Work Text:
Darra POV.
Kyra.
Kyra Glen. This girl - No, that's not right.. She's Nowadays a breathtaking woman - is the most exceptional person I know. That's not a small statement Coming from an elf, who has experienced the most fantastic and magical things the world has to offer since birth. But those dark brown eyes of her, held so much more magic than any artifact from the library could offer. Kyra has dared things Noone thought possible before she came into our world. She conquered battles, magical adventures and dangerous trials with a grace and cunning mind that was simply outstanding. Kyras work in the DMI as a triling was worldwide known. The business trips she had to make to different countries all around the globe was astonishing, for the society began to think some things over and practically craved for her advice and insight. The bureau of magical things was a name, no history book could escape anymore, cause our team was practically unbeatable. Kyra Glen was just absolutely -
>>Darra!<<, whispered Imogen aggressively across the long table in the dinner room of our mansion and kicked my feet. We may be adults now, but that didn't change our behavior towards each other. >>Did you hear anything I said?! I surely won't repeat it again when your lost on how to decorate the garden!<< She took a sip from her wine glass and rolled with her eyes. >>Try to quit your daydreaming, dear brother!<<
The dark voice of my father came surprisingly soft from the left. >>Son, are your thoughts somewhere interesting? Want to share what's more interesting than your own family matters?<<
Oh.. Definitely not. Only if you knew..
>>We can move the planning of the Beltane Ball to a better time, if you want.<<, offered the head of the Blackwell family graciously and watched me with curious eyes. >>Even if I'm quite exited to hear about your plans on the grand final that you're organizing this year!<<
>>I'm not quite finished with the financial structure and time management yet, but Ruksy and I have a wonderful idea, that will blow your mind and those of our guests.<<, I assured my family and gave a crooked smile. >>Do not worry Imogen, I'm still a good competitor for the fight of whose part of the ball will be the highlight!<<
>>We will see. For I think we all know, that you haven't thought of anything yet. I bet Ruksy is doing all the work.<<, giggled Imogen and ate the last bite of her strawberry dessert.
>>Indeed, that fairy seems fairly intelligent. I heard the counsil talks about the possibility to make her the head of the research department of the DMI.<<, father praised and nodded in our direction. >> It's good to build strong relationships with those powerful in power and wealth.<<
>>well.. True. But if other families talk about such wisdom, the wealth part of the sentence is definitely associated with our family.<<, Imogen spoke amused and made father laugh.
>>My dear, thats just the fruit of hard work, as both of you will experience yourself soon enough !<<, he spoke knowingly and folded his napkin. >>But yes, our family has the wealth and influence that benifits us from time to time.<<
pf ...time to time... Always. Don't be fooled.
>>And when the time comes for you to build your own family, the basement for a good life will be there. So Imogen can still work as an artist with that halfing friend Tyler of her and you Darra, can experience the archeological wonders of the magical world to your hearts content, without grand financial problems<<, he soflty spoke to us, with not a small amount of affection and pride.
A few years earlier such statement would have been impossible. It took a long time, big discussions, nearly a war and the destruction of our family before Jarred Blackwell learned that his children had other interests than him. It was a big change for us, but a welcome one. Even more so, because there were still so many problems my father and I disagreed on. Even after the whole Lotus incident and the revelation of magic to the world, there were still lots of problems on the plate. And I swear I would have left the table asap, if I knew that the biggest of them all would come to discussion.
>>Thanks dad, but don't worry.. It will need time until we steal all your money and escape the country.<<, Imogen spoke reassuring then wiggled with her eyebrows. >>Ah well...and Darra adores his contact at the DMI way to much to go away!<< She giggled into her glass, not noticing the mood getting colder. >> So the least of our Beltane Ball Organization Problems is about who Darra will invite as his date!<<
Bloody wonderful. There it Is. Where are the trolls to stump on me when I need it the most?!
If looks could kill, I swear my sister wouldn't be there anymore. She was an elf and therefore sharp teasing was a given personality treat , but that Imogen brought one of the most problematic topics between my father and I on the table, was more than just evil. But at least she seemed to realize her mistake. The look on her face was more than sorry. Even more so, as my father didn't spoke a word for at least five minutes. The crackling fire in the big Mahogany stack was the only sound in the room.
The whispered speech that came from my father was chilling me to the bones. This time, the discussion would not end so soft as the offers did. >> I accepted her as your research contact for your archeological adventures at the DMI, as well as you beeing friends. But Kyra Glen doesn't belong to us. A magical beeing with the power of the elfes and the faires can never mean anything else for our kind as destruction and suffering! The trilings stand for chaos and war! After the Lotus Incident, that costed us our hidden heaven of safety, we have to fight for our place in the human world again! The humans are deeply jealous and want to limit us again.. To create equality. Think of the riots in the streets, the judging looks you receive and the political demolition! Now that they all know about magic, a lot new and old problems come to the surface. Yes we once talked about it.. Kyra didn't cause that catastrophe, but she has the potential to awake new disasters! Darra, I have said it more than once: Kyra is not the right person to spend your time with! She can't be a romantic interest for you, as you know as well. Eight years since meeting her and still you have learned nothing. By the Gods, the bloodline of this family won't be dragged trough mud and pain!<< Every sharp word of him came with a tremble in the house. The tiles on the floor, the big chandelier above our heads as well as the windows reacted on the magic of the head of the Blackwell House. My father rose from the table and I copied his actions with grace, to meet him as his heir. His equal. It took me awhile, but I learned to be brave and strong against him. For a while, after the destruction of the lotus, we understood each other better and he seemed not only proud but happy. But while the world changed, his dreams for me, his plans for my future, still were inside his heart. The way I had to appear, to function as his heir and with whom I had to spend my time with. I had fought long to date Kyra and only because of the good press he didn't say anything against it.
So now that I was steeled with the knowledge how to fight with him, it seemed that nothing could break the power of our glances. My Sister stood up as well and readied herself, if it came to a fight. We never directly came to harming the other one before, but all of us seemed to feel that we were on a point on no return. >> I have waited for that childish obsession to go by, but it seems I have to remind you again and again. Darra Blackwell, you will definitely not choose her as your date to a day , which has been the most important ritual of our magical society for a thousand years! All hundret years we renew our magic and bath in the holy sea of gold. You know what symbolic meaning a romantic partnership has on Beltane! No mortal human - not even to a third - ever laid eyes on it or even dared to think of going into the water! It's location and safety is the legacy of our family and you won't ruin it with this woman<<
>>Ruin the legacy?<<, I whispered aghast and shoke my head, while I felt the anger rise within me like a phoenix. >>Because of her we still have Magic, she saved you during one of your business meetings in Sydney, she rescued and protected Imogen and me more than I can count and helps people all over the world!<<, I hissed at him and balled my fists. >>Kyra is as fearless as any elf, kind as a fairy and as beautiful as a mermaid. She was born with magic, you know that! And besides...Her magic is incomparably powerful. What more could you want for me? What other woman could fulfill your high Blackwell expectations more than the one and only Kyra Glen?!<<
>> A real Elf.<<, he answered coldly. >>So that my grandchildren will have elfish ears and not four arms or some other mutation she could bring! <<
>>Father!<<, protested Imogen loudly and seemed deeply shocked. Her ears were tinted in a deep shade of red. >>How dare -<<
>>Father, you do realize that you will never meet those future grandchildren if you keep on holding onto those old prejudice ?! We life in a time of peace! Yes, there are riots but if you hold onto that hate instead of trying for peace... Nothing will change for the better! For once try to understand me! I have waited years to court Kyra the way she deserved it, so that you would have time to come over that whole topic ... And I definitely won't wait anymore to go the next step. I will marry that woman.<<, I whispered with a small laugh and a smile, that brought tears to Imogens eyes. While my father looked at me with big eyes, my speech grew louder and more confident. >>Father, I will marry Kyra Glen someday soon. And there is absolutely nothing you can do against it! I will ask for her hand on that Beltane ball and if you announce five minutes later that I'm banned from the family tree.. then so be it! This woman has earned your respect and a place on this table, more than the mother you chose for us a long time ago! I won't stand by to watch ad my own family grows apart in loosened love and affection. I don't need your wealth, your name or your good will. I just want you to wake up someday and realize how much you lost through your hate!<<, my voice boomed through the wide room and beyond, so that the paintings of my ancestors would surely hear it at the third level of the house. >>I thought you had changed. I really hoped you eyesight would have bin cleared. But now I see that my deepest fear comes true. But when I have to choose between Kyra and you, it wouldn't be a hard decision.<<
>>Well.<<, he gulped. >>Then so be it. I don't need to wait to the Beltane Ball. Any last words as my son?<<, Jarred Blackwell asked boldly and lifted on eyebrow, while something akin to suffering shone in his eyes.
>>You cannot mean it!<<, Imogen screamed at our father, clearly on the edge of begging for me. >>Both of you stop it now! <<
>>Leave it Sister. We all knew that you're not only his favorite but also the better heiress for the Blackwell legacy, so my absence won't be much of a problem.<< I smiled lightly at her and then gave my father one last hard glance. >>Last words as your son? I'm grateful that you have given me entrance to our vaults long ago, so that the promise ring from great grandmother le Fay is already in my possession!<< I bowed mockingly at my father and lifted two fingers, to jump magically away. >>Have a good evening you two last Blackwells!<<
........................................................................
My feet landed on soft and slightly wet grass and I nearly tripped into the hammock. I raised my head to look at the modern house at the river. The lights were still on and illuminated the surface of the water with a golden glow. I stood still for a moment, took a deep breath and looked to the stars. The final fight with my dad was not something that Didn't pass me by without a trace. I had so dearly hoped that he would see reason after the lotus... But his pride had won.
The adrenaline and emotional revolt in me slowly calmed down to a deep sadness. But the sight before me gave me comfort. The Glen House always had a air of warmth and familiarity around it. It felt more like home than our mansion ever had. Lilly would call it "The Glen Magic".
As I jogged the garden stair steps to the veranda, a soft baritone startled me. >>Darra?<< Steve Glen was sitting in a chair with a mug of coffee in his hand. He looked at my rather Agitated appearance, the expensive dinner clothes and my elf ears and raised an eyebrow. Instead of a judging look, his face was full of worry. >>Son, is everything alright?<<
Son
Thst softly spoken word full of empathy and honesty brought tears to my eyes. My own father by blood wouldn't use that phrase for me anymore...Not that he did it very often with love before, but even so it was hard to cut the ties to the family.
At least Imogen will still love me.
>>Darra? What happend?<< The lack of an answer made Steve stand up and come to me. >>Shouldn't you be dinning with your family? I thought that Saturday evenings were something holy for the Blackwells?<<
>>They are...<<, I whispered softly and tried a small smile. >>.. For those who still are a part of the Blackwell family.<<
>>Oh Darra... No.. You don't mean.. << Steve seemed deeply shocked and saddened. He shook his head in incomprehension >> But How?!<<
>>My father... He didn't agree with my plans concerning the future.<< I leaned on the veranda and looked into the nightsky.
>> But I Thought he accepted your work as a archeologists instead as his heir of his business?<< Steve placed himself next to me.
>>It's not about work.<<, I whispered slowly, while my heart suddenly beated at doubled pace. I reached into my jackets pocket and pulled out a small dark blue velvet box with my family's seal on it. I heard a small gasp from the man beside me. >>It was my plan to ask for your blessing on the barbecue next Wednesday. It was - and still is - my plan to ask Kyra to marry me. But my father still holds onto his prejudice. He's stuck in the old world and doesnt handle the fusion of the human and magical society very well. He still can't See what a wonderful person Kyra is. So... This evening it finally happened.<< I gulped hard. >>I had to decide between my family and Kyra.<< I scoffed with a bit of a crazy smile, while Steve nearly let his mug fall from shock. >>So now I'm not a Blackwell anymore. In fear.. I imagined this day for a long time... But nothing could have prepared me for that deep feeling of disappointment.<< I shook my head, cleared my throat and looked into Steve's clear and bright eyes that looked at me with pity. I spoke again, with as much confidence I could afford: >> I have no big name thats glowing with influence and wealth anymore. I don't have a home or a family as well.... But what I have left belongs to your daughter. This ring, my love and my magic. I can't promise you to give her all she deserves, because nowadays I can't afford the world... But I will definitely try my best to make Kyra happy. And I wouldn't dare to ask her to be with me, without the blessing of the man who is most important to her, who raised her to be the woman she is now and knows her better than anyone else.<<
I took a deep breath and waited for an answer. But Steve took his time and watched me with an extreme serenity and calmness that brought my nerves nearly to despair. The sound of the night and the water painted the silence for a good minute or two, before he spoke to me with eyes soft and warm. >>Thank you Darra. Not only for your words, but for your devotion to my daughter. I don't know what a type of man I imagined for my daughter... And it definitely wasn't an elf... << both of us laughed lightly. >>.. But you are perfekt for her. In so many ways your relationship reminds me of Kyras Mum and myself. Different people.. With different backstories... Who seem to fit like a puzzle. So.... You definitely have my blessing and also my respect. The decision between family and love is not one that's lightly made.... And I wish it hadn't come this far. Maybe it will get better someday. Jarred will see his fault, I'm sure of it.<< Thousands trolls and stones fell from my heart and the grin couldn't be washed from my face after his blessing. Steve smiled also, with a bit of a glossy layer on his eyes. >>And I have to say your speech was pretty impressive. Nearly everything you said was true.<<
Nearly?
Confused I repeated my thoughts out loud. >>Why only nearly?<<
>>well, it's not true that you don't have a family anymore! For one.. Your sister Imogen won't let you go... And also, far more important, You're a part of my family now.<<, he spoke softly and placed a hand on my shoulder. Now I also had tears in my eyes and felt that my ears were getting red. >>You're like a son to me, Darra, even if you and Kyra never elope. You've done so much for our family over the years and been a constant in our life. You're welcome to stay here and I pretty much won't hear otherwise! Besides... You're the only one who can make such fine Salat dressings and compliment my grilling as if it was a gourmet dish!<<
Don't cry... Your a man... An elf.. Don't..
I hugged Steve before I could think twice about it. He laughed and clapped me on my back, while I tried to hide my tears on his shoulder.
>>Dad? What's - << Kyra stood in her Pyjama at the door to the living room and looked very much confused. >>Dad?! Darra?! Is everything alright?<<
We let go of each other and hurried to make us appear as not so teary and emotional. While Kyra walked to us, Steve hurried to tug the velvet box back in my jacket, before his daughter could see anything. Kyra gave me a soft hug and asked about what's going on and how I'm feeling, Steve winked at me and made his way into the house.
>>Darra?<< She layed a hand on my chest and looked at me with dark eyes full of worry. >>Is everything alright?<<
>>Not yet.. But it will be.<<, I answered softly and kissed her forehead, before I grinned at her. >>Have I told you that I think of writing a life changing book? Today I gathered really much inspiration!<<
>>Okay... You scare me a bit with that mood swing. But fine, I will bite.<<, she giggled confused and raised one eyebrow. >>how would you name that book of yours? <<
I winked at her and tugged a bit of her dark hair behind her ears. >>How to ruin your family legacy! <<