Still Here

The Silvergrove

Callum forced his eyes open. He was tired but happy. Okay, happy was an understatement. He was overjoyed. He examined the wedding band on his finger. Yeah. Yeah, that's gold. Just like hers. Except hers has a moon opal. Wait, moon. He smiled. I think there's someone we need to pay a visit. He turned over. Rayla was awake, also examining her wedding ring. When she noticed Callum was looking at her, she put it back on and smiled at him. "Good morning," Callum whispered. "Good morning."

They sat in silence for a moment, then Callum sat up. "Come on. I want to take you somewhere. Somewhere you showed me. Somewhere beautiful, but the people have such blank expressions. Literally." Rayla laughed. She knew where they were going. He stood, took her hand, and they dashed through the forest, feeling alive. Life was nice again. Life was perfect.

Finally, they arrived at a large tree root that stuck out of the ground. "Found it!" Callum called as he scrambled up the side. Rayla chuckled. Here we go. Callum was always bad at this part. He helped Rayla up onto the log. Callum began awkwardly dancing to silent music. Rayla danced alongside him flawlessly. Suddenly, their bodies illuminated. The glow spread further around them until they could see their destination. The Silvergrove. The moonshadow elves with no facial features strolled about the streets.

Rayla frowned at the sight. They had rejected her, for she had let them down. But one thought brought a smile to her face. She had a home she knew she would never let down. And they would never reject her. She had a second chance. Katolis. Those halls were a chance at redemption. A chance to have a home again. She had a second chance, and friends- and family who she knows will help her out. Because she would help them out. She had Ezran, she had Bait, and she had Callum. The boy she loved. The high mage. The king's closest advisor. Her fiancé.

"Well, come on!" Callum yelled, running toward the village. Rayla followed. "Now, which way was it?" Rayla knew where he was trying to go, so she led the way. Callum followed.

As his door flew open, Ethari looked around in a panic. He almost laughed at the foolishness of his first thought. No, it can't be him. Rayla looked at her foster father. "Now, how to..." she glanced a mirror in the far side of the room. "Ah-hah!" They both ran over and started making wild gestures to get Ethari's attention. Finally, he noticed. "R- Rayla?" He ran to the mirror and took her hand. She appeared in front of his eyes.

"Why, it's you, lass. It's really you," Ethari chuckled. Callum smiled. Ethari loved Rayla so much, and Callum could see it. Ethari had a special care for Rayla. She held a place in his heart. Rayla held a special place in Callum's too. He breathed deeply, watching the two hug as they reunited. Ethari turned to Callum. "Oh, hi. Yeah, you might not recognize me, considering last time you saw me, I looked way different and had sticks taped to my head."

Ethari smiled. "Your name?" "Callum. Prince Callum." He stuck his hand out for Ethari to shake. Again. "Trees to meet you," Ethari joked. Callum laughed. "Trees to meet you too." Ethari turned his attention back to Rayla. "Hold on..." He looked at Callum's hand. His eyes widened as he looked at Rayla's. He gaped at Rayla, who chuckled at her foster father's smile. He hugged her again. Ethari looked at Callum as if to ask, You want a hug too?

Callum didn't understand the look Ethari gave him. When he went in for a hug, Callum was shocked, but quickly hugged him back. Hey, this guy means a lot to Rayla. I suppose I could give him a hug. The metalsmith had large arms and a warm smile. Like a big, lovable, elf-bear. Callum thought, Kinda like Soren, just... sweeter. As Ethari righted himself from his many hugs, he said, "Well, you're both probably hungry. Or thirsty. Or both, I wouldn't know. This way. I'll get some food and moonberry juice."

Callum followed to where the kind elf had led them. A dining room with tall stools and warm lighting. Rayla smiled. Again, Callum saw that same "home" feeling wash over her. He smiled. God, I'm a sucker for family reunions. He sat down on a stool. Soon, Ethari brought plates heaped high with food and glasses of moonberry juice. Callum thanked Ethari for the food and looked at Rayla as if to ask, What next? But she was already eating and looked at Callum, confused. He chuckled. Okay. So they just... eat. Moonshadow elves are weird.

He tried a bite of the food. Holy clouds, what is this?! He ate the rest in minutes. Well, most of it. When Ethari came to get the plates, Callum was once again confused. He was a prince, but he was never spoiled. He had to do basic things, like take care of his plate. "Sorry, I wasn't sure how much you would eat." Callum nodded. "It’s fine! To be honest, sometimes I don't know how much I'll eat." Ethari chuckled. "Me too, kid. Me too," he sighed.

He turned to Rayla. "He seems nice." "Oh, yeah. He's nice. Really nice. Like freakishly nice," Rayla confirmed. "I heard that!" Ethari called from the living room. "Good!" Rayla laughed back. Callum smiled. Their family was so much different from his, yet he felt at home. That's when it hit him. Crud. Home! We gotta get home. He turned to Rayla. He almost said something, but the smile on her face made him hesitate. He didn't want to take her away from Ethari. Rayla needed Ethari, and, from the looks of it, Ethari needed her.

Callum sighed. Maybe we can stay for a little while.