Author's note: Thank you everyone for the massive support for my Dragon Prince gender-bent AU. Since I received some questions about other characters being genderbent. I thought I'd explain it here. The only characters that are genderbent are Callum and Ryla, all other characters are the same as they are in the books and cartoons. With that being said I hope you'll enjoy it.
And a massive thank you to my beta Yuuguregurl21 oh and another thank you to Zubeia on The Dragon Prince Wikia for the amazing work on the transcripts, without them I wouldn't get the chapter out. X)
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~(1000 years ago)~
The sun was shining like a burning circle of fire and and in the bluest of sky six Xadian Sunbirds flying through the sky, before they were joined by a dragon that has amber scales, red wings, and a light underside. He sports red tufts of fur on his elbows and tail, dark brown claws, horns that resemble rays of sunlight, and a mane of white hair above his neck. The dragon also has small glowing blue eyes , who passes the world's nature, symbolising each element.
"Long ago, Xadia was one land rich in magic and wonder. In the old times, there were only the six Primal Sources of magic. The Sun. The Moon. The Stars. The Earth. The Sky. And the Ocean."
Suddenly, a tall, middle-aged man had golden eyes and long, black hair with grey streaks, which reached down to his chest. He also had light skin marked with wrinkles on his face, as well as thick, black eyebrows. And for his clothing it consisted of a tattered cape and light armour that were adorned with bones and feathers. He also wore a few pouches tied to his belt.
"But a thousand years ago, a human mage discovered new magic - the seventh source."
The middle-aged man suddenly slams the staff's end upon the ground beneath him as he screams, creating a dark tornado, which then sucks in the birds and harvests their essence.
"Dark Magic. It used the essence within magical creatures themselves to unleash dark power."
The dark magic flows through the middle-aged man, who spawns a ball of fire from his hand, while his eyes turn black. The Elves of Xadia escort all of humanity into banishment.
"Horrified by what they saw, the elves and the dragons put a stop to the madness. They drove every last human to the west. And so, the continent was divided in two. In the east, the magical lands of Xadia. And in the west, the human kingdoms. For centuries, the King of the Dragons himself defended the border."
Suddenly, someone unfurls the map to show all of Xadia as the border burns red as it represents the divide between the two realms.
"But there was a prophecy. A child born from a Human and an Elf will reunite the lands as one."
~(Present Time – Katolis Castle)~
The castle of Katolis is shown in pouring rain. Inside Ezran's room, he and the glowing Bait are cuddled up inside Ezran's bed, sleeping and loudly snoring. Ezran drools on Bait and Bait wakes up to lick the drool off of himself. Meanwhile in the adjoined bedroom, a young teenage girl is seen wearing a red silk night dress with gold accents, her long hair kept down as she reads a book until she hears a squeak.
"Calla!"
The teenage girl, now known as Calla, puts down her book and runs toward the young child's bedroom.
"Ezran! What's wrong?" Calla asked worriedly while checking her brother for any injuries.
"I.. I'm scared."
It only took Calla a second before she smiled at the young child. "It's okay, Ezran. It's just a thunderstorm. Nothing to be afraid of." Calla then started to sing:
Little child, be not afraid
The rain pounds harsh against the glass
Like an unwanted stranger
There is no danger
I am here tonight
Little child
Be not afraid
Though thunder explodes
And lightning flash
Illuminates your tear-stained face
I am here tonight
As the final verse ended Ezran fell back asleep with a smile on his face but unbeknownst to the two half-siblings, the thunderstorm suddenly moved towards the edge of the Capital and over the forest, as if it was heeding Calla's voice.
Meanwhile in the forest, a soldier named Marcos was seen patrolling the forest and heard an unusual noise. He turns around and aims his crossbow towards where the source was heard.
"Who's there? Declare yourself, in the name of King Harrow!"
Marcos said, demanding the unseen intruder to reveal itself as thunder rumbles overhead before lightning lights up the forest, revealing seven figures hiding in-between the trees. Startled, Marcos shoots an arrow that hits a tree before he backs up and runs away as a figure suddenly dashes out of the forest and follows him. The soldier trips while the attacker makes their way through the treetops. He turns around and aims his crossbow, but loses the target. The attacker draws their blades and kicks the soldier into a puddle of water, then holds the blades against his throat.
"Please!" The male soldier begged with fear clear in his voice and eyes. "Who are you?"
The attacker is taken aback as they look at Marcos' scared face and lowers their weapons. Marcos pushes himself backwards until he can stand, then manages to flee into the forest. The attacker lowers their weapons further and sighs.
Back at the city of Katolis in a tower, the High Mage, Lord Viren stood before a tall mirror accented with runes written around the border. Until an urgent knock could be heard and a shout.
"High Mage! Please, it's urgent!"
The High mage then swiftly covers up the mirror and opens the door and there stood the male soldier from before.
"Lord Viren! I've seen something."
In another part of the castle. Viren approaches King Harrow's chambers, while being stopped by one of the guards. Viren however, wasn't frightened and just pushed the doors to the room open. He approaches Harrow's bedroom windows and opens the curtains, waking up Harrow's Xadian Songbird, Pip as the bird whistled a jaunty tune and flapped his wings.
A tall man with brown skin, angular features, green eyes, and a goatee. He had dark brown, afro-textured hair that was styled into dreadlocks, with most of the locks tied back in a bun and with golden bands on the ends, and was seen sitting up tiredly.
"Viren, didn't I tell you if you ever woke me up this early again... I'd have you executed?" He then smirks at his long time friend with morbid tease.
Viren then clears his throat. "I'll give you a moment."
On the balcony of Harrow's room where Viren waits for the king. Harrow joins Viren while carrying Pip on his arm, scratching his chin.
"So, what's so important that you come into my bedroom risking your life like this?" Harrow asked.
"Assassins." Viren said deadpanned.
"I see." Harrow said calmly, while setting Pip down and feeding him a treat.
"A scout on patrol discovered them just before dawn."
"Well, don't look so grim. We've fought off plenty of assassins. Haven't we, Pip?"
"It's different this time. We believe they're Moonshadow Elves."
Harrow frowned. "Moonshadow Elves? Then how did the scout escape?"
"I don't know. It was muddy, wet, dark... Somehow he got very lucky."
"The Crown Guard won't be enough to hold them off. Send for General Amaya and the Standing Battalion."
"The Breach is too far. They'll never make it back in time." Viren lectured.
"What's tonight's moon?" Harrow asked.
"Full." Viren answered.
Harrow chuckled nervously. "Of course it is."
"With the Moonshadow Elves at the height of their power, no defence will stand against them." Viren warned.
"I'm also worried about Princess Calla, she might come into contact with one of them. After all, she is the daughter of Orage, the King of Storms."
Viren expresses his concern about Calla coming into contact with either one of the Elves given her Skywing heritage as he reminds Harrow that the young princess's birth father is Orage, the King of Storms.
"If the Moonshadow Elves find out about her, then they'll use her as a means of attacking the Kingdom, maybe wiping out all of Humanity. I propose that we send her and Prince Ezran into hiding for the time being."
Viren said, noting the significant damage and destruction that such an outcome would bring to Katolis and to the other Kingdoms should Calla fall into the enemy's hands before Harrow cuts him off with a direct order.
"I know this, Viren."
Harrow said as he remembered what Sarai had told prior to Ezran's birth and what Calla is capable of before he looked at his old friend with determination.
"We won't defend, instead we will attack. We must find them today, in the light of the sun and stop them before it's too late. We'll have extra guards to escort Calla to and from her lessons, and have Soren train Ezran."
Harrow said as he ordered Viren to double the security detail for Calla and organised a sword-fighting lesson for Ezran while Pip chirped worriedly and unknown to the humans, he looked up at the sky and closed his eyes, as if he was offering a prayer.
Meanwhile, Marcos' attacker leaps over the forest terrain with skilled accuracy before he lands in a clearing a couple of clicks outside his group's camp, walking slightly as he uncovers his hood, revealing the attacker to be the young 15-year-old Moonshadow Elf named Raylan.
Raylan took out his twin weapons and pressed the mechanism to unveil his blades, which was clean and pristine from the moment they were forged as he sighed in defeat, knowing the consequences of his actions before he hears the sound of wings flapped and raises his head to see another member of his group, a Skywing Elf named Neifion, prompting the young Elf to kneel before the older Elf in respect.
"You did well, in not killing that Human guard." The winged-elf said understandingly as he gestured to Raylan to stop kneeling.
"But Runaan.."
"Don't worry, what Runaan doesn't know won't kill him."
Raylan started to say until the older elf got a bunch of berries and rubbed them on the younger elf's knives as they walked back to the campsite where they were greeted by the Leader of the Assassins, Runaan.
"Well done, Raylan." Runaan congratulated Raylan before he looked over to the winged Elf.
"Your highness, I thought I told you to remain at the camp."
"I figured that Raylan would need my help. But, clearly he didn't." The winged-elf explained. "And, please, call me Neifion."
Runaan then tosses Raylan a piece of cloth, which he uses to clean his blade. He walks past the other elves while trying to fake a smile.
Back at Katolis, Calla is seen walking into the bakery along with the extra security detail that Viren talked with Harrow earlier.
"Thank you very much, Barius. I'm sure my little brother will love these." Calla said while watching the baker placing a couple of jelly tarts in her basket.
"I'm just glad that the young prince isn't doing any damage today. By the way, Princess Calla, why do you have more guards than usual?"
"I have no idea, but all I know is that Ezran is training with Soren today."
The baker just looked at her and decided not to comment before Calla pulled out her coin pouch.
"How much are these jelly tarts?"
"For you, they are 100 Gil."
The princess paid for tarts and left the bakery along with her guards as they all went back towards the castle.
Meanwhile, Ezran soon made his way into the courtyard where he saw Soren, a Knight of the Crownguard, was waiting for him to arrive.
"Prince Ezran. Today, we focus on the art of-"
"I think Calla should do this subject, since she studies art and other girly classes that have nothing to do with magic or swords."
The crownsguard looked at Ezran judgmentally while crossing his arms.
"Sorry, sorry. Won't interrupt again. Please continue, Soren." Ezran apologised. "But it's true though."
Soren just ignored Ezran's comment and continued on with his instructions.
"The art of defence is critical in sword-fighting." Soren then leaps forward slightly and begins to swing his wooden sword at Ezran, who takes a couple of steps back. "Parrying is about angle, motion, anticipation…"
Soren said as he pokes Ezran's forehead with his sword. "Misjudge your opponent, and it's over."
Which caused the young boy to groan in pain and rubbed his forehead.
"You ready?" Soren asks while holding the sword out to Ezran, then drops it into his hands.
Ezran fails to catch the sword and hurries to pick it up from the ground. " Uh, I'm gonna have to say no."
Soren turns away from Ezran while pulling his sword. "Great. Let's do this."
Two guards stand at a stair railing, where one points towards the battle and the two start spectating.
Soren then swings his sword at Ezran with ease while Ezran struggles to parry. "Parry, parry, parry."
Soren then stabs at Ezran's chest, causing him to fall. "You're dead."
Soren then resumes the swings as soon as Ezran gets back up. "Parry, parry." Soren hits Ezran on his head.
"You're dead." Soren once again hits Ezran again on his neck as soon as he tries to attack again.
"Parry. Dead."
Ezran exclaims and rubs his head. "Really? Are you sure? Even if I was wearing armour?"
Soren answers deadpanned. "Even if you were wearing the rarest legendary armour, forged by Sunfire Elves... Super dead."
"I'm terrible at this!" Ezran exclaims. "There is no way I can protect Calla like this."
Soren was about to say something, Claudia and Calla walked by and in a motherly manner, Calla hugged her little brother and said. "It's okay, Ez. You don't need to train as much and I got you some jelly tarts from that bakery you like so much."
"I want to try one more move, then I can have the jelly tarts." Ezran asked once he pulled away from her sister's arms.
"Okay, while you do that, Claudia and I will sit on that bench." Calla said as she pointed out the bench in question next to a three-hundred tree.
"What are you going to do?" Soren asked.
"I'll be working on my embroidery. But Soren, please be careful with Ezran; he's much younger and smaller than you." Calla said with clear warning in her eyes.
Soren and Ezran take their places on the sparring grounds once more, equipped with their swords. The two parry successfully for a brief moment, when Ezran screams and goes for a direct hit, but gets his sword caught underneath Soren's foot. Ezran tries to pull it out.
"I'll give you an F for execution but A+ for effort."
Soren said while giving Ezran his sword and smiled gently as without looking at Ezran, Calla went into her basket and got out a pile of jelly tarts and Ezran left to go into the castle and get his pet from the chambers. While one of the members of the council came to collect the Princess.
"Princess Calla. The King needs to speak with you urgently." Calla nodded obediently and left the courtyard but not without taking her basket and her embroidery.
In the meantime, The High Council discusses their next steps at the war table inside the throne room, where an attendant pushes forward a small war piece bearing the symbol of Katolis. Calla knocks against the door, then she and Ezran enter the throne room.
Harrow noticed the children, excitedly raising his hands while approaching the children. "Calla, Ezran! You two are going on a trip." Harrow then swung his fist in the air. "To the Banther Lodge!"
"But...it's spring. That's the winter lodge." Calla said but swiftly realised something was wrong. "Is something wrong?"
"No, of course not." Harrow laughed nervously before he saw Calla's blank look and for a mere moment, Harrow could see his late wife in Calla.
"But what will we do? Everything fun there has to do with snow or ice."
Ezran said as he hugged Bait to his chest, wondering what to do once they got to the Banther Lodge, pulling Harrow out of his thoughts about Sarai.
"Maybe you can invent new versions using dirt and rocks. You could build a dirt man! Or what about mud-sledding? That could be a thing!"
Harrow said, coming up with new ideas of fun such as a 'dirt-man' and 'mud-sledding' before Bait croaks in grumpy disapproval.
"Look, this is something I need you two to do."
"But Dad…"
Harrow said in seriousness as he rested his hands and Calla's and Ezran's shoulders respectively before Ezran tried to protest.
"It's decided. You are to leave before sundown." Harrow said sternly and then looked at the guards.
"Escort the Prince and the Princess back to their chambers so they can pack."
"Yes sir, come on, Ez."
Harrow orders the guards to escort the two back to their chambers so they can begin packing for their trip to the Banther Lodge before he resumes the meeting, unaware that Calla had eyed him with suspicion until she leaves the throne room with Ezran and Bait in tow.
"Why's he sending us away? Something's wrong."
"Don't worry, Ez, everything's going to be fine."
As soon as they exit the Throne room, Ezran asks anxiously as he holds Bait tighter in his arms before Calla kneels down to his level and reassures the frightened boy.
"All right? I'm sure of it."
Calla said as they began to make way for their bedchambers but as soon she turns away from Ezran, her expression goes from reassurance to worry in a flash, unaware that the clear blue sky was growing obscured with grey storm-clouds, prompting the Moonshadow Elves to see unusual weather patterns themselves as it shadows the Capital with its silhouette.
"Whoa, that's weird."
"Ain't though?"
"Will it pose a problem tonight?"
"I don't know but hopefully, it'll pass."
Callisto, Skor, Andromeda and Ram wondered, fearing that the weather might hinder them for the mission before Runaan dismissed it as they all went along with him and Raylan to perform the ritual while Neifion stays perched in the tree, seeing the weather phenomenon for a 2nd time.
"'[She's there, somewhere inside the castle….]'"
Neifion thought as he pulls out a silvery-blue five-pointed star-shaped talisman from his vest inner pocket and grips firmly before he jumps down to the ground and follows the Moonshadow Elves to a secluded clearing.
Meanwhile, Viren had called Soren and Claudia over to his study as the siblings walked into the room, wondering what could be important for their father to ask for them.
"What's going on, Father?"
"We have some visitors from Xadia. Unwanted visitors."
Soren asks as Viren closes the doors and pauses briefly before he closes his eyes for a moment before he gathers up the nerve to share with what he already knows.
"What are they? Minstrels or something?"
"Assassins."
Soren asks jokingly as Claudia nudges against his shoulder with her elbow and corrects him in a hushed voice before Soren lightly swats her hand away in annoyance.
"I know that! What you'd think I was, an idiot?"
Soren said, asking Claudia a rhetorical question as she grumbled sceptically before Viren grabbed their attention and walked towards them.
"They've set up a secret camp somewhere near the base of the cliffs. Soren, you will lead an attack." Viren said as he walked towards a desk to grab a box..
"Right. Their secret camp. How am I supposed to find it if it's secret?" Soren asked with a look of confusion and stupidly.
"These assassins are Moonshadow Elves. They draw power from the Moon. Inside this box is an Archangel Lunaris, a giant moon moth. It will be drawn to their energy. Follow it, and you will find them." Viren explains as he hands Soren the box with a clear look of warning to not to drop the box that includes opening said box.
"And what happens if I can't find them?" Soren asked worriedly.
Viren gave a stern look to both of his children and said, " Then we may be on the brink of changing times."
Soren looked at his father and thought 'I can't let Calla lose the King, not again. I must protect her from the truth of her being half-elf.'
"You're saying they'll kill the king and the crowned prince? But, what of Calla?"
Viren shushes and looks out of the window, where Calla and Ezran are seen walking across the courtyard before the young princess looks up to Viren's window, only for the Dark Mage to slam the window shut, causing Calla to flinched briefly and turns away in worry while Ezran chases Bait in the background, giggling joyfully while happily ignoring their escorts.
"Discretion, boy! Do you want to cause a panic?" Viren snarled at his eldest son, causing Soren to back up a little. "As for the Princess, I'll try and convince the King to have Prince Kasef of Neolandia marry her, so not only will the little mongrel become a wife, but she will learn to hold her tongue."
"I'm sorry–" But before Soren and Claudia could say something else, Viren just raised his hand dismissively and sent his children away from his chambers, unaware that a flash of red had disappeared around the corner.
An hour, maybe thirty minutes later, Soren and his men were preparing to ride out but were surprised by the Princess with a sad but knowing smile.
"I know what your orders are." Calla states curtly and gives Soren an embroidery which has the symbol of Katolis and Soren's horse together as one.
"Please, be careful Soren." Calla said sadly before she went back into the castle from the servants' entrance due to her experience in ditching her guards over the years but she failed to notice the smile that Soren gave off and secretly put the embroidery in his pouch as he motions the party to move out.
Unknown to them, the Moonshadow Elves were gathered in a circle with Runaan at the helm and Neifion perched up in a tree, acting as a witness.
"Four full moons past, on the eve of the Winter's Turn, the Humans crossed into Xadia and murdered the King of the Dragons. Then they destroyed his only egg, the Dragon Prince." Runaan said as he wrapped a binding on his upper arm. "Tonight we bind our lives to justice!"
"My breath for Freedom!" Declared Callisto as he extended his arms outward.
"My eyes for Truth!" Declared Andromeda as she extended her arms, following Callisto's lead.
"My strength for Honour!" Declared Skor as he follows the pairs' example.
"My blood for Justice!" Declared Ram as he does the same with dedication.
As they all pledged their lives to the cause, Raylan looks at them all and made the pledge:
"My heart for Xadia!"
Raylan declared, extending his arms before him as the determination became evident in his eyes much to Runaan's understanding and to Neifion's worry.
"Life is precious, Life is valuable. We take it, but we do not take it lightly."
Now that they've committed themselves to the cause, Runaan then proceeds with the rest of the ritual as he begins to wrap the binding around each of their wrists before he walks up to Raylan with a need for confirmation.
"Moon reflects Sun, as Death reflects Life!"
"'[Raylan…]'"
Raylan finishes the incantation as he looks at his foster guardian with absolute resolution much to Neifion's sadness, to the fact that Raylan will have to take the life of an innocent child while Runaan finishes the ritual by cutting in-between the ring created by the Binding as they all pulled back their arms and broke the circle, prompting Runaan to look at his binding as it glows white and caused a chain reaction to the others' as they sealed the deal.
"When it is done, I will send a shadowhawk with a blood ribbon message to the Queen of the Dragons." Runaan explained while holding a shadowhawk arrow and put it inside his quiver.
"We strike when the moon is highest!" Runaan declared with hardened resolution becoming more evident in his eyes as the others walked past him before Raylan walked up to the older elf, his body language tinged with uncertainty.
"Uh, Runaan?" Raylan asked hesitantly while Neifion jumped down from the tree and walked towards the pair.
"What is it, Raylan?" Runaan asked curtly, his voice hardened with authority as it made Raylan flinch lightly.
"I was wonderin'... What if they know we're coming?" Raylan asked curiously, wondering if Runaan has a plan in mind should it happen.
"We have the advantage of surprise. If we act fast, we will accomplish our goals without sacrifice."
Runaan said, reassuring his young protege as he walked back to the campsite, not seeing Raylan's worried expression before he felt Neifion's hand resting on his shoulder.
"Do you think I should tell them? Tell Runaan the truth?" Raylan asks hesitantly though he already knows what Runaan would say as Neifion placed both hands on his shoulders and looked the young Elf in the eye.
"Raylan, don't worry. This is Runaan we're talking about. You've known him since you were a wee lad, so whatever happens; I'm almost certain he'll understand." Neifion said, providing Raylan the emotional support he needed before the young Moonshadow Elf pulled away from him.
"But what if he doesn't? What then?" Raylan anxiously asked.
"Raylan, if the truth does come out and trust me, it will; I'll handle Runaan and the others. You have my word." Neifion said as he gave Raylan a small smile and gestures to the latter to join up at the camp with the others before Neifion's smile gave way for worry and unconsciously rubbed his own wrist while looking at the sky for any signs of the weird weather.
Somewhere in the castle, Ezran is seen playing hide and seek with Bait inside Calla's room while eating the jelly tarts that Calla bought earlier while being watched over by the guards stationed outside the door.
"Oh, Bait, you're terrible at hide and seek." Ezran laughed as he found Bait underneath some clothes and offered a jelly tart to his pet, and Bait swiftly snatched it with his abnormally long tongue as he heard the door open and saw Calla with some of his clothing folded neatly in her hands, while looking for his bag.
"Ez, what were you doing in here?" Calla asked. "Have you packed anything yet?"
"No, but do you want a jelly tart?" Ezran asked sheepishly.
"Maybe later, but there's something I want to discuss with you. It's about why they're sending us away." Calla said as she motions her guards to the door, wanting some privacy with her younger brother to which they obeyed promptly and exited the room, leaving the two alone.
"I overheard a conversation from Lord Viren and his children. There's a possibility that by tonight, you will be king." Calla explained gently while hugging her brother tightly.
"But that can't be. Dad has fought them off before." Ezran said in anger.
"Not this time, Ezran."
Calla said but sighed as she saw Ezran stormed out of her bedroom upset, slamming the door behind him with Bait jumping after him and slams a tinier section of the door behind him as well. Calla sat on the bed dejectedly and began to sing her birth father's lullaby from when she was just a baby.
"On the wind
'Cross the sea
Hear this song
And remember
Soon you'll be
Home with me
Once upon a December."
However, unbeknownst to Calla, rain had started to fall upon the Capital as if it was crying from her very own pain. Meanwhile in the forest Soren and the other knights stopped momentarily as the young soldier lifted up the box.
"Now, let's see if this magic moon moth can find more than a closet full of moon sweaters." Soren said as he chuckled lightly at his own joke and addressed a soldier named *Lionel, next to him. "You know, 'cause moths eat clothes?"
"Yes sir." Lionel said in a deadpan tone as Soren opened the box and released an Archangel Lunaris which sits on his hand as he examines it closely, taking in its appearance before letting it fly, it circles around him a few times before it takes off.
"Let's go!" Soren ordered as they rode after the fluttering Moon Moth, following its trail as it led them to the Moonshadow Elves' camp but not before the wind shifted and carried their scent along with it, alerting Neifion of their presence.
"Oh no!" Neifion whispers softly as he jumps down from the trees and rushes back to the camp where he sees everyone preparing their weapons for the night as Runaan drenches his arrow in a jar filled with light-green poison and takes it out of it, the liquid drips from the arrow's tip until the Archangel Lunaris suddenly lands on top of it, prompting Runaan to examine it and jumps up while the Archangel Lunaris flies off.
"They know we're here!" Runaan said and right on cue, they all heard horses neighing in the distance.
Without a moment's hesitation, Runaan takes off his moon opal necklace from his neck and crushes it in his hand, and casted a spell.
"Mystica-Arbora!" Runaan whispered as he scattered the crushed remains into the air as the spell engulfs them in a flash of light.
As Soren and the others ride hard after the Moon Moth, they quickly arrive at their destination with Soren at the helm as he pulls his horse to a stop and dismounts.
Soren walks a few paces towards the clearing where the Moonshadow Elf camp is, only to find not a single trace of the Moonshadow Elves' camp.
"Ugh, nothing! Surprising no one, a magic moth is just as useless as a regular moth." Soren scoffs, expressing his disappointment as the said moth lands gently on his hand before it flies away and perches itself onto the tree nearby.
"We'll have to wait for the Elves to come to us."
Seeing no other recourse, Soren said as he mounts his horse and motions everyone to head back to the Castle, leaving the clearing except for Marcos, of whom inspects the spot one more time before he ushers his horse away and catches up to the others.
As soon as they have left, the moon moth stayed in its spot for a few moments before it flutters away as the 'tree' flashed bright and reverts back into a fearful Raylan and a panicked Neifion while the others reappear behind them, looking at Raylan with silent anger.
"You lied to me! You let him go!" Runaan snarled angrily, reprimanding Raylan for his deception before Neifion steps in-between him and the younger Elf.
"Runaan, I'm sorry! But the human, he looked up at me and I saw the fear in his eyes." Raylan said, sounding very apologetic as he tried to defend himself about sparing Marcos' life.
"Of course he was afraid! But you had a job to do!" Runaan argued that the order should've been carried out regardless of what Raylan feels before Neifion moves Raylan behind him.
"If Raylan had killed that guard like he did, then the King would've sent in a search party for him and eventually they'll find us!" Neifion tries to vouch for him by stating the outcome had Raylan killed Marcos but Runaan wasn't having it.
"Stay out of this, Neifion! This doesn't concern you." Runaan demanded as he threw formality out the window, no longer caring if Neifion was a King or not.
"But he didn't do anything to me! How could I take his life?" Raylan defended himself that Marcos didn't do anything to him when the latter cornered him and how he can take a life when they haven't done wrong.
"You let him live! But you've killed us all!" Runaan said, narrowing his eyes in anger as he pointed out Raylan's actions has not only jeopardised the mission but also condemned the whole team much to Raylan's shock.
Author's note: I do not own the lyrics to Lullaby For A Stormy Night. It is owned by Vienna Teng, but I totally recommend listening to it. I also don't own the song 'Once Upon A December'. It is owned by 20th Century and the original broadway musical.