The Dragon Prince storyline altered

Chapter 76. Linopha

After Linopha and Opeli arrested Rayla, Callum soon came to see them.

Callum: Linopha. Opeli. What's going on?

Opeli: The moonshadow elf has been arrested.

Callum: I can see that. Let her go.

Opeli: I think you should know what happened first.

Callum: It's not going to matter. But fine. What happened?

Opeli: She broke into the High Mage's office.

Callum: No, that's crazy. She can go in there any time she wants.

Opeli: So... you gave her your key?

Callum: No, my key is right here.

Callum reached for his key, but it wasn't in his bag.

Opeli: The elf stole it.

Callum: She's not "the elf." She's Rayla.

Opeli: High Mage... she broke into the sealed dark magic chambers beneath the castle. We caught her when she emerged. And she was hiding a weapon.

Callum: So what? She always is.

Opeli: Not just any weapon. She was carrying the weapon that was used to kill King Harrow.

Opeli showed Callum Runaan's bow.

Callum: Wait... what?

A look of horror crossed Callum's face, but he breathed deeply.

Callum: None of this matters.

Opeli: Don't you want to know what she was up to? Why did she do all this?

Callum: If she didn't tell me... she has a good reason.

Linopha: No reason is good enough.

Callum: I know this. The tides are true as the ocean is deep.

Opeli: What does that mean, Prince Callum?

Callum: It means I trust her. Unconditionally. Let her go. Now.

Linopha: Rayla has clearly not learnt her lesson about lying about things and hiding things. Instead of being upfront with you about what happened, she hides it. Then she intrudes in your personal space and tries to get into Viren's dungeon hidden behind the painting which you keep nailed shut FOR A REASON. Then she steals your key and breaks in, breaching your privacy, and then breaks into the dungeon, which is, again, off limits FOR A REASON. She should've talked to you about this but she doesn't, proving she learned NOTHING or she doesn't even CARE. And she was carrying THE WEAPON THAT KILLED YOUR STEPFATHER. HOW THE HELL do you trust her "unconditionally", especially after she lied to you and left you on your birthday, and then did THIS. You're NOT EVEN DEMANDING AN EXPLANATION?

Callum: I said I trust her unconditionally.

Linopha: Callum, this isn't healthy. You shouldn't do this to yourself. I know you're not naturally a very trusting person, so for you to do this to yourself is just WRONG.

Callum: Let her go.

Linopha (thinking): I'm not getting through to him. What on earth is going on here? It's like he's not even himself anymore.

The guards let Rayla go, and Callum went back to his room. Linopha followed him.

Callum: I appreciate that you care, but I already said that I trust Rayla unconditionally.

Linopha: Callum, don't feel obligated to do this. She's just been lying to you and tricking you over and over ever starting with the day she snuck out. Why did you even wait for her? You have a right to express how hurt you are, just like I'm expressing how hurt I am.

There was a knock on the door. Callum went to open it. It was Rayla.

Rayla: Callum, what happened with your key and the bow, I can explain.

Linopha: You better. Although I don't think there is anything you could possibly say to justify everything you did.

Callum: No. I meant what I said. You don't need to explain or justify anything to me. You can tell me when you're ready.

Rayla: Thank you, Callum.

Callum: But hopefully soon, I mean, I am curious. But boundaries. Trust.

Linopha (thinking): Boundaries? Trust? Rayla definitely didn't respect your boundaries or trust you with what happened with the coins. That's just WRONG and it is most certainly NOT HEALTHY.

Callum: So, I found some information on the first elves. The information is that all the information on the first elves is in the scrolls of the first elves. Super helpful, right?

Rayla: Wait, I've heard of those. They keep them in the Great Bookery in Lux Aurea.

Callum: Lux Aurea calls their library the Great Bookery?

Linopha: You know, it actually makes more sense than library.

Callum: Yeah, you know, it kind of does. I'd like to go check out this Great Bookery. What do you say first thing tomorrow we go to Xadia?

Linopha: Yeah.

Rayla: Sure!

Linopha and Rayla both left Callum's office and went back to their respective rooms.

Rayla: Well... good night Linopha.

Linopha didn't respond. She opened the door to her room and entered.

Linopha: If you ever hurt Callum again, I will kill you.

Linopha closed the door. She changed into her night clothing and lay down in bed. She remembered what Lepidolite had told her.

Linopha (thinking): She said that if I stay here, the elves and dragons will continue to think I'm on their side, and it could work out well. But... what can I do from here?

Linopha reached for her bag and pulled out the aquamarine she'd taken from the crystal labyrinth. She could feel the ocean energy coming from it.

Linopha (thinking): I should keep this with me. I have a feeling it might become important.

Linopha then went to sleep.