Eryndor walked beside Aelar, feeling a lightness she hadn’t expected as he led her through the winding pathways of Eldrilia. The city was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, casting everything in warm hues of gold and orange. Enchanted lanterns began to flicker to life, their light merging seamlessly with the gentle radiance of the forest surrounding the city. The architecture was a breathtaking blend of nature and art, with living trees forming the framework of buildings and vines and flowers weaving through the structures as if they were a part of their very design.
Aelar, with his auburn hair catching the light, bounded ahead, gesturing wildly at different buildings and bridges. His excitement was contagious, and Eryndor found herself smiling as she listened to him speak.
“And this here,” Aelar said, pointing to an intricately carved archway that led to a courtyard filled with crystalline fountains, “is one of my favorites. I designed it when I was only seventy-five years old!” He turned to her with a grin, eyes sparkling with pride.
“It’s beautiful,” Eryndor said sincerely, taking in the delicate floral motifs that seemed to breathe life into the stone. “It must’ve been quite the achievement at that age.”
Aelar laughed, a sound as warm and bright as the sun. “Oh, you should have seen my father’s face! He couldn’t believe it. He thought I was spending too much time playing in the gardens and not enough time learning serious earth lingua.” His expression faltered, just for a moment, before he continued with a playful twinkle in his eye. “But I showed him, didn’t I?”
“You definitely did,” Eryndor replied, catching the shadow that passed over his face. She could tell that despite his exuberant exterior, Aelar carried a weight, one she suspected came from the expectations placed on him by his lineage.
They continued their walk, with Aelar enthusiastically pointing out more of the city’s unique features. “Over there is the Moonveil Bridge,” he said, gesturing to a long, curved structure made of silvered wood that shimmered as if kissed by moonlight. “I helped design the enchantment that makes it reflect the phases of the moon.”
Eryndor’s eyes widened as she took in the bridge’s subtle magic, the light shifting to mirror the crescent moon hanging above them. “That’s incredible, Aelar. It must be a sight to behold during a full moon.”
“It is!” he exclaimed, a bit of childlike excitement slipping into his voice. “During festivals, people gather here to watch the moon rise, and the bridge glows like liquid silver.” He paused, a wistful look crossing his face. “But not all my ideas made it through.”
She glanced at him, noting the shift in his tone. “What do you mean?”
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Aelar’s shoulders slumped slightly as they reached a small stone bench nestled beneath a canopy of wisteria. He sat down, patting the space beside him for her to join. “Well, some of my ideas were... considered too fanciful. Like the enchanted pillars I wanted to place throughout the forests around the empire. They would create illusion barriers that would confuse intruders, making them walk in circles before they even realized they were lost.” He sighed, kicking a loose pebble with his boot. “The council said it was unnecessary and too ambitious.”
Eryndor’s eyes lit up. “That’s not just a good idea, Aelar. It’s brilliant! It would add an extra layer of defense without disrupting the natural beauty of the forest.”
Aelar’s eyes widened at her praise, and he sat up straighter. “You really think so?” His voice held a note of hope that tugged at her heart.
“I do,” she said firmly. “It’s practical and subtle, and it fits perfectly with the way Eldrilia blends magic and nature. If I were on the council, I would have backed you without question.”
Aelar’s cheeks flushed, and he looked down, fiddling with a small twig he picked up from the ground. “Thank you, Eryndor. You don’t know how much that means to me. It’s hard when your ideas aren’t taken seriously. I guess that’s why I try to stay lighthearted. It’s easier to pretend it doesn’t bother me when they dismiss me.”
She placed a comforting hand on his arm. “You don’t have to pretend with me, Aelar. I think your ideas are ahead of their time, and I’m sure others would too if they took the time to understand them.”
His golden eyes met hers, a soft smile breaking through the mask of cheerfulness he always wore. “You’re different, you know that? You listen. Most people smile and nod, but they don’t really listen.”
Eryndor chuckled, a low and relaxed sound. “I guess I’ve always been good at listening. Comes with being in tune with nature. The trees don’t shout their stories; they whisper.”
Aelar’s smile turned mischievous. “Then you’re perfect for me. I’m sure I have enough stories to fill a whole forest.”
She laughed, the sound blending with the rustle of leaves and the distant songs of birds. “I’d like to hear them,” she said, and she meant it. Aelar’s presence was refreshing, an unexpected lightness that balanced out the complexities of their mission.
Aelar leaned back, his gaze sweeping over the city. “You know, I had this other idea too. It’s a bit wild, but I wanted to create bridges made of living vines that could retract and grow as needed, allowing us to change pathways and confuse any invading force.”
Eryndor’s eyes sparkled with interest. “That’s ingenious! It would be like the forest itself was a living maze, protecting the city.”
He laughed, more freely this time. “I told my father that, and he just sighed and said, ‘Aelar, stick to enchantments and leave the wild ideas to the dreamers.’ But maybe... maybe being a dreamer isn’t so bad, is it?”
“Not at all,” Eryndor said, her voice soft but full of conviction. “Dreamers are the ones who see beyond what is and create what could be.”
For a moment, they sat in companionable silence, the weight of their conversation settling into something more profound. Eryndor found herself enjoying this moment, free of the political machinations and veiled suspicions that had surrounded them since their arrival. Aelar’s openness and honesty were disarming, making her wish, even if just for a moment, that things were simpler.
Aelar shifted on the bench, turning to face her more directly. “I don’t know what the future holds, Eryndor, but I’m glad you’re here. I think... I think we could do great things together.”
She smiled at him, exuding a warmth. “I think so too, Aelar.”
He beamed at her, the sadness that had lingered earlier nowhere to be found. “Then let’s make a promise,” he said, extending his hand. “No matter what, we’ll find a way to make our ideas a reality. Whether they listen or not, we’ll show them what can be done.”
Eryndor took his hand, feeling the sincerity in his grip. “It’s a promise,” she agreed, sealing the unspoken pact between them.
As the last light of day dipped below the horizon as the city began to glow under the light of enchanted lanterns. They had formed a genuine bond, one that might lead to something beyond their mission. And in that moment, as Aelar told her about another of his fantastical ideas—a living tower that grew with the seasons—she found herself hoping that they would have the chance to see it come to life before her mission was complete.