Chapter Text
The wedding was beautiful. After all they'd been through, they deserved at least that much.
There'd been some backlash when he'd proposed, of course. They were so young, had been the argument, and besides, an elf? Really?
Ezran had just been surprised Cal had been able to wait this long. The past year had been hard on all of them. Callum hd been separated from her for longer than he would have liked. Of course he'd proposed the minute he'd turned sixteen (the legal age of adulthood in Katolis).
After the initial protests, there'd been complaints about the rush. A wedding suitable for a prince and an elven ambassador would take at least six months to plan. Rayla and Callum had threatened elopement if it took any longer than a month, and those complaints had quickly vanished.
Of course, there'd been some snide comments about how the only reason they could possibly be in such a rush was if they had something to hide. Callum had quickly made it clear that anyone who dared insult his fiancée in such a way would not be tolerated.
Finding the right location had taken some work. It had to be big enough to accommodate all the humans, elves, dragons, and other strange beasts who'd be visiting for the occasion.
But in the end, everything had worked out fine, and now King Ezran sat on a chair eating jelly tarts with Bait as he watched his brother dance with his bride.
"They look so happy, don't they, Bait?" The glow toad didn't dignify that with a response. "You know what? I'm pretty sure I saw Zubeia around here, and since she rarely lets Zym leave her side, that must mean-"
A baby dragon the size of table came barreling into him, knocking over Ezran's chair and covering his face with zappy kisses.
"I missed you too, buddy," Ez said, smiling.
"Is someone having a reunion without us?" Callum asked, suddenly standing right next to them. He and Rayla helped Ezran up, and the five of them shared a group hug (Bait's protesting grumbles ignored).
"Congratulations," Ezran said, smiling. "I'm so happy for you guys." He was about to say something else, but quickly shut his mouth. Callum gave him a funny look, but Ez shook his head and made the sign for 'later'.
"Soren," Callum called, spotting the blond head of their friend coming their way. "How's training with the Sunfire elves going?"
As part of the peace treaty, there was a new exchange program, where representatives from each of the human kingdoms travelled to learn from with each of the six elf tribes, and vice versa. The human group was currently stationed in Lux Aurea, and Soren was one of Katolis's representatives.
"Oh, you know," Soren said, sighing a little. "I'm awesome at the sword fighting, but the politic-y stuff isn't really my thing. Plus, in Sunfire territory I have to deal with Marcos being all googly-eyed over his girlfriend. Not fun. And I miss you guys!"
Ezran patted his friend on the back.
"Well, you'll be headed to Earthblood territory in a few weeks, and I'm sure Rayla and Callum will come visit while they're travelling around Xadia on their honeymoon." Ezran gave them his best kingly order look.
"Of course we will!" Callum said, just a little too eagerly. "We were totally planning on visiting you!"
"Aw, really?" Soren smiled. "You guys are the best!" He pulled Callum and Rayla into one of his bone-crushing hugs.
"Besides, you'll be back home and with the Crownguard witihin the year," Ezran said. "They couldn't stand to have you gone for too long." Soren seemed to brighten up at that.
"You're right," he said. "I should go check up on them-- make sure they're not letting standards slack without yours truly around." He marched off.
Ezran could feel eyes boring into his back and turned around. A girl standing on the far side of the field was looking at him, then flicking her eyes over to Callum. It was a gesture that clearly implied have you told him? Ez shook his head. Not yet.
He turned back to his brother and friends. Zym was flying off somewhere, trying to pull Rayla after him. Callum looked about to follow them when Ezran put a hand on his arm.
"We should talk."
He'd left Bait back by the food-- some conversations were just between him and his brother.
They found a quiet spot a little ways away from the wedding party. Ezran could sense Corvus's eyes on him, as usual, but the older man stayed a safe distance away.
"Is something wrong, Ez?" Callum asked. "You seem a little worried."
"Wrong? No, no," Ezran replied, waving his hands. "Nothing is wrong, per se…"
"You're acting really weird, kid," his brother said.
"I'm just… not sure how to tell you this, but…" Ezran twisted his hands nervously, unsure of how to continue.
"You're stalling," Callum wasn't stupid. "Spit it out, Ez."
"I'm… getting married." There. That wasn't so hard, was it? Ezran let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"Wait, what?!?" Callum's face looked about as shocked as Ezran had when he'd found out Rayla and Cal were a thing. "Did I miss something? Aren't you, like, eleven?"
"I'm not getting married tomorrow, Callum," he said, laughing at his brother's expression. "I meant, in, like, five or six years. Geez." Callum's face softened a little, but he still seemed confused.
"So, you're engaged?" Callum's face softened a little, but he still seemed confused. "I know I'm probably the wrong person to ask this, but aren't you a little young to be thinking about getting married? I didn't even know you had a crush on anyone, let alone-"
"I don't." Ezran's voice had slipped from its typical childish lightheartedness to the serious and commanding voice he used when he was speaking as the king of Katolis. "I don't have any feelings like you have for Rayla or anything."
"But then…" Callum's face was a mask of confusion. "I'm lost. Could you start from the beginning?"
"Thing are different now, Cal," Ezran sighed like he had them weight of the world on his shoulders-- which he kind of did. "Everything seems peaceful now, but relationships between the kingdoms are still somewhat uneasy-- not to mention the ones between the elves and the humans."
"Uh-huh." This wasn't exactly news.
"Your marriage to Rayla has definitely helped out Katolis on that front-"
"Huh?" Callum wasn't a king. He tried to stay out of the politcal side of things.
"Oh, you didn't know?" Ezran let out a little chuckle, "Yes, King Ahling has already told me what a wise move I made in making a marriage alliance with the Moonshadow elves."
"What? That's not-"
"Yes, I know," Ezran's face had a little smirk. "But like it or not, your actions affect more than just you and Rayla. You've made a clear staement that humans and elves can coexist, and that Katolis has allied with the elves."
"That's very nice, Ezran," Callum said, frowning. "But what does all that have to do with you getting married?"
"Well, elven relationships are peaceful, but on the human side, things are still very unstable."
"So?" Callum's confused expression quickly changed to one of anger. "Ezran, if they're trying force you into some arranged marriage for 'the good of Katolis' or whatever-"
"Calm down, no one's forcing me into anything. " Ezran smiled. "In fact, it was my idea."
"Your idea? Ezran, why would you-?" Callum clearly didn't understand.
"Callum, I'm king. That means that everything I do affects more than just me-- I have an entire kingdom to think about." He looked his brother in the eye. "This alliance will help ensure that we can all live in peace."
"But-" Ezran could see the moment his brother realized he wouldn't be able to change his mind. Callum sighed. "So who is it? One of the Neolandian princesses? That duchess's daughter from Evenere?"
"Nope, nothing like that," Ezran said.
"I just don't understand, Ezran. Do you even know this girl?" Callum looked defeated. "How do you know you'll get along with each other?"
"Oh, we get along very well," Ezran said, trying to ease his brother's concerns. "I have a feeling you're going to like her."
"Are you sure about this, Ez? Marriage is a big deal."
"I'm sure," he smiled up at his older brother. "Now, if I remember correctly, this is your big day. Worry about my wedding another day."
"Oh, alright," Callum messed his brother's hair, then took his hand and the two walked back to the main party. "Do I at least get to meet her? Is she here today?"
"Yes, she is here," Ezran said as they stepped back onto the dance floor. "But you've already met."
"Really?" Callum scratched his chin, looking around. "What's her name?"
"Aanya."
"Oh, that's a nice- wait, WHAT?!?!"
Ezran laughed as the entire assembly turned to look at them. Maybe he should have saved that for another time. One where Callum's loud reaction would not have attracted an audience.