The morning sun filtered through Elderglade's canopy. Shadows danced on the forest floor.
Lilia stood at the edge of the clearing. Her keen elven eyes scanned the area. A flash of silver caught her attention.
She raised her hand.
Across the open space, an elf moved. Each step showed years of training. Long silver hair fell over broad shoulders. He paused and turned his head slowly toward her.
His lips curved into a smile. But something flickered behind those deep violet eyes. A shadow of old memories. They sparkled like gems under the morning sky, yet held a distant sadness.
He raised his hand in return. The gesture was both royal and familiar.
Almost hesitant.
"H-Hal!" Lilia called out, voice bright. "Where are you—"
Motion crashed into her.
Lilia found herself on the ground. A giggling elfling sat on top of her. More children swarmed around. Their laughter filled the air, turning her into their makeshift playground.
Halodor's laughter rolled across the clearing. Rich and full. Yet it carried a note that made Lilia's heart tighten. Like a final goodbye hidden in joy.
"I'm off to see Amanda," he said, not quite meeting her eyes.
"Before tomorrow's proclamation."
The wind almost carried the words away. Children's laughter masked them.
The way he'd looked back, just for a heartbeat. As if memorizing her face.
Maybe that was for the better.
Lilia grabbed one elfling in a playful headlock. She sat up, rubbing her knuckles against the child's scalp. Her eyes searched the tree line.
Gone.
Behind her, elven elders stood talking quietly. Their heads bent together as if sharing secrets. They glanced toward the horizon, where the castle stood tall.
"Where did Hal go?" she murmured. A sudden weight settled on her chest.
A young elf girl piped up. Her eyes were wide and innocent. "He said he's going to see Amanda. Are you happy she came back home?"
Lilia's face changed for a moment. Then she smiled. "Of course," she said, keeping her tone neutral. "It's wonderful that Amanda has decided to return."
The child tilted her head. Her brow wrinkled. "Why does Hal seem so different lately? It's like he doesn't smile as much."
The smile faltered.
Heartbeat.
Lilia recovered quickly. She ruffled the child's hair. "Becoming king changes a person. Some burdens reshape us in ways we can't undo."
The young elf frowned deeper. "But why has he changed so much? Just because he'll be king doesn't mean he's not still Hal, right?"
Lilia stood and brushed off her clothes.
She smoothed her hair and looked around the clearing again. She noticed more details. Elves quietly tended to every corner of the natural arena. Some wove fresh garlands from vines and wildflowers. They decorated the huge trees that circled the clearing. Others made delicate banners. The colors of the royal crest took shape among the leaves.
"Elflings like you should enjoy being young," she said. Her voice was gentle but firm. "Growing up comes too quickly. It brings changes we can't always understand or control."
The children scattered.
Their laughter echoed through the air. Lilia looked at the amazing structure around them. The clearing wasn't ordinary. It was a huge living stadium carved from Elderglade's heart. Today it buzzed with children's playful energy.
Tomorrow it would fill with nervous waiting.
Waiting.
The new rulers to be named.
Huge trees formed a perfect circle. They surrounded a vast area. Their trunks were wider than a dozen elves standing side by side. Branches twisted together high above. They created a canopy that filtered sunlight into beautiful patterns.
Light and shadow danced.
Tiered seating grew from the living wood. It spiraled up the trunks in natural curves. Thousands could sit comfortably.
Children darted between these seats. Their small forms looked tiny next to the arena's size. Giggles bounced off bark walls. The happy sounds they made the leaves shake. As their joyful cries faded, the silence that followed seemed heavier.
The forest held its breath.
He used to join in. His laughter was loudest.
Now it felt like a distant echo. A memory slipping away just like the Hal she once knew.
Her eyes moved upward.
The castle peeked through branches and leaves. Elven design mixed with natural beauty. Spires and towers seemed to grow from the treetops. Pearl-white walls gleamed in morning light. Bridges made of living wood connected the castle to nearby trees. Houses and buildings nestled among branches like strange fruit.
All of Elderglade spread before her. A vertical city of great beauty. Elves moved along raised walkways. They looked tiny from here, but her keen eyes could still see them. Life flowed among the branches. It contrasted with the heavy feeling pressing down on her.
She stood there, caught between giggling sounds of playing children and the castle looming above.
Elderglade was waiting for the words that would shape its future. The whispers of change had been just a breeze. Now they felt like a coming storm.
What would tomorrow bring?
For her people?
For Amanda?
For Halodor?
For herself?
Lilia thought about Halodor.
He seemed more distant each day. Once, his laughter came easy. It flowed like honey wine at festivals. Now, it often felt empty. Strained under the weight of the crown he would soon wear.
And Amanda.
Something between them had changed. Halodor hadn't said a word about it.
Tomorrow's proclamation, she feared, would start things none of them were ready for.
Halodor's footsteps were nearly silent. He walked the winding branch paths. Each step landed with the grace of a hunting cat. The higher he climbed, the more amazing Elderglade became. Here, high in the forest city, branches had been woven together. They formed a vast floating network.
A hanging world full of life and magic.
The ground beneath his feet swayed softly. It reminded him that this place was alive.
All around, the air buzzed with activity. Elven merchants called out their goods in musical voices. Their stalls burst with color. The smell of cooking meat and spices filled the air. It mixed with the earthy smell of leather and paper from nearby shops.
"Fresh moonberries! Picked at the eclipse's peak!" a vendor cried. Her silver hair held the shiny fruit.
"Magic arrows! Magic arrows that never miss!" shouted another. He waved one around. Nearby customers ducked away.
Halodor moved through the crowd. His tall frame and royal bearing made others step aside. But his eyes stayed fixed ahead. He barely noticed the busy world around him. Conversations stopped as he passed.
Whispers followed like shadows.
Young elves watched a street performer. He made glowing butterflies appear from thin air. They fell silent as Halodor passed. Their eyes followed him with awe and worry.
"Is that really Hal?" one whispered. Her voice was barely heard over the market noise.
"He seems so different."
His ears twitched slightly. But he didn't stop walking.
As he neared the castle, sunlight caught his necklace. The pendant of special metal and magic gems came alive. It cast rainbow patterns across his face and chest.
An older elf bowed deeply as he passed. The elder's beard had tiny flowers braided in it.
"May the Elven God bless you, future king," he said with formality.
Halodor paused.
Turned.
"And bless you, elder," he replied. His voice was rich and careful. "May your roots grow deep and your branches reach high."
He continued toward the castle. Whispers erupted behind him. The market's excited chatter dimmed. Hushed talks and quick glances followed him.
"Tomorrow's proclamation," someone murmured.
"Everything will change."
The words hung in the air. Heavy with waiting. Touched by fear. His shoulders tensed slightly. The weight of what people expected pressed down on him.
Something darker flickered in his eyes. Where warmth once lived, cold purpose had taken over. The weight of his role seemed to eat at him. But maybe something more dangerous hid beneath.
As he reached the castle's tall gates. A faint smile played on his lips. It never reached his eyes.
His thoughts drifted to Amanda. His plans wrapped around him like gathering shadows.
Growing darker with each step.
Tomorrow's words would be the first move. He'd been planning for months. But what came after? Even he wasn't sure where things would end up.
The castle gates loomed before him. Ancient wood carved with stories of a thousand elven kings.
Soon, his story would join theirs.
Changed.
Forever.