Hello I'm Tate! or Iris or whatever you want to call me like. This blog is mostly focused on The Dragon Prince/The Dragon King franchise, 99% of it being Rayllum. Rayla and Arc 2 defender.
While this blog is mostly positive, I'm very vocal and unfiltered about ships I dislike (Claudium, Sorayla, Raydia and Raydiumâ Sorayllum. Overall crackships with Rayla and Callum in particular) or fandom behavior/opinions I'm against of, if you don't like that kind of negativity please stay away from the blog. While I'm anti-harassment, this is not a proshipping account. These are tagged as #rant #tdp fandom critical or have an anti tag but I don't use the ship tags for vent posts.
For art #tategaminu art
Smut stuff (minimal) may be tagged as #sandwiches or #nsfw
I'm also a huge Sol Regem fan, I love that garbage can of a dragon.
Related blogs:
@dailyrayllum for daily rayllum content
@thedragonprince-perfectshots for cool screenshots
@tetagaminu parody account
@thedragonprince-amazing-details I don't even know man
@it-was-always-her-rayllumfanzine account for our rayllum fanzine
@liegau Scissor Seven stuff
@draconicarchive Dragons!!!
Feel free to send asks, or talk to me. I don't bite.
I sometimes post content from other franchises, it can be very random.
Finally posting after more than a year working on this fic, right on time for my favorite mage's birthday! đ„șđ Â I really wanted to give a shout-out & special thanks to DovahDoodles on ao3/Dova from TDP Discord for seriously helping me get unstuck with writing this and credit her for paragraph 42 and 43. Also a huge shout-out and thanks to @pavatopia for beta reading this whole fic and helping out a great deal to perfect it. And one last shout-out to @tategaminu for my commission of a very special scene in this fic!
Anywho, this fic is pretty heavy on both broyals bonding, especially in the first half, then fully Rayllum in the latter half. I really hope you enjoy reading two of Callum's most important bonds as much as I enjoyed writing them! đ
Link for Archive of Own here!
@rayllum-mini-month @rayllum-weekly
Callum and Ezran peacefully laid on towels near the Banther Lodge, soaking in the setting sun to dry up after they went for a swim in the river.
âYou know, Dad was right,â Ezran started, smiling brightly. âMaybe we can do things here when itâs not winter.â he paused, then furrowed his brow and let out a deep sigh. âI really hope they can find him.â
Callum sat up and looked at his brother with sharp eyes.
âThey will. Corvus is a great tracker and even notices all the tiniest details.â
Ezran let out another sigh, casting his eyes down.
âI know. Itâs just⊠heâs been gone for more than three years. I really miss him.â
âMe too, Ez. Me too,â Callum finally took his brother in his arms and wrapped him in a tight hug.
As the sky darkened, Callum and Ezran returned to the Banther Lodge which was surprisingly dimmer than usual this time around. Callum stepped ahead of Ezran and raised his arm, stopping his brother from stepping forward.
âSomethingâs not right,â Callum said. âWhere is everyone?â
Ezran chuckled lightly and stepped forward, grabbing his brotherâs arm.
âJust trust me, ok?â he assured Callum as he stepped ahead towards the doors.
âWait a minute, Ezran, this isnât another -"
Before Callum could say anything else, the doors were immediately pushed open.
âSURPRISE!! âHappy 18th, birthday mage!â
The room lit up brightly with exploding confetti and swelled with a cheering crowd. Then Rayla came running to him and engulfed herself in his arms, and along with everyone, she and Ezran began to sing:
âHave a mystical magical birthday,
Have a wonderful whimsical birthday,
Have a fun and fantastical birthday!
With wishes and kisses and laughing, and love!â
After finishing the song, the crowd cheered and Rayla pulled Callum's head close to plant a kiss on his cheek.
âHappy birthday, my mage,â she told him softly. Callum turned Rayla towards him and held her tightly. Because she was here with him now, what was a sour anniversary for the past three years became a joyous, celebratory day once again.
Ezran came forward and joined in on the hug.
âHappy birthday, big brother! I know these past few months have been rough and we may not be home anymore, but I still wanted to make sure you got to celebrate your own special day. And Rayla and I wanted to plan something fun for you.â
âThis is perfect!â Callum responded. âIâm so happy to have you all here with me,â he said warmly as he stroked Raylaâs arm. Afterwards, his aunt Amaya came and signed him "Happy Birthday" followed by her special bear hug, with Queen Janai giving her birthday wishes the Sunfire way. Runaan and Ethari also came from the Silvergrove to spend the day, along with Aanya, who aided Ezran, Rayla, and the council in putting the party together.
"Ooh ooh ooh! Happy birthday Callum!" chanted Zym, who was approaching jumpily while carrying Bait, Stella, and the baitlings, who were all wearing different trinkets.
"UhhhâŠthank youâŠZymâŠ" Callum responded, still not quite used to the young dragon speaking.
Barius wheeled the cart with his special pineapple right-side-up cake. Callum felt his mouth watering when he saw the cream sliding beneath the chopped fruit.
"I hope this time around, you'd be willing to try the cake, I made some changes and I promise you'll love it!" Barius thrummed once he reached them and lit up all eighteen candles across the cake.
"Close your eyes and make a wish!" Ezran exclaimed. Callum took a light breath smiling, doing as his brother told him. Then without hesitation, he blew all the tiny flames out.
A few moments later, Callum sat together with Ezran, enjoying Bariusâs cake. âYou know,â Ezran started after swallowing a bite. âIâm really happy that you and Rayla are back together again. Even with everything that happened between us recently, I still prefer you two together than fighting and arguing a lot,â he finished with an awkward smile.
Callum let out a small chuckle and scratched the back of his head. âYeah, me too. Iâm really glad to have Rayla back in my life more than anything, weâre definitely in a much better place than we ever were,â he responded. Callum smiled then noticed Ezranâs look in Aanyaâs direction. âSo, whatâs been going on between you and Aanya? You guys seem to be getting closer to each other lately.â Ezranâs cheeks began to blush. âWeâre uhâŠÂ really close friends, thatâs all.â
Callum smirked then leaned in closer to Ezran. âClose friends, huh? You sure we donât need to have that talk about the sandwiches soon?â
Ezran now felt his whole face flush with heat. âCallum! Stop it!â he cried out as he nudged his laughing brother in the arm. âI told you, weâre just friends!â He hid his face in his hands while Callum cooled down and let out a sigh.
âAlright, alright,â he said to wind Ezran down. âIâm just letting you know that if you wanna talk about anything, including relationships or even just friendships, Iâm here for you, buddy,â
âThank you,â Ezran finally said coolly as the two boys went in for a hug. âAnd oh, one last thing,â Ezran said as he pulled away from his brother. âRayla has one more birthday surprise for you, sheâs waiting for you on the bridge.â
~~~
Callum walked towards the bridge and he saw Rayla standing at the edge looking towards the river.
âYou know,â Rayla started as he finally met up with her and put his hand on her shoulder. âI originally wanted to show you the Moonshadow birthday dance for your fifteenth birthday but -â She paused to catch her breath before she could continue. âI know I messed up and ruined your birthday,â
âRayla,â Callum told her softly, stroking her shoulder.
âItâs why this time I decided to help put this party together, I wanted to make things right, to make your memory of your birthday ââ
Callum quickly turned her towards him and pulled her in for a kiss. When he finally pulled back, he looked earnestly into her eyes as he held her.
"Rayla, you don't need to keep explaining yourself. All of that is behind us and now we're here together. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday. And you can show me the Moonshadow birthday dance this time,"
Rayla smiled and nodded. She then circled around Callum with each careful step of her toes, her arms gesturing with each graceful movement. Her performance was elegant, yet struggled to conceal her rising fear of embarrassment. Doubt â she wouldn't let herself mess this up for him. Not again.
With a final, finishing curtsey on her boot, she held her hand out with a playful smile. Callum stared at her blankly and blinked erratically.
"Huh, what? Me?" he stuttered. "Rayla, uh⊠I don't know if I can do this." He let out a forced chuckle.
"You'll be fine, I trust you," Rayla told him as she grabbed his hand. "Besides, I'll take it easy on you."
She winked at him as she abruptly pulled him closer and placed his hand on her waist. Callum went from exclaiming to smiling determinedly at Rayla right away as he interlaced his fingers with hers. With Rayla guiding him, they slowly swayed across the bridge, with their arms ebbing and flowing like waves. Rayla raised both their arms and Callum, understanding the signal, gently spun her around. He then sent her gliding away from him yet still gripped her hand tightly. With a twinkle in his eyes, he pulled her back into his arms.
"See? I knew you got this!" Rayla playfully cheered, leaning into him. "It's not that hard,"
Callum then turned Rayla towards him and smirked. Both on their toes, they harmonized elegantly like two doves circling each other in the sky. After a few more twirls, Callum finally dipped her. He supported her with one hand at the small of her back while Rayla caressed his hair. They completely lost themselves in each other's eyes â until Rayla quickly leaned forward to kiss a wide-eyed Callum. Pulling back a little, she slid her hand down to his heart.
"I love you, dummy." She softly chuckled. Smiling, they leaned in for another kiss until they could no longer contain their snorts and giggles.
When they finally finished dancing, they both snuggled against a tree with Rayla leaning her head on Callum's shoulder. Their eyes were locked up on the brightest star in the sky â a star they now fully understood the true full story of.
"Who would've thought?" Callum started as he continued staring. "That this one star that had a bunch of different names, ended up being the biggest reason we have to defeat an angry vengeful titan?"
Rayla stirred on his shoulder slightly and sighed. "Even in Xadia, I haven't heard of Leola's connection to Aaravos. Or about some all powerful cosmic force that would kill an innocent child."
Both their hearts grew heavy as they remembered what Ezran and Terry told them.
"This was the very beginning of the cycle." Callum sighed.
"And now it's up to us to end it here once and for all." Rayla finished determinedly.
Ohhh, you wanna look at Rayllum content so bad. You wanna look at the beautiful couple and feel so many emotions. You wanna learn about the Elf and the Human relationship sooooo bad.
(for the purposes of this fic, they're getting married in a rebuilt katolis. do i actually think this would be the case? no. but go with me on it for a minute.)
Ezran could feel the air alight with energy as he walked through the halls of the castle, gift box in hand. It had been ages since his kingdom had had a reason to celebrate, and they needed this. The wedding would be good for them all.Â
The king walked alone. He had left Soren to guard Callumâs door. The superstitious crownguard was convinced that if Rayla managed to sneak into the groomâs room (sheâd been caught trying multiple times), seeing the bride before the wedding would doom their marriage. Luckily, at 15, Ezran was old enough that Soren trusted him to get himself around the castle without an escort. Sometimes. In any case, he was glad for the solitude today, because it meant he got to enjoy the excitement of the people around him to the fullest extent. He grinned at the talkative guards, and raised his eyebrows at the carts of baked goods from Barius that were steered past him towards the throne room. He nodded his head at everyone he knew, which was most people, and complimented several on their fine attire. Today was a good day to be a king.Â
As he approached the preparation quarters of the bride, he took in a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation he was about to have. He knocked.Â
âCome in!âÂ
He opened the door and found Rayla standing in front of a full length mirror. It was long and white according to Katolis tradition, but still drew heavily on typical moonshadow styles; with tight sleeves and a small leaf shaped cutout at her neck. She was fiddling with it, her face scrunched up in concentration, and it took a second for Ezran to realize that she was trying to conceal her butterfly blades in the belt.
âAre you planning on stabbing him at the altar?âÂ
She turned to face him quickly, hiding the blades behind her back. Her cheeks turned a deep pink. He chuckled.Â
âI doubt youâre going to need those at the wedding, Rayla.â
She sighed. âI know, I know. I just feel so⊠naked without them.âÂ
âI get it, I feel the same way about my crown.âÂ
She smiled at him, then set her blades down on the small dresser next to the mirror.Â
âSo⊠to what do I owe the pleasure of a kingly visit?âÂ
He felt the box in his hand get heavier. He cleared his throat quietly, then sat in one of the two cushioned chairs in the small room.Â
âI, um, I need to talk to you about a couple things before the wedding.âÂ
Her smile fell, a concerned look taking its place. She dragged the second chair over and sat down across from him. He continued.Â
âSo, we havenât really talked about this very muchâmostly because it makes Callum uncomfortableâbut this is a royal wedding. Callum is a prince. So marrying him makes you a princess.âÂ
The corners of her mouth twitched upwards slightly.Â
âYeah⊠I know,â she said, amused. Â
âBeing a princess means that you will officially be in the Katolin line of succession,â he elaborated. âAfter today, if anything were to happen to me, Callum would become king of Katolis and you would become Queen.â Â
Her face became a portrait of worry. âEz, youâre not sick or anything, are you?â
He shook his head frantically, regretting the way heâd phrased that.Â
âNo! No no no no, sorry, that wasâ I didnât mean it to sound like that. I donât expect to die anytime soon.âÂ
She sighed in relief, reaching across the gap between him and grabbing one of his hands away from the box.Â
âGood. Then I donât have anything to worry about, right?âÂ
âYou shouldnât, but there is always the possibility. I could be killed, or assassinated. I could get sick. I need you to fully understand what youâre getting into here. Are you willing to go through with marrying my older brother, even knowing that you might one day face the pressure of a throne?âÂ
Her expression turned somber, the most serious he had ever seen her. She squeezed his hand, looking deep into his eyes.Â
âI am.âÂ
He nodded, squeezing her hand back with a smile. âIâm glad.âÂ
He let go and lifted the box. âThis is for you.âÂ
He pressed it gently into her outstretched hands. She took it with a puzzled expression on her face. She slowly lifted the lid away. He held his breath.Â
ââââââââââ
Rayla stared at the gift, completely bewildered. It was Ezranâs crown. But no, he was wearing his crown. This one was different. The tops and bottoms of the signature uneven towers were cut at angles, and it was slightly more golden than his steel. She looked up at him in confusion.Â
He stared at the crown sorrowfully for a second, then smiled at her.Â
âIt was our momâs.âÂ
Raylaâs eyebrows shot up, and she felt her breath catch in her throat.Â
âOh.â
He mustâve sensed her hesitation, because he was quick to offer support.Â
âDonât worry, you donât have to wear it all the time, just during the ceremony. And Callum will be wearing one too, so you wonât stand out.âÂ
âEzranâŠâ she began, still overwhelmed by what she was holding, âI- I canât wear this.âÂ
âWhy not?âÂ
âThis is your motherâs crown.âÂ
âAnd as her son, and the King, I am authorizing you to wear it. For your wedding.â
She looked up at him, searching for excuses or words of dissuasion.Â
âDoes Callum know?âÂ
Ezran shook his head. âI thought it could be a surprise.âÂ
âWonât he⊠be upset, about me wearing it?âÂ
âAre you kidding? Of course not. He loves you, Rayla. Besides, heâll probably be happy to not be the only one wearing a crown.âÂ
Rayla nodded, then smiled at the idea of Callum in royal attire. She needed to figure out a way to bypass Soren and get her husband-to-be alone before the ceremony. She swallowed hard, staring at the smooth metal of the late queenâs crown. She looked up at Ezran, and saw the nervous anticipation in his eyes. She threw her arms around him.Â
âThank you,â she whispered in his ear.
âOf course,â he replied. Â
Ezran squeezed her tightly.Â
âIâll let you get back to your preparations,â he said as he pulled away, âJust⊠maybe leave the swords in here?â
She laughed, wiping tears from her eyes.Â
âI will.âÂ
She turned back to the crown as the door shut behind the king. She breathed in deeply, then closed her eyes tight.Â
âI donât know much about you, but I hope⊠I hope that you wouldâve liked me, if we had gotten the chance to meet.â She pressed the gold circlet to her chest. âI love your son so much. More than anything. I will not let you or your family down. I promise.âÂ
To be so for real with you, I still donât even know what Aaravosâ plan was with this apple. Like was he trying to corrupt Callum with a dark magic red delicious or was he just straight up trying to murder him?
I'm so curious about what they want to do with Claudia's ending... She's not a good personâ she has killed innocents and wants to help Aaravos hurt more people while basically getting an army.
If she gets a redemption arc it won't be all rainbows and butterflies. She almost got Callum killed and will give the dragang the worst time of their lives in TDK... I think Soren and Terry will accept her back in their livesâ but her being accepted in Katolis/Evrkynd doesn't seem like a logical case.
Which it's fine. You can change for the better but still deal with the consecuences of your actions. Maybe she will go self-exile routeâ find happiness somewhere elseâ without the need of waiting for Aaravos.
villain character who has a last minute change of heart and sacrifices their life to defeat an even bigger bad but it entirely does not land as a redemption with the heroes. the heroes are just like "oh hell yeah two birds with one stone. thank fucking god i really didnt wanna have to deal with that guy anymore. good riddance."
