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If you were to tell Lilia that one day he would celebrating the winter holiday being outside, gleefully playing and hoping along with a human child, a halfling, and a newly hatched Malleus, he would first laugh in your face and then not so kindly sock you in the face.
A newly hatched Malleus, sure. Maleanor would've saddled him with her child, but a halfling and a human child?
Yes, it was absurd.
Absurdly funny seeing Silver carry Malleus around like he was carrying a full grown cat, his little tail curled around the boys jacket as to not drag behind in the snow.
"No fair, Silver!" cried out Sebek, his friends grandson rushing to catch up, "I wanna carry Prince Malleus!"
The two little boys were bundled up, but Sebek was even more so than Silver was; wearing that thicker coat from Baul that his scarf was wrapped into, and hood over his ears to protect him from the chilled air as he very determinedly walked (waddled) after Silver into the areas of the woods. Lilia's son was also bundled, but he could at least walk better than Sebek could.
"Go slow boys~ Malleus still needs his little hat you knitted for him, hm?" Lilia called out, his coat swishing behind him as he casually floated over, arms reaching down and tucking little Malleus' head into the hat.
The little dragon screeched and chittered when Lilia appeared, squirming in his sons arms, looking everywhere, sticking out his tongue and letting snowflakes fall onto it, then made an odd screech when he realized it was no longer there.
"Ah, It's okay Malleus," Silver comforted, "the snow is still here, and we'll still go and play together. Please don't be sad," and while his second son comforted his first, Lilia landed to help adjust Malleus in his arms better, so now his hatchling brother acted as his second scarf, tucked into Silver's actual scarf so as to not catch a chill.
Sebek was not too far away, and seeing the dragon curled up to Silver made him groan (but Lilia knew it was a petulant whine), "Silver! Prince Malleus can't see the snow with him like that!" Lilia laughed and helped Sebek come closer to them, clutching that little gloved hand and gently lifting him over to where Silver was, "Th-Thank you, sir Lilia! But I can walk just fine!"
"Oh of course you can," Lilia agreed, "But your grandpa's over-worry with your clothes may make you fall behind, so allow me to lend a hand." The younger Zigvolt gaped and quickly shook his head, "Nu-uh! Grandpa said this is perfect attire for the season, so I won't catch a cold!"
Lilia chortled at that. It was cute to see how the littlest crocodile was so fervently devoted to his grandfather, eagerly counting down the days to gift something to the older fae.
Silver tugged his scarf lower, allowing for the small black head of Malleus to come up, his little knitted cap settled on his head as he looked around, his green eyes large and bright with curiosity, "Are you warm, Malleus? I can carry you in my shirt if you want instead," but his offer was declined, judging from how Malleus gave a purr when Lilia reached over scritching his chin.
Sebek was still envious, seeing his pout and longing look, so Lilia clapped his hands, "Alright boys, mini training time while we go to Sebek's grandparents for a celebration!" The two boys immediately stood at attention, like soldiers.
But unlike soldiers, they were the cutest things that Lilia has ever seen! And Malleus looked at Lilia as well, the young dragonling listening intently at the bat faerie's voice. "Silver, you are in charge of walking with Malleus, be sure to keep him safe from the elements and be on the lookout for any dangers. Sebek, you will need to secure our precious cargo."
"Yes, Sir Lilia!" Sebek eagerly responded while Silver seriously nodded, "Yes, papa." Then both boys glanced at each other, then looked to Lilia, "What precious cargo is there aside from Lord Malleus?"
Lilia gasped with exaggeration, hand coming to his chest dramatically, "You mean you forgot the most important thing of all?!" The boys panicked, desperately trying to think of what they were missing.
They got Lord Malleus, and Silver made sure that Sebek held the gift that the boys made as a housewarming gift (blessedly not made by Lilia's hands, even if Silver's papa did pout when the boys insisted, or begged, for them to do it instead) so what else was missing…?
"Why," with a grandiose gesture, Lilia summoned a large white sack clearly filled with something, "your missing the presents meant for everyone, after all! You can hardly have Yule without presents now can you?" The boys gasped, starry eyed and excited. The little dragon perked up instantly and he was uncurling himself from Silver, clearly drawn to what was inside of the bag.
Silver reacted in time, feeling the little claws shift as though the little hatchling was about to pounce. He gasped and lifted his hands to stop Malleus, "No, Lord Malleus, we can't open gifts yet! We have to wait until everyone is together, then you can have your gift."
The little dragon prince made a protesting shriek, clearly wanting his gift. He had clearly seen papa with it just yesterday, and papa had told him he could have it today! So clearly, he could have it now!
"Now, now, don't you want everyone to see you with your gift?" Lilia placated, handing the sack to Sebek who took it as though given something holy precious, coming to Malleus and lifting him from Silver's shoulder and holding him close, running warm gloved hands over cool scales.
Papa was holding him now. It felt nice. But he still wanted his present… So he lowered his head and peered up at him with his eyes, crooning sadly. The eyes that said, "Just one present? Please, papa?"
And clearly, judging from the way Lilia kissed his snout, it did not work as he said, "It's no fair if only you get to have a present and your brother doesn't, hm? And poor Sebek would miss out on being able to give you his gift himself in the warmth of a fire and hot coco, hm?"
At being mentioned, the green haired child perked up, "If- If Prince Malleus wants a gift now, I can grab one! But… But I do want him to open mine first… And if the moment can be captured that would be excellent, and- and the best thing ever…" He trailed off, before quickly shaking his head, "Nevermind! If Prince Malleus wants it, then I'll-!"
But it was his second son, his dear Silver who came over and gently patted Sebek's back, "He won't open your gift without you. He can wait, he's just excited, Sebek." Silver looked at the hatchling held in Lilia's arms, "Please wait until we get there? I want everyone to open up their gifts together," he said, eyes shining as he made the heartfelt request.
And Lilia watched with love and amusement as the little dragon seemingly pouted, giving a small screech before wiggling in his arms, seeking to be carried by Silver yet again. The silver haired child gladly accepted Malleus before tucking him back under his scarf, where he would be warm.
They had begun to walk again, Silver dutifully shielding Malleus from the winter breeze but also lowering his scarf to allow the dragonling to look around, curious at his surroundings, Sebek toddling along, using his learned training methods to carry the sack of gifts, and Lilia following behind, magically lifting the bags weight so Sebek wouldn't be terribly weighted down by it.
Was he being lenient on his pupil? Perhaps.
Could Lilia be bothered? No. It was the holidays, after all, and really, what Sebek did not know wouldn't hurt him any.
Sebek's voice cheerfully spoke out in the quiet morning, "Look, Prince Malleus, Sir Lilia! There's the bridge!"
Coming up in view was a bridge, it's wooden floor path and railing lightly covered by the snow of the previous night, and with the gentle appearance of the sun, made the scene perfectly idyllic, even the running, half frozen river made it seem picturesque.
"Just past this bridge and through the woods, right Sebek?" Silver asked, cradling the little dragon closer to him, Lilia walking behind them as the younger made an approving sound, "Yes! We'll be able to see Grandfather and Grandmother soon!"
Malleus gave a small noise, peering at the bridge as they came to it. Likely, the little dragon prince was getting impatient, wanting his present, and Lilia chuckled in amusement. He could imagine poor Baul's surprise when the little prince tears open all of his gifts.
The concept of wrapping paper may not have registered to him, but Malleus understood that one must tear it apart to get to the goodness inside of it! And that, Lilia really wanted to take pictures of when the time came.
The two little boys marched onward, determined as ever on their mission, Silver glancing around and even peering over the bridge below, as though awaiting a sneaky water sprite, and Sebek firmly gripping the bag of gifts with both hands, shouldering the weight (or, what weight Lilia allowed him to feel).
"So~ What did you boys get me for Yule?" Lilia asked, grinning when Sebek turned his head, opening his mouth then quickly shutting it, realizing he was about to be baited in to revealing the surprise, "Sir Lilia! You know it's a surprise!"
Dramatically, the older fae pressed a hand to his chest, "Oh to be scorned by own disciple! I too must suffer in the dark!" Silver stopped the end of the bridge, turning to face his father and replying, "If Malleus has to wait, so do you."
Said dragon giving a loud screech, green eyes narrowing at Lilia, absolutely telling him, "He's right. If I must wait, so must you."
The walk to Sebek's grandparents house was soon filled with chatter, eased up on the seriousness from Lilia, as the boys talked about what they were excited for; Silver wanting some of Sebek's grandmothers food, and Sebek eager to see his grandpa, to happily inform him of the successful escort of the gifts, and Lord Malleus to be celebrating with them.
Right… Malleus was with them for Yule this year, and not with his grandmother.
A part of him felt bad, the small ever in her debt part of him, for taking her grandson out of the castle and into the cottage, away from the noise of the capitol, but the majority part of him was hugely relieved that he could take Malleus with him. Malleus deserved normalcy and while it could be considered treason, Lilia would rather this young fae enjoy the youth that he has so that he can cherish the memories.
That was the main argument Lilia had made. That Malleus needed to cherish these memories, even if he couldn't respond with full sentences, he was clearly receiving these sensations and reacting to these situations, he was responding, meaning that he hoped that Malleus could remember these fond times well, surrounded by warmth, family and love. It was a sincere hope that, next to Lilia's dream of a peaceful world, that he would have that.
The musing, and fond looks at his boys talking animatedly with each other was a scene that Lilia would cherish in his heart, even when they all looked back to him when he spoke, or answered a question.
"I can see the house," Silver said, lowering his scarf and collar for Malleus to properly look and see. Sebek beamed, a wide smile spreading over his face as he could see the house his grandparents lived in, "We made it, Prince Malleus, Sir Lilia!!"
"Khehehe, we'll have to tell your grandfather all about how you so bravely held your own to secure our gifts for everyone," he chuckled, watching the boys run quicker so that Sebek could knock on the door and loudly proclaim, "Grandfather! We're here!!"
The door opened, and warm air from inside flushed out, making the two boys breathe in the smell. Hot coco, dishes made and currently baking. Silver's stomachs growl was mild compared to that of Sebek's, but it was Malleus to make the demanding cry of hunger.
At Baul's quickened gesture to come inside, Lilia could see Sebek's parents and siblings inside, as well as Baul's wife who held the drinks in hand. The older fae smiled, entering the warm house, ready to feast on food, delight, and memories.
This would be his favorite Yule ever.