#half elf

Thank you for the tag @kt-catt !! 💖💖💖

Since I'm on a writing hiatus temporarily, here's chapter 14 of Song-Hexed! ❤️💖

Four months have passed. Four months of joy, watching our baby girl grow, and enjoying the peace that life has offered us. Well, other than the ominous laugh from Raphael that still won’t go away, as if he’s hinting to something but I can’t get any fucking answers. 

Jenevelle is now lying on her belly and capable of lifting her head up, rolling onto her back, and the happiest little bundle of joy I’ve ever seen. Over the course of these past few months, we finally got to visit Elsabeth and continue to visit her at least once a week. However, Kairon and I are finally going on our first date after the baby’s birth and Elsabeth is out on a trip. So, my brothers will be watching Jenevelle for the first time. 

I’m nervous. I managed to get ready, but as I’m waiting for my brothers to arrive and Kairon getting Jenevelle dressed into a comfortable onesie, I stand here blankly in the living room. Heavy emotions swirl through me as I dread leaving my baby, but I could really use the quality time with Kairon. I’m picturing the buttery scent of shrimp, pasta noodles drenched in sauce, and my first glass of wine since before I got pregnant. 

Kairon comes out into the living room, with Jenevelle dressed in soft, pink footsie pajamas that have a little duck sewn onto the front. The onesie looks familiar… In fact, this is one I had from when I was a baby. 

“Oh my little Jennie girl!” I exclaim as Kairon hands her to me. She squeals happily, kicking those tiny feet as she absorbs the happiness that I’m radiating. Kairon smiles, then heads into the kitchen to prepare a bottle for the boys to feed her with. “I’m going to miss you so much. And as much as I’m going to miss you, I think daddy will miss you more.” Kairon pours a cold glass of breastmilk into her bottle, then proceeds to warm it up in the cooking pot for a very brief moment. 

“I don’t have a clue what you mean,” my husband states sarcastically, raising an eyebrow as he watches Jenevelle and I bonding in the living room. “But we won’t be gone too long, and surely your brothers know what they’re doing.” I pause, not realizing this may just be their first time watching a baby in general. I don’t say a word, and just keep playing with Jenevelle. 

“Karlach’s information is on that paper in the drawer next to you, if they need any help.” Kairon rolls his eyes playfully and smirks at me from across the room. 

“That doesn’t comfort me, my sweet Emmy, for she also doesn’t know what she’s doing. But three brains in one household is better than none, I suppose.” I laugh at Kairon’s words as I bounce my hyper baby girl in my arms. She reaches for a big, bouncy curl that dangles in front of my face, entertained by its form and the way it springs in front of her. 

A knock on the door startles my jumpy self and Kairon tries his best to hold in his fit of laughter. I groan, more frustrated at myself than anything.

“Why must I be so scared of everything?!” 

“I’ll get the door, my love. You just stand there looking beautiful.” Kairon takes the baby’s bottle out of the cooking pot, places it on the table, then struts to the front door with his warlockly elegance. He opens it, and there stands Fanden and Therran, looking ecstatic as can be for the night ahead. I squeal and bolt to the door in excitement to see my two brothers. 

“Come on in, you two.” They step inside and Kairon closes the door behind them. “Thank you both for watching our little pride and joy. She is an easy baby after all, you won’t have issues. I just gave her a bath and a fresh diaper, so all you’ll need is to play with her a little, feed her that bottle, and she should be good for a night’s sleep. Emmy cooked a delicious dinner for you both for when you’re hungry, so dig in whenever you’re ready.” 

“Well, of course! Anything for our little sister and our favorite niece,” Therran comments, winking at me as I attempt to hand Jenevelle over to him, but I’m struggling to let her go. “Also, thank you for cooking, you didn’t have to do that. But it’s very much appreciated.”

Fanden chimes in almost immediately, “Now, little sister, I know it’s hard. But I promise, we will take good care of her while you’re gone. You have nothing to worry about.”

Jenevelle seems excited to spend time with Fanden and Therran, because she reaches out for Therran with no issues at all. Each time she catches a sight of Fanden, she smiles and coos enthusiastically, which is reassuring. I sigh, yet smile as I manage to hand her over to my brother. Kairon rubs my back with his hand, comforting me as much as he can. He has no problems leaving her now, since he’s back at the Academy, but not once have I left her side. 

“You’re right. Okay, Jenevelle, I love you. I’ll see you soon, okay? Don’t you give your uncles any problems. Oh, if you guys do manage to struggle, Karlach lives three houses down. Her information is in the drawer by the sink.” Kairon and I walk towards the door, and I keep turning my head to face my daughter, feeling a pinch of sadness as I walk away from her for the first time. I never expected this to be so hard. Then again, I’m probably being dramatic, which is why I’ve always been the best candidate for the role of a bard. 

“Emmy, our precious baby, it’ll be alright. Go enjoy your night,” Fanden states, his smile reassuring as I step out the door with a broken heart. Kairon closes it behind us and I can already sense a waterfall of tears about to downpour from my face. I hold my husband’s hand as I take a deep breath, then we proceed to journey along the trail to a new seafood restaurant here in Waterdeep. 

“This place has wonderful music and slow dancing, if you’ll allow me to take your hand and show you off to the world,” he mutters quietly as we enjoy the scenery of the city. 

“You know, I may be a bard, but I have two left feet. Not literally, but I can’t dance worth a damn.” 

“Well that’s alright, there’s a first time for everything. I’d be happy to help you to the best of my ability.” I chuckle, watching the stars twinkle above our heads as we make our way to the restaurant. His hand squeezes mine reassuringly, and I can feel all the nervousness leaving Jenevelle leave my body; I’m at ease at last. 

When we arrive at the restaurant, we get seated immediately since Kairon got us reservations when he got off work today. There’s a pianist playing a beautiful melody, an older half-elf who looks eloquent and dapper. Another bard, a violinist tiefling, plays alongside him in the center of the restaurant. 

“Does anything in particular sound good to you, love?” Kairon asks, his eyes locked on me while I attempt to stare at the menu. I smile, feeling more in love with him at this very moment, which I didn’t think was possible. 

“I won’t lie, I could dabble in some seafood pasta and a glass of wine.” I place the menu down in front of me and reach for his perfectly soft hands, admiring the wedding ring on his finger. “Thank you for such a wonderful evening. I love you so much. I… I can’t believe this is our life.” I look past Kairon, noticing a glowing woman stare at me from across the room; and, thanks to having good perception, I notice it’s an entity taking the form of a mortal. A hag? A devil? 

“Of course, my love. I’m glad we can have this evening together, and I wouldn’t have our lives any other way.” The woman won’t quit staring at me, and I have a horrible feeling eat at me from the inside out. Between Raphael’s lingering laugh that hints chaos is about to ensue and now this, I just know life is about to make a wild turn.

cover image credit to: @spotted-mooncalf

The three adventurers stepped into the Inn, where a human woman glanced up from her work. She immediately gave her new customers a warm smile.

“Why, hello there! You’re just in luck, I believe we happen to have a suite that’ll suit you three nicely!” She announced in a chipper tone.

The three nodded in unison, all muttering acceptances of the generous offer.

“Marjie! Can you please escort our guests to their room?” She called out, giving the trio a wide grin as Mars placed a couple of coins on the front desk.

Suddenly, a younger version of the inn keeper appeared. She was a handsome woman, with stunning white hair and slightly pointed ears. She looked the trio up and down before letting out a dramatic sigh.

“But Maaaaaa! I don’t even work here anymore!”

The ‘Ma’ in question whipped her head around like an angered owl, glaring at her daughter. Majora just looked smugly at her mother before grabbing the room key.

“Right this way,” she told the three guests, dodging a targeted swat from her mother. She then started her way down the hall, silently expecting the three to follow suit. As they did so, Majora couldn’t help but look over them once more.

“Haven’t seen you around here before. Lemme guess, nowhere else would take ya in? Or is our humble little inn lucky enough to be your first choice?” She joked, now walking backwards to face them as she spoke.

Mars, still holding the tiefling’s arm, ran his free hand down the walls as he made his way down the corridor.

“Is it that obvious?” The elf laughed. “You guys are the first inn I’ve come across in days that actually has a spot open for mythical beings. I must say, I’m surprised the owner herself is human! You said she was your mother?” He asked softly, his hands still roaming to get ‘a lay of the land.’

“Yup.” Majora answered, popping the ‘p’ as she turned back around.

“Ma’s owned the inn for as long as I can remember. Says she got it from her grandfather.” She eyed the rooms as they passed by, fond childhood memories playing through her mind.

“It’s kinda hard for us to turn away mythical beings when half her children are half humans.” She added, subconsciously tucking a white dread behind her ear.

She then stopped in front of one of the many rooms, using the key to unlock its door and swing it wide open.

“I see. Well that certainly explains her kindness,” Mars chuckled as he walked into the room. The other two followed in pursuit, Zephyr helping the elf sit down on the bed. “Hard to come by under Maelrick’s reign,” Mars scoffed,” that damn brute is going to drive half his subjects away and the other half will be in poverty before they even realize something is wrong! This is the third town I’ve come across that’s growing more hostile to nonhuman beings.” The elf shook his head, then pawed at his pocket.

“Apologies,” he smiled sheepishly, tossing Majora a gold piece. “I don’t mean for you to hear my ramblings, your family’s hospitality is very helpful to those like us, is all.”

“I prefer to stay out of.. politics,” Majora sneered. “It just complicates things..but…you’re not wrong.” A pained expression passed over her features before being replaced by a forced smile. “But it’s not like any of us can do anything about it,” she finished, leaning in the doorway.

“I don’t think that’s true.” Mars replied simply, earning hesitant looks from the others.

“People think they can’t because no one’s ever tried,” He shrugged, leaning up against the wall,” Take this inn for example, it may have been good business for your mother, but have you ever wondered why so many people have been flocking here recently? You’re the only one who will take in those like us. Doesn’t that bother you?”

Majora gave a noncommittal shrug.

“As long as we can give our kind a place to rest their heads, and we can take care of ourselves, I can’t really say it does.” She replied coolly. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I get it. But what’s the point in worrying about something so out of your control? If people hate us, they hate us. I just don’t think the opinion of other people is worth stressing over.”

There was a beat of silence.

“Our kind makes due.”

The orc standing in the corner of the room finally spoke up. “One day there won’t be any of our kind. Your inn will lose customers and the humans won’t want to stay here.” Ramius explained carefully. “The King is known for scorching homes to make room for his empire…” Then his voice trailed off, as if caught in a distant memory. He shook his head, pulling himself back to reality as he looked up at the group once more.

“It’s foolish to sit by and watch as the kingdom exterminates your kind. Just because nothing bad has happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t.” Raimus huffed, the bed creaking under his weight as he sat down.

Mars sensed the tension and attempted to steer the conversation in a different direction. “I like you Majora,”he smiled,”Why don’t you show us the tavern and we can all get something to eat together?”

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

“To new friends! To our journeys!" Mars raised his mug of mead in the air, toasting with the rest of the party.

The best part about this Inn? There was a pub attached to it.

“Raimus!” Mars patted the mighty orc’s shoulder,”Tell me about yourself, my friend. How long have you been travelling? Is this the first village you’ve settled in?” He was rapid firing questions at the poor orc.

Raimus smiled a bit, rubbing the back of his neck as he spoke,”Oh I’ve been traveling for about two, maybe three years now. I stay in villages until they want me out.” He gave a hearty laugh, no doubt feeling the effects of his generous cup of mead.

“I grew up by the sea. I was supposed to become a healer but the world had other plans for me.”Raimus shrugged, glancing down at his drink.

Clearing his throat, the orc looked back up at the elf. “What about you, Mars? What’s your story?”

Mars wrapped his hands around his mug, rubbing it lightly with his fingers. “I was from Berch actually,”he started with a dry chuckle,”My mother and I were servants. We were passed around until one day we served the King.”

His voice suddenly trailed off, his fingers gripping the mug tighter.

“I broke the law. I committed treason under his rule — that’s how this happened.” Mars pointed up at the bandages that covered where his eyes once were.

He suddenly heard Majora’s voice, his head turning in her direction. “That’s why I can’t just sit back and let this happen to others.”

Raimus placed a big hand on Mar’s shoulders. “Maybe you can start something…” He leaned in, speaking much softer to finish his thought,”A rebellion?”

“Oh yeah?” Marsipan chuckled softly,”And I’d wager you’d be first in the ranks, ay big guy?” He asked with a friendly nudge.

“Now we’re talking!” Zephyr piped up, his golden eyes shining.

“If you guys want a rebellion, I’m your guy. Us Moonridges, I’m sure you’ve heard of us, are a very powerful house. I got like, connections.”

Then his face fell.

“Well, heh, I did, anyways,”he corrected, nervously tapping his hands on his thighs. “My family and I are.. on a little ‘break.’ My old man thinks I need to ‘learn the real world’ and ‘stop being a little brat.’” Zephyr mocked his father with a comically gruff voice before switching back to his normal tone.

“Sooo, he cut me off. He wants me to prove myself and I think this is my shot. My dad would have no choice but to take me back if I led a rebellion." The tiefling finished his speech with a giddy laugh. He was practically bouncing in his seat, tail wagging excitedly.

“Keep your voice down!” Mars laughed, pulling Zephyr back in his seat. The elf then leaned in, tapping the table with his fingers.

“If we’re serious about this, and I’m starting to believe we are,”he smiled nervously,”We can’t just run up to the kingdom and say we’re rebelling. We need a plan, time, and reinforcements!”

Mars rummaged through his pack and pulled out a map of the entire land which was tailored with braille engravings. “We’re here, in Dormshire,”He stated, feeling his way around the map. “Does anyone know of a place near here like this? Where it’s growing more hostile by the day and magical beings would be more inclined to hear us out? We need to start as far from the kingdom as we can. Close in on it with forces from every corner.”

Ramius scratched his stubbled chin as he thought it through. “I’ve stopped in a couple of places.. run down places.. but..” His lips curled up in a small smirk. “There’s a few places underground that have quite a few others that would be eager to listen to us.”

“Would any of these underground routes get us to the Earlgrail?” Mars pointed to a corner of the map. “Earlgrail is the most south and if we can get there without any snafoos, we should pass right by the enchanted lake and the faun lands.”

He paused. “The enchanted lake will be easy, it’s the most magical place from here to the deadlands. The faun lands though, that may be tricky. Fauns are solitary, who’s to say they’ll listen if we can even find them!”

Majora had been flitting around the tavern, speaking with patrons and checking in with the regulars. She circled back to the table when the rebellion talk started though.

“I know a faun that would hear you out,”she mentioned casually, slinking back into her seat at the table. “It’ll be perfect.”

“Do you think you can get us to them?” Mars asked quickly, shooting his head towards Majora.

He then caught himself being too brash, holding his hands up. “Look you don’t have to join if you don’t want to, but we’ll need someone who knows the lay of the land from here to the forest of secrets. If you could help us get that far.. what’s say.. a hundred gold pieces for it?” He reached in his pocket, dropping a small bag of coins onto the table.

Zephyr’s goatlike ears flattened as he watched the bag cling onto the table. “You’re paying her?” He cocked an eyebrow. “Well, I see what you think about the rest of us.”

“The rest of you said yes before you found out I’d pay you!” Mars laughed, giving the tiefling a playful shove. Zephyr just looked offended.

Mars turned his attention back to Majora, pushing the bag of coins closer to her. “We can rest here a day or two, get our bearings and some supplies before we head off. Then you take us to the forest of secrets. Deal?”

The white haired woman bit her lip. She sighed, about to turn them down before a voice spoke for her.

“She’ll do it.”

Majora’s eyes widened as she whipped around to find her mother standing behind her.

“MA!”

“What? Things haven’t been easy with you off living your fairytale life in the forest.”

“But I don-“

“I’ll make those cloudberry rolls you love so much.”

“…Fine. Deal.” The druid huffed in defeat.

“Great!” Mars cheered. “Then tomorrow you’ll show us around the village! Where we can get supplies and all.”

He looked at his now friends sitting around the table. “Form this point on, we’ll be the four founders. Founders of something bigger than ourselves, for the good of the lands. Yeah?”

“For the good of the lands.” Zephyr agreed.

“For the good of the lands.” Majora muttered.

“For the good of the lands.” Raimus laughed.

Downing the rest of his mead, Raimus studied the map now laid out on the table. “I’ve met a few nymphs at the lake of enchantment. They may not want to speak to me for .. uhm.. reasons… but I’m sure they’ll love Zephyr!”

He shot the tiefling a smug look. “They love a cute face.”

Zephyr’s ears wiggled at the compliment, the young tiefling lifting his chin up proudly. “… I am pretty cute.”

“I’m sure whatever we run into shouldn’t give us that hard of a time.” Raimus began. “I mean, as long as we explain our situation it should be fine.. right?” He finished, giving the party a weary glance.

“Right.” Mars nodded. “The worst they can do is say no. Well, c'mon gents, big day ahead of us!”

Childhood best friends :,) doomed friendship

"...she immediately locked in, became the chosen of Artemis and sought out to repair the world that was left in his prophetic wake." "He's so hung up on what he did though, he can't see past it and realize the world has much bigger problems than his guilt."

Absolutely had to download the new Snow White clothes mod by Badwitch69 🥰😋 it was MEANT for Emmy!