So I haven't written fanfiction in like 10 years, but the Dragon Prince gave me a lot of feelings and I needed to divert them so here we are.
This story is based on the interactions between the adults of the show and is an attempt at explaining their relationships, why they make the choices they do, and why the children are the way they are (so basically all my headcanons in story form lol).
A quiet melody permeates the cold winter air, accompanied by the soothing crackle of burning wood.
Sarai is sitting among a crumpled heap of pillows and blankets by a dying fire, a sleeping child resting his head on her lap. She leans into her seat, her eyes close and her lips part, her hum transforming into the words of a sweet lullaby.
A moment passes and she finishes the song with a kiss on her baby's forehead, a sigh escaping her lips. She imagines capturing this memory in a bubble, a piece of tranquility that she could eventually revisit…
But galloping hooves disrupt the calm, stopping right outside her home. The door is flung open and staggered steps make their way behind her.
She senses hesitation, but a warm pair of hands eventually touch her shoulders. "Love," her husband whispers, as if attempting to preserve whatever peace was left intact. "Are you ready?"
With her eyes still closed, she gives his hand a firm squeeze. "I love you," she replies, her emotions consuming any real answer to his question. "And I've missed you."
He moves to crouch in front of her. "And I, you." He strokes her cheek and presses his forehead to hers. "We need to go," he murmurs, urgency steadily creeping into his voice.
Sarai's eyes open to meet his. She takes a second to scan his face, assessing any damage acquired since they last saw each other. A bruise on his cheek, a cut on his eyebrow and one on his upper lip, a trail of blood that dried just past his hairline… The uneven pace as of his gait was indicative of a limp, too.
She swallows her sentiments and offers a single determined nod, lips pursed so he doesn't see them quiver. She rises with her son in her arms and hugs him tightly as he moans in protest. "I know, my darling, I'm sorry—shhh, it's going to be okay." She shakily pulls up the hood of his cloak.
"Quickly now," her husband urges with a palm pressed against the small of her back. The death of the languid atmosphere is solidified as they step outside and into the frigid wind. He mounts his horse, hoisting his wife and son up after him.
The boy sits in front of his father, eyes wide with confusion and a tiny fist clutching the horse's mane. "Mama?" he whimpers, the sound of his cries follows shortly as the horse begins to run.
"We're fine, Callum, it's okay," she hears her husband say, albeit frantically. "We're going to visit aunt Amaya at the castle, just hold on." The horse's pace quickens. Sarai keeps her eyes peeled, scouring for any indication of danger.
They reach the castle when the waxing crescent moon is high. Two distinctly female figures meet them at the courtyard entrance. She was able to recognize one of the two immediately: Amaya, standing tall, her crown guard armor reflecting the moon's light. Sarai feels a sense of pride welling up in her chest, but it's tainted with anger upon realizing that there was a very important person missing from this party.
"No mage?" Sarai mutters, her tone icy. "I swear if he's too cowardly to show his face tonight I'll-" Her husband hushes her in response, pulling on the reins, coaxing his steed to a stop.
One of the figures reaches up to take a shivering Callum. She wraps him in a plush blanket before she regards the others. "General Sarai, General Adriel," she greets, her bright blue eyes tracking their movements as they dismount.
Sarai offers a tired smile, the familiar voice granting some comfort. "Just Sarai, Lady Lissa," she corrects.
"Just Lissa, Sarai," the woman retorts with an amused grin. "It's good to see you guys again." She shifts Callum onto one arm and pulls his mother into a hug. Sarai reciprocates. "Come, let's get inside. They're waiting for you in Viren's study." Lissa briskly walks ahead, leaving the other three to follow.
Sarai briefly looks back at her husband and sister as she tails Lissa. Her eyes meet Amaya's and they exchange nods, acknowledging each other's presence. Adriel was signing, filling Amaya in on the details of the mission that led them to where they are now. Sarai's hand reaches into the pocket of her uniform, fiddling with the parchment that held a message delivered by crow a few days ago.
Discovered. Will be home within a week, taking you to the castle. Stay safe. I love you.
She attempts to dispel the rage building up inside of her with a long exhale.
There were few missions that required crossing the border into Xadia. Any that did were quick, covert operations. All parties were bound by dark magic, sworn to secrecy, and the plans for the mission stayed strictly within the circle of individuals that were to carry it out.
This one was different.
Sarai could understand the weight of the matter. With the King on his deathbed and the Prince afflicted with a mysterious illness, something had to be done. A power vacuum with a war hanging over their heads would surely spell the end of Katolis. The royal council were desperate to save their King and Prince, so when Viren offered a solution, the votes on the course of action were unanimous.
It was decided: a select few were to infiltrate the capital of Sunfire Elves, obtain this staff that Viren was so passionate about, and return home. By the time this plan was settled, though, the number of individuals that knew were far beyond the select few.
It's hard to say whether the leakage of such sensitive information ultimately led to the discovery of the Katolian soldiers they sent to Xadia, but Sarai felt they shouldn't have taken the risk. It was a doomed mission from the start—never before had anyone been tasked with penetrating the heart of an elven territory, and the loose lid of some officials only worsened their likelihood of success.
But it needed to be done, Viren had said… And Adriel wholeheartedly agreed.
Sarai felt a tinge of regret for all the nights they spent fighting over his decision to partake in this expedition… But just a few days before he was sent away, she finally conceded. It had to be done. For Katolis.
For Callum.
Lissa pauses ahead in front of the door to Viren's study. She turns to face them. "My apprentice will be tending to your wounds once he's done with my husband," she declares, addressing Adriel directly before glancing at Sarai. "I'll take care of Callum for the night—just to make sure the cold from the ride over doesn't get him sick."
Callum shifted at the mention of his name, but sleep ultimately reclaims him. Sarai walks over and gives him a kiss goodnight, stroking his hair as she whispers a quick "Thank you" to Lissa.
"Of course, General." She winks, takes a step back and makes her way down the moonlit halls of the castle.
Adriel breaks the silence, a hand on the knob of the door. "Shall we…?"
Sarai turns to face him, a suppressed fury taking over her otherwise soft features. "Let's get this over with."
WOO! We made it to the end of chapter 1. And I know it's not typical practice to do this but the next chapter will be published on 07/30/20. See y'all then ;)