#tdp speculation

So in The Dragon Prince, we see a fair share of death. But the ways in which the Archdragons die has always caught my eye. Just look at Sol Regem and Rex Igneous as an example

Sol Regem, a sun dragon, turns into fire and motes of light. Rex Igneous, an earth dragon, crumbles into molten rock. Both return to the primal source they are bonded to

You could also extend this to the other god-like beings of Xadia: Startouch elves. When they die (with similar flair I might add), they “return to the heavens,” ie., their primal source

There seem to be rites in elven culture that embody this concept too, like the Sunfire elves soul flame ceremony, but it’s pretty clear a physical return to the source only happens with the most powerful beings in Xadia. After all, we see plenty of dead/dying humans and elves, but none of them spontaneously combust!

The only exceptions that comes to mind are Ibis and Khessa. In Ibis’ case, Zubeia specifically requests that Callum perform a ritual that turns the body into a flock of birds, and affirming that he was her friend. Perhaps it is considered the greatest honour in Xadian culture to have your physical body rejoin your primal source like the Archdragons? Conversely, Aaravos flicks Khessa on the chin and turns her to ash - but it is unclear if this is a twisted way of giving her a ‘death fit for a queen’, or if it’s something else entirely

I guess the point I’m trying to make is if the natural end for Archdragons/Startouch elves (and the honoured tradition for regular elves) is for their essence to rejoin their respective source in death - then to be denied that would be deeply unnatural and disrespectful

Perhaps that is an additional element to the tragedy of Leola and Avizandum’s deaths? Leola, who should have been laid to rest among the stars, was cast down and denied that right. And Avizandum, who should have returned to the sky, had his body and soul imprisoned in stone

the celestial council killed Leola because she gave the humans magic (primal magic) and in all their celestialness and future seeing they only saw what would come of it (dark magic/end of the world/no more balance bla bla) but didn’t realise that the act of punishing her would drive Aaravos to look for a way to avenge her (by killing the other star touch elves on the council) and how would he do that?? By inventing a magic that takes power from squishing it out of a creature. And what are startouch elves made of?

Callum: so what i should just tell Rayla to get rid of it!?

Ezran: maybe you should.

and they genuinely almost kill each other over it

Dang, I am behind in asks, Nonny

tragically behind

But, man, wouldn't that be an interesting concept to explore for Whump Week.

I'm not sure that I see Ezran as being so bold and unempathetic as to suggest something like termination, but, based on some of the comments from A&J, I could see him as being upset and resentful of the timing.

It would be interesting to see how such a scenario might affect the trio, actually. While Callum and Ezran do have a wonderful sibling relationship, the show hasn't shied away from showing them not just disagree, but fight.

I think it was a little easier to have sympathy and understanding when Callum lost his temper and lashed out at Ezran in S01E01. He was dealing with the assassination threat against their father, but Callum saying that Ezran’s "lies" where why he had no friends was pretty ruthless. In that instance, Rayla was the one to intervene, telling Callum to back off.

Rayla's empathy and kindness was further emphasised in Moonless Night, when she saw Esmeray as not a monster, but a sad, lonely being in mourning.

While Rayla's compassion and kindness is honestly one of my favourite aspects of her personality, it's obvious not without limits.

Callum and Rayla both disagreed with Ezran on the subject of Runaan, and a baby, their baby, going to be an incredibly personal and emotive issue for them.

Callum and Rayla having a baby right as Aaravos is due to return is obviously crappy timing. I don't think it's wild to assume this was not planned on their part.

Ezran has shown that he is thoughtful and understanding, so he likely knows that, even if he might feel resentful of the timing.

It will be interesting to see Ezran's character development during the timeskip. What characteristics will he retain over that time. Given his age at the end of season 7, he's going to have likely changed the most during the timeskip and I'm excited to see where the show runners decide to take his character.

If Ezran reacts negatively to the news of Rayla's pregnancy, or hell, even if he's hesitant, I see that causing friction between him and Callum. Callum (and Rayla) is hardly going to be in the dark about how bad the timing is.

If Callum and Ezran do have a falling out of the pregnancy, I think it would be in-character for Rayla to, once again, be the voice of reason between them.

We all know Callum is the "I would do anything for you" guy, but sometimes that anything is taking a deep breath and seeing where your scared little brother is coming from.

So, yeah, I don't think canon is going to go majorly into every aspect of them falling out over Rayla's pregnancy, I do think there's basis for it and it would be interesting to see how it's explored.

Those two weeks must've been a whirlwind of good feelings for Callum. Getting to relax with Rayla and imagine a future together was paramount I'm sure, but specifically having Ruthari there let him test run two dads at once. Runaan isn't a touchy feely kind of elf, but Ethari is. That casual back pat was all it took for Callum to experience something he probably thought he'd never feel again: paternal approval.

I'm so soft at the idea of Ethari letting Callum into the workshop and showing him around and talking about magic. You know that man would be pleased as punch to show Callum a moon beam, a moon shine, a moon ray!

Okay and he'd also lecture Callum extensively on the procurement and cutting of moon opals, and Callum would be like, yeah those are pretty powerful when you crack them open, and Ethari would look at him like Callum just kicked his moonstrider pup, and Callum might finally, finally stop breaking quite so many powerful magical objects.

we know that in general callum has a tendency to sacrifice the greater good for his loved ones and rayla has a tendency to sacrifice herself for the greater good, but i think that extends to her loved ones (she knew how bad leaving would hurt callum [and even though her reasoning is to keep him safe, it was also a general "i need to rid the world of this evil" deal]).