After a second, Eleda gave Felix her most professional smile. “What we thought is not important, Your Majesty. Instead, what do you want to know about our magic? I understand that elves have a rather unique relationship with magic when compared to the other races.”

“Yes, indeed.” Felix straightened his shirt. “Most races see magic as a natural force, regulated by the gods or instilled in nature, which some are born with, and others without. Humans aside, most races can only master a single element.”

“My sunlight and Mouse’s moonlight,” Eleda nodded.

Felix nodded back. “However, you elves, from what I understand, have a closer relationship with the divine than most races. You receive your magic from your goddesses in a yearly ritual, am I correct?”

“Correct,” Mouse agreed.

“Same for sun elves,” Eleda said.

“You also divide light into two elements, which no other race does. Split their element in two, that is. Not, I suppose, that any other race has dark and light—er, moon and sun forms, either,” Felix muttered, half to himself.

“It is curious,” Eleda said.

Mouse stepped forward, a hand to his chest. “Moon elves have a myth. Once upon a time, sun and moon elves were the same race. However, in the times before time, the Sun God held up a dirty mirror and reflected himself, but distorted. From the distorted image of the Sun God, both the Moon Goddess and moon elves were born. From that moment forward, our magics were split into sun and moon light.” He shrugged, then, suddenly embarrassed. “It’s an old fairy tale. I wouldn’t put too much stock in it.”

Felix grabbed a notebook and scribbled in it. “Interesting, interesting. Would it be too much to ask the two of you to show me your rituals?”

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Eleda glanced at Mouse, who shrugged. Smiling, Eleda nodded. “I’d be happy to.”

“Me as well, but… not until night,” Mouse said.

Felix frowned at him, then nodded. “Right, the moon. Fear not, I was going to keep you tonight anyways.”

Mouse stiffened slightly at that, then forced himself to relax. Just for magic. Not for anything else.

“Then, shall we?” Felix gestured and led the way outside.

Eleda nudged Mouse as they followed. “Sun Goddess and Moon God. You keep getting it backwards.”

“You’re the ones who have it backwards,” Mouse complained.

“The Sun Goddess birthed the blue sky, the rains, and the wind. Who did that in your myths?”

“Well, the Moon Goddess birthed the stars in the sky. What’s your explanation?” Mouse grumbled back.

“Incorrect. The Moon God collected countless diamonds for his beloved Sun Goddess, which became the stars in the sky when he tripped, and they spilled from his arms. The Sun Goddess gifts us bountiful harvests and radiant sunshine. She gives seeds their life and reigns over fertility. Is this not feminine?”

“Men are fertile too. Anyways, the Sun God wants his wife to have enough food to eat, so of course he oversees harvests. Speaking of fertility, is not the night the most passionate time of day? The Moon Goddess provides us with night, a time to rest and…” Mouse glanced backward at Felix. “…produce babies.”

Eleda waved her hand. “Men are more famed for their libido, no? Naturally the Moon God reigns over such a passionate hour.”

Caught in the middle, Felix’s head bobbled from left to right. His pen scratched over paper as he jotted down note after note in his book.

“Then what about the Moon Goddess’s long, dark hair, with which she cloaks the night sky?”

“Can men not grow long hair? When the Sun Goddess arrives and leaves, she paints the night sky in gorgeous colors. Women are more artistic, it is well known.”

“Men make art as well. What about the jeweled drops of frost the Moon Goddess leaves on trees every morning? Women wear more jewelry.”

“Ah, we’re here,” Felix said abruptly, interrupting the argument.

Eleda and Mouse glared at one another, and then Eleda laughed. “I suppose we’ve got plenty of proof in both directions.”

Mouse chuckled. “We’ll have to wait and ask the Goddess.”

“Indeed. The Sun Goddess, that is.”

They stared at each other, eyes narrowed. Again, Eleda laughed first. “You’re too easy to get. I’m sorry, Mousseasa.”

Mouse patted her shoulder. “No, no, it’s only fair. Your ritual is first, yes? Give the Sun God my regards.”

Eleda grinned. “We’ll see.”

They turned to see where Felix had brought them.