Step Two: Always Be Kind To Her Childhood Friends!

Growing up in the Silvergrove, your Moonshadow Elf is likely to have made a number of close friends. That is, unless they were sent to guard the Moon Nexus, then they will most likely be lonely and starved for affection. Get to know your Elf's circle of friends, as their approval of you will be most important to her.

The Silvergrove was hidden in plain sight, cloaked with a magical illusion that had required a ritual dance to enter. Callum had only done the dance once before, but found the steps much easier this time around. Flailing his arms and legs about in front of Rayla was less embarrassing, as well. As they circled each other, palm to palm, runes on the tree floor began to glow. A cool azure hue washed over them, replacing the dim natural light of the forest.

One by one, the denizens and buildings of the Silvergrove began to appear before his eyes. Homes and shops were carved directly into thick tree trunks, while elegant pathways wound themselves around the trees and into the canopy. Clusters of luminous flowers grew along the paths and on top of residences.

A large throng of Moonshadow Elves, all clad in shades of violet and jade, gathered just beyond the entrance to the village. It only took a moment for someone in the crowd to call out.

"It's her! She's back!"

Callum watched the expression on Rayla's face perk up, her eyes widening with wonder, before her lips began to quiver. Callum thought he saw tears forming before Rayla took off running, diving into the arms of the first elf she saw and embracing them tightly. As he got closer, Callum saw that it was Ethari, one of Rayla's adoptive parents.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't come," Ethari chuckled, rubbing Rayla's back lovingly as they hugged.

"And she brought one of the humans with her!" Another elf pointed out. Callum felt his cheeks flush as the group of deadly, white haired assassins turned their gaze to him.

"G-greetings!" Callum scratched his head nervously, "It's so nice to be here, for the first time, and safely meet all of you."

From within the crowd, a tall elf in more decorative clothing than the others stepped forward. They walked with a large wooden staff that curled into a ring at the top. Upon their head sat a glittering tiara that had the appearance of twigs, but dipped in white gold.

The imposing figure gave a slight bow. "Prince Callum, allow me to personally welcome you to the Silvergrove. I am Cress, Speaker for this village."

Callum had no idea what a Speaker even was, but made a mental note to ask Rayla when she had composed herself.

"I… must offer my condolences for your father."

Callum's eyebrows furrowed at the mention of King Harrow. My father that you killed?

Cress got down on their knees and bowed further. "It was I who ordered his assassination."

"You…" Callum felt his breathing get heavy. Of all the times to cause a scene...

"Callum, what's going on?" Rayla was at his side now.

"He's the reason my dad's dead." Callum's throat tightened as the words left his mouth. He was right there, a quick Fulminis wouldn't kill him, but he would feel some semblance of the pain Callum had lived with for over a month.

"You know why we were sent to Katolis!" Rayla tried to stand between the two, be Callum gently moved her aside.

He could feel the eyes of thirty or more elves on him; Rayla's eyes. Callum knew coming back to this place wouldn't be easy, but it was moments like these that Princes were made for. Tough decisions had to be made in order to ensure the peace he and Rayla worked so hard for could endure.

Callum sank to his knees as well, meeting Cress' gaze. "My condolences, as well, for King Avizandum, and your fellow elves: Runaan, Callisto, Skor, Ram, and Andromeda."

"You would know their names?" Cress replied with astonishment.

"I would… I do," Callum nodded. "Rayla's told me lots about them."

Both stood, but their eyes remained locked; Callum felt Rayla's hand on his shoulder. The elves gathered had begun to converse among themselves, attention still drawn to the scene unfolding. Perhaps they had expected a violent outcome, but Callum would not deliver.

"I should hate you," he continued, "And you should hate me. That's how it's always been… but we'll never truly see peace if we keep hating. I didn't come halfway across the continent to trade blood for blood, I came with Rayla because I want to do better."

A smile crept onto Cress' face. "Wisdom flows from you, Prince Callum. I, too, receive no joy from the taking of life. Each day I wake, I pray that it is another where I can say that none have died at my behest."

"Great!" Rayla jumped back into the charged conversation. "So we're all friends now, lovely. Speaker Cress, could I borrow him for a little bit?"

"Yes, yes," Cress laughed heartily, "You and the young Prince are free to go. I did not wish to interrupt your homecoming, I simply needed the Prince to hear my words."

Before Callum could think of a Princely reply, Rayla had whisked him off into the crowd.

Callum's head was spinning as he tried to keep all the information he was being bombarded with straight. One by one, Rayla introduced him as "Prince Callum of Katolis" to aunts, uncles, distant relatives and family friends.

Then it was time to meet a small group of giggling girls Rayla affectionately called her 'besties.'

Rhea was born on the same day as Rayla, and the two had grown up for several years thinking they were long lost twins. Dione and Phoebe were her neighbors growing up; they introduced Rayla to the wonders of the adoraburr meadow nearby. Tethys was scared of the tiny creatures, Pandora once fell off the tallest tree in the Moonshadow Forest, and Pallene helped craft Rayla's butterfly blades.

Callum couldn't keep up with the word-for-word biographies of each girl, but they were enamored with him.

"Aren't princes supposed to be taller?" Phoebe asked.

"His brother's even shorter," Rayla laughed, elbowing Callum in the ribs.

"He's actually kinda cute…" muttered Tethys… or was that Rhea?

"For a human, I guess?" Rayla winked at him.

"Did he really use magic?" This time it was definitely Rhea asking.

"Sure did," Rayla was practically bragging in his place. "Show 'em."

Callum did like a good human pet and traced a familiar symbol into the air. The glowing rune formed and he inhaled.

"Aspiro."

He didn't blow too hard, but the gust of wind emitted from the spell was still enough to cause a deal of commotion.

"That's incredible!" Callum didn't even catch who was speaking.

"Show us your hands! Show us!" Several began chanting.

Callum did as he was instructed, holding his hands out for their inspection.

"It's so weird, isn't it? Imagine having an extra finger!"

"All right, all right," Rayla calmed the girls. "Don't make fun of 'im, he's a guest."

Callum breathed a sigh of relief. He had quickly grown tired of being a human display. The girls began to scatter, but another voice called out to them. This time, thankfully, it was a male voice.

"Ray!" he called as he approached. The elf had long, flowing white hair tied back in a loose ponytail. He wore similar garb to the others, a long sleeveless top with flowing tails and a dark pair of form fitting slacks. One of the horns on his head had broken, leaving behind a jagged stump.

"Encel!" Rayla's eyes lit up once again and she ran to the elf, throwing her arms around him.

"Did I miss the grand entrance?" Encel asked, messing up Rayla's hair with his hand.

"As a matter of fact, you did," Rayla gave a stern poke to the elf's chest. "But I'll forgive you just this once."

Callum approached gingerly, awaiting another awkward meet and greet. Rayla seemed overly happy to see this one, so perhaps he was another friend of Ethari and Runaan's? Or maybe favorite cousin?

"Callum," Rayla said, "this is Enceladus, my boyfriend."