Settling into life in the castle over the next few days had been made surprisingly easy. Your routine was what held you together. In the mornings, you would break your fast with Amara and Liriel. It took you a little while to warm up to them, and even still you do not reveal too much about yourself. You are still determining whether or not they report your conversations back to the king or any of his advisors. While they were pleasant and treated you with kindness, falsity could still be on the horizon.

You would then spend a brief period in the mornings reviewing the patients and checking them for any advancements in their condition. After making those rounds and reporting to Daeron, you would sequester yourself to the library until noon. The amount of subjects and languages would never fail to awe you. Many of the books looked centuries old and a part of you was nervous handling them for fear that they would tear.

Your eyes would begin to ache with the amount of scanning you would do. Lunches were spent in Helaena's company, with Daeron joining briefly before quickly returning to work. Of all the people in the castle, Helaena was the one you trusted the most. She was always kind, though not much of a talker. Still, it was nice to sit with someone and eat and not have to worry about holding a proper conversation.

After lunch, you would go back to the patients and start laboratory work with Daeron. You had been showing him how to make your concoction with the moonweed and he was still generous with his compliments on your work. While you taught him, you found yourself learning far more from his experience. It was truly a gift to have the opportunity of working with someone like him. However, during all of this, Aemond's words still haunted you.

I do not like to be disappointed.

That fact loomed over your every moment, every interaction, and every breath. You had a year. Only a year to somehow solve the greatest mystery that had faced the realm in the last millennium. The absurdity of it all almost had you laughing, yet the weight kept you rooted in reality.

It was the morning of a new day and you had been in the library for a good few hours working away at some new texts. You would occasionally write down information in your notebook. You slouched in your chair with your right elbow on the wood table and your cheek resting against your palm. It was a wonder that your eyes were still open. You got little rest that night, having tossed and turned into the early hours. Most of the information in front of you was things you already knew and you were starting to wonder if the library would have anything new to offer.

One of the entrance doors to the library swung open. The person, an elf with silver hair that just brushed his shoulders, stumbled in. One hand gripped the doorknob tightly to maintain his balance while the other clutched a mug. His eyes scanned the area with disappointment.

"This is not the kitchens..." A lone hiccup came from his mouth. The man was dressed in all green, with black and gold embellishments. The front of his tunic had gold thread stitched into some design that you could not quite see from the distance between you two.

His eyes then found yours and both of his eyebrows shot up in shock, "What in the seven... are you real?"

"Am I real?" You questioned back. You placed down the quill you were using. The man stumbled forward and placed his mug down on the table. He uncharismatically swung his legs over the long bench and sat down across from you. He rested his right elbow against the table and pointed at you.

"Yes, are you real? Or am I seeing things?" His questions perplexed you. Why would he be seeing things? You took in his elvish features and rendered that he was drunk - well, beyond drunk. You had never seen an elf dunk nor did you think they could. They seemed too poised to participate in such matters.

"I am real." You looked back down at the parchment in front of you. It was covered in some description of a random plant with various sketches of it. Not what you were looking for, but had stumbled upon it nonetheless.

"Good. I feared that I had sunk too much in my cups and became mad." He sighed before picking his mug up and gulping down another sip of what you assumed was some kind of wine. The smell of fermented grapes hit you, though it was not much of a bother.

"Yes," You scanned him up and down with your eyes, "Wouldn't want to get drunk, now would we?" Your question echoed with sarcasm but seemed to go unnoticed by the elf.

"Are you.." He paused for a moment to get his bearings, "Are you the human that my sister told me about? The one that is working with the healers."

You gave him a quick nod, "Yes. I am that human. Do you mind? I am trying to work." While in any other case, you would not mind meeting new people here, you had started to become restless in the last few hours and were in no position to try your hand at pleasantries.

"Oh, it is rude to speak to a prince like that." He drank from his mug again. You sat for a moment and mulled over his words. Prince? Damn, how big is this royal family? You don't recall a brother being mentioned in your conversations with Daeron, as most of them revolved around work. With Helaena, you two just sat in silence occasionally speaking about whatever insect she happened to be fascinated with that day.

"Who are you? And how many people are in the royal family?" You asked.

"I'm Aegon. I'm the eldest, followed by Helaena, then Aemond, and lastly Daeron." He explained. However, his explanation only made you more confused. Aemond was king, yet was the third born.

"Then why aren't you king?" You had completely forgotten about the books spread out in front of you, determined to understand the workings of such a mysterious family.

"You wound me," Aegon covered his heart in feigned distress before recovering, "Helaena did not wish to sit on the throne. Aemond challenged me for it. I, being the idiot, agreed to a duel." Aegon then reached to his shirt and pulled the collar of his tunic down. There, on his pearly skin, was a nasty scar that ran down from his collarbone and disappeared under the fabric, though you assumed it went down much farther.

"He was always the better fighter," Aegon muttered. He released his hold on his shirt and adjusted it to cover himself again. His hands wrapped around the wooden mug, but did not sip from it.

This gave rise to a question you had been mulling about the entire time you came here. It was always at the back of your mind, but you had been far too afraid to utter it - especially to the wrong person. However, it had been stewing for far too long and you could not resist.

You lowered your voice to whisper, despite it only being the two of you in the library, "Is that how the king lost his eye? In your duel?"

This question seemed to wipe any trace of drunkenness off of Aegon's face. He sat up straighter and glared at his mug. He lifted his gaze to meet yours and there was an intensity in his eyes near paralyzing. It was not directed at you, but whatever or whoever was behind such malice would surely be dead.

"No," His voice was full of condemnation, "It's best if you do not ask such a question for your safety."

A few moments pass, and just as you are going to continue reading, Aegon spoke, "Are you coming to the celebration tonight?"

"What celebration?" You brought your attention back to him. You had not heard anything about a feast, but then again you do not keep up with any news regarding the castle and court. It was none of your business. You were here to work, not gossip.

"Every week, there is a party held in one of the halls. To sing, dance, drink, and ultimately mingle. Think of it as a way to destress." Aegon informed. To you, a party was anything but a way to relax, but you were curious about how elves did party. If it was anything as entertaining as watching Aegon stumble into the room moments ago, you would not mind attending.

"Think about it, little human," Aegon got up from his seat and grabbed his drink, "You are more than welcome to join."

He left you to ruminate. You went back to your work in silence again, but your curiousness was peaked. Perhaps it would do you some good to relax for an evening. You had done nothing but work for hours tirelessly every day. It would not be so bad, as to spend a night drinking and dancing.

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Your day of work had passed and you found yourself in the familiar path of being escorted back to your room by two guards. They switched each day, so you had not bothered to get to know them. You wondered what the rotations for guards were in a castle as big as this. While you had only seen a small fraction of it, on account of you only being let in permitted spaces, it seemed ginormous.

When you got back to your room, you opened the door to see Amara and Liriel waiting on one of the couches. You were confused, as normally they would visit you after dinner for a short period to undress you and undo your hair. When they spotted you walking in, they each got up. Amara ran off to an adjacent room that had your bath while Liriel approached.

"Quickly, we have to get you ready." Liriel wasted no time in grabbing your hand and dragging you to the vanity. She sat you down in the chair and began to undo your hair from the day. Amara walked back out of the room, a silken dress in hand. It happened to be your favourite colour and the fabric sparkled like gemstones.

"Ready for what?" You questioned.

Amara set the dress on gently on one of the couches, "For the party tonight." She said it like it was the most obvious thing, yet that unsure feeling crept back to you. You had mulled the idea over for the day and concluded that it may not be best for you to join in.

"Oh, I don't know if I should go." You spoke. Liriel ceased her ministrations on your hair and Amara froze as well.

"There is no possible way we will let you miss this. It will be fun, we swear." Liriel reassured you. She began to fiddle with a bunch of oils and scents laid out on the vanity desk.

Amara helped Liriel, picking up a bottle and receiving a nod from her partner, "This one will do. Anyways, you have to go, it will be magical." Amara began to apply the oil to your skin, infusing the most wonderful flowery scent to invade your senses. You instantly liked it and took note of the bottle.

"I met Amara at one of these parties," Liriel began to brush out your hair, "It was magical, truly. I saw her and just knew there was no other. A short while after we were wed." She looked as though she was in a trance, reimagining that day. You had discovered quite recently that elves have impeccable memory and a string of envy hit you at that. What you would give to remember what little moments you had with your mother.

"What are elvish weddings like?" You asked. Amara began to look through a jewelry box. You were not given any jewelry upon your arrival, but the two elves had gifted you a bunch of theirs as they had so much it did not matter.

"Well, the celebrations are long, about a week. However, the ceremony is rather short. We each cut our palms with steel and hold on to one another. Some words are recited and it is sealed in a kiss." Liriel explained. She had finished your hair and moved over to collect the dress.

Amara moved in front of you to put on the accessories, "In elvish marriages, our souls are bonded. We feel our partner's emotions and are more in tune with them. When you bind souls, it is like your body is born anew, a feeling like no other. I had a scar on my arm and it went away." Amara adjusted the necklace to fit perfectly and stepped back, admiring the work done so far.

You were led out of your seat and towards Liriel who handed you the dress, "When one elf partner dies the other dies. It is seen as a good thing for us, as no one could see a life without their partner. It does not mean it has to be romantic, the bond could be platonic as well. Here, put this on. I bet it will be perfect."

You thank Liriel and enter the room with your stone bath. You mulled over the information you just gained as you changed out of one dress and into another. The concept of marriage in elf culture is intense. In your world, it was the simple act of exchanging rings and some vows. Matches were often arranged and not entirely pleasant. Here, it was the literal binding of souls.

To think that two people could be so tied to one another to feel their emotions and die together, was a level of commitment that fractured your concept of the word. You shrugged on the fabric while still contemplating. Regardless of discovering a cure, if you somehow made it out of this kingdom alive at the end of the year, would there be a possibility of discovering a love like that? You had admittedly never given much thought to it.

There was little time in your life for those pursuits. When you were young in the capital, there were boys you would play with, but it was all childhood innocence. You were still young when your father moved you two out to the countryside. In the village, the selection for people was low, and the quality even more so. You had dedicated yourself to your studies and would have most likely rejected any potential suitors had they asked.

You emerged from the room in your dress to meet the excited squeals of Amara and Liriel. They each fuss over adjusting the silk until it looked just right.

"No time to waste," Amara looped her arms with you and Liriel and walked you two out of the room. 

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There was no sight quite like the celebration hall. It was lit up with torches and jars of fireflies. Solf banners covered parts of the trees and dark stone that made the walls. It was crowded with elves. Some sat at tables while most stood and mingled or danced. There was a large band playing music you had not heard before. It was as joyous as tavern music but had more elegance to it. Ultimately, you did not regret attending after seeing what the night had in store.

You had little time to continue to take the room in as the call of Daeron and Aegon shook you from your reverie. You turned to see the two waving you over with excited looks on their faces. Amara and Liriel dragged you to the elves standing by one of the bar tables that held numerous kegs of wine. Your two companions bowed to the royals.

"You decided to come." Aegon swung one of his arms - the one not holding a chalice of wine - over your shoulder. He handed you the wine and turned behind him to get another.

You held the drink up to your mouth and caught a whiff of its scent. Cherry, with hints of honey, hit your nose. The intensity of it made you cough lightly, to which your new friends all laughed.

Daeron moved forward and tugged you from Aegon's hold and beside him, "Be cautious with the wine, it is far stronger than any human brew." He warned as he took a sip from his own cup. You decided to be brave and take a sip. Almost immediately you were sputtering. It was like the first time you had ale as a child and found yourself coughing up the liquid. Daeron patted your back with a laugh.

"Seven hells, that warning was not enough." You spoke.

"You'll get used to it," Daeron took another gulp and wiped the edges of his mouth while scanning the room. Aegon, having downed another cup in that time, spotted some of his other friends from across the hall and proceeded to stumble his way to them. You watched on in amusement and wondered if you would ever see him sober.

Amara and Liriel moved to the dance floor as a new song began. You watched the loving gazes they gifted one another and soft touches. It was always a pleasure to see two people in love, but something about it stabbed a small part of your heart and you did not know why. Daeron placed his cup down on a table and moved in front of you.

He held his hand out, "Would you mind joining me in a dance?" You looked at his open palm and thought for a moment. You are not the best at dancing, but what little wine you consumed had already begun to affect you.

"Alright, but if I break your foot that is not my fault." You placed your hand in his and he led you to the dance floor. One of his hands moved to your waist while the other stayed holding your hand. The two of you moved with him leading. You would glance at your feet every few seconds to make sure you did not fumble. When you looked up, Amara and Liriel passed by in their dance, giggling away.

"They look so happy." You noted.

Daeron nodded and spun you around, "They make a fine couple."

You pause for a moment before opening your mouth, "Have you met anyone?" Daeron's face turned red, the rosy colour spreading across his cheeks. During your discussions while working, he had yet to speak on his social life. The two of you had bonded over some common interests outside of healing, but there was rarely any time to have long conversations.

"She is a member of the royal hunting team. Sometimes she comes in with cuts or bruises from some hunt. I, uh," Daeron stutters and falts in his steps for a moment, "I get to treat her."

"Then why haven't you asked her?" You questioned. Daeron shook his head at your words as if it were a funny joke.

"If you could see her, you wouldn't. I can barely keep from making a bumbling fool of myself, let alone work up that kind of courage." Daeron spun you around again as the two of your bodies moved with the other dancers in a circle.

You looked at the elves all around, watching them drinking and laughing. Your head swivelled around and spotted more happy couples, "Would you rather spend your life cursing yourself for missing the opportunity to ask her?"

Daeron thought over your words and you could see him working through it. In a quick turn, you almost stepped on his feet but managed to save yourself, however, Amara and Liriel were beside you and caught your fumble. They sent quick nods of encouragement to you and you gave them a small smile in return.

"I suppose not." He reluctantly agreed.

"Are," You paused for a moment and wondered if you should ask the question, "Are any people in your family married?"

Daeron laughed, "Ah, well, Aegon is too busy with his cups to pursue such an idea as romance and Helaena has never expressed much interest in it at all. Though, I suppose that is rather lucky to dodge the keen sting of heartache. As for me, well, you know it all now."

"And the king?" You made eye contact with Daeron to ask that question, though you are not entirely sure why you would care. Aemond was nothing but cruel, in the brief moment of exchange between you two, and you had a hard time picturing any being tolerating him enough for romance. You did not think he had much of a heart to participate in that matter, to begin with.

Daeron laughed even harder then, "Oh, gods, no. My brother is not interested in any of that."

"I thought so. Someone like that does not seem capable of it." You let slip. You wished to swallow your words. How could you so openly insult the king, in front of his brother no less?

"Aemond is not as bad as your kind make him out to be," Daeron defends, "I must admit he may not be the most sensible, but all he does is protect our kind." You took in his words and began to question the validity of the stories told to you in your youth. You learned from the history books of his cruelty and prowess on the battlefield.

"What about," You lowered your voice slightly, "The Great War?" It had ended centuries ago, but the scars from such gratuitous violence still cut and the blood still stained the minds and hearts of everyone. Daeron's eyes darkened for a moment as if recalling it himself. You knew he would have been alive during that period and it once again hit you how odd it was to be among elves. They lived so long, and everyone in this room was guaranteed to be many centuries, possibly even a millennium, older than you.

"All that my brother did was to defend our lands. What about your people? Are you telling me they did not do terrible things to protect themselves?" Daeron seemed almost lost in his memories and you instantly regretted why you had been so combative.

"I'm sorry, Daeron. I did not mean to attack your brother like that." You apologized.

He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, "It is alright. That is of the past and our kind's need to stop and move on for the sake of the future. You do not need to worry about Aemond hearing this, he never comes to these parties."

You agreed with his reasoning, but his comment on the future threw you off, "If we have a future. With this taint..." Your voice trailed off.

"We can fix it. I know that." Daeron offered an encouraging smile before twirling your body around which made you slightly dizzy.

"I just wish I had my father, he would know what to do." You had briefly spoken to Daeron about your father's disappearance and your belief that he was still alive. It was a feeling, deep inside your heart, that he still lived. You knew he was alive, you were his child and still felt that connection.

"Enough with the negative topics. This is your first party here, let's not ruin it." Daeron and you made your way off of the dance floor and towards the crowds of elves mingling about. "Now, what would you like to do?"

You hummed at his question and turned around to watch what others were doing, "I think I should like another taste of that wine." You met his gaze with a mischievous glint in your eye.

Daeron chuckled and patted you on the back, "Ah, that we can do."

The two of you ventured over to one of the many kegs to get another cup of wine. That night, you experienced the first moments of pure excitement during your stay in the kingdom. You, Amara, Liriel, Daeron, and Aegon partied into the late hours of the night, not stressing about the current weight of your dying world.

Just for a moment, the rift between elves and humans meant nothing.