#and ezran will watch him become king

[a-very-sparkly-nerd]

something something Ezran was the one there for all of Zym's big moments thus far (flying and talking) and Zubeia never was something something found family something something friends are the family you choose

[raayllum]

timeskip Ezran headcanons bc why not

Ezran enlists architects from all over the Pentarchy and Xadia to help design Evrkynd. He wants cultural influences from everywhere and for all types of people to feel welcome and at home. Aanya lends him old documents from Duren to draft a similar agreement about Evrkynd as there is about Allhaven Hill where the hold the Summit meeting. Evrkynd isn't meant to be a part of Katolis, but a meeting point for everyone. Something new. Something good, and it reminds Ezran that there is always good worth fighting for in this world.

Although he doesn't carry it everywhere with him, Ezran keeps the Nova Blade and often has it in his new throne room. It's both a reminder of Aaravos' return and a comfort that even if it may claim their lives this time, if they can find a way to strengthen the blade, perhaps they can find a way to kill him permanently... though some part of Ezran wonders if that is the way, after everything.

On a similar note, Ez finally gives in and lets Soren (and Corvus) teach him how to fight. He'd had some lessons before but never put a lot of stock/time into it. Now, though, he can see more of the value. He learns both their weapons, but prefers swordsmanship for practicality and becomes proficient with spears, too, like his mother

At first, Ez wasn't sure if he wanted to rebuild the castle exactly the same, or to make adjustments — bigger hallways for larger magical creatures like a rapidly growing Zym to be able pass through, less stairs as the castle staff and guards continue to age. In the end, he settles somewhere near the middle. (He has Claudia's room rebuilt, as he thinks of Soren, and of Terry. Just in case.)

That said, Ezran doesn't change his throne. He doesn't refurbish it, doesn't have a new one built. He's never been one for grandeur or pomp & circumstance, and when anyone comes to Katolis to see him, he wants them to see that he is a king who survives. Who, like his kingdom and castle, rises from the ashes.

In Katolis, you generally 'come of age' when you turn 16. It's a big birthday. Ezran cries and just wants his dad. (After 4 years of searching, Ezran wants to believe that they will find his father's songbird, and bring his dad back. He's just also doing his best to prepare for the alternative.)

His and Callum's hug at the Valley of the Graves in 7x09 is a start at repairing their bond. They talk. They go back to the bridge and this time when Ezran cries, his brother is there to lean on. Apologies are made on both sides. Ez thanks Callum for being there for Rayla when he couldn't be. As a result, his and Rayla's hug at the Banther Lodge isn't the start of their friendship's reconciliation, but the end of it.

Ezran and Terry get along swimmingly. He translates for Aaron and Sam regularly, which Terry is delighted by. He tells Ez about how animal-speaking is a rare ancient gift some Earthblood elves are blessed with, though they can't figure out why a human would be able to. Ez puts Terry in charge of overseeing the royal gardens and Terry will come sit in on Ezran's sparring matches and cheer for him.

It takes two years for Ezran to make the trek out to the Silvergrove (aka a little over one year post choosing to forgive Runaan). It's awkward for everyone, but necessary, and Ethari, Callum, and Rayla help smooth over choppy waters and keep conversation flowing. Callum takes Ezran out for walks in particular when it feels like maybe the anger is coming back. They're on one when they see Runaan helping out one of the little Moon cubs with a booboo, gentle and smiling. It reminds Ezran of Harrow, the grief and anger and love hitting him like a wave all that one, and he doubles down on his resolve. He asks Runaan to a game of cards (though he will never be able to stand watching Runaan spar/fight with anyone). His smiles become less strained.

On the last night of the visit, he and Callum sit on the back porch of Ruthari's house. "You think you can handle it? Being around Runaan more?" Callum asks softly.

"It's... not perfect," Ez admits. He thinks of Zubeia's wrath, and her kindness, too. "But it's something. Yeah. I can handle it."

Callum exhales. "Good." Nudges Ezran's shoulder with his own. "Cause I was thinking of proposing soon, and I want both of you at the wedding."

Ezran embraces him with tears in their eyes. This part, at least is easy.

[the-sky-the-stars-the-sea]

Day Three of the Ultimate Dragon Prince Rewatch! 🙌🙌

Season three rewatch!

Kinda lowkey head empty but here goes

Rayla turning back to Callum when she’s telling Sol Regem about all the great things about Callum. Like. She didn’t have to do that. She’s supposed to be trying to convince Sol Regem. But also we know Callum is someone who doesn’t always see his worth. And so she’s saying it to his face, which both refutes his claims of not being valuable, and shows that she can say all those things to his face. Which,, it’s not always easy to say something to someone’s face like that. And she did it with a smile on her face and refused to let him get eaten by Sol Regem. Queen 🙌

Amaya and Gren reunite >>>>>>>>>>>

I love how every scene in ep 2 of Callum and Rayla is just the fluffiest thing how they’re exploring Xadia while literally everyone else is having a bad time

Adoraburrs my belovedddddd

Season Three Episode Three more like OUUUCH WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DO THAT TO MY HEARTTTTT

So on one hand the flashback of Runaan and Ethari always gets me and cuts me to the core, but today it stung a little less, I’m guessing it’s because I know what happens in season six (I say I’m calm now but I think the second season six releases I’m going to be running around in circles screaming until they reunite)

It’s also not easy for me to watch Soren and Claudia meet Viren in the dungeon. And it’s just. You can see the exact moment that Claudia is sure that her dad did in fact send Soren to kill the princes. Claudia tells him that Soren almost died and Viren YELLS and stretches to the end of the chain, telling them that that it doesn’t matter. And in that moment Claudia can tell that something isn’t right. And although she doesn’t want it to be true, she trusts her brother and her instincts. Unfortunately, Aaravos tells Viren to lie, and so he does. He gaslights Soren to the point it wretches my heart. And Claudia…Claudia does believe Soren. She believes he’s not crazy. But…she still looks up to her father too much. And here he is telling her that he did not send Soren to kill the princes. And so the denial in her goes quiet.

“If my interpretation is correct, which it is,” Kazi you wonderful ruler you 🙌

Janai is all “ugh, you annoy me, human” until her sister threatens to dispose of her, then it’s all “this human is different” and helps that human survive looking into the Light…okay Janai I get it you won’t say you’re in love, no biggie

Man I still don’t agree with all of Nyx’s choices but she is fun to watch

I love the boomerang reference, so for most of the years I’ve watched this show I didn’t watch Avatar, and now that I have seen it I burst out laughing when I heard Jack de Sena in this episode say “boomerang?”

Once again we get the picture that Rayla hasn’t really been allowed to show weakness or vulnerability. But she breaks, and Callum isn’t backing away. And he’s actually not pitying her. He literally tells her to “shut up” and that’s what catches her attention because this hasn’t been his approach so far. And then, just like she did for him, he tells her how amazing she is. And her little laugh when he says that she’s the funniest person he knows…I love it. So cute.

K so. Why is the kid being taken to a cell. Why is the most dangerous guy becoming king when he was just locked up for treason. Huh maybe fictional world kids show politics do mirror real life

YEAHHHH SORENNN HELP OPELLI AND CORVUS AND EZRANNNN

Soren and Callum are the worst liars, especially when guilty. “Of course we’re both here! Why wouldn’t we be?” meets “HORSES NEED HAY. I AM TAKING HAY TO THE HORSES.”

“Dear…Moon Lady” never gets old

Imagine being Ezran though and you meet up again with your brother and the girl you’ve known for like three weeks tops and you’ve left them alone for what can’t be more than five days, and now they’re romantically entangled

“Neolawwwndia.” “Uh, yeah, that’s what I said. NoOdleOodLiA! :D” THIS ALSO NEVER GETS OLD

Actually it’s really funny watching Kasif because he’s flanked by two AuDHD teens and maybe their dad is normal but oh wait he’s…talking to the little bug on his ear.

I love the scene where they’re at the base and Callum is talking through his feelings about seeing Avizandum. And how Zym and Ezran are playing in that area. Rayla talks about how Zym and Ezran going to change things. This is one of a few times where we are shown old wounds that are healing.

I think it’s really important that until now neither Soren or Claudia have seen Viren’s Dark Magic Face til Lux Aurea. Claudia audibly gasps when she sees Viren. It’s probably scary and confusing for her—just like what she was to Ezran last season. And yet she still goes Ezran saw the best in her, and so she’s doing the same with her dad. Soren though…Soren’s seeing the red flags.

So season 1-2 Viren was not afraid of saying that he was afraid/terrified…. But he has much more power now, and when Soren refused to accept the “gift” because he’s afraid, Viren snarls, commanding Soren to come forward. This isn’t the same man who said he was terrified. This is someone who feels unstoppable, someone who has always held his son to too high standards.

Soren leaves, Claudia notices. They’re splintering, but not quite unbreakable yet. But then he asks her to choose, again. She has to choose once again between her dad and someone what she loves. And you can hear it in her voice, she does not want to choose again. You can hear it still haunts her. And then he leaves, and she starts screaming, and my heart breaks 💔 because not only is it heart breaking to watch but also because it means they’ll no longer be on the same side 💔 (her mother told her last time that she needed to stay with Soren…. Things would have turned out much different if she chose to go with him again 😔)

It’s funny to me watching the scene where they’re climbing the storm spire because they’re out of breath and that’s how I am when I’m climbing anything. And they can’t take it, but it’s because their lungs can’t make it. And then they get a breathe spell and then they’re better. Anyways I had undiagnosed asthma until 2023 so this scene always spoke out to me.

Was thinking about Soren having facial hair as he’s riding to the storm spire. I interpret that detail as a demonstration of how he’s been going straight to the storm spire without stopping, but also it’s our first time seeing him with facial hair so I can’t help but think that’s supposed to show that he’s grown.

I love Soren’s speech in episode eight. You can see he’s struggling because what would you do if you just came to tend with your father being the villain? What would you do if you figured out you were manipulated by the person you looked up to the most?

“The only way to stop this is to look evil in the face and say no more.” AHHHHHHHHH THAT LINE WILL FOREVER GO SO HARDDDDD

Callum figuring out the truth about Rayla’s parents for her, freeing her from the burden she’s been carrying…ahhhhhhh my heart

Still one of the most epic battles in all media. Endgame has Iron Man sure, but do they have a baker who takes superhuman soldiers out with a rolling pin and some jelly tarts? I didn’t think so.

The Viren illusion was so cruel for Soren.

Hey. Hey Viren. You are threatening to trap a fifteen year old in a coin, as you are telling her you have others that way (including her parents). I mean you threatened a 9-10 year old like two days ago but like. In your quest to save humanity you have been becoming pretty inhumane yourself.

Rayla throwing herself and Viren off the cliff…we’ve seen this in her since season one. She’s always been willing to sacrifice herself for the dragon prince and the future of Xadia. And it always hits hard when you see her make the choice she knows she can’t come back from.

CALLUM MAGE WINGSSSSSS

“Just the four of us. Five of us.” “Just the five of you, huh?” Gahh I love it when everyone is working together

I actually got goosebumps all up and down my arms when Zubeia woke up and because of how happy she was seeing elves and humans working together to bring back her baby. Wholesome ending indeed <3

(Love when Amaya bumps Janai, looks at her reproachfully, Janai scoffs, but then they both smile the second they start holding hands)

Watching Viren in the cave always gives me war flashbacks to when I had to wait 2 1/2 years for the next season to come out.

All in all, love season three! As my friend likes to say, good soup.

[thatartiststudios]

👀

ALSO AHHHH HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT EVERYTHING WITH SEASON 7 LATELY

ALSO HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL MWAH 😘

Super excited for season 7, ofc! Still a little sad about the possibility of this being the last season, but don't you think I'll let this fandom die that quickly!

I've been doing pretty good, had a great Thanksgiving, and looking forward to the Christmas season, as always 😉

And, as for an unfinished WIP, here's an super extra extra long snippet from my newest fic, All This Time I Could've Been Loving You (spoilers if you haven't read it yet 😉):

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting Lux Aurea in a soft amber glow, the caravan finally arrived at the sprawling tent city that had become the Sunfire Elves’ refuge. The once-grand city stood in ruins beyond the tents, a somber reminder of all that had been lost. But the tent city itself was alive with activity, its inhabitants weaving through the pathways, their faces marked by determination and resilience.

The caravan’s arrival did not go unnoticed. It wasn’t long before Janai, Amaya, Gren, and Kazi came into view, their smiles breaking through the solemn atmosphere. The sight of Ezran at the front of the group seemed to spark joy in all of them, and as soon as the young king dismounted, Janai and Amaya were already closing the distance.

“Ezran,” Janai greeted, her voice warm and regal even in her excitement. She reached for him just as Amaya pulled him into a tight hug, the two of them simultaneously fussing over him as only family could.

Ezran laughed, his delight uncontainable. “I missed you both, too,” he said, his smile beaming as they checked him over, ensuring their young king was unharmed.

Meanwhile, Callum slid off his horse, his hands immediately reaching up to help Rayla down. She steadied herself on his shoulders as she slid off, and he kept his hands firm at her waist until her feet were securely on the ground.

“Thanks, love,” Rayla said softly, her voice laced with gratitude. She leaned in to press a kiss to his cheek, but before she could fully pull away, a pair of arms wrapped around Callum in an exuberant embrace.

“Callum,” Janai’s voice was bright with affection, her arms enveloping him in a way that left him blinking in surprise for a moment before he smiled and hugged her back.

“Good to see you, too, Aunt Janai,” he replied, his voice tinged with warmth and humor.

Rayla watched the exchange with a small smile, her own heart swelling at the familial affection. But before she could dwell on it, she was pulled into an unexpected bear hug by Amaya.

Rayla stiffened briefly, startled, but Amaya’s sheer enthusiasm melted any hesitation. The embrace was firm, warm, and utterly genuine—so much so that Rayla couldn’t help but relax into it, a tentative but genuine smile crossing her face.

Amaya pulled back after a moment, signing quickly as her expression softened. “It’s good to see you, Rayla. Welcome back.”

Gren, standing nearby, translated, though the warmth in his voice suggested he didn’t think the gesture was strictly necessary.

Rayla blinked, glancing from Amaya to Callum and then to Janai, who now stood beside her wife. “Thank you,” she replied, her voice quiet, almost shy. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but this... this wasn’t it. She was marrying him, but, surely they couldn't be that accepting already? And they didn't know it yet. Why were they already treating her like family?

Amaya’s sharp eyes caught the shift in Rayla’s expression almost immediately. Her brows furrowed slightly, and with a careful motion, she reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Rayla’s face. Then, with gentle precision, she signed, “Is something bothering you?”

Janai glanced between them and translated softly. “She’s asking if something’s wrong.”

Rayla blinked, startled by the question and the genuine concern in both their faces. She felt Callum’s hand slip into hers, his fingers curling around hers in a steadying grip. When she glanced up, his green eyes were watching her, full of quiet reassurance.

“It’s nothing bad,” she said, her voice hesitant as she glanced between them all. “I just… wasn’t expecting such a warm welcome.”

Amaya and Janai shared a look, a flicker of understanding passing between them. Then they both smiled, wide and warm, and Janai stepped closer to pull Rayla into a gentler hug this time.

“Nonsense,” Janai said firmly, her voice kind but full of conviction. As she pulled back, her eyes softened, and she exchanged a knowing glance with Amaya before both of their gazes flicked between Rayla and Callum. “You are family, are you not?”

Rayla blinked rapidly, her confusion deepening. Family? This... this level of acceptance, so early, still felt overwhelming. She wasn’t sure how to process it.

“I… I suppose I am,” she said quietly, her voice almost tentative as the reality settled in.

Beside her, Callum grinned, his expression playful but filled with warmth. “Of course you are. You’re marrying me, aren’t you?”

Rayla’s eyes went wide, her face flushing a deep crimson as she turned to gape at him. “Callum!” she hissed, elbowing him in the stomach.

“Ow,” Callum groaned, clutching his side with an exaggerated grimace. “Sorry, was that supposed to be a surprise?”

Rayla rolled her eyes, though the faint blush on her cheeks gave away her flustered amusement. “You’re impossible, you know that?” she muttered, half laughing and half exasperated as she looked at him.

Callum grinned, clearly unbothered, “I’ll take that as a compliment,” he teased, his fingers brushing against her hand, reassuring her without words.

Janai and Amaya both laughed, clearly enjoying the playful dynamic between the two. “You two really are something,” Amaya signed with a bright smile. Janai nodded in agreement, her eyes soft as she watched Rayla and Callum.

Rayla was still processing the sudden wave of warmth from everyone, but her gaze softened as she met Janai’s eyes. “Thank you,” she said quietly, her voice almost shy.

Janai tilted her head, her expression full of understanding and affection. “It’s not a matter of thank you,” she said, her gaze flicking to Amaya and then back to Rayla. “You’re part of this family now, just as much as Callum is.”

Amaya stepped forward, signing, “You’re already home, Rayla. You’ll always have a place here with us.”

Rayla’s heart swelled, the words sinking deep into her. The gentle acceptance, the easy laughter, the quiet certainty—it was all so different from what she had imagined. She had thought that marrying Callum would bring her closer to this family, but she hadn’t expected to be embraced by them so fully, so quickly.

“I...” Rayla hesitated, feeling the overwhelming kindness, the warmth, swirling in her chest. “I didn't expect it to feel like this.”

Janai smiled, her eyes kind and wise. “Sometimes, what we don’t expect is exactly what we need.”

Callum leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her temple before speaking in a low, reassuring tone. “You’re stuck with all of us now, whether you’re ready or not.”

Rayla blinked, a small laugh escaping her lips. “I think I can handle it.”

Janai’s grin widened as she turned to the others. “Good. Because you’re officially one of us now, Rayla. And we’ll be with you every step of the way.”

Rayla’s gaze shifted from Janai to Callum, her heart full of emotion as she squeezed his hand. For the first time, she truly felt like she belonged.

[sorinethemastermind]

Whumpuary 2025 | Prompt: "Please, Stop" | TW: Torture | Pt. 2 of 3

 Soren’s eyes opened slowly, the throbbing in his head spiking with each bleary blink. The world gradually came back into focus, the blurry shape before him forming into a pair of shoes. His shoes. He blinked again. He was staring at the floor.

 Soren glanced up, the movement making him wince as the room spun again. More shapes came into focus. People, this time. Walking about, searching the shelves and poking at the walls. It came back to him in pieces; turncoat guards letting the insurgents into the castle, the furious rush to hide King Ezran, the battle on the balcony.

 He winced, memories of the fight reminding him of his many injuries. Soren shifted, trying to get a better view of the room, but was tugged back by a tightening at his wrists. He glanced up, slowly this time (having learned his lesson), to find them tied to the bedpost above his head. He cursed under his breath.

 “Finally awake then,” a familiar voice said, footsteps coming to a halt before Soren. He glanced up to find Caspian staring down at him, lips twisted into an expression of what could almost be described as disgust. “Got to admit, you put up a good fight. Too bad you’re a traitor.”

 Soren spat at his feet, a little concerned to find that a few specks of blood landed on the other man’s shoes. His mouth tasted coppery. Caspian tsked.

 “And here I thought you were raised a noble.”

 “You’ll be executed for this,” Soren hissed. “Maybe I’ll even have the pleasure of doing it myself.”

 “We’ll see about that,” the traitorous guard jeered. “If you keep up that kind of talk you might find your way over the balcony before the night’s out.”

 Soren glared at him, but bit his tongue, watching as Caspian paced a little ways across the room. The other man swept his long, dark hair out of his face and tapped his lower lip thoughtfully.

 “You know, this doesn’t have to end badly for you.” Caspian turned to face him again, “You couldn’t have gotten the little king far, so how about you just tell us where he is, and you don’t have a date with the ground?”

 Soren snorted, “Like I’d tell you anything.”

 Caspian unsheathed the short blade at his belt and leaned down, holding it level with Soren’s throat. “Or maybe the last thing the runt sees is pieces of you scattered about the courtyard.”

 Soren laughed, “For him to see anything, I’d have to tell you where he is.”

 Caspian scowled, flicking the blade away. It just barely grazed Soren’s chin, leaving a small nick. He didn't flinch, just continued to stare the traitor in the eyes, a small smile on his lips. That’s what he’d thought. He knew Caspian. Guy was all talk.

The traitor rose to his full height, taking a step back. He sheathed his blade again. “Perhaps I am going about this all wrong,” he mused. “You are no stranger to intimidation, are you, Soren? Nor to pain. You are a Crownguard, after all.” he gave Soren a cruel smile. “So what is it you fear?”

 Someone stepped out of the darkness behind Soren and his stomach flipped. It… it couldn’t be. And yet, they looked like his father. No, not Viren. But they had the same ashen gray skin and dark violet scars. The same black eyes, lit by only a pinprick of light shining from within. It gave them the illusion of sucking in light rather than expelling it outward.

 “This is Evren,” Caspian said, gesturing to the mage. “He’s not from around here.” Soren jerked back involuntarily, rope twisting at his wrists, as the strange man leaned forward to peer at him. Caspian smiled, “But I’m sure you’ll become well acquainted soon enough.”

 Evren knelt before him, brushing greasy strands of dark brown hair out of his face. It was streaked through with white and slicked back from his face. The mage blinked rapidly. It was hard to tell his age with the unnatural pallor to his skin and the scars marring it. But even Dark Magic couldn't hide the bags under his heavy set eyes and furrowed lines across his forehead.

 He reached out, tucking a finger under Soren’s chin and forcing his gaze up until their eyes met. Evren cocked his head slightly to the side.

 Soren jerked his face away, “You can look as creepy as you want, I'm afraid of you.”

 “Everyone is afraid of something,” the mage rasped. “Just as everyone wants something. So what do you want, little golden child?”

 Soren froze, breath catching in his throat. Evren’s lips slowly rose into a smile. 

 “Viren talked about you often,” the mage continued, “towards the end. Not so much before. You only really care when you’re about to lose something, yes? So what are you about to lose, hm?”

 He rose, strands of white hair falling back into his face at the motion. Soren watched him, eyes wide, and tried to regain control of his breathing. He kept his expression blank.

 “So you, what, trained under Kpp’Ar?”

 “For a time. The old man was soft,” Evran said, hand rustling through his satchel. Soren became aware of the fact that most of the others had left the room. “His affections held him back. As they did your father.”

 Soren didn’t think Viren’s affections had held him back from doing much of anything. 

 “You didn't know him very well, do you?”

 “On the contrary,” Evren pulled something from his bag, crushing it in his fist. He muttered something under his breath, purple light sparking in his eyes. “It may be you who is ignorant.”

 Soren felt his breath constrict in his chest. He coughed, jerking at the bindings as he fought for air. 

 “What was it he said you had?” Evren mused, fist tightening. Soren gasped, feeling as though the mage’s hand was around his lungs, squeezing. “A breathing sickness?”

 Soren gulped in a desperate breath as the pressure eased, hair falling across his face as he hung limply from the bindings above him, his strength gone.

 Caspian tsked from the corner, “So predictable. All bark, no bite.”

 Soren forced his head up to glare at them, but found little respite in the action. His chest heaved as Evren crouched before him again, hand still loosely clutched around whatever it was he’d taken from his pouch.

 “Where is the child?” he asked, softly.

 “What’s in it for you?” Soren managed between gulps of air. “Did he promise you High Mage or something?”

 Evren laughed, a harsh, cold sound. It ended in a hacking cough. “I have no interest in your petty disputes or pointless titles. We made a deal. I am merely holding up my end of it.”

 “Well, whatever amount of money he’s offering you, I can double it.”

 “Bribery already?” Evren shook his head, “We’ve only just started. I am not interesting in your money. What I need, I can take. It is what I want that concerns me.”

 “And what is it that you-” Soren’s words cut off abruptly as the air was pulled from his lungs once again. It went on longer this time, chest burning, black rimming his vision before it stopped. He let out a shaky, gasping breath. 

 “What I want is not of your concern. Other than if you stand in my way. As you now do,” Evren informed him, standing up again. He paced across the room, violet eyes piercing in the darkness. “Where is the child?”

 “Fuck you,” Soren gasped.

 He blacked out that time.

 The voices swam back into focus first, drifting into his periphery as though through deep water.

 “-on’t have all night, so if you can stop playing with your food-”

 “Patience.”

 “My patience for your little head games is running thin,” the voice growled in reply, the man’s boots slowly appearing out of the darkness. Soren blinked, his eyelids heavy.

 “Men are not broken by fear, Caspian,” the other voice rasped in reply. “We will not learn what you seek through such brutal methods.”

 Soren watched as the boots shifted on the floor, pacing across the room. He grimaced as a spike of pain shot through his head.

 “Men are broken by what they want,” the raspy voice continued. It sent a shiver down Soren’s spine and he took an involuntary breath, testing his lungs.

 “What he wants is to protect the king.”

 “No,” Evren drawled. “That is what he needs. What he wants- Ah. You are awake, then.” Soren flinched back as the mage dropped abruptly to the ground before him. “Good,” Evren smiled, revealing a missing tooth. “Then we may continue.”

 Soren took a shaky breath, trying to fill his lungs as much as he could while he was still able to. But instead of pulling out whatever strange object had been used in the last casting, the mage removed a small chunk of crystal from his satchel, shining in the moonlight. It was kind of beautiful.

 Evren crushed it in his hand, “Mystica canis.”

 The world around Soren warped and he squeezed his eyes shut, the fluctuating visuals making his already throbbing headache worse. When he finally opened them, it was to find nothing changed. He glanced around the room warily, taking in the toppled bookshelves and fallen weapons. Then he glanced at Evren and gasped.

 Where the mage had been crouched now stood his father.

 Soren’s pulse quickened, heart pounding in his chest as he fought not to let the realization play across his features. But his fa- Evren smiled, seeing the panic in his eyes.

 “They said you killed him, underneath the Storm Spire,” the mage said, his voice emerging from Viren’s lips. “I’ve always wanted to visit the place. Pity he got to first. And twice. Your father was quite the explorer. They say he even charted a… unique way down the mountain.”

 Soren glanced away, unable to meet those familiar grey eyes. “It wasn’t him. It was an illusion,” he mumbled.

 “I am aware,” there was a cruel lilt to the mage’s voice. “And yet, at the time, you were not.” Evren crouched before him, still wearing Viren’s face, and tucked a hand under his chin, forcing Soren’s head up. Their eyes locked. “So what did he do to make you hate him that much, hm?” the mage asked, tilting his head to the side. “To make you kill your own flesh and blood?”

 Soren glanced away first, and the mage withdrew his hand, letting his gaze drop back to the floor.

 “Pity. He always seemed to like you. So proud of the little family he’d put together.”

 Soren bit his lip until he tasted blood, keeping his face firmly blank. If they thought this… this… this whatever it was would get him to tell them where Ezran was, they were wrong.

 “Such. A. Pity,” the mage said again. 

 Soren kept his eyes on the ground, but saw the shadow move across the floor as Evren leaned closer again, hand resting on his shoulder. Soren winced as the man’s fingers dug into the wound there, gritting his teeth.

 “What would be more fitting, do you think?” Evren hissed beside his ear, fingers digging deeper. Soren’s breath hitched. “A fall from the top of the castle or a blade through the heart? Perhaps we try both?”

 He released him, and Soren let out a shaky breath, fresh blood running down his arm. The mage took a step back, shaking droplets of red from his hand. “Where is the child?”

 Soren’s hands closed into fists, straining against his bonds as he glared up at the mage, still wearing his father’s face. “Once this is over and you’re all scheduled for execution, would you rather a fall from the top of the castle or a blade through the heart? I’ve done one, sort of interested to try the other.”

 Caspian snorted from the corner, shooting Evren a displeased look. “I told you,” he sighed. “He’s stubborn.”

 “The one good thing I got from my father,” Soren smirked. 

 “Patience,” the mage drawled, letting the familiar visage drop to reveal his own face underneath, “ is a virtue, Caspian. Do you not have any of those?”

 The traitorous guard scowled, and Soren, under different circumstances, might have laughed. But then Evren turned back to him, eyes sparking violet, lips moving almost soundlessly. Soren felt the air being tugged from his lungs again, but slowly, this time. Almost patiently.

 “We have tried fear,” Evren mused above him. “We have tried pain. So perhaps next we try patience. I doubt it is something you have in any more abundance than our dear friend Caspian here. But-” he crouched down, tattered robe dragging along the floor “-I am rich in it.”

 Soren coughed, chest rattling as he fought for breath. The pressure on his lungs was just enough that he could breath, but never deeply. He coughed again, feeling a familiar panic rise in him. Evren smiled.

 “Fear motivates us,” the mage mused, "but only for as long as one can keep it sharp. Pain is the same. But patience… if one can break someone’s patience, they shall have no choice but to take action. What that action will be remains to be seen.” He paced across the room and Soren’s eyes followed him, chest rising and falling raggedly. “For patience comes back, once again, to want and need. A need is an intrinsic part of us, it cannot be taken or forged. It simply is. But a want,” Evren chuckled, harsh and grating, “that is a tool for those who know how to wield it.”

 Soren’s vision blurred, but refused to go dark. His lungs filled, but refused to be satisfied. He coughed, chest aching. Evren’s feet stopped before him, swimming in and out of focus.

 “So what do you want, little golden child?” he asked, voice barely audible over the pounding in Soren’s head.

 He wanted- He wanted- Soren’s chest heaved and he coughed again. He wanted his Dad. He wanted to not want his Dad. To know that the man under the Storm Spire had been him, for all intensive purposes. That he would have done the same thing the illusion had. Made Soren make the same choice. That he would have made that same choice even if it was really him.

 Soren jerked against the bindings pointlessly, the motion more involuntary than anything else. His vision spun, and when he closed his eyes, colors bloomed beneath his eyelids. Any air he was able to manage came in short, shallow pants. 

 He wanted to know that he’d killed his father, one way or another. That the version of Viren who'd been his Dad was long dead and gone. He wanted that to matter. For it to change the desperate longing that panged through his chest alongside the ache in his lungs.

 And yet it didn’t. He wanted the man who used to come and sit at his bedside when he was sick, who would hold his hand and read him stories about daring knights and brave kings until he fell asleep. Who would brush the hair back from his face and tell him it would be alright, that he would be okay. That he just had to take one more breath, and then it would get easier. Even if it never did.

 Soren’s lungs burned, black spots popping across his vision as he opened his eyes. He glanced up to find his father’s cruel smile playing across Evren’s lips and swiftly averted his gaze again. 

 He wanted his Dad to come and make it better, like he said he would. Like he did. He wanted-

 “Please, stop,” he choked out, words unbidden and wavering. They entered the room and hung there, in the air, like a white flag of surrender. He tried to take them back instantly, to fortify the walls again, but it was too late. 

 Evren smiled as though he could tell, somehow, that it wasn’t just them three in the room anymore. That there was someone else here now, too.

 Because someone new had joined them. Someone older than all of them. Someone Soren had hidden away since he was small, since the first time those warm grey eyes turned cold. Since the voice that used to soothe had started to bite. Soren had taken the kid who used to stare up at his father with big, round eyes, lower lip trembling at those words and those eyes, and he’d hidden him deep within the castle. Hidden him better even than he’d hidden King Ezran when these traitors came for him.

 First behind smiles and boasts, then behind walls of stone and battlements bristling with spears and bows. And finally behind a layer of armor, too thick for weapons or words to pierce. But somehow Evren had found him behind all of that and dragged him here, out into the light.

 Soren stared up at the mage, chest heaving as he fought for breath and to keep his composure. But the room was swiftly filling up with too many people for him to protect. And if he couldn’t protect himself, how was he supposed to keep King Ezran or the kid safe?

 “It is entirely up to you when this stops,” Evren said, crouching before him again. He cast a glance to Caspian in the corner, smug smiling tugging at his lips. Soren didn’t think he’d ever hated somebody more.

 Alright, maybe once.

 It hadn’t ended well for that person, either. He tried to hold onto that feeling, that anger. Take it from where he’d bottled it up and hidden it away. Use it to hold onto some semblance of control. But the image of his father’s face, smug and demanding, now had the worried eyes Soren remembered from his bedside when he was small. The voice, sharp and cutting, asked if he was alright.

 The anger slipped through his fingers, melting away to be swiftly replaced by a pang of loss that squeezed at his heart the same way the spell constricted his lungs. More black spots bloomed in his vision and Evren’s face flickered, his father’s superimposed over it again though he hadn’t can’t a spell.

 Soren didn’t think he’d cast a spell. It was becoming harder and harder to tell as the room wobbled and his words drifted in and out of focus.

 “Where is the child?” the mage’s voice finally cut in again, the sound moving as though through thick liquid, disjointed from the movement of Evren’s lips.

 “Can’t-” Soren struggled for air, his surroundings spinning. He shuddered, eyelids fluttering. Evren reached out, grabbing a fistful of his hair and using it to force his head up. Soren hardly felt a thing. It was like his entire body was going numb. He didn’t know if that was better or worse than the previous jabbing pain of his injuries.

 “Where is he?” the mage hissed, voice growing gentler towards the end, “Tell me, and then it can stop.”

 “Can’t… breathe,” Soren struggled.

 “Then nod your head in the right direction,” Evren released him, standing back up. Soren’s chin banged back against his chest and he shook his head, hair falling across his eyes.

 “Not- Not gonna-” spots danced in his vision, inky blackness ringing the room, steadily encroaching. 

 “You’re right. You won’t,” Evren admitted. Soren heard Caspian begin to protest as the mage stood up, but he ignored him, instead turning those violet eyes to gaze across the room. “Young King!” he called, voice echoing through Soren’s head, fuzzy at the edges, “Shall you die a coward, curled in a hole in the wall with your servants bodies laid at your feet, or shall you die a King, with your held head high and your people spared?”

 “Ez, don’t-” Soren choked on the word, a cough tearing through his chest, expelling any air he might have been holding onto. He took a wheezing breath, struggling to form the rest of the sentence.

 “He has done well,” Evren continued, giving Soren a pitying smile. “But I doubt he’ll last more than another couple of minutes. So what will it be?”

 The numbness spread further throughout Soren's body, reaching up his legs and through his arms. His panic rose, cresting higher and higher like waves before crashing down on him. He couldn’t feel his legs, or his arms, or… or much of anything. Which meant he couldn’t move. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t-

 Hyperventilating probably wasn’t the best thing to do when he already couldn’t breath.

 “Make that one or two minutes,” Evren corrected himself, still addressing the room.

 Soren squeezed his eyes shut, willing Ezran to be quiet, willing it to be over. To just be over. Seconds ticked by and he felt the numbness travel through from his body and into his head, his thoughts slowing and blurring together.

 “You’re almost out of time, little King,” a voice said, and Soren was vaguely aware of someone nudging him with their foot. The contact felt like it had been made through layers of wool.

 “If I tell you how to open it, will you let him go?” a voice wobbled through the dark in reply.

 Soren mustered what little strength he had left and forced his head up. “No-”

 “Yes, we will.” 

 “Then… then it’s the brick. By the fireplace. The one that sticks out a little too much.” Ezran’s voice was muffled by the thick stone, but Soren could hear every word clear as day. Each one felt like a knife to the gut.

He tried to say something, but his tongue was too heavy to move. His eyes drifted shut again. And then snapped open as oxygen rushed into his lungs. He gasped, feeling the cold rush of air through him as it filled him up. For a moment there was just that; the panicked gasping breaths as he filled his lungs again and again, feeling his chest rise and fall.

 And then there were arms around him, small and clinging. Ezran was only there for a moment before they pulled him away, one of Caspian’s hands clutched firmly upon his shoulder. Soren stared up at them, vision slowly clearing, watching the tears in Ez’s eyes slowly slip down his cheeks.

 “Don’t- Don’t hurt him,” Soren managed, weakly. 

 But they weren’t paying attention. Evren turned to Caspian, the mage’s lips twisted up at the corner into a half smile.

 “What did I say? You just have to be patient.”

 “Guess you were right,” Caspian clapped Ezran on the shoulder once before tightening his grip there, tugging the young king towards the door. “Come on. Let’s go.”

 Soren tugged at his bonds as they disappeared out the door, feeling slowly returning to his limbs even as he still fought to tell his body it could breathe again. Ezran’s gaze lingering on him. 

 “It’s going to be okay, Soren,” the young king said as they led him away. “You’re going to be okay now.”

 He watched helplessly as the doors swung shut behind them.

[arcadianmoonshadowjedi]

Heya! I just watched the last two episodes and oh yep, that got resolved quickly, and even with a lot of fun haha! I'm satisfied with it as well!

The thing with TDP is, I kinda never know which story element is just a smaller matter that will be resolved within a couple episodes, and which events will be spun into a whole multi-season arc, so... I wanted to talk about the brothers' separation at length in case Ezran decided to keep the grudge for a longer while.

I understood that things were complicated and that Callum was torn between two people he loves. I don't deny that he had reasons other than Rayla and that Ezran was difficult to approach in that moment.

I guess I find myself identifying more with Ezran's position because his world was, in comparison, still faaaar more complex than Callum's. Callum's motives were clear and personal. But Ezran, while having the same personal complexity, also had to keep up a PUBLIC persona on top of this at all times. Plus, he still is barely a teenager, while Callum is now almost an adult (Idk their canon ages).

What I'm trying to say is, I guess, that my brain is heavily influenced by The Queen's Thief book series at the moment, which touches upon the private vs. public image of Royals, their need for ceremonial pretense, their need to stay guarded and their struggle with trust, in a much more detailed and weighty way than TDP does. Also, the King's status as an absolute and representative figure is much more emphasized. With this in mind, Callum is an ass for abandoning the Child King who is his brother who just experienced the catastrophe of having his Capital destroyed who is not doing well emotionally because he just had to look into the eyes of his father's murderer for the first time since it happened.

I know, I know, I know. It all wasn't that bad, it worked out fine, the feelings they harbored weren't that destructive to their relationship or maybe the overall end-of-the-world threat they were facing helped them to put the scene at the river behind them. Also, Ezran had Aanya and held his spirits, and was ingenious enough to think forward even without any of his other allies present. He was his own person (something he learned in a previous season, I believe) and so I am proud of him for standing strong. TDP isn't TQT. Still I'm grateful for its behind-the-scenes look into a complex Royal experience because it helps me interpret depth into my fave boi Ezran.

Thank you for responding! The brothers are good, even Rayla apologized, Runaan stated his case and Ezran let go of his resentment, it's all good in the archipelahood. The river scene simply caught my attention because I thought the dynamic it provoked was suuuper fascinating.

Cheers!

Reddie

Definitely decided to finish another rewatch esp since I started my first watch at 3am before answering. I would disagree about calling Callum an ass though because he wasn’t planning on leaving his brother at first, he did try being a mediator between him and Rayla and had an entire conversation with him before things escalated as elaborated in my previous answer. Callum only chose to leave when he felt like Ezran wasn’t going to hear him out and saw that he was even willing to escalate violence against both Rayla and Runaan. If anything, Callum staying not only would’ve resulted in him getting arrested, but his relationship with Ezran would’ve become more strained especially if Callum wouldn’t have able to do anything besides nod to everything his brother was doing even if he disagreed. Like I’m not saying that Callum handled the situation perfectly or ideally, but he does tend to act in the heat of the moment, depending on what the situation demands of him often without much prior planning or thought. If anything, I think the time they spent apart helped them cool off things between them and realize how much the two needed each other. I might actually make a separate post on this whole topic going into further detail about all this and the complexity of the whole situation from each character’s stance and perspective.

Thanks for the ask and I hope this answered more of your question 😊

[greyfongschemmenti]

overall thoughts on tdp??? Now that you’re done watching, which season/story-line/character (besides our iconic queen General and Aunt Amaya 👑) was your fave? Any moments throughout that you really felt or really spoke to you?

The dynamic of characters in this show is so interesting. The theme throughout the whole show is something that resonates with me because it's how I live my life. Despite what you hear about a certain group of people you should have an open mind. This is just some of my thoughts and opinions on some of the characters. There might be spoilers so read at your own risk.

I love Seasons 1-3 and if it wasn’t for the wedding preparations and scenes with Amaya. I wouldn’t have watched season 4. I felt like the whole season was complete filler. The series could’ve ended at the 3rd season and be solid. Season 4 didn’t really get my attention compared to the previous seasons. I hope the story picks up in season 5. I just need more Amaya 😭 lol

Callum starting as a kid who doesn't know where he belongs because he isn't a fighter or have anything useful to help the kingdom. He is the stepson of the king. Turns out he is a mage and he instantly knows that he wants to be a good light mage and nothing like what his former crush, Claudia is. Speaks on his character and reminds me a lot of his mom.

Ezran, such a baby doll, is quirky and awkward. Has a difficulty talking to people and has a special connection with animals. He has a kind heart and sees the good in people. He doesn't allow outside comments deter his judgement on a person. He reminds me so much of Antonio from Encanto. He is a fave for sure. He is a type of King that I would love to see in the real world.One that rules with kind and compassion instead with a drive for power or holier than thou.

Rayla being a moonshadow assassin. While Rayla claims to despise humans, on the inside she doesn't truly hate them. She doesn't see them as lesser beings than herself, unlike the rest of the elves. It causes this inner turmoil on her belief as a moon shadow assassin verses her morals. She constantly checking her morals and doing better. Willing to put her life on the line to do the right thing.

Claudia, her development was scary, I know there's some good but she continues down this dark path, that its sad. I was so hoping that she would run away with Soren. I really hope there is some way she can redeem herself in the upcoming season but I feel like she's so far down the rabbit hole that it's too deep a hole for her to come out of. The reason why I say Claudia's development is scary s because she knows she is becoming darker. Each season she is at a point where she pushes that morality further. She crosses that limit and instead of realizing ok that's enough. She knows it's bad and accepts it with no regret. Only to surpass it again the next time. There is nothing that will stop her to get what she wants.

Soren, at first I didn't care about him because he was this jerk who constantly picked on Callum, but Soren definitely grew. The first season I feel like the creators wanted us to see Soren as this idiot jock that heavily relies on his physical strength. It also didn't help that Viren and Claudia also treated him as such. As the series goes on he is so much more than that. His development throughout the series is one of the best, imo. He has this emotional intelligence that came to a surprise. He does have silly moments where he acts first but then he realizes his mistakes and changes. When Soren realized how he was manipulated by his dad. He went against his dad. This is so hard to do. He loves his dad and his sister so for him to renounce his loyalty from his family and follow the crown. Then on top of that having to go to war and the person you're fighting is your own father and sister. That hits the heart in more ways than one. His redemption arc is honestly chef's kiss. Soren is a good boi.

Amaya, my my my Amaya. She is wife. Once she appeared on the screen I had heart eyes immediately. Like I was already shopping for rings! I think I have a thing for strong stoic types who are really big softies. She's both an immovable object and an unstoppable force in battle. Amaya is thoughtful, honorable, compassionate and smart. Brutal, driven and capable. Pragmatic and adaptable. Her character design and fight choreography is stylish af. I could watch her fight it's like watching a dance. Her shield is honestly really cool and interesting design. Even though she's a tough person that flips switches so fast once she's with her nephews. She turns into this big softy that is so adorable and honestly is why I fell hard for her. She has a heart of gold and isn't afraid to jump into the line of fire to protect the people she loves. Her nephews, Gren, Janai, her soldiers, her kingdom. I could go on about Amaya.

Bait, Bait is the best. I can't get over him. He has a range of emotions and is the bestest boi. He deserves all the tarts.

Bonus:

I can't get over the fact that Amaya threw Bait in a perfect spiral throw. Bait is beauty. Bait is grace.

[purpleplaid17]

Jess Watches // Thu 26 Dec // Day 446 & Fri 27 Dec // Day 447 Synopses & Favourite Scenes & Poll

The Dragon Prince 7x02 True Heart

Tensions rise as Ezran grapples with rebuilding Katolis and deciding Runaan's punishment. Meanwhile, Claudia, Aaravos and Terry search for a hidden map.

MCR-avos being giddy afer the carousel ride was pretty adorable. I'm hoping Claudia and Terry can help him see there is still good times ahead and vengeance will not undo the past.

The Sex Lives of College Girls 3x06 Halloween & Oat Milk

Kimberly strives to impress her classmates, while Kacey contemplates revealing her virginity. Meanwhile, Bela occupies Taylor's time, and Lila pursues a romantic interest.

I hated them shaming Kacey for not having sex yet. Making it a huge deal when it could've been a sincere conversation. However, I did enjoy Willow's halloween costume and it's a shame she wasn't the one on the speed date with Ash (Ruby Cruz).

Merlin 3x10 Queen of Hearts

Prophetic dreams of Guinevere becoming Camelot's Queen torment Morgana. Morgause encourages her to reveal Arthur and Gwen's courtship to Uther, knowing the king will do whatever it takes to stop his son from marrying a serving girl.

Morgana, in love with Gwen: Then perish.

Merlin, in love with Arthur: *turns himself into an old man to play hide and seek*

The Six Triple Eight (2024) (with mum & sister)

During World War II, 855 women joined the fight to fix the three-year backlog of undelivered mail. Faced with discrimination and a country devastated by war, they managed to sort more than 17 million pieces of mail ahead of time.

Unfortunately not surprising I didn't know these women's story. The film did an excellent job in showing the fuller extent of their hard work and perseverance. I wasn't overly invested in the romance aspect but can understand why it was included. Overall a very impressive film. 🫡

[babblingtime]

After The Battle | A One-Shot The Dragon Prince Fanfic

This takes place a few months after the S3 Finale Battle. I think way too much about Soren and it shows but his character arc is immaculate.

Summary:

After months tensions have finally started settled down from the battle in Xadia, Ezran is on the throne and with the support of everyone is slowly getting establishing a new normal for the Kingdom of Katolis. With this new found peace and quiet however Corvus finds himself anxious and restless, that is until he starts to notice Soren sneaking off somewhere and takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of it.

Sorvus if you squint

Corvus has noticed something odd recently, nothing quite distressing but it still itched at his brain.

Soren has been sneaking off in the early hours of the day when he would usually be doing what he called his ‘pre-breakfast post-bathroom’ run around the castle grounds.

Corvus like’s to think he and the Crownguard gotten close maybe even started to become friends despite their complicated history.

But this made him anxious. Soren isn’t exactly a discreet person, he is loud and excitable yet when he sneaks off he seems to put a real effort into being as discreet as possible.

The only reason he noticed was by chance while he was wandering the halls of one of the towers trying to keep himself entertained when he just so happened to peak out one of the windows and noticed a hooded figure sneaking through an alley.

At first he thought it might be a random citizen but he had noticed a glimmer of what appeared to be metal. The next day Corvus camped by the window scanning the street and sure enough the hooded figure appeared again, that time around though he scanned for the smallest of details.

It was then he recognized not only Soren’s new sword but his hair as well. For weeks now he’s been bouncing around possible explanations in his head but the longer he simply watched Soren the more nervous he got.

Things may be finally winding down after that battle in Xadia but now it felt like at every turn their some big new threat to emerge.

Corvus bites his nails pondering what Soren could possibly be up to. Or…investigating perhaps?

“Uhh… Corvus?” He jolted, attention torn from the window. The young king was standing behind him looking up confused, his arms full with a grumpy glow toad.

Instinctively Corvus’s shoulders squared and his back straightened his arms going to a default salute position.

“My King!” Ezran’s narrowed his eyes at that, he has never been one for formalities especially when it came to people he held close. The only reason Corvus had been wandering this tower was because Ezran specifically told him to relax.

“You don’t need to do that you know. We’re friends!” The young king smiled up to Corvus squeezing his glow toad closer to his chest.

With a soft sigh Corvus allowed his muscles to relax feeling a bit embarrassed.

“I know my king, it is just instinct” Ezran’s continued to smile before tiptoeing in an attempt to peer over Corvus’s shoulder.

“Kind of like how it’s still your instinct to keep track of Soren right?” Ezran’s said with a tilt of his head. Corvus felt his eyes go wide betraying his calm face. The king giggled petting Bait’s head.

“It’s okay really. I don’t blame you,” Ezran continued striding to the window peering over, by now Soren was long gone but Ezran still gazed out.

“He has proven himself a brave and loyal friend but…he’s been struggling. I know he doesn’t like to talk about it but I think his misses Claudia a lot and…his dad.” Corvus looked away for a moment, lost in his thoughts.

It was months since that fateful battle. Corvus remembers how he urged the Kingdom of Duran on, the fear of being too late consuming him but they made it just in time.

The battle wasn’t easy but he fought regardless using his agility and years of training to aid him. When the fighting stopped General Amaya gave the command to find Viren, they all fanned out frantic to find him. That’s when it happened.

He had seen Soren collapse to the ground, the illusion of his father laying in front of him blood bleeding from an open wound. Ezran was there too his eyes were wide with horror and fear.

Claudia was yelling but he couldn’t make out the words he was still too far. Corvus had desprately tried to reach them worried of her next move as Soren remained on the ground his breaths slow and shaken as he stared at his own hands.

Before he could get there the illusion had broke revealing itself and the clock started ticking, they needed to find the real Viren. Soren had been quick to pick himself back up from his feet and rushed back into action.

Everything from there was hectic and if he’s being a honest a blur.

But he had always thought back to that moment. To Soren on the ground, tears streaming down his face, the vision of his dead father before him. Soren had mourned his father moments before he actually die and had to experience it again.

After everything was said and done and they had to ride back to Katolis. Corvus could see Soren’s mind drifting as they rode.

Grief was written all over him.

In the way his eyes remained unfocused, in the way his shoulders slumped, in the way his sword had been left behind, and in the way his grip tightened on the horses reign from time to time.

Corvus made sure to try and ask him questions, crack a few jokes, and reassure him on their way back home but Soren had only given half hearted responses until slowly he only gave grunts of acknowledgment. Even now Corvus sees he still carries that grief, that guilt.

“Are you alright?” Corvus shook himself from his memory.

“Yes my king-“

“You can just call me Ez, no one else is here” Corvus nodded

“Yes, I apologize. I’m just worried about Soren. He’s changed a lot since that battle.” Ezran’s face fell and he looked down seemingly ashamed.

“Hey. Ez, you are not responsible for that battle” Corvus put a hand on his shoulder offering understanding look.

“But it took away so much from everyone and we are just now recovering.”

“Viren had already set everything into motion, none of us could’ve stopped that from happening.” Ezran shrugged pouting for a moment.

It’s strange how much he’s grown and yet how small he has remained in many ways.

“Could you check up on Soren for me? And I mean like-actually check up on him and not watch him from a distance?” Corvus flushed but quickly bowed.

“Of course Erzan. You have my word.”

——————————————————-

Corvus mentally cursed himself. He had made a promise to the king to directly check on Soren and yet the very next day when he made it to the street he had spotted Soren around his instincts found him sneaking. His footsteps light and intentional as he trailed the Crownguard from a distance.

Technically he could choose to pop out now and play it off as him just happening to run into Soren but he was curious to see where Soren would go without knowing he was being tailed, he was walking at a fair pace each step confident.

It’s very possible Soren has been sneaking off far before he had ever noticed, this was clearly a path he was comfortable taking. Corvus watched carefully behind a few crates waiting for Soren to make a little further down before inching closer.

A few more steps and he’ll have his chance, Corvus readied himself stepping a cautious foot forward.

Then Soren pauses suddenly halting Corvus in his tracks, his breath halted as the silence turned tense.

From his position he could barely see Soren through the cracks of the crates. The guard’s head moved slightly from left to right before the captain of the guard turned around tossing up his arms in exasperation.

“You know, I can tell you’re there.”

Corvus tensed, his mouth going tight and his body freezing. Soren remained silent for a moment before a long exaggeration sigh escaped him.

“Come oooon! Listen. We’re going to do this whole thing, I say ‘Come out!’ And you try to pretend you aren’t there yada yada I pretend to let my guard down you follow closer I turn around catch you by surprise and its over. So might as well come out.” Corvus stood there stunned for a moment blinking in surprise. Either he had gotten rusty or has Soren gotten better.

Soren’s eyes darted around the alleyway before landing on the crates the tracker crouched behind.

Corvus chuckled lightly slowly exiting his hiding spot with his hands up.

“Just me Soren. Sorry about that.” Soren scrunched his nose, clearly annoyed that he had been followed.

“Sooo,” Soren crosses his arms shifting his weight to one foot “Why are you following me? It’s a little creepy if you ask me.” an eyebrow raised inquisitively.

“The king requested that I…check on you”

“Ez set you up to this? Why?” Soren clearly tensed a defensive tone coating is words, Corvus squinted at this his mouth turning to a tight frown.

“We are concerned about your well being.”

“We?” Soren glares, his agitation growing.

“I-“ Corvus cleared his throat thinking of the best way to defuse the situation .

“I noticed you heading off around this time, always wearing a cloak and taking the back alleys. We just-”

“Wanted to make sure I wouldn’t betray the kingdom again.”

“Soren that’s not-“

Before he could finish his sentence Corvus felt the ground dispear under him as Soren shoves him off his feet and bolts down the alleyway, quickly gaining his bearings Corvus shoots back up his guard now up as he dashes behind following the retreating knight.

Corvus rounds the corner sharply and freezes, Soren no where in sight. Soren may be fast but he is still slowed down by his armor and he could still follow the sound of his footsteps but there wasn’t a peep.

The tracker peaks around trying to find a trace of where he went. There’s some loose gravel against the wall like someone’s foot and scraped against it.

His gaze started to drift up. Before he could react Soren lunges at him from above tackling him to the ground, Corvus knows once Soren is on top of him it’s over.

They may be around the same height but Soren is much stronger than him something that has remained true since they were in their training days.

Corvus scrambles back trying to get away from Soren’s range but the title captain of the guard doesn’t come lightly. He manages to to get on his feet but not before Soren quickly lunges again this time slamming him against a wall.

“This isn’t-“ Corvus wheezes for a second Soren glaring at him “This isn’t helping your case Soren.” Soren’s eyes dart away, his concentration faltering.

Corvus seizes his opportunity to strike when he’s distracted and sweeps his legs with his own foot, Soren lets out a startled yelp as the rolls reverse and he falls onto the ground prone while Corvus takes the high ground kneeling over him.

“Just tell me what you’re up to. Why did you run?” Soren stared wide eyed before growling.

“Can’t a man just have a little bit of privacy!” He grabs a fist full of Corvus’s shirt and tosses him down onto the ground with him. They roll, both trying to over come the other first through sheer will but ultimately it’s Soren’s strength that grants him the advantage.

Soren wrestles his full body weight on the trapper’s abdomen, and Corvus makes the mistake of lifting both of his hands to try and shove Soren only to have his right armed seized twisted and pushed against his chest. He tries to move his left arm but Soren uses his knee to pin it down. The combined weight of Soren and his pinned arm makes it hard and painful to pull either of them free.

They struggled Corvus kicking and writhing around while Soren struggled to retain a good grip and not lose his victory.

“Would you- just stay still, I’m not doing anything wrong!” Soren snaps and Corvus falls still not because of the outburst but because he feels the familiar sense of a pair of eyes watching them. Soren seemingly feels the same presence his eyes turning away from Corvus.

They both turn to their attetion away from each other heads snapping down the alley towards the street.

A man stands there eyes wide with confusion and mouth full with jelly tarts he’s eyes darting between both of them.

“This is none of your concern!” Corvus shouts annoyed not only at being bested so quickly but embrassed there was a witness to it.

“Yeah get out of here! Everything is under control!” Soren barks back.

The man looks between them once more before he shovels another tart in his mouth turning on his heel and walks away whistling.

Corvus turns back to Soren eyes furrowed in anger ready to resume their struggle. They stare at each other for a moment before Soren’s face breaks a wide smile replacing his sneer as he starts to laugh, his grip loosening on Corvus’s arm. A much appreciated release.

“Did you-did you see the look on his face!” Soren wheezes out sliding off of Corvus and onto his side next to him, his laughs rocking his whole body as he lays on the ground.

“This isn’t funny!” Corvus attempts to retain the frustration of the fight but he can’t bite back his smile and amused chuckles for long the realization of how juvenile they must’ve looked as two grown men wrestling on the ground.

They both lay there on the dirty floor of an ally laughing staring up to the sky.

Corvus stops first his laughs slipping to a small chuckle deep in his chest, turning his head he faces Soren who continues to wheeze and laugh. He had always been so easy to amuse, once he started laughing it took hm a while to come down from it.

After a few more moment Soren gathers his composure pulling himself off the ground and standing. Corvus begins propping himself up with his elbows when Soren reaches out a hand. Corvus looks at it for a moment before accepting it, fondness taking over the previous adrenaline.

An oddly comfortable silence follows, their breaths catching up to them as the tension dissipates. Soren opens his mouth, closes it, glances away, looks back and opens his mouth again.

“Do you really want to know what I’m up to?” This surprises Corvus but he nods worried if he says anything he’ll lose this chance,.

Soren bites the inside of his cheek for a moment as if reconsidering.

“Follow me” BeforeCorvus could process what was going on Soren grabs his wrist, softly this time, and drags him along. They walk a few more blocks in silence before Soren crouches leading Corvus with him. Soren tuns to him bringing a finger up to his lip as he crawls under a slightly ajar window.

The building is tall, bright full green bushes line the exterior, blue and purple flowers blooming. Inside Corvus can hear faint chatter, his eyebrows raise in curiosity as he tries to make out what the building is.

Soren meanwhile rummages around a bush but silently trumpih when he pulls out a book. Soren makes hand motions to Corvus peer over the window.

Corvus hesitates for a moment before slowly raising himself up cautiously. It is a room filled with desks, half of those seats seemed to be occupied people from the age range of 20-49. Each of them had papers and pens standing at the front of the room is a tall woman with a larger desk as she speaks and points to a chalkboard the words ‘Writing 101’ written on there along with key words, definitions, and a writing exercise.

Cautiously Corvus lowers himself from the view of the window his mind lost in thought for a moment.

“A…school?” Confusion soaks in his words, as he turns to face Soren who has his book open a pen in hand. The soldiers face flushes quickly as he turns his face away from Corvus and back to the window.

“Claudia and my dad used to laugh at me whenever I suggested it, they used to say ‘stick to the sword not the pen Soren!’…its what you’re good at.” Corvus feels his face soften at that, guilt quickly replacing his caution.

“Well…I think it’s never too late to pick up the pen.”

“Yeah…but it is embarrassing” Soren whines huffing like a disgruntled dog.

“None of us would judge you you know. If this is something you want I’m more than sure that King Ezran and Prince-“

“No way!” Soren interjects lifting his chin from its resting place to face Corvus “That would be even more embarrassing. Callum is already way smarter than me and Ezran is definitely on track! That’ll just make me feel even more behind.” Soren grabs Corvus’s shoulders panic written all over his face.

“Promise you won’t tell them. O-or anyone!” His eyes are pleading and panicked searching Corvus’s face for confirmation. He thinks back to all the jabs he’s heard at Soren’s expense and he can’t help but cave.

“Alright, alright…I promise.” relief washes over Soren as his shoulders relax and a soft sigh escapes him.

Corvus stays sitting with him, as Soren dramatically reads out some of the things he’s written. Admittedly they aren’t good but regardless Corvus listens, giving half true compliments when he could.

————————————————-

Corvus finds himself back in the tower where he had observed Soren his feet still insinctly bringing him there. When he made it to the window he peered his head out looking up and down the path to no avail. Maybe he had missed him or maybe Soren wasn’t too keen on being watched from a distance.

“So what did you find out?” Corvus jolts, he can never seem to sense when the young king is approaching. He turns to face Ezran who stares at him expectantly, Corvus hears his promise echoing in is brain as he struggles to find a lie or a half truth.

“Um yes about that… Well. You see my king-“ Ezran looks amused, a playful expression spreads across his face as he leans forward bringing a hand to his face hiding his mouth from non present eavesdroppers.

“If its a secret you don’t have to tell me” he whispers. Corvus tries to say something else his mouth agap but no words form.

Ezran giggles putting down his hand and straightening his back.

“As long you made sure he’s okay you’ve done your mission well. Thank you for checking on him Corvus. I really appreciate it.”

Ezran does a small bow before walking off leaving Corvus standing there.

Ezran used to only have a way with animals seemingly knowing how they are feeling or what they are thinking but lately it seems its has been extended to people as well.

He really is going to make a great king.

Corvus’s eye return back towards the window spotting a familiar cloak heading through the alleyway. It stops for a moment and looks up to the tower. Corvus see’s Soren’s smile even from this high up as he waves. Corvus waves back before Soren hurriedly turns around and continues on his path.

[obsessedwiththedragonprince]

So I've watched the first three seasons of TDP a while ago, randomly decided it needed a rewatch, somehow realised it got two additional seasons while i wasn't looking and now I need a place to vent my random thoughts.

I watched around a season a day and i just have to watch the se3 finale tomorrow and I'll catch up with what I've seen so far. When I see the 4th and 5th seasons I'll probably going to start spewing a lot of random shit so beware.

First of all. FIRST EPISODE AND CLAUDIA IS READING LOVE AMONGST THE DRAGONS?!

Second. I shipped Amaya and Janai hard the first time around already but this is so good. Like Janai's sister dying? Prolly my favourite scene so far. (Btw I'm spoiler free for seasons 4 and 5 except i googled ship name for them and saw a picture of them kissing so i know that's canon. Would honestly feel cheated and insulted if it wasn't.) Also the translator is such a cinnamon roll.

There are sooo many lovable characters in this series. I love Amaya and Soren most I think but everyone has such good arcs!!

Like Claudia being manipuated by Viren? I really like how her corruption comes from her love for Viren. I also loved how Soren is seen as the slower one out of them but she's more naive when it comes to their father.

The scene where Soren leaves her and she says "Don’t make me choose! Not again."? Right in the feels man.

Also sending my love to Bait! The guy deserves some love! I felt really bad for him during that scene on the ship when he felt like he was replaced by Zym and then when Callum invited him to come and he was so happy?? Like my heart? And then he basically goes and becomes a parental figure to Zym.

Oh that reminds me. What was the captain's name? I can't remember but i recognised it in those texts in the beginning when important people who work on the series are written so. Fun.

Also Gren is so random but I hope we'll see more of him. Loved his friendship with Amaya even if it had like two minutes of screentime.

I'm trying to think of everything that went through my head during the watching. Um.

Oh! Aaravos (is that correct?) What's up with that dude? And I didn't go back to check but in Harrow's letter to Callum he said that cube is a key sth connected to Aavaros and that he's a powerful mage and knows all six arcanums? So I'm wondering where that'll go. But he'll prolly be the final villain instead of Viren? We'll see ig. And a stupid thought but i just imagined him being somehow stuck in the cube? And my brain automatically got the idea that to open it all six sides must be activated(glowing) at the same time? I dunno what my brain is on atm but this exists in my head now.

And what happened with Ezran's abdication? Like why did he do it? What did anyone gain from that? Were the others supposed to leave them alone just because he did it? Dunno.

Also Aanya is so cool. Really love how she has a brain you know?

Also who was the guy who first deserted when the option was offered? Cause I know we saw him before but idk where. Wait he's not the guy Rayla spared is he? That would make some sense but i know we see the guy who deserts at least once in the throne room? I'm confused.

Also all kings and queens are dead so who's leading all the other armies beside Kasef(is it Kasef?)? Why don't we meet them?

Also Corvus is great and I love how he just goes along with everything Ezran does. You're a weird king Ezran.

This is so random but how was that vet supposed to know how fast an unhatched dragon's heartbeat is supposed to be? Just seemed funny to me.

Also i think the first time around i didn't like Soren in the beginning but now i loved him from the first scene when he helps Callum show off in front of Claudia.

I'll be back in the morning but right now I'll have to finish this rant cause i went to bed like two hours ago and couldn't sleep so this happened lmao.

[raayllum]

18. "I need to change the bandage" for sorpeli? 🙏🏼👀

Plus send me a number with a ship and i’ll write it (accepted ships are tdp canon ships + rarepairs (claudiez, sopreli, corvus/terry, sorvus) this one is also on ao3

Soren is a crownguard.

Opeli has known—has always known—that his job is to lay down his life for the king, should straits become that dire. That is what the crowguard is sworn to do, what any good knight is sworn to do.

The first time Soren returned to Katolis with bruises (bludgeoned by an enemy turned ally named Elmer), Opeli had been concerned, but not overly so. Then, a few years later, there'd ben the assassination attempt within the castle walls, and Corvus and Soren had shared grim, bloodied smiles with one another. She'd tutted, but mostly looked over things in Ezran's stead while he worried over their friends in the infirmary.

It's been another four years since then, and two since Corvus departed for greener forests.

She doesn't know when the sight of Soren's bright red blood started turning her stomach.

Perhaps it was when a recruit in training struck him a tad too hard, alarm rising at his black eye during the following council meeting. Maybe it was when he'd brought her soup that winter, when ailment had left her bedridden. Or maybe it's just that, at twenty-seven, Soren is far more capable of being a friend to her than he was a decade ago, and her heart dreads the loss of one of her few true companions.

The crownguard are all tired after the latest assault on their city's walls. The fight had went on for two days, but it seems over—for now, at least. Ezran barks orders left and right, opening the castle doors to take in people who's families were burned or turned to rubble in the attack. People snag Opeli's arm or catch her cloak, asking for prayers, for last rites. She gives them, tired and desolate, eyes searching for—

Soren, struggling to take off his armour as he sits on one of the benches, a few scrapes on his face.

Opeli makes a beeline for him, watching as he shoos away their main medic towards one of his younger knights who's sporting a bad leg. "Just a scratch," Soren says. "It'll be fine."

"It will, will it?" Opeli admonishes, towering before him.

Soren's eyes light up at the sight of her; he cracks a grin. "I trust you'll put in a good prayer for me, won't you?"

She tuts as she sits down on the bench next to him, surveying the damage. It's a long but seemingly thin cut along the sliver of fabric between his shoulder late and arm gauntlet. No wonder it hurts to try to take the armour off on his own.

She reaches over, unfastening one of the straps. "Let me. Clerics are trained marginally in healing, you know." It's in the first few years of apprenticeship, so they can speak on matters of medicine and when last rites should actually be performed.

He watches her, eyes raking over for any hint of injury. "You and the other clergy were fine?"

"You and the other crownguard let no one to the second story, so yes, we're fine."

Soren's fingers catch hers once she's wrestled off the shoulder pad. "Then why are your hands shaking?"

Because we both saw friends and allies die tonight. Because for every crownguard I saw slumped over, dead, I feared it was you, and disgust at my relief when it wasn't pierced me through every time. Like Lady Justice's sword.

Opeli clears her throat, gesturing, resisting the urge to avert her eyes when Soren does as she wants and removes his shirt. She has to make sure he can take the damn thing off, after all, with his hurt arm and sore shoulder. Soren manages, grimacing, and she frowns more sternly when she sees blood on the bandage already wrapped around his arm, dried and then fresh again.

"You were already injured?"

"I'm fine," he says, but yelps when she pokes at it pointedly. "Alright, easy. Relax. I'm still here, aren't I?"

"I'll need to change this bandage," she mutters. "Clean both wounds now. I'll be back with a bowl of water. Don't move."

Soren is nearly lounging when she returns, legs kicked out and leaning against the wall, still shirtless, but Opeli pays it no mind because clerics don't look, even if her cheeks heat something terrible.

Instead she focuses on dabbing her rag in the bowl of too cool water and cleaning out the wounds, carefully. Soren sits up straight for it, blue eyes trained steadily on her, though she doesn't know what for.

Her eyes flicker from his wound as she re-bandages it to his chest, to his jaw and lips, and then away again. She needs... Her lips twist when she glances up and sees the furrow of his brows, the look in his eyes.

Somehow she knows that haze in his eyes, even if no one has gazed at her that way in years, and even if he is too young and foolish to have it. Not for her.

"Don't look at me like that," she mutters, not like he's just drinking in the fact that she's there, beside him. Like he wants to keep her there. She keeps her eyes trained on her work. Distance. Plausible deniability. That's what she needs, and what he needs too; he'll thank her for it later. For sparing him something unsatisfactory.

"Like what?" His fingers of his injury-free side drift up and tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, away from it'd fallen in disarray over her circlet.

Her throat dries as his fingertips skim her jawline on the way back done. She swallows thickly.

"Soren." It probably comes out harsher, if more breathless, than she means it to.

He shrugs and pulls away, and lets her finish the tying the knot around his new bandages, the blood finally gone.

She should get up and leave. Tend to someone else.

"I'm glad you're alright," he says, his voice a quiet tether in a room full of chaos.

And while she's brittle, and maybe even a little resentful that he gets to be so—so open and indulgent in comparison, she will not take her weakness out on him. She will not begrudge their friendship just because something persistent inside idiotically wants what she cannot have.

And she did pray for his safety—for all of their safeties—but she doesn't need to say that out loud. She doesn't need to state her fears that if she is less holy, the gods who answered her prayer will stop listening, and take him away from her.

Justice is about balance. She cannot let herself tip over the edge lest the consequences come.

So she says this, instead, and allows herself a smile once he shrugs on his shirt.

Not every truth can, or should, hurt, as she meets his sky blue eyes, so warm and so alive. Still alive.

"I'm glad you're alright, too."

They sit on the bench with the bowl of water between them till the sun sets, and both must attend to their duties.

[nerdasaurus1200]

I saw Dragon Prince season 4 and hoo boy do I have thoughts (in no particular order)

First off, it's adorable how much of a magic nerd Callum is. He's grown so much and become so much stronger in two years

Stella is baby. She's living her best life with her cuddlemama and future cuddle papa. Speaking of, let Callum becalled a cuddlepapa by himself or Rayla next season

Zym and Ezran have grown up so much and it both breaks and warms my heart

Okay, so Rayla is a Dragonguard. Good to know.

Terry is my son now. I adopted him, he's mine.

I feel like Callum is just a little bit jealous of Stella getting love from Rayla

“The other elves saw me as a doe, but I knew. I always knew that I was a buck. I..chose the name Terrestrius.”....This line here. This line is gonna stick with me forever. I honestly didn't expect them to outright tell or show us Terry is trans but I'm so glad. That's gonna mean so much to trans kids watching this show. And the fact that Viren has no problems with it at all makes it even more special. Although Terry's wording makes me wonder if someone in his family didn't accept him.

Oh man I just read his wiki page and apparently Terry is still mid transition

I'm calling it now, that girl that figured out Araavos is Harrow and Ezran's descendant

Well, at least we know how loyal Terry is to Claudia.....someone get this poor boy a mug of hot cocoa, a blanket, a hug, and a therapist; he's earned it. He was 100% having a panic attack

"I'm gonna feel all the feelings!" THAT'S RIGHT YOU GO MY FUNKY BOY

I KNEW IT! I KNEW RAYLA'S PARENTS WERE IN THE COINS!GOD POOR RAYLA! ETHARI AND CALLUM ARE GONNA LOSE THEIR SHIT!

Hot damn, Ezran's speech combined with Ibis and Claudia fighting was powerful...that whole scene really encapsulates what the entire show is about, I think

Zubeia gets more and more badass with every episode

I wasn't expecting the chocolate tart to be brought back but it's nice that Rex Igneous liked it. Although how could he taste so much of such a little thing?

Ohhhhh wait, I just got that! Rex means king, he's KING Igneous!

Oh man I had no idea Ezran's crown is made from Harrow's sword

That possesion scene was straight up creepy, I honestly thought Callum died for a second

Speaking of creepy, I never wanna see snake Claudia again, please and thank you

I know Callum is angry at Rayla but he needs to talk to her, really. I feel like he's using the possession thing as an excuse to not talk about their relationship. Like, I do think he's genuinely shaken up by it but he's choosing to focus on that because it's easier

Soren...god, Soren has changed so much. In just 3 years, this boy has gone from picking fights with dragons and being eager to kill them to not being able to turn away from a dragon in need. He even shed his armor for her. Season 1 Soren would NEVER have done that in a million years

Another thing S1 Soren would never do is that talk with Claudia. Man, that was deep.

Also I love Soren's new look, I feel like it suits him way better than his knight armor

I dunno why I expected an out of the gate dramatic conversation when Soren found Claudia. Although I am glad we still got them having that conversation

I will say though, I do wish we got more of a reaction to Terry from Soren

Can Squeaky return next season as Soren's dragon pal? Please? he's the only one that doesn't have an animal companion

"I wanna spend the last month traveling with my daughter, the most important person in the world to me" I....it's nice that you're finally learning to not be a jackass Viren, but did you forget that you have a son??? Is Soren just chopped liver to you?

That said, I do appreciate that Viren has changed. I feel like he's definitely not gonna become immortal.

Regarding Claudia's speech about human suffering....either she's been fed TONS of propaganda by Araavos or she's taking it way too personally after all this time. Like, girl, you have an elf boyfriend, calm down

Awww the return of big feelings time!

[ac0531]

Honestly, seeing the progression of rayllum never fails to make me smile. I love how it starts off as Rayla wanting to try and finish what she couldn’t do, but when meeting Callum (and later Ezran as well), she puts it all to the side to help them return the egg and stop the war.

To think, it all started when Rayla tried to complete the mission of assassinating King Harrow and Prince Ezran. Even if she was hesitant and didn’t want to do it, I still love how Callum was willing to put his own life at risk if it meant keeping his little brother safe.

And after they find the egg, then they are on a new quest: a chance to end the war.

Seeing Callum and Rayla interact throughout season 1 was one of the cutest things ever! It was nice seeing them develop a bond, even though they had their ups and downs such as their confrontation with Amaya or the egg almost dying after it was dropped into an ice lake.

But the next season, we got even more Callum and Rayla bonding, and even some cute moments shared between them like hugs, hand on shoulder and even the one moment where Rayla nearly confesses to Callum when he’s suffering from the effects of dark magic.

And then we get to season 3, which is peak rayllum! Honestly, I could go into a whole talk about all the moments they shared, but keeping it brief, I love all their moments shared when Rayla is showing him through Xadia while also focusing on getting Zym back to his mother.

Even though Rayla discovered she was ghosted, felt like she has failed everyone, and felt cast out when at the Oasis after learning the truth from Ethari- Callum still standing by her and giving her reassurance melted my heart.

Like the scene on the ambler, where he tells Rayla that she’s a hero and goes on about how amazing she is- I literally squealed the first time in saw it! Plus the kiss after- SO CUTE!

And towards the end, seeing them hold hands and stick together- shows just how much they care about each-other!

But definitely the pinnacle moment had to be Callum activating the Manus Pluma Volantis spell to save Rayla after she tackled Viren off the spire. Just the way he tells her he loves him, and when she says it back- my heart melted and I was grinning wide!

“Because I love you, Rayla! I really do.”

“I love you too, Callum!”

In the end, seeing how they went from being enemies at first due to Rayla focusing on her mission, to developing a bond as they traveled together, to becoming close and even confessing their love for the other is something that I’ll never forget when watching TDP for the first time (and on subsequent rewatches as well)

Day 1 of the Rayllum Appreciation Rewatch Week, hosted by @raayllum

Enemies to Friends to Best Friends to Lovers

[jelzorz]

125.

Ezran is twelve so it's pretty reasonable that he doesn't get it. He's never been in love, or in a break up, or in a make up, and he'd watched Callum fall apart and try to put himself back together in the two years Rayla'd been gone but she's back now, and he thought...

Well he thought Callum would be happy to see her, at least. He thought Callum would be relieved that she's okay, and pleased that she'd come home, and maybe a little mad that she left the way she did, but not like this. Ezran's got his own issues to air out with her, but on the whole he's glad she's here. Callum, though?

Ez bites back a huff. They're fighting again, and it's getting old. They fight about the fire, about sleeping arrangements, about who takes first watch, about which direction they should go. It's driving him crazy because peace is becoming unbearably hard to maintain, and he's a king and even council meetings are easier than this.

Soren, apparently, thinks it's funny.

"It's nice to see him get mad sometimes," he says, which Ez doesn't get at all. "I think he needs it."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Soren hums thoughtfully, which is weird because Soren's never been particularly good at reading the room. Ez watches him poke at his dinner while Callum and Rayla are all but yelling at each other by the river before he spears a bit of fish and gestures vaguely at them with his fork. "They've just got some—what do you call it? Big Feelings?—that they need to sort through."

Ez wrinkles his nose. "We all have Big Feelings about it. Why can't they just talk?"

"Because it's not just Big Feelings for them," Soren answers. "It's other stuff too. Other... physical stuff."

Ez stares. Then he flushes. "You mean—"

"Things are different now," Soren says. "They're older. They have things they want, and things they missed out on because they weren't together these past couple of years. It's all just been pent up with nowhere to go, and now that Rayla's back..." Soren shrugs and turns back to his plate. "Wish they'd just go somewhere private and get it over with."

"Soren."

"What? You asked why they keep fighting."

Ez snaps his mouth shut, unsure if he's disgusted or mortified. Opeli's already given him that talk, thank you, and it wasn't any less uncomfortable then. He'd always known sex was a thing that people did, but the thought of his brother and Rayla being people that did it too—

He shudders and sets his plate down, his appetite well and truly gone.

Soren snorts. "Yeah, it's a weird thought, right? Try not to think too hard about it. They'll work it out."

"I didn't need that image though."

Soren barks out a laugh. "Listen," he says kindly. "As gross as it is, and as annoying as they are, it's nice to see Callum getting mad and flustered and ridiculous about something, don't you think? It's a good thing that he's letting himself have Big Feelings again. Better than watching him lock himself up in his study for days and pretending he's fine, anyway."

Ez glances at them, still arguing on the river bank, standing too close to each other but too far away, their faces flushed, their eyes darting to each other's lips. He still doesn't get it. Not really. But he sighs and supposes Soren's right.

[arcadianmoonshadowjedi]

Hi Dreamy! Soo I watched TDP Season 6 last night! That was a GOOD season. Many of the open processes were led to satisfying conclusions, so that was nice. However, can I just ask... how do you bear with the pacing. I grapple with the sudden aging of the characters, Rayla's unannounced return from her unannounced disappearance, with the bad jokes, with the weird side quests. Zym isn't even one of the main characters anymore. "Rise of the Archmage" or whatever would describe the plot so much better?

What I'm trying to say is, I think I generally like the story and the arcs that people are taken through, but the differences between seasons just botch it up for me so much that cannot get more invested. It's a shame for such a well thought-out universe. It somehow seems like the writers were making it up as they went along without a real vision, and now after that last, rather poorly-received "setup" season, they finally got their act together. But what is up with that. How can I enjoy episodes of such a wide range in quality.

It bothers me very much. This could have been done better, more consistently. There is a cut to me before the aging and after the aging. They patched it up with the reenactment of that scene. It kinda works. But why was it made to have been needed. Lol.

Hey there! I personally enjoyed season 4 and 5 but I understand it wasn’t the same for everyone. Actually when I watched the Dragon Prince for the the first time, after I binged all of arc 1 shortly after the release of S3, I got really invested and followed a lot of news and even watched the zoom panel with the cast and crew, all of which lead me to finding the graphic novel Through the Moon and being able to get that and read it then. Definitely reading that helped me prepare for arc 2, at least knowing what to expect of Rayla and Rayllum. I know not everyone knew about the graphic novel so I do wonder if perhaps maybe it could’ve been animated as a short movie and released in between S3 and 4, since the events of it wouldn’t have fit at the end of S3 and neither at the beginning of S4. But at the same time, I’m not sure if they would’ve been given the greenlight for that by Netflix 🤷🏽‍♀️

As for the time skip, I’m actually fine with it since I feel like it gives more opportunity for a lot of different changes to have occurred, like Callum having learned more magic, Ezran to have grown more into his role as king, showing that Claudia getting the ingredients and everything needed to bring back Viren was a lot harder and needed a lot of time to complete, showing the gravity and difficulty of that spell, and lastly showing that despite Rayla’s intense long search of Viren, she couldn’t find him at all. And with the tone and theme of the show having matured in the Mystery of Aaravos by a whole lot, I do think it makes much more sense for the characters to be older and more mature to deal with it all.

Ngl I do miss seeing Zym more a great deal too but his role also depends on where we’re at in the story, like in arc 1, it was focused on him hatching and being a newborn dragon being brought home, along with him being a major target for Viren. S4 definitely was his biggest role in arc 2 since we now see him being a toddler and having become more stubborn and going against his mother a lot lol. But I guess his role has more to do with where we’re at in the plot? I do hope we get to see more of him in S7 though 😭

I guess the title “Mystery of Aaravos” has to do a lot with how as the audience, there’s so much we don’t know about him when we start the arc and then we learn more as we go, esp in S6.

As for all of the side plots, I do feel like S6 does tie them well together, kinda like how in arc 1, we did start getting the sunfire elves plot with Amaya, which at first may have felt unrelated to the main plot but it ultimately tied into it. In arc 2, we do see it tie in sooner in S5 when Callum and Rayla wanted to go to the Great Bookery of Lux Aurea, along with Janai having the nightmares about Aaravos and all of that.

To answer your question on how to better enjoy arc 2 esp between the gaps, I’ll suggest some of the graphic novels and also add a link to the short stories released before S4 and 5 which could hopefully bridge more gaps and help you enjoy more:

Through the Moon: Graphic novel set right after S3, deals with Rayla’s fears of Viren still being alive as well as her not having closure on what happened to her parents and Runaan, leading up to events of her leaving, definitely recommend reading, esp if you decide to do a whole series rewatch right after you finish season 3.

The Dragon Prince: Reflections: All short stories available on the Dragon Prince official website to read for free. Volume 1 stories were released Pre-S4 and are mostly set within the 2 year time gap. Volume 2 stories were released before season 5 most set between S4 & 5, with the exception of ‘Strangers’, which is set during S4 when Soren was tied up by Terry and Claudia and deals with him reacting to Viren being alive, and the three-part story ‘Chasing Shadows’ which is focused on Rayla’s time in Scumport pre-S4, and ‘Queen’s Mercy’ which is a Kim’dael backstory.

Bloodmoon Huntress: Graphic novel with a Rayla backstory, starts with her parents leaving for the dragon guard & her being adopted by Runaan and Ethari. It shows a lot of how it impacted Rayla, gives ALOT of insight into Rayla’s upbringing and how she forms her understanding of how to love someone, esp in terms of her eventually leaving Callum when she’s older. This book also introduced Kim’dael who we also see in S5.

There’s also the graphic novel ‘Puzzle House’ which is a Soren and Claudia backstory set after their mother left, which I also loved and found giving more insight into Claudia’s character, but I would definitely say that ‘Through the Moon’ and ‘Bloodmoon Huntress’ would help bridge gaps more. I guess a good way to keep up with all of these releases would be to follow TDP official social media like their Instagram and Twitter since that’s where they post the updates and new releases. You can also follow Aaron and Justin on Twitter too since they post a lot of news first hand.

Let me know if you want to discuss more and if you want me to provide anymore resources 😊 I really hope these can improve your experience with the saga and help you enjoy it more ❤️❤️

[meganwasbored]

The Dragon Prince Thoughts Season 2 Episodes 5 and 6

(I thought I posted this a week ago but apparently I accidentally saved it in my drafts instead but better late than never)

I finally have the time to watch more I swear this was the most stressful week of my life

Episode 5

-“Breaking The Seal” L E T T E R ?

-I think I’ve been patient enough just open the dang letter before I lose my mind

-“I’ve done terrible things” shoot I forgot he said that is he talking about killing the dragon king or something related to that

-slightly confused about how these kingdoms work, are there multiple kingdoms within Katolis, or are these kings and queens from outside of Katolis

-“it seems I am a crown without an adult, and you are an adult without a crown” !!!!!!!!!

-BOOM GET HUMBLED

-ofc Viren had to make this all dramatic, literally just showing off at this point

-a NEW threat?? Haven’t y’all been at war for idek how many years?? How is any of this new??

-“there are reports of shadows in the clouds, dragons” MORE DRAGONS

-I take it back this room is boring, bring back the special effects

-I can’t tell if the others are scared of the elves or scared of whatever Viren just did

-I was confused why Ezran seems so chill about his father dying but then I remembered that he doesn’t even know, man this is gonna hurt

-“I won’t send my armies to face unknown danger over a two minute speech. I may be a child but apparently I’m the least impulsive of us all. Besides, I hardly call ‘we’ll do what everyone else says’ a decision.” GIRL

-I may as well quote absolutely everything Queen Aanya says because she’s my new hero

-“Sweet words can be more dangerous than hidden daggers”

-don’t mind me just crying over this flashback scene oh my gosh

-“I know you will stand by me through anything” Whoops actually he just stood there as you were murdered and is now trying to kill both your sons

-bruh even baby Ezran is a menace when it comes to jelly tarts

-“why do I deserve this? What did I do except being born with everything?” Harrow buddy you deserve the world

-Viren is a master manipulator and while it makes me wanna hurt him you gotta admit he knows how to get what he wants

-NO POOR BAIT JUST WANTS TO BE LOVED

-dude it looks like Viren actually cared about Harrow a lot what the heck happened to him

-Sarai is literally so awesome why do all the best characters die, this better not become a trend

-Obviously the titan isn’t actually dead idc how dead they think he looks they just went “oh he’s not moving so I’m gonna hammer a stake through him, what can go wrong?”

-Callum and Bait being besties is something I didn’t know I needed

-THE SEAL IS BROKEN I REPEAT THE SEAL IS BROKEN

-fire titan dude is pretty ugly like uglier than I thought he would be

-Venus fly trap looking head

Episode 6

-LETTER TIMEEEEEE

-why did they put this at the beginning I shouldn’t be crying this early in the episode

-they took the dragon egg MONTHS ago??? Did they say this before cause I thought it was like years ago, I’m so confused with this timeline

-IT JUST CUTS OFF???

-YALL BETTER NOT BE MAKING ME WAIT AGAIN TO HEAR TO REST OF THAT LETTER I SWEAR

-oh my gosh I’m freaking stupid this story is how his mom dies isn’t it

-“the injured must be left behind” right when past-Viren earns my respect again he says stupid stuff like that

-“you wouldn’t do this if it wasn’t your wife’s sister” well I don’t see a ring on your finger so how would you know

-“I ask you and your brother to reject history as a narrative of strength, and instead have faith that it can be a narrative of love”

-all these flashback scenes are so cute I just know I’m gonna rewatch the heck outta this episode

-“Rayla, that’s a funny name” it’s literally the most normal name out of every character we’ve met

-The boat guy (I forgot his name so I’m just gonna call him Boat Guy) encouraging Rayla to literally kill people is hilarious

-“I’ve never actually killed anyone”

“Maybe someday! Never give up on your

dreams!”

-“with the heavy heart of the titan, and the additional burden of carrying the wounded” I actually wanna punch him through the screen just the way he said that makes me so mad, like he’s bitter about Harrow not wanting to leave most of their soldiers there to die

-Zym steals my heart all over again every second he’s on screen

-“you can’t control where the river goes, there’s one thing you can know and control, yourself”

-“I want to talk to you about life and growing up and how sometimes there are changes you don’t expect” WAIT IS THAT THE THING CALUM SAID TO EZRAN I THINK THATS THE THING CALLIM SAID TO EZRAN

-“free yourself from the past, learn from it, understand it, then let it go” y’all don’t understand how much I needed to hear this rn

-I KNOW YOURE NOT TELLING THIS POOR GRIL WHAT HER MOTHERS WOULD HAVE WANTED TO GET HER VOTE YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT WHAT HER MOTHERS WOULD HAVE WANTED

-Viren throwing a baby tantrum the second someone tells him no is hilarious, the child in the room is more mature than he will ever be

-that fact that Harrow gave Callum the cube of all things makes it seem like he knew that Callum was gonna be a mage

-“extra-super-secret-bonus-secret” I love him so much we lost him way too soon

-DRAGON DRAGON DRAGON