Okay, so let me tell you about how things have been since the last update. I was furloughed from my job, then was brought back on to work third shift. It was during this time I learned I'm physically incapable of falling asleep during the day. Therefore, I spent over a month sleeping only two or three full nights per week. That was absolute hell, and I don't recommend it.

I then switched to second shift, which has been great. Around the same time, I started taking antidepressants. I've posted about this on Tumblr, but the short version is that these pills have been an absolute miracle. The urge to self-harm has become practically non-existent, and that weighted feeling of constantly hating myself and my own existence has faded almost entirely. You would think that would mean writing again would be easy, but that wasn't the case.

I started taking online coding classes from my local college, which took up most of my time and mental energy, only to discover that programming and development is absolutely not a field I want to go into. I had a sort of mental breakthrough, during which I realized the answer that had been sitting right in front of me this whole time: I need to write. I need to stop looking for an easy way to start making more money, and just focus on writing and working with what I have.

Even then, however, I wasn't able to start right away, because the insane stress of the election took up most of my thoughts during the first part of November. Then, I had to deal with my family having Thanksgiving despite heated protests, and guilt-tripping me for not going. I'm now social distancing from my parents inside my own house, and my aunt and uncle are being tested for Covid.

A few days ago, I was able to start myself on my path. I'm going to try and get to the point where I'm writing every day, for longer and longer periods of time. I've been out of the game for so long. Depression and other factors led to me doubting myself for over a year. By finally finishing this fic, I feel like I'm finally on my way.

This was basically a very long way of saying that I'm sorry this last chapter took so long. Hopefully, you'll be seeing more of me in the near future, and I'll actually have news on my original projects at long last. I hope you enjoy this chapter in the meantime!

Silvergrove was quiet as Callum and Rayla made their way down a well-worn forest pathway, stepping into shadows illuminated only by glowing white flowers and pale blue mushrooms. A few dapples of moonlight from the bright, full moon scattered through the leaves, shimmering gently on the stones lining the road.

"Where is everyone?" Callum wondered, noting that the town seemed to have fewer people out and about, which was odd considering the full moon and clement weather.

"A lot of them are likely in the Full Moon Clearing," Rayla explained, her voice a little breathless as she sensed their destination drawing closer.

"I knew it!" Callum gasped. "You're showing me awesome moon magic!"

"Sort of…" Rayla flushed, squeezing Callum's hand a little tighter as she slowed to a stop. "I should probably explain, before we get there."

Now that the moment was here, she couldn't help but wonder if this was a terrible idea. What if he thinks this is too much too soon? What if the others are cruel to him? What if they don't even let us near the clearing? Her panicked thoughts were cut off as Callum touched her cheek with his free hand.

"What is it, Rayla?" Callum's excitement gentled into a soft smile as he waited for her to explain.

"Well," Rayla took a deep breath. "The Full Moon Clearing is considered a magical place, but not because of any actual rituals. It's… I suppose you could call it a superstition or tradition, though many insist it brings good luck to…to those who use it."

"I like good luck," Callum said, still smiling encouragingly. "How do you use it?"

Rayla bit her lip, trying to fight down the butterflies rising in her stomach. "You dance in it on the night of a full moon. Rather, you and another dance in it." She met Callum's eyes shyly. "It's a place where couples go. If two people dance in the Clearing while bathed in the moon's light at midnight, it's said that they'll have a happy future."

"Oh." Callum's voice was little more than a breath of air. His heart thudded and his cheeks warmed. "So, it's like a promise ceremony?"

"No!" Rayla hurriedly explained, her back stiffening in panic when she saw Callum's stunned expression. "It's not meant to be anything binding! I wouldn't ask you for something like that, at least not this early, I mean-!"

She was cut off with a quick, soft peck to her cheek. Callum touched a finger to her lips.

"You're gonna hyperventilate," he chided. He stroked her cheek until he felt her relax. Honestly, if Rayla had said that this was a promise ceremony, he would have been totally fine with it. Already, he knew that Rayla was his forever-partner. He also knew that it was way too early to voice that thought out loud. Instead, he said: "So, it's more of a couple's tradition, then. Like Sweetest Day back home."

"That's a close comparison, yes." Rayla leaned into Callum's hand, nuzzling against his palm. Why was I so nervous? I should really know better by now. "I used to go to the Clearing with Runaan and Ethari and watch them dance from the sidelines. I always wondered what it would be like, dancing under the full moon with someone I love."

She blushed as she met Callum's gaze. "See what I meant about being a hopeless romantic?"

Callum's eyes shined as he leaned in again, brushing his lips against hers. "Rayla, I'd be honored to dance with you."

Rayla returned the kiss, slipping her hand into his, feeling her four fingers weave effortlessly between his five. "I'm glad."

They walked down the path hand-in-hand, entering a particularly thick patch of trees before suddenly stepping out into the bright moonlight. Callum's mouth fell open at the sheer beauty before him.

The Full Moon Clearing was perfectly round and carpeted with soft grass that rippled in the night breeze like a silvery-green lake. Shining white bell-shaped flowers hung from the surrounding trees, trembling under the moon's glow and letting out ghostly chiming noises. The moon was almost directly overhead, shining from an inky sky dotted with more stars than a person could count.

"Wow," Callum sighed, gazing at his surroundings.

Rayla's eyes, however, were drawn toward her fellow Moonshadow elves, all of whom had turned to look at the young couple. Her ears drooped at the many glares shot their way. She noticed one of the Council elves from earlier that day muttering into their partner's ear while giving Callum and Rayla a not-at-all-subtle side-eye.

One pair started in their direction and Rayla tensed instinctively, gripping Callum's hand a little tighter. Callum followed her gaze, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze as the elves approached.

The approaching couple looked to be a year or two older than Rayla and, thankfully, lacked the hostile expressions that some of the other elves had. The taller of the two looked somewhat familiar.

"Oh!" Rayla said as they drew closer. "You're Koray's sister, right?"

The taller elf grinned. "That's right. I'm Silvia. Koray's been talking about you two nonstop since you visited the school. We were wondering if you'd show up here."

The shorter elf nodded with a shy smile. "I'm Luna. We're dancing in that spot over there. You're welcome to join us if you want." She pointed toward a spot near the center of the clearing.

"Sure!" Callum grinned, giving Rayla's hand another squeeze as he noticed the intense look of relief that crossed her face for a split second. "Lead the way."

Rayla felt the weight in her chest easing as she and Callum followed Silvia and Luna into the clearing. Taking another look, she was able to see that, while there were several elves glaring at them, there were also a bunch who looked merely curious or even excited at Callum's arrival. Her ears twitched as she caught snippets of conversation from the people they passed.

"…can't believe she'd bring a filthy-"

"…heard they fought Sol Regem and a bunch of-"

"…know humans had such cute faces!"

"…can use Primal Magic, apparently."

The two stopped walking when Silvia and Luna did, and moved a few feet away, so they wouldn't bump into anyone. Callum glanced around. "So, when do we start dancing?"

"Oh, you'll know when," Silvia said with a wink.

Rayla could sense the moon reaching its zenith. She smiled excitedly at Callum, placing one hand on his shoulder and one at the small of his back. He mirrored her, gently gripping her shoulder, and wrapping a warm arm around her waist.

Callum gazed at Rayla as the moon's light sparkled in her eyes and on the tips of her horns. She was always beautiful to him, but there was always something special about how she looked beneath a moonlit sky. She was wholly at home and in her element, like how Callum felt whenever he was flying. He felt her hand squeeze his shoulder just as the moon reached the center of the sky.

The chiming bell-like flowers, which had been tinkling softly in the background, took on a silver-blue glow and started to shake, as if a fierce wind had whipped up. An eerie, ghostly melody swept over the clearing, causing goosebumps to rise on everyone's skin, before growing louder and stronger, sounding like a symphony of ethereal wind instruments.

As one, everyone in the clearing started to dance. Even those who had been glaring at Callum moments before shifted their focus so that their partner was the only thing that mattered. Some danced in a slow waltz while others were practically leaping into the air while twirling each other around. Near the fringe of the clearing, a trio of young elves dipped and wove around each other effortlessly. The melody of the flowers seemed to bend and adjust in the ears of each dancer, so that they were always moving in time with the song.

Rayla took the lead, starting off with a simple series of steps that Callum tried to follow. Under the moon's cool, ephemeral touch, each point of contact between the two felt especially warm and intimate. The soft grass brushed her ankles. The moon's kindly light was like a cool caress. The night air felt like it was charged with hope.

For a moment, Rayla thought she could feel a sense of acceptance and approval coming from an outside source. The sensation lasted for only a moment, then vanished. She glanced toward the sky, and the moon seemed just a little brighter.

Callum wasn't a Moonshadow Elf, but he could feel the magic that filled the clearing and his own heart. In that moment, it felt like he and Rayla could do anything. He leaned close, kissing her cheek. "Can you teach me a new dance move?" he whispered.

Rayla giggled as the familiar tickle of her boyfriend's lips drew her attention away from the night sky. "Right now?"

"Yes! I mean if you want to!" Callum was practically bouncing on his heels as they stopped moving.

His enthusiasm was contagious. Rayla stepped back, holding out her hand, palm forward. "Place your hand on mine," she instructed. When Callum obeyed, she started walking with him in a brisk circle. "When I say so, spin out, then hold up your other hand, okay? We'll join our opposite hands and start circling the other way."

Callum nodded, his brows scrunched in concentration. At Rayla's signal, he stepped back and twirled around once, feeling weightless and adrift in that one moment away from Rayla's guiding touch. Then, he came back in, holding up his other hand…only to be facing nothing. He looked over his shoulder to see Rayla standing a few feet away, looking puzzled.

"I guess we overshot," Callum laughed, walking back over to her, and pulling her back into their previous dance.

"I guess so." Rayla gladly nestled close to Callum again, gazing at his flushed face and easy smile. A few years ago, the thought of making a mistake while dancing in the clearing would have been simply mortifying. Now, Rayla found that she honestly didn't care. She was here, dancing with the human she had grown to love so much. All else faded into insignificance.

Then, the music faded too. The moon was moving past its zenith. The flowers turned white and quiet again. A hush fell over the clearing like a sigh. The dancing came to an end. There was a moment of silence before the sounds of walking and conversation slowly filled the air.

Callum leaned in for a kiss, which Rayla eagerly returned. "Thank you for sharing this with me," he whispered against her lips.

"My pleasure," Rayla breathed.

"You two are so cute!" Silvia piped up, causing them to jump.

Luna swatted her gently. "You just ruined their moment!"

"No, she didn't," Callum said with a grin. "Nothing could've ruined this."

"I saw you trying the spin move," Silvia commented. "The first time I did that one, I ended up smacking my partner in the face."

"Oof!" Callum winced at the thought. "Okay, doing that definitely would have ruined the mood." He looked at Rayla. "So, what happens after the dance?"

"Supposedly, we'll have good luck in the coming months," Rayla replied. "There isn't anything else we have to do, so we can go home if you like."

"Sounds good to me." Callum wrapped an arm around Rayla's shoulders. They hadn't danced for long, but he had something very important that he needed to finish before going to bed.

"Before you go," Silvia cut in. "Would you show us those awesome wings Koray told me about? I've been dying to see what a flying human looks like!"

Callum felt his smile widening a little at the prospect but glanced down at Rayla. "Is it okay if I have a flight before we go back?"

"As if I could say no to that face," Rayla teased, nudging him with her elbow. "Go ahead and show off. Just don't crash into any trees."

"There's a branch over there you can jump from," Luna said, pointing to a large tree with thick branches leading from the ground up.

Needing no further prompting, Callum ran over to the tree and started to climb, carefully avoiding the vines bearing the chiming flowers. As he reached a decent height, he carefully stood up on a thick branch and held out his arms.

"Manus Pluma Volantus!" he shouted, his heart stuttering as the sensation of feathers growing from his arms thrilled him just as much as it had the first time. His focus shifted entirely to the air around him. He felt the currents caressing him and tugging on his feathers. Spreading his wings, he let himself fall, catching the air on the way down. He glided a few feet before pumping upward.

On the ground, the watching elves talked excitedly amongst themselves. Some were pointing at the human Sky Mage with expressions of awe. Others were shaking their heads and grumbling about how such powers were wasted on a human. Most of the younger elves were downright giddy, as this was their first time seeing Sky Magic at work.

Rayla smiled at Callum's form as it cast shadows on the clearing from above. She knew that his face was alight with excitement and pride as he showed his powers to the watching elves. After all the work he had done, after all the doubt he had faced, here he was! She glanced at Silvia and Luna, who were staring with identical openmouthed expressions.

Silvia caught Rayla's eye and shut her mouth, though a huge grin remained. "That is the coolest thing I've ever seen!"

Callum twirled gracefully in the air in a way he had been unable to do when dancing on the ground. He rode the warm summer updrafts higher and higher, feeling the moon on his back and the eyes of Rayla and the other Moonshadow Elves on him from below. He let out a whoop, pulling off a sharp dive before doing a loop-the-loop that ended with him carefully gliding downward. He smiled at the elves who cleared out of the way for him to land. Several started clapping, and he bowed deeply as the feathers dissipated.

Rayla waited patiently while Callum talked to a few of the curious elves. When he rejoined them, she touched a kiss to his cheek. "Did you have fun?"

"Definitely!" Callum's smile threatened to break his face.

"That was awesome!" Silvia pumped her fist in the air. "Can we hang out tomorrow? Koray would love to see that!"

Callum's expression turned apologetic. "Actually, we're leaving in the morning. We both have duties at the Storm Spire."

"Aw." Silvia pouted.

"Well, look us up the next time you visit," Luna said. "If you want, we can go on a double-date somewhere."

"Sounds fun!" Callum glanced at Rayla, squeezing her shoulder excitedly. It looks like Silvergrove isn't quite as unfriendly as we thought.

Rayla nodded in agreement. "I look forward to it!"

"Oh, and Rayla?" Luna added. "I'm sorry about the Ghosting incident. It was just something everyone went along with, but it must have hurt a lot."

Silvia nodded in agreement. "I always hated the idea of Ghosting, but my parents said we had to all go through with it. Pretty rotten way to treat a hero, if you ask me."

Rayla's ears twitched as she tried to disguise her shock. "It… It's okay," she managed to say.

The four said their goodbyes as Callum and Rayla started toward the forest path. A few other elves waved as they left.

"That was…encouraging," Rayla murmured once they were alone.

"It was!" Callum hugged her to his side for a moment as they walked. "It was nice to hear someone besides Ethari give you an actual apology."

Rayla nodded, her eyes turned thoughtfully upward, toward the towering branches. She had always thought that the elves of Silvergrove were all a certain way, and that Moonshadow culture was dominant everywhere. Maybe I'm not the only one changing, she mused. It seems like a few others, especially the younger elves, are coming up with their own ideas about things. Maybe, all of Xadia truly is changing for the better, right now! She smiled at the thought.

Ethari was asleep when the two returned, so they were quiet as they got ready for bed. Rayla went back to her room, as Callum wanted to polish a new sketch before going to sleep. Despite the excitement of the night, she felt herself drifting off easily. Maybe it was the magic of the clearing, or maybe it was the meeting with Silvia and Luna, but Rayla felt more optimistic about the future than she had ever been before.

….

Breakfast was waiting for Callum and Rayla when they woke up the following morning. It was, of course, another moonberry surprise. This one had strawberry custard. Rayla attacked it with gusto while Callum fidgeted in his seat.

Ethari noticed and raised an eyebrow. "Not hungry?"

"I'm fine," Callum insisted. "I actually have something for both of you, but I should probably wait until after we eat, so custard doesn't get on it."

Rayla's ears perked up as she swallowed a huge bite of moonberry surprise and washed it down with some tea. "Is it the picture you were working on yesterday?" she asked hopefully. Callum had given her several pictures already, and all of them were hanging in her room at the Spire. Just the same, she felt a deep thrill whenever she was given another. She knew just how special it was to have something that was so personal to Callum in her possession.

"It is," Callum confirmed.

Ethari smiled. "That's very kind of you," he remarked. "I'd be honored to own one of your drawings."

When breakfast was over, Callum brought out his sketchbook. Now that the moment was here, he couldn't help but wonder if this was an okay thing to give to Rayla and Ethari. Was he overstepping? Would this bring out too many negative emotions? He tried to push those thoughts aside as he pulled out two identical drawings and handed them over.

Ethari and Rayla let out twin gasps as the image before them.

It was a family portrait, with a laughing Rayla in the front. On her left side were her birth parents. Tiadrin had her hand on Rayla's shoulder and was leaning contentedly into Lain, who was gazing lovingly at both his wife and daughter. To Rayla's right were Ethari and Runaan. Ethari was playfully ruffling Rayla's hair while Runaan gave him a fond look, the ghost of a smirk on his lips.

Rayla fingers trembled as she gently traced the faces of her parents in the picture. She remembered that moment on the Storm Spire, when Callum had shown her that sketch of them from his vision, revealing that they weren't the cowards everyone had thought they were. Looking at this new picture, she could almost feel the ghost of her mother's hand on her shoulder. Her throat tightened around a rising sob.

Ethari's hands started shaking so badly, he had to place his picture on the table. He cleared his throat, opened his mouth, then closed it again. Finally, he rounded the table and wordlessly pulled Callum to him, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you." His voice came out thick and strangled. Tears pressed against his eyes and he blinked rapidly.

Callum froze for only a moment before hugging back. He closed his eyes, leaning against Ethari's chest. The tight, desperate pressure of the elf's arms was familiar. It was just like how King Harrow had embraced Callum after telling him that his mother wasn't coming home.

Ethari stepped back, wiping hurriedly at his eyes. "I'm sorry," he choked out. "I need to…" He pointed vaguely toward his room. "Please excuse me." He hurried out of the kitchen, his hand over his mouth to muffle the sobs that threatened to escape.

He barely held it together until he reached his room, where he sat down on the bed and buried his face in Runaan's pillow. Early that morning, he had awoken to discover that his husband's scent was finally gone. He had wept bitterly for nearly an hour, barely managing to wash his face and have breakfast ready in time for Callum and Rayla to get up.

Even when Tiadrin and Lain had been accused of abandoning their post, Ethari had been unable to make himself forget their faces, though he had actively tried to. After Runaan's death and the news of his friends' sacrifice, he had clung to their images in his mind, terrified that a day might come when he wouldn't be able to recall Lain's shining eyes, Tiadrin's laugh, or Runaan's smile. It was too painful to use a moon opal to look back on the past, so Ethari prayed every day that his memories wouldn't fade.

Now, thanks to that wonderful, kind, generous young human who had lost so much, Ethari would never forget their faces. Even when all other traces faded, that picture would remain. Through his tears, he felt himself smiling.

Back in the kitchen, Callum watched Ethari leave with a concerned frown. Maybe it was too much, after all…

When he turned around, mouth open to ask Rayla what she thought, he was startled by her lips immediately pressing to his. She had placed her picture to the side so she could put both hands on Callum's face. They kissed once, softly. Callum wrapped one arm around her waist while he used his other hand to wipe the tears that were falling down her cheeks.

"I love you so much," Rayla sighed as the kiss ended. She snuggled against Callum's front, her heart threatening to burst with emotion. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Will he be okay?" Callum wondered, glancing toward where Ethari had gone.

"I think so," Rayla replied, resting her chin on Callum's shoulder. "It was just a lot, and I don't think he wanted to cry in front of us a second time."

"I see." Callum nodded. Moonshadow cultural pressures won't vanish overnight, I suppose.

The two embraced for another minute, Callum rubbing Rayla's back as she cried into his shoulder. When they parted, her eyes were red, but she was smiling. She touched a wet kiss to his cheek.

Reluctantly, the two left the kitchen to finish packing. Pyrrah would be waiting for them outside the forest, and she had a tendency to be very cranky when kept waiting.

Rayla was carefully packing her new picture with several other sheets of parchment. At Callum's questioning look, she held up a few papers. "I decided to write a letter. It's…a long one. I'm telling them everything that happened since the last time I wrote."

Callum smiled. "How's it feel?"

"Draining," Rayla said honestly. "But…good too. I may show it to Ethari when it's done." Or maybe she wouldn't. Her thoughts on Callum became embarrassingly sappy when put to paper.

Ethari emerged from his room just when Rayla was planning to call for him. His face was streaked with tearstains and his eyes were red. A soft, fragile smile managed to break through the lingering grief as he looked at the two. "Before you go, let me give you something for the road." He went back into the kitchen, withdrawing a thermos filled with spiced moonberry tea and three boxes from a high cupboard.

"Some tea and moonberry surprises," he said. "And one for the young prince."

"Thank you!" Callum gladly accepted the box. "I can't wait to bring Ezran here. Between him and Rayla, Silvergrove might actually run out!"

Ethari laughed. "That would be something to see." His expression softened. "I hope you bring him. As long as I live here, you and anyone close to you have a place in Silvergrove." He turned to Rayla, making sure to lock eyes with her as well. "Always, you understand?"

Rayla felt another lump forming in her throat as she hugged Ethari. "I understand."

After hugging his daughter, Ethari held out his arms to Callum, who immediately stepped in for a hug. "Take care of her," he whispered.

"I will," Callum promised. He smiled at Ethari as he stepped back. "Thanks again for having me over."

"Anytime." Ethari picked up the kids' bags and walked with them out of the house.

As they treaded the pathway, Silvergrove was still mostly sleeping. A few elves walked around. Some stopped to watch the three pass. One or two even waved.

When they got to the edge of Silvergrove, Ethari handed Rayla and Callum their bags. "I guess this is it, then. I hope you'll write soon."

"Of course!" Rayla said. "As soon as I get back. I'll let you know how Zym likes the moonberry surprise.'

"As long as you don't eat it before you get back!" Ethari teased, ruffling her hair. He then turned to Callum. "Well," he said, folding his arms. "I suppose I'll tree you later!"

Callum grinned while Rayla let out a groan. "Not if I tree you first!"

"We're leaving." Rayla grabbed Callum's arm, dragging him toward the path to their rendezvous with Pyrrah. "Bye, Ethari!" she called.

Ethari laughed as he waved back. "I'll tree you next time, Rayla!"

"We are not making that a thing!"

"I think it alrea-tree is," Callum pointed out.

"You hush!"

Even as she rolled her eyes, Rayla let go of Callum's arm so she could take his hand. She gazed happily at his laughing face and turned back once more to see Ethari's smile. She waved back one last time before the trees hid him from view. "Callum?"

"Yeah, Rayla," Callum asked, squeezing her hand.

"I'm glad we came here."

Callum nodded, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "Me too!" The two fell into a comfortable silence as they walked the path toward the forest's edge, a path that would hopefully become a very familiar one in the years to come.

Ethari lowered his hand as his daughter and her partner vanished from his sight. Taking a shaky breath, he looked upward toward the pinkening sky. A gentle breeze caressed his hair, drawing one last tear from his eye. Squaring his shoulders and letting out his breath, he turned resolutely around and started back toward his home. There was work that needed doing.

Life goes on, Runaan, he thought, wiping that last tear from his cheek as the wind touched his face again. And our daughter is going to be fine.

So, I'm aware that the new graphic novel pretty much invalidates this entire fic, but whatever. Think of it as an AU where Through the Moon didn't happen. This ended up being far more good-natured than I had originally intended. Like I said before, the Silvergrove elves were set to be much crueler. I think I needed to write something more hopeful after the year we've had. America is going through a big shift right now, and there's so much hatred and bigotry. Just the other day, a friend of mine spotted a Nazi flag and a KKK cross at a "Stop the Steal" rally that was happening in the next town over.

Still, live goes on, and each generation has the opportunity to make things better. Each person has the choice to love instead of hate, to accept that which is different instead of fearing it.

I desperately hope that 2021 will be the start of a better chapter for everyone. Until then, we just need to get through each day and keep hoping.

Peace out!