Forty-three years prior, the in the year of the Two Kings.
There had been a tearful, and heartfelt good-bye, as Rayla and Callum finally left the Lair of the Sky King. They had persevered, and returned Zym, Azymondias, to his mother. They had stayed for a week before Callum knew that he had to leave, he wanted to be there for Ezran. Rayla, having realized how she felt, but not told him, offered to guide him home. Callum had been elated when she offered, it was as if magic itself knew his wish, and bent over backwards for him.
Unfortunately, being fifteen, the two were too awkward and unsure to reveal anything to each other. As a result, the journey back was silent, nervous, and hesitant. With Rayla taking the long way through everything, and Callum slowing the pace, they both were a mess. They were sure of their own feelings but doubted the feelings of each other.
After visiting Ellis and Lujanne, the latter's wisely whispered words managed to soothe the two into working out an odd and fearful friendship. They were no less afraid, but as if by some mutually unspoken agreement they never broached the topic of emotions. When Lujanne found out, she was disappointed by how the two seemed to completely twist her carefully chosen whispers. If you are a master of perception bending, even those who trust you most take you with a cup of salt.
Upon their return to Katolis, Rayla stayed with Callum for a month before heading back to Xadia. Over the next few years, Callum and Rayla travelled back and forth as diplomats, usually in the company of each other. Great strides were made in Human-Xadian relations, to the point that visitors were welcome in most areas, and some places would tolerate immigrants. By the time the two were twenty, virtually the entire continent knew what they both somehow did not know.
Initially, uncomfortable with their potential for a relationship, human and Xadian leaders kept them at their respective homes to 'train' new diplomats. After two years of separation, they both quit their positions and reunited to make plans tour the continent again. After seeing the two of them together again, the sixteen-year-old King knew what was what. Which was why he sent them a letter to them to return to Katolis from Del-Bar, before they returned to Xadia.
As she listened to the King's explanation, Claudia gasped and began to tap her nose. "I got it your Highness, you want to get them to get together!" She interrupted Ezran, as a huge grin split her face. "What are you thinking? Illusions of the other's death? Rumors of marital arrangements!"
"What, no! Gods no! Claudia!" the King said in exasperation, causing Claudia to cease tapping her nose. "I was thinking that we just lock them in a room for a day or two. I mean, they are together all the time, but almost always in open areas. I, for one, always feel safer in smaller space, so that might be just what they need. They just need to feel comfortable enough to-"
"I get it now!" Claudia squealed with delight, as she began her nose tapping and pointing at his own again. "I'll need a week to get everything" She hollered as she ran off towards the library.
Ezran was left in the hall with his thoughts. Claudia looked a little a too eager, he was definitely going to have his hands full he realized. They would be here in two weeks, and he had a lot preparation to do, the room he had in mind needed lots of fixing up. It was sufficiently far enough away from the living quarters that the maids would be unlikely to open the door. It was old, which fit his needs, as Callum's inner historian wouldn't allow himself or Rayla to kick or otherwise breakdown the doors they would have to wait for the finest locksmith in Katolis to come back from meeting of lock smiths in Xadia. That would buy about a day or two for the magic to happen.
"HI EZRAN!" laughed a familiar voice. Jolting Ezran out of his thoughts and causing him to jump back and squeak.
"Awww, the King of Katolis is really a mouse in disguise." Giggled the girl staring at him.
"U-u- Uh, no, I did that on purpose. I enjoy hearing you laugh." Ezran tried to cover, as he deepened his voice. 'I enjoy hearing you laugh!' So lame, Ezran thought frustratedly. He somehow always found a way to say the corniest things whenever Ellis came to visits. Well, at least it wasn't a total lie.
"Alright, alright mighty King. I'll let get away with that one," Ellis smirked, adding "so what's this big plan that you need me to help pull off?"
"Ellis!" came the booming voice from the hall that Claudia had disappeared down. "Ezran, what have I told you about roping Ellis in on your schemes!"
Turning to face the new comer they saw Soren approaching them. Still Captain of the Crowngaurd, he was intimidating when he wanted to be, even if his legs dragged slightly. But he was a champion at adapting to his sluggish gait, still moving smoothly enough that he just looked slow.
"That I have to rope you in too." Ezran muttered, adding "Which I did this time!". That earned him a smile from Soren. "Alright, we are going to fix up the old Crown room, in the basement. It needs to be safe and stocked with food. Soren, you will take a guard to clear it out and stock with a day or twos worth of fruit, bread and other foods. Ellis, you are going to come up to come up the food list and a list of items that might be needed, think of things that are romancey-"
"Ezran, what makes you think that I know anything about romance?" Ellis interrupted.
"Yeah," continued Soren with a sense of pride, "besides, I am quite the ladies' man!"
"I- hahaha, don't call getting slapped se-hahaha- seven times in the last three day being a 'ladies' man', Sore-Sore!" laughed Claudia as she joined them. Taking a moment to gather herself and stop laughing as Soren tried to contradict her, she continued over her brother. "I found a few helpful spells in the library, including one that produces a faint song in the background. And before you ask, no, none of them are dark magic."
The four spent the next few days working on the room. When it was done, the day Rayla and Callum arrived, it was perfect. A spell created a wonderfully twilight ambience, complete with differently colored hues to even mimic twilight. Another spell echoed off the walls, producing a hauntingly beautiful sound. It was finally ready.
"Soren, Ellis, Claudia, this is perfect. This is will be our greatest victory!" Ezran cackled as the four were busy patting their own backs.
"Alright, get out of here you three, I have got one more spell to cast." Claudia said as hurried Ellis, Ezran, and Soren out of the room. It took only half a minute after she shut door for to emerge. Carefully removing a pair of gloves, she had donned, and the hankerchief she used to cover her mouth.
Now, Ezran trusted her, but that much protection for a spell seemed weird. "Claudia, what kind of spell was that?" he cautiously asked. Almost afraid of the answer he might get.
"Relax, Your Highness, it is just a spell to boost the effects of a certain natural item in the room." Claudia said, as she winked.
"Okaaaa- Oh. OH. Okay." Ezran accepted as it clicked in his mind. She must have found a spell to increase the positive effects of the bottle of moonberry wine that had been planted in the room. That was good, it would help them relax and not disturb their ability to make decisions. That was very good, Ezran knew the effect of alcohol all too well. It was his most powerful negotiating tactic, having been taught a spell by Callum that would disguise his drink as alcohol to the other party.
Within hours, Callum and Rayla had arrived. He managed to settle them for the night without telling them anything and planned too take them down to the old Crown room on the basis of a top-secret briefing, then lock them in there.