The dawn sun crept over Greenwood Village, painting the starbloom grove in hues of gold and rose, the delicate petals shimmering like scattered jewels. The air was crisp, carrying the sweet scent of ripe apples and the earthy tang of freshly turned soil. Cobblestone paths wound through the village, alive with the soft hum of early risers—elves tending moonwheat fields, children chasing glowbugs, their laughter mingling with the chirping of dawn birds. At the edge of the village, the greenhouse site bustled with activity, its wooden frame and metal brackets gleaming, nearly complete, a testament to Akira's vision and the elves' hard work.
Hana strode toward the field, her gray-streaked hair tied back, her apron dusted with flour from an early morning of baking. Her brown eyes sparkled as she surveyed the greenhouse, its structure sturdy, the metal corner brackets from Durin glinting in the sunlight. She clapped her hands, her voice warm but firm. "Everything's looking good, everyone! The frame's solid, the supports are perfect. I think we'll finish the greenhouses today. Now we just need Akira to bring the glass, and it'll be complete."
Liora, her auburn hair tied back, her moonstone bracelet catching the light, grinned as she hammered a wooden beam. "It's amazing, Hana. Once the glass arrives, we'll be growing crops all year round!"
An elf named Kenshi, his hands calloused from work, nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Hana. Akira's plan is coming together. The village is buzzing about it."
Hana's smile widened, her voice proud. "That's my boy. Keep at it, everyone. Let's make it perfect for when he returns."
Back at the cottage, laughter filled the air, warm and bright. Elara sat on the bed, her silver hair braided with a moonbloom, her purple dress soft against the woven blankets. Saya perched on a stool, her auburn braids swinging as she wove a starbloom garland, her blue eyes twinkling. The silver spirit hovered nearby, its translucent form shimmering, giggling as it stole a spoonful of Hana's apple preserves from a jar on the table.
Elara's laughter faded as a knock sounded, and Thalion stepped inside, his silver hair glinting, his robes flowing. Behind him stood Varyn, the Darkwood leader, his dark eyes warm, his black robes adorned with silver thread, and his wife, Sylra, her golden hair cascading, her green dress embroidered with leaf patterns. Thalion's voice was cheerful. "Elara, look who's come to congratulate you on your pregnancy!"
Elara's eyes widened, and she moved to stand, but Sylra rushed forward, her voice gentle. "No, no, Elara, stay put. You need your rest. We're just here to share in your joy."
Elara smiled, settling back, her voice warm. "Thank you, Sylra, Varyn. I'm honored you came all the way from Darkwood."
Varyn's deep voice was sincere, his eyes softening. "When Thalion's letter arrived, we were thrilled. A child for you and Akira—it's a blessing for all of Arathia."
Sylra nodded, her voice awed. "At first, we couldn't believe it—Aeloria and Vaelar's daughter, pregnant! But we're so happy for you both. This child will carry a great legacy."
As they spoke, the door opened again, and Hana, Liora, and Durin entered, their faces bright. Hana's voice was warm. "Varyn, Sylra! Welcome to Greenwood. It's been too long."
Liora waved, her tone cheerful. "Good to see you both. The village is buzzing with your visit."
Varyn's eyes fell on Durin, a grin spreading. "Well, well, Durin. So Akira managed to convince even you, the stubborn master smith?"
Durin laughed, his gray beard twitching, his leather apron creaking. "Convince me? Don't make me laugh, Varyn. If not for your letter vouching for him, I'd have sent him packing. But I'll admit—Akira's different. When I met him in Havenbrook, I was shocked to learn he's from Greenwood, married to an elf. He respects my craft, my work, in a way I've not seen in a thousand years, a human to do. No wonder you and Greenwood trust him."
Varyn's eyes twinkled, his voice curious. "He's an interesting human, no doubt. But where is he? I was hoping to meet this new leader of Greenwood."
Elara's voice softened, her hand resting on the bed. "Akira's in Glimmerfen, helping the gnomes with their crops. He left two days ago."
Varyn's brow raised, his tone impressed. "Helping the gnomes? That's no small feat. Their distrust of humans runs deep. Has he convinced their leader and elders already?"
Hana nodded, her voice proud. "He left at noon two days ago. If anyone can win them over, it's Aki."
Sylra's eyes drifted to the silver spirit, now perched on Elara's shoulder, its form glowing softly. "Speaking of surprises… why's a spirit here?"
Elara laughed, her voice warm. "That's Silver. Akira and I met the mountain spirits in the Silverpeaks when we were going to the Whispering Pass; they helped us navigate through the heavy fog. When they learned I was pregnant, they insisted on watching over me. Silver's been with me since, keeping me company—and eating our preserves."
Sylra's eyes lit up, her voice playful. "That's wonderful! I'd love a spirit companion. They're so… pure, cute."
Varyn chuckled, then paused, his tone apologetic. "Oh, we nearly forgot why we came." He and Sylra stepped forward, presenting Elara with a small, intricately carved wooden box, its surface etched with Darkwood's signature silverleaf patterns, symbolizing growth and protection. Inside lay a delicate silverleaf pendant, its chain woven with fine vines, a traditional Darkwood gift to bless a mother and child with strength and harmony.
Elara's eyes misted, her voice soft. "It's beautiful. Thank you, Varyn, Sylra. This means so much."
The silver spirit darted to Sylra's head, its voice a soft breeze. "Pretty hair!" Sylra laughed, delighted, her hands gently cupping the air around the spirit.
Durin clapped his hands, his voice hearty. "Varyn, Thalion, let's leave the ladies to chat. Come to Thalion's cottage—we'll talk like old times, share some ale."
Varyn grinned, nodding. "Sounds like a plan, old friend."
Thalion's eyes twinkled. "I've got a cask of moonberry ale waiting. Let's go."
The men left, their laughter echoing, while Sylra stayed with Elara, Saya, and the silver spirit, their voices blending in cheerful conversation. Hana and Liora returned to the greenhouse, their steps light with purpose.
In Glimmerfen, the morning sun filtered through the glowing mushroom caps, casting a warm amber glow across the village. Akira, Tilda, Fenwick, the elders, and a group of farmers climbed the stone staircase to the First Layer, the cloud-like fog parting to reveal the sky fields. The Dhan stalks swayed gently, their leaves still marred by bite marks, but the five light traps stood ready, their gnome lanterns gleaming faintly in the dawn light.
Akira knelt beside the first trap, his eyes scanning the metal basin filled with soapy water. Dead insects floated within—small, winged creatures with delicate, translucent wings. He recognized the Dhan planthoppers immediately, their slender bodies unmistakable, but other pests mingled among them—tiny beetles and moths, their forms unfamiliar but clearly nocturnal. He checked each trap, counting the pests, his mind calculating.
Tilda stood nearby, her white braids neat, her emerald eyes watching closely. "Well, Akira? How did the traps do?"
The farmers and elders gathered, their faces tense. Elder Bramble's scowl lingered, though softer now, while Thistle, the farmer, leaned forward, his sun-bleached cap tilted. Akira stood, his voice confident. "The traps worked perfectly. Most of the pests are Dhan planthoppers, as I thought, but there are others—small beetles, maybe moths, working together. The numbers aren't small, but they're not overwhelming. We can handle this with more light traps."
The group erupted in cheers, Thistle's voice rising above the rest. "It worked! The human's plan worked!"
Fenwick clapped Akira's shoulder, his lantern glowing brightly. "Told you he'd do it, Tilda."
Tilda's eyes softened, her voice warm. "Well done, Akira. How many more traps do we need?"
Akira glanced across the vast Dhan field, its rows stretching across the sky platform. "The First Layer's fields are big. To cover them all, we need at least 30 more traps—35 total. Can you manage that? I'll help, make sure they're built right."
Thistle nodded, his voice eager. "30 more? We can do it. We've got the materials, and now we know how."
Elder Hazel adjusted her spectacles, her tone grudgingly impressed. "You've proven yourself so far, human. Let's see this through."
Akira smiled, his voice encouraging. "I'll be right here, guiding you. Let's get to work."
They descended the staircase, the fog enveloping them, and returned to Tilda's burrow. The farmers and elders set to work, their hands quick with bamboo poles, vines, and metal basins. Even Elder Bramble joined in, his gruff voice quieter now, his doubts fading as he tied vines with practiced ease. Akira moved among them, offering pointers, his voice patient. "Thistle, keep the lantern higher—about a meter off the ground. Hazel, more soap in that basin; it needs to be slick."
Tilda watched, her voice soft. "Akira, you've saved our fields, our people. I don't know how to thank you. Glass alone doesn't seem enough, especially since it's a trade, not a gift."
Akira's cheeks flushed, his voice earnest. "The glass is more than enough for Greenwood's greenhouse. But… there is one thing I'd love, though I know you don't trade it outside."
Tilda's brow raised, her tone curious. "What is it? Name it, and I'll do my best."
Akira's eyes lit up, his voice warm. "Dhan seeds, I meant plant. I want to grow them in Greenwood and share them with the village. Rice… Dhan was a staple in my village. It'd mean a lot to bring it to my new home."
Tilda's expression softened, her voice thoughtful. "Dhan is ours, kept within Glimmerfen. We've never traded it. But you've saved our harvest, our future. I'll speak with the elders and farmers. If they agree, the dhan plants are yours."
Akira's smile widened, his voice grateful. "That would be wonderful, Tilda. Thank you."
By afternoon, they'd crafted 17 traps, their lanterns gleaming, their basins ready. Akira examined them, his voice satisfied. "This is enough for today. We'll make the last 13 tomorrow. Let's head to the First Layer and set these up."
The group climbed the staircase again, the fog parting to reveal the sky fields bathed in the golden light of late afternoon. The sun dipped low, painting the clouds in hues of crimson and violet, the river sparkling like a ribbon of stars, the skyflowers glowing softly. Akira stopped, his breath catching, his voice a whisper. "I saw the sunset yesterday, but today it's like totally different. I wanted to build a house here. The sunset here—it's like the world's holding its breath."
Fenwick grinned, his cap bobbing. "A house, that's not a bad idea, maybe we will make you one and wait till you see it at night. The night sky, the stars, the moons, they all looked so much beautiful at night."
They spread out, placing the traps among the Dhan stalks, their lanterns casting warm light. Akira checked each one, his voice steady. "All set. Now we just have to wait, and the traps will do the trick."
The group stood together, the sky fields aglow, their trust in Akira solidifying as the sun sank below the clouds, promising a new day for Glimmerfen's harvest.