Chapter Text
The Silvergrove is home to the Moonshadow elves, so it’s hardly a surprise for one to learn of the Lunar Festival held each month on the night of the full moon. It holds meaning to every Moonshadow elf for it signifies their very existence and it’s a time for them to truly connect to their arcanum, when the moon is strongest and emotions are high; perfectly lining up for the fateful encounter of two unknowing teenagers.
They were only young when they met during the festival, just finishing their education and taking up advanced courses in stealth and combat training or becoming an apprentice craftsman. They’d never properly met prior to their first conversation - the memories of which Runaan tried his best to suppress, the sheer embarrassment of the situation having gotten the best of him - though they had seen each other a number of times as Runaan was a regular at the workshop in which Ethari worked, always after some sort of new weapon to test out. He was trying to find the right match, being a gifted archer and swordsman who was struggling to figure out which one he'd excel with (little did he know the surprise Ethari, the real right match, would hold for him later down the line).
Though none of this would’ve happened without Lain. Runaan had known Lain far longer than any of his friends, having met through their parents at a young age and being in the same classes at school. They knew everything there was to know about each other; their fears, secrets, favourites - everything. So of course they would be on the lookout for one another when it came to partners, Lain knowing when a man wasn’t worth Runaan and Runaan knowing when a woman wasn’t worth Lain. They had a tight friendship and wouldn’t change it for the world.
However, Lain had recently found his perfect match: Tiadrin. She was a kind-hearted yet feisty girl with minimal flaws, and Runaan had taken quite the liking to her, though he couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy at their oh so perfect relationship. If only he could have someone like that. It stung his heart a little more each time he caught them holding hands and exchanging kisses, going on dates and everything you would expect from a relationship, and it wasn’t that he felt as if he was being replaced, no, not once had he felt like he was third wheeling - yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that a trio just wasn’t what they were cut out to be, someone was missing and he needed to find them.
But how could he just throw away his life in exchange for love? For years Runaan had focused solely on becoming a renowned assassin, and now he was well on his way to achieving just that. His instructor had edged him away from romance for as long as he could remember, claiming that it would only hinder his progress and, stupidly, Runaan would nod along each time and push down every feeling he had towards a man. He would shut down Lain every time he picked up on small glances or lingering touches, and he would always regret it late into the night.
Tiadrin accompanied the two boys to the festival this month. The September air was getting cooler in preparation for autumn and the leaves on the trees were beginning to turn shades of red, orange and yellow, just in time for the October weather to come in at full force. The Silvergrove was bustling with elves, and there were even the odd one or two Sunfires mingling with the locals. Market stalls were dotted about selling moon-themed decorations and objects enchanted with the magic of their primal, and of course the moon peeking out above the horizon. The three teenagers weaved their way around elves, even spotting their family members and other friends a few times, and eventually they found a small clearing beside a rather large tree. While Tiadrin sat on the conveniently placed rock, Runaan and Lain placed themselves down on the grass, glad to be out of the crowd of people.
Their plan was to stay there until the sun went down and the moon came up and the celebrations really began, but for now they were absentmindedly chatting about whatever came to mind, until Runaan found himself growing more and more distracted by what - or who - he saw in the distance. Just a few trees away stood a boy around his age, a familiar boy, who he’d already found quite the charmer from the little he’d seen.
“Oh hey, I remember that!” Lain laughed with his girlfriend as he nudged Runaan, pulling him out of his trance. “You were there too, weren’t-” he cut himself off as he forgot everything from the conversation, a grin creeping onto his face. “Who’s that?” Lain asked slyly, the other elf’s cheeks turning a dark shade of pink.
“Who’s who?” He tried to act as if they were seeing things, but he was a terrible liar.
“That elf over there, you know, the one you’ve been staring at for several minutes now!” Tiadrin joined with an accusatory tone, putting Runaan in a difficult position. Well now he definitely couldn’t lie his way out of this, and knowing Lain he wouldn’t leave this festival without something embarrassing happening with the young craftsman. He sighed, just deciding to take the leap and spill it all out.
“I mean, I can’t say I’m entirely sure who he is, but he’s usually at the workshop when I go for my weapons. We’ve never spoken and whenever I’m there he’s always hard at work but I just can’t seem to keep my eyes off of him.” he kept his eyes glued to the floor as he spoke, terrified for the reaction of the others (Tiadrin more so than Lain, because at least he knew the latter a little more).
“Then go and talk to him, he can’t be that bad!” Lain encouraged - of course. Runaan simply shook his head, cursing himself for ever getting himself into this situation, he was just so starstruck by the mystery elf, he could hardly blame himself. Lain gave him a look of empathy; even with his bold exterior, Runaan could be surprisingly nervous when it came to dating, and it was his job to make sure he got the boyfriend he deserved.
“The worst that can happen is he ignores you and you never have to see him again. Me and Lain can go and pick up your weapons, you’ll be fine.” Tiadrin said rather bluntly, trying her best to toughen up the nervous boy before ‘Mystery Elf’, as they’d dubbed him, left to go somewhere else.
“Tia’s right, we’re right behind you. Go and take your shot!”
And with that, Runaan was about to make the biggest mistake of his life - or so he thought.
The rather tall elf slowly made his way over to the short-haired one who was sitting with his back to a tree, curled up over a sketchbook as he frantically scribbled something down. Runaan didn’t want to disturb him, but when he looked back to the two he was with not even a minute ago, they were eagerly spurring him on to say something. So with a deep breath, he sat down beside him and let out a nervous greeting.
“Hello.” he had to admit, he was slightly surprised when the mystery elf sat up straight, confusion evident in his eyes. He just seemed so engrossed in what he was drawing, which he could now see was some crazy mix between a bow and a blade, that he didn’t think he would be heard.
“Hello.” mystery elf greeted back, suspicion laced in his tone.
“I, uh, I…” Runaan stuttered, mentally chastising himself for not preparing something to say beforehand.
“Can I help you with anything?” Runaan faltered as Mystery Elf spoke his first proper sentence to him, and him only, accidentally catching eye contact for a second too long. He admired how his brown eyes glowed in the light of the setting sun and rising moon, and how his hair swayed slightly in the gentle wind. His voice was hoarse yet sweet and Runaan adored him already, if only he hadn’t messed it up now, perhaps he would’ve had half a chance.
“You work in Daedalus’ workshop, right?” he asked nervously, fidgeting with the hem of his tunic. The other elf nodded, shutting his sketchbook and placing it to one side.
“You’re the one who comes in a lot, I knew I recognised you!” he exclaimed as his face suddenly lit up at the sudden recognition, a genuine smile making its way onto Runaan’s face. At this point he’d forgotten about Lain and Tiadrin waiting for him over by the rock. “You should come by tomorrow if you’re free, I’ve seen you struggling to find a good weapon. Maybe I could make a custom for you? Free of charge, though it could take a while to make.” Runaan found himself lost for words and in awe; he really was perfect.
“That would be terrific, thank you!”
“No problem! I’m there all day, stop by when you can,” he smiled, before realising he’d forgotten to introduce himself. “Oh! I’m Ethari, by the way.”
“Runaan.”
“Nice to meet you!” Ethari smiled, asking Runaan a series of questions to get to know this interesting elf.
Ethari and Runaan chatted until it was dark and the townsfolk were cheering for the full moon. Turns out they didn’t have too much in common but perhaps it was for the best, maybe that’s what made them so good for each other - something they were sure to find out very soon. They left the festival at dawn as always, Runaan excitedly talking Lain and Tiadrin’s ears off as they walked home, groaning when they came out with the classic “I told you so”. Maybe taking that leap didn’t end in the shambles he assumed it would, and maybe he should’ve stayed the stoic and straight faced character his friends knew him as, for he would never hear the end of their taunts.