#lady terrasen

[zoyaofthegardvn]

If your up to it, maybe some cuddling fluff with Manon x Elide?

Hold me?

A/N: I'm so sorry it took me a bit to get around to writing this one! I absolutely adored this idea and wanted to make sure it got my undivided attention! I love Manon x Elide so much, truly one of the best ToG ships and I'll never forgive SJM for the queerbait! I love these girls and they are MY endgame!

Also, I, of course, changed a good amount of the canon here. Just want to make sure to say that, because there's always that one person who makes an issue of it!

---

From where she sits on the bed, Manon watches Elide intently, eyes narrowed as her lover paces around their shared bedroom. Manon is leaned against the headboard, legs outstretched and crossed, arms behind her head. The very definition of relaxed.

"Stop pacing, little mouse." Manon's voice is sharp, commanding.

Elide does not stop, but continues to wear a path into the floor. She does shoot a harsh glare Manon's way, shaking her head and asking, "How can you possibly be so calm, Manon?" She brings one hand to her mouth, chewing on her thumbnail, a habit Manon has tried many times to get her to break. Her other hand comes to her chest, an attempt to stop its shaking.

"I am calm because I have nothing to worry about, and neither do you." Manon is so sure, Elide almost can't stand it.

Finally, Elide stops in her tracks. She looks at Manon like she's grown three heads, throwing her hands into the air. "Manon, my uncle is planning to kill me!"

Yes, someone, an unknown someone, had released Elide's swine of an uncle, Vernon, from where he'd been left to rot to death. Though it had been several years since that day, Queen Aelin had just received word from one of her many spies that Vernon had somehow escaped, and has been plotting against his niece as he blamed her for his near death.

Both Aelin and Manon were furious at the news, but not incredibly concerned. Maybe if this had been before Aelin won the war, they'd be frightened. But now, Terrasen, the Witchlands, were safe havens. Immeasurable power was on their side. Vernon, weak Vernon, in all his rage and scorn, could not come within a hundred miles of Elide.

"Manon, are you seriously unconcerned with the matter of my untimely demise at the hands of someone we thought long dead?" Elide asks, her voice breaking a bit towards the end.

At this, Manon grows angry. How dare she imply that she doesn't care about her safety? As if there's anything she could possibly care about more.

Manon immediately sits up straight, a low hiss escaping her mouth. She rises to her knees, leaning in, closer to where Elide has stopped at the foot of the bed.

"Excuse me?" She asks, venom lacing her tone.

Elide knows she messed up, but she won't admit it. She crosses her arms, bottom lip jutted out, wobbling a bit.

Usually, Manon would find her stance adorable. But she can see Elide's eyes begin to glisten, and it tugs firmly on Manon's cold heart of stone.

Between gritted teeth, Manon bites out an order, "Come here, Elide."

When Elide doesn't move, Manon adds, "Now."

Finally, Elide makes her way onto the bed, climbing atop it and sitting on her thighs in front of her girlfriend. She doesn't look up, refusing to make eye contact.

Manon grabs her chin with a firm hand, tilting her face up. Elide diverts her eyes, closing them for a moment while a single tear slides down her cheek.

"Look at me." Of course, Elide does not. Manon uses her other hand to swipe the tear away with her thumb. "I said look at me, Elide." This time, when she speaks, it's a gentle whisper.

Slowly, Elide peels her eyes open, looking into Manon's harsh golden gaze. They just look at one another for a beat, then two. Manon's thumb keeps running along Elide's cheekbone, and she moves her other hand to cup the other side of her face, too.

"Elide, when have I ever let someone hurt you?" Manon asks.

"Bu-" Elide goes to protest, to tell her that isn't the point, though it is exactly the point Manon wants to make.

"Answer the question."

Elide sighs, eyebrows furrowing in frustration. "Never."

Manon nods. "Exactly, I have never let someone hurt you. I never will."

"Manon... I'm scared." Elide's voice is so small, so timid. Manon hates to see her revert back to her old ways. She is not the broken girl from the tower anymore, she hasn't been for a long, long time. She hates that the mere idea of Vernon is enough to bring her back to that place. "Manon, he's so cruel... and he hates me, absolutely hates me. A-And he's been out for years! There's no telling what he's planned."

Manon allows Elide to finish, knowing that she has to vocalize her fears before Manon can begin to soothe them.

"Elide, listen to me. I promise you, I will always be ten steps ahead of whatever he could possibly come up with. There is no way he will ever set foot in Terrasen or the Witchlands, Aelin and I would know if he tried, and we have more than enough power to take care of it."

Elide takes a deep breath in, then releases it in a slow exhale. "I-I wish he was dead. I hate that he got out, I hate that he's out there, somewhere, alive and well. I hate him, Manon. I hate him. I try, so hard, not to hate. But I can't help it, I hate him."

Manon nods sympathetically, she knows hate all too well. "You should hate him, Elide. And you shouldn't feel guilty about it."

Her approval seems to calm her lover, Elide's breathing evens out and her eyes are no longer watery. She isn't trembling anymore, either.

"As soon as Aelin learns anything else about his movements, me and the entire Thirteen will hunt him, Elide, I promise you that."

Elide shakes her head, as much as she can with Manon holding her face. "No, Manon, you shouldn't risk yourself or the Thirteen for me."

Manon scoffs, smirking at the silly notion. "Elide, no one, and I mean no one, threatens you and lives. He was supposed to die years ago, and I'm going to see to it that the job is finished."

Again, Elide goes to voice her concern, but Manon stops her before she can begin. "Elide, do you seriously think that the Thirteen and I cannot handle... Vernon? I could kill him in my sleep."

After a few seconds of silence, Elide huffs out a breath of air, "I guess you're right."

Manon hums, clicking her tongue. "Of course I am, when am I not?"

Elide lets out a laugh, pulling Manon's hands away from her face. "Yeah, yeah, whatever."

Manon grabs Elide's arms, pulling her into her chest. Instinctively, Elide's arms wrap around her love, and she presses her face into her neck.

Manon lays them back onto the bed, and Elide settles comfortably on top of her. She presses her lips to Elide's hairline, smattering a few gentle kisses there. In turn, Elide places a soft kiss to the side of Manon's neck, then inhales her comforting scent.

"I'll always protect you, Elide." Manon whispers into her hair.

"I know you will, I'm sorry if it seemed like I doubted you."

Manon shakes her head ever so slightly, letting her know that the apology is not needed. She brings one hand to rub Elide's back in soothing up and down motions, and the other to play with Elide's long, dark hair.

Elide nuzzles impossibly closer to Manon, breathing her in and soaking in the softness of her girlfriend, the softness reserved for her and her only.

"I love you Manon."

"I love you too, little mouse."

Elide pinches Manon's side at the nickname, and her head shakes as Manon chuckles. "You're awful!" Elide says through her laughter.

"Maybe so, but you've chosen to be with me." It's beautiful, the way that Elide can hear the love through Manon's voice.

"Hmm, I suppose so... Will you hold me until I fall asleep? This feels nice."

Manon presses another kiss to her head, continuing to rub her back and play with her hair.

"I'll hold you even after that."

---

A/N: I realize there isn't a whole lot of the actual cuddling here, I suppose I got too caught up writing the build up. But still, I hope this works!

#manon blackbeak #manon crochan #elide lochan #manon #lady elide #elide #manon blackbeak x elide lochan #elide lochan x manon blackbeak #manon x elide #elide x manon #throne of glass fanfiction #throne of glass series #throne of glass #throne of glass fic #sarah j maas #maas trash #throne of glass au #tog #tog series #terrasen #sapphic fanfic #sapphic ships

[moonlightcoffeeshop]

Available here & here :)

#perranth #throne of glass #TOG series #elide lochan #lady elide #lorcan salvaterre #elorcan #elide x lorcan #terrasen #aelin ashryver galathynius #sjm #sjmaas #sarah j maas #sjm travel company #moonlightcoffee

[ircnwrought]

e.lide tag dump

❛ lady of perranth ❜ ▬ ( jessie mei li as elide lochan. ) ❛ raven hair and fierce spirit ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan aesthetic. ) ❛ unbowed ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan body claim. ) ❛ show me everything ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan desires. ) ❛ from tower to court ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan headcanon. ) ❛ witch blood flows ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan appearance. ) ❛ thundering ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan music. ) ❛ clever mind spinning ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan musings. ) ❛ i made a promise ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan gif. ) ❛ finery for a queen ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan wardrobe. ) ❛ whispers from anneith ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan quote. ) ❛ terrasen and beyond ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan world. ) otp: i will always find you (lorcan x elide)

#❛ lady of perranth ❜ ▬ ( jessie mei li as elide lochan. ) #❛ raven hair and fierce spirit ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan aesthetic. ) #❛ unbowed ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan body claim. ) #❛ show me everything ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan desires. ) #❛ promise to write ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan meme. ) #❛ from tower to court ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan headcanon. ) #❛ witch blood flows ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan appearance. ) #❛ thundering ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan music. ) #❛ clever mind spinning ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan musings. ) #❛ i made a promise ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan gif. ) #❛ finery for a queen ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan wardrobe. ) #❛ whispers from anneith ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan quote. ) #❛ terrasen and beyond ❜ ▬ ( elide lochan world. ) #otp: i will always find you (lorcan x elide)

[shallyne]

It's a night court portal to terrasen!

#acotar #a court of thorns and roses #Tog #Throne of glass #night court #feyre archeron #feyre #feyre cursebreaker #high lady of the night court #rhysand #rhys #high lord of the night court #high lord rhysand #aelin ashryver galathynius #aelin galathynius #terrasen #velaris

[nameless-flame]

A BETTER WORLD

A Various! Record of Ragnarok x reader story✨

Snippet from Story:

----------------------------------------------------------------

"Why do you hate the gods, Lady [Name]?" He had expected her face to contract in anger when he worded the question. Rage, resentment, animosity – anything of the like. But Hermes was instead met with a vacant smile. Her eyes void of any emotion.

"Because you do not know the feeling of loss, and yet you take."

----------------------------------------------------------------

Summary:

“Four years”, she told herself. Four years had passed since the war. Four years since the people of Erilea had fought the Valg King and his forces and stood victorious.

“It’s over”, she told herself. But she could not deny that some of those scars had yet to heal – and a small part of her wondered if they ever would.

The queen looked over the horizon, at the land of sun-bleached cliffs and white-capped seas, of cascading waterfalls and flowing rivers. Looked at the home she had so vigorously fought to protect, to nurture. Looked at this land of beauty and wonder, and at the constructions of the city that were almost complete, as the locals merrily flocked the streets.

Looked at Terrasen; her home. Her kingdom.

“It’s over,” she repeated.

However, destiny must have not aligned with her will because not long after a mysterious figure appeared at the palace gates, requesting her to participate in a tournament that would decide the fate of humanity.

She felt inclined to say no. But the valkyrie’s next words made her reconsider.

“The gods wish to end humanity.”

And an opportunity like never before presented itself. A chance to punish those divine beings that had wronged her and her people. To exact revenge for what they had done to her world.

The queen accepted.

Quotev:

A better world (Record of Ragnarok x Reader) | Quotev

OR

Wattpad:

A Better World (Record of Ragnarok x Reader) - Sara2771 - Wattpad

#record of ragnarok #record of ragnarok x reader #snv #shuumatsu no valkyrie #hades #apollo #thor #ror brunhilde #snv brunhilde #qin shi huang #hermes #aphrodite #göll #lu bu #adam #kojiro sasaki #jack the ripper #raiden tameemon #Buddha #Nikola Tesla #leonidas #michel nostradamus #poseidon #heracles #hercules #beelzebub #Loki #x reader #various!record of ragnarok x reader #record of ragnorak

[lorcandidlucienwill]

Who pulls the most guys???

Damn this one is tough ngl. Most of the sjm ladies hold the men by the balls🤔. but here we go: Gets next to none: Lidia Cervos- only bc of that ass Pollux. She rizzed Ruhn while still in a relationship tho so that has to count for something. Ansel of Briarcliff- Honestly I keep forgetting she exists so she’s in this category. Ariadne- being imprisoned in jewelry for years kind of keeps you from pulling anyone. She pulled Flynn within 5 seconds of release tho. Gets a few: Lysandra- Honestly she’s so low on this list bc she had to shapeshift in order to pull anyone. Also she chose Aedion. Sorry, but really? You could’ve chosen literally anyone else, why would you choose the basic blonde? Gets quite a few: Manon- she’d get more but the whole man-eating thing is kind of a turn-off for most guys. Not our murderous king Dorian tho. Nesryn- she was the second-place girl until she got a crown prince panting after her. Queen shit. Gets many: Yrene- she had Kashin following her around like a lost puppy, AND she pulled our resident girl-rizzer Chaol mfing Westfall. In a few months too. Morrigan- She doesn’t get as many bitches as she’d like, but unfortunately for her she pulls many guys like Cassian, Azriel, and Helion. The Elites: Celaena Sardothien/Aelin Galathiniyus- somehow the murderous thing doesn’t put people off as much as it should. It put Chaol off (a little bit) but he still fell in love, poor boy. Sam, Dorian, Chaol, Rowan. That’s a lot. Bryce Quinlan/Danaan- I put her slightly above Aelin bc she’s had so many partners, she doesn’t have the murderous thing to put people off, AND she rizzed Ithan unintentionally in like 5 seconds. Nesta Archeron: She had Cassian, Azriel, Helion, and Eris panting after her like dogs. In record time too. Despite doing her very best to put them off. Feyre Archeron: I mean she rizzed up three high lords. Enough said.😂 Top tier: Elain Archeron: Something about having the male pining after another girl for 500 years develop an unhealthy obsession with you, having the number 1 bitch magnet be pining after you, his mate, and having the literal CAULDRON be in love with you, with a bitchy older sister ready to kill and whore for you is just guy-pulling behavior. There’s just something about her. She’s mysterious, it draws you in. You want to know more. Why are they so protective of her? Points deducted for Graysen rejecting her tho. Elide Lochan: Come on, we all knew it was coming. Elide is number 1 without a doubt. Elide came out of a tower and walked the entire court of Terrasen+ the Thirteen like DOGS. She could pull almost anyone if she tried hard enough.

#lidia cervos #ansel of briarcliff #ariadne the dragon #lysandra ennar #manon blackbeak #nesryn faliq #yrene towers #morrigan #aelin galathynius #celaena sardothien #bryce quinlan #feyre archeron #elain archeron #elide lochan

[profound-imagination]

Broken Promises - Fenrys Moonbeam

A/N: I thought I'd try something different and write for the TOG characters! There's not enough fics on here about them and Fenrys is my favourite lil wolf boy ❤️ This could definitely have a part 2 if people want it! I hope you like it!❤️

W/C: 2.8K

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The last place you thought you'd be was chasing ghosts with three fae males and another human girl, but here you were. All for that insufferable wolf. The one you couldn't shake from the moment you'd met him in Skull's Bay. Not to mention the young Queen of Terrasen who Rowan Whitethorn would hunt to the ends of the earth for, the four of you in tow.

It had been the most exhausting two months of your life, how Elide coped you didn't know, Gavriel's kindness in using his magic to brace her ankle was only a small part of it you were sure. How Rowan endured the empty mating bond was again a mystery. The other mystery that haunted you was why you so desperately needed to go with them, why you needed the wolf to be safe. He'd made his choices, he'd sworn himself to Maeve, he'd done this to himself and he'd broken his promises to you and he'd broken you in the process, but still you went.

Sea air caressed your face as you sat on deck watching the sun disappear in the horizon. You sensed him seconds before he sat next to you and drawled, "Mind if I join you?" You met his onyx eyes, "It appears you already have, Lord Fenrys." He snorted at that. "Just Fenrys, I'm no Lord." You smiled at him slightly and looked back out to the water, "How did you come to be such a close companion of the King?" He asked, looking over his shoulder at Dorian.

"Our mothers are friends, we are close in age so growing up, Dorian would be running around causing chaos, Chaol running behind him trying to fix whatever Dorian broke and I'd be behind both of them, just wanting to be involved." Fenrys chuckled, "I can picture that, the three of you being nightmares." You smiled as a memory hit, "Once, when we were 7, a boy from a visiting noble family pushed me over in the courtyard and poured his juice all over me because I wanted to play with them. He told me I was to be a Lady not a Knight and therefore I couldn't play Knights with them, when I refused he pushed me as hard as he could then poured his juice all over my new dress, I still have the scar on my knee. Dorian punched him so hard his nose broke and demanded he apologise and replace my dress. We were both screaming so loud our mothers thought we were being attacked, when they found us Chaol and Dorian were holding me and telling me I could be anything I wanted to be, if I wanted to be a knight, Chaol would train me himself and Dorian would name me the Kings Knight." Fenrys laughed then, a proper laugh, loud enough that Dorian, Aelin and Rowan all peered over at the two of you from the conversation they'd been having. "And are you? The King's Knight?" He asked, you smiled again and shook your head, "No, that job was always Chaol's, I took a more subtle job, as a lady of the court, I always had information and I was always listening." He raised an eyebrow, "So she's a spy." You grinned, "Something like that."

A friendship had formed between the two of you after that, it wasn't exactly a secret that Gavriel and Fenrys were trusted very little by everyone on the ship but you, the two warriors had given you no reason not to trust them so you made them be your friends instead, Gavriel was full of kindness and sorrow, sorrow for the son that couldn't yet look at him let alone speak to him, instead he'd ask you questions about him so you told him what you knew of Aedion Ashryver, the Wolf of the North. Fenrys was full of mischief and witty comments, often using that strange place jumping power of his to scare the life out of you, but you couldn't deny you had started to grow a soft spot for both of them.

"Have you been to war?" You asked them one evening, watching the Wyvern who had landed on deck not long ago in wonder. "Many times." Gavriel confirmed. "Do we stand a chance at this one?" His eyes met yours. "Are you worried that you don't?" He asked gently. "I'm worried that I won't live long enough to find out. I've had some training, but it was mainly self defense, I don't know how to wield a sword or a bow." His eyebrows bunched but it was Fenrys who spoke, "You'll see the new world, Y/N, I'll train you the best I can, so will Gavriel and I won't leave your side when the time comes, nothing will happen to you." You met his eyes, staring at him as if you could see into his soul, "You promise?" Your voice sounding weaker than you intended it to. "I swear it." Deciding not to pull on that thread of a promise you asked, "Do you think he'll let me pet him?" Gavriel snorted a laugh but Fenrys had gone pale, "Do not touch the Wyvern, Y/N!" You grinned at him, "I'm not going to but I am going to ride a Wyvern before this war is over."

You'd known deep in your soul that it was an oath he couldn't keep, the blood oath he'd sworn would pull him away from you sooner or later. He'd tried his best though, to train you, to keep you safe.

The Stone Marshes was a despicable place, one that should've never been entered, yet here you were, panting on your back and gritting your teeth as Aedion prepared gods knew what for everyone to eat on your first night in them. "Again." Fenrys commanded as you pulled yourself from the ground, "If you can disarm me, you can disarm anyone." You gritted your teeth and stood your ground, preparing to strike again when Rowan called him away to start his watch, you'd take him his meal later you decided.

Dorian sidled up beside you, he'd been unusually quiet these past few days. "So…the wolf?" He questioned with a smirk and you felt your cheeks heat, "So…the witch?" You questioned back. His smirk turned feline. "Fair enough." You laughed at him. "There's nothing between us, he's training me, we're going to war, Dorian and Chaol isn't here to teach me." His face fell. "Why did you stay? In the castle with me?" He asked quietly, so you were doing this now then, the conversation that had yet to happen about why you'd stayed while he was enslaved by the collar. "Because Chaol couldn't." Dorian's eyes turned stormy, "Y/N-" You cut him off, "I didn't want you to be alone, Dorian. I didn't know if you were still in there, but if you were, I didn't want you to be alone." He smiled gently and took your hand, his movements tracked, you noticed, by the white haired witch across the fire and the White Wolf on the rocks above.

"I don't deserve the loyalty you and Chaol give me." You squeezed his hand and smiled at him gently, "We don't give it to you blindly, Dorian, we give it to you because we believe in you and the world you'll help create. I give it to you for the little boy who got in heaps of trouble for breaking a bullies nose for me when we were seven, I give it to you for rejecting any and all proposed marriage matches for me, for always making sure I have a choice, in every aspect of my life." He sighed, pulling you into his side, his movements still being tracked, "I feel like I haven't given you one in this. You're being dragged into a war, I should've found you somewhere safe." Pressing closer into his side you said, "I had a choice, I could've gone with Chaol and Nesryn, but they have eachother and you'd have been alone, I chose to stay with you." He kissed the top of your head then, and Manon tensed ever so slightly across the fire and the White Wolf above loped away.

You were sure you did not want to know what Aedion had served you for dinner, you'd agreed with Aelin when she asked to never be told what she was eating. Balancing a bowl of whatever Aedion had cooked up in one hand and a skin of water in the other you trugged up the slope to find Fenrys. Your right foot caught in a root and your left began to slide backwards when you felt a weight behind you, pushing you back upright. You turned and smiled at the wolf. "I bought you dinner, I don't know what it is, I thought best not to ask, but I don't know if you hunt and eat as a wolf but I didn't want you to be hungry if you didn't and I just assumed that you did," You were well aware you were rambling and you cringed at yourself. With a flash the wolf was a man again and he took the bowl from your hands. "Thank you, Y/N." You could feel the heat rising in your cheeks as he studied you, "Show me your footwork and the moves we went through yesterday while I eat?" He asked as he handed you the dagger from its sheath at his hip. So you did.

Halfway through the steps he asked, "So you and Dorian?" You stopped, "What about me and Dorian?" His eyes hardened, "You seemed very close earlier?" Was he jealous? "He asked me why I stayed in the castle after Chaol fled." He nodded once, "Why did you?" He asked, so you told him, "I don't think he remembers, I told him the scars on my face were from the castle shattering, but it was that thing inside him, trying to break him, he shouldn't have to live with that when it wasn't him that did it, not really" Fenrys clenched his jaw, "There's nothing like that between Dorian and I, not now." His eyebrows rose, "Not now?" Your cheeks heated again, "Well, there never really was, just this this one time when we were 16, we decided to have our first time together after too much wine, we thought it was a good idea to get it over and done with, to take the pressure away from it being with someone we were interested in romantically." He nodded again, "I don't regret it." You weren't sure why you felt the need to add that on but you did. "It was awful." You confessed and finally Fenrys laughed, "That's often the way with first times." You smiled at him, "I don't see him like that, nor does he see me like that." He took a breath and made another oath, "No one will touch you again." The conversation was left there, "Show me the steps once more then go and get some rest." That night and every other night spent in the Marshes, you woke to a White Wolf curled around you, one of its Onyx eyes open, always watching. It was never spoken about. Nor was it spoken about how Fenrys had thrown himself off of the rocks he was shooting arrows at the Ilken from when Aelin's power exploded and threw himself over you like a shield.

It hurt to think about what happened on the beach, you'd spotted Lorcan jump in a long boat heading to shore where he'd left Elide, Gavriel and Fenrys long gone, the blood oath calling them to their master you were sure. Elide had become your friend and you were teaching her how to read and write, so you jumped and swam. You couldn't imagine how much it hurt Rowan, to have arrived too late, you knew he'd have let himself be killed to get Aelin to safety. It gutted you to see the warriors powerless and it made you sick to your stomach as you watched Aelin be whipped over and over again, refusing to count.

Fenrys knew he was helpless from the moment he and Gavriel appeared right where Maeve had summoned them, he'd fought it for as long as he could, they both had. Before they'd used his power to jump from the boat he'd looked at her one last time, to find her already watching him, both betrayal and understanding shone in her eyes and he couldn't take it, so, like a coward, he'd grabbed Gavriel and they were gone.

The young Queen, his young Queen wasn't going to last, each whip sounded like the earth was shattering, Gavriel was still trying to right himself from the blood oath being ripped from him, Lorcan was doing the same, Elide was hissing at him like an angry cat, to fight it, to help Aelin, to do something, she pleaded with the witch as well. He wouldn't be so lucky, he knew that. Maeve wouldn't take the oath from him knowing how much he openly despised it. He didn't think he could despise it more until her scent hit him, she was coming and he couldn't stop her, she breezed past him, throwing herself at Maeve, his dagger in hand, the same one he'd handed her this morning, with another promise that he would be close by, the dark queen simply laughed at her and flicked her wrist as darkness slammed into Y/N and sent her flying backwards, he wasn't quick enough to stop the warning growl that left his throat and Maeve's smile turned snakelike.

"Fenrys," She crooned, "Keep your new pet controlled and on the ground." He gritted his teeth, he would not do it, he would not obey. He would not- "Would you rather I ask Cairn to give her the same treatment as my dear niece?" He was moving instantly, he pulled her up as gently as he could. "Please." She begged him quietly, "Don't do this, help her." Silver lined her eyes and Fenrys couldn't look at her. "Such a pretty face." Maeve purred as she dragged the tip of her dagger from Y/N's forehead to her jaw, not hard enough to draw blood but hard enough to be a warning to Fenrys. Instead Maeve struck her with her other hand. He swore he could hear Y/N's teeth rattle as her lip split, she struggled against him, absolute betrayal was all he saw in her face now. "Down, in the sand." Maeve commanded and so he pushed her down so she was lying face down in the sand, she had to hate him, he had to make sure she wouldn't follow, "You promised." She whimpered. Maeve laughed again, Aelin contained in her coffin, she commanded him to leave, his eyes met Gavriel's. Don't let her move, he willed his friend as he stood. Gavriel was there, pulling her up and into his chest as she shouted down the beach after him. "You swore!" Each word like a hot poker to his heart. "You swore you'd be here, that you wouldn't leave!" So Fenrys did the worst thing he could think of, he stopped next to Maeve who was watching him carefully, "I lied, pathetic human. You really thought I'd stay, for you?" He raised an eyebrow at her and saw his words hit their mark, saw her shrink into Gavriel's chest, then, to seal it, to truly break any trust or hope she had in him or for him, he turned to the dark queen and kissed her. "I missed you Majesty."

Fenrys woke with a jolt, Aelin watching him from the stone slab, a dream, it was a dream. She blinked at him. I am here, I am with you. It was either dreams of her, or his brother, which is why he tried his best not to sleep until his body gave out from the exhustion.

You and Gavriel had never spoken of those minutes on the beach where you'd clung to him like he was a teather to the earth, he healed your lip silently as you cried, as Elide pushed away from Lorcan and crawled towards Manon. Aedion pulled you away from his father with a growl, "What happened?" He demanded and through your tears all you could do was shake your head, he asked again and again until Dorian had pushed him away, folding you into his chest. Rowan holding a knife to Lorcan, he was saved by Elide who retold the story.

So a plan was made, Rowan would go with Gavriel, Lorcan and Elide to find her. Dorian was reluctant to let you go with them but he knew you'd go regardless so he agreed and went with the witches. Aedion and Lysandra disguised as Aelin would head back up North.

You were walking arm in arm with Elide when it happened, Gavriel and Lorcan in front of you stopped dead, Rowan taking up the rear was frozen on the hill. "What's happening?" Elide asked Gavriel as he and Lorcan rushed towards Rowan. The two of you caught the tail end of the conversation. "It came from the North, from Doranelle." Rowan looked lighter than he had in weeks, "She's alive." He breathed.

#fenrys x reader #fenrys moonbeam #throne of glass #crown of midnight #heir of fire #assassin's blade #queen of shadows #tower of dawn #kingdom of ash #dorian havilliard

[danikamariewrites]

reader being Rowaelins daughter and she’s secretly seeing Elorcan’s daughter, at first rowaelin think that she has a secret boyfriend and they want to see him and kind of threaten him, but then everyone finds out at the same time that it’s actually them dating🖤🖤🖤🖤🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️

Cardigan

Elorcan daughter x Reader

A/n: this is such a cute idea I died reading it. And yes this is named after a folklore song but I’m focusing on the happy romantic parts of the song ☺️ Elorcans daughters name is Diana (BOTH ARE OVER 18)

Warnings: none

Light snores pull you from your dream and into the sweetest reality. Your beautiful girlfriend, Diana Lochan, the most beautiful female in all of Terrasen. You brush he thick black hair back from her face and smile. Even though your relationship is currently a secret, you were both happy. Besides, if your family’s knew the two of you would never have any peace to figure things out.

The future Lady of Perranth began to stir and her eyes cracked open. Diana’s soft giggle warmed your heart. “Morning y/n/n.” Gods her voice was so hot in the morning.

You moved closer, sharing a pillow with her and Diana wrapped an arm around you. You rested your face in the crook of her neck, placing small kiss across her skin.

Pulling away from your girlfriend you boop her nose. “What should we do after breakfast?” You ask. Diana hums in thought. “We could take a walk int gardens. Or we could go into the city, look around maybe window shop. Ohh what about the library?”

Before you could give your answer your mother was knocking on your door. “Y/n, breakfast soon. Are you out of bed yet darling?” You hold your finger up to your lips as Diana held her breath. “Yeah mom! I’ll be down in a few minutes.” The Queen of Terrasen’s footsteps faded and you could both breathe again.

The two of you scrambled out of bed to get dressed. “Fuck my shirt,” Diana sighed holding up the tattered fabric. “Uuhhhh,” you tore through your expansive closet and grabbed an outfit, throwing it at Diana, “wear this.”

Once you changed you noticed the shirt was one your family would know. You wrapped a cardigan with silver star patches around her and buttoned it. “You look so cute Di.” You give her a quick kiss and pull her toward the door.

Sure, sometimes you guys were sloppy with your scents and obvious signs. No one ever said anything though. Walking into breakfast the family was so lost in conversation no one noticed the two of you. It was kind of nice.

As you sat down your father immediately perked his head up, sniffing your direction. “Y/n,” he said sternly. “Yes father?” You ask confused at his hostile tone this early. “Who’s scent is on you?” At his very loud question the entire table looked at you.

Your eyes went wide as you looked at your mother, siblings, and the Lochans. You locked eyes with Diana and your mouth started moving. Nothing coherent came out, just sounds as you tried to think of an excuse. You looked back at your father, a white eyebrow cocked at you.

“Well father, uuummmm…Diana and I just,” Diana stood suddenly, her chair sliding back loudly, “We’re together!” She practically screeched. You slap your hands over your eyes. “I was just going to say we had a sleepover, babe.”

Removing your hands you saw Diana’s cheeks turn bright red. You could feel yours start to heat as well. Your mother comes up behind you, kissing your head. “We are very happy for you darling. Right Rowan?” She growled out that last part making you and your siblings laugh.

Your father snapped out of his shocked state, “Yes, yes! Of course.” Lorcan spoke up next, “I’m very proud of both of you for not being afraid to admit it. We didn’t mean to scare you, you’re very brave, girls” you and Diana were shocked that Lorcan was so understanding.

When he and your father thought no one was looking they began glaring at each other. Both promising death. “Oh we should take you girls out this afternoon. Wouldn’t that be fun Aelin?” “Absolutely!”

You and Diana groan, giving each other an exasperated look. You both knew your moms were just going to grill you on your relationship. You knew they were doing it out of love.

As breakfast went on you felt a little lighter. Like a weight you didn’t know was on your shoulders had disappeared. Everyone at the table were back to their conversations but you could only look at Diana. You were so happy to have her. And now there was no need to hide.

#throne of glass #throne of glass fanfiction #throne of glass fanfic #throne of glass imagine #throne of glass fic #aelin galathynius #elide lochan

[justreadertings]

And now presenting the "I Can Fix Them Award"

The winner is... ELIDE LOCHAN!!! For her stunning performance in the Manon chapters and doing the unthinkable in the Lorcan chapters. She even pulled the queen of Terrasen into her ways of thinking. Let's give it up for her ladies and gents. She's a real keeper! The only one to do this successfully! We can't wait to see what she does next!

#rumor says shes on her way to fix perranth #what a woman #elide lochan #malide #elorcan #lord lorcan lochan #lorcan salvaterre #manon blackbeak #sarah j maas #throneofglass #tog #crown of midnight #heir of fire #queen of shadows #empire of storms #tower of dawn #kingdom of ash

[highladyofterrasen7]

TOG OR ACOTAR

- who do you like more -

Aelin or feyre - won’t choose

Rowan or Rhys - Rhys

Fenrys or cassian - cassian

Dorian or azriel - dorian

Manon or nesta - Manon

Lysandra or mor - mor

Lorcan or Lucien - Lorcan

Elide or elain - elide

Gavriel or Helion - gavriel

Aedion or Eris - aedion

Chaol or jurian - chaol

Kaltain or amren - amren

Yrene or gwyn - gwyn

Nesryn or emerie - emerie

Sartaq or tarquin - tarquin

- who would you rather kill -

Maeve or amarantha - both

Arobynn or tam/in - both

Erawan or the king of hybern - erawan

The king of adarlan or ianthe - adarlan

- other would you rathers -

Be part of the ic or the cadre - ic

Live in orynth or velaris - velaris

Be a king/queen or high lord/lady - high lady

Celaena’s trials or feyre’s - feyre’s

Fight in the witches’ attack on rifthold, or hybern’s attack on velaris - velaris

Train with the cadre or the bat boys - both

Spend a week in terrasen with aelin’s court or a week in velaris with the ic - velaris

If you have any questions I should add or characters I forgot lmk

I was running out of characters for some of them (like chaol or JURIAN??, amren and KALTAIN?? I WAS STUCK)

Sorry it’s really long (I’m bored as fuck)

#sarah j maas #acotar #rhysand #feyre archeron #throne of glass #azriel #dorian havilliard #rowan whitethorn #cassian #fenrys moonbeam #aelin galathynius #manon blackbeak #nesta archeron #lysandra ennar #mor acotar #lorcan salvaterre #lucien vanserra #elide lochan #elain archeron #gavriel #helion spell cleaver #aedion ashryver #eris vanserra #chaol westfall #amren #gwyneth berdara #the cadre #the inner circle #the bat boys #velaris

[tomtenadia]

Our first Beltaine

Hello all,

Here is my first fic for Aelin’s week. It’s set a decade after the end of KOA. Rowaelin have a daughter and it’s the girl’s first fire festival and she gets to play with her growing powers.

It’s just pure domestic fluff, silliness and Rowan being the usual amazing dad. I wrote this in an hour, hope you will like it.

@rowaelinscourt​

The castle was all adorned and ready for celebrations.

It was Beltaine and since the end of the war, the Queen and King of Terrasen had made an effort to bring back all the ancient festivities of the land.

Beltaine marked the end of the darkness and the arrival of the long days, of life triumphing over the darkness of winter. After the years under Adarlan rule, the citizens of Terrasen had embraced such celebration with open arms and rejoiced at their freedom. Light over darkness.      

The castle had been opened to all citizens and the extensive yard was full of vendors and booths with sellers and performers.The main attraction, however, was in the royal garden were bonfires had been prepared for the revellers. A few fire wielders were slowly stoking the flames to allow the participants to jump across the bonfires as tradition. Couple would leap the fires to ask a blessing for their union to the gods or people would just just for good luck. It was a celebration of life and people would start arriving on the royal grounds as soon as the night started to fall.

Aelin and Rowan were in their royal chambers and were getting ready for the festivities. That night it was a special one for them. It was their daughter’s first Beltaine. Aisling was six. Until the year before they had kept her away from the fires but that year they had decided to finally allow their daughter to join. Aisling had just started showing signs of magic. It was very early for a child, but given who her parents were, no one had any doubts that the girl might be a skilled magic wielder. The girl had inherited both of her parents powers and they had just started training her in controlling her gifts. So far the biggest incident had been her freezing the entire castle after getting frustrated with one of her toys. Rowan had ran to her quickly enough and stopped the glacial wave that had descended on the castle.  

“Look at you, your tunic is almost regal.”

Rowan looked at his wife and raised an eye brow. He had worn a nicer green tunic for the festivities, but nothing compared to the stuffed ones that he hated but had to wear for annoying courtly stuff.

“This will allow me to enjoy the evening without feeling stiff.”

Aelin smirked and walked towards him, her hands brushing his chest “and much easier to peel off later on, for our own personal celebrations.”

Rowan was about to add something, when the soft patter of Aisling’s feet reached their ears.

“Mama, dada, I ready!”

The little girl was wearing a green dress with a puffy skirt, a crown of kingsflames on her silver-haired head and a set of wings on her back. 

Aelin turned and ran to her daughter “my love, you look beautiful.”

Aisling turned around to show off her dress and then bowed to both.

Rowan went to pick up his daughter in his arms and spun her around as she was properly flying “did auntie Lys help you dress up?”

“Yes. Am I pretty dad?”

Rowan smacked a kiss on her cheek “you and your mum are the two most beautiful ladies around here.” The girl giggled happily and snuck against her father. 

“Now we need to wait for your mum to finish dressing up. She is not as organised as the two of us.”

Aelin, who was getting ready in a corner of the room, complained loudly “I heard you, buzzard. You’ll pay for this.”

Rowan let out a low chuckle and placed Aisling back on the floor and she scurried away. When she came back, the little girl was carrying a simple tiara and passed it to her father “for you, dada.”

Rowan kneeled in front of her and lowered his head so that she could place the item on his head “now you are pretty too.”

A loud laugh escaped his lungs and when Aelin emerged he stood and turned to her “What do you think, wife? Am I pretty too?”

Aelin tried not to laugh “Our girl definitely has more taste than you when it comes to dressing up.”    

He moved closer and playfully nipped her neck in provocation and Aelin hummed happily.

“You will be happy to know that I am finally ready.”

Aelin was wearing a simple red velvet dress with a squared neck and long sleeves, her hair up in an intricate fashion with a few kingsfklames tucked in it.

Rowan stared at his wife transfixed. No matter that they had been together for almost a decade, she would still take his breath away. 

“You are stunning, fireheart.”

In response, Aelin kissed the corner of his mouth “you are not too bad yourself, my king.” And with those words she planted a kiss on his mouth with the promise of more that night.

“Mama, dada, no kissy.”

At their daughter’s words they pulled apart and Rowan went to take her hand, followed then by Aelin and eventually they left the room, ready to join the festivities.

As they walked out and reached the yard, people stopped to bow to the queen and king and Rowan stood up straight, not afraid of showing up in public with a girl’s tiara. It was a gift from his daughter and he would not break her heart for the sake of his pride. 

They walked in the main area for the festivities and Aelin took the centre stage to make the usual speech that would officially open the festivities. Rowan moved at the side and picked up Aisling in his arms.

“My dear citizens, I welcome you all to another blessed Beltaine. This one is, for my husband and I, a special one. It’s our daughter’s first official Beltaine and we are both very excited.” She kissed the girl “Now, please have fun and be merry and let’s all celebrate the arrival of the longer days.” With a flick of her hand she fed the flames that burst up high in powerful blazes that lit up the evening. Then she brought her power back in control and the bonfires dimmed down and back under control of the fire wielders.

When she turned she noticed her daughter’s pine green eyes fixed on the flames in amazement “pretty.”

Aisling squirmed in her father’s arms and Rowan let her down but still keep a hold of her fearing she might snuck out to play with the bonfires. Her magic was still very unpredictable and he was terrified of what might happen if she got too happy near a fire.

“Come on, my love, let’s go and get some food first.”

Rowan passed Aisling to Aelin and stood in his corner admiring the evening.

Somehow his mind brought back the memory of the first Beltaine with Aelin in Mistward. When he was still training her. When she was still a brat that drove him crazy each single day. But that night when she burnt out was also the night that brought them a step closer. It had been when he had seen the scars, when she told him about Endovier. When for a brief instant she let him. He was so deep in his thought that he did not notice his two women coming back with a few plates full of food.

Rowan laughed and grabbed some, then he sat down and they followed. The grass was fresh and smelled alive beneath them.

“Here we go, buzzard, I have meat on a stick for you. I asked Emrys to prepare some for tonight especially for you and it seems to be successful.”

Rowan grinned and took some of the food Aelin was passing him.

Aisling sat between them and happily chomped away at the food that the cook had prepared especially for the kids. Her stare never left the bonfires as if she she was attracted to it.

“We are jumping too, let’s have dinner first.”

The little girl beamed at her father.

Having the king and queen to join the festivities and seat in the grass like all the other citizens was a common sight in Orynth. There were always some guards discreetly posted around the grounds, but both Aelin and Rowan had made clear from the start that at events like these they wanted to be free to celebrate together with their citizens. It had taken a lot of convincing but in the end the captain of the guard had yielded at their request. Rowan had also added that he was more than capable to protect his wife and daughter on his own if needed. Aelin had teased him by calling a protective brute. But when it came to Aelin and Aisling’s safety, Rowan never joked.

Once the family was fed, Rowan stood and grabbed Aisling “Come on, time to jump.”

Aelin stood too and Aisling jumped in excitement.

They found a bonfire a bit far away and once the last couple jumped, Aelin asked the fire wielder to move away. The fire died down and Aisling turned upset “mama, fire.”    

Aelin sat down on the grass beside her daughter and Rowan did the same.

“I’ll show you.” Aelin extended her hand over the logs and a flame sparked up, dancing gently.

“You try now, like mama showed you.” She added, extinguishing the flames with a simple flick of her hand.

Aisling placed both of her small hands above the logs and scrunched her face hard in concentration. In those instant she looked exactly like Rowan and her heart skipped a beat at the image.

“I can’t.”

“Remember what mama told you?”

The little girl nodded. Aelin had been training her with her fire magic and Rowan helped with her ice and wind magic.

The girl kept concentrating, until a small flame popped up timidly.

“That’s it, baby.”

Rowan placed a hand on his daughter’s back as support and in that instant the flame grew a little bigger until it slowly engulfed the logs.

Aelin smacked a proud kiss on her daughter’s cheek “You are my little fire wielder, my love.”

Rowan pulled Aisling closer and kissed her silver hair “our little fireheart.”

The three stared at the flames dance placidly, swaying at the gentle rhythm of the wind that Rowan was blowing around them.

“I did it.” At the burst of joy, the flames sparked up high, but Aelin was ready to take back control in an instant “Shall we jump now?”

“Yes!”

The three stood, with Aisling between them, each holding one hand.

Aelin controlled the flames to a safe height and then they stepped back a few steps.

“Ready?” Asked Rowan.

He counted and at three they started running and jumped, both parents lifting an elated Aisling above the flames.

Aelin whopped happily as she landed.

Aisling let go of the hands and ran back to the bonfire “Again?”

Rowan turned and saw happiness in his wife’s face “again, fireheart?” He asked while offering his hand to her.

As a family they jumped a few more times.

Celebrating life.

Celebrating light over darkness and while jumping they whispered to the ancient gods the promise that bound their souls together.

To whatever end.                

taglist

@rowaelinismyotp @swankii-art-teacher @whimsicallyreading @elentiyawhitethorn @aelin-bitch-queen @bruiseonthefaceofhumanity  @mis-lil-red @thegreyj @sailorsassley @leiawritesstories @clairec79 @morganofthewildfire @sv0430 @heartless--aromantic @autumnbabylon @rowanaelinn @backtobl4ck @susumaus98  @gracie-rosee @mybloodrunsblue @tanvee1231 @avenrebekah @whoever-you-choose-to-love  @theywillnotsingforme @universallytreepost @black-daisy-water @goddess-aelin @whispers-in-the-darkest-heart @lovely-dove-zee @athena127

#rowaelin #rowaelin fanfic #aelin x rowan #rowan whitethorn #rowan x aelin #aelinsweek #rowaelin kids #domestic fluff #aelin galathynius

[leiawritesstories]

hiiii you might be busy with rowaelin month but can i ask for you to bring fedreick out ang give me a really angsty one shot about how rowan dies but aelin needs a heir for tesseran and she basically has to have a heir with a important lord or something but after they have sex he tries to stay and aelin just kicks him out and cries

and the maybe after if your feeling nice you could be fredick away and give me a rowaelin baby being born one shot?????

(Frederick speaking) oh i would love to do this mwahahaha

(Leia speaking) i modified the prompt a little because it genuinely hurt my soul but i hope you like it

word count: 4k (oopsies)

CW: references to death and illness, crying, pain, angsty angst, medical talk, doctors, Frederick's work ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aelin had known this day, this meeting, was coming, but it didn't stop her splintered heart from breaking into a thousand more pieces the moment she walked in the door.

Following the usual opening remarks, she motioned to Lord Darrow, and he stood, offered her a hint of a pained smile, and pronounced the words she knew were going to come. "Your Majesty, there remains the matter of an heir." He cleared his throat, stifling the faint tremor his voice had carried. "As you remember, it was the final clause of the succession."

Aelin laced her fingers tightly together beneath the table and nodded once, a bare dip of her chin. "I am aware of the terms of the royal succession, my lord." When she had come of age four years ago and been crowned Queen of Terrasen, she had been fully aware of the terms of her great-uncle Orlon's will. For her to keep the throne, she had to be married and have a child within the first five years of her queenship, else she would be subject to a council vote on whether or not to keep the throne in the Galathynius line.

It was a horrifically outdated custom for the twenty-first century, but here they all were.

Darrow paced a slow line back and forth across the front of the council chamber. "We understand that His Majesty's...untimely passing...was a great tragedy." The words shot spears through Aelin's fractured heart. "Because of this, we are willing to extend the term to six years. However, Your Majesty, with all due respect, if you are not with child by the time your sixth year has elapsed, we are afraid we shall have to call for a vote."

Tears prickled at Aelin's eyes, but she forced them away. "I thank you for your generosity," she murmured, unable to speak any louder lest she burst into sobs in the middle of a meeting. "My husband..." She took a deep breath, compressing the painfully beautiful memories of Rowan back into the ironclad box where they belonged. "Losing my husband has been the hardest part of my queenship, even the hardest part of my life."

"We understand." Genuine empathy rippled across the lines of Darrow's aged face.

"But there is still the matter of the will," Aelin finished. "I understand." Softly, she cleared her throat. "What is your suggestion, council?"

Darrow motioned at Lady Alister, who passed him a small sheet of paper. "With your permission, Majesty, we have prepared a short list of, ah, acceptable father candidates." He spoke the words with discomfort--the will had stipulated that the father must have noble or royal heritage, yet another horribly outdated custom. "Thanks to modern medicine, you have the option to conceive via IVF, but if you would prefer the, ah, traditional--"

"Show me the list." Aelin wiped all emotion from her voice and held out her hand. With a brief nod, Darrow passed her the short list, and she glanced over the handful of noble names. "Are you all not aware that Dorian is happily married?"

Lady Alister cleared her throat, a little nervously. "The King of Adarlan...he, well, he volunteered."

"Of course," Aelin sighed. She crossed his name off the list. "You may thank him for his willingness, but I shall have to turn down his offer." She turned back to Darrow. "What are your suggestions for this process?"

"Each of the men listed there has agreed to the terms of this...ah, arrangement, so if you'd like, you may either go the traditional way of dating or we can arrange a meeting with the doctors."

It wasn't even a decision. "Please schedule me a doctor's appointment. The sooner, the better." Clinging to her last shreds of composure, Aelin stood. "Will there be anything else?"

"That is all, Your Majesty." Darrow and the rest of the council stood and bowed as Aelin left the room.

~

In the darkness of the wee hours of the night, Aelin jerked awake with a shuddering gasp. Tears spilled from her eyes as she instinctively reached across the bed to find Rowan's half empty, the sheets and pillows cold to her touch. The dream had been so vivid, she'd almost believed she'd wake up and find him smiling sleepily at her.

"I--gods, Fireheart!" Rowan's yelp pierced Aelin's ears. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Live a little, buzzard!" she yelled back, laughing giddily at the exhilarating rush of wind blowing past as she urged her motorbike faster along the track. She tipped her helmet-protected head back and whooped, the bright sound bouncing off the walls of the canyon.

With a rumbling whoosh of engines, Rowan pulled his motorbike up alongside hers and flicked up the visor of his helmet so he could roll his eyes at her. "I swear, Ae, you're going to make my heart stop one of these days."

"I'll settle for making your brain blank out," she smirked, snickering at the way her husband's throat bobbed thickly. "But that's after I win!" She floored the gas, and her bike leaped forwards, outpacing Rowan in seconds.

He charged up behind her, following her as closely as he dared without risking running his bike into hers in the confines of the narrow canyon road. "Don't be so sure of that, love!"

She just laughed and coaxed more speed out of the motorbike, leading them out of the twisting curves into the final, flat stretch of track, where she could see the handful of staff waiting at the bright green finish line. She knew at least a few of them were rolling their eyes at the wild antics of their queen and king, but what could she say? It was her once-a-month free day.

"Fifteen seconds!" she shouted over her shoulder, pushing for one last burst of speed. She flew through the finish line half a second ahead of Rowan, slowed down, and eventually turned around and made her way back, slowly.

Rowan was waiting at the finish line, looking absolutely delicious in his tightly fitted jeans, boots, and black leather jacket, helmet tucked under his arm, his pale hair a windblown mess. "Congratulations, love," he murmured, shooting her one of those smirks that made her core turn to jelly.

"Thank you," she purred, dismounting from the bike and taking off her own helmet and gloves. Her hair was braided tightly around her head, but some strands had worked their way loose and brushed against her sweaty neck.

"Let me." Handing off both his and her helmets, Rowan tucked the loose strands behind Aelin's ear. "Better?"

"Much better." She rose onto her tiptoes, grabbed the collar of his jacket, and yanked him down for a kiss, not giving a shit who saw. Her kingdom was used to the affection she shared with her husband. "Want to give me my prize now?"

"In front of poor Lord Darrow?" he teased in a low, raspy whisper. "I didn't know you were that exhibitionist, Ae."

"You naughty boy." She playfully swatted his shoulder and led him into the car. "When we get home."

He hummed in agreement but still spent most of the drive back to the castle with her in his lap, brushing teasing little kisses to the sensitive skin of her throat. She barely made it through the private entrance and into the elevator before she jumped on him, wrapping her legs tightly around his waist and crashing her lips into his.

The elevator stopped with a ding and she stumbled out with flushed cheeks and swollen lips, hand in hand with her husband, and all but sprinted into their bedroom. He kicked the door closed and hoisted her back into his arms, burying his fingers in her hair, and kissed her deeply, his tongue stroking perfectly against hers.

With a low moan, he broke the kiss, pulling away to rest his tattooed hand against her face. "I love you so much, Fireheart." Instead of burning, desperate need, there was quiet tenderness in his voice.

Aelin wrapped her hands around Rowan's wrist and pressed her forehead to his, tears springing to her eyes. "I love you more," she breathed. "Rowan--"

"So much," he repeated, holding her watery gaze with the emerald depths of his eyes. "To whatever end."

"Don't say that," she choked out, placing her hands flat against his cheekbones. "Godsdammit, Ro, it wasn't supposed to go like this!"

"I know." He pressed her close against his chest, and she inhaled the scent of winter breezes and pine forests, the scent of him. "From now until the darkness finds us, yeah?"

She traced the ink flowing down the side of his face with trembling fingers. "Don't you dare."

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you," she murmured thickly. "To whatever end, my love." He kissed her forehead, a tender brush of his soft lips, and his figure dissolved into mist in her arms.

And she jerked awake in the still, empty silence of her bedroom, tears pouring silently down her cheeks. If the godsdamned illness that had yanked her husband from her arms were a tangible thing, she'd be figuring out the best way to murder it. But even she couldn't make an illness vanish, so she just wrapped her arms around Rowan's pillow, buried her face in the scent of him that still clung to the cotton, and drifted back to sleep with her heart bleeding once again.

~

"Your Majesty." The doctor stood and bowed from her waist as Aelin walked into her office.

"Please, there's no need for all of that." Aelin dropped into the comfortable ivory leather wingback chair opposite the doctor. "I'm here for...I assume you know why I'm here."

"Indeed." The doctor settled into her seat and laid a file folder of notes on the desk. "My name is Dr. Yrene Towers, and I've been working in the women's health field for eleven years." She glanced at Aelin's charts. "So you're here to consult about IVF?"

"I am." Aelin laid her hands flat on the expensive mahogany desk to stop them from trembling. "There's no need to go into the reasons why, unless you're required to ask."

"That's not a requirement, no." Dr. Towers pulled a few pages out from the file and picked up a pen. "We need to discuss your medical history, your fertility and cycle history, and the actual IVF process." She cleared her throat. "Your--ah, Aelin, when was your last menstrual period?"

Aelin pulled out her phone and opened her period tracker app. "April 6th to 11th."

Dr. Towers noted down the dates. "That was nearly three months ago."

"I have a history of infrequent cycles," Aelin explained. "It's nothing new for me to go two, three, or even four months without a period."

"I see." The doctor scribbled down a few notes. "As part of the preliminary material, I am required to ask if you were trying to conceive, and for how long you've been trying." Her warm brown eyes met Aelin's, and she offered a soft, sympathetic smile. "It's alright if you need some time to answer."

Aelin closed her eyes. Yes, she and Rowan had been trying, without success, to conceive. For months, if not a year. Every month that passed without any signs, every negative test, every tear she'd shed over her body's refusal to cooperate--every memory cut deeper with Rowan...gone. "Yes." She bit her lower lip. "We were...trying."

Dr. Towers nodded. "Do you remember how long?" she asked, gently.

"A little over a year," Aelin murmured. "Since last winter."

The doctor made a small noise of agreement. "Alright. Well, the next step in our consultation is for you to take a pregnancy test, simply to confirm that you aren't pregnant so we can proceed with IVF medication and treatment." Aelin nodded. Dr. Towers gestured to a door near the back of her office. "There's a private bathroom back there where you can take the test, it's all set up."

"Thank you." Quietly, Aelin rose and walked into the bathroom, closed and locked the door behind herself, and found a digital pregnancy test and a small glass cup on the counter. With practiced motions, she took the test, capped it, and washed her hands as she waited for the small plastic stick to load its results. She exited the bathroom with the test still undeveloped and passed it to the doctor. "I...I don't think I can look at it," she admitted.

Dr. Towers laid the test in front of her notes. "That's alright," she said, reassuring the queen. "I'll watch it for you, and--oh!" Her gaze snapped to the test, dark eyes widening in shock.

Aelin's brows scrunched together. "Is everything alright, Doctor?"

"I...you..." Dr. Towers cleared her throat. "Your Majesty," she whispered, sliding the test across the desk, "it's positive."

Pregnant, declared the little gray screen. 3+.

Aelin's heart leapt into her throat. "Are...no, no, that can't be right." She refused to let the bright flash of hope get ahold of her tumultuous emotions. "Can you confirm that, Doctor?"

Dr. Towers nodded. "I can order a urine and a blood test, if that's what you would want."

"Yes." Aelin's response was whip-quick. "Yes, I want that."

"Alright, just a few minutes here." Dr. Towers opened her laptop and typed away for a few minutes. "Okay, Aelin. If you'll come with me, I'll get you to an exam room, and we can get those tests started."

Wordlessly, Aelin collected her small purse and followed Dr. Towers out of her office and down a wood-paneled, softly lit hallway into the clinic and down a pastel yellow hallway to a tidy exam room. "Thank you," she murmured as the doctor led her into the room."

"Of course." Dr. Towers patted Aelin's shoulder kindly. "I'll send in a nurse with the equipment in a minute or two."

Aelin sat down on the paper-covered bed and twisted her wedding ring around her left ring finger. She hadn't removed it--she flatly refused to remove it. No matter what anyone else tried to say, she had sworn vows to one man and one man alone, and she would keep the ring of those vows on her finger until the day she joined her husband in the afterlife.

There was a polite double knock on the door and a young female nurse in bright blue scrubs entered the exam room. "Hi," she said in a quivering, small voice. Her big blue eyes were huge with awe and a little bit of fear.

"Hi," Aelin murmured, cracking a soft smile at the young nurse's trepidation. "There's no need to be afraid, Miss...I'm sorry, I can't read your nametag from over here."

"N-no problem, Your Majesty." The nurse scurried over towards Aelin. "I'm Evangeline, Your Majesty."

"Lovely to meet you, Evangeline, and please, just call me Aelin. Right now, I'm just another one of your patients, okay?"

"O-o-okay." Evangeline agreed. She flashed a bright smile and snapped on a pair of blue latex gloves. "So, Dr. Towers ordered a blood test and a urine sample to confirm or reject pregnancy, yes?" She seemed so much more confident when she was speaking about the medical orders.

"That's right." Aelin twisted her wedding ring around her finger, her thumb rubbing against the square emerald. "I took a digital test and I don't believe that it's positive."

"Mhmm, that's pretty typical," Evangeline agreed. "I have to ask--is it alright for me to draw your blood?"

"Yes." Aelin laid her arm on the padded armrest and made a fist at the young nurse's directions. Swiftly, Evangeline found a vein and took a small blood sample, then placed a gauze pad and a bandage over the draw site. "That wasn't so bad."

Evangeline chuckled. "It's a lot different than injections, for sure." She labeled the small vial, took off her gloves, washed up, and handed Aelin a small plastic cup. "There's a bathroom just outside this room. In that bathroom, there's a sample collection door. Go ahead and do the urine sample, and place the cup in the collection door when you're done. You can come back here when you're finished, and I'll walk you back to Dr. Towers's office."

"Thank you." Aelin smiled at the young nurse. "Not that I know anything about nursing, but you're a wonderful nurse." She headed into the bathroom, took care of the sample, and let Evangeline lead her back to Dr. Towers's office when she was done.

Dr. Towers let her in. "It might be a couple of hours before your results come back in, just so you know."

Aelin sighed. "That's okay. Do you need me to leave? I can go home if you need me to go."

"No need," Dr. Towers interjected. "You're welcome to stay here while you wait. I do have patients to see, but you're welcome to stay in my office."

Gratefully, Aelin settled into the comfortable armchair, tucked her head to the side, and was asleep before she knew it. Some time later, she was gently awakened by the doctor's soft voice and gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Aelin? It's Dr. Towers. How was your nap."

"Too good," Aelin mumbled, slowly coming to coherence. She blinked, rubbing her eyes. "How long was I out?"

"A little more than two hours." Dr. Towers sat down at her desk and placed a few papers on top of the smooth wood. "Long enough for your labs to come back." She met Aelin's eyes, her gaze steady and professional. "Aelin, both the blood and urine tests came back positive. You're pregnant."

You're pregnant.

"Alone."

Dr. Towers blinked. "Hmm?"

"I'm pregnant alone," Aelin whispered, tears clouding her eyes as she processed the news. "I'm pregnant, and he--my--Rowan." The last word was a choked sob. "And Rowan will never know our child," she croaked, dissolving into muffled sobs.

The doctor slid her a stack of tissues and laid her soft brown hands atop Aelin's trembling ones. "I know it's a hell of a lot to take in."

Aelin sniffled. "Should my doctor really be swearing?"

"Fits the situation." Dr. Towers squeezed Aelin's hands. "Aelin, I'm legally required to ask this next question: do you want this pregnancy?"

"Yes," Aelin breathed. "I don't fully believe it yet, but yes. Absolutely."

"Wonderful." Dr. Towers beamed. "I'm going to refer you to an imaging clinic for an ultrasound, okay? We'll want to schedule that as soon as possible to find out how far along you are."

"Okay." Aelin's voice was small and unsteady. "Doctor?"

"Yes?"

"Do I...how..." Aelin linked her fingers together, rooting herself in the feeling of her wedding ring pressing into he skin. "How am I supposed to go through this alone?" she whispered, anguish coating her question.

Dr. Towers's expression went soft, caring. "If you need professional assistance, I can refer you to one of my colleagues. If you're asking about a support system, let me remind you that you have your close circle of people to rely on. Let them help you, Aelin." She held the queen's shaky hands. "Let them help you."

~

Buzzard,

It's been seven and a half weeks. I still see you everywhere, in every little thing from my dreams to my nightmares. There will never be a part of me that doesn't miss you. Never.

I'm ten weeks and four days pregnant, Rowan. I just found out. Believe me, I'm as stunned as you probably are, wherever you are. It was...it wasn't what we were expecting, and I'm torn between the urge to scream at you for leaving me before we knew and the urge to imagine everything you'd be saying and doing right now. Yes, that's a tear on the page--gods burn me, I'm crying, I can't help it.

I don't know if I can do this alone, my love. I don't know how I'm going to bring our child into the world knowing that you won't be there to hold them. I don't know how I'm going to make it through the next seven months without you fussing over every damn step I take. I miss you so fucking much.

I swear to you, my Rowan, my buzzard, that our child will grow up knowing how incredible you are and how much you love our little family, even from where you are.

To whatever end, my heart.

Aelin

Tears splashed onto the stationery as Aelin signed her name and tossed her pen to the side. She traced the letters of Rowan's name with trembling fingertips, breathing the syllables quietly, almost like a prayer. Reaching for a tissue, she blotted her eyes, then folded the note in half, pressed a kiss onto the paper, and placed it in the simple wooden box of letters she'd written to her husband every day since he passed. She held the box in her lap, idly running her fingers over the initials etched into the smooth, pale wood, closed her eyes, and let the tears drip silently down her cheeks.

Why did you leave me, buzzard?

Deep in her heart, she felt a faint stirring, a faraway echo of her husband's presence. I'm right here, Fireheart.

A muted sob hitched her chest. I need you. She flattened her free hand against her belly, atop the tiny baby growing inside of her. We need you.

I'm right here. It was no more than a whisper in her mind, a flicker of reassurance from a voice that would never speak again.

Aelin closed her eyes, searching for that faint echo, and drifted into sleep, her tumultuous emotions quieting as she slept. In her dream, she walked into the forest, her shoes near-silent atop the soft spring moss. She followed a familiar, well-worn path through the ancient oaks and pines until she came to a clearing beside a stream, an idyllic spot where she and Rowan often hid away for a night or two.

And there was Rowan, sitting beside the stream, his tan skin vibrant with health and his bright pine eyes alight with joy.

Stifling a sob, she sprinted across the clearing and threw herself into his strong, steady arms, burying her face into his solid, warm chest. "Rowan," she gasped, clinging to his dream body. "You--"

"I'm here now," he promised, quieting her questions with a kiss. "I'll always be here."

"I'm dreaming," Aelin whispered, her heart shivering with the knowledge.

"I know." Rowan trailed his fingers through her hair. "And I'm here, and you're here, and if you want this to be real for a little while, then it's real for a little while."

"I love you," she murmured.

He kissed her gently. "I love you too."

She wiped tears from her cheeks. "I'm pregnant, Rowan."

"We..." She guided his hand down onto her stomach, and he exhaled shakily, tears clouding his eyes. "We're having a baby?" She nodded. "I'd give anything to be with you, Ae."

"I know." His dream-form started to fade as she began to wake up, and she clung to his hands. "Every damn day, I need you here."

"I'm always here," he whispered. He kissed her forehead. "Right here." His thumb brushed over her heart. "Right here. To whatever end."

~

Seven Months Later

Utterly exhausted, Aelin lay back against the heap of pillows piled onto the bed and cradled her newborn daughter to her chest, gazing down into the tiny baby girl's big, sleepy green eyes. The bustle of the nurses and doctors in the room faded into background noise as she held her daughter, beaming and crying all at once.

"Hi, baby girl," she whispered, her voice a hesitant, croaky rasp. "I love you so much."

The baby wriggled a bit and curled closer into her mother's skin, as if she could sense Aelin's overpowering emotions.

"Majesty?" The nurse's voice broke into Aelin's little bubble. "So sorry to disturb you, Your Majesty, but have you chosen a name?"

"Yes," Aelin murmured, smiling brighter as her daughter's tiny fingers clutched her thumb. "Yes, I have." She kissed her baby's delicate little forehead. "Everyone, meet Princess Sana Whitethorn Galathynius." The name Rowan had chosen all those months ago.

And she was perfect. Half him, half her, completely perfect and completely loved, both from the earth and the afterlife.

~~~

not tagged bc tags AREN'T FREAKIN WORKING so reblogs/comments/shares are most appreciated :)

#my writing #whumptober #whumptober 2023 #rowaelin #rowan x aelin #rowaelin fanfic #rowaelin fanfiction #aelin galathynius #rowan whitethorn #rowaelin angst #angsty angsty goodness #the angst monster tag #sorry not sorry for the tears #but this was TOO GOOD of a prompt to resist #throne of glass #throne of glass fanfic #throne of glass fanfiction #royalty au #royal marriage au #ft all kinds of bs because idk how to write

[rufousnmacska]

Here is part two - Dorian’s pov - of this anon-requested manorian head canon. Thanks to @itach-i for beta reading and fangirling 🥰

Hope you like it!

***

Orynth was months ago, and yet to Dorian it sometimes felt like years. The sickening feel of the collar on his skin, the voice of his father commanding him to kill a guard, the voice of his father saving him from the wyrd keys. The dreams left him dizzy with confusion, left him wondering if he could repair the Havilliard name and the damage his father had wrought. On the dreamless nights, he woke feeling rested but hollow. A new sense of emptiness as if something was missing.

It wasn’t until he walked in on a quiet moment between Chaol and Yrene one day that he realized what that empty feeling might be. His friends were hugging, their baby son cuddled between them. And oddly, it made him think of her.

He’d thought of Manon often since they’d parted in Terrasen. More often than he’d admitted to anyone, including himself. Of course he worried about her after the loss of her coven. But Dorian had kept those thoughts fleeting and mostly businesslike - how a treaty might impact the witches, when the wyverns would be old enough to train.

The fact that her face, her scent, her eyes were the only things he imagined when pleasuring himself… that meant nothing. He was simply too overwhelmed with work and in need of release.

But seeing his friends, he knew. He missed her. Desperately. Whatever they had was not over. Not even close.

When his mother approached him one day about his upcoming birthday, Dorian snapped. She left his office in tears and it took two days for her to forgive him. He blamed his horrible behavior on a headache, unable to tell her the truth.

His last birthday he’d been a slave to a valg prince. A torturer and murderer. He tried to kill one of his best friends. Or so he’d been told. The knowledge made him sick and fed the self doubt that seemed to be growing by the day.

No, he did not think a birthday ball would raise the morale of the castle and city. No, the presence of many, beautiful, eligible ladies would not cheer him up.

But she had not listened. Planning was underway and he replied by burying himself in his work. Ignoring the seed of hope that maybe the Witch Queen would receive an invitation.

The night before the festivities, Dorian lay in his bed unable to sleep. Dark thoughts and half memories raced through his head whenever he closed his eyes. No matter how hard he tried, no matter the tonic Yrene had made, sleep was impossible. The only time his tense muscles relaxed was when his thoughts turned to her.

Once, he almost drifted off. Imagining…

Manon walked into the ballroom, her silken hair in a braided crown, a red cape trailing behind. He left the person he was talking to and made his way through the crowd toward her. Their eyes were locked. The music had stopped. And yet, the more people he pushed aside, the farther away she became. Her smile never faltered and her golden gaze stayed on him. But the crowd was pulling him away. The crowd, the people, his people were pulling him back, tearing at his crown, his ornate clothing, shouting that he was not their king, shouting that they deserved a better king, one who hadn’t abandoned them, one who wouldn’t torture them, one that-

Dorian shook violently awake, a scream in his throat and both hands clutching his neck.

When the music began, Dorian swallowed his shame and painted a smile on his face. No doubt the line of women wanting to dance with him was long. And full of all the same greedy-eyed courtiers, who, like his mother, noticed no difference in him from last year to this.

He held back the grimace that came with the thought, and once again wished for her. Her presence that calmed him, made him feel real, and true.

He’d been a fool these past months, trying to convince himself that they were some sort of ephemeral thing. Like a butterfly that lives for a season and vanishes. He wanted the butterfly. Not to cage, but to have it fly to him, and him to fly to her.

Dorian shook his head. What the hell was he thinking? Comparing Manon to a butterfly? He was a fool.

The dance ended and he bowed to the Lady from a holding he’d forgotten. And just then, something prickled over his skin. He turned, looked up, and there she was.

Manon, in a red dress unlike anything his poor imagination could conjure.

She glided down the stairway, every step graceful. Just like his dream, their gaze never broke. He almost stopped walking, expecting this to turn into the nightmare of last night. But the smile she wore now was different. Not as broad or bright. This smile was soft, almost shy. Beyond description. It made his heart thrum.

They both stopped when they were eye to eye and he liked this position. It felt right. His equal, his queen.

“Hello witchling.” That he could speak surprised him.

Manon took a breath and said, “Hello princeling.”

Before she faded away, he pulled her into his arms and into a dance. He moved them away from the crowd and everyone disappeared from his awareness. Everyone but her.

“This is the best birthday present I could have asked for,” he whispered in her ear.

Manon wrinkled her nose slightly. “Your birthday?”

That she was here without knowing made it feel like fate. She shivered at his touch and he struggled to stay focused. “I’m going to pretend you knew.”

A moment of dancing passed and Manon noticed the new crest adorning his jacket. When he directed her to the mosaic on the wall, she froze. He’d had it designed to honor their sacrifice, not knowing if or when Manon would ever see it. Hoping. He’d hoped she would. And now she had tears forming in her eyes.

“It’s nothing,” Dorian said. “Just a token of our appreciation for what they gave.”

“It’s not nothing,” she replied, swallowing the tears before they fell.

Now it was his turn to freeze. Manon rested her warm hand on his cheek. It was soft, unsteady. But real. The image of a butterfly landing in his hand flitted through his mind. He blinked it away and turned to kiss her palm.

Dorian took Manon’s hand and led her from the ballroom. Within minutes of back halls and hidden passageways they were in his room.

Alone.

Together. Finally.

As they embraced, he drew a finger under her eyes. She hadn’t been sleeping. Judging by the darkness of her normally pale skin, she hadn’t slept well in some time.

“I don’t want to sleep yet,” she said, knowing what he was about to suggest.

He could hear the music rising up through the balcony. “And I don’t want to take off this dress yet.” It was the truth. She was stunning.

So they danced in each other’s arms until Manon turned her face up to his and he kissed her.

They were awake together all night and fell asleep at dawn. He spent the day curled around her, not caring that they never left the bed.

She was here and that’s all that mattered.

#manorian #manon blackbeak #dorian havilliard #throne of glass #my writing #anon ask

[slowpress]

CROWNS Context:

“Ruled by Maeve and her two sisters, whom they called Mora and Mab.

GOLD

Cunning Mora, who bore the shape of a great hawk.

Canon: We haven't seen Mora's crown outside of TOG

radiant crown of golden spikes—the rays of the sun,

Canon: Helions Crown Canon: Gave up her immortality for a mortal man

In Terrasen, child Aelin had a gold crown, gold and stags symbol of terrasen. Antler crown (burned to ash) stag + flame is mala Avallen has throne of Stags. Rowan's line is of Mora. Assumed: Mala, the gold crown that Feyre wears ch39 MAF

radiant crown of golden spikes—the rays of the sun,

Helions' Crown in WAR

SILVER

Fair Mab, who bore the shape of a swan.

Canon: Mab, who gave up her immortality, crowned a goddess when she died & renamed as Deanna, lady of the Hunt, Aelin's greatgrandmother, the moon, hounds, healing powers, shifting powers,little folk, crown 'silver, pearl, and diamond fashioned into upswept swan wings'

Assumed: Trapped by Koschei / Meave

BLACK

And the dark Maeve, whose wildness could not be contained by any single form.

Maeve… A warrior, rumor claimed, had stolen her heart with his clever mind and pure soul. But he had died in some long-ago war and lost the ring he’d intended for her, and since then, Maeve had cherished her warriors above all others. They loved her for it—made her a mighty queen.

A portrait of a ruthless, cunning ruler who could conquer the world if she wished, but instead kept to her forest realm of Doranelle.”

Assumed: the raven crown rhys wears is Meaves

BRONZE

Canon: Mala, sun goddess, light bringer, sister & sometimes rival to Deanna. Forged Athril's ring

Brannon (fire) and Athril (dearest friend to brannon) went to get the keys from Valg. Meave killed both. Anthill made ring to halt Valg power, and Goldryn.

Assumed: Mala is Mora

STARS

Canon: The Witches crown

Assumed: Rhys also has the witches crown of stars, ch42 MAF

IRON

Canon: Bluebood witches crown, barbed. On forehead. Iron wood = witches broomsticks Iron wood bed that the Archerons were born on Assumed: Like Hunts crown of thorns?

FLOWERS

Canon: Tamlins & the little people's crown MOON Crown

crafted of silver and diamond, all fashioned into swirls of stars and various phases of the moon. Its arching apex held aloft a crescent moon of solid diamond, flanked by two exploding stars.

Feyre's crown in WAR

#maasverse theory #sjm universe #maasverse #acotar #post acosf #sjmaas #acotar theory #acotar theories #throne of glass #crescent city #mab #mala #meave

[goddess-aelin]

Little Did I Know

Chapter 12: The Wedding

Masterlist | LDIK Masterlist

Word count: 3k

Warnings: Some violence. tiny bit of angst. sorry in advance to leave it this way

The day of the wedding had arrived and Aelin was a bundle of nerves. It was unusual for her to be so affected by being in front of a crowd but this day was different. She was marrying Rowan, who she had come to realize just might be the love of her life. And it was that realization that put her in a new predicament. 

She hadn’t gotten to really talk to him about their almost-kisses. The rehearsal was so frantic and formal that they weren’t able to get a moment to themselves. Sure, she could’ve snuck out to his room but her anxiety over the next day held her back.

Could she really make Rowan marry her when he deserved so much more? He deserved to choose his fate, not be tied to an arranged marriage. She found out so much about him the past few months. How he was an amazing friend. How he was extremely competitive, but even moreso with her, it seemed. How gentle and kind and caring he was with the people around him. It was a stark contrast with how she felt about him when they had first met. If Aelin was being honest with herself, Rowan was probably one of the most selfless and incredible people she ever had the pleasure of knowing. She was lucky to have him.

She stood in front of the mirror, Lysandra putting the finishing touches on her wedding gown and hair. The dress was flowy and gauzy, looking as if it came straight from a fairytale. The off-the-shoulder sleeves hung low against her arms, creating a boho style that complimented her free-flowing locks of golden hair. Lysandra chose to do her makeup lightly, Aelin’s natural beauty enhanced by some golden touches here and there. And, of course, the final touches were her mother’s emerald earrings and matching tiara, her most prized pieces of jewelry. Emeralds represented Terrasen, not only because they were the colors of her country, but also because Queen Evalin adored them. She gifted this particular set on Aelin’s ninth birthday, just one year before her mother and father died.

“You look beautiful, Aelin,” Lysandra whispered. “The very vision of a Queen on her wedding day.” Aelin blushed but couldn’t help but agree. Though her insides were in turmoil, her outward appearance made Aelin look regal.

Elide, standing to her left, handed her the bouquet of flowers, the normal white roses mixed in with orange kingsflame, her favorite. Aelin gratefully accepted the bouquet while both Lysandra and Elide picked up their own bouquets of white roses and greens. Both were resplendent in their dark green gowns, looking every ounce the beautiful ladies they were. 

It was like everything had passed in the blink of an eye. One moment, Aelin was standing in front of the mirror, the next she was watching the back of Lysandra as she made her way to the aisle. Aelin stayed just out of sight of the crowd but she had a nice vantage point. There were so many people. But that wasn’t what took her breath away. No, that honor belonged to the beautiful man at the end of the aisle, dressed in a tuxedo of the darkest grey with green accents. She knew already that the color would match his emerald eyes, the same eyes she had come to know better than the back of her hand. 

The violins swelled and Aelin took that as her cue. She was walking herself down the aisle. No man or lord of Terrasen could hold that honor in replacement of her parents. So she would be the strong queen she was and give herself away. The first few steps were easy. She barely even noticed the crowd. The next few…not so much. The moment she met the green eyes down the aisle, Aelin’s heart started beating erratically, overcome with so much joy and love. 

Love. 

Yes, for indeed, that was what she was feeling. She loved Rowan. Probably more than she loved anyone ever before. Not like this. The thought had her feet slowing of their own volition. 

It was for that very reason that she couldn’t make him do this. He deserved to feel how she felt now. He deserved to have a love that obliterated his soul and rebuilt him better and stronger. Just like he’d done for her. If the lords hadn’t forced their way into her and Rowan’s lives, then he wouldn’t have had to marry her just because he was told to.

She knew Rowan was looking at her with concern when her feet came to a complete stop. Aelin felt hot. Her breaths were coming in too fast and she could feel a line of sweat rolling down her spine. The walls were closing in and her vision was going fuzzy at the edges. Distantly, she could see Rowan stepping down from the raised dais but she had to get out of there and go somewhere where she could breathe. 

So she ran. 

Her condition didn’t allow her to run far but the distant shouts followed her all the way to the courtyard right outside of the palace. She knelt on the brick patio, not caring if her dress was ruined. She had to get herself together. For the good of the kingdom. 

Hurried footsteps sounded from behind her and she assumed it would be Lysandra or Elide. Or maybe Darrow coming to yell at her to get her ass into the throne room and get married. But as the footsteps slowed, a familiar and comforting pine and snow scent washed over her. A warm, callused hand gently touched her back, rubbing small lines down her spine. 

“Fireheart,” Rowan whispered. His other hand gravitated toward her chin, pulling gently so that he could look into her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

Aelin just shook her head, tears running down her face. Lysandra would be pissed if her makeup was ruined but she could deal with it. 

“Please, Aelin. Talk to me. Don’t shut me out.”

Aelin sighed and gathered herself as best she could. “I can’t…I can’t make you do this.”

“Aelin–” he was shaking his head.

“No, let me finish.” She wiped at her eyes and then took the hand that was holding her chin. “You deserve everything, Rowan. We didn’t get along first but now…You are one of the most selfless people I know.  You did this because your queen commanded you to. And then when she was gone, you did this because I’d lose my throne if you didn’t. And you did that because you’re selfless and you’re good. So I’m trying to be selfless now and set you free. You don’t have to do this just because someone ordered you to. You deserve so much more than an arranged marriage. You deserve to go out there and find the love of your life and do it because you want to do it, not because someone told you to. I will not be that kind of queen.” 

Rowan looked shocked. His mouth was hanging open slightly, his brows furrowed. Aelin could tell he was at a loss for words. “You deserve to be able to have that happily ever after with Lyria if you want to.” Aelin knew her smile didn’t reach her eyes; it felt forced. She felt an undeniable pang in her heart as she spoke the words. But she was being selfless. This was what was best for Rowan. But she also thought about herself. Not, of course, that she didn’t want to marry Rowan because she did. But rather, she thought about the good of her kingdom and the severity of her future as queen. “And I deserve to be able to rule without a husband by my side.” 

Rowan shook his head, still tense. “But your throne…”

“I think it’s about time I marched in there and showed the lords of Terrasen what a queen really looks like, don’t you think? If I don’t do this now, who’s to say that they’ll ever listen to me? Today sets a precedent. I am the queen that I want to be, that my mother wanted me to be. And it’s about time the lords understood that.”

At her little speech, a smile finally made its way to Rowan’s face. His hand cupped her cheek as his thumb brushed away lingering tears, though she could tell a few of his own tears were starting to form. “My brave, beautiful Fireheart.” 

Aelin placed her hand over his own, leaning her face into it and basking in what might be the last time that he touched her like this. 

His voice was hoarse when he spoke again, much more serious than the minute before. “If this is truly what you want, then I’ll be by your side. Always and to whatever end.” 

Aelin felt teary again as she looked up into his eyes, the warmth in them mixed with the longing in her own hitting her like a brick. “To whatever end.” 

Rowan got up and offered her his hand. He helped her to brush off her gown, making sure she looked every inch the queen that she was. “Ready, Fireheart?” 

“Ready,” she whispered back. 

As they got to the doors, Aelin stopped Rowan and took a deep breath. “I have to walk in there alone.” 

Rowan nodded. “That may be the case, but I’ll be here every step of the way.” He placed a hand over his heart.

He started walking away but Aelin stopped him before he could get too far. “Rowan.”

He turned, concern etching over his features. She walked up to him slowly, placing both of her hands on either side of his cheeks. Gently, she stood on her tiptoes, bringing her lips to his in a quick peck. The only kiss she would ever get from him. “Thank you,” she whispered. 

He blinked slowly, as if in a haze, and Aelin took that opportunity to turn toward the grand doors, steeling herself for what might be the greatest battle of her life. She had given up on fighting the lords but now, she had something to fight for: not only her freedom, but Rowan’s as well. And for him, she would do anything.

Aelin confidently made her way down the aisle once the doors were opened. The violinist and pianist struggled to keep up with her brisk pace. Good, she didn’t want fanfare for what she had to do anyway. 

Almost every person in the room had a bewildered look on their face. All except one. She saw a familiar head of silver hair sneak in through the side door, standing by one of the columns to her right. As she met his eyes, he gave her a soft smile and an encouraging nod.

Aelin took a deep breath and began. 

“I know you all were expecting a wedding. So I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news when I say that there won’t be one.” As she spoke, she met each of the lords’ eyes, trying to convey both her authority and regality. “My mother and father believed in marrying for love. Though they both were royal blood, my mother always said that she would’ve chosen my father in every life, no matter his status. They were lucky to have such a strong, unyielding bond and I miss them every day. But that’s not the point here. The point is that she also raised me to be strong and independent on my own, without a husband. No matter how I may feel about a potential spouse, I should be able to rule without one. My uncle was never forced to marry to assume the throne nor was he forced to produce heirs.” She gave a pointed look at Darrow.

 “I would say it’s quite sexist to assume that I will do any less of a job simply because I am a woman. Terrasen is my home. It’s my greatest love and my greatest honor. No one will fight harder for Terrasen than I will.” She paused, catching her breath and once again looking to each of the lords. “So I am asking you, lords of Terrasen. I am asking you to change the law. See what I have done for Terrasen already, all that I have given, and know that I will continue to give all that I am until my dying breath. Allow both myself and future rulers to choose their fates without the pressure to get married or produce an heir. Allow Prince Rowan to be able to walk his own path that no ruler set out before him.”

Aelin stopped after that. What more could she say? She would not be reduced to begging. 

To her surprise, the oldest of the lords, Lord Gunnar, arose and began to speak. “I have heard you, Aelin of the Wildfire, and I commend you for your bravery and honesty. I’ve been alive for a very long time and it is true that we have never held a ruler to such standards as we are now. My deceased wife would be smacking me with her cane if she knew that I held back such a wonderful and intelligent young woman from ruling simply because she does not have a husband. I say it’s time for Terrasen to change.” Aelin’s heart was beating so rapidly that she wasn’t sure if it was still beating or if it had stopped in her chest. “I make a motion to repeal the law that says any ruler must be married by age twenty-one. Does anyone second that motion?”

An unsettling silence like nothing Aelin ever heard settled over the grand ballroom. 

Darrow was the next to rise, one hand raised and one over his heart. “I will second that motion.” And after that, one by one, the lords of Terrasen arose to reign in a new era, beginning with herself. 

She couldn’t help but let a few tears fall as she looked over the crowd. Once again, she met Rowan’s eyes, which also were wet and glowing with pride. 

“This is blasphemy!” A voice cried out. Lord Hamel rose from his seat, hand resting on the sword that hung at his side. “We’re changing the law for an inexperienced wretch who has proven time and time again that she is incapable of handling this kingdom. Just look at what happened a few weeks ago in the woods. If she can’t defend herself, how can we expect her to defend Terrasen?” 

Arobynn’s assistant stood next to him, as well, and Aelin did nothing as she assessed the situation. Her eyes went from Arobynn’s silvery eyes, to his burning fire of hair, to the hand he had draped casually on his sword, ready to strike her down if needed. He was close enough to do so, she realized. Her attention drifted to his assistant, who looked at her with fiery hatred, and lastly, her gaze went to his boots. Boots that she recognized. Brown leather, worn yet polished and splattered with mud residue. 

Aelin tried to hide her surprise but she couldn’t help her brows furrowing and her eyes widening as she realized who this man was. It was never Maeve that was trying to have her killed, it was Arobynn. He had sent the rider after her that night, knocking her unconscious and almost killing her in the process. 

“You…you were the one who attacked me.” Aelin was breathing heavily. 

Her panicked eyes went to Rowan. Her first mistake. He looked as concerned as she did, though he hadn’t put the pieces together yet. He started toward Arobynn, hoping to catch him, but during the brief time she looked away, Arobynn lunged, holding her in a tight chokehold, almost but not quite cutting off her airway. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, and certainly couldn’t speak.

“I was supposed to be king! We deserve a true Terrasenian on the throne, not some whore who married a foreigner.” His hand grabbed her cheek roughly and he forced his mouth  toward her ear. “You were supposed to die that night. Such a tragic death, a young woman who already lost her parents and her uncle. But it would’ve paved the way for me to rule Terrasen the way it was meant to be ruled.” 

Aelin shoved her terror down, burrowing into her calm as best she could. She could get out of this position, she had done so a few weeks prior when sparring with Rowan, who now was close enough that he could take Arobynn down after she escaped. With ease, she dropped her legs out from under her, the breath whooshing out of her lungs as Arobynn’s hold tightened on her throat. But the drop had the intended effect, knocking Arobynn off balance and allowing Aelin to forcefully maneuver her way out of his hold. 

As soon as she was clear, Rowan swept in, holding Arobynn by the arm and twisting until he was laying on the ground. Guards rushed past, subduing the red-haired traitor and allowing Rowan to check on her. 

He grabbed her cheeks gently, bringing his forehead to hers. “Fireheart,” he whispered. A shaky breath left him before he enveloped her in an embrace. She could feel her lips quivering, the shock and fear finally catching up to her. He held her tight and allowed her to bury her face into his chest until she gathered herself once more, ready to face her kingdom. 

She wasn’t sure how long they stayed there but eventually, she was pulled away from Rowan by the lords and her ladies to attend to official business. She found out from the lords that Arobynn would be put in the cells beneath the castle until his trial in a few weeks, where he hopefully would be convicted and left to rot. Her coronation was to be scheduled in less than a month, right after she turned 21. And Rowan…Rowan would most likely go back to his rooms and start packing for the journey back to Doranelle. 

She had won today. Getting the old, cranky lords to change the laws to the benefit of both the kingdom and future rulers was no small feat. But if that were the case, why did it feel like she had lost so much?

A/N: I know, I'm leaving you guys hanging! But hopefully I'll be able to get the last chapter and epilogue out next weekend. I'm sure they'll be totally fine ;)

Tagging:

@cretaceous-therapod @morganofthewildfire @tomtenadia @live-the-fangirl-life @charlizeed @violet-mermaid7 @euphoric-melancholyy @kritical24 @rubyriveraqueen @dealfea @wellofnothing @ayaashryver @moonknight-spector @leiawritesstories @whoever-you-choose-to-love @holdthefrickup @heirofflowers @thecrispypotatochip @shanias-world @rowanaelinn @bruiseonthefaceofhumanity @hanging-from-a-cliff @fantacysoup @swankii-art-teacher @thegreyj @fromthelibraryofemilyj @westofmoon @lovely-dove-zee @books4eva04 @cookiemonsterwholovesbooks @backtobl4ck @dreamer-133 @elentiyawhitethorn @writtenonreceipts @shyvioletcat @aelinchocolatelover @captain-of-the-gwynriel-ship @athena127

#rowaelin #rowaelin fanfic #rowaelin fanfiction #rowaelin fic #Throne of glass #throne of glass fanfiction #rowan whitethorn #Aelin galathynius #tog #my fic #my fics #ldik

[lorcandidlucienwill]

TOG characters meet ACOTAR characters part 1

It was the annual Yulemas celebration, and all of Aelin’s friends + Lorcan had convened in Terrasen’s palace. Everyone from Ansel of Briarcliff to Manon Crochan Blackbeak came. Even Yrene with her abdomen that was now showing had come. Aelin and Rowan’s home had never felt more full. It was an amazing feeling. She wondered if this was how it would feel to have children.

She pushed the feeling aside. As much as she wanted children, she wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment yet. Terrasen’s rebuilding came first.

Aelin was wearing a shiny silver dress while her mate wore green armor (sigh, when was he going to start wearing normal clothing?) that brought out his eyes. Fenrys on the other hand, was having way too much fun dressing up. He’d shown up in a full-blown white toga, paired with a golden laurel and golden waistband. He’d tied half his hair up and left the rest to cascade in waves around his shoulders. He seemed just fine as he went to annoy Lorcan, but Aelin could sense the sadness radiating out of him. Aelin just wished she knew how to fix it.

Lorcan was not in black (gasp!), but rather it seemed he had been forced into dark red robes by his wife, who wore a matching dark red dress. It never failed to amuse Aelin that one, his name was Lord Lorcan Lochan, and two, he willingly followed the small, delicate young Lady of Perranth’s every order. He had been teaching her how to read while helping rebuild Perranth, so Aelin would sometimes catch Elide reading children’s books out of the Terrasen royal library.

Chaol was awkwardly standing in a corner with Manon, of all the people. Dorian was dancing with Chaol’s wife, leaving the two standing near each other. Chaol looked slightly pale and constantly stared at Manon’s hands, as if waiting for the iron nails to unsheathe themselves. Aelin decided to spare her old friend and come in between them.

Once she was within earshot (since she was Fae, she was still quite far from them), she heard Manon hiss in his ear, “Agree to dance with me Chaol, so that Dorian thinks I’m playing nice with his friends.”

“Are you playing nice with his friends though?” Chaol dared to ask.

“Do I look nice to you, human? Come, let’s dance.” Manon grabbed his hand.

“Mind your manners, witch,” Aelin said coolly, stepping towards them. There was a glimmer of relief in Chaol’s eyes as Aelin interfered. “I’ll keep her from doing anything murderous, don’t worry,” Aelin said, patting Chaol on the arm. Then they began to dance.

Manon had very little grace, but Chaol made up for it with his own steering.

“No interest in dancing, my queen?” Rowan suddenly appeared in front of him, offering a tattooed hand to dance. Aelin snorted. “Still pretending to be a gentleman, I see.” But she accepted the hand and let him pull her to the dance floor.

Aelin swished and swayed around, and Rowan laughed. “Are you drunk already, my queen?”

Aelin shook her head. “No, the floor is just unsteady.”

“Why would it be unsteady?” Rowan asked. But then he suddenly tilted sideways. “Oh shit.” Aelin had no time to react when she and a majority of the guests at her party got sucked into a vacuum in the ground like a black hole. Meanwhile in Velaris… Gwyn rolled her eyes as she trained with Emerie and Nesta. “Merill has become more and more obsessed with her otherworld theory ever since you used the Harp. I don’t know how she found out about it, but…” Gwyn swiped low with her sword and aimed a kick at Emerie, who dodged it quickly. “She’s convinced she’s found a way she can actually look into other worlds. I told her she’s barking, and she got mad.”

Nesta snorted. “I’d be pretty irritated too if a little priestess called me crazy.”

Gwyn elbowed her, and the three of them laughed. Merill’s experiments were ridiculous anyway.

Lucien was just strolling through the streets of Velaris when he was hit by flying fae.

The Mother must really hate him, he decided. He’s just minding his own business on any other day and of COURSE he’s hit in the face by a body.

“That’s it, I’m done with this shit,” Lucien grumbled, pushing the body off of him. He found himself staring into the eyes of a beautiful female. Her eyes were a turquoise with a ring of gold around the pupil, with long flowing blonde hair that fell to her waist. She was wearing an elegant crown along with a silver dress so sparkly Lucien almost had to look away. But that wasn’t the strangest thing. No, the strangest thing was that…

“I can smell the flame on you,” he said. The female just stared at him, confused. Then she replied back in a foreign language.

Lucien recognized it from a class he had taken ages ago. He was probably the only one of his brothers who would ever recognize it, as he had had the most thorough education as the youngest child. He was pretty sure there would never come an occasion where he’d need to converse in such a dead language, but here he was.

“I can’t understand you,” she had said. “No one has spoken that language here in thousands of years,” Lucien replied back in that old tongue. His words sounded strange, like they were spoken by a different person.

The blonde girl gasped. “Oh no. I must have traveled between worlds.”

Lucien raised a brow. “Impressive. How’d you manage that?”

The girl shook her head. “This was not supposed to happen. The Wyrdgates are closed.”

“I have no idea what Wyrdgates are, but I’m pretty sure there are multiple ways to cut across worlds.” The girl stared at him. “Where am I?”

Lucien shrugged. “Prythian.”

“My friends- they must have fallen here with me. Where are they?”

Lucien shrugged. “I don’t know. I only saw you, as you literally knocked me down.”

The girl winced. “Sorry about that.”

Lucien smirked. “There are better ways to get my attention than sitting on my face.”

The girl smirked back but replied with, “You’re hot for sure, but I’m married.”

Lucien stood up, brushed off his clothes, then offered the girl a hand. “I was only joking. I’m a mated male.”

The girl took it. “What a coincidence. I’m also mated. What is your name?”

“Lucien. You?”

The girl grinned. “Aelin.”

Lucien and Aelin searched around Velaris for her friends. It wasn’t hard to find most of them. They were all dressed in strange attire and looked extremely disoriented. Lucien soon met Aelin’s mate and husband, a male who looked as if he’d fit right into the Summer Court with his white hair and tanned skin. He later found a male he could only describe as golden. Golden hair, golden skin, golden on his clothes. He gasped when he saw Lucien. Lucien had raised a brow. “Is something wrong?”

The golden male had replied with, “Wow…your hair. It’s so bright, and thick, and colorful, and long, and shiny!!!!!” He’d turned to the white-haired male and said, “I want red hair now, Rowan.”

Lucien had to stifle a laugh. “Thanks.”

“How do you maintain your hair?” The golden male, who Lucien soon came to know was named Fenrys, kept asking him about his hair care routine and it occupied them until Aelin found their other friends.

Lorcan groaned as he got off the ground. He was covered in snow, having landed in a nice, clean patch of it. He panicked for a moment, searching for his wife before he realized he hadn’t let go of her hand. Elide was right next to him, and she looked a little winded but otherwise ok. On Lorcan’s other side several feet down, he could see Manon, Chaol, Dorian, and Yrene getting off the ground. Yrene was frantically patting her womb, trying to ensure that her baby was still alive. Lorcan resisted the urge to shout that her baby was just fine. He had no idea what sort of enemies were here.

He got up and gently pulled his wife with him. Together, they began to walk towards the King of Adarlan. Just then, he saw Aelin walk around the corner with Fenrys, Rowan, and a strange male with red hair and a scar that added a dangerous edge to his handsome face.

Together, Lorcan and company walked towards Aelin.

“Who the hell are you,” Lorcan asked shortly of the redhead.

Aelin tsked. “Sorry about him, Lucien. He’s a miserable bastard, but don’t let him put you out. You ever need him to do something, just ask his wife, Elide.” She gestured to the woman whose hand Lorcan still held.

Lorcan scowled, but the male who Aelin referred to as Lucien looked him over and grinned.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Lorcan demanded. The male with glossy red hair and a wicked scar to go with the metal eye on one side of his face only grinned and replied, "You're taller than Cassian."

“Who the hell is Cassian?”

Lucien shrugged. “Nobody important. An annoying, bratty, overgrown bat.” Lucien turned to Aelin. “I’m assuming you’ll want a safe place to stay temporarily with all your subjects.”

Aelin raised a brow. “Subjects?”

Lucien snorted. “I don’t think ordinary citizens walk around with that kind of glamour or with crowns on their heads.” He gestured to all of them. “I have a residence in this city. I’ll take you all there.”

Lorcan wasn’t sure if they could trust the male, but he seemed decent enough. Lorcan could smell no ill will on him. He wondered at the scar on his face. Fae did not scar easily, and for him to have a metal eye like that…he must have survived unbearable cruelty. He immediately thought of his wife’s ruined ankle, a product of the tower she had been locked in for ten years, and he clenched his teeth. What kind of fucked up shit went on in this world?

#lucien vanserra #pro lucien vanserra #lorcan salvaterre #aelin galathynius #rowan whitethorn #fenrys moonbeam #elide lochan #manon blackbeak #dorian havilliard #chaol westfall #yrene towers #anti cassian #nesta archeron #gwyneth berdara #emerie of illyria #the valkyries #fanfic