The midday sun bathed Greenwood Village in a warm golden glow, casting long shadows from the starbloom grove, their delicate petals shimmering like tiny lanterns. The air carried the scent of fresh-tilled soil and the faint sweetness of ripening apples from the orchard, mingling with the hum of village life—children chasing fireflies, elves weaving baskets, and the rhythmic clink of tools at the greenhouse site. Akira led Thalion, Fenwick, and Kael toward the village gate, their boots crunching on the cobblestone path, excitement buzzing between them. Liora, her auburn hair tied back, her moonstone bracelet glinting, paused in the fields, her hands deep in the soil as she planted the last of the forest seeds.
"I'll stay here and finish these," Liora called, waving them off, her voice bright. "Just a few more to plant. I'll catch up with you and Durin later."
Akira nodded, grinning. "Don't work too hard, Liora. We'll show Durin the village."
Thalion's silver hair caught the sunlight, his robes swaying as he walked, while Fenwick's lantern glowed faintly, his green cap tilted jauntily. Kael, his dark robes dusted with earth, kept pace, his eyes eager. As they reached the gate, a sturdy figure appeared—Durin, the dwarven smith, his beard braided with iron beads, his broad shoulders laden with a cart of gleaming metal corner brackets. His eyes lit up at the sight of Akira, a warmth spreading through him he couldn't quite place, as if the human's presence carried a spark of hope.
"Durin!" Akira called, his voice warm as he stepped forward. "Welcome to Greenwood! You made it!"
Durin's weathered face broke into a grin, his deep voice rumbling. "Aye, Akira, good to see you again! Haven't been to an elf village in years—feels like coming home to a different world."
Akira gestured to his companions, his tone proud. "Let me introduce you. This is Thalion, our elder and former leader, I suppose, since yesterday. Fenwick, our gnome friend from Glimmerfen, will be helping with the greenhouse glass. And Kael, one of our best, is always keeping the fields thriving."
Thalion bowed slightly, his eyes twinkling. "A pleasure, Durin. Your craftsmanship precedes you."
Fenwick tipped his cap, his lantern pulsing. "Heard you're the best smith this side of Arathia. Can't wait to see those brackets."
Kael nodded, his voice steady. "Welcome. We're grateful for your work."
Durin chuckled, rubbing his beard. "You lot are too kind. Just doing my part for this plant house of yours." He turned to Akira, his tone curious. "How was the journey from Havenbrook? Any trouble?"
Akira shook his head, leaning against the gate. "Smooth enough. How about you? Long road from Havenbrook?"
Durin sighed, his cart creaking as he shifted it. "Nothing much happened, truth be told. Just… boring. Long roads, no one to talk to. Kept me thinking, maybe next time I'll bring my eldest son, Torin. He's itching to see the world beyond the forges."
Akira's eyes widened, his voice bright. "You have a son? That's amazing! How long have you been married?"
Durin's grin softened, his eyes distant. " 73 years, give or take. Got a fine wife, Mara, and three young ones—Torin, my son, and two daughters, Lira and Sigrid. They're a handful, but they're my heart."
Akira clapped his shoulder, his voice warm. "Next time, bring them all! Greenwood would love to have your family. The kids could play with the elf children, chase fireflies, maybe even help in the fields, if they wanted to."
Durin's laugh boomed, his eyes crinkling. "You're a good man, Akira. I'll hold you to that. Mara'd love the starblooms—never seen anything like 'em."
"You must be exhausted," Akira said, his tone shifting to concern. "Come, eat, rest. We'll handle the brackets from here and talk more after you've had a break." He turned to Kael, his voice thoughtful. "Kael, any chance Durin could stay at your place? Our cottage is packed with Elara resting, and Fenwick's already at Thalion's."
Kael grinned, his dark eyes warm. "Happy to host the famous master smith. Got plenty of room, and my sister makes a mean moonwheat stew."
Durin waved a hand, laughing. "Famous? Bah, just human rumors. I'm no legend, just a dwarf with a hammer. But I'll take the stew and a bed, thank you." Durin asked, "Where is your wife, Akira? I didn't see her after coming here; I thought that she was going to come with you."
Akira starts giggling, his voice softening. "Durin, Elara—she's resting. She's going to be a mother."
Durin's eyes widened, his grin spreading. "A mother? That's joyous news, Akira! When did you find out?"
"Yesterday," Akira said, his voice glowing with pride. "She collapsed from exhaustion, but she's fine now. The village celebrated all night—sorry you missed it."
Durin shook his head, chuckling. "If only I'd pushed the cart faster! We'll have to celebrate again."
Akira nodded, his smile warm. "Once you're rested, I'll bring you to her. She's eager to meet you, too."
Kael gestured toward the village. "Come on, Durin, let's get you settled." He led the dwarf toward his cottage, the cart's wheels rumbling softly.
Akira and Thalion headed to the herb field, the air rich with the scent of rosemary and thyme, where Hana knelt, her hands deep in the soil, her apron stained with earth. She glanced up, her gray-streaked hair falling loose, her brown eyes narrowing playfully. "Aki, what are you doing here? Skipping work already, Mr. Leader?"
Akira laughed, crouching beside her. "Not quite, Mom. It's about work, actually. Durin's here with the metal corner brackets we traded for in Havenbrook. I want you to see them—they're the key to the greenhouse."
Hana's eyes lit up, her voice excited. "The brackets? That's wonderful news! We're one step closer to that plant house of yours."
Akira nodded, his voice eager. "Just need the glass now, and we're set. Want to check the brackets with me?"
Hana stood, brushing dirt from her hands. "Lead the way, Aki. Let's see this dwarf's work."
They walked to the forge, where the brackets gleamed in neat stacks, their polished surfaces catching the sunlight. Hana ran her fingers over one, her voice impressed. "These are of fine quality. Durin's work is as good as they say."
Akira grinned, his chest swelling. "Told you—Durin's the best. We can start building the greenhouse tomorrow."
Hana nodded, her tone confident. "Then, Tomorrow it is. You'll be off with Fenwick for the glass soon, I assume?"
"Yeah," Akira said, his voice thoughtful. "Can you handle things here, Mom? Getting the frame started, organizing the elves?"
Hana raised an eyebrow, her voice teasing. "Who do you think you're talking to? I've been tending fields since before you were born. I've got this."
Akira laughed, pulling her into a hug. "I know I can depend on you, Mom. Always."
Hana hugged him back, her voice soft. "Go get that glass, Aki. We'll have this greenhouse up in no time."
In the afternoon, Akira led Durin to the cottage, the air warm with the scent of starblooms and lavender. Inside, Elara sat propped up in bed, her silver hair braided with a moonbloom, her green eyes bright as she chatted with Saya, who sat cross-legged on a stool, weaving a small starbloom crown. The room was cozy, the hearth crackling softly, a faint glow from the spirits' mats in the corner.
Akira poked his head in, his voice gentle. "Elara, how're you feeling?"
Elara smiled, her voice light but tinged with boredom. "I'm fine, Dear. Just… restless. Being cooped up in here with Saya is nice, but I'm itching to get outside. Mom says two more days, though."
Akira stepped inside, his tone firm. "You need to rest, Elara. Taryn was clear—no pushing yourself." He turned to Durin, gesturing him in. "Look who's here—Durin, He finally made it here."
Durin bowed slightly, his voice warm. "Good afternoon, Elara. Heard about yesterday—glad you're doing better. Congratulations on the little one."
Elara's face lit up, her voice grateful. "Thank you, Durin. I'm fine now, just resting. This is Saya—she's keeping me company."
Saya waved, her auburn braids bouncing. "Nice to meet you, Durin. Heard you're a master smith."
Durin chuckled, rubbing his beard. "Just a dwarf with a hammer, lass. But thank you."
Voices rose outside, a cheerful clamor, and Hana burst in, her apron still dusted with soil, her eyes wide. "Elara, Aki—the villagers are here! They've brought gifts for you, Elara—baskets, blankets, all sorts of things."
Elara's eyes widened, her voice soft. "They didn't have to do this…"
Hana smiled, her tone warm. "They love you, dear. Come on, let them in."
Akira and Durin stepped outside as villagers lined up, their arms laden with gifts—woven blankets, jars of froststrawberry jam, tiny starbloom charms. One by one, they entered, chatted with Elara, handed over their gifts, and left, their faces glowing with joy. Durin leaned against the cottage wall, his voice low. "Is she going to be alright with all this?"
Akira nodded, his voice steady. "Saya and Mom are with her. She's in good hands."
Kael approached, his dark robes swaying, his eyes curious. "What's going on? Why's everyone here?"
Akira grinned, gesturing to the line. "Congratulations, Elara again. The village can't stop celebrating the baby."
Kael's brow furrowed, his voice concerned. "That's a big line. Can Elara handle all this? You should be in there, Akira."
Akira waved him off, laughing. "She's fine, Kael. Mom and Saya are with her—no need to worry."
The moment the name left Akira's lips, Kael's posture changed. His casual lean stiffened into alertness. "Saya?" he asked, his voice a notch higher. "Saya is also here? Why?"
Akira noticed the sudden shift, but his tone gave nothing away. It was light, almost conversational. "Liora told her to stay. She thought Elara shouldn't be alone in the estate while my mother and I are out for work. It's a kindness. Why, you curious?"
Kael's cheeks flushed, his voice stammering. "Oh, uh, no reason. Just… wondering."
It was enough. Akira's eyes, sharp and miss-nothing, narrowed ever so slightly. The easy smile on his face transformed, curving into something far more perceptive and infinitely more wicked. He pushed himself off the pillar, moving into Kael's space with a predator's grace.
"Kael," Akira started, his voice dropping into a low, conspiratorial murmur meant just for them. "Your cheeks have turned all rosy. Like a maiden who's just received her first rose. It's a captivating look on you." He tilted his head, a wicked smile spreading across his face. "Should I tell her?"
Kael's head snapped up, his eyes wide with panic. "No!" he said, too quickly, too forcefully. He grabbed Akira's forearm, his grip tight. "No, no, Akira. Don't you dare."
The plea was pure fuel for Akira's fire. He began to circle Kael slowly, like a hawk savoring the frantic fluttering of its prey. "I don't know about that," Akira mused, tapping a finger against his chin. "You've been teasing me all morning about my upcoming leadership duties. 'Oh, Akira, you'll have to wear fancy robes!' It was relentless." He stopped in front of Kael again, his smile beaming and dangerous. "Perhaps a little reciprocation is in order. I wonder what Saya would think if I told her a certain man becomes a flustered poet at the mere mention of her name."
Kael's face turned a deep red. "Please, don't, Akira," he said, his voice tight. "I won't do it again. I promise. I'll do anything. Just don't tell her."
The words hung in the air between them, and Akira's smile grew, full of triumph; it became a thing of pure, unadulterated triumph. The air crackled with the weight of the promise.
"Anything? You say." Akira repeated the word 'ain,' a soft, deadly purr.
"Yes," Kael vowed, desperation overriding his common sense. "Anything."
Akira leaned in, his words a whisper just for Kael, laced with a hint of mischief. "Then I won't tell her." He waited, giving Kael a brief moment of relief before finishing, "But you should never promise you'll do anything. Especially not to me."
He pulled back, and Kael saw the full, unsettling stretch of the devil's smile on his friend's face. This wasn't just teasing. It was a promise of future payback, of favors to be demanded at the worst possible times, of a debt that couldn't be undone. The color left Kael's face in an instant, leaving him pale and shocked. At that moment, he realized just how badly he'd messed up. In his panic, he'd agreed to something he couldn't take back, and Akira held all the cards.
Durin roared with laughter, his beard shaking. "Akira, you're a terrible friend! Poor lad's about to faint."
Akira threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and genuine, a stark contrast to the silent despair of his victim.
But Kael's face remained pale, a statue of regret amidst the joy, staring into a future that was now irrevocably tied to Akira's whims.
Akira grinned, his laughter joining Durin's, the village alive with the steady stream of villagers entering and leaving the cottage, their gifts a testament to Greenwood's love for Elara and the new life she carried.