The Starlight Serenade

A piece of the backstory of my Dungeons and Dragons character, and what set him off as a bard.

"Hello, little dragon."

Gormadon couldn't help but jump in surprise as the musician spoke. He had been so distracted after listening to the performance, that he didn't even notice that the crowd surrounding the musician had long since dispersed. The elf gave him a warm smile as the young dragonborn struggled to find his words.

"You're from the mountain, yes?" The elf asked, settling down on the curb of the road. Hesitantly, Gormadon shuffled over to sit next to him, his legs tired. "You're a long way from home. Are you lost?"

"Not really," Gormadon replied honestly, finally finding his voice. He stared at his feet. "I don't know if I want to go back."

The musician hummed in response. "I can understand that. But there must be someone waiting for you back home, right? It's late, they must be worried about you."

Gormadon could feel his stomach sinking into numbness at such a pleasant thought. But he knew better. "They aren't," He mumbled, leaning his head back. "They're too busy." He studied the stars above, and couldn't help but wonder just how late it was. 

"That's a shame." The elf replied quietly, as silence settled down between them. After a moment, the silence broke as the musician started to pluck at the strings of his lute, catching Gormadon's attention immediately. Seeming to notice the young dragonborn's sudden interest, he turned the senseless notes into a quiet melody, echoing quietly down the dark road.

The musician then got to his feet, lit up only by the dying light from the lantern at his feet, and the full moon that peeked over the townhouses around them. The song continued in intensity, and the elf suddenly began to glow a pale blue, with strange glowing orbs circling around him lazily. Like minature versions of the full moon in the sky above, the orbs bathed the elf in a beautiful pale light as he played his song, his hair waving gently in the night breeze.

Gormadon's mouth hung open as he watched, his eyes wide with wonder as he tried to take in the scene. "How..." He began, his voice cracking. "How are you doing that?" 

"They're called Dancing Lights," The elf murmured, as the song began to quiet down, slowly coming to an end. "The streets aren't exactly the nicest places for performances, so I like to add a little flair sometimes. Beautiful, aren't they?"

"Yes," Gormadon replied in awe, as one of the orbs slowly floated in front of him. He cautiously reached out to touch it, only for his hand to go through it. "The song is beautiful too. Does it have a name?"

The elf hummed, once again taking a seat as his song was finished. As he sat, the lights flickered and faded. "Not particularly, I haven't thought of one yet. Any suggestions?" 

"U-um," Gormadon stuttered, caught off guard. "I'm not sure. How do you usually name your music?"

"Honestly?" The musician laughed, a bright and clear sound that echoed down the road like a song. "I'm not even sure! It just comes to me on most days." 

"Well, then, um..." Gormadon stuttered nervously. "H-how about Dancing Lights? Y'know, like them. The lights. I don't know."

The elf's eyes lit up, and he clapped excitedly. "Oh, that's very nice! Though, maybe we can change it up a little, like..." He hummed, deep in thought. "Like, like, um...how about 'The Starlight Serenade'?"

Gormadon nodded eagerly, a big smile on his face. "Yes! That fits perfectly, I think!"

He laughed. "I agree! Now tell me," He settled the lute down on his lap, pressing his hands on his face as he gazed at Gormadon with curiosity. "What's your name, little dragon?"

"Gormadon Onkmetaryttis," He replied automatically, proud of himself for not stuttering this time. "What's yours?"

"They call me Ellar," The elf replied, "I'm a travelling musician; it's very nice to meet you, Gormadon." He offered a hand to the young dragonborn, and he eagerly accepted it, easing into a friendly handshake. "Do you like music, Gormadon?"

He nodded eagerly, eyes bright. "Yes! Though, I..." He trailed off, embarrassed. "I don't really know a whole lot about it. I never really listened until today, with you. But I think it's beautiful."

"It is," Ellar replied, turning his gaze to the sky. "Sometimes I find that it's hard to say things with words, but through music, it's much easier. It's powerful, both in the sense of magic, and how it can make people feel things." He glanced over at Gormadon with a serene look in his eyes. "Music is capable of making people feel all sorts of things; sadness, sorrow, the urge to dance, maybe even to fall in love. Even with no words, it can still make people feel. And that's a power that is often underestimated."

Gormadon nodded slowly, unsure of what the elf's words meant. But they echoed in his mind in a strange, yet comforting manner. Unsure of how to respond, the conversation once again lapsed into a comfortable silence as the two watched the stars above. 

"Thank you, Gormadon," Ellar finally murmured after a moment. "It has been a long time since I've talked like this. It's nice, to converse with someone instead of just initiating in small talk with innkeepers and merchants."

Gormadon turned to study the elf's face, surprised by the sudden somber words. Sitting on the side of the road with his hands cupping his face, eyes distant, Gromadon wasn't sure if he had ever seen such loneliness in a person. "Are you from around Frostvale?" He asked hesitantly. "The people here are kind, I'm sure you could make all sorts of friends if you stay awhile."

Ellar let out a gentle laugh. "No, I am from a place far, far away." He replies with a small smile. "Further than you can imagine, little dragon. And I've been travelling a long, long time. And soon, I will leave this place as well."

"Oh," Gormadon mumbled, his stomach sinking at the thought of this new friend leaving so quickly. "Do...do you ever want to go home?"

He hummed, his expression unreadable. "I don't know. Maybe once, but not anymore." He let out a hollow chuckle. "Either way, I can't go back."

"Why not?" Gormadon asked, eyes wide and sympathetic. 

"Little dragon, sometimes that's just how life is." He sighed. "Sometimes, no matter how much you want something to come back, you're left empty handed." 

Gormadon hummed, nodded slightly. 

"But enough of that sort of talk; would you like to learn how to play music?"

Gormadon's mouth hung open slightly as he nodded eagerly. "If it isn't too much trouble, I'd love to!" He exclaimed eagerly.

"Well, then come sit closer; I'll show you."

As the night went by, the street became filled with the sounds of strings plinking and singing, as Gormadon plucked gently at the instrument that he now held in his arms. Ellar was a good teacher; patient and kind. And Gormadon was a good student, determined and invested in the sudden music lesson. He was a fast learner as well; the two must have sat there for at least two hours, and by the time Ellar's lantern flickered out, he had managed to play a couple simple nursery rhymes that Gormadon could barely remember from his childhood. 

Without the light of the lantern, the street was illuminated only by the moonlight. Gormadon had always been scared of the dark, but the feeling of the strings below his claws and the beautiful sounds they made, he found that he wasn't frightened at all.

"Little dragon," Ellar finally said. "I think it's time for you to go home."

Gormadon's face fell, but he knew that the elf was right. "I know," He mumbled, as he held the lute out for Ellar to take back. "It's been really fun, thank you."

"Oh no, no," Ellar laughed, confusing Gormadon as he didn't take the lute from his hands. "Please consider the lute a gift. A symbol of our friendship, little dragon."

Gormadon's mouth hung open. "No, I couldn't possibly! I-I'm not even that good yet, I can';t just-"

"Well, then how about you just borrow it for a while?"

"Borrow it?" 

"Yes," Ellar exclaimed, a warm smile on his face. "But first, you need to make me a promise, okay?"

Gormadon nodded slowly, his expression uncertain.

"You love music, yes?"

"A lot!"

"Well, then can you promise me that you will help me spread music with this lute?" Ellar asked. "To learn about it, learn how you can use it, learn how it can help others? And once you think that you have done just that, come find me, and I'll take it back." He faced the young dragonborn. "Do you think you can promise me that, little dragon?"

Gormadon nodded with determination in his eyes. "Yes! I, I'll do my best!" He couldn't keep the huge smile off his face as he held the instrument close to his chest. 

Ellar smiled, a somewhat sad smile. But Gormadon didn't notice. "Thank you little dragon," He laughed. "Now, do you know how to get home?"

Gormadon nodded after some consideration. "Yes, I think I'll be okay!"

"Well, then hurry on home!" Ellar exclaimed, as Gormadon got to his feet, still holding the lute to his chest as though he would never let go.

The young dragonborn turned to run off, before quickly turning back to the elf. "I'll find you again someday, I promise!" He called out, obscured by the shadows of the dark street. "One day, I'll be amazing, I'll play all sorts of amazing music!"

Ellar laughed, waving goodbye. "I know, little dragon," He murmured as Gormadon finally disappeared into the shadows. "I know you will."

#

Gormadon had been right when he had known that no one would be awaiting his arrival. The fortress was cold and dark and quiet when he arrived, the doors to the rooms of his parents and sister all closed. But the lonely feeling never came to Gormadon that night as he sat atop his bed plucking the strings of his lute, until finally slumping over in exhaustion right as morning light crept through his window. And even as he slept, he couldn't keep that smile off of his face.

Author's Note

i wrote this at 1am and didn't really check over it, but boy howdy, here it is. i have an awful lot of writing for this character that i might be posting.