Chapter Text
Callum was in the Silvergrove library when the commotion happened. It was a gathering day, and although seven years spent here meant that Callum knew enough to help, he preferred to spend the day studying. He knew that Rayla enjoyed the quality time with her parents, and he in turn enjoyed spending the day with his daughter.
Sarai sat in a small crib next to his table, playing with some blocks. She was a year and a half old, and very good at entertaining herself. Callum had just looked away from his book to smile at her when an elf burst into the library.
She ran over to the librarian and began whispering frantically. Callum frowned. Usually the library was extra quiet on gathering days. They both looked in his direction. He jumped a little and tried to get back into his book. It was a half-hearted effort, though, so he heard the librarian approaching him before they said his name.
“Um... Callum?”
He looked up, feigning surprise. “Yes?”
The librarian looked around nervously, then whispered “There's someone here to see you.”
Callum raised an eyebrow in response.
The librarian cleared their throat. “In the general courtyard.”
Callum set his book down. “From out of town?”
The librarian nodded, looking distressed.
“Thanks for letting me know, I'll be right there.”
As they walked back to their desk, Callum sorted the books he'd been reading and reattached his sketchbook to his belt. He lifted Sarai out of her small enclosure and set her on his hip. She reached back down in protest, so he bent over to let her grab a block for the road. Lastly, he grabbed his staff before hurrying out of the library's front entrance.
A visitor from out of town. It had been a while since any of their old friends had visited him and Rayla, but his bet was on Soren. He visited them more than anyone else, and Pyrrah always caused a stir when she landed here. He was completely and utterly shocked, then, when he reached the top steps of the courtyard and saw none other than The Dragon King himself in the middle of the Silvergrove. Several Moonshadow elves were gaping at his majesty, but Zym barely acknowledged them. He perked up as soon as he spotted Callum and Sarai. Callum grinned, skipping every other step to reach the bottom faster. Sarai squealed in delight at the bouncing.
“Zym!” he called as he reached the edge of the courtyard. “What brings you here?”
He set down a still giggling Sarai and waved. “I gotta say, I was not expecting to see you today! You should've told me you were visiting, I would've—”
Something moved in The Dragon King's shadow. Callum tightened his grip on his staff and stepped protectively in front of his daughter. A human stepped into the sunlight, and Callum's eyes widened. A lump formed in his throat. It couldn't be... could it?
Any doubt he had over the newcomer's identity faded when Callum saw the crown on his head.
“Ez?”
The King of Katolis stood tall; at least a foot and a half taller than when Callum had last seen his little brother. He looked regal, with a shortly trimmed beard and the Novablade at his hip. It seemed as though he had finally grown into his station.
“Prince Callum.”
Callum's throat went dry. They were sticking to formalities, evidently. He closed his eyes and bowed low, his unoccupied hand forming a fist at his chest.
“My king.”
He stayed bowed for far longer than was comfortable or necessary. When he finally glanced up his little brother raised a hand, giving him permission to stand. He felt Sarai grip his pant leg, but he didn't take his eyes off of the king as he straightened out.
They stared at each other for a long minute, each taking the other in. Callum watched as Ezran's gaze flicked down to the little girl standing behind him. The king's eyes widened in shock, but he quickly recovered.
“Could we talk somewhere?” Ezran looked around and the growing crowd of locals, then back to his older brother. “Privately?”
Callum nodded curtly, hoisting Sarai back onto his hip and turning to walk home. He didn't check to see if Ezran was following.
“Dada, who's that?” Sarai asked as they walked.
He smiled down at her questioning eyes. “I'll tell you later, moonberry. We're gonna go home for now.”
Her eyes lit up. “Mama home?”
Callum chuckled. “Mama's still out with grandpa and papa, but don't worry, she'll be home soon.”
“Mama with grandpa and papa?”
He nodded. “She'll be home soon.”
Callum set down his staff and grabbed his keys as they reached the door to his and Rayla's cottage. He glanced behind him at Ezran. His brother was staring at Sarai, and she was staring right back. Callum tried to stifle the smile that formed on his lips. You didn't ever win a staring contest with Sarai.
He held the squeaky front door open as his brother stepped inside. It was a humble place, especially compared to the castle of Katolis, but to him it was home. He set Sarai down on the floor next to a few of her toys, and gestured for Ezran to take a seat.
Callum cleared his throat as his little brother sunk into the sofa. “Would you like some tea?”
Ezran looked up silently and nodded. Callum took off his boots and walked into the kitchen. He filled a kettle by sticking it out the window into their rain barrel, then lit the stove with a small “fulminis.” He grabbed two teacups from the cupboard, and scooped a spoonful of herbs into each cup. He didn't know how Ezran liked his tea anymore, so he got out the sugar pot as well. He walked back into the living room to wait for the water to boil, and stopped in his tracks.
Oh, Sarai...
His daughter had wormed her way onto her uncle's lap, and had somehow convinced him to read her favorite book. It was a picture book that Callum himself had illustrated, about the miracle of Ava the dog. The moral of the story was that Ava hadn't needed the illusion to be happy. She was able to live a fulfilling life even though she looked different than others expected. Callum hoped that it would someday resonate with his five-fingered, round eared, moonshadow daughter. For now, though, she mostly just liked the pictures of the puppy.
He let himself revel in it for a few minutes. How many times had he imagined seeing these two together? How many times had he wished that Sarai could meet her Uncle Ezran? Too many times to count.
The kettle started whistling. He quickly filled the two cups with water, and set them on a tray with the sugar so he could carry them all into the main room. He set the tea down on the short table by the couch and squatted down in front of the two of them, addressing Sarai softly.
“Hey moonbug, why don't you go play with some of the toys Papa Ethari brought you?”
She smiled and slapped the picture of Ava. “Puppy!”
“I know,” he smiled back, “but your new toys are so fun! Some of them even move!”
He picked up a small duck and wound the lever on its back so that it would waddle away from them. Sarai watched it go with wide eyed delight.
“Daddy's going to talk to our new friend, okay?”
“Okay Daddy,” she giggled, sliding off of Ezran's lap and chasing after the toy duck.
Ezran set the book down and watched her go with a sorrowful look in his eye. Callum took his own teacup from the tray and then offered it to Ezran. The king nodded his thanks, taking a cup but no sugar. Callum set the tray back on the table, then sat down next to Ezran on the sofa. They both sipped tea silently for a while, watching Sarai try to wind her toy back up again. Eventually she gave up on doing it by herself, and brought it over to her dad. Callum set his cup down and wound it up for her again, and she squealed just as much seeing it move the second time. He smiled.
“What's her name?”
Callum jumped a little, hearing his younger brother's voice. It was so much deeper than he remembered. He guessed puberty would do that, though. He swallowed.
“Sarai.”
Ezran's brow furrowed a little, but his emotions weren't easily discernible.
“She's named after mom.”
“Yeah.”
Sarai came running back with her toy again, but this time she brought it to Ezran.
“Again, again!” she insisted, and he obliged, sending her into another fit of laughter.
Callum looked at his brother long and hard, and then decided to get it over with.
“What are you doing here, Ez?”