The evening sky draped Greenwood Village in a soft violet glow, the starbloom grove twinkling like a sea of fireflies, their delicate petals catching the last light of day. The air carried the sweet scent of apples and the faint musk of cooling earth, a reminder of the harvest season's approach. The village was quiet now, the flurry of gift-giving over, the cobblestone paths empty save for a few children chasing glowbugs. Inside Hana's cottage, the air was warm with the lingering aroma of lavender and starbloom salve. Still, the small space was crowded with gifts—woven starbloom blankets dyed in hues of emerald and sapphire, carved wooden cradles etched with elven runes for protection, jars of froststrawberry jam sealed with wax, and tiny moonbloom crowns sized for a newborn. The gifts, piled high on tables and tucked into corners, spoke of the elves' traditions—offerings of warmth, nourishment, and blessings for Elara's unborn child.
Akira stepped into the cottage, his boots soft on the wooden floor, his heart swelling at the sight. Elara sat on the bed, her silver hair loose, her gray dress rumpled, her green eyes heavy with exhaustion but bright with gratitude. Hana stood by the hearth, her gray-streaked hair falling from its bun, her apron dusted with flour from the day's work. Saya sat cross-legged on a stool, her auburn braids frayed, her hands clutching a half-finished starbloom garland, her face flushed from hours of welcoming villagers.
Akira clapped his hands, grinning. "Good work, you three! The villagers really outdid themselves today."
Hana spun around, her brown eyes narrowing, a spark of irritation in her voice. "Good work? Aki, you didn't lift a finger! We've been here all day, greeting every villager, stacking gifts, smiling through it all, while you were off with Durin. You're the leader now—act like it!"
Akira raised his hands, his grin sheepish. "I know, Mom, I'm sorry! I got caught up with Durin and the brackets. I'll make it up to you, promise." Akira picked up a small, living plant in a clay pot. Its leaves were a deep blue and emitted a soft, gentle glow. "And this gloomy little shrub?"
"That is a Lullaby-root," Elara explained, her voice warm. "Its light pulses in a rhythm that mimics a heartbeat. It sings a silent song that only newborns can hear, calming them. We will place it near the cradle."
Akira whistled, impressed. "Practical and magical. I feel my gift is suddenly awakening inadequate." He pulled a small, clumsily wrapped package from his pocket. It was tied with a simple string instead of a braided vine. "It's just a carving. A wolf. For protection."
Elara took it, her fingers unwrapping it with care. Inside was a small wooden figure, expertly carved from heart-of-oak. The craftsmanship was rough compared to the ethereal gifts surrounding them, but it was filled with a fierce, loving energy. "Dear, it is perfect," she said sincerely. "It carries your strength. Thank you." Elara laughed, her voice weary but amused. "Hana, this was more exhausting than a day in the fields. I think I'd rather be planting seeds than shaking hands."
Akira chuckled, sitting beside her, his hand brushing hers. "You're tougher than me, Elara. I'd have hidden under the bed by the tenth villager."
Hana huffed, her tone softening but still teasing. "Enough of that. Let's get dinner ready. Saya, you're staying with us for dinner tonight."
Saya's eyes widened, her voice hesitant. "Oh, Hana, that's too much. I should get back to my place—"
Elara leaned forward, her smile playful. "What, you don't want to eat dinner with your big sister? Come on, Saya, stay. It'll be fun."
Saya's cheeks flushed, her resolve crumbling. "Alright, alright, you win. I'll stay. But only because you called me your sister."
Hana smiled, heading to the kitchen. "That's settled. Akira, Saya, can you help me with dinner? Elara, you rest."
The kitchen bustled as Hana pulled out pots, filling the air with the scent of simmering moonwheat broth and roasting nuts. Akira chopped froststrawberries, their tangy aroma mixing with the broth, while Saya kneaded dough for fresh bread, her hands quick and practiced. Their chatter filled the room, a comforting rhythm of clinking spoons and laughter. The mountain spirits, lounging near Elara, stirred as the silver spirit glided into the cottage, its translucent form shimmering like moonlight on water.
Elara looked up, her voice surprised. "Silver! I thought you and the others went back to the mountains this morning. Did you come alone?"
The silver spirit hovered, its voice a soft breeze, tinged with mock offense. "Alone? You think I'd sneak off just to hog the apple preserves? I'm not that selfish, Elara."
Elara laughed, her eyes twinkling. "Oh, I don't know. Those preserves are tempting. Admit it—you wanted them all to yourself."
The spirit's form shimmered brighter, its tone earnest. "No, no. The others are worried about you, Elara. We all wanted to stay, but the mountains need us—maintaining the streams, guiding the animals, keeping the balance. So, we talked, and I volunteered to stay with you until the baby's born." It paused, its form dimming shyly. "If something happened to you, how would we get more of Hana's preserves? It's… strategic."
Elara blushed, her laughter bubbling over. "Strategic, huh? Well, I'm honored. I'll be in your care, Silver."
The spirit glowed, its voice cheerful. "Good. I'll keep you safe."
Hana called from the kitchen, her voice warm. "Dinner's ready! Come eat, all of you."
They gathered around the table, the spread simple but hearty: steaming moonwheat broth, roasted nuts, froststrawberry slices, fresh bread, and a jug of moonberry juice. The silver spirit hovered beside Elara, spooning apple preserves from a jar, its form shimmering with delight. As they ate, Elara shared the spirit's decision, her voice soft. "Silver's staying with me until the baby comes. Says it's to keep me safe—and to secure the preserves."
Akira grinned, his spoon pausing. "Smart spirit. Those preserves are worth guarding."
Hana chuckled, her eyes warm. "You're welcome to them, Silver. Just don't eat us out of house and home."
Saya giggled, her voice light. "I think Silver's got the right idea. Elara's got the best company now."
After dinner, Saya hugged Elara, her voice soft. "Thanks for letting me stay. I'll see you tomorrow, big sister."
Elara squeezed her hand, smiling. "Anytime, Saya."
Saya slipped out into the night, the starblooms lighting her path. Hana yawned, heading to her room. "I'm off to bed. Don't stay up too late, you two."
The silver spirit curled up beside Elara, its form dimming as it fell asleep, a faint glow pulsing like a heartbeat. Akira sat on the bed, his hand finding Elara's, their fingers intertwining. The cottage was quiet, the gifts a warm reminder of the village's love.
Akira's voice was light, his eyes glinting. "You should've seen Kael this afternoon. I caught him blushing when I mentioned Saya was here. Teased him mercilessly—said I'd tell her he was asking about her. His face went red as a froststrawberry."
Elara laughed, her voice bright. "Oh, Aki, you're terrible! Poor Kael. Did he beg for mercy?"
"Practically," Akira said, grinning. "Swore he'd do anything if I kept quiet. I told him never to promise 'anything' to me. He looked like he'd seen a stone drake."
They laughed, the sound filling the room, but Akira's expression grew serious, his voice low. "Elara, I need to talk to you about something. I haven't spoken to Fenwick yet, but I'm thinking of going to Glimmerfen tomorrow. The brackets are here, and we just need glass for the greenhouse. The sooner I go, the better. But… will you be okay without me?"
Elara pulled his cheeks gently, her green eyes warm. "Who says I'm alone? I've got Hana, Saya, Silver, Liora, and the whole village. I'll be more than fine, Dear."
Akira's brow furrowed, his voice soft. "I know, but I worry. You're carrying our baby, and I'm running off again."
Elara grabbed his hand, her voice firm. "What about you? You've been working nonstop—fields, brackets, leadership. Are you going to be alright?"
Akira kissed her, his smile reassuring. "I'm fine, Elara. This is nothing compared to Earth. Back there, I'd stay up all night studying for exams, racing to finish projects. Those were nightmares—deadlines, grades, professors breathing down my neck. This? This is work I love."
Elara's eyes narrowed, her voice curious. "Exams? Projects? What are those? They don't sound so bad."
Akira grabbed her shoulders, his voice dramatic. "Not bad? Elara, you have no idea. Hours of memorizing, writing until your hand cramps, praying you don't fail. What I'm doing now is a breeze compared to that."
Elara's eyes widened, her laughter soft. "Okay, I see it in your face—you're desperate. It must've been awful."
"It was," Akira said, his tone softening. "But I promise, after Glimmerfen, I'll rest. No more pushing myself."
Elara squeezed his hand, her voice gentle. "You'd better. I need you to be healthy for our baby."
They leaned against each other, their hands clasped, gazing out the window at the starlit sky, the starblooms glowing like a promise of tomorrow.
The next morning, Akira rose early, the cottage quiet save for the soft snores of the silver spirit curled beside Elara. He slipped out, the dawn air cool against his skin, and headed to Thalion's tree-house cottage, its wooden steps winding around an ancient oak. Inside, Thalion and Fenwick sat by a starbloom lantern, sipping moonberry tea, the air scented with its tangy sweetness.
Akira knocked, stepping inside. "Morning, Thalion, Fenwick. Got a minute?"
Thalion gestured to a chair, his silver hair glinting. "Always, Akira. What's on your mind?"
Akira sat, his voice eager. "Fenwick, the brackets are here, thanks to Durin. The greenhouse is so close now—we just need glass. I think it's time to go to Glimmerfen. What do you say?"
Fenwick's eyes lit up, his green cap bobbing as he leaned forward. "Finally! I've been itching to get back home and sort out the glass trade. When do you want to leave?"
Akira grinned, his excitement infectious. "As soon as possible. How long's the trip?"
Fenwick rubbed his chin, his lantern glowing brighter. "Not long, if you know the way. Start at noon, and we'll reach Glimmerfen by evening. But the Whispering Woods are tricky—without a gnome's nose for navigation, you could wander for weeks, months, or never find it."
Akira laughed, clapping Fenwick's shoulder. "Thank the Forest Heart we've got you, then. Noon it is. Any problems with that?"
Fenwick shook his head, his voice cheerful. "None at all. The sooner we go, the better for Glimmerfen's gnomes. They're counting on this trade."
Thalion nodded, his eyes warm. "A wise plan, Akira. The greenhouse will change Greenwood."
Akira stood, his voice firm. "We'll start preparing. I'll let Hana and Elara know."
He returned to the cottage, where Hana, Elara, and Saya sat around the table, nibbling on moonwheat bread, the silver spirit perched on Saya's head, its form shimmering playfully. Elara smiled as Akira entered, her voice teasing. "Back so soon, leader?"
Akira chuckled, then turned to Hana. "Mom, can we talk outside for a moment?"
Hana followed him into the garden, the starblooms glowing faintly in the morning light. Akira took a deep breath, his voice steady. "I'm going to Glimmerfen with Fenwick at noon. We need the glass to finish the greenhouse."
Hana's eyes softened, but her brow furrowed, sensing his unease. "That's a good plan, Aki. But something's bothering you. What is it?"
Akira's eyes widened, his voice soft. "How do you always know? It's… I don't want to leave Elara, not now."
Hana patted his head, her voice warm. "I'm your mom, Aki. I know everything. You don't need to worry about Elara. She's got me, Saya, Silver, Liora, and the whole village. She's in good hands."
Akira laughed, his tension easing. "Elara said the same thing last night. You two are ganging up on me."
Hana grinned, still patting his head. "Then you've got no excuse to worry. Go to Glimmerfen, get that glass, and come back safe."
Akira nodded, his smile returning. "Thanks, Mom."
They returned to the cottage, where Hana began packing a satchel with bread, nuts, and a jar of apple preserves for the journey. Akira joined her, his hands quick as he folded a blanket, his heart light with purpose. The village hummed outside, ready to support their leader's next step, the greenhouse a beacon of hope for Greenwood's future.