THE CELEBRATION FEAST OF THE VORNS
Joy, wine, blossoming bonds… and a moment Elyra will remember for the rest of her life.
The great hall of Aurelthane’s estate glowed warm and golden, lit by hundreds of lanterns that scattered soft petals of light across the long banquet tables.
Food stretched endlessly: honeyed roots, steaming breads, whole roasted birds, berry-wine flasks, trays of sugared fruits… and a dedicated dessert table that Sereth made a silent beeline toward.
Music hummed through the rafters — soft strings at first, a dreamlike current under the rising laughter.
And then—
Sereth and Elaris entered the hall.
Hand in hand.
Married.
The hall erupted in applause.
Borin cried immediately.
Arden’s eyes welled with light.
Garruk roared.
Kaer even cracked a smile.
Pancake, perched on Elaris’s shoulder in his immaculate suit, waved like royalty.
THE FEAST BEGINS — LAUGHTER, WINE, AND NEW BEGINNINGS
Garruk immediately stole a platter of roasted birds.
Kaer confiscated it just as quickly.
Kaer:
“Not today. No food wars.”
Garruk:
“…Just one?”
Laz and Vex flirted shamelessly with each other. And with strangers. And with their own reflections in wine goblets.
Arden sat glowing with joy — but when Sereth passed her, the cleric’s gaze dipped, soft and knowing, to Sereth’s stomach.
A tiny smile.
A spark of quiet pride.
A secret blessing.
Sereth didn’t notice — but Elaris did, and his heart nearly burst.
Borin grabbed a nearby column and hugged it thinking it was Sereth.
He then gave a dramatic speech that dissolved into dwarf sobbing.
Sereth spent most of the first ten minutes stealing glances at Elaris, her cheeks warm and pink.
And Elaris?
He couldn’t stop smiling at her like a man who had been given the whole world.
A PRIVATE MOMENT BETWEEN THE NEWLYWEDS
Somewhere between the laughter and wine, Sereth and Elaris slipped into a quiet alcove.
He brushed her cheek with his thumb.
Elaris (soft):
“I still feel like this is a dream.”
Sereth rested against him.
Sereth:
“If it is… don’t let it end.”
Their foreheads touched.
Her hand drifted unconsciously to her stomach.
His hand covered hers instantly.
A shared breath.
A shared secret.
A shared future.
Vex’s voice shattered the moment:
“STOP BEING ADORABLE AND COME DRINK WITH US!”
RELATIONSHIPS BLOOMING LIKE WILDFLOWERS
Little threads began to weave silently through the feast.
Vex had at least three admirers by dessert.
Arden found herself in deep conversation with a young temple acolyte about divine ethics — smiling in that quiet, warm way that meant she liked him more than she planned to.
Kaer danced with seven different nobles, each one immediately smitten.
Garruk arm-wrestled anyone willing (and a few who weren’t).
Laz attempted to “borrow” wedding cake ornaments.
Borin adopted a stray kitchen cat and decided its name was “Ringfinder.”
The entire hall buzzed with joy.
Except for one soft, unexpected moment—
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THE YOUNG MAN & ELYRA
A tender, shy, meaningful encounter.
Elyra stepped outside for just a breath of night air — the moon catching on her silver-green circlet and the shimmering lines of her elegant single-sole heels, green and moonlight-silver, glinting beneath her black gown.
She leaned against the balcony rail, letting the cool air settle around her.
A young man — maybe seventeen — stood there too.
Nervous.
Hands fidgeting.
Trying to build courage molecule by molecule.
When he saw Elyra, he jolted like he’d been shot by Cupid and a crossbow.
Young Man:
“Oh— um— hi. I mean... good evening. I mean… the dress— you look… wow.”
Elyra blinked, startled but softened instantly.
Elyra:
“Thank you. You look very sharp tonight.”
He stared down at his plain vest like it had become legendary elven armour.
Young Man:
“I just— I heard stories about you. Saving people. Fighting mirror monsters.
I thought maybe… maybe you’d want to… dance later?
Or talk more? I mean, if you’re not… with someone.”
He was trembling.
Elyra smiled gently — warm, kind, heartbreakingly sweet.
Elyra:
“I’m… older than you think. Older than I look.”
His eyes went wide, mortified.
Young Man:
“Oh gods— I didn’t know— I didn’t mean— I’m so sorry—”
Elyra placed a hand on his arm — gentle, grounding.
Elyra:
“Hey. Don’t be embarrassed.
You’re brave to walk up to me.
Most grown men wouldn’t.
You made my night brighter.”
He blinked fast, trying not to combust on the spot.
Young Man (quiet, hopeful):
“Will you at least… dance sometime tonight? Even if… not with me?”
Elyra smiled like a sunrise.
Elyra:
“I would love that.”
He beamed, bowed clumsily, and nearly tripped on his exit.
Elyra watched him go — heart lighter than it had been in years.
Someone had looked at her with pure kindness.
Not fear.
Not pity.
Not expectation.
Just… admiration.
It meant more than she could ever say.
THE FEAST ROARS TO LIFE
Inside, the party only grew louder.
Garruk was lifting nobles and furniture again.
Kaer was teaching soldiers how to waltz.
Vex was making a list of “sexy party crimes” she wanted to commit later.
Borin was weeping into a meat pie.
Sereth and Elaris were dancing slowly, lost in each other.
And the night — the perfect, wild, glowing night — continued like a storybook written just for them.
THE FIRST DANCE — REWRITTEN CANON VERSION
With Elyra’s Moment of the Heart
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The feasting hall glowed — lanterns floating like suspended stars, firelight flickering over banners of red and silver, the long tables buzzing with warmth and laughter.
But when the musicians struck a single gentle chord…
…the hall fell instantly, reverently silent.
Aurelthane rose, smiling.
Aurelthane:
“My friends… it is time.
The first dance of the Vorns.”
The cheer that followed was warm and thunderous.
Sereth and Elaris stood.
Hands found hands.
And together — with the entire world watching — they stepped into the circle of light.
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Before the music truly began, Elaris sank to one knee.
Soft gasps rippled through the crowd.
Sereth’s breath caught.
Elaris:
“Your feet deserve rest. Let me.”
He slipped off her shimmering heels gently, reverently.
Barefoot and glowing, she exhaled — grounded, free.
He rose.
She leaned into his hands.
And the dance began.
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The Musicians Begin to Play “From Now On”
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They swayed together, slow and intimate, the world falling away.
Her fingers brushed his jaw.
His hands held her waist like he was holding a miracle.
Sereth whispered:
Sereth:
“I love you.”
Elaris:
“I have always loved you.”
The music rose.
Her skirt spun.
His breath trembled.
Every step held memories:
→ the Ember Tankard
→ the balcony
→ the Banshee
→ death
→ resurrection
→ a streak of white
→ a promise
→ a future child
All of it danced between them, around them, through them.
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? THE CHORUS — THE ROOM JOINS IN
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When the drums hit —
Vex SHRIEKED with joy and leapt into the circle.
Arden glowed as she clapped beside Elyra.
Borin spun a startled Laz.
Garruk stomped like the floor offended him.
The circle expanded — laughter, warmth, love pulling everyone into the storm of celebration.
But then—
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? ELYRA’S MOMENT — THE HEART BEGINS TO BEAT
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At the back of the dance floor, a boy — no older than seventeen — stood frozen.
He clutched a small flower wreath nervously.
He kept glancing at Elyra, then away.
He clearly thought she was his age.
And clearly thought she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
Elyra, radiant in her black gown and silver-green heels, noticed him shyly hovering near the shadows.
She approached gently.
Elyra:
“Hi.”
The boy nearly died on the spot.
Boy:
“I—I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to stare—you’re just—um—beautiful— I mean—no! Not beautiful—well yes! But—I’m—gods—”
Elyra smiled softly, brushing hair behind her ear.
Elyra:
“Do you want to dance?”
His eyes widened so fast they nearly left his head.
Boy:
“M-Me? W-with you?! I—yes! I mean—YES!”
They stepped onto the floor.
But the instant they began to move—
His elbow brushed hers.
Her circlet slipped.
It fell sideways, breaking contact with her hair—
—and Elyra’s knees BUCKLED.
For a heartbeat she collapsed—
—but the boy caught her.
Hands gentle, steady.
Boy (panicked):
“I— I’m SO sorry—ARE YOU HURT?! I didn’t mean— I swear— I—”
He fixed her circlet with shaking hands, adjusting it delicately until it sat perfect and true.
The moment it clicked into place—
Sensation returned.
Elyra breathed again.
And then—
when their eyes met—
Something in her heart simply acted before thought could interfere.
She leaned in.
And kissed him.
A soft, genuine, grateful kiss.
The boy’s soul left his body.
His knees nearly gave out too.
Sereth saw from the center of the dance floor — and her breath caught.
Arden pressed a hand to her heart, smiling wide.
Sereth whispered:
Sereth:
“That… was me once.”
Arden:
“And look where you are now.”
Sereth leaned in and kissed Elaris again, tears in her eyes.
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? ELYRA DANCES — A NEW RHYTHM BEGINS
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Elyra pulled the boy into a warm hug.
Elyra (soft, grateful):
“Thank you.
My legs gave out for a moment.”
Boy (heart in throat):
“Mine too.”
Elyra laughed — musical, bright.
Elyra:
“Come on then.
Let’s dance.”
And hand in hand, they joined the swirling celebration — right beside Sereth and Elaris.
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? THE FINAL KISS — A FAMILY COMPLETE
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As the final chorus soared, Elaris lifted Sereth once more, her dress a cascade of moonlit silk.
He lowered her.
Their lips met.
The hall erupted into cheers.
Elyra danced beside them, radiant, alive.
Her new companion spinning her with wonder in his eyes.
Sereth reached for Elaris’ hand.
Elaris reached for hers.
Elyra reached and took both of theirs.
For the first time in their lives—
They danced as a family.
Perfect.
