Chapter Text
The desert city of Valcor, painted in reds and orange sands was alight with celebration. Lights and decorations of deep blues and whites hung from every lamp and building, flags and banners clothing them like dainty ladies of the court. The cool night air was the perfect ground for merriment and mass gatherings. The air was rich with spices and music from the throats of flutes and bellies of drums as the people danced and cheered. Every so often, someone in a bout of joy and relief would call out on the wind, “All hail the king! King Trellis, may he live forever!”
“All hail the king! King Trellis, may he live forever!” The surrounding crowd would chorus back like delighted parrots.
The castle of Valcor itself was full of that same cheer, though draped in far more decadence and more reserved class. Elites gathered amongst themselves beneath chandeliers of colored glass and spoke of good fortune. Most welcomed the change in leadership but those that didn’t knew better to keep their mouths shut, preferring to stew in their fine wines and treats carried by well dressed servants. The few that did speak about their reservations seemed more interested in remarking that their own king was not old enough to even partake in wines. That was a preferred course of action to anyone deciding they liked the old king and blabbing about how good the dictatorship was. If anyone even entertained that thought, the presence of the remaining Guardian Council member did well to silence them.
Emily stood amongst the crowds, nursing a glass of some fancy spiced milk drink called Etir’s Nectar. She was, other than Navin and Aly, the youngest there. She stood amongst the elves of Valcor that were decorated in silk robes and baubles of glassy jewels, a little more than half their height and a third their ages. Compared to the other people of the Resistance with ages that ranged from her age and up, the gap between her and the high society of Valcor felt more like a canyon.
She plastered on a smile as another noble, an elven man dressed in robes more decadent than the king’s. He bowed low and she awkwardly returned it. All exchanges went the same and her back was beginning to ache from repeated reciprocating curtsies all evening. He rambled something in a language she didn’t speak before laughing uproariously, like he had told the funniest joke to grace his own ears. Emily forced out a fake laugh though she wasn’t even sure it was a joke or a jab at her expense. He bowed once more and thankfully departed, leaving Emily to stew in her discomfort and confusion.
She tugged on the gold cuffs of her dress by the points over the back of her hands. Classy and sharp, they were massively uncomfortable after hours of wearing them. Still, she put up with it. It was a fancy event after all.
When Trellis’ coronation was announced, everyone knew old tunics and trousers would be an absolute no. Riva, ever kind, pulled some strings to help her get outfitted with something new and appropriate for a gala sized coronation. A floor length dark green dress, cuffed with gold bracelets up to her elbows. It was designed with elegance and regality in mind, accentuated with its juliet sleeves and a high neck with a similar gold collar around the neck. Decorated with flecks of gold falling from it like golden dew drops down her chest and skirt from the collar and a matching metal feather pin in her carefully arranged updo bun, it was soft and intended for her alone. Still she could do without the collar or bracers, though truthfully she had approved of them when she saw they covered and pulled attention away from her burn scars. Now they only felt stiff and it compounded with the unpleasantness of the fact she was too nervous to eat anything for fear of getting it dirty. Or that she was too nervous to do anything in general.
Greetings from guests distracted her from her mild discomfort and the sweet music of flutes and drums helped keep her mind off other troubles. It was like she had stepped into a scene of her old fairy tales and the Logi, upon his own insistence, took on organizing the entire fiasco. Trellis more important concerns than colors and catering but to the goblin’s credit, he did do a fine job. It was lavished, white silk banners hanging from chandeliers with dark blue accents and tables laid out with matching table clothes and delicious roasted meats.
Emily took as sip as she looked around the room. Riva and Gabilan were greeting guests as new members of the King’s Parliament. Emily’s gaze caught Riva’s and she flashed a thumbs up. She subtly pointed to Gabilan beside her and silently raised a hand to her mouth with an exaggerated fake yawn. Emily snickered as Riva went right back to greeting guests before Gabilan noticed her. She left them to their greetings and walked out to try and find her family.
She heard Navin’s eager voice before she saw him. He was standing with Cogsley and Aly as he recounted that final battle to a group of younger elites, around Trellis’ age. Navin stood in his tailored suit, a softer shade of green to Aly’s sky blue dress. They were rarely out of each others company since the fight and that was no different now.
“So we snuck into the loading dock and hopped in. We were a mile off but there’s one thing I can say for sure: nothing prepares you for just how fast Colossus can run. Thank goodness Aly was helping maintain balance because without her, we would’ve rolled down the mountain sides. Not to exaggerate but she pretty much saved our lives.”
“Oh come on, Navin, you had a handle on maintaining it too!” Aly cut in with a playful smack to his arm. “It was your idea anyways! Take some credit!”
The young elves in his company listened with keen ears as the duo continued their stories, piping in to ask questions about the program and if they were accepting elven students. Emily smiled to herself and left the two youngsters to answer questions in favor of continuing around the grand hall. Her mother was by the banquet table with Leon talking about this or that. She smiled and laughed at something he had said and the two clinked their glasses of wine in whatever toast they were making. Miskit joined them with a plate full of little bite sized appetizers he had gathered for the three of them to share. Or maybe just for her mom and Leon to share; Emily still wasn’t sure if he was actually able to eat or just mimicked eating through some social interaction programming.
Something bumped Emily’s leg and she looked down to see a bundle of tussled blue fur and wings joyfully saunter on by. Dagno had wandered away from Cogsley to investigate the grand hall, receiving pets and snacks from party guests as he passed by. His little green bow tie Theodore had worked so hard to put on him had been lost somewhere in the room and his neatly combed fur stuck out in all directions from many fingers running through it. Emily laughed to herself and leaned down to give him a scratch behind his ear before letting him go back to his scratch-and-snack journey. Dagno pleasantly chirped and disappeared into the sea of legs and hems of skirts.
At least they’re all having fun.
Well. Almost everyone. If is nails drumming anxiously on the armrests of his throne or his ramrod straight posture was any indication, Trellis was far more stressed that she was. Understandably so. He hadn’t moved much from his throne other than standing to greet guests and to take a break in a protected area obscured by curtains and guards. Apparently it was a custom that he be separated to overlook the celebration, like a paragon of royalty on a pedestal to be admired. While Emily was sure her fellow introvert needed the space to not be overwhelmed, it was too bad they hadn’t had a chance to speak all day.
He strode the aisle within the Hall of Kings just earlier that day, dressed in his white, intricate robes. His white hair was smoothed in an elegant manner. Objectively speaking, he was handsome. Objectively. His eyes had locked with hers as he passed her, expression up neutral but an unmistakable glint in his eye she had grown to recognize well. He was deathly nervous and she sent him a reassuring smile.
He had knelt at the altar in front of the appointed royal priest, hands rested in his lap placidly. From her spot with her family in the front among the esteemed guests, Emily listened to the elven priest utter blessings over Trellis. He took a small bowl filled with a black, glossy paint and anointed him with the symbol of “the Principium.” As soon as the anointment was placed, he received the mask into his hands and fitted onto his. The entire room had erupted into cheers and from her place among the crowd, Emily smiled. Pride had filled her chest to see someone she cared for develop into a man worthy to be king and that feeling resurged now. His destiny had been achieved. It may have been one he wasn't excited for- she couldn’t say most people would be -but it was something he took up with grace and dignity. Here he was now: a king, prepared to serve his beloved country with the true strength his own father lacked.
“He looks so regal, doesn’t he?”
Emily jumped at the sound of Luger’s voice right next to her, almost spilling her Etir’s Nectar. Though the destruction of his stone had pretty much destroyed his back, he could be still be as quiet and sneaky as a mouse when he wanted to be. Or she was just too distracted to hear him hobbling his way up to her. Color flushed her cheeks at being startled and caught staring at her friend. She awkwardly laughed the moment off but nodded.
“His tailor did a great job,” she said. “Can’t say it looks easy to walk in, though.”
“Oh that’s one of the tamer ones,” he said. “One king in our history, King Belfiar, had such extravagant taste, the robe he wore had a train that filled up the entire hall. He ended falling several times during the coronation and his detractors called him King Bel-faller for years.”
“Well that’s one way to kick off your reign,” Emily remarked, sipping her drink in a poor attempt to mask her smile. “It’s great Trellis won the public’s favor. I guess I should be calling him by his title now.”
“He’d correct you faster than you could get the words out, my dear. Might as well not make a habit of it now.”
The two shared a small laugh and she looked back to Trellis. Logi had scampered up to him and stood on his toes to whisper something unintelligible to the king. Trellis nodded and waved to dismiss him before he stood up to greet a pair of diplomats. The duo, a Kanalis swan-woman and a stout dog man dressed handed him a gift decorated in shining gold ribbon. Or at least attempted to. A guard quickly intercepted the package, bowed to the king, and moved to place it amongst a slowly growing stack of gifts further from the throne.
Trellis hastily bowed his head in what was no doubt an apology for his guard’s present purloining and shook both their hands. The diplomats hadn’t seemed too bothered and thanked him before walking down the steps to join the party. Just as soon as they were gone, another two elites had taken their place, as had been done all evening. From several feet, Emily could hear their boisterous laughter and somewhere along the lines of the conversation, there was a slight shift. Trellis’ shoulders stiffened, a fraction of a second before it was gone, but very noticeable to Emily.
It usually occurred when he heard something he really didn’t like.
Uh oh.
The elites laughed again, bowed to their king, and moved on to pluck wine glasses from the platters of passing servants. Trellis turned and bent down to say something to Logi. Logi nodded and without another word, Trellis turned sharply and disappeared behind the large curtain of his designated rest area. The guards stepped in front to ensure no one would attempt passage.
“Think he’s ok?” she asked, looking to Luger.
“Probably tired,” Luger said. “He’s been stressed out all day with this coronation. Lonely, busy business it is.”
“I can understand that.” Emily looked back to where he disappeared and a sympathetic frown began to form on her lips. “Is there anything we can do? Maybe have the band play and get people to dance, or something? That might get him a few extra minutes to himself to relax.”
“Good plan but I think what he needs now is some good encouragement,” Luger said, looking up to her.
Emily’s gaze broke away from where Trellis left and fixed curiously on Luger. “Sounds like that’s easier said than done. This place is packed and he can barely get a moment to eat, let alone speak.”
“Well, the King’s rest area is quiet.”
“Is that even allowed?”
Luger shrugged and gestured for her to follow.
“Well believe it or not, you qualify as royalty,” Luger said as they walked, plucking a glass of wine from a passing servant. “You have the privilege of special circumstance. Besides, you both make a habit of seeing rules as mere suggestions.”
Emily scoffed lightly as she followed him through the weaving crowd. She paused once or twice to thank and excuse herself to any nobles that stopped her to bow and attempt idle chit chat. Never had a walk across a ball room felt more like a trek through a herd of bison. They made it to the curtain and the guards positioned at the front.
They bowed their heads respectfully and one spoke, “Enjoying the party, your majesty?”
“Um, yes but Emily is just fine,” she said awkwardly. “I would like to speak to King Trellis, please. Guardian Council business.”
“I’m sorry but this is a private section for the king and his attendants only,” the other said. “We will let him know you wish to speak.”
“Come now, King Trellis would care very much to hear the words of his fellow Guardian,” Luger cut in with a placid but firm smile. “I can assure you that much.”
The Guards looked between each other and back to Emily.
“Well… very well. Rodak, announce her to his Highness.”
Luger sent Emily a wink and gestured for her to go ahead. She gave him a smile in return as the guards stepped aside. The guard, Rodak, pulled the curtain back to let her in first before following. The brief light of the curtain revealed a door, the light dimming as soon as the curtain swung back into place. She felt Rodak squeeze past her with a quiet “excuse me” and he opened the door. Soft candlelight leaked in through the crack as they entered into a quiet room.
The place was ornate but comfortable, a set of cozy looking loveseats and chairs set around a beautiful wood end table. Moonlight streamed through great arching windows and illuminated the very steam rising from a cup of tea abandoned on a side table. The doors to one of its massive stood open to a great balcony where King Trellis stood.
He looked out onto the city below, only slightly turning his head to listen for whoever entered.
“Emily Hayes of the Guardian Council wishes to speak to you, your highness,” Rodak said, bowing to his king. “If it pleases you.”
Trellis turned quickly and his voice was brimming with relief.
“Oh. Um, thank you, Rodak. You may leave us.”
Rodak bowed once more and left without another word. Only when the rattling of his armor faded and the final shut of the door was heard did Trellis finally speak.
“I swear if I have to speak to one more person, I think I’m going to scream,” he said bluntly. “Thank the Erlking everyone can’t see my face.”
Emily laughed and set aside her long lukewarm drink on one of the end tables to stand by him.
“Should I go then, your highness?” She asked with a teasing smirk.
“I think I’ll make an exception just this once,” he said, leaning back against the railing. “And for the love of everything you hold dear, please don’t call me that.”
“Ok ok!” she said, looking out over the balcony. “Sounds like you’re having a grand time.”
“Is it that obvious?” He asked.
“To me it is. That’s actually why I wanted to talk with you.”
He grumbled behind his mask, his voice slightly muffled by the carved….porcelain? She wasn’t sure what it was made of. The mask he wore was remade made for him as the old one was damaged in battle. All the better, considering it definitely reeked of death. It was designed to hold to his hair like a comb and high collar, lacking those awful spikes. Even without them, she couldn’t imagine it to be very comfortable.
“You ok? You looked pretty tense when you you left. Did those nobles say something to you?”
“It’s…. A lot. I’m exhausted and every so often, my father’s name comes up. It wouldn’t be so bad since everyone is positively comparing me but…” His long nails scraped audibly on the stone railing as his fingers drew in to clench into a fist. “I could do without being reminded about him over and over.”
“Oh. I see.”
She placed a hand on his shoulder. He didn’t turn to face her but his fists loosened. In one smooth movement, his hand raised across his chest to gently cup over her hand on his shoulder. He held it for a moment and sighed before releasing his grip and their hands returned to their respective sides.
“It’s hard,” he murmured. “This whole ‘after everything.’ I thought with my memories back and the Voice gone, at least some of my worries would be eased. Some of them were, of course, but now I have new ones to replace them. Everything changed so quickly and it’s not as simple as I thought it would be.”
“I know what you mean,” Emily said, a hand raising to absentmindedly rest on her chest where her scar was. “We’ve both started a new chapter and I have no idea what that’s going to look like.”
That hung between them for a moment like a thick fog of thoroughly unpleasant uncertainty. Trellis cleared his throat in an attempt to break through the stiff air and he tugged on the mask to readjust it. The action was minor but Emily’s attention was drawn to it.
“Is it uncomfortable?” She asked. “Doesn’t look like it’s easy to wear. Can you even see with it on?”
“It’s manageable,” Trellis said as he stopped fiddling with it, either from his discomfort eased or that he had given up. “A little hot but I can see. Not all that well but enough for me to move and not fall down the stairs.”
“How? Looks like it’s made of ceramic.”
Trellis hummed something to himself and after a pause, he gripped the mask and pulled it off. The motion sent his neatly slicked back bangs back over his face in loose, silver strands. He exhaled sharply at the relief of cool air fanning his face. Up close, Emily could make out the symbol of the glossy black paint the priest pressed to his forehead during the anointing. She hadn’t seen what the “Principium” symbol had looked like from where she was sitting and the mask made it impossible. The paint formed the shape of a dot framed by two lines curving lines similar to the innermost patterns of his mask, slightly discolored from the faint mist of sweat beading his forehead.
Once he felt he had cooled off enough, he turned the mask over in his hands and brought it closer to her.
“Here. Just don’t try it on.”
Emily looked down into the mask and saw the inside was glassy. It was opaque but she could see his hands pressed to the surface on the other side. As she surveyed the curves carefully made for him, Trellis gaze fell to her and subtly, a smile touched his lips.
“I um…. I wanted to say you look really pretty,” he said. “I like your dress.”
His compliment took her by surprise and for a second, she wasn’t sure how to respond. She was unused to compliments. Not like she was never told she was pretty, her father and mother always took the time to reaffirm that she was pretty to them and so did Navin. His was in a more teasing manner like telling her she wasn’t ugly. Being told she was pretty from her mom and brother felt very different in the tones of his own voice.
“I- Thank you,” she said, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles on her gown. “You look pretty too…. Wait-“
He let out a dry chuckle and brushed his bangs from his face. They merely fell back into place and he let them be. Emily’s face felt unnaturally warm and she opted just to return to inspecting his mask and spare herself any more embarrassment.
“Thank you, Emily,” he said, in a warm tone that felt foreign even to him. Foreign but very welcomed.
They stood like that with nothing but the sound of the wind, the faint music of harps and flutes from the ballroom, and distant voices of celebration.
“That’s pretty cool,” she noted as she straightened up. “The mask, I mean. Still, must be nice to see clearly again.”
“Absolutely it is,” Trellis said with an amused sigh as he looked down on the cityscape.
The city below was more alive than he had ever seen it. Though the scars left in the city were still very evident. The city was still a financial mess with the increase of taxes to pay for the war effort and that was just the beginning. A lot of elves lost their lives within the last couple years and though reconstruction following the massive final battle was going very well, there was still a lot left to do. And now there was another weight sitting in his mind, a heavy load making everything feel a little more bleak.
“Emily, could I ask you something?” Trellis said, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
“Yes, of course,” she replied as she turned her attention back to him.
“I… I know it’s soon to be asking this but…” his hands clasped together and his long nails pressed into his skin as he chose his words carefully. “There’s so much to do when it comes to my responsibilities to Gulfen and the Guardian Council. I know I can manage my duties but… with Vigo gone…”
A painful silence lingered between them and the gap where their teacher once stood beside them seemed more like a deep, grieving chasm. He swallowed the growing lump in his throat and stowed his grief for the moment. There would be more time to process and weep for their dead once celebration was over. For now, the living were in each other’s company. He held her gaze and the very tips of his ears flushed a soft, rosy pink.
“I know your work here is done,” Trellis said. “You’ve done so much for a people foreign to you and you deserve to rest. I know I can manage my kingdom. I’m not alone in that now. The Guardian Council will live on even with one member for a short time. There will always be stonekeepers but…” He released his hands from their wringing tangle and his expression softened, bittersweet and tender. “I- I’m not ready to say goodbye just yet. I feel selfish just asking you this but I wanted to ask if you would consider staying in Alledia?”
Emily blanked for a minute to process his words. In all the years they’d known each other, moments of vulnerability were rare. Yet those moments where their walls came down had become precious memories to her. They had become a team ready to face anything and everything together. She was his sword, he was her shield. Their dynamic had become a part of her security.
She hadn’t really thought of leaving yet; too much filled her mind since the defeat of the Voice and the death of Vigo. But with the thought at the forefront and the knowledge that leaving would tear her from the people she had come to love and rely on sent a cold pang through her very chest.
It didn’t help to see him looking at her like she was about to pack up and leave right then and there. Her silence only seemed to drive him back into his shell. He plucked up his mask from its resting place and dusted it off though it was as clean as when he set it down in the first place.
“I’m sorry, I never should have put you on the spot like this,” he apologized, hastily smoothing back his hair and to slip back his mask. “Whatever you and your family choose is your decision and I have no right to-“
Before Emily had even realized what she had been doing, she stepped forward and in carefully took hold of his mask with hands cupped over his. Gently, she pulled it away from his face. His wide, serpent eyes fixed her to the spot as she removed the glass barrier between them and color began to flood her cheeks. Idly, and admittedly foolishly, she hoped he would just assume it was the light blush of her makeup.
“It’s ok,” she affirmed. “I don’t mind you asking me at all. I just don’t have an answer yet.”
“Ah, I understand,” Trellis said with a soft, slightly strained voice. “Just… if you find yourself making our world your permanent home, just know you will always have a place in Gulfen.”
They stayed there, hands overlapping as they held the mask in a nest of skin and bone. He opened his mouth as he searched his mind for something to say. Her name barely made its way past his lips before the shrill voice of Logi shouted out.
“Your Highness, you are not supposed to remove the mask!” He all but shrieked as he ran up to Trellis. “Put it back on before anyone else sees you!”
Trellis groaned as Logi pushed between them and pushed against his wrists in an attempt to rush it back on for him. The young king waved him off with an irritated scowl and murmured a quiet apology to Emily. He swept his hair back and fitted the mask onto his face.
“Fine, fine just please lower your voice, Logi,” Trellis grunted. “We don’t need everyone in the kingdom hearing you.”
“Of course, of course, your Highness.” Logi busied himself more with smoothing Trellis’ robes than actually listening to his king. He stood back to ensure the young king was presentable before turning around. As if he had never seen Emily before that very moment, he startled and bowed low to her.
“A thousand apologies, mistress!” He said. “I did not mean to interrupt!”
“It’s fine, Logi,” Emily said before looking questioningly to Trellis. “You’re not supposed to take that off?”
“Not really no, but I’m willing to bend the rules every once in a while,” he said. “Some things are worth it.”
Though his face was obscured, she could feel his warm smile in the sweetness of his voice and the subtle way he tipped his head. Her lips quirked up in a smile of her own and a something akin to warm sunshine bloomed within her chest and weighed snuggly on her heart. Logi, from his place between them, looked between the two leaders before realization crossed his face and he awkwardly cleared his throat.
“Erm, perhaps your majesties would like to join everyone back in the ballroom?” he said, gesturing with a wave of his hand in the direction. “Another course is about to be served and we have maybe another hour or two before the banquet is over.”
The spell of silence broke and Trellis nodded. “Yes, of course. Emily, care to join me?”
“Yeah, let’s go before everyone wonders where we went off to,” Emily agreed.
That ball of sunny warmth did not pewter out as the two left the balcony and into the crowded hall where all their friends were. Luger smiled knowingly as the two leaders strode in and helped himself to another congratulatory glass of wine. Navin cheerfully waved them over and between snacking on a plate of treats he shared with Aly, began to spill all the things he had done so far. Trellis didn’t return to his throne for the rest of the evening and opted to join Emily and his friends.
Though some would gawk at such untraditional behavior from the new monarch, he didn’t care. Some things were worth bending the rules for.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Moze, slow down,” Trellis called after him as he slipped through the door of Emily’s office chamber. “Pace yourself after practice.”
Moze didn’t listen. He was far too eager to show his mother all he had learned. Emily looked up from the book, pen still in hand, as her son pushed through the door and rushed up to her. Moze tugged on the sleeve of her dark blue robes with an enthusiastic grin.
“Mom, mom!” He shouted eagerly, bouncing on his toes. “I learned something new today! Dad taught me how carry stuff with my stone!“
“That wonderful, Moze!” Emily remarked and casted a glance to Trellis.
He was leaning against the doorframe while he watched Moze, eyes filled with pride and admiration for his son. Though they both harbored their own reservations about their son becoming a stonekeeper, accomplishments never went ignored. The best they could do was make sure he was safe. Trellis pushed his weight off of the doorframe and crossed the room to the two. He rested an affectionate hand on his son’s curly hair and offered a reassuring smile to his wife.
“He excelled as always,” Trellis said.
Emily relaxed and set down her pencil
“Of course, Moze,” She said with a warm smile. “Just don’t tire yourself out too much. Ok?”
“I won’t, I promise!” Moze confirmed while he eagerly pulled her to her feet. “Come on!”
Emily closed the manuscript of the book, her fingers lingering on the cover for a brief moment. She gazed down on it with a bittersweet smile, tracing over the words with the pad of her finger.
The Book of Light
By Guardian Emily Hayes-Jharym
&
King Trellis Jharym
After a second more, she let her son lead her away from the table. Trellis’ hand slipped into her free one and together, they followed their son out and listened to him excitedly chatter about all he wanted to do.