Chapter Text
It was a nice autumn morning and today their 5 year old daughter Aubrey would start her magic training. Until she returned from kindergarten Aaravos needed to finish preparing all the necessary things and Viren was looking after Nova and Zane. The twins were already 2 years old and really handful.
Viren noticed that Nova was acting a little fussy so he took her into his arms. He then gently caressed the top of her head and noticed that there were two small lumps. He was a little worried, but went to ask Aaravos if it isn't some kind of an elf thing. Aaravos was in their bedroom which was on the opposite side of the hall from the nursery. Viren knocked and after a moment Aaravos opened.
"What is it, love?" Aaravos said
"Come, I want you to have a look at Nova." He said in a serious tone and started walking back towards the nursery with Aaravos right behind him. Viren held their daughter in his arms and instructed him where to look.
"Do you feel it?" Viren asked
"Yeah…"
"So, is it some kind of an elf thing?"
"Well, she is growing horns."
"And it's normal to be like this?"
"Well… usually elves grow horns when they are one year old. " Aaravos said
"Oh… um… You don't think we should be worried, right?"
"I don't know, maybe we can pay Kai a visit since he is a doctor."
"Yes and we haven't seen him since… almost two years ago."
"I'll send him a message that we'll visit him on Saturday."
"Okay."
It was now time for Viren to get Aubrey from kindergarten. It wasn't far away from the palace. Viren wasn't too keen on Aubrey going to kindergarten but Aaravos insisted that it's important for her to be around kids her age, which wasn't untrue, but Viren thought that she could just socialize with the children of some of the royal councilors. Viren stepped into the building and was greeted by one of the teachers.
"Hello, King Viren. You came to pick Aubrey up I presume?"
"Yes." He answered simply. The woman opened the door to the classroom.
"Aubrey, your dad is here to pick you up!" She yelled and Aubrey said goodbye to her friends and went to put on her coat and shoes.
"How was kindergarten?" Viren asked once they were outside.
"It was great! Me and Olivia played hide and seek and I hid so well she couldn't find me." Aubrey replied
"Is Olivia your friend?" Aubrey nodded
"She is my best friend!" She added
"And then we also- She told Viren everything they did today.
They got home and Aubrey immediately went to Aaravos.
"Papa, I'm home!" She yelled and ran to give him a hug.
"What did you learn in kindergarten today?"
"Um…" She thought for a few seconds.
"Aara, this isn't school, they don't learn anything." Viren remained him
"Um… Papa, Miss Evie told us that lying is bad, but most people still do it. Have you ever lied?"
"I never lie, sweetie." Aaravos answered
"Really? What about you, dad?"
"Um…" Viren didn't know what to answer.
"Your dad only tells white lies."
"What's a white lie?"
"It's a harmless lie that is said to protect other people's feelings." Aaravos explained
"So it's not so bad?"
"Um… yes…kinda…" Viren said not really sure.
"Are you ready for your first magic lesson?" Aaravos asked his daughter.
"Yeah!" She exclaimed and Aaravos took her hand and led her to Viren's study. He instructed her to sit down opposite to him.
"Okay, Bree. You need to listen carefully to everything I tell you."
"Okay, papa."
"In the old times there were only six primal sources in Xadia. The Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Earth, the Sky and the Ocean. A thousand years ago I gave the gift of dark magic to a human mage. Dark magic is now known as the seventh source and it uses the essence within magical creatures-"
"Papa, I have a question."
"Ask away."
"Was dad the mage you gave dark magic to?" Aubrey asked
"No." He answered simply
"Really?" She asked confused
"Can I continue?" She nodded in agreement
"The dragons and elves were horrified by the destructive powers dark magic possessed."
"Will I learn dark magic?" She asked excitedly
"Once you master the other primal sources."
"I want to learn dark magic so I can be like Claudia..."
"Your first big task is to learn the star primal. Now, I want you to close your eyes, and do as I tell you." She obeyed
"Listen to my voice, relax your mind and imagen a galaxy full of stars and planets. Choose one of the stars and focus only on that one star." He waited for her to connect to the star and then he meditate to the galaxy to check on her. After about an hour of meditating, she was ready for her first spell.
"Do it like I showed you." Aubrey extended her arm forward and drew an easy rune.
"Ardens Stella" She said and her palm lit up like a torch.
"I did it!" She exclaimed
"You did so well, sweetie. Let's go tell dad." Aaravos was glad that she managed to do it on her first try, even if it was simple. Viren was in the throne room doing his job. Claudia and Terry played with the twins.
"Dad!" Aubrey yelled and ran to Viren with Aaravos right behind her.
"What is it?" He looked at her.
"Today I did my first spell!"
"You mean you casted your first spell." Aaravos corrected her.
"Do you want me to show you?"
"Yeah, show us." Claudia said
"Ardens Stella." Her hand lit up.
"You're so good, Bree." Terry complimented
"Thanks." She smiled
"Do you see how good our daughter is, Viren?" Aaravos lifted Aubrey up and placed her on Viren's lap.
"Well done." He patted her head.
"I think we should celebrate, what do you think Bree?" Aaravos asked
"Yeah!" She exclaimed
"Don't you think that's a bit too much for such a simple spell?" Viren asked his husband
"Next time I'll do a more difficult spell, I promise." Aubrey said
"Of course you will." Aaravos assured her.
The door opened and a guard came in. "Archmage Aaravos you have a visitor." The guard announced and a star touched elf came in. It was Aaravos' sister Aarwani.
"Hi, hope I'm not interrupting too much."
"No, not at all. It's always good to see you." Viren said and went to give her a hug.
"What do you want Aarwani?" Aaravos asked
"I need to speak to you two in private."
"We'll leave." Claudia said and all of the others left.
"Alright, I want to discuss the conquest of Xadia. How are the preparations going along?"
"Well… the Xadian thread seems to have died down a bit… and we were also busy with raising the kids." Aaravos answered
"That's understandable, but it has been two years since you announced your plans. And there are reports of moonshadow elves wandering close to the border."
"I have heard and thought about a possible invasion of Xadia." Viren added
"My army is ready so just say the word."
"In two weeks, how does that sound?" Viren asked
"Honey, do we have enough time to prepare?" Aaravos questioned
"It won't be easy but it's manageable…"
"Perfect, so that's settled. I'll contact the other rulers. Send me a letter if anything changes." "Okay."
"I'll take my leave now…"
"Goodbye Aarwani" She left and Aaravos gave Viren a worried look.
"Aara, is something the matter?"
"I don't know, love… Maybe I'm getting weak, but I just don't think war is the right thing to do."
"You're not weak and you have a right to be concerned. We can still discuss it. "
"Okay, I'll tell you how I see it."
"I'm listening."
"If we lead Katolis to war, then there is a chance that we'll lose everything, even if we don't then we'll still have to be away from our kid for who knows how long."
"I know you care about our little ones greatly, but if we succeed then they won't have to worry about it once they're older."
"I know…"
"We can try to think of a solution that will satisfy us both, but not today. I still have things to do. "