Chapter Text
“Uh Ethari? Can I talk to you for a second?” Callum asked, he could hear his heart beating loudly, which didn’t help his nerves.
Ethari looked up from his workshop, looking back to Rayla and Runaan talking near the entrance. “Sure, what’s wrong?”
“Uh.. not here, at least not in earshot of Rayla. It’s kind of important,” Callum said, not really expecting himself to feel this nervous about asking Ethari a simple request. Then again, was it so simple to ask one of your potential future father in laws for his help in creating a horn cuff to propose to the love of your life?
Ethari looked back again at Rayla, who gave a raised eyebrow. “Everything ok Ethari?” she asked, Callum instantly regretting his choices.
“Oh yes, I was just going to show Callum out back some of the arrows I had crafted for Runaan,” he said, before Rayla’s face softened.
“Just don’t impale him alright?” She smirked, Callum grinning nervously.
Ethari nodded, before leading Callum outside.
“So, what was it that you wanted to ask me?” Ethari asked.
“I need to know if you’ll help me by making a horn cuff for Rayla. Because.. well.. I want to marry her,” Callum said. Well, he did it, he got out what he wanted to say. Now the hard part is waiting to see what Ethari would say.
“Oh, well I mean. I can, but I have to ask something of you,” Ethari said, “And since you don’t want Rayla finding out, it may be a little challenging,”
“Yeah, what is it?” Callum asked.
“Well I will need the circumference of her horn, for the cuff to fit on her horn without causing her pain,”
“Right, right, obviously,” Callum said, “I’ll figure out some kind of way to get you that, and bring it to you,”
Rayla groaned, adjusting her pajamas once more as she paced around the bedroom. She had gotten back from training about an hour ago and had been complaining to Callum about a multitude of terms he didn’t and would probably never understand. He just let her rant though. And then he had an idea. He motioned her to come towards him, Rayla raising an eyebrow before doing so.
“Come here,” he said, patting on the ground below the edge of the bed.
“And for what exactly?
Callum smiled, “Just come here,” he said, Rayla ultimately doing that. Callum took his hands, beginning to massage at the base of her horns. He knew that she loved it when he did that, and if it could help her he would.
“Is this your way of trying to score girlfriend points from me?” She said, her face relaxing as Callum continued.
“Can a man not give his elf girlfriend some love and help her relax?” He said, his mind hating the fact that he still had to call her that for now. Just a little while longer until Ethari prepares that horn cuff for you.
“A certain mage can, unless he’s trying to use this to get something out of me?” She said, Callum stopping for a second in fear. Shit did she know about what he was talking about with Ethari? Was she planning on proposing to him?
“And what would that be exactly?” He squeaked, holding his breath slightly.
“I don’t know, is there something that you’re trying to get out of me? I was just kidding,” she asked, Callum calmly breathing a sigh of relief.
“No, of course not. I just wanted to help,” he said, Rayla getting up and coming closer to him.
“Well thank you for that,” she said, reaching down to kiss him on the lips, which he gladly accepted.
He had managed to get a measurement of her horn, albeit he had to be really careful. Even if she slept like she was dead sometimes, it was a challenge. And from that, he made an excuse to her that he had a small trip, flying over The Silvergrove where he met Ethari. Runaan, hearing the news of what Callum had planned to do, was indifferent. He mostly just cared that Rayla would be happy.
“Hey Ethari, another thing I wanted to ask you once you’ve crafted the horn cuff,” he said, leaning against Ethari’s work desk as Ethari placed the string Callum had used to measure on top.
“Yes? What is it?” He asked.
“Usually whenever a horn cuff is made, do elves have inscriptions written on the inside? Cause in Katolis sometimes they’ll have little messages inscribed on the inside of the band of the ring,” He said, that feeling of nervousness coming back to him.
“It depends on the elf. The horn cuff for Runaan for example has “My guiding moon” inscribed inside, but it’s all down to what the beloved wants for their partner,” Ethari said, “Is there something you wanted me to write on there?”
Callum sighed, “Well when Rayla and I traveled to the Starscraper to get the Quasar diamonds which eventually freed Runaan, I went through a trial to purify myself of dark magic, because I was scared that any ounce of dark magic could lead to Aaravos controlling me and I didn’t want to risk it. Anyways, the Celestial elves there instructed me to fly until I found my one truth, and as I flew I saw her: Rayla,” he said, taking a second to breathe.
“Oh,” Ethari began to say, before Callum interrupted him.
“So I was wondering if you can write on the inside, “You are my guiding light when all is darkness, my love” he said, his heart pounding so loud he could hear it in his head.
“I can definitely try,” Ethari said, a huge wave of relief washing over Callum.
“Thank you, thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me,” Callum said, quickly taking Ethari into a hug.
“I may have a slight idea,” Ethari said, patting Callum on the back.