love you. Goodnight.” Rayla closed her eyes, knowing that it would take her husband much longer to find the rest he would need.

“Goodnight Rayla. I love you too.” Callum whispered to her, sweet and grateful to have her with him.

#Fanfic #TDP #The Dragon Prince #King Harrow #Queen Sarai #Callum #Rayla #King Ezran #Hopefully future chapter's will turn out better

[sellyoursoulforagoodfic]

What Time Forgot Chapter 3

Aaravos x reader

Summary: Being recognized leads to some arguments with literal children

Word Count: 2076

As she’d expected, they made great time. They were only a few miles away by the time night fell. Much to Y/N’s surprise, it was Aaravos that suggested they stop for the night.

“Are you alright? You hate stopping this close to a destination,” she asked, dismounting her horse so she could sit next to where he’d taken up residence on a rock.

“I am better than I have been in decades now that I am back at your side, dearest. I wanted to talk before I met my adopted children, as it were. Is that alright?”

She pressed a kiss to his hand after lacing her fingers through his. “Of course.”

So they just … talked for a while. If she closed her eyes, she could almost pretend they were back in their study in Xadia, especially when he moved to rest his head on her lap and allowed her to play with his hair. They shared stories from their time apart. Well, she mostly talked since he was locked away in a magic mirror that whole time. The moon was high in the sky, and the stars were doing their best to replicate Aaravos’s skin by the time they decided to actually get up and make camp.

Of course, that didn’t mean they actually made camp. That’d been the plan right up until two children and a tiny dragon barged into the clearing. In the span of a heartbeat, both adults were on their feet, Y/N crouched and ready for attack and Aaravos already having drawn the symbol for an area lightning spell.

“Whoa!” the boy that Y/N now recognized as Callum exclaimed, hands up in surrender.

The young Moonshadow elf that accompanied him was in a similar pose until she recognized the make of the dagger pointed at her. “That’s a Moonshadow blade …”

“Y/N?” Callum gasped.

“You know these children?” Aaravos inquired, glancing at the woman crouched in front of him.

“I know him.” She stood and put away the blade, prompting her lover to dispel the crackling rune. “Callum, what are you doing here? Everyone’s been worried.”

“We’re trying to return Zym to his mother. This is Rayla, by the way. What are you doing so far from the castle? And who is that?” The underlying ‘What is he?’ didn’t go unnoticed by either adult.

Rayla’s lavender eyes narrowed as she stared at Aaravos. “I know you …” she muttered.

“Of me, perhaps, but I can assure you that we have never met.”

“He’s a Startouch elf, Callum,” Rayla explained.  “They’re all but extinct. The last one anyone knew about was said to be a traitor to Xadia. Helped the humans fight against his homeland.”

“To be fair,” Callum started, seeming a little worried about angering his friend, “we’re both kind of doing the same thing …”

Her face scrunched up in displeasure at thethought. “But we’re trying to bring peace, not betray Xadia or Katolis!”

“Who’s to say that I didn’t try the same?” Aaravos countered, crossing his arms.

“Everyone!” Rayla shouted. “They taught us all about you. You helped push the humans out of our lands in the first place, then bought a human woman back, then betrayed us to fight for their cause!”

“Wait what? I thought elves hated humans?” Confusion was all over Callum’s face.

“Most do,” the young Moonshadow elf replied. “So you’ve found another one, then? Planning to bring her back, too? Or are you planning on betraying us again?”

A white eyebrow raised while Aaravos looked unimpressed. “I am not the one planning our moves currently. One thing I will not allow, though, is you slandering her.”

“Yeah, Rayla. Y/N’s always been really nice to Ez and me,” Callum argued. “She wouldn’t do anything to make the war worse.”

“Well?” Rayla’s lavender eyes turned to stare at Y/N. “Are you going to say anything for yourself?”

“Okay,” she shrugged, moving to sit back down on the ground. She didn’t bother to hide the smile on her face as the Startouch elf took a seat next to her a bit too close to be completely innocent. “First off, I was the human that lived in Xadia so long ago, so that whole ‘tricked another human’ theory isn’t a thing. We’d been together for years, and it looks like the count is still going. Also, I’d appreciate it if you stopped acting like I’m ‘easily fooled’ or whatever.”

“But—and I’m choosing to ignore the whole ‘you’re super old’ thing—why would you guys be, like, together?” Callum’s face scrunched up at the thought. “Wasn’t that a big no-no during the war?”

“To say the least,” Aaravos said coldly. Last time Y/N heard his voice sound that frosty was the day they heard the details of the treaty. “However, I would think you two of all people wouldn’t be questioning relations of any kind between elves and humans.” He’d noticed the way that Rayla had moved to protect the human boy when they initially stepped into the clearing; it was just a little too similar to the way that Y/N had moved to guard him.

“Aaravos,” Y/N’s voice was warning, “they’re just children. It’s a wonder that they aren’t more intolerant given their upbringing. Let them be.”

The only response verbally was a hum, but Y/N knew him well enough to see that he was annoyed at their relationship being questioned. It was something that’d always angered him, and that didn’t seem to have changed due to their time apart. That little fact warmed her heart a bit.

“As for your other claims,” Y/N continued, “we were neutral for many years. Our actions were not driven out of anger or a want to betray Xadia. It was mostly because we were tired of the hatred. I was mocked and threatened endlessly in our own village, and we would have been run out of any town in any human kingdom had we decided to settle there. Mind you, I’m not a mage nor have I ever violated the natural magics to anger the elves around us, so I’d done nothing other than simply be a human to spark the hatred aimed at me.”

“Okay, okay, we get it,” Callum interjected, ending the uncomfortable argument. “Rayla, we need to rest if we’re going to make it to Xadia tomorrow.”

Yellow eyes narrowed at the imploring look Y/N gave him. He knew that look. “What are you thinking?” Whatever it was, he knew he wouldn’t like it.

“They’re trying to bring peace, Aaravos. We should help them.”

“We don’t need a traitor’s help,” Rayla snarled.

“See? They don’t want our help, dearest. What about your adopted charges?”

“Soren and Claudia can handle themselves for now. I can’t just let something this important slip by. We’re walking, talking examples of how elves and humans aren’t predestined to fight.”

“They could help, Rayla,” Callum argued for them. “As much trouble as we’ve had … If he’s as dangerous as you say, it’d be a lot easier to get around.”

Rayla groaned, clearly hating that her friend had a point. “Why should we trust them? How do we know he won’t betray us like he did Xadia?”

“How many times do I have to say it? We both did that,” Y/N pointed out.

“You shouldn’t,” Aaravos spoke at the same time. Voice smooth as silk and as casual as someone talking to an old friend, he added, “You should let me earnyour trust. Besides, anywhere she goes, I go. You don’t have to trust me in order to trust that.”

“Okay, I’ll believe that.” That was as close as they were getting to acceptance, so it worked for them.

The grin that formed on her face was something that Y/N didn’t bother to hide. “Great! We’ll set out at dawn, then.”

“There is still a problem, dearest,” Aaravos sighed, unhappy to be the one poking holes in the plan that clearly made her happy. “You were banished forever. As soon as you’re recognized, you’ll be arrested. Normally I would say that it is not an issue—elvish memories are long, but I doubt you would be recognized on-sight—but with me . . . The pair of us are easy to remember if we’re together.”

Rayla found herself more than a little jealous of the affection that was practically tangible between the two. In recent days, it was something she’d been craving from Callum, even more so since his whole Dark Magic episode. After being told her whole life about how terrible humans were, liking the prince was weird enough. Then add the existing relationship between an elf and a human … Basically there was just a storm of emotions and hormones in her with jealousy at the heart.

“I don’t care, ‘Vos,” Stef was saying. “We’ll be fine. I won’t get arrested, and you won’t be put back in that mirror. Who knows, maybe the queen will end the sentences if we help return her son.”

“As long as you know the risks.”

“Okay!” Callum chimed in again. “So we’re camping here with you, then?”

“Sure,” the Crownguard chuckled. “We were just about to settle in when you guys showed up, anyway. I’ll send a note to the town for Soren in the morning.”

With that, a few minutes later the group was settled in on opposite sides of the clearing. Rayla was on a lower branch of a tree, Callum on the ground below her. The Moonshadow elf watched the other pair lie down after Y/N had written the aforementioned note. They used his fancy cloak as a blanket, and held each other close. Apparently, they either didn’t realize or didn’t care that her trained assassin ears could hear their quiet whispers even across the clearing.

The answer was that neither Y/N nor Aaravos really cared. They were just happy to be together again, and it wasn’t like they weren’t used to being overheard anyway. After all, war camps just off the front lines didn’t make for many private conversations.

“Any chance you learned how to tone down the glowing while you were locked in that mirror?” Y/N teased, tracing the glowing star on his chest that was left exposed y his shirt.

That pulled a real, mirth-filled chuckle out of the elf. “Sadly no, though not due to lack of trying.” He turned his head to press a kiss to the crown of her head.

She turned to look up at his face. “Are you serious?”

“Well after years of your whining and nothing better to do, I looked into the matter.”

“You know I’m always joking about that, right? I don’t ever want you to change something like that for me.”

“I am aware. But I also remember how there were days when you were suffering from your headaches and how hit physically hurt you to open your eyes around me.” He kept speaking, cutting off her argument, “And it was the only way I could remain close to you. The king thought that my punishment would be more severe if there was no trace of you there.”

Effectively silenced on the matter, Y/N just kissed the underside of his jaw. There was a long moment of silence before she decided what to say. “The scar you asked about, the one on my neck … Not long after you were taken, a group of soldiers ambushed me. They wanted me to pay, I guess, for my relationship with you. When they realized I had no money, they tried to take the ring.” Reflexively, she adjusted the ring on her finger. “I managed to win, but I was wounded. I made it back to the castle, and spent the next year in and out of the hospital because of it.”

“You … were willing to die for a ring?” he questioned.

“No. I was willing to die for the last reminder I had of you. So I get it. I had to do what I could to keep you close to me too.”

It was his turned to be stunned into silence, and by the time he decided what to say, he could feel that her breathing had leveled out, signaling that she’d nodded off. He figured the eventful day finally caught up with her. “I love you,” he whispered futilely, yellow eyes gazing up at the stars.

A/N: Okay, that’s all I’ve got on this one for the time being. Might eventually pick it back up if the mood arises, but who knows. It’ll be updated on the masterlist if I do add more and I forget to delete this little note. This note is as of 28 May 2019, so you have a time frame to help you decide to check the list or not.

#aaravos x reader #aaravos imagine #the dragon prince imagine #reader insert

[kuno-chan]

Love Amongst the Dragons: Gales of Yesterday - Ch. 3, The Tempest

Summary: In a sentence, Prince Callum doesn't care for dragons. He has his reasons for not being a fan, but the Dragon Ban has expired and now his life is full of them as the Dragon Keep has finished and everyone around him is preoccupied in making sure everything is ready for the Xadians arriving so the dragon rider's training program may succeed. Now, Callum is up to his neck in everything that has to do with dragons as he does his best to satiate some dangerous curiosities, wrestle sorrowful memories and support his stepfather, King Harrow, in this time of redemption.

Rating: G

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The human kingdoms were a strange place. There was very little magic. In fact, there was basically no magic anywhere.

Rayla found it rather bizarre,honestly. She said as much to Runaan.

“Humans were not born with magic,” he told her, concealing a knife in his boot. He instructed her to do the same. This entire diplomatic mission was supposed to be peaceful, but it wasn’t as if the humans were completely trustworthy. Runaan’s chief fear was what might happen if things went wrong; if they suddenly found themselves surrounded by human guards with no way out. They had their dragons, but now, so did the humans. “We can’t expect their lands to have any, either. Otherwise, they would have figured out a way to harness it.”

“They have dark magic,” Rayla said.

“What they call magic. Dark magic is not true magic.”

Rayla nodded. She agreed wholeheartedly.

“Are Luna and Athena secure?” he asked.

“In the stables. They’re resting, I’m sure. It was a pretty long trip for them. Luna was getting a bit cranky after a few days.”

Runaan raised his brows at her in question. “Is Luna secure?”

“... she was when I left her,” Rayla said, grinning nervously. “I swear.”

“And we must keep it that way. Dragons are new for most of these humans and Luna will spook them if she simply shows up.”

“She’ll probably just steal their kitchen utensils.”

“And I imagine they value their kitchen utensils.”

Rayla shrugged, though she shared a knowing smile. “Oh, I suppose. I’ll make sure she knows she can’t play with the whisks around here.”

“Good. Now, come.” Runaan beckoned. “I want you to be there when I speak with the King. You should know how to navigate these situations. Diplomacy is a skill you might learn.”

Rayla followed Runaan to a more private room than she was expecting. It was small, not even half the size of the throne room, more intimately decorated with paintings and items that she assumed the king held dear. A drawing of him and the boy she saw upon arriving at the castle hung on the wall.

“Please, both of you,” King Harrow gestured. “Sit. I appreciate you being available despite how tired you must be.”

Runaan nodded. “It’s what we came to do. We ought to start with a conversation.”

Rayla sat quietly, as ordered, but also impressed. Humans were not Runaan’s favorite people in the entire world. So, when he showed no qualms about leading the diplomatic party into the human kingdoms, Rayla was surprised... and not. On one hand, Runaan didn’t care for humans for a variety of reasons. On the other hand, he would perform his duty without complaint. Without fail.

So, Rayla did as expected, she sat quietly and observed the situation. She even debated sitting or standing in the corner. But she took a seat and Runaan gave her no indication that he disapproved.

“I agree. So, first, let me open with a question: What are your main concerns? I want to address those before we move on to other things. I realize the need for transparency if there is to be any trust between Xadia and Katolis.”

Runaan nodded. “The treaty has expired, but Xadia is concerned about the humans using the dragons solely as war machines. Yes, in battle they are invaluable, but to raise and use dragons with that purpose and that purpose alone is to foster a culture where they are nothing more than tools. And, that, is a dangerous sentiment to breed. Especially considering the use of… other magics among humans.”

“I absolutely agree,” King Harrow said. “And you have my word that I am doing everything in my power to make sure those in charge of the dragons’ training understand this. These are creatures who deserve respect if we are to gain their allegiance, should we even call it that. There must be respect and trust between dragon and rider.”

Rayla almost raised her brows. She hadn’t expected that answer.

“Then, we are in agreement,” Runaan said. “As long as that ideal shines through there shouldn’t be a problem. As for the Dragon Keep, who oversees it?”

“I’ve put Lord Viren in charge of the Dragon Keep. He is my closest advisor and I would trust him with my life.” The king stood said.

“The high mage.”

A pause. The king nodded.

Runaan said nothing.

The king broke the long silence that followed. “Lord Viren is my responsibility and I will see to it that nothing, and I mean nothing, atrocious happens to those dragons. Contrary to what you may believe, I do not always agree with him and his… methods.”

“I will hold you accountable then.”

King Harrow sat back but said nothing. He only nodded.

Rayla sat in silence the entire time as the king and Runaan discussed the conditions of which Xadia would allow the humans use of their dragons for military power without risk of transgression.

All the while, Rayla examined the king. This was the man who drove their kingdoms to war. The man who had a part, however big or small, in killing Thunder. They never even recovered his egg. Some part of her wanted to hate him. Wanted to blame him for the situations that plagued her life. But she couldn’t quite bring herself to hate him for all the sincerity in his eyes. Runaan could see the conflict written on her face once they finished an hour later.

“You’re troubled,” he said.

“He’s… not what I expected.”

“I imagine he’s not. What do you make of him?” he asked.

“... He regrets.”

“As he should. Many people died in his war. Human or not, those decisions weigh on him.”

“What do you think of him?”

“I can respect a man who realizes his mistakes, but it doesn’t make the mistakes go away. The people who died won’t come back. Regardless if he knows what he did was wrong, those who laid down their lives or suffered in the shadow of his decisions gain no reprieve.”

“Sorry isn’t enough.” It was more of a statement than a clarification.

“I will hold judgement. Your judgement is your own. I expect you on your best behavior, regardless.”

Rayla rolled her eyes. “I know, I know. You don’t have to keep telling me, you know.”

Runaan only made a noise that told her more than enough about his expectations.

-:-:-:-

In the morning Callum saw his brother for all of ten minutes before Ezran found somewhere else to be. He was starting to wonder if he upset his little brother somehow, but that usually wasn’t the case when Ezran left to go exploring. Callum wondered, but he supposed it was something else.

Either way, it left him somewhat alone for the day. Claudia and Soren both had other obligations and different things to do under the orders of their father. Soren and Varius were busy with the new dragon riders and Claudia was doing research for her father on some aspect of dragon behavior.

Even his stepfather was entertaining and making sure the Xadians were comfortable. They were planning to visit the Dragon Keep soon.

Every day was about dragons, really. Every day Callum woke up, the dragons were a part of their lives in some capacity. He hadn’t expected it. Not like this.

He still tensed up when he woke in the morning. It took him ten minutes or so just to get himself prepared for the day, even if nothing was inherently wrong. His stepfather always told him he didn’t have to be involved and, initially, Callum had completely prepared himself to do just that. No dragons, no way.

Then, the Dragon Keep went up. Then, dragons started being brought in. Soren got Varius. Claudia began looking more into it. His stepfather talked about it more. They assigned Lord Viren to the project.

Suddenly, everywhere he turned… dragons, dragons, dragons.

It used to be thirty minutes in the morning. Thirty minutes before he could get up and face his new reality.

It made him sick, having to look at it all.

All of it just reminded him of his mother.

Her breath rattled in her chest.

It stopped.

Callum’s chest tightened. The thoughts threatened to overwhelm him when he thought about it too much. When he thought about it all, sometimes.

With Ezran busy for the day, apparently off on his own shenanigans, Callum took his sketchbook and, against his better judgement, found his way to the Dragon Keep.

At first, that was how it started and why he ended up going there at all. As long as he stayed on the wall and far from the actual creatures, he could sketch them to his heart’s content. He would sketch one dragon, then go home. It gradually became two or more. Now, he didn’t really have a limit. Just whenever he felt finished for the day.

He still stayed high on the wall though. He never ventured close to them. Not once. Not on his life.

When he got to the keep, however, Soren and his dragon riding recruits were using the wall he normally occupied. Whatever they were doing, he didn’t want to disturb them. Step-prince or not, occasionally, it distracted people that he was a prince and was the adopted son of the king. Those who weren’t around him as often sometimes felt like they had to pay him mind. It made Callum uncomfortable.

So, he looked around.

Sketching would have to wait, he supposed.

It probably wasn’t the wisest of ideas, but he started poking around. Frankly, he felt like Ezran, just wanting to know what was around the corners, going to places he most likely wasn’t supposed to.

He walked near Lord Viren’s office at the keep, past it and down the hall he’d never bothered going down. The halls were simple but decorated, red rugs, tapestries and weapons hung in traditional Katolis fashion. The hall widened and simplified at the very end. To the right, Callum knew was the arena. To the left, a darker tunnel, but otherwise open. Airy. Breezy, even? Drafty, perhaps was the right word.

Callum knew better, but he took the left anyway. He wanted to know where the breeze came from. Was it another way out? An escape route should this place go up in flames?

What he found was a simple room. The breeze came from the open windows, letting in light and the smell of fresh air; it gave the room a less scary quality than Callum expected. It would have been a perfect place to spend a private moment, were it not for the cage in the center of the room.

And the dragon in the cage.

Blue slitted eyes trained on him. Callum froze.

The Tempest looked at him, eyes focused on his every move. Callum didn’t budge. He and the Tempest stared each other down. Rather, the Tempest stared him down.

Callum just stared.

He stared and prayed.

Could it shoot fire at him from this distance?

Did it shoot fire?

Was it poisonous?

He recalled Soren’s words about Chaos class dragons and realized he’d already made a mistake by praying and not running first. It was too late now though. He was as good as dragon lunch if he moved even one muscle and --

The Tempest’s eyes flickered. It looked him over, then snorted. It went back to laying down.

Callum was almost disappointed. Relieved, but almost disappointed. He wasn’t even worth a dragon’s time.

“Thanks, I guess,” Callum said. “Didn’t mean to bother you. I’ll just be--”

There was a muffled string of familiar voices coming from down the hall. The trainers.

And Lord Viren.

Callum closed the door to the room and ducked away from the entrance. If Lord Viren found him down here, he’d be furious and that was not something he wanted to face so close to his office. It was just… an unsettling office. Especially if Lord Viren thought he might have stolen something. No, thank you.

The Tempest went back to staring at him.

“I’m sorry. I’ll leave in a minute, okay? I just need to wait until he’s gone,” Callum hissed.

What was he doing? Why was he apologizing to the dragon? The Tempest probably didn’t care one way or another what Callum did so long as he didn’t come and bother him. He didn’t have to worry about that. Callum couldn’t have been tighter against the wall if he tried.

He wasn’t sure which one was worse: Lord Viren or the dragons.

Apparently, Callum had decided Lord Viren right at this moment.

The Tempest groaned and turned over. Fair enough. It didn’t seem to care what Callum did. It had its own problems.

This is what he got for being nosy, he supposed. He’d kept coming to the keep just to draw the dragons for the sake of art and curiosity, knowing what it would make him feel. He went to sleep at night, nowadays, feeling a little more anxious knowing that tomorrow he’d go back. But it was a point of pride for him. This was going to be his life, right? Surrounded by dragons. He ought to face his fears and deal with it.

At least, that’s what he told himself when his heart was beating in his chest so hard it hurt.

He wasn’t good at anything that didn’t have to do with lines on paper.

At the very least, he could face this… issue haunting him.

Every time he saw a dragon, he saw his mother’s dying face.

Callum looked back at the Tempest. A groan escaped the dragon’s mouth and his belly rose and fell. He frowned at the dragon’s breathing. The Tempest seemed… exhausted?

Lord Viren was just outside the door. Callum could hear him, probably making his way to his office.

“... no food, no water. Understood? Make an example out of them if need be. These beasts need to know who’s in charge around here. If they go out of control, we may all end up burned alive.”

The trainer shuddered, then agreed to obey.

In the cell, the Tempest rolled over just barely, lethargic and breathing somewhat labored. Restless, even. He opened and closed his mouth, his tongue lolling out slightly. He wasn’t hurt -- not that Callum would see any bruises with a hide as thick as a dragons, but…

“You’re starving,” Callum said softly.

The Tempest trained a blue eye on him. There was some animosity that kept Callum from getting any closer to him. Humans were not his favorite people in the world. And he had a feeling an elf would not be in his good graces either.

Outside, the door to Lord Viren’s office slammed shut.

Callum didn’t leave right away, but the Tempest looked away from him, curling into a ball as if to protect himself from anymore visitors.

It took a moment for Callum to leave, observing the Tempest before his hands and feet finally found the door, then a whisper.

“I’m sorry.”

-:-:-:-

“Prince Callum.”

Callum froze, tensing from Lord Viren’s stern and not so pleased tone of voice. He turned on his heel.

“Lord Viren, I was just, uh, exploring.”

“Were you now?” Lord Viren closed the door to his office. “Exploring the very cell down the hall from my office? How coincidental.”

“Yep, it is pretty strange how we met down here, but I really should be going now--”

“Do you take me for a fool?”

His tone cut like ice.

Callum tried to act like nothing was wrong. “No, sir, I--”

“Then, why don’t you and I remain honest with each other, hm? I know you were down here spying on whatever you think I have hidden away, but I assure you there’s nothing. So, I suggest you run along and not do it again.”

Callum frowned. “If there’s nothing down here then why do you have a dragon in the cell you know I was just in?”

“That dragon is in confinement for poor behavior. There is nothing down there. Nothing that concerns you, at least.”

“You’re starving him.”

“I’m teaching him to listen to his masters. He will be fed and kept alive, but at my discretion.” Viren tapped his staff on the ground. “These are wild beasts, boy. Not humans. And you’re a fool if you truly believe that we shouldn’t protect ourselves from their wrath. If the dragon doesn’t make it that is its own fault for not cooperating.”

“Right now, the king’s wrath is the only one you should worry about.” Callum turned to leave. “When he finds out about this, he’s going to be furious.”

Lord Viren said nothing.

Nothing dismayed him more than the king’s disapproval.

But in a chilling tone Lord Viren said, “He will be… worried.” Callum stopped. “Yes, very worried. This Xadian diplomacy mission is very important to him. Why, if he thought it might fail on account of me, I’m not sure he would even sleep at night. But, I suppose you’re right. The stress of his anger is something I fear. For all our sakes.”

Callum turned to glare at Viren, but the man was already walking away, his cane tapping the ground the only sound between them.

-:-:-:-

No, Lord Viren was…

He was right.

Yes, he was right.

But so was his decision.

Callum couldn’t just let that Tempest starve to death. No, that was wrong in every way and he couldn’t just let it happen.

On the other hand, Lord Viren wasn’t entirely wrong either. His least favorite person right now, but not entirely wrong. Callum thought about it all the way back to the castle and it wasn’t until he ran into Ezran once he got back to their joined rooms.

“Where have you been?” Callum raised a brow at Ezran.

Ezran looked up from where he was playing with Bait. “Callum! Oh, uh… nowhere?”

Callum frowned. “Were you sneaking into the baker’s again?”

Ezran grinned. “Oh, uh, yeah! You caught me.”

Callum snorted and shook his head. “Well, you’ll never guess what happened to me today.”

Callum told him all of it. About the Tempest he found, wanting to tell the king and his conversation with Lord Viren.

“So, are you going to tell dad?”

“Well, yeah. It’s the right thing to do…” Callum said. “... right?”

Ezran smiled a little. “Of course. We should go tell him right now.”

The king sat in his room, the desk piled high with papers that probably had to do with the arrival of the Xadian diplomats. After all, their safety fell on his shoulders. A heavy responsibility considering everything.

“I’m sorry, boys. I know I was pretty busy all day.”

Callum shook his head. “No, it’s okay. We know you’re busy.”

“Yeah,” Ezran said. “Dad, you don’t have to apologize.”

Harrow sighed and stood from his chair. He paced the room with his hands behind his back. “This diplomatic mission with the Xadians and the Dragon Keep… it all needs to go well. “

“Your Majesty,” Callum started. Harrow looked back at him with a sad smile. Callum cleared his throat. “You know… everybody can see you trying to make up for everything.”

Harrow chuckled a little, a crestfallen tone somewhere in it. “It is very hard to make up for a war you helped start. Believe me, Callum. As it is, I don’t care about my reputation. No. After the things I saw and realizing my part in those horrors? This is my duty. For the sake of peace between our two kingdoms, it is my duty to ensure that this goes well. That Xadia and Katolis -- all the human kingdoms -- can have a chance at real peace and cooperation between all our peoples. Do you boys understand?”

Callum and Ezran looked at each other, then nodded at their father.

“We understand,” Callum said.

Harrow approached them and got down on one knee, coming to eye level with Ezran specifically. “Ezran, one day you will also need to make decisions like this. As king, there will be… a heavy burden on your shoulders. One that I will always be sorry fell on your shoulders. But it’s important that you take this duty seriously. People will look to you for guidance. But to learn how to lead you must learn how to follow and learning to follow means listening. And, right now, as a prince, this is the best time to do just that. I was young when I became king. And perhaps I didn’t listen as a prince as well as I should have. Do you understand why I’m telling you all this?”

Ezran nodded. He even smiled and put Bait down for just a moment. “If I can be half as good a king as you are, then I’ll do great, Dad.”

Ezran hugged him and, a moment later, Callum joined. He felt King Harrow put his arms around them. “Thank you, boys.” When they pulled back, he put a hand on each of their shoulders. “Now, it’s getting late. You boys should go and rest. Tomorrow I’m sure will be another long day.”

“Actually, Dad, we--”

“Really should be getting that sleep,” Callum said quickly. He grinned and nodded. “Yup. It’s time to sleep. Just like you said.”

Harrow laughed a little as he rose to his feet. “Very well. You two run along, then. There are other ways for you to get some sleep than to help me with my paperwork.”

They left the king to his dreaded paperwork and Ezran frowned at Callum. “Why didn’t you tell him about the dragon, Callum?”

Bait croaked. Callum sighed. “You saw him, Ez. He’s got enough to deal with right now with the Xadians here. I’ll just have to figure something out on my own.”

“Well, what are we going to do?”

Callum shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure something out. No matter what happens, I’ll make sure that dragon has a fighting chance.”

#the dragon prince #tdp #rayllum #rayla #callum

[disregardcanon]

that one long ass rayllum fake marriage/ theon greyjoy style hostage au 

After the dragon king is killed and the dragon egg is killed (stolen), Xadia strikes each human kingdom one by one. They aren't seeking revenge, though, as much as insurance that this will not happen again. The humans will not act against Xadia in the foreseeable future after they do what they're planning to and they might be deterred from acting against them ever again. 

The dragon queen methodically travels the kingdoms, demanding a hostage from each monarch in exchange for not burning their cities to the ground. King Hawthorne of Del Bar refuses to give one of his sons up to the dragons, and the queen strikes him dead where he stands. The King's widowed husband, Rowan, decides to go to prevent the dragons from burning the city to the ground. Rowan’s oldest son, newly made King Florian, tries to talk him out of it, but he won't be swayed. Rowan, the Dowager King of Del Bar, will be the Xadians hostage to ensure the good behavior of his kingdom. 

Then they take Queen Aanya of Duren's aunt, Queen Fareeda of Evenere's closest advisor, and King Ahling of Neolandia's younger sister. These hostages are sixty three, thirty five, fourth two, and twenty eight respectively. 

Word of the dragon queen's intentions and tactics spreads, and King Harrow decides that he will offer himself when she comes. 

The dragon queen does not accept, saying that she knows she would kill Harrow if he were to leave with her and it would spark another war. Then, Viren offers himself. Fareeda offered her best friend and closest advisor, why should he not qualify? The dragon queen refuses, stating she will not allow the dark mage who killed her people into her kingdom. 

There aren't many options left. It must be someone Harrow can prove his closeness too, and beyond his sons and Viren.... the only option is Amaya, who is currently on a mission. 

His sons, however, are not an option. Until Callum offers himself. Harrow tells him that he can't, tries to talk him out of it, tells him all about how vital his presence is and about his PLANS for Callum at Ezran's side, but Callum knows this is the only option. 

They can't offer their best general and they can't offer the heir to the throne. He is the only one who qualifies they can spare. It takes a lot of convincing, but eventually callum does. He talks Harrow into letting him go to save the kingdom. Harrow writes Callum some letters to open when he's feeling homesick, and helps him pack and embraces him deeply. He apologizes for not being more affectionate, for never openly loving him openly the way that he should have. He calls Callum his son and tells him that he will get him back someday, somehow. They will bring Callum home. 

Callum nods, and he cries, and he hugs. He does not believe his father, but he lets Harrow believe that he wants. 

The group crosses into Xadia over the moonshadow path, and then they travel the land for what seems like months until they reach the palace of the thunder dragons. 

When they arrive, the hostages are all given the chambers of one dragon royalty share. They're enormous, big enough that the five humans don't have to act like roommates if they don't want to. They don’t. Sadly, they don't seem to cling together for warmth the way Callum'd hoped. They're the only five humans in the whole continent, the only humans they have for company, but most of them don't seem to want to be around each other because they're different ages and from different countries. 

He misses Katolis. Xadia is large and lonely and oh so different and he feels isolated and alone. He doesn't know their foods or their magic or their history or their culture. He just wants his dad and his brother and his castle and to smell the Katolis air and joke with Claudia and lose at sword fighting with Soren and celebrate their holidays and do human things and be home, warm and cozy with a book in his room. 

He doesn't get that, but at least the hostages are given semi free rein of the castle. Semi. They're each given a bodyguard for "their own safety". Mainly it's to make sure they don't escape. In the mind of the dragon queen, the ax over their heads is the only thing keeping their countries from invading Xadia. Callum's guard is named Rayla. For a while, she hates him for being human. Then she hates him for being a prince. Then for being an idiot, then he thinks she warms up to him. 

He warms up to her, at least. Rayla is good company, better than any of the other human hostages, at least. They're all grown people, worried about grown people things. Sometimes he can get Rayla to dick around with him and just do dumb teenage stuff like silly games, or exploring, of talking about magic. He's really interested in magic. He's told he can't do it, not because he's a hostage and he can't do it, but because he's a human and he can't. The palace magician is adamant about that, even when he insists that Viren and Claudia do magic. He's seen it. 

"That is dark magic," the palace magician says, "it is an abomination. I will not hear anymore talk of that or I will tell the queen." Who will ban him from coming to see her and learn about magic and maybe even confine him to the human quarters. 

Great. Callum really should shut his mouth, but he's never been great at that. 

"But my friend Claudia does it," he says, "that can't be evil." Claudia isn't evil. He knows that. 

The magician tells him a story about a group of humans who crossed the border, intent on murdering a nobleman on the edge of the kingdom. 

"His poor wife was gutted. His daughter had to become queen as a child and grow up without a father." It reminds Callum of Queen Aanya, orphaned by a mission into Xadia. 

She tells Callum how they killed him in cold blood for their magic and then dragged parts of his corpse across the border. 

"Wait," Callum says, "that was my dad- that was- that saved Katolis!" That was what left Aanya an orphan and killed his mother. He says that she must be mistaken, they did that to save hundreds of thousands of people. They killed a monster. Right? Right?

"He wasn't a monster. No one was except you people. As you say in your half, the giant they killed for their own benefit was human too." He wasn't, but he had a wife, a kid. He had feelings. They killed a man in cold blood and drug his heart across the countryside to save their own skins. Suddenly Callum feels uncomfortable in his. 

"I'm sorry," he says. He still gets why his people did it, but he feels less certain about it. Was that right? He feels even sicker when he realizes that his mother's heroic sacrifice was over this. Now it's tainted. His memory of his mother is tainted and- Callum feels ill. 

Callum leaves the room, Rayla on his heels. He asks her to leave him alone, she demands that she can't- it's her job not to. 

If he's left alone, these people fear that he'll go on a killing spree just because. He thinks about all the times he admired Claudia's magic, thought I want to do that, and realizes they're not that far off. 

He decides that he wants to learn to wield the arcanum. 

Maybe that can be the bridge between humans and magic- learning to utilize it without harming anyone else. Maybe he can fix things. 

It takes a long time to convince the palace magician to teach him and then even longer to learn. The years pass, the Xadians allow the three hostages from countries that have never directly attacked them to go for peace treaties and assurances and promises that the dragon queen will burn their counties to the ground if they ever break them. 

That leaves Aanya's aunt and Callum. They keep to their own end of the chambers and don't talk much. Lady Aalexa is not quiet in her suspicion that Callum has turned traitor from spending too much time with Rayla and learning magic. He's not great or anything yet, but he can do primal magic. Humans aren't supposed to do able to do that but he can. 

He's not behaving the way a proper human should anymore, but he knows now that proper humans are not always right. Sometimes they kill people just to keep themselves warm and he won't do that. He refuses. 

He keeps learning, and he hangs out with Rayla, and when he's lonely he rereads his dad's letter or hugs the stuffed animal Ezran sent him with or clutches his mother's locket or writes his family letters they may never get to read. 

He's eighteen years old now. He's been in Xadia four years and he worries he'll never see home again. 

That worry increased tenfold when Katolis gives Xadia a reason to kill him. He hears the whispers before the queen calls him, hears the servants gossiping that the queen is finally going to kill the littlest human because his kingdom attacked the border. 

Then the queen calls him and he knows that his life will soon be forfeit. Most of the human kingdoms do their executions by beheading, but he thinks the dragon would breathe lightning in him until he died. He doesn't know if that would be worse or better.

"There's been a Katolan attack at the border," the queen says. Callum bites his lip to keep from screaming. Nothing he says can change this now. He could fight, but his magic is feeble compared to the queen. He could run, but he'd only get a few feet before she would strike him down. 

Better to die with dignity, then. Then it's an execution instead of her putting him down like a mangy dog. She starts reciting words that he knows will doom him, but he hears Rayla's voice cut through the court. 

"You can't kill him!" Rayla shouts at the queen. 

"Why not?" The queen asks in her booming voice. 

"We're uh. We're engaged!" Rayla chirps. Callum sends her a look. We are? He mouths. Go with it, she mouths back. 

"Why have I not heard of this?" The queen says, "if the boy were to marry into our kingdom, then we would not kill him. I do not execute citizens without just cause." 

Citizen. Rayla is suggesting he marry her and become a citizen? How- what- 

don’t you have to forswear your homeland to get citizenship other places? 

"We've been keepin' it secret," Rayla says in that accent of hers, "we didn' want anyone to know before we made it more official. We haven't even talked to families yet after all." The queen chuckles 

"You expect to speak to King Harrow about this?" 

"Well. My family. Can't exactly go waltzing into Katolis to ask King Harrow for son's hand." 

"Quite technically, King Harrow has no claim to Callum's hand at the moment. He gave him up to me. Therefore, his hand is mine to do with as I please." 

"You may have it, Rayla of the the moonshadow elves. After I have one more piece of him." 

"Wait, what?" Callum squeaks. 

"Your finger. I need something to show King Harrow I make good on my threats."  

"You want to- to cut off my finger?" Callum asks, feeling like the air is being sucked out of his lungs. He hasn't felt this scared since he got settled in Xadia. They're really going to cut off his finger. 

Somehow that's scarier than the execution. He doesn't know why, but it is. 

"We won't take the ring finger, I promise." 

"Could I maybe, um. Just send a toenail? Dad'll know it's serious if we send him a toenail." 

"Or it could be your head." 

"Nope!" Callum squeaks, "a finger is good! I can um, blend in better! If you take a pinky! Then I'll look more like an elf! Four fingers Callum!" He can't shut up and he feels the air in the room thinning and even though he can control the wind he can't make it go fast enough into his lungs. 

He wants his mom, but she's dead. He wants Rayla, but there's nothing she can do to save him right now. 

They take the pinky of his non dominant hand to send to his father. It hurts like hell and it bleeds like hell but he gets through it. He has nine fingers but he's still alive. Being alive gives him options. 

His options are marrying Rayla or dying. So yeah. He accepts. 

He and Rayla wed. Eighteen years old and thousands of miles away from home and wed to an elf girl who used to hold his chain. What would the rest of Katolis think of him now? 

Especially since one of the vows they made him read was "I renounce my allegiance to all lands but Xadia, all rulers but her rulers, all laws but her laws." 

They're just words. They burn like acid on his tongue, but they're just words. They keep him alive to say the right ones later to his king, his kingdom, his land and laws. He is Prince Callum of Katolis even while he is Callum et Rayla of the Moonshadow Elves. He will not ever give himself up no matter what words he says or who he gives his heart to. 

He has a little more freedom as Rayla's husband than as the queen's hostage.  

Rayla is a respected guard as well as a trained assassin, and now that guarding him isn't a full time job she gets to take on higher paying more respectable employment like guarding the queen's nobles. 

But now that guarding him isn't a full time job, he doesn't get to see her nearly as much. It kind of pisses him off. He marries the woman and then gets to see less of her. What's the deal with that? 

But at that point, they realize that they both realize how much they value their fine together and become more intentional about making and spending time for each other. Then, they decide that maybe, just maybe, they do like this being married thing. 

They consummate, and their marriage is real in all ways except for where Callum's allegiance lies. He might not have pledged himself to the dragon queen for real, but he pledged himself to Rayla and he will keep that promise. He loves her. That part is real. 

Another year passes. Callum is nineteen. It's been five years since he saw his father last. It won't be a day more. 

King Harrow shows up at the gates of the palace, an egg in his arms. 

"Is that-" 

"The egg of the dragon prince," the King says. His dad has something in his arms that could end the conflict and all Callum cared about is seeing him. 

"Dad!" Callum screeches. His dad explains how Ezran discovered the egg, how Viren held it for years, how Viren is sitting in a cell awaiting his return and justice as they speak. 

"I wish to trade the egg for my son and the other hostage." 

"You may have the Duren," the queen says, "but it is no longer my place to decide where your son goes." 

"What do you mean?" Harrow asks cautiously. The dragon queen inclines her head towards Callum. The gesture asks: explain? 

"This is Rayla," Callum says, "my wife." 

"Oh," his dad says, "that's... fantastic?" Callum sighs and pulls his dad and Rayla into their chambers to discuss. They tell him dad that it was necessary to save his life, that if Rayla didn't marry him it would have been his head they sent his father and not a finger. 

"Well, thank you for marrying him to save him. I'm sure that was a sacrifice." 

"I'm not that unattractive, dad. I look like mom-" 

"I just meant because you didn't love him. A farce marriage is always difficult to maintain. I appreciate the favor you've done him." They both turn scarlet. Harrow looks scared. 

"You fell in love, didn't you?" 

"Well" 

"Uh" 

"That's just my luck." They talk for hours about possible ways to solve this problem. 

"Summers in Xadia and the other four seasons in Katolis!"  

"One year there one year here?" 

"Back and forth and back and forth and back and forth" 

They suggest option until his dad suggests Callum come back to Katolis and return to Rayla in Xadia when he feels ready. 

The way he said it implied he would never be ready. And, no matter how much Callum loves Rayla, he doesn't know if he could force himself to return to Xadia if he goes home without her. Trying to make the trek back itself might just kill him as a single human. 

"Please, Rayla," he says, "come with me. Just for a while, at least. I need to go home." 

Xadia has been a prison to him, but he knows that the human kingdoms won't be much better for her. Until they can fix things, there won't be a land that's good for both of them. He supposes that they'll just have to make due with what they have. 

They go home to Katolis and he sees everyone he loves and finds out how much things change and stay the same. He introduces Rayla to mixed reviews, but he defends her at every turn. 

They travel the human kingdoms with Ezran, promoting peace and tranquility, and then they return to Xadia for a time, and decide to travel back and forth and try to hit every shrine to learn magic and see the world. It's more peaceful nowadays, partially due to them, partially due to Harrow and the dragon prince, and partially due to a dragon queen who backed out on her hostage policies. And also, of course, love and marriage. But like, that was kind of a given, right?

#sunkelles writes #tdp #rayllum #textpost aus

[uneryx]

The Bridge Between - Ch 1

As promised - some fanfic Fandom: The Dragon Prince Summary: Callum, Rayla and Zym make their way through Xadia. As they continue their quest, they learn more about themselves and each other. Basically a fan season 3, picking up right where season 2 left off and probably diverging from canon.  Tags: No warnings, Gen-ish, Rayla, Callum, Azymondias, Sol Regem, Original Characters, Fan Season 3, 2 Nerds and a Baby, Worldbuilding based on speculation, very slow burn

Read on AO3 here

Dawn rose over the precipice of the canyon, illuminating a long, golden form ahead of them, and Rayla’s heart sank. They had made it, hadn’t they? After all the hardship and fighting and heartbreak, finally she had brought Callum and Zym into Xadia, only for their hopes to be dashed.

“Oh no,” she breathed, holding out an arm to stop Callum from plunging ahead without caution. The archdragon before them lifted his massive crowned head, and turned to face them. His eyes were scarred, singed closed by the blast of dark fire he’d endured at his downfall all those years ago. A fallen king, but not one easily forgotten. She named him, reverent and fearful all at once.

“Sol Regem.”

The former Dragon King was, in fact, blind, but Rayla didn’t doubt that his nose or hearing were as keen as ever, if not more. She had mere seconds to act. “Follow my lead!” she hissed to Callum, urgently ushering Zym back into the backpack (which he was quickly outgrowing). The wyrmling whimpered, but with a stern ‘don’t even think about questioning me right now’ glare from Rayla, he curled up and tucked his nose under the feathers of his tail with a sad expression in his eyes.

“I smell humans.” Sol Regem was standing now, his massive form blocking out the sunlight and casting him in silhouette. Callum swallowed hard behind Rayla, and clutched the backpack with Zym inside tighter. For her part, Rayla steeled herself, squared her shoulders, and stepped forward.

“Th-that would be us, your grace,” she replied. Her voice quavered more than she would have liked, so she cleared her throat. “We’ve returned from the human kingdoms and probably reek from our journey.”

Sol Regem’s lip curled as he snarled, a deep rumble that shook the canyon and stirred something animal within them all, urging them to run and hide. “I am aware of what an elf returning from human lands smells like,” the archdragon retorted, voice low and menacing. “And what you have with you is a human.”

“Oh y-yeah?” Callum cleared his throat as his attempt to sound brave came out as a squeak. “Could a human do this?” He drew a glowing blue rune in the air, three concave strokes within each other, and inhaled. “Aspiro.”

Sol Regem sniffed the air as it blew around him. “Interesting,” he rumbled. “That is indeed competent Sky magic, and yet I cannot smell the petrichor and ozone of a primal stone.” He paused, thinking, tail tapping the rock below him idly. And after a brief moment, he bade Callum “Come forward, boy.” The tone of his command left no room for dissent.

At Callum’s panicked glance, Rayla shooed him forward, taking the backpack from him. Don’t keep him waiting, she urged with her eyes. Zym peeked out from the backpack and quietly whimpered, until Rayla shushed him and pushed him back inside.

On shaking legs, Callum stepped forward, slowly closing the distance between him and Sol Regem, the infamous solar archdragon that had razed a human city before the division. He didn’t remember all of that particular history lesson, but Callum DID remember that it had been a human mage – the first dark mage - who had blinded him thus… and who had also drawn his ire. All in all, not someone he was terribly keen on meeting in person.

He swallowed hard as he stood before the fallen king now, praying to whoever might be listening that Sol Regem would believe the lie that, due to having a primal arcanum, Callum couldn’t possibly be human.

The dragon lowered his massive head to Callum, and sniffed. The heat of his breath, the heat of him, instantly put to mind being burnt to a crisp by dragon fire. It was like standing beside a blast furnace. Callum could feel the sweat dripping down his face and sides and he tried to remember to breathe. In, two three, four. Hold. Out, two, three, four, five, six.  Repeat.

One final snuff out, with an extra bit of heat to ensure the boy fully understood his place, and Sol Regem lifted his head to regard what stood before him.

“Interesting, indeed.” This close to the dragon, and it was as though the bass timbre of his voice shook Callum’s bones themselves. “You smellthoroughly human. I even catch a faint whiff of dark magic.” He spat out the words like they were rotten meat. “And yet I cannot ignore that you have forged a connection to the Sky Primal, nor can I ignore that you have been caring for a dragon whelp. His scent is all over you, and I smell only happiness and trust, not fear.” Sol Regem then laughed, a cold, mocking chuckle, as he laid back down on the stones and drummed his claws against them. “Your fear almost masked it, but no. How indeed could a human connect to Primal magic and earn the trust of a young dragon? What are you? And do not waste my time with this ‘elf in human clothing’ nonsense.”

Callum glanced back at Rayla for assistance, but she seemed at a loss. This hadn’t exactly gone as planned, after all. Sol Regem wasn’t in her plans, and in the little time she’d had to formulate around that spanner in the works, she hadn’t accounted for the archdragon’s nose being so good he could smell out all their secrets with just a few whiffs. She returned an incredibly unhelpful and panicked shrug.

Zym, for his part, wriggled out of the backpack and toddled his way over to Callum and Sol Regem. He’d been indicated, so there was no sense in hiding in the backpack, right? Especially since Callum and Rayla seemed scared. He nudged his friend in the hip with a reassuring chirp.

“Ah, the little one reveals himself,” Sol Regem said with a chuckle, a bit warmer this time. “What ever was a tiny fellow like you doing in—” He stopped abruptly, leaned closer, and inhaled, sharply, drawing all of Zym’s fluff upwards in the draft.  Zym darted behind Callum’s legs with a whine. Then, with an angry snort, the former king drew up to his full height and towered above them, blocking out the light of the rising sun.

“That is Avizandum’s child,” he accused, menace in his voice and the ember of dragon fire brewing in his throat. “There is no storm dragon of that age anywhere in the world, save for the egg that was destroyed. And yet, here is a recently-hatched storm dragon.” He whirled on Callum, his every word a promise of destruction. “You will explain.”

“We found him!” Callum blurted, too afraid to lie. “Rayla came with the other Moonshadow assassins to avenge the Dragon King and the egg, but we found the egg in the dungeons, and we’re bringing him home.”

Sol Regem’s expression narrowed, dubious and critical. “Why?”

“Why… are we bringing him back, or why was he in the dungeon?”

Backlit though he was, Sol Regem’s scowl could be heard and felt in his reply. “Answer both.”

“Uh, well… we think that our- the high mage, Viren, was keeping it for um, dark magic reasons.” Callum twisted the end of his scarf in his hands, thoughts racing as he tried to summarize their adventure without giving too much away. “And since that’s wrong, and the war is wrong, we uh. Want to do what we can to fix things.”

Sol Regem snorted derisively. “Now you decide that dark magic, war, and death are wrong? What makes you think that the Dragon Queen will listen to some petty human apprentice mage, holding her son and reeking of dark magic? Even if you have, for some unfathomable reason, stumbled onto the secret of primal magic,  what could you possibly do to persuade the Dragon Queen not to unleash her armies on humankind for their countless atrocities?”

Callum swallowed, and steeled himself, as Rayla quietly panicked behind him. It terrified him to the core, but in that moment Callum realized that if he was going to get past Sol Regem, he was going to have to do so as himself, without secrets. “Because I’m not some petty human apprentice mage.” He drew himself up, standing tall before the Great Solar King. “I’m Prince Callum of Katolis. Prince -- King Ezran is my brother. I destroyed the primal stone I was learning magic from in order to hatch the egg of the Dragon Prince.” Zym chirped in affirmation, standing tall as well in a mimicry of Callum's posture.

For a split second, Sol Regem was stunned by the honest admission. Then, he laughed, the kind of laugh that comes from being completely caught off guard by something absurd. Despite himself, Sol Regem believed the boy, too. Although the mustiness of clothes that had been worn for weeks masked it somewhat, the boy did smell like he came from privilege. And he knew something of the inner machinations of the human kingdoms, knowledge that the average commoner wouldn't know. Granted, in Sol Regem’s  cynical view, humans were selfish and deceitful, but there was no way anyone would be foolish enough to tell a lie that ludicrous, that outlandish, and expect to be believed.  

So that was it, then. A prince of the human kingdoms had hatched the dragon prince and decided to waltz right into Xadia, hand-in-hand with one who had been sent to murder his family, with the naïve hope that the Dragon Queen would give two figs about their bid for peace.

Pathetic. Adorable.

His laughter died down, and he looked down his nose at Callum. “Give me one good reason I shouldn’t just eat you now and take young Ayzmondias straight to his mother, without your meddling or the disgusting taint of dark magic you bear.”

“Look, the dark magic was a one-time thing and I almost died, so I’m never doing that again.” Callum took a step backwards, thinking. “I… I just want there to be peace. My brother wants peace. And I want to show other human mages that they don’t have to use dark magic as a crutch. Iconnected to a primal source, and I barely know any magic. I want to show them how, so no one ever even thinks about using dark magic again.”

“Not to mention, he only did it to save me and a dragon that human soldiers had captured anyway,”Rayla interjected. “I’ll kill him myself if he ever tries it again, but I don’t think he would. It was pretty bad.”

“Uh, yeah!” Callum replied, giving Rayla a dirty look at the suggestion that she would personally murder him. “Anyway, can’t work on diplomacy and eradicating dark magic if I’m dead so… Please don’t eat me.”

Sol Regem inhaled once more, considering their words and breathing in the three of them. They were so earnest, so eager, the scent of their sincerity rolling off of them like a cloying perfume. All three of them were only children, with the brash sort of hope only children who haven’t witnessed the world’s cruelty carry within them. They certainly believed in their mission, fruitless and futile as it sounded to Sol Regem’s ancient ears. And the human thinking he could teach other humans Primal Magic was pitiful. It would never work, of course, for Sol Regem knew of the centuries where humans had tried and failed, their inferior natures cutting them off from the sources of magic. But somehow, some way, this particular human had figured it out.

Unless….

The sun king brushed that disgusting notion aside. It was impossible, and if it were true, he’d smell it.

Sol Regem then decided he was more interested in seeing what the world would be like if these children tried to accomplish their goals and failed, rather than their adventure ending in his belly. Someone else would crush their hopes, inevitably. In the meantime, watching them try would be more fun than anything else he’d seen of the increasingly tiresome war between humans and Xadia. And should they succeed, well. It might actually give Sol Regem something to do.

“Very well,” he said, after a pause that was long enough to make the children squirm with discomfort. “I shall not eat you.” The human boy’s sigh of relief was audible, and carried a faint puff of wind with it. How very interesting. “And I shall not inform anyone else that a human trespasses in Xadia. Find some way to keep him more incognito, young Moonshadow. It would do to keep Prince Azymondias's return a secret as well.”

“Oh man, thank you, your, uh, grace,” exuded Callum. “I promise we’ll do our best.”

“Do not give me cause to regret this decision, boy.”

“I won’t.”

Rayla bowed to the archdragon. “We truly are grateful, honorable Sol Regem.”

“See that the prince remains safe,” he rumbled back, and turned away from them, laying back down on his rocky bed. Zym yipped his own thanks, and Rayla gathered the two princes up.

“Come along, you two. Time to find some shade and some sleep.”

The trio strode down the canyon, and around the bend out of sight.

Sol Regem waited until they were out of his range of hearing, and then let a piercing cry echo towards the south. He waited only a few moments before a figure emerged from the rocky precipice above him.

“You called, my lord?” asked the figure.

“Yes. Further along the canyon you will see three children – a Moonshadow girl, a human boy – though he will likely be disguised, and a baby dragon.”

“Uh, forgive me, but did you say 'human'?!”

“Do not question me. He is no ordinary human. Follow them, be my eyes, and send me regular reports on their movements.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Ah, and one more thing. The wyrmling is... important. Ensure nothing ill befalls him.”

The figure bowed. “I will ensure the his safety, and keep an eye on the others.”

The figure flapped its wings, and ascended to the sky.

Satisfied, Sol Regem gazed westward, the rays of the sun warming his old bones. What funny, irritating creatures. Inferior as they may be, humans were, after all this time, still capable of surprising him.

#tdp fic #the dragon pricne #here we go #IDK how frequently I"ll post this but guys I missed writing fic #tdp callum #tdp rayla #tdp fanfic

[iwillhaveamoonbase]

The Long Game ch. 5

Rayla sighed as she felt Callum’s forehead.  “He’s still burning up.”  The doctor sighed, gesturing towards the medicine to the side.

“Make sure he takes it, Lady Rayla.”

“OK.”  Rayla barely noticed as the doctor left the room. Callum had come down with a high fever and a sore throat a few days ago, complaining of aches and shaking as he grew pale very quickly.  The past 24 hours, he had barely been conscious, and when he was, his gaze was unfocused and his breathing worse. 

Rayla had barely left his side since he became bedridden, finding it difficult to leave him.  The whispers that it was improper couldn’t get her to leave him.  Harrow visited frequently and Ezran rarely left the room, either.  Currently, Ezran was discussing something important with Opeli. Rayla should care, it was her job to care, but she didn’t.  Gently, she held Callum’s hand and ran her thumb along the back of his hand.  “Get better.  Please.  I can’t do this without you.”  What even was ‘this’?  Her mission? No.  Life?  Maybe. “I need you.”

“Is everything OK?” Ezran asked from behind.  Rayla didn’t even turn around, nodding as her eyes remained on Callum’s prone form.

“The doctor didn’t look pleased, but he said Callum needs to keep taking the medicine.”

“That’s probably the best we could have hoped for.”  Ezran sat in the chair on the other side, Bait in his lap.  “Maybe if you told him you love him-”

“Stop it, Ez.  I don’t love him.”

“Why are you lying? Everyone can see it. Well, not him.”

Rayla looked over at Ezran, shaking her head.  “No, Ezran. He’s meant for something better than me. That’s final.”

“Why are you like this? You two wouldn’t be the first couple where someone was from a royal background and the other person wasn’t.”

Rayla stayed quiet. She knew the real answer why she couldn’t be with Callum, but Ezran didn’t.  “He needs more water.  I’ll get a maid to go get some.”

“Rayla-”

“Let it go, Ezran.  Please.  My feelings are not important.  I’ll ask for them to bring us dinner here, too, OK?”  Ezran sighed, but nodded in assent.  Bait looked at her with concern.  Great, the glowing frog was also worried about her.

Rayla grabbed a passing maid, asking for water and dinner.  Instead of heading back in and risk being interrogated by Ezran again, she took a walk around the castle.  Everyone stared at her like she was a ghost.  They had barely seen her in a few days, but was it really that surprising? The sunlight against her skin as she passed the windows felt nice, warm.  “He’s going to get better, right?” she whispered into the air.

She hadn’t seen Claudia since Callum fell ill, despite how often she tried to hang around nowadays. Rayla didn’t trust it.  Viren had to be up to something.  The longer she was here, the clearer it was that anything involving dark magic was Viren’s idea and that he convinced Harrow to take that route.  Harrow didn’t trust dark magic anymore, supposedly, and they fought constantly.  

“You can’t be serious!” Rayla turned to the door on her right, shocked that it was Harrow’s study she had found herself in front of. She quietly opened the door, looking in to see Viren and Harrow arguing.  “No more dark magic!”

“Xadia hasn’t attacked us, Harrow!”

“GREAT! Excellent!  Why are we tempting fate?”

“Because that girl-”

“Do you mean Rayla?”

“Yes, her.  She came in out of nowhere, no evidence of what she claimed anywhere, and you just took her in.  What if she’s a spy?”

“She’s a child, Viren.”

“That doesn’t mean anything. What if all of this is a ploy to get access to you?  What if she wants to marry one of your sons?”

“She’ll have my blessing if she and Callum actually confess their feelings for each other.”

“I can’t believe you are encouraging them.  You should be encouraging Callum to pay attention to Claudia.”

“Viren, Claudia likes girls. Everyone has known that since she the incident with the bakery girl.  Why are you so desperate for the two of them to be miserable?”

“Because it would unite our houses!”

“And, what, Viren? Bring you back into my good graces? Make me forget what you did to that egg?!”  Rayla’s eyes widened, wrapping her hand around her mouth to keep the gasp from escaping. They still hadn’t discovered she was there, but she wasn’t going to risk them learning.  

“It doesn’t matter, Harrow.”

“IT WAS AN EGG!  An innocent!  Killing Thunder because he killed Sarai was one thing.  But you killed his egg and took a magic mirror. And the Dragon Guard?  You want to explain to me what happened to them?”

“I told you, they ran away!”

“I don’t believe you. What did you do?”  Viren was quiet for so long Rayla didn’t know if that was the end of the conversation or not.  She heard clinking followed by a gasp from Harrow.  “What have you done?!”  She couldn’t see through the crack, but whatever Viren had showed him, it had caused Harrow’s face to go pale.  “They were people-”

“Elves who were going to kill us!”

“You can’t prove that! If you had just left the damned egg alone, Viren.  What have you done?  Free them at once!”

“No.”

“Viren!”

“NO!  That just leaves a bunch of elves running around Katolis!”

“How many do you have?” Viren was quiet again.  “Gods, how long have you been doing this?  Do you keep them for experiments?”

“No.  I’ve never released them.”  Released them from what?  Rayla wanted to know what was happening, but neither Harrow nor Viren was being explicit enough. What if…whatever it was, it was her parents?  Did something happen to her parents?  Had they not abandoned the Dragon Prince after all?  “Whose to say what would happen if they were ever released from the coins.”

‘Coins?’  

Rayla didn’t have time to contemplate it.  Harrow growled a ‘get out’ and she had to quickly move away as Viren stormed out of the room.  He saw her and glared.

“You don’t belong here, girl.”  Viren walked away, not turning back to her.  

Rayla looked in the study only to see Harrow slouched in his chair.  He looked like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.  “Your Majesty?”  He looked up, nodding.  “Is everything alright?”

“Fine.  How’s Callum?”

“The doctor said that he needs to continue with his medicine.”

“Of course.  He’ll be fine, then.  Will you and Ezran be having dinner in his room again this evening?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Please, Rayla, call me ‘Harrow.’”  She nodded.

“Harrow, I heard you and Viren arguing.”

“Don’t mind it, Rayla, please.  Just too old men arguing about old things.”

“But, you mentioned the Dragon King.”

“Rayla.  I trust you, I do, but I need you to understand that I have not always done the right thing.  I’ve let my grief consume me.”  Rayla waited for him to continue, sensing that if she said a word, he wouldn’t tell her more. “In my grief, I made a bad decision. I went with Viren on a mission of revenge, to kill the Dragon King for killing Sarai.  Sarai deserved to live.”

“But, Sarai took a life.”

Harrow looked down at the ground, a tear going down his cheek.  “She shouldn’t have been there.  She went because she believed we should stand together, but she didn’t believe in the mission.  She thought it was a shortcut.  And what happened?  She was right.  It worked, but it cost us her life.  Ezran has no memories of her and Callum was effectively orphaned.  It was my fault.  If I had just made a decision sooner, if I had been smarter with the Queens of Duren….”

Rayla placed a hand on his shoulder, gently rubbing it.  “I’m sorry. Everything I’ve heard has made her out to be a wonderful person.  She didn’t deserve to die.  Do you regret any of it?”

“I don’t know.  I regret how things have played out and for letting Viren persuade me into using dark magic, but I don’t feel regret for killing Thunder.”

“What about the egg?”

“I have no idea what Viren’s done with that egg.  I wonder if he destroyed it or used it or is lying to me.  Either way, it was an innocent and should have been left alone. What if Xadia comes for my sons in revenge?”  Rayla gulped. ‘That’s why I’m here, Your Highness.’  

“Maybe you should ban dark magic.  Stop Ezran from having those same choices offered to him?”

“Viren has too much influence.  It’s my own fault.  Taking away dark magic could leave use defenseless.  Besides, Xadia would get what it has always wanted but what about letting us back in?”

“What if that’s what it would take?  An act of good will?”

“It’s too late for me. It’s not too late for Ezran and Callum, though.  My hope is that they will choose peace every time.  Some day soon, I hope you will stand with them.”

“Me?”

Harrow finally looked up. His green eyes were full of such hope and sorrow it almost broke Rayla’s own heart.  “I see the way you look at Callum.  Your souls are screaming for each other.  You never deny it; your feelings or that he has them for you.  Why don’t you act on it?”

“Because, I am not meant for this life.  Because I don’t think he loves me the way you and everyone else seems convinced he is. Even if he was, you can’t rewrite the stars for two people.  I have to return to him.  Good day, Harrow.”  Rayla curtsied to Harrow before he could say more and left.  The egg could still be alive.  The Dragon Prince could still be alive!  She was going to have to search every corner of this castle until she knew for sure whether or not that was true.

For now, she had to return to Callum and Ezran.  When she got back to the room, Callum’s eyes were half-open.  He groaned, hand reaching out towards her.  She rushed forward, taking his hand in her’s and holding it to her chest.  “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.  I’m sorry I was so long.”

Ezran stayed quiet, but she could feel his eyes on her.  Rayla didn’t care.  She fed Callum his dinner and barely left except to bathe and take the occasional walk. When Callum recovered three days later, he awoke to Rayla holding his hand, a relieved smile on her face.  “Morning, sleepyhead.  We missed you.”

#rayllum fanfic #rayllum #tdp #the dragon prince #au #the long game #moonbase fanfics

[iwillhaveamoonbase]

You Said You Wouldn’t Leave Me

Summary: Rayla reflects on her life on the day of Callum’s funeral

Technically part of the We Could Be Heroes verse, but not really necessary to have read to understand what’s going on here.

This hurt writing.  Why did I write this?  

-----------------------------------------

“Mom?” Aisling put her hand on Rayla’s withered shoulder.  “It’s time for Dad’s funeral.”  Rayla could barely keep the tears at bay.  She had done her best to keep her promise that she would keep Callum alive as long as she did, but he had only made it to 105.  Everyone praised her since humans were lucky to even make it to a hundred…but did she really have fifteen years of life without him to go?

The small comfort that he had gone in his sleep wasn’t even enough to keep her from wanting to throw herself over the top of the Spire anymore.  “How many days has it been?”

“It’s been a week, Mom.”

“Too long.”  Rayla looked down at her hands.  She was all that was left of their friends on the Pentarchy side of the Border now.  Soren, Claudia, and Ezran had passed long ago and Zaras had a hard time staying in one place for long after Claudia’s death.  

Aisling sat in front of Rayla, Callum’s green eyes staring right into her soul.  Why had her husband’s genes been so strong and given all of their children and so many of their grandchildren his eyes?  It would have been easier if she didn’t see those too bright eyes following her like she was a ghost.  “Mom, it’s OK.  You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to.”

Rayla nodded silently. They left her and Callum’s bedroom in the Castle in Katolis and went to the grounds.  Callum was going to be burned with the highest honors, the half-brother of one of the greatest kings in Katolian history and the greatest mage humanity had ever seen.  As Rayla walked down the steps to the grounds, she could feel the cameras going off. Her sons, Conroy and Shavon, were already on top of it, scolding them for bothering a grieving widow.

“I’m a widow, Aisling. Oh, Sources…”  Aisling squeezed her hand.  “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.  He wasn’t supposed to leave me…”

“Mom, I know you don’t want to hear this right now, but Dad was human.  It was impossible from the start to think he’d live as long as you would.”

“His magic-”

“Daddy-” Aisling’s voice caught for a moment.  “Daddy wouldn’t have used his magic to live longer.  It would have involved taking life from another living thing.  You know better than anyone how much he would have hated that.”

Rayla turned to Aisling. Her oldest and the one that had taken after her the most. Aisling wasn’t nearly as in touch with her feelings as her siblings and was far more guarded than was probably good for her, but she had been as open with Callum as Rayla had been.  Aisling had been his little assistant during his magical tests and had never taken kindly to people intruding on what she deemed ‘their time.’  Rayla lay a hand on Aisling’s cheek, bringing their foreheads together.  “I know you miss him.”  Aisling briefly gripped Rayla’s wrist. “He named you, you know.  He called you his dream from the moment we found out I was pregnant with you.  He refused to find a name for you that didn’t mean something similar.  He believed all four of you were the vision of the future.  I kept telling him he was putting too much pressure on you all…”

“Mom…”  

“But, look at you.  The first Border representative and a mage that gave your father a run for his money.  He was so proud of all of you.  Would call you his greatest accomplishments, after marrying me.  And I miss him so much I can feel my heart breaking, Aisling.”  Rayla could feel the tears coming back.  “Let’s do this.”

Rayla smiled lightly as she saw Eryn talking to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, no doubt telling them that Rayla wanted to be left alone.  She had been in a form of self-isolation since Callum’s death; physically there with everyone and going through the motions, but, mentally, somewhere much happier.  

Rayla smiled as she saw that the funeral was being held out in the open instead of inside a Church as was custom in Katolis before they moved on to the funeral pyre.  Easels displayed Callum’s art as well as his father’s and their children’s own creations.  Rayla’s breath caught when she saw the painting he had once done of her, each stroke so full of love and devotion it took her breath away each time. He had slaved over that particular piece and had never been satisfied with it, calling it a pale imitation of her beauty.  She had always felt that he made her more beautiful than she actually was but he had refused to hear any different.  Callum had probably asked for that painting to be there.

Ezran and Aanya’s own daughter, Sarai, paid respects to Rayla, the whole family curtseying and bowing to her as the oldest member of the royal family.  It didn’t matter how much Rayla stressed how much she didn’t care for decorum; she was a princess of Katolis by marriage and certain rules had to be followed.  At least, no one was wearing black.  Callum hadn’t wanted anyone to wear black at his funeral, instead insisting in his will that all attendees where something representing their cultural heritage.  It was…nice to see everyone had followed through with that. Rayla couldn’t remember the last time she had seen so much color in one place.  It was a befitting way to honor Callum.  

“Rayla.”  Rayla turned to see Zaras, tears swimming in her dark eyes. “I’m so sorry, my friend.”  Rayla shook her head, letting Zaras pull her into a hug.  

“You’re still short,” Rayla whispered.

Zaras sniffed.  “And you’re still shite with emotions.”

“Aye.  Thank you for coming.”

“He was my friend, too. Callum was a good man, Rayla.”  They pulled back, taking the other in.  “No black?”

“Callum didn’t want that. He said,” her breath hitched, “he said he didn’t want people to mourn him.  He wanted everyone to celebrate his life and the world we live in now.”

“Well, isn’t that just like him?      

“It is.  How are you doing, Zaras?”

“It’s been difficult without Claudia.  I see our kids every couple months, but I can’t stand to be in one place for more than two weeks.  Everything just reminds me of her.”

“I know what you mean.”

Zaras smiled sadly, sitting beside Rayla when the funeral finally started.  Rayla barely paid attention as Callum’s students delivered eulogies, her and Callum’s children speaking about how much they would miss him, and, finally, Sarai delivering the final speech as not only the Queen of Katolis but also as Callum’s niece and student in peace relations.

When they finally got up to take his funeral to the pyre, Aisling, Conroy, Shavon, and Eryn took the handles of the palanquin until they put it into the cart that would take Callum’s body the rest of the way.  As Rayla walked through the streets of Katolis, she saw the same bright colors that adorned everyone at the ceremony, but no one seemed to be having fun.  Even the smallest child in town seemed to know what was happening today.  Long ago, she would have walked past glares and insults from people who just couldn’t find it in their hearts to understand what she and Callum had.  Now, people bowed out of reverence for her and looked at her with respect and adoration.  She had been called a champion of the people because she rewore all of her fancy dresses multiple times and had called for money to be funneled into schools and public parks like they were back in Silver Grove.  She couldn’t understand it; she simply believed that it was the royal family’s job to invest in their citizens, but that had been the tipping point and led to her becoming a beloved role model instead of a potential usurper.  

Shavon came up beside her, placing a hand around her elbows.  “You doing OK, Mum?”  Rayla could hear the slight accent in Shavon’s voice.  Out of all of his siblings, he had spent the most time in Xadia during his childhood and had adopted a Xadian accent and speech style rather than the more Katolian one his three siblings had form all the time on the border and in Katolis.  Tiadrin, Lain, and Runaan and Ethari had kept him over several summers due to his love of Ethari’s metal work and desire to connect to his Moonshadow heritage.  

Rayla nodded.  “Aye.”

“You don’t have to lie, you know.  You hate lying.  No one will think poorly of you for not being OK.”

“I’m not OK, Shavon. Your father wanted today to be as happy a day as possible, but we’re still burning his body.  He’s still…he’s still gone.  I don’t want to wake up every day without him.”

“Fifteen years isn’t that long.  Besides, maybe, you’ll find someone-”

Rayla shook her head. “Don’t finish that sentence.  Callum once made me promise not to completely give up on love if something happened to him.  But…it’s different.  I’m 106 now and I know I can’t give any of my heart to someone else.  My Heart is being burned today.  I’ll travel with Zaras or something.”

“You can stay with me and Kisa, if you want.  There’s always room at our place.”  Shavon had long settled at the Tidebound capital with his Del Barian wife.  Callum had loved visiting them, swimming in the ocean even when his joints would no longer tolerate his long swims.  

“Maybe time by the coast would be nice.”    

“Aye.  I think it would, Mum.”  

Shavon moved over when he was called by one of his children.  He placed a quick peck on Rayla’s cheek, promising to talk to her soon.  Rayla didn’t doubt he would try to keep that promise. Conroy quickly took his place, holding out his arm towards her like a proper gentleman.  “And I’m being escorted now?  What would your husband say?”

“He would say I’m being a good son to my mother.”  Conroy pushed his glasses up, keeping his eyes forward.  “You need anything?”

“No.  Just wondering why my children won’t leave me alone.”

“We’re worried about you.” Rayla raised a brow.  Conroy was the most honest person Rayla had ever met, but lacked tact if you asked Runaan.  He had lied to Rayla once as a child and she had been so upset he had never done it again.  Rayla had spent many nights wondering if she’d traumatized her own child over him being a child and being afraid of trouble.  Turned out, Conroy was simply more like her and Runaan; he didn’t like being lied to himself so he didn’t lie to others if he could help it.  Conroy was probably the least magically inclined of all of her children, but his theorems had proven invaluable on more than one occasion.  He was able to fix tricky problems, but didn’t quite have the skill that matched the rest of the family.  He and Aisling tended to work together, expanding on Callum’s theories and long forgotten magical spells that mixed the arcana.  

“Are you?” Rayla tilted her head.

“No one can figure out what you’ve been thinking since Dad died.  Not even Aisling.”

“I’m not thinking about much, Conroy.”

“When my first husband died, I thought, for sure, it was the end for me.  I couldn’t go on.  But, Dad told me to keep living for his sake as well as my own.”

“Sounds like Callum,” Rayla sighed into the wind.  “He loved you so much and he didn’t want you to give up on life or love.”

“Even though I’m the failure of the family?”

Rayla sent a sharp glare at him.  “Don’t ever think of yourself like that.  You were never a failure.  No, you couldn’t do magic to the same degree as the others, but you and Aisling have done amazing things, things she couldn’t have done without you.  Your father praised your mind and your artistic talents.  You got both of those from him.  I think, you just got your magic from me.  It’s there, but it’s not as strong as it could be.  It’s probably my fault,” Rayla looked down at the ground.  

“No, Mom.  Even among elves magical talent varies wildly, right?”

“Aye, it does.  Shavon’s magical talent is more akin to Ethari’s was; imbuing magic in everything he creates.  Aisling is the one most like your father while Eryn is naturally gifted in combing the arcana without thinking about it.  You all have a connection to multiple arcana, and I’m just attached to the moon.”  

“Dad wasn’t disappointed with my talents?”  

Rayla’s heart almost broke with how small Conroy’s voice was.  “No, Conroy. He used to brag about how smart you are and what a good team player you are. He told everyone that your research would have been for naught if you refused to share them with Aisling or even Eryn.  He was proud that there was never an issue with you sharing and even prouder that you surpassed him explaining what he struggled to understand himself sometimes.”

Conroy smiled.  “I remember him taking all of us out to draw.”

“When we were traveling?”

“Yeah.  You would sleep in the shade-”

“Resting my eyes.”

“Right, you would rest your eyes while we drew whatever we saw.  Dad always drew you; you know.  I don’t think he could keep his eyes off you long enough to capture the world around us without you in it.  He always had the stunning natural backgrounds, but you were at the center every time.”

“Were you the one that put that painting up of me?”

Conroy’s brow furrowed for a moment.  “Oh, the soft one?  Dad wanted it up.  It was his favorite painting of you.”

“I see.  He had books of sketches of you kids, too.  Shelves and shelves in our house are full of sketches of the lot of you and, eventually, your families.  I told him a camera was faster but he insisted that a drawing captured the moment better.”

“You know Dad.  Mr. Artiste.”

All too soon, they came to the pyre.  Rayla stood silent as a member of the Council delivered a speech about Callum’s life. She had been offered a torch to light his body, an honor normally reserved for the highest ranked person present. Rayla had kindly refused, already knowing she wouldn’t be able to do it.  She looked on as Sarai lit the pyre.  Rayla closed her eyes and turned her head as the tears welled up.  This was so wrong.  What if they were wrong and he wasn’t gone?  What if they were killing him right now?  

“I got you, Mom,” Eryn whispered.  Rayla nodded, gripping her hand that lay across her shoulder.  “It’ll be OK.  Dad didn’t feel any pain.  And he’s not feeling any now.”

“What if he’s still conscience in there, Eryn?”

Eryn shook her head.  “I checked the body myself.  I promise, he’s not.”

Rayla looked Eryn in the eyes.  “You promise?”

A soft nod.  “I promise.  It’s just his body.  His soul isn’t in there anymore.”

Rayla sighed.  She stood at the pyre with everyone else for five more minutes, grateful when tradition let them finally move away from the fire.  It had taken too much out of her to watch the flames take Callum’s body and turn it into ash. She finally understood those people who couldn’t stop themselves from throwing themselves on a funeral pyre; she had briefly considered doing it herself.  But Callum wouldn’t have wanted that.  It would have broken his heart to see her do so she could feel that he was somewhere, watching her.

Eryn didn’t once leave her side as they made their way back to the castle.  Her and Callum’s youngest.  Eryn was a full ten years younger than Aisling and had always felt like the odd one out. She hadn’t seen all the changes to the world her siblings had and had grown-up a bit more used to peace and understanding between Xadia and the Pentarchy.  She had been a late bloomer when it came to magic, much like her father, but it had come just as easily to her as it had to him.  The difference was, Eryn was always mixing arcana without trying and running circles around everyone who had surpassed her once upon a time.   She had been Rayla’s shadow for much of her childhood before finally coming into her own with magic.  Even now, a day didn’t go by where Eryn didn’t contact Rayla at some point.

Rayla stayed for the Feast of Souls.  Everyone shared stories of Callum, laughing at his silliness and commending his courage in the war.  They showed a few videos of him from the various newscasts over the years.  Rayla stared at the table.  Her children were all grown with grandchildren of their own and Callum’s side of the family was continuing to follow in Ezran’s footsteps and Callum’s teachings.  Peace had come a long time ago and she wasn’t worried anymore.

When Rayla was finally released to go to bed, her family hugged her tight.  It was as if they all knew something she didn’t.  Rayla felt like a ghost as she changed into one of Callum’s old shirts and sleep pants.  They still smelled like him.  She climbed into bed, reaching out her hand on his spot.  She couldn’t stop herself from grabbing his pillow, holding it close. Finally, her sobs came out.  She wailed her grief and didn’t care who heard her. He was gone.  Callum was gone and she wanted to be with him.  After hours of crying, she had no more tears to give the universe that had so cruelly taken him from her.  She closed her eyes and entered a sleep her children knew they wouldn’t be able to wake her from.

--------------------------------------------------------- 

Breaking news: The People’s Princess, Princess Rayla, wife of Prince Callum, has passed.  At 106, she was young for a Moonshadow elf. Autopsy reports all show that she was in perfect health for an elf her age. Her children claim it was a broken heart that, unfortunately, took her life. Given her behavior at Prince Callum’s funeral yesterday, it’s not farfetched. Two of the brightest stars the world has ever seen have been extinguished.

 ----------------------------------------------------

Rayla stood in a field in a soft white dress.  Callum smiled as he ran a hand through her hair and down her cheek.  “Callum?”

“Ray, let’s go.”

“Go where?”

“To the Other Side.”

“Promise you won’t leave me?”

“I promise.”  Callum held out his hand.  She didn’t hesitate; she grabbed it and held on for all she was worth.        

“OK.  I love you, Callum.”

“I love you, too, Ray.”      

#rayllum fanfic #rayllum #au #the dragon prince #tdp #moonbase fanfics

[iwillhaveamoonbase]

We Could Be Heroes Ch. 2

“You ready?” Callum whispered.

“Nope, but no matter what, we’ve got to try.”  Rayla gulped as she loaded her video chat up. She had texted Runaan to ask when he and Tinker would be available to talk.  Unfortunately, Runaan and Tinker wouldn’t be able to find time to come to Rayla’s school anytime soon.  While Callum would prefer this introduction to be in person, Rayla was relieved that Runaan couldn’t kill the both of them if he was displeased by this turn of events. “They’re answering.  Hide!”  Callum hid behind his couch as she took a final breath.  They were in his apartment because it was the only place that was currently safe from outside eyes and ears.    

“Rayla!” came Tinker’s excited voice.  He smiled wide and waved to her.

Waving back, Rayla tried to keep her smile even. She had always had a hard time hiding things from Runaan.  “Hi, Tinker, Runaan.”  

Runaan nodded as he looked over her form through the screen.  “You’ve lost weight.  Are you eating?”

“Yes, Runaan.  I haven’t been eating as much because Bandlr keeps running his mouth at meal times.”

Runaan cocked a brow.  “Bandlr’s been sending messages to me and Tinker about how he’s convinced that you’re spending too much time with Prince Callum.”

Rayla balled her fist a bit before letting out a hard sigh.  “Actually, Callum is the reason I called.”

Tinker pushed forward a bit as a sly smile appeared on his face.  “‘Callum?’  Not ‘Prince Callum’?  I know you two have a lot of group projects but I never would have thought you would break decorum like that.”

“It’s more than that, actually.”  Rayla traced her finger on Callum’s couch as she prepared herself.  “We’ve been dating…for about a year.”

Rayla watched as a vein appeared on Runaan’s forehead.  She knew that vein very well.  “A year?  You’ve been dating a human, a human prince, for a year?  And you’ve said nothing?”, ending with a hiss.  Rayla also knew that hiss very well.  

“It’s not like we did it to hurt anyone.  People want to hurt Callum already, so dating me isn’t exactly going to endear him to the masses.”

“Then why are you dating him?”

“Because I love him.”  Rayla could hear the softness entering her voice.  “He makes me happy and would never hurt me.  He’s smart and artistic and he’s serious about not using dark magic. I have never seen anyone as devoted to learning primal magic as he is.  I’m not asking for your permission here, but I do want you to give him a chance.  He’s actually close-by and wants to meet you.”

Tinker’s face had a big smile but there was worry in his eyes.  Runaan had steeled his expression as he looked at Rayla. “We’ll meet him, but you have to leave the room.”

“What?  Runaan-” Rayla balked.

“Wait a minute,” Runaan’s voice suddenly got very quiet and inquisitive. “Where are you?  This is not your dorm room.”

‘And I’m dead.’  “It’s his apartment.”

“You’re in his APARTMENT?”

“It’s the only place to get privacy.  He lives in a nice building on the top floor.  My dorm has thin walls-”

“WHY do you need THICK WALLS?”

“Because nobody knows we’re together, Runaan!  We aren’t ready to tell the universe that we’re together and the universe will know if I call you from my dorm!  I’m handing you off to Callum now.”

Rayla got up quickly and sat in a chair off to the side so she could still keep an eye on everything.  Callum got up from behind the couch with a nervous expression on his face.  “Hello, it’s nice to meet-”

“How often is Rayla at your apartment?”

“Well, we have been group partners in the past, so every once in a while.”

“Don’t lie to me.  How often is my niece in your apartment?”

Tinker clicked his tongue before taking over.  “Please forgive Runaan.  He is very protective of Rayla.  We raised her since she was four and she’s basically our daughter.  I’m Tinker and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Callum let out his awkward laugh before nodding his head.  “It’s nice to meet you, too.  Rayla has told me a lot about you.”

Runaan could be heard in the background muttering ‘she’s told us nothing about you.’

“It was partly my fault that we waited to tell you.  We just wanted to be together, but there are potential consequences that could come from our relationship.  I’m sorry that it took this long for us to meet.  I want to make her happy for as long as she’ll let me.”

Rayla could hear tapping from the other end of the call as she could practically see Tinker’s mind going a mile a minute.  Runaan was had always been the more quick to anger between the two of them and rougher around the edges.  But Tinker was just as concerned as Runaan was, even if he showed it differently. “Do you think you can?  Being young and in love isn’t a recipe for happily ever after.  It takes time and it takes a lot of work.  You two don’t have a conventional relationship and you’ll spend the rest of your lives under a microscope.  Not just because you’re a prince, but because there are not that many elf-human couples out there.  There are even fewer than end in marriage.”

“I know.  There’s nothing telling us this is going to be easy.  I fully expect the world to turn on us.  But, I want to try.  We want to try.  We don’t want to hide anymore.”

It was silent for several minutes.  Rayla assumed Tinker and Runaan had gone to the side to discuss somewhere in the house.  Callum turned to her and gave her the most awkward smile she had ever seen on his face while giving her a shaky thumbs-up.  She couldn’t stop the loud guffaw that bubbled up.  “I knew you were still there, Rayla!” came Runaan’s stern voice.

Several more minutes later and Tinker called for Rayla to sit next to Callum. Runaan sighed as he took Tinker’s hand, matching Rayla having grabbed Callum’s.  “We will approve of this relationship, for now.  If we have any reason to believe it is causing your grades to slip or that you are in danger, Rayla, I will bring you back to Xadia. We will be keeping a close eye on you as well, Callum.  We will not tolerate any disrespect towards our niece.  On top of that, if this relationship goes any further, we will be meeting your family.”

“I would expect nothing less.  Thank you, both of you.”  Callum lowered his head respectfully.  

“Just make our niece happy.  And try to keep his Royal Highness from getting killed, Rayla.”

“Will do, Runaan.”  A few good-byes and promises to make Rayla eat more later and Callum and Rayla had signed off.  They sighed as they sank into the couch.  Callum wrapped one arm around Rayla’s shoulders, lightly stroking his thumb on her arm.  “When are we talking to your family?”

“Next Saturday.  Dad’s been bogged down with peace talks and events coming up and Aunt Amaya’s busy planning her wedding.  It wouldn’t feel right to leave either one of them out.”

Rayla nodded as she leaned into Callum.  “Let’s go to bed.”

“It’s 7:30,” came his slightly incredulous and exhausted response.

“It’s been a long day, Callum.  I just wanna take a hot bath and relax in your comfy sheets.”

“Sometimes I think you’re dating me for my apartment.”

“To be fair, dorm room beds are the absolute worst.  They do nothing for my back and I can’t take a bath for longer than five minutes since I’m sharing with six other girls.  You’re just a bonus.”  She patted his cheek in a placating manner as she smiled.

“Well, as long as I matter.  I’ll make your bath.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“The last time I let you make the bath yourself, my floor was covered in bubbles.”

“It’s not my fault your fancy soaps cause a waterfall of bubbles.  I just wanted a few.”  Callum shook his head and got up to draw her bath.  Rayla smiled as she relaxed into the couch.  ‘One family down, one to go.”  A quick knock at the door threw all thoughts of an early, pleasant night right down the drain.  Rayla went to the door and looked in the peephole.  Bandlr was standing there with Claudia muttering something. Rayla ran to the bathroom, where Callum had just finished putting her bubbles in.  “Callum!” she hissed.

Not bothering to turn around, he muttered “it’s almost done, Rayla.”

“You need to come to the door.  NOW.”  

“What’s at the door?”

“Claudia and Bandlr.”  

Callum’s eyes got big as he stumbled in his attempt to stand up. “What?!  What are they doing here?”

“I don’t know.  But I can’t answer the door because I’m not supposed to be here.”

Callum nodded before looking around.  “Hide, Rayla.”

“What do you think I’m doing, you dumb human?”  Rayla knew Bandlr would demand to check the whole apartment if he was looking for her.  She quickly went into Callum’s closet and used his clothes to cover herself up as much as possible.  ‘Why the fuck couldn’t the damn moon be full tonight?’

A few moments passed before Rayla heard arguing.  It wasn’t loud enough where she could hear what was being said, but she could tell Callum’s voice from Bandlr’s and Claudia interjecting when she could.  Footsteps made their way to the bedroom as she waited.  “Once again, you have no business being in my apartment, Bandlr.”

“I’m looking for Rayla.  That’s business enough.”

“So she hasn’t answered some of your texts.  So what?  All you do is piss her off!  Of course she’s going to ignore you.”

“And how would you know any of that, Prince Callum?”

“It’s pretty obvious to anyone that has eyes and ears.  She punched you last week, threw you over her shoulder a few days after that, and kicked you two days ago.”  Rayla mentally counted the days in her head before quickly nodding. That sounded about right.

“It’s how we flirt, human.  And I’m not leaving until I’ve searched this whole apartment.”

Claudia’s voice rang out as Rayla heard dialing.  “I’m going to call the police if you don’t get out, Bandlr.  I told you I would ask Callum if he knew where Rayla was and you followed me here.  It doesn’t matter that we’re on the border; trespassing is still trespassing and neither one of us was actually invited here by Callum tonight.”

Bandlr growled in anger.  “You think you can keep her interest by showing her the high life?”

“I don’t know what-”

“Cut the bullshit, step-prince.  I’ve known the two of you were doing something for months.  She’s always disappearing when you are and she walks around all smiles afterwards.  She goes missing for hours at a time when you two are working on a ‘project’ and there haven’t been nearly as many in your classes as you claim there are.”

“If you really think something is going on, then maybe you should just give up. She obviously doesn’t want you.”

“You don’t get it, do you?  Do you really think it would work between you two?  There is too much bad blood between elves and humans.  Your kind created dark magic and killed magical beings in order to use it and were expelled from Xadia.  You retaliated by crossing the border and continuing to kill creatures in Xadia that had done nothing wrong.  All you humans do is take and take without giving back.  And no amount of rejecting dark magic is going to make up for the crimes humanity has done.”  

“My father has made sure that my brother and I are well aware of the crimes that humans committed in Xadia.  He has pushed for peace because he wants a better world for everyone.  He doesn’t just want the humans to be allowed back in Xadia or for history to be swept under the rug.  He wants elves and humans to live together like we once did.  Dark magic is its own issue and it will take time for it to be handled, but it is being handled.”

“By you?  Your friend here seems to love dark magic.  If you can’t even get your ex-girlfriend to stop using it, how can you get anyone else to?  All you would do is bring pain and suffering to Rayla.  I highly recommend you let her go, or you’ll see the consequences of your actions.”

Rayla tried to stay hidden, she really did.  But Bandlr was too much of an asshole for her to keep quiet.  “Is that a threat, Bandlr?”  She came out from the closet to the shock of Claudia and Callum.  Bandlr looked as if he had known she was there the whole time and was waiting for her to come out.  “You do realize it is a crime to threaten a prince, right?”

Bandlr snorted before shaking his head.  “He’s not my prince, Rayla.  He’s not your’s either.  He’s not even of royal blood; just the step-son of a king who couldn’t say ‘no’ to his wife.  We’re going back to the dorms.”

“You should learn to watch your mouth.  I’m staying here.  I’m not your girlfriend, Bandlr.  I’m not your anything; you can’t boss me around like that.”

“I’ll tell Runaan-”

“Runaan already knows.  Find a new threat.”

Bandlr blinked several times before glaring.  “When did he find out?”

“About an hour ago,” crossed arms and head held high, Rayla was going to stand her ground.  “He and Tinker gave their blessing.  Now, are we going to have to call the police or are you going to leave?”

“Yes, let’s call the police and we’ll explain to them how an elf was found in a human prince’s room because of their illicit little love affair.”

“Or, we could tell them that Callum and I were working on a project, which is true because we were working on telling his family next, while you decided to barge in here.  Given how many legitimate projects Callum and I have done together, plus Claudia’s testimony, who do you think they’re going to believe?  Don’t be on the losing side of this, Bandlr.  It will only make you seem weak.”          

Bandlr continued glaring at Rayla before shaking his head.  “Fine, I’ll go.  But when people ask where you were tonight, do you think I’m going to lie to them? You can bet on everyone knowing by Monday.”

Rayla stepped towards him until they were separated by a foot.  “Is your tiny brain really that focused on revenge? This is beyond petty and you know it. Revenge is for killing a king or destroying a Nexus.  It’s not for not getting your way.”

“Who said anything about revenge?  You hate lying, Rayla.  And you’ve been lying for months.”

Callum wrapped an arm around Rayla, subtly holding her back from attacking Bandlr. “Give us until next Sunday, and then you can tell everyone you want to.”

Bandlr guffawed.  “And why should I cover for you until then?  So you can go to the press yourselves?”

“Because we’re telling my family about us next Saturday.  I know how important family is in Xadia, so surely, you can respect us wanting to deliver the news ourselves.  I don’t want my little brother to hear about this from anyone else.”

Bandlr bit the inside of his cheek.  “Fine, you have until Sunday.  But I will not lie for you, Rayla.  You’ve made your bed by choosing to date a human.  You’ll have to lie in it, too.”

Bandlr began to walk off, but Rayla couldn’t let him have the last word.  “I would rather lie in his bed than touch your’s with a ten-foot pole, Bandlr.”  He stopped in his tracks and rolled his shoulders in irritation.  He stalked out, slamming the door on his way.  

A sigh of relief left the room before a squeal escaped Claudia.  “No way!  No way you kept this a secret from me, Callum!”  Claudia pulled Callum from Rayla and was shaking him.  “I have spent the past year telling you to grow a pair and ask her out and you’ve been dating this whole time?!  And you!”  There wasn’t a lot that scared Rayla, but Claudia had just terrified her down to her bones.  That determined stare of her’s could make a banther pause.  “I’ve been subtly telling you to just admit your feelings-”

“There was nothing subtle about how you went about this, Claudia.”

“And you’ve been dating him.  And you’ve been in his apartment?  I’ve only been here twice!  How often do you come here?”

“None of your business.”

“You have to tell me everything.  When did you start dating?  Why?  What was the big moment?  When did you start coming here, Rayla?”

Callum had finally wrestled his shirt from Claudia’s grasp.  “It just happened, Claudia.  There was no big ‘I like you, please go out with me’ moment. She came over for class projects, then we started having dinner here together, watched some movies and it just…”

“Happened,” Rayla finished for him.  “We started making out without any sort of confession and the next thing you now, we’re talking about being exclusive and I’m leaving things here that I don’t want to leave around my dorm.  We don’t really even have an anniversary because we can only guess when we started ‘dating’ versus hanging out.”

Claudia looked extremely put-out before sighing.  “Callum, I would have hoped you would be more romantic than that. You were so romantic before we dated.”

“He’s plenty romantic, don’t worry about that.  We just didn’t start out in a traditional manner.”

“Well, as long as he makes an effort.  Seriously, you guys couldn’t tell me?”

Callum ran a hand through his hair before grimacing.  “We couldn’t.  Neither of our families knew and we wanted to keep it secret.”

“Fine, I guess.  I’m telling Soren next Sunday, though.  He’s going to be so excited for you!”

Callum smiled at her before leading her back to his door, Rayla close behind. “If anyone asks, Rayla is here, but we’re working on something.”

“I’m sure you’re working on something.  I saw a second toothbrush in your bathroom just now.”

“Claudia!”

“Fine, fine.  My lips are sealed.  For now. Bye-bye.”  Claudia finally left, taking some of the tension of the past twenty minutes with her.  Callum groaned as he slowly sank to the floor against the door.  

“We could just kill them.  I’d feel bad about Claudia, but we could.”

“We’re not killing anyone, Ray.”

“No one would ever know it was me.  With how many people Bandlr pisses off, it wouldn’t be too much of a shock.” Callum looked up to see Rayla smiling. She bent down until she was eyelevel and ran a hand through his hair.  “It’s going to be okay.  We’ll get through this together, right?”

“Right.  You still want that bath?”

“Ugh!” Rayla threw her head to the side and lifted her eyes upward.  “I need a bath, I need to sleep in your sheets, and I need some moonberry wine.  You still got that bottle I brought back from last break?”

“In the cabinet.  I haven’t opened it since the last time we drank it.”

“Good.  I’ll pour us both a glass while you finish my bath.”

“The water’s probably cold by now.”

“It’s fine.  Are you hungry?  I can make something while you start it again.”

“Yeah, a little bit.”

“Well, looks like we’ve got some work to do.”  Callum gave her a light peck before she grabbed his hand and brought them both back up.  “You weigh less than a bag of feathers.”

“Says the person that can bench-press me, Claudia, and Bandlr.”

“Just you and Claudia.  I’m working up to Soren in his ceremonial armor.”  

A few minutes later and Rayla was relaxing with a glass of wine in her bath while Callum was munching on apple slices with Xadian honey.  “Xadia has the best honey.  I thought Duren’s was pretty good, but this is thicker and sweeter.”

“That’s because I always bring back Earthblood honey.  It’s a bit harder to get because they only produce so much a month, but damn if it isn’t the best.”

“You’ve ruined me.  I’m gonna have to marry you just to get access to this honey.”

“I thought you wanted to marry me because I can kick your ass.”

“That’s reason number one.  This honey is reason number two.”  Rayla held out her glass and he placed it next to his empty one.  “You want anymore?  There’s still another glass or two left in the bottle.”

“Nah.  I think it’s bedtime.”  It was almost a blur for Rayla as they drained the rub and she dried off while Callum took care of their dishes.  The stress from the day was finally catching up to her.  He entered the bathroom and slowly took the towel out of her clenched fist. “Callum?”

“Yeah, Ray?”

“Runaan and Tinker know.  Bandlr and Claudia know.  Your family is going to know in a week.”

“Yeah.”

“This is real, isn’t it?  There’s no turning back now.”

“Do you want to?”

Rayla licked her lips and looked at him.  “I haven’t been able to turn back since the moment I fell in love with you. I’m scared.  And I’m scared that I’m scared.  I’m not supposed to be, but I am.  It’s not even about meeting your family, it’s the rest of the world I don’t want to meet.  I’m not used to my life being on display for everyone.  I don’t want everyone in Xadia to pick you apart like Bandlr did tonight.”

“What Bandlr said didn’t bother me.  Viren has called me a ‘mongrel’ several times since he and my dad had a falling out.  I’ve been called the ‘step-prince’ affectionately by Soren, but everyone else uses it to remind me that I’m not royalty.  My mom was a respected general in the Katolian Army and my father was a poor artist that didn’t have a penny to his name.  Harrow officially adopted me and my half-brother is going to be king and none of that changes the fact that not a drop of royal blood runs through my veins.  I’m not that fragile, Rayla.  I know you feel like you have to protect me from the world, but you have to believe that I can stand up for myself.”

“I know you can,” she reached for his hands and lightly kissed his palm. “I just can’t help feeling like everything is closing in.”

“I’m scared, too.  Viren has been pushing his anti-elf rhetoric for a while and there are still people loyal to him in the capital.  I’m not expecting the world to accept us overnight.  I’ll be shocked if it does.”  They both chuckled.  Callum started to lead Rayla to his bed, settling her on it before cupping her face. “Let’s just call it a day.  You were right; it’s been long and the both of us are exhausted.”

“OK.  Now let me up so I can actually put something on.”  Callum blushed red as he stammered, backing off so quickly he almost ran into his cabinet.  “You can watch me take a bath but the second I draw attention to my nudity, you turn into a blushing mess?”

“Well, it’s just…I…please let me go to sleep.”  Rayla laughed as she got up and put on one of Callum’s old shirts and her sleep shorts.  They crawled into bed, Rayla spooning Callum as he threaded her fingers through his. “It’ll get better.  It has to.”

“I know.  I love you.”

“I love you, too.”  Despite the long day, the pair stayed wide awake as reality kept crashing down on them. Callum’s apartment had always been a safe haven; free from judging eyes and the demands of the rest of the world. Now that Bandlr had stormed his way in and he and Claudia knew the truth, it no longer felt so safe.  Pretty soon, their relationship was no longer going to be private.  There was no turning back now.

A/N: I have plans for Bandlr.

#rayllum fanfic #rayllum #tdp #the dragon prince #rayla #prince callum #we could be heroes #and here is chapter two #moonbase fanfics