Romanaroa

After a few moments of silence, Roman finally spoke.

"I will not break the law, but I will push its boundaries to the limit if it means protecting our family.

If the law is not strong enough to protect us, then it is not worth following.

I will do whatever it takes to ensure the survival of our people, even if it means making difficult decisions and facing the consequences."

The council members looked at each other, their faces filled with uncertainty and worry.

They knew that Roman's words held a lot of weight, and that his actions could have far-reaching consequences.

This time around Varg spoke, his voice soothing with rage, "this is exactly how your stupid mother my daughter and that stubborn son of mine your uncle got the Aerendil family into this mess in the first place.

Now you want to tread the same path, a path that could obliterate what is left of the Aerendil family?"

Roman felt a surge of anger at Varg's words, but he forced himself to remain calm.

"My mother and uncle did what they thought was right, even if it led to disastrous consequences.

"My mother stood for her love, while my uncle protected her interest just like every true loved one would do.

It's not her fault her heart's desire is what you see as against the law.

I am not saying that I will make the same mistakes they did, but I am saying that I will do whatever it takes to protect our family.

I understand that you are afraid, after all I'm a half-elf, but I am asking you to trust me.

I am not asking you to follow me blindly, but I am asking you to give me the chance to prove myself."

Roman's words seemed to have an effect on most of the council leaders, but Varg didn't budge.

He was still as cold as a rock by the side of a seashore.

"And you feel you can make things better by pushing the law to its limit, what a joke kid.

The law had already been pushed to the limit by you being accepted into the family, thanks to your mother's sacrifice.

Your daughter was selected and agreed by us to represent our family for the throne of Queen.

But what did you do, what did we get? Failure and a loss of a potential king from the lineage of your uncle."

Roman's blood was boiling at this point, but he tried to remain calm.

"You are an utter failure, a mistake of my daughter's that should have never happened.

Your kind are weak and imbeciles, nothing good can come out of a dead tree."

Black veins popped up on Roman's forehead. This grandfather of his would never for once relent anytime he sees a chance to rub his pain and misery off on him.

"I understand your frustration, but you must understand that I did not ask for any of this.

I did not ask to be born as a half-elf, and I did not ask for my mother to sacrifice her life for me.

But I am here now, and I am trying to make the best of the situation.

I know I have a lot to prove, but I am asking you to give me a chance."

"Grandfather," Aroa, who had been watching from the side, stepped forward.

"You aren't the only one in pain here; he had lost a child too, we all have."

The room fell silent at Aroa's words. Varg looked at her, his face having a mixed expression for the first time since the conversation had begun.

"And what do you intend to do?" he asked Roman after a brief moment of silence.

His tone a bit reasonable, just like Aroa said, everyone had lost someone dear to them.

Aroa herself is going through agony watching her son suffer daily.

Roman looked at his grandfather, a mix of emotions swirling through him. He was angry but at the same time relieved he is willing to listen now.

Thanks to Aroa's timely intrusion, the first hurdle is settled.

"I wish to implore the assistance of someone outside of the Aerendil family lineage," Roman said.

Varg raised his brow at Roman's words, the other council members frowned.

The Aerendil family had their own pride; bringing someone from outside looks like an insult to their image.

"You want to bring in an outsider to help us?" Varg asked, his voice heavy with skepticism. "I must admit, I am surprised by this suggestion. The Aerendil family has always prided itself on its independence and self-reliance, and you've always carried that vision with you. What could an outsider possibly do to help us that we cannot do for ourselves? Or is it because of the loss of your daughter that you gave up your principle?"

Roman steeled himself; he knew this would be a tough battle. "I know it may seem strange, but I choose to trust in my daughter's vision of needing an outsider's perspective. We have been so focused on our own traditions and ways of doing things that we may have become blind to finding the right path."

Everyone had a raised brow which Roman ignored, "we all know how her ability works, and she had chosen this path. I want to see it through to the end."

"Your daughter was a wise woman, there is no denying that," Varg replied, a small smile playing at his lips. "But are you sure that this is the right path? After all, the outsiders have never been our allies. In fact, they might even be our enemies. Are you certain that we can trust them?"

"I understand your concerns, but I believe that we must be willing to try something new if we are to find a solution," Roman replied. "The current situation is not sustainable, and we cannot afford to continue as we have."

Varg thought it through and inquired about the person Roman was willing to implore the assistance of.

Roman gave a small dry cough, cleared his throat, and braced himself for the worst to come. "He is ARTHUR RELZAR."

Dead pin silence filled the council hall, feeling as if a ghost had just passed. The silence that followed Roman's words was deafening.

No one spoke; no one moved. It was as if everyone in the room had been frozen in time.

Finally, Varg broke the silence, his voice shaking slightly. "You mean to say that you want to bring in the very man who has dragged our family into more chaos? The one who led the attack on our people, reducing our forces, the one who couldn't protect your daughter?"

Roman nodded, his jaw set. "Yes, I do. I know it sounds insane, but I truly believe that he is the only one who can help us."

"You must be mad, either that or you are high on some pills," another leader cut in.

"Not to mention he is a world-class fugitive, a villain to be killed on sight," another added.

Lots of argument and cussing rained down from the council leaders on Roman.

They were still debating his words amongst themselves when another round of lightning bolts of shock hit them with the next words they heard.

"I wish to use the right of passage." They felt their hearing fail them as Varg leaned forward to inquire of Roman what he just said. The words hung in the air, heavy and foreboding. No one spoke; no one moved. They were all too stunned to react.

Finally, Varg broke the silence. "You cannot be serious," he said, his voice full of disbelief. "The right of passage is not to be used lightly. It is only to be used in the most extreme of circumstances. You cannot be thinking of using it for something like this."

Roman stood his ground, his expression determined. "I know what I am asking. But I believe that it is necessary."

The right of passage is the only way to bring about my daughter's dream, my desire, and my trust for this Arthur Relzar."

Varg leaned back into his seat, lost in his own thoughts. Yes, he had been mean to his grandson. He disliked him for the result of the sore purpose that brought them to this state, but he never hated him. In fact, he had always been this way to try to push him to get stronger. But for the first time in his life, he thought he had gone too hard with his decision.

"You have to understand, Roman," Varg began, his tone softening. "This is not just about you or your daughter's dream. It is about the safety of our entire people. If we allow you to use the right of passage, it could have disastrous consequences for all of us. We could be setting ourselves up for disaster."

Roman considered this for a moment, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on him. He knew that what he was asking for was risky, but he also knew that it was the only way to ensure the future of his people.

The right of passage doesn't just give a stranger the right to become a full member of the Aerendil family but also claims the life of whoever is calling upon that right. With the two main bloodlines of the Aerendil family narrowed down to himself and Aroa due to the death of Elena and the unstoppable fate of Damon, using the right of passage sure is a huge deal, because once it fails, the Aerendil bloodline is cut down by half.

Just then, another wave of shock hit them. "I also wish to use the right of passage," Aroa declared as she stepped forward too. "Aroa!" Varg exclaimed, rising from his seat in alarm. "You cannot be serious! This is too dangerous, even for you. You have no idea what you are asking for. Please, reconsider."

Aroa stood her ground, meeting Varg's gaze with a resolute expression. "I have considered this carefully, Grandfather. I know the risks, but I also know what is at stake. We cannot afford to back down now. We must do whatever it takes to ensure the future of our family." Her eyes carried a solid resolve, pain, and sorrow that couldn't be hidden.

The teary tone to which she is doing her best to make it sound natural could not escape their notice. "You all know my father's bloodline is already in jeopardy with Damon's state. Not even the best healer could heal him. So what other harm can be done to it other than gamble it with hope of allowing it to flourish in another's hands?"

The room fell silent once more, the gravity of Aroa's words sinking in, especially for Roman who felt his heart constricted from the weight of those words.

Roman felt a lump rise in his throat, and he had to swallow several times before he could speak. "You're right," he said finally, his voice hoarse. "I know the risks, but I also know that we can't afford to do nothing. I'm willing to take that risk if it means giving our family a fighting chance." He looked around the room, his gaze settling on Aroa. "Aroa, I know this is a lot to ask of you, but are you truly willing to risk everything? To risk your life and your future along with me, that our sacrifice would usher in a new hope?"

Aroa looked up at Roman and for the first time in a long time, she recalled when they were little, always standing up for each other and being at each other's back. "Just like old time, Roman, let's do it once again," a teary smile arched up on her face as she walked over and took Roman's outstretched hands. "Romanaroa," both of them spoke in a sorrowful but playful voice.