Chapter Text
The blazing sun of Xadia and sounds of horses walking was something Viren had gotten far too used to just a few days into him and his soldiers' quest to… Wherever it was Aaravos was taking them. The silence seemed to only be broken up by the sound of his children terrorizing the soldiers and prince Kasef out of boredom. Maybe the occasional cough if you were lucky, the soldiers whining about how tired they were if you weren’t.
“You know, considering how much free time we have now… I would love to hear more of your stories my lord, after all you have such a flair for dramatics. Lovely voice as well~”
That was hilarious, coming from the starry ghostly figure beside him, but Viren merely shook his head. “They’re not stories, they are tales of things that happened, things I went through. Besides, I have been doing most of the story telling here, but now I want to know more about you… Why don’t you give me a story?”
“I was afraid you would say that.” Viren looked to Aaravos with curiosity. The elf’s expression held apprehension that quickly turned a smirk. “Perhaps you’re even more curious than I first thought~”
Viren decided to ignore the heat he felt coming to his cheeks at that comment, Aaravos was just trying to tick him off now, likely to change the subject. On to his trick however he continued. “I just want to know my closest advisor better, I have to know where I’m getting all of this advice after all... Besides, you intrigue me.” Maybe he should’ve left that last part out considering it only made Aaravos’s smirk grow, but it did seem to convince his companion to ditch the distractions.
“I’m so flattered, to think you’re so fascinated by me, I guess I could tell you a bit more about myself~” Aaravos purred, twirling his hair before laying across his horse and looking to the sky. “I don’t think I have to inform you I’m a startouch elf... After all my skin is just as lovely as the night sky isn’t it?~” He purred, running a hand down his chest bringing attention to the stars covering his body, but especially the large one on his chest.
“I was wondering if that marking on your chest had ever looked different than it does now…”
Aaravos hesitated for a moment before he nodded. “Yes, yes it had… Before I had fallen…”
“Fallen?”
“Yes~ Fallen from grace, Fallen from the sky… Whichever is more dramatic~ Either way I had once been much more vibrant than I am now… That was until I was betrayed by those close to me…”
Viren leaned in close to Aaravos, in hindsight it wasn’t gonna make him any more easy to hear, he was speaking through a bug curled around his ear right now, but his visible curiosity always seemed to make Aaravos happy either way…
“You see, I was a very talented and naturally gifted mage back in my day. At first my village seemed so… So happy and proud of me, I was treated like an angel, nobody could do what I did and everyone thought I would use my magic to suit whatever purposes they wanted. Maybe they were only angry they couldn’t use my power for their own selfish desires, maybe I was the selfish one; but I always thought I was meant for more than simply listening to the people around me and doing whatever they asked of me. After all...”
“I was their prince.”
A smaller, younger Aaravos gazed at the sky. The way the stars glittered and danced around each other was always the perfect lullaby for him. However tonight he was struggling to sleep, despite the quiet melody that played through his village. Gently playing with the leaves on the ground only helped mildly but it felt like ages since he had first started enchanting them, hoping the sight of them dancing along to the twinkle of the stars would put him to sleep.
There was just so much on his mind. He was thinking of how delighted everyone seemed by his powers. How much things had both changed and stayed the same since his powers were discovered.
His father seemed so proud of him, despite not being related by blood, he showed Aaravos and his powers off like he had been. Like their connection was just as unbreakable as one created by blood. Every time he learned a new spell the entire kingdom would know in mere minutes, everyone wanted to see what he learned, hear what he could now do.
They were so excited, this meant good fortune or a bright future for their kingdom! For their people! But now, Aaravos and his abilities were just another routine in their lives. They would go about their duties and if anything went wrong, they would go call the small boy to help.
‘I thought everyone said I had a great destiny ahead of me. Not a bunch of chores… Surely there’s something more to my magic I’m missing, but what?’
There were many benefits to the new found powers however they weren’t nearly as many as the prince had hoped for. One of the best was people seemed to love hearing from Aaravos about his new adventures into magic. They all were so proud of him and even if it was tedious, Aaravos did enjoy helping his people. When they bothered to thank him...
Most of all however, Aaravos found this sense of belonging in the castle he lived in and the village he would one day rule he hadn’t felt... Well... Ever! Not since his parents abandoned him or he was taken under the king’s care. Which was when he was so young he couldn’t remember either event...
These new powers felt great, this gift he had been given felt great! Maybe this was all the proof he needed to truly show that he was a prince, that there was more than just random chance involved in him being trusted to one day rule over them. Maybe it had all been leading to this? Maybe this was all some sort of sign from the gods he truly was royalty?
He’d have to think it over tomorrow, as sleep gently embraced him and his frantic thoughts were put out gently, like a small candle’s flame.
“So what did you do then?” Viren asked but Aaravos didn’t answer; he instead smugly gestured to a soldier who was quickly approaching Viren’s side. It was Soren.
“Hey dad?”
“What is it, son? Can’t you see I’m busy?” Viren huffed and Soren tilted his head before looking around him. “Uh, not really? Unless you were talking to your little bug pal again very quietly. It just kinda looks like you’re staring into the distance... Like everyone else.”
Viren chose to ignore the chuckle Aaravos gave at his nickname being mentioned, he simply shook his head. “Never mind, what is it?”
“It’s getting kind of dark and we’re approaching the black desert place. If we don’t stop soon we could get bit by those horrible, snake soul sucky things.”
Viren also chose to ignore Soren’s lack of knowledge of Xadia. “Very well… We’ll stop here for the night… Get to work setting up camp and I will join you all in a few moments.”
Viren watched as the others headed out before turning back to his ghostly companion. “So what happened after you did all that thinking?”
Aaravos however laughed and shook his head. “Oh please, if I start now you won’t be able to stop me until sunrise. Best you go to bed now and we continue this in the morning~”
Viren raised an eyebrow, he couldn’t help but feel like it might’ve just been an excuse for Aaravos to hold out on giving more personal details about his life... However he chose to not comment further as he nodded to him and turned around.
“Not even gonna say good night?~ Are you angry I won’t tell you it all at once?~”
Viren sighed, why did he trust this guy to order him around again?
“Good night Aaravos. I hope tonight you’re able to sleep well…”
“Good night Viren~ I hope you are too~”
Viren wasn’t sure if he could after hearing Aaravos speak such ominous words... A small part of him wondered if Aaravos was even being honest about his origins, but he would never know if he didn’t wake up tomorrow to hear him out on it...
The sun had barely risen as Viren got up and stretched his arms, being careful to not hurt himself, he looked over and nearly jumped as he saw Aaravos floating above him. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to your... Ghostly form...” He mumbled, feeling a bit nervous about the idea that Aaravos typically just... Floated above him while he was asleep.
Aaravos smiled and floated down to the side of his master. “Would you prefer we go back to you not being able to see me then? You’d be missing out~”
“Very funny... What I would prefer right now is we head back out and you tell me more about your origins. Without attempts to distract me this time.” Viren said a small smirk growing on his face as he saw Aaravos frown, if only briefly.
“I simply wanted you to be able to rest before we continue on our dangerous journey. Is that too distracting for you?”
“No but your reluctance to tell me about your past does make me suspicious...”
Aaravos huffed, he didn’t like that. Viren could feel the smile on his face grow, however, it felt nice to be the one teasing such a powerful mage. Instead of constantly being at the whim of Aaravos and his sickly sweet voice. He was on some level his prisoner after all...
“I have nothing to hide in my past. The ones who wronged me do, but I can assure you, my actions were far from a good reason for my imprisonment.” Aaravos hissed and Viren almost shivered. Whether it was due to the kind of soft smug tone the elf always carried or the fact he was speaking through a bug right next to Viren’s ear, he had almost never heard Aaravos speak in anything more than a whisper.
“Then tell me about these actions that caused you to be imprisoned.” Viren replied and Aaravos took a second to compose himself before he spoke again.
“Aaravos, son, it’s time to get up.”
Aaravos hummed lowly, turning away from his father before he felt himself being shaken again. “I don’t wanna get up... I spent all of yesterday doing stupidly hard spells!”
Astrophel shook his head. Of all the children to be born in the village, he was given the most stubborn one to raise.
“You’re not just another kid, Aaravos. You’re a prince and you must act like one... I expect you to be up before the sun is... I want to talk to you.” His voice softened at the last part and Aaravos felt his cranky attitude soften along with it.
Aaravos sighed, he snuggled deeper into his bed as he heard his father leave the room. Eventually he found the energy to get up and he wandered his room aimlessly. It was an obvious attempt at stalling his important talk with his father. but the lovely decor and rows of books were very good at distracting him.
Small hands traced the runes etched into his bed frame and the shelves surrounding him. The markings on them dancing with every movement... The small detached stars all over his body were not as bright as the ones on his father. One day they would be however and as more stars became visible they would link as beautiful constellations.
It was something to look forward to, he supposed, Astrophel always told him he was sure the power Aaravos held would promise him some of the most bright and lovely stars the village had ever seen. Just recalling his father’s words made him smile and finally he worked up the confidence to leave his room and greet Astrophel in the same room he always did. Of course, his father perked up the second the sound of Aaravos ‘s footsteps rang through the large castle halls. “Good morning Aaravos.”
“Good morning... Is it too late for that important talk?”
Astrophel paused before turning around to look at the small figure now in front of him. “No, no it’s not. Though before we start, I did want to remind you that you don’t always have to speak so formally with me...”
“But you’re the king...”
“But you’re my son, Aaravos, and you’re the prince. It’s alright, I promise...”
Aaravos wasn’t sure how much he believed it. His father seemed so much larger than him, not just in size, but in life. He was the king born into the role and taught his entire life how to lead his people, a proud and important figure in the history of their kingdom. Aaravos was a child whose parents hadn’t wanted him... He was here not by destiny but by chance...
The fact his father’s large and powerful silhouette seemed to just absorb all the light in the large room simply by standing in it didn’t help...
“Regardless, that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Aaravos followed his father as he walked outside, the stars were still gently glittering above, their light shining down and silhouetting the two elves in the darkness. The sun would be coming up soon...
“Did I do something wrong?”
Astrophel shook his head. “No Aaravos, I just wanted to tell you how proud of you I am. I know that your sudden new life is not easy, especially after the people discovered your gift. But I personally cannot express how happy I am to see the way you have adjusted to meet the people’s needs. That is the sign of a true prince.”
The small elf’s eyes widened and he smiled brightly, he straightened his back and puffed out his chest proudly causing Astrophel to chuckle in amusement. “Thanks dad, I was really proud too! I’m so excited to learn more spells, I heard of this one where you can turn chains into snakes! Then there’s another where you can turn the snakes back into chains, there was also a spell that can totally incinerate someone and-”
“Slow down son, I wasn’t finished with my talk yet.”
Aaravos paused before nodding and quieting down so his father could speak.
“I’m really happy with your talent for harnessing the magic inside of you, I really am. However, you’re still just a kid and while I know you are dying to learn more spells, I think we should slow down on your magic lessons for now...”
Aaravos turned to his father, his golden eyes wide with a mixture of confusion and anger. “What? But I’m doing so good, why should I stop? Isn’t this what everyone wants from me?” ‘What everyone wants from a true prince?’ The bitter thought Aaravos wouldn’t dare give a voice to. His father always told him that a good prince and a great king is proud and confident. How could he tell him just how unsure of his place in the royal family he was?
‘It would just confirm to everyone that I don't actually belong here...’ Reminded another voiceless part of the young prince.
“It might be what everyone else wants from you, but I want you to be a kid while you still can, Aaravos. You might not understand now, but my decision on this is final.” Astrophel answered, in that exact tone he always used when he needed to remind his citizens who was in charge. However when he leaned in and got a better look at the expression his son was making, his tone softened as he whispered. “You’ll thank me later son, I promise you will... You just have to trust me.”
Aaravos took a shaky breath before responding. Part of him wanted to get angry, another wanted to cry, but in the end he calmed himself and nodded when his father gently stroked his cheek.
“I trust you dad...”
Viren looked to Aaravos with so many thoughts going through his mind. There was one, very prevalent, he felt the need to voice. It had been there ever since their last talk... “So you truly were a prince? Not only a prince but prince to one of the most powerful kingdoms in the world, how on Earth did you end up like... well, like this?” Viren couldn’t imagine a worse act of war to commit than imprisoning the prince of another kingdom. Luckily, Viren hadn’t been the one to imprison the elf or else he’d have to worry about the repercussions of such an act.
Though Aaravos and his high and mighty attitude now made more sense, that and the fact his prison was so well appointed...
“It’s quite the downward spiral, isn’t it? But I promise there will be answers to all your questions. If you can wait for them~”
Viren rolled his eyes. “Easy for you to say.”
“Of course it is, I have only been living in the same place for more years than I can count.”
Viren nodded and though he knew he probably should’ve been more concerned with making sure there was nothing worrying ahead of them, Aaravos’s past had him far too curious. “Well go on, I am eager to hear more.”
The face Aaravos made gave Viren the feeling the starry elf was not nearly as excited to tell the story as he was to hear it.
“Aaravos, could you come over here and help me?” The deep, feminine voice called out to the young elf, who quickly walked over to the source of the sound. The old woman smiled when the prince gave a polite bow.
“What can I help you with, ma'am?”
“My name is Aster and I just need help sorting through these papers. I know the king had sent out a very important message to me but I’m having difficulty finding it.”
Aaravos paused, examining her face before looking down to the letters she was holding. “Perhaps you would find it easier to do if you moved your hair away from your eyes?”
Aaravos tensed as Aster suddenly laughed and as she did just that Aaravos saw the problem. Her eyes were faded and it didn’t take long for Aaravos to realize she was blind. “Oh my gods, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean any disrespect I just-”
“No need to worry about it. I understand, young prince. Come, sit with me while you assist me in finding and reading your father’s writing.”
Aaravos gulped and did as she asked, sitting on what he assumed was the elderly woman’s porch.
“How have your magic lessons been going? I hear you’ve been doing very well. It’s so exciting to see such a talented young prince in town, or hearing a young prince in town would be more accurate.”
The young elf paused from sorting papers to look towards the other elf. “You were able to tell I was here just from hearing?”
“Of course, everyone had been calling out to you and I heard you responding. It’s as simple as that really.”
Aaravos smiled and excitedly looked up to Aster and grabbed her hand. “That’s so cool! Can you show me how to do that?”
Aster paused before nodding slowly. “I suppose I could, it’s all about being attentive and being able to listen well. Both of which are skills you’ll need if you want to be king one day.”
The young elf nodded eagerly scooting closer to Aster to better hear her. “I’m eager to learn.” He whispered.
Aaravos never knew how great it felt to sit down and simply not do anything but listen to the sounds around him before. Him and Aster throughout almost the entire day, simply sat there listening to the sounds throughout the village, every once in a while she would ask him if he made any particular observations and he would answer honestly. “I didn’t know how often people run around just trying to find the baker. I always had an easy time tracking him down considering how grumpy and loud he is.”
“I’m learning so many names, it’s kinda hard to keep track...”
“The amount of stories about war that go around is... Weird. Wasn’t all of that stuff left in the past?”
However there was one instance where Aaravos hadn’t enjoyed it. It was when he had his eyes closed really taking in the world around him without having to see it, that he heard someone bring up his name.
“How has Aaravos been doing? I heard something had happened.” Aaravos frowned, what were they talking about? “His father has slowed down his magic lessons, I think something must have happened.”
‘Oh. It was about that.’
“Why would he slow down Aaravos learning to use his gift? For the first time in a while it felt like Astrophel might’ve had a son who could really take the reins if he stepped down...” “Perhaps... Aaravos isn’t fit to rule?”
Aaravos sat up, he opened his eyes and searched the village for the source of the noise before feeling Aster put her hand on his shoulder. “Young prince, you shouldn’t care for the words of those elves, they are old and simply being ridiculous. Nobody can properly judge you as a leader before you are given a chance to lead.”
Aaravos took in a breath before shaking his head. “But I should care, because they’re right! My dad should let me explore my gift! It was doing so much good for everyone!” He pulled on his own hair, not enough to hurt but enough to get across the anger bubbling to the surface of his heart.
Aster’s face softened with sadness and she was about to say something before she stiffened and shook her head. “I’m sorry young prince, your father is calling you right now... You best go home...”
Aaravos froze, once again caught between his anger and his sadness he chose to conceal it all... He gave Aster a polite bow before he turned around but before he did he pulled out the letter he took from her pile and handed it to her.
“Here, this is the letter my dad had sent you... I uh... Took it from you because I wanted to see what he was gonna say... But that was dishonest and I shouldn’t do that...”
And with that the little prince took off, leaving fast enough to avoid the embarrassment of being confronted for his near attempted robbery but not fast enough to miss the amused voice of Aster as she called to him. “I hope to see you again, young prince!”
He had also hoped to see Aster again...
“Aaravos! Aaravos?”
“I’m here, I’m here!”
Aaravos ran over to his father, stopping right in front of him and giving a polite bow. He quickly tensed in embarrassment however, as he remembered the talk his father gave him about being too formal... However Astrophel just smiled and ruffled the young prince’s hair playfully. “Where on earth were you, son? I swear I had checked all the places you usually run off to. Including the bakery.”
“I was hanging out with Aster, she’s very kind and seems really smart. I was hoping she would teach me this thing she can do... It was pretty fun!”
Astrophel raised a brow. “And this thing she could do was not a new spell was it?”
Aaravos paused, before stomping his foot in frustration. “No! It wasn’t! Why would I do that?” Aaravos huffed, in reality he knew exactly why his father had asked that, he had assumed the young elf was acting out because he stopped his magic lessons. Even if he was letting some of his other frustrations drip into his tone of voice, it did hurt to hear his father accuse him of such a thing...
Astrophel paused and Aaravos watched as his father’s expression shifted from being stern to being filled with guilt. “Oh... Oh Aaravos I’m sorry... I didn’t mean it like that... I was just worried for you...”
‘Worried for what? that I’d actually get to prove to everyone I’m your rightful son?’ Aaravos bit back the bitter thought. He couldn’t say that to the king... But he really wanted to.
“I’m sorry son, I promise, soon you will get to resume working on improving your talents. Not yet, but soon. You just have to be patient...”
Aaravos stared at the ground when his father gently put his hand on his cheek directing his gaze back to him. The look in his father’s eye was soft and the slight smile made Aaravos relax a little. “Alright... I’ll be patient... But not for too long, okay?” He huffed, crossing his arms. However, the laugh Astrophel let out made it very hard for Aaravos to keep his dramatic frown.
“Of course, your patience wears thin very quickly, I’m aware of that.” He purred before picking Aaravos up onto his shoulders and gesturing to their home. “Now come on, dinner’s gonna get cold.”
“Pft, okay dad.”
And as they walked home, Aaravos found himself tired from all the emotions that had ran through his mind, all the lingering thoughts still there... He was so tired, in fact, that snuggling into his father’s long fluffy hair was all it took for the world to fade away into blissful sleep as the young prince was carried home...
Viren looked to Aaravos curiously, he was still simply laying across his horse, his eyes closed and his head facing the sky. Though it was clear he was trying to keep a neutral expression, Viren could see the way he seemed to tense at certain points of his story. His ears sometimes flattened as well...
“It seems like you had many frustrations in your youth.”
“My frustrations were the least of my problems, the problem was my village... And my father. He always told me when I got older I would understand why he did what he did...” Aaravos tensed and his ears flattened.
“I don’t understand any of it nowadays, so either I’ve gotten stupider with age, or he was never as wise as he thought he was... Arrogant fool...”
“I have a feeling your frustrations with him have more to do with later actions he took than denying you the ability to harness your talents.”
Viren had to admit he didn’t quite see the point in attempting to conceal Aaravos’s talents in such a way. With that kind of power on the humans side, perhaps they could’ve avoided so many deaths to the monsters in Xadia.
Who wouldn’t want to do what was best for their people?
“Yes, me and my father had a lot of disagreements, you could say. A lot of them were over far more urgent matters than magic lessons. Though it’s petty I never really forgave him for the denying of me harnessing my abilities too.” Aaravos smiled and turned to Viren adding. “I suppose that’s the benefit of being imprisoned; nobody could stop me from teaching myself whatever magic I wanted to learn~”
“That’s the first time I think you’ve spoken about your prision in a positive way. Perhaps you have gone insane in there.” Viren purred and Aaravos’s grin widened in a way that Viren found stupidly endearing. How could one of the most powerful creatures he’s ever met be so handsome and charming? It was honestly concerning how often Viren almost forgot about how powerful his prisoner truly was…
“If there’s anything leading to my insanity right now, it’s you Viren. I wish so badly to truly hear your voice, as if I were there alongside you in your reality… I wish to laugh alongside you and feel your presence in a way I cannot while I’m imprisoned…”
Viren tried not to show it, but this sudden change in tone had him very surprised. For once Aaravos’s tone was not one of smugness but of vulnerability and as he floated closer to Viren to meet his eyes his smug smile was nowhere to be seen. Just a stern look mixed with desperation and anxiety. “That is why getting me out of here must be a priority, do you understand?”
“Yes… Yes I do…” Their faces were, uncomfortably close right now. Though Viren wasn’t sure if it was uncomfortable because of Aaravos’s current tone or how handsome the elf was up close…
“Good. Now where was I?~”
“Aaravos, are you alright?”
Aster’s voice was both quiet and clear as she walked towards the small elf who was crouched and staring blankly at the lake just a little outside of the village. He was using his magic to play with the water in the air in front of him. Causing it to ripple and small waves to form and uselessly smack against the dirt. A wall of nothing more than stone and dirt stopping them in their tracks… And the water would have to wait years upon years before it could even hope to erode away at the walls caging them in.
“Young prince?”
Aaravos sighed and turned around to Aster, standing up and doing a mocking impression of his father. “Nope, it’s the king, all high and mighty and too busy today to talk… So go away.”
Aster’s sad expressions didn’t change and Aaravos sighed patting the ground next to him so she could come sit beside him.
The silence between them felt like it was somehow even worse than talking. Though she didn’t say it, Aster’s never ending stare towards Aaravos told him more than he wanted to know. “Why did you come out here?”
Aster smiled gently before she whispered. “Your father sent me to look for you, he wanted to make sure you were okay… Because he loves you so much young prince…”
“What did the letter he sent you say?” Aaravos asked, ignoring Aster’s response as he kicked a small rock into the water.
“It said he was worried about you.”
“Ugh! No it didn’t! Just tell me, honestly, what did my dad say to you?”
“Don’t raise your voice young prince. I wasn’t finished…”
Aaravos sighed, raising his knees to his chest and mumbling a soft. “I’m sorry… Please tell me…”
Aster smiled and gently pet Aaravos while she spoke. “While I am no longer formally one of his advisors, me and your father actually have a very long history. He trusts and respects my advice more than anyone else, so whenever he is dealing with issues beyond his usual royal duties, when it comes to personal dilemmas, he is very quick to contact me. In his letter, he asked me how he should go about helping you break out of your shell more. I of course have my own ideas of things that may help you, but I want to hear from you now. What do you think would make you more willing to open up young prince?”
“To be able to study magic again.”
“Is that really what you need, more than anything in the world? Or is that just what you want? Try to think more… Long term young one, what you want right now may not be what you need to gain future happiness.”
Aaravos huffed but did as she said, trying to think more of what a future him might want and not what he wanted right now. “I want… A chance to prove myself, to show everyone I really am the prince and there’s more reason for it than just random chance. I need to show everyone this was destiny!”
Despite how heartfelt his declaration was Aster seemed to laugh at it and Aaravos felt frustration pricking at his heart. “Young prince, destiny, random chance, those are one in the same. You do not need to prove to anyone that you belong here, anyone who questions that is too foolish to be convinced.”
The young, prince angry and upset, clenched his grip down on the grass he was sitting on top of, ripping off bits of it and using his magic to set it ablaze. He jumped as Aster suddenly lifted her hand and used her own magic to put it out. Her tone shifting from soft to sympathetic to stern. “We do not take out our anger on the lives around us young prince. That is part of your home, you must respect it.”
“This home doesn’t seem to respect me! I told you what I wanted but none of it seem to be the right answer you want from me! I just don’t understand any of it!” ‘Why didn’t my parents want me? Why didn’t the village want me? Why can’t I harness my abilities? Why am I not in control of any of this when it all weighs so heavily on my shoulders?’
Aster gently pet his head again and this time it didn’t make him relax. “I’m sorry little one, but the answers you seek likely aren’t the ones you want… But I promise, if you are patient things will get better. You must simply learn to wait, the same way the stars do.”
She pointed towards the star marking on his chest before continuing. “You look to the stars every night young prince, because they are just like you, stuck in place and feeling as though they will never be a part of something grander, but you and I know that’s not true. The stars are the most beautiful part of the sky and if given the time they need, they too will see the reality of their existence is not tragedy nor sorrow, but to wait until the day they are connected as part of constellations and stories. Even if it takes thousands of years, they will wait for it. Because they know better times are just a few more nights away.”
Aaravos shook his head, he wasn’t sure if better times were ahead, all he knew was that right now things didn’t feel okay. However, Aster’s presence was making him feel better, even though he had begun to cry as she spoke. He tried his best to take in her words, looking into his reflection and seeing the stars that dotted his skin and marked his cheeks, the tears flowing from his eyes falling into the lake one by one. They rippled and disturbed the water below, but through his tears Aaravos tried to remember that the night sky reflected beneath him was his home, he was a star just waiting for it’s chance to be a part of a constellation.
He just had to figure out what that exactly meant for him right now…
So he looked to the stars for the answers he needed, when they were brightest that night he laid in the garden next to his home, setting down the small lit candle he had brought for some extra light, and closing his eyes just like Aster had taught him. He tried his best to listen out for anything the stars could tell him. He wanted them to tell him how they found the patience to wait so long to be a part of something beautiful, how they shoved down the anger and sadness of having to wait for their destiny. How do they get rid of the hunger and need that seemed to fill every part of Aaravos’s soul?
How does he find his place in the sky?
The stars offered him nothing but silence and the young prince sighed. He didn’t really know how long he had been waiting the only indicator of time was whenever he’d notice his candle had melted down and he had to use his magic to restore it. Still the quiet sounds of the flame and garden did bring comfort and perhaps this was the lesson he needed… To allow himself to simply lay here and listen to the things around him, maybe their comfort was all he needed to get through these times… Maybe he truly should take Aster’s advice to heart and wait for his time to come…
No matter how many candles he has to restore while he does…
“A small part of me misses those nights… There are no stars in my prison and the sky never seems to change…”
Viren looked to Aaravos sadly, the more he learned of the elf’s prison, the more he wished he could get him out of it. “Is… That why the stars on your body have faded?”
Aaravos nodded, his gaze fixed on the sky of Xadia before he looked back to Viren. “I have almost lost my connection with the stars… I can feel it fading, day by day… I don’t have much longer to get out of here before it’s gone entirely.”
“I am sure we will find a way to free you, I won’t rest until we do.” Viren murmured, he had to admit, it was perhaps too much for the elf that he wasn’t even sure if he trusted yet… But he held such a care for his ghostly companion, it was hard to explain, which is fine considering there is nobody he needs to explain it to.
“You don’t know how much those words mean to me Viren, and I promise you, I will never leave your side and when I am out of my prison…”
The elf leaned in towards Viren and hummed playfully before whispering. “I will give you exactly what it is you want~”
Viren didn’t even realize he had held his breath until Aaravos suddenly changed his tone and smirked. “A bright future for humanity and all those you love.” A small part of Viren wanted to call Aaravos out on his constant teasing and lack of respect for his personal space, a far larger part wished Aaravos had a corporeal form he could hit with his staff.
Though Viren thought about it, he decided it wasn’t worth the risk to squish the little bug Aaravos had given him, even if it would stop Aaravos’s teasing. “You are one strange creature, Aaravos…”
“And you are one strange human, Viren~”
Viren smiled back to Aaravos before he heard Claudia speeding up to walk alongside him. Before he could say anything she snatched up the little bug on his ear and began to examine it.
“Claudia, what are you doing with my little bug-er, my animal familiar.”
Claudia looked to Viren with a innocent smile. “I was just thinking about trying to study it! It looks so strange, especially the glowing bits. I’m sure it would be fascinating to try and uncover the secrets of! Especially with the help of some magic.”
Viren frowned and he looked over to Aaravos, who was shaking his head slowly. Even though he couldn’t speak, Viren could tell his instructions currently were to both act calmly and make sure Aaravos wasn’t accidentally crushed by his daughter.
“You could try to study it, but you’d have to be very careful with him.”
“Him?”
Viren cringed, he wasn’t sure what to call the creature… It seemed like it was indeed part of Aaravos so… “Yes… Him… Be gentle with him. Otherwise he might get nervous.” He looked back over to Aaravos who seemed baffled Viren had given Claudia the okay to examine him. The surprise on the elf’s face soon turned anger, with tense shoulders and clenched fists, Viren absolutely did not need to hear his voice to know how he felt right now. He couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips at seeing Aaravos’s mask of smugness melt away again. It was just too funny to him… A little cute as well.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he isn’t hurt, though he doesn’t seem to like being held.” Claudia observed as the helpless Aaravos thrashed and squirmed in her hold.
“He’s just being fussy, he’ll warm up to you I’m sure.” Viren wasn’t really lying when he said that either, he was pretty sure Claudia and Aaravos would get along very well. “Though maybe don’t let his mouth anywhere near you, he might bite.”
With a small smirk Viren glanced to Aaravos, who narrowed his eyes at him, he was sure the elf would find some silly way to get him back for this, but for now Viren was actually very curious on how the little bug worked.
“Actually speaking of his mouth, it seems to have a really strange property, it looks like it has a sort of venom stored in there. Kind of like how snakes hold venom in their fangs.”
Viren looked over to see what Claudia was doing and found she was right, when the little teeth of the bug were touched, a light purple liquid began to drip from them. “Fascinating, but also very strange, I don’t know why I was never made aware of that before.”
He looked over to Aaravos who only opened his mouth and pointed to the fangs his elf form also had, though Viren wasn’t sure what he was expecting, after all it wasn’t like the elf could speak currently.
“Claudia, I hate you cut your examination short, but could I have him back? I promise later when things are less busy I’ll let you examine him more, however for now I would like to have him returned to me.”
Claudia giggled in response, likely at how silly Viren must’ve sounded, asking to have this strange little caterpillar back on his head with such sternness. Hopefully, she would understand later… “Alright, here’s your friend back, I can’t wait to see you again little guy!” She purred, giving Aaravos a little pet before putting him on Viren’s head.
The little hiss his bug pal gave ,before returning to the side of his ear, gave Viren the impression that he wasn’t looking forward to it.
As Claudia returned to the side of Soren, now chatting up a storm about how strange Aaravos was, Viren turned to his companion with a raised eyebrow. “So, it’s a venomous caterpillar?”
“Yes… On some level it is, I hadn't told you that since I did not felt it was relevant to our current goals, but I suppose as your humble servant there isn’t much I can do when you demand to know me on a… Deeper level.”
“Humble? Don’t flatter yourself.”
Aaravos chuckled and he floated towards Viren just a few inches in front of him. “Oh I just can’t stay mad at you Viren~ You are just far too charming~”
“Hmph, don’t try to flatter me either, Claudia is just waiting for my order to practically dissect you.”
“You won’t let her do that~ You love having me around too much~”
Viren really wished he had any way to deny the obvious truth Aaravos had stated. Oh well...
At least he could look forward to more of Aaravos’s dramatic stories.