Chapter 13: A friend in Need; Lailah and Summer

The Garden Sanctuary

Beacon's private gardens were quiet in the late afternoon light, the setting sun casting long shadows across the carefully tended paths. Lailah had noticed Summer's gradual withdrawal during the small celebration for Taiyang and Raven, had seen the way her silver eyes would dim whenever Tai's hand found Raven's, how her usual radiant smile would falter for just a moment when the new couple shared a look.

"Summer," Lailah called softly, catching up to her friend as she tried to slip away from the gathering. "Walk with me?"

The Quiet Understanding

They found a secluded bench beneath a flowering tree, its petals occasionally drifting down around them like snow. For a while, neither spoke. Lailah's pointed ears twitched slightly, picking up Summer's carefully controlled breathing - the kind one uses when trying very hard not to cry.

"You know," Lailah finally began, her orange eyes soft with understanding, "in the elven court, we have a saying: 'The heart's shadow is longest when cast by joy.'"

Summer's careful composure cracked slightly. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to someone who knows what to look for." Lailah reached over and took Summer's hand. "Only to someone who once watched her own heart cast shadows."

The Breaking Dam

"I'm horrible," Summer whispered, tears finally spilling. "I should be happy for them. I AM happy for them. Raven's my friend, and Tai... Tai deserves someone who makes him happy. I just..." Her voice broke.

"You just wish it was you," Lailah finished gently. "And that doesn't make you horrible, Summer. It makes you human."

Shared Wisdom

"How do you do it?" Summer asked suddenly, wiping at her eyes. "Balance all of it? Being a princess, a warrior, planning this massive wedding, and still finding time to notice when one of your friends is being pathetic?"

Lailah's laugh was gentle. "First, you're not being pathetic. Second..." She paused, considering her words carefully. "Do you remember when Qrow and I first met?"

"You mean when he called your fighting style 'fancy twirling' and you froze him to a wall?"

"No, well, yes, but after that. When we were assigned as sparring partners, and I was so angry because I thought Ozpin was mocking my position as Hyuuan's guard by pairing me with, as I put it, 'an undisciplined vagrant with a sword.'"

Summer actually giggled at that. "Qrow wore that description like a badge of honor for weeks."

"He would," Lailah smiled fondly. "But what I'm trying to say is... sometimes the path our heart wants isn't the one we're on right now. Sometimes we have to trust that there's a reason, even when it hurts."

The Deeper Truth

"What if..." Summer's voice was barely a whisper. "What if there isn't someone else? What if Tai was my one chance at..."

"Summer Rose," Lailah interrupted firmly, turning to face her friend fully. "You are one of the most remarkable humans I've ever met. You're a brilliant huntress, a loyal friend, and you have a heart so big it puts the moon to shame. Your story isn't defined by who you love or who loves you back - it's defined by how you love."

A Moment of Vulnerability

"I don't know how to stop loving him," Summer admitted, her silver eyes shimmering with tears.

"Then don't," Lailah said simply. "Love him as your friend, love him as your teammate, love him as someone whose happiness matters to you. But also..." She squeezed Summer's hand. "Leave room in your heart for other kinds of love. The ones you haven't met yet."

The Promise

"Besides," Lailah added with a slight smirk, "I need my maid of honor to be fully present for this ridiculous wedding my sister is turning into a three-kingdom diplomatic event."

Summer's head shot up. "Maid of honor?"

"Well, who else would I ask? Raven?"

The laugh that burst from Summer was watery but genuine. "She'd rather fight a Nevermore bare-handed."

"Exactly. So?" Lailah raised an eyebrow. "Will you help make sure I don't completely lose my mind during this year-and-a-half planning extravaganza?"

The Healing Begins

Summer wiped her eyes one final time, some of her natural sparkle returning. "Only if you promise me one thing."

"Name it."

"When Qrow inevitably does something to scandalize the elven court during the ceremony, you have to let me say 'I told you so.'"

Lailah laughed, pulling her friend into a hug. "Deal."

As they sat there, watching the sun set over Beacon's towers, Summer felt something in her heart shift slightly. The pain wasn't gone, but it had changed somehow - become more bearable under the weight of friendship and understanding.

"Lailah?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you. For seeing me."

The elven princess smiled, her orange eyes warm with affection. "Always, my friend. That's what family does."

And as the evening stars began to appear, two friends sat together, one helping to heal a broken heart while her own glowed with the joy of true friendship - a different kind of love, but no less precious for its nature.

To be continued in Chapter 14: New Beginnings; Summer and Raptaryn