The grand hall of Stonehaven loomed with imposing stone walls, their surfaces etched with intricate carvings of Aranthia's ancient kings, their eyes seeming to judge the gathered royal family heads. Torches flickered, casting long shadows across the polished marble floor, and the air carried the faint scent of wax and old parchment. Julius Louis, clad in a deep crimson robe, sat at the head of the long oak table, his stern face framed by graying hair, his eyes sharp with authority. Beside him sat Garrick, his younger brother, his expression tense, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. The royal family heads—nobles from Aranthia's wealthiest clans—filled the seats, their silken robes rustling as they leaned forward, their murmurs hushed but charged with curiosity.
Julius raised a hand, silencing the room. "We gather to discuss a matter of great import—a human named Akira, accepted by the elves of Greenwood. Garrick, you've met him. Tell us what happened in Havenbrook."
Garrick cleared his throat, his voice steady but heavy with the weight of his words. "In Havenbrook, I saw Akira with my own eyes. He's no ordinary human. He's married an elf named Elara. The entire village of Greenwood has embraced him as one of their own. He's brought them knowledge—new ways to grow crops. He's planning a house for plants, a structure of glass and metal to grow food year-round. It's… unprecedented."
The room fell silent, the nobles exchanging stunned glances, their faces a mix of disbelief and intrigue. Lady Seraphine, head of the Vaelith clan, her yellow hair adorned with sapphire pins, leaned forward, her voice sharp. "A human? Accepted by elves? How does he manage such a feat? After the war, after all we did to them, I can't fathom it."
Garrick's jaw tightened, his eyes meeting hers. "I don't know how he did it, Seraphine. But he has. The elves trust him. He's bridged a divide we thought impossible."
Lord Drayce, a burly man with a braided beard, scoffed, his voice gruff. "Impossible? It sounds like a fairy tale. And yet, you sound so certain, Garrick. Why should we believe this?"
Garrick's voice grew firmer, his hands unclenching. "Because I saw it. I spoke with him in Havenbrook. His sincerity, his knowledge—it's real. The elves don't just tolerate him; they respect him. He's changed their lives."
Julius leaned back, his fingers drumming on the table, his voice measured. "Garrick believes this Akira could solve our crop waste problem. Our granaries lose half their yield to rot each year. Akira's knowledge—his methods of storing crops—could change that. Imagine the trade we could secure in Havenbrook, the wealth it would bring."
The nobles murmured, their eyes lighting with greed. Lord Drayce nodded, his voice eager. "If he can teach us to preserve crops, our economy would soar. Havenbrook's markets would beg for our goods. We could dominate trade across Arathia."
Garrick's face darkened, his voice sharp. "You're moving too fast. Rushing this could ruin everything. The elves distrust us—rightfully so, after the war. Forcing Akira to come here could spark trouble, repeat the mistakes of the past."
Lady Seraphine stood, her sapphire pins glinting, her voice rising. "But he's human! He has a responsibility to help humanity. If his knowledge can save our people, he must share it. We can't let elven mistrust stop us."
The other nobles nodded, their voices overlapping. "Bring him to Stonehaven."
Julius's eyes narrowed, his voice firm. "I agree. We need to meet this Akira, learn from him. Garrick, you and Lord Drayce will go to Greenwood and bring him here."
Garrick's fists clenched, his voice low but fierce. "Julius, listen to me. Don't do this. Forcing him will destroy everything. Think for yourself—don't let their greed sway you."
Julius's expression hardened, his voice cold. "This is an order, Garrick. You will go, and you will bring him."
Garrick's shoulders slumped, disappointment and anger warring in his chest. He said nothing, his silence heavy, and rose to leave, Lord Drayce following with a smug grin. As they exited the hall, Garrick's mind raced. Akira doesn't deserve this, I should have kept it with me, he thought. But now I have no choice. They began preparations, packing supplies for the journey to Greenwood, the weight of Julius's order hanging over them like a storm cloud.
The next morning in Greenwood, the cottage was bathed in soft dawn light, the air scented with lavender and the faint sweetness of starblooms outside. Akira stirred in bed, the warmth of Elara's sleeping form beside him a quiet comfort. Her silver hair spilled across the pillow, her breathing steady, a faint smile on her lips. Nearby, the mountain spirits rested, their translucent forms curled up on woven mats, shimmering faintly like mist. Akira reached to wake Elara, his hand hovering, but Hana's scolding from the previous day echoed in his mind—"Take care of your wife, Aki!"—and he pulled back, deciding to let her rest.
He slipped out of bed, his bare feet quiet on the wooden floor, and padded to the kitchen where Hana was already at work, her gray-streaked hair tied back, her apron dusted with flour. The hearth crackled, and the air filled with the rich aroma of boiling eggs and roasting nuts. Hana glanced up, her brown eyes warm. "Good morning, Aki," she said, stirring a pot of moonberry juice. "Sleep well?"
Akira grinned, stretching his arms. "Best sleep I've had in ages, Mom. Yesterday was… incredible. Knowing Elara's okay, the baby, the leadership—it's like a dream."
Hana chuckled, her voice teasing. "Your father said something like that when I told him I was pregnant. He was so happy he didn't sleep for days, just kept fussing over me."
Akira's eyes lit up, his voice curious. "Dad did that? Really?"
"Oh, yes," Hana said, smiling as she peeled egg seals from an egg. "He'd follow me everywhere, making sure I ate and rested. You're just like him, you know. But you forget to take care of your wife."
Akira ignored the last part his mother said. Akira leaned against the counter, peering into the pot. "What's for breakfast, Mom? Smells amazing."
Hana's smile turned mischievous, her voice teasing. "Boiled eggs, milk, roasted nuts, moonberry juice, and fresh moonwheat bread. But don't get excited—this is all for Elara. You're only getting bread."
Akira gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. "How could you, Mom? You get a daughter and forget your son? Betrayed by my own mother!"
Hana burst out laughing, swatting him with a dishcloth. "Oh, stop it, you big baby. There's plenty for everyone."
Their laughter filled the cottage, and Elara stirred, her green eyes blinking open. She sat up, her silver hair tousled, her voice sleepy but amused. "What's all this noise? Having fun without me?"
The mountain spirits shimmered awake, their forms glowing brighter, their voices like soft breezes. "Good morning," the silver spirit said, stretching. "Is that breakfast I smell?"
Hana waved them over, her tone warm. "Just teasing, Aki, dear. Come on, all of you—wash your faces and sit. Breakfast's ready."
Elara shuffled to the kitchen, splashing water on her face from a basin, her gray dress swaying. The spirits followed, their forms gliding gracefully. Akira joined them, his grin wide as he sat at the table, the spread before them a feast: eggs, a jug of creamy milk, a bowl of roasted nuts, a pitcher of vibrant moonberry juice, and warm bread. Elara's eyes widened, her voice shocked. "Mom, this is a lot! Why so much food?"
Hana sat beside her, her voice firm but loving. "You're going to be a mother, Elara. You need protein, strength—for you and the baby. You're eating every bite, dear."
Elara laughed, shaking her head. "I can't eat all this! It's enough for a whole village!"
Hana's eyes narrowed playfully. "You'll eat, or Akira's getting punished. I'll drag him out for another earful."
Akira's face paled, and he grabbed Elara's hand, his voice urgent. "Elara, you have to eat—for our baby, for you, and to save me! I can't survive another of Mom's lectures. Please, I'm begging you!"
Elara burst out laughing, clutching her sides. "Oh, dear, you're ridiculous. Fine, I'll eat—just to keep you safe."
The mountain spirits giggled, their voices like chimes, and began spooning Hana's apple preserves onto their plates, the sweet aroma filling the room. They ate together, the cottage warm with laughter and love, the spirits savoring the preserves, Elara nibbling bravely at the feast, and Akira stealing a few nuts when Hana wasn't looking.
A knock on the door broke the moment. Akira rose, opening it to find Saya, her auburn braids glinting in the sunlight, her blue eyes bright. "Morning, Akira," she said, her voice cheerful.
Akira puzzled. "Did something happen in the field?"
Saya smiled, stepping inside. "No, fields are fine. Liora sent me to stay with Elara from now on. She said I should keep her company, make sure she's not alone."
Hana raised an eyebrow, her voice teasing. "That girl, always fussing. Saya, you don't have to if you don't want—Elara can tell Liora herself."
Saya shook her head, her smile warm. "No, no, I want to help. Elara's like an older sister to me. I'd love to spend the day with her."
Elara's eyes softened, her voice gentle. "I'm happy to have you, Saya. I'd be bored without Akira and Mom around. It'll be nice to have someone."
Saya beamed, her voice bright. "I'm glad! We can talk about anything—maybe even those new crops Akira's so excited about."
Hana nodded, her tone approving. "Good. Keep her out of trouble, Saya."
Akira kissed Elara's forehead, his voice soft. "Rest, okay? I'll be in the fields if you need me." Then Akira grabs Saya's hand. "If Elara needs anything, just call me and make sure that she doesn't use any magic." Saya nodded.
Elara squeezed his other hand, smiling. "Go to the field now, everyone is waiting for you, Dear. I'll be fine."
Akira headed to the fields, the morning sun warming his back, the village alive with activity—children chasing fireflies, elves tending rows of moonwheat. Liora and Kael waited near the greenhouse site, their tools ready, the soil freshly turned. Liora's auburn hair was tied back, her moonstone bracelet glinting, while Kael's dark robes were dusted with earth, his expression eager.
"Morning, leader," Kael said, grinning. "Ready to get to work?"
Akira blushed, his voice firm. "Kael, you don't have to call me leader. I didn't feel right."
Kael giggling said a teasing voice, "No. You become a leader. I need to start respecting you; otherwise, Everyone will think. I'm not happy that you became the leader, and Akira, you should start wearing fancy robes. If you don't wear it, no one will know that you became a leader."
Akira gets a little bit angry. "Having fun, aren't you. But my time will come, remember. Karma will get you."
They knelt in the soil, planting the tomato, eggplant, pumpkin, and watermelon seeds Akira and Liora had gathered. Liora's hands glowed with druidic magic, coaxing the seeds into small, vibrant sprouts, their leaves unfurling in the sunlight. "These are going to thrive," she said, her voice excited. "Tomatoes, watermelons—Greenwood's never seen anything like them."
Kael passed the sprouts to nearby elves, who began planting them in neat rows. "You've changed this village, Akira," he said, his tone sincere. "These crops, the greenhouse—it's all because of you."
Akira smiled, his heart full. "It's all of us, Kael. Greenwood's home now."
A little before noon, Thalion and Fenwick approached, their faces bright with news. Thalion's silver hair glinted, his robes swaying, while Fenwick's lantern glowed, his green cap tilted. "Akira!" Thalion called, his voice resonant. "Durin's here—arrived with the forged metal corner brackets for the greenhouse."
Akira's eyes lit up, his voice brimming with excitement. "The brackets? They're here? Now, we can start making the greenhouse."
Fenwick nodded, his grin wide. "Aye, Durin's waiting with the forge. Your plant house is almost real."
The fields buzzed with renewed energy, the promise of the greenhouse—a symbol of Greenwood's future—sparking hope in every heart.