As they approached the bustling tavern on the outskirts of Aldoria, the warm glow of lanterns and the cheerful hum of conversation spilled out into the night. Aldric pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted with practiced ease, turning to offer a hand to Rylan. The elf hesitated, clutching his sleeping robe tightly, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
"I can't walk in there like this," Rylan whispered, his voice laced with embarrassment. "The Council has strict rules about appearance. If anyone sees me like this, it'll be scandalous."
Aldric tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips, though his gaze softened with understanding. "Elves and their rules," he teased lightly. "Always so concerned about appearances."
Rylan shot him a glare, though it lacked any real venom. "Some of us have reputations to maintain, General."
Chuckling, Aldric unclasped the heavy fur cape draped across his shoulders and stepped closer. Without a word, he gently wrapped it around Rylan, the warmth of the fabric immediately enveloping the elf. The cape was far too large for Rylan's slender frame, but it covered him well, hiding the loose folds of his sleeping robe beneath.
"There," Aldric said, fastening the clasp at Rylan's neck with careful hands. "Now no one will know you came straight from your cozy little cabin."
Rylan glanced down at the cape, running his fingers over the soft fur. Despite himself, he smiled faintly. "Thank you," he murmured, his tone softer now.
Aldric stepped back, admiring his handiwork with a grin. "You look like royalty now. Fit for a bar filled with rowdy humans."
Rylan sighed but allowed himself a small chuckle. "Let's just get this over with."
As they stepped into the bar, the atmosphere immediately shifted. The room was warm and filled with the scent of spiced mead and roasted meat. Conversations paused for a brief moment as patrons turned to glance at the newcomers, their gazes lingering on Rylan with a mix of curiosity and admiration. It wasn't every day they saw an elf—especially one as striking as Rylan—grace their humble establishment.
Aldric, ever the confident one, strode forward, his presence commanding the room as he greeted the bartender with a hearty laugh. "A round of your finest mead for me and my friend here!"
Rylan trailed behind, pulling the fur cape tighter around himself as he followed Aldric to a table near the corner. Rylan discomfort was palpable, but Aldric leaned in with a reassuring smile.
"Relax," he said, his voice low enough that only Rylan could hear. "You're with me. No one's going to bother you."
Rylan glanced around the room, his keen eyes taking in the rugged patrons and the lively atmosphere. Slowly, he allowed himself to relax, leaning back in his seat as Aldric placed a mug of mead in front of him.
"Here's to stepping out of your comfort zone," Aldric said, raising his mug with a playful grin.
Rylan hesitated for only a moment before lifting his own mug, the corners of his lips quirking into a small smile. "And here's to humans who are surprisingly thoughtful."
Their mugs clinked together, and as the evening wore on, Rylan found himself enjoying the warmth of the mead—and Aldric's company—far more than he expected.
As the lively chatter and clinking of mugs filled the air, Rylan couldn't ignore the faint whispers and the darting gazes from a group of elves seated in the corner. Their sharp eyes flicked between him and Aldric, their murmurs subtle but unmistakable. Rylan's face warmed, his posture stiffening as he instinctively scooted slightly away from Aldric.
Aldric, ever perceptive, caught the movement and glanced at Rylan with a raised brow. "What's this? Getting shy all of a sudden?" he teased, his tone laced with amusement.
Rylan avoided his gaze, his fingers nervously tracing the edge of his mug. "Some of the elves…they're staring," he murmured, barely audible over the din of the tavern. "I'm not exactly blending in here."
Aldric followed Rylan's line of sight, spotting the group of elves watching them with poorly concealed intrigue. His smirk widened, and without hesitation, he looped a strong arm around Rylan's shoulders and tugged him back into his chest. The motion was so sudden that Rylan gasped softly, his wide eyes darting up to meet Aldric's mischievous grin.
"Let them stare," Aldric said casually, leaning slightly closer to Rylan. His voice was low and smooth, carrying a confidence that made Rylan's cheeks flush. "You're with me tonight, and I don't give a damn what anyone thinks."
Rylan stiffened, his heart racing as he felt the solid warmth of Aldric's chest against his back. The General's casual yet protective gesture left him momentarily speechless. He glanced toward the whispering elves, who now looked away quickly, their curiosity tempered by Aldric's undeniable presence.
"I—I don't need you to make a scene," Rylan finally managed to say, his voice soft but tinged with nervousness.
Aldric chuckled, his grip loosening slightly but still resting firmly on Rylan's shoulder. "Who said anything about a scene? I'm just making sure you stay right here. Wouldn't want you sneaking off and leaving me to drink alone."
Rylan sighed, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. Despite his initial embarrassment, he couldn't deny the strange comfort he felt in Aldric's protective hold. "You're impossible," he muttered, though the fondness in his tone was hard to miss.
"And you're terrible at relaxing," Aldric shot back with a wink. "Now, drink up. It's on me, remember?"
Rylan gave a soft nod, his shoulders relaxing slightly under Aldric's arm. The warmth of the fur cape and the steady presence of the General beside him were oddly reassuring. He sipped his drink, his gaze flickering to Aldric as curiosity got the better of him.
"Aldric," he began hesitantly, swirling the liquid in his mug. "Why are you doing this? I mean, coming all the way to Aldoria, approaching me… being so—" He paused, searching for the right word. "—persistent? Humans don't usually… well, let's just say they don't seek out elves for companionship. Most of your kind see us as… too perfect, untouchable, or even untrustworthy."
Aldric chuckled, the low rumble of his laugh drawing Rylan's gaze. He leaned back in his chair, his arm still resting comfortably on Rylan's shoulders. "You've got it all wrong," he said, his tone easy and unguarded. "It's not about perfection. That's just a story people tell themselves when they don't understand something."
Rylan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his words. "Then what is it about?"
Aldric's expression softened, the playful smirk giving way to something more genuine. He glanced at his drink, his fingers tracing the rim of the mug. "You're right, most humans do have a chip on their shoulders when it comes to elves. Jealousy, fear, ignorance—it all plays a part. But me? I don't buy into that nonsense. I've spent too much time on the battlefield, seen too much death, to care about old grudges and petty rivalries."
He turned his gaze back to Rylan, his eyes steady and sincere. "What I see in you—and in your kind—is something different. Strength, resilience, and yes, beauty. But it's more than that. You have this… grace, this way of standing firm even when the world tries to knock you down. I admire that."
Rylan blinked, caught off guard by the raw honesty in Aldric's words. His chest tightened slightly, a warmth spreading through him that had nothing to do with the drink in his hand.
"So, that's why," Aldric continued, his voice dropping to a softer tone. "I approach you because you're worth approaching. Not because you're an elf, but because you're you."
Rylan was quiet for a moment, letting Aldric's words sink in. He glanced down at his hands, the faintest of smiles curving his lips. "You surprise me, Aldric," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Most humans wouldn't even bother trying to understand. They just assume."
"Well, I've never been one for assumptions," Aldric replied with a grin, raising his mug in a mock toast. "And besides, you're terrible at keeping me away."
Rylan laughed softly, shaking his head. "You're relentless."
"And you're finally smiling," Aldric countered, his tone teasing but warm. "Now, let's drink to that."
The mood in the bar lightened as both Aldric and Rylan, now a bit tipsy, chuckled over their drinks. The warmth of the room, combined with the shared laughter, created a comfortable camaraderie between them.
Rylan leaned forward slightly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You know, your king… what's his name again? Oh yes, King Garrowin. He reminds me of a bloated toad sitting on a pile of gold, croaking about how much he owns."
Aldric almost choked on his drink, laughing so hard that he had to steady himself on the table. "A toad? That's… that's too generous, Rylan! Have you seen the way he eats? More like a pig who somehow got hold of a crown!"
Rylan covered his mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly, but it was no use. His melodic laughter rang out, catching the attention of a few nearby patrons. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but you're absolutely right! The council once described him as 'noble,' and I nearly choked on my tea."
Aldric leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Oh, you should see him during the royal feasts. He'll demand five roasted pheasants, a mountain of potatoes, and a pie the size of a shield. All while complaining that the kingdom is running out of funds!"
Rylan shook his head in mock disbelief. "And yet he still demands tributes from my people. Do you know how much work it takes to craft those jewels and artifacts? He acts as though they appear out of thin air!"
"I know," Aldric replied, his grin fading slightly as he swirled the remnants of his drink. "I don't care much for him, to be honest. He's greedy, shortsighted, and completely out of touch with what's happening in the world. The soldiers follow him out of duty, not respect."
Rylan tilted his head, studying Aldric's face. "You sound like you've thought about this a lot."
Aldric shrugged, a shadow passing over his features. "I've served him long enough to see the cracks in his crown. He's no leader, not really. And if it weren't for the people depending on me, I'd have walked away years ago."
There was a pause as the weight of Aldric's words settled between them. Rylan reached out, placing a hand on Aldric's arm. "For what it's worth, Aldric, I think you're a far better man than he'll ever be. You see people for who they are, not what they can give you. That's rare."
Aldric met Rylan's gaze, his lips curving into a soft smile. "Coming from you, that means a lot."
The moment lingered, the noise of the bar fading into the background. Then, as if on cue, Aldric broke the tension with a wry grin. "Though I have to say, if we're caught here, both of us might end up in trouble. You for being out of uniform, and me for fraternizing with 'the enemy.'"
Rylan laughed, shaking his head. "Let them talk. At least we'll have a good story to tell."