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the-wheel-comes-full-circle · 6 years

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The Bargain Part 5

Hello! Thanks everyone who has supported this fic so far but this will be the last part! I’ll keep writing acotar fics in the future and I’m always open for requests in case I’m in the mood to write but have no ideas of my own.

Link to previous parts X

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The next morning, the inhabitants of the House of Wind were awoken to the crying sounds of a baby. No one had the heart to grumble as they made their way to breakfast however, all understanding how lucky it was that the baby had arrived safe and healthy, despite their smaller than usual size. And how lucky it was that Feyre also survived her close call.

When Mor made her way into the grand sitting room, wrapped in a red silken dressing gown, she found Rhysand and Feyre already occupying it. She smiled warmly, watching from the doorway as Feyre held Ellias to her breast while Rhys watched on from above her.

Feyre was still very weak, although healing quickly thanks to her drop of Dawn power, so she had set herself up on a chaise lounge where she could lie down and still be part of the rebuilding meetings and reports on Velaris.

Rhys hadn’t been able to separate himself from his mate or son so soon, so had left most of the helping refugees and clean up to his more than willing family. Mor had told him that by just telling the citizens that they’d had the baby would be helping by lifting spirits.

And she was right. Despite the destruction wreaked upon their beautiful city again, bottles of wine were opened and tables were set up on the street, laden with whatever food people could spare as a massive street party began to take shape after a messenger had announced the birth of the high lord and lady’s son.

Gifts of toys, blankets, food, and flowers were sent to the townhouse, able to be brought up to Feyre by Azriel who was the first to notice their people’s generosity. Feyre cried uncontrollably when she saw all the gifts.

Rhys had finally spotted Mor hovering nearby and he beckoned her over. “He’s nearly done feeding.”

“I wouldn’t want to intrude.” Mor said with a small smile, gazing into Ellias’ small, delicate face.

“Of course not.” Feyre said immediately, her gaze softening. “He wouldn’t even be here without you.”

Mor only reached down to stroke the small, dark, patch of fuzzy hair already beginning to grow on his head. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so small in my life.” She crooned as Ellias reached one tiny hand towards her.

“Already trying to win him over, Mor?” Cassian said with a smirk, the slight limp in his walk only just noticeable.

Mor snorted. “Everyone already knows I’m going to be the favourite Aunt.”

“Well then, I get to be the favourite Uncle.” Cassian beamed at Ellias.

“You wish.” Nesta said, following Cassian into the room. “I’d put money on it being Azriel.”

Feyre only laughed as she offered Ellias up to Rhys who took him gently, cradling him awkwardly in his giant arms. He raised nervous and unsure eyes to Feyre’s who only smiled back at him sweetly.

“You’ll get used to holding him.” She promised him.

“I just don’t understand how easy you made it look from the start.” Rhys said shaking his head.

“She’s been holding him for nine months, Rhys.” Amren said, sauntering into the room.

“Technically, only eight and a bit.” Feyre said lightly.

“You had to be like your mother didn’t you? Always early.” Rhys said, holding his son up to study his face more.

Ellias seemed to like this, giving Rhys a funny look and squawking.

“Did you see that?” Rhys asked Feyre excitedly.

“Just whatever you do, don’t drop him.” Nesta told him, looking like she wanted to snatch Ellias up.

“I didn’t realise there was a party going on in here.” Helion said, emerging from a separate room with Tarquin.

“Just a baby monitoring squad.” Cassian grinned, a small hint of pride as he watched Rhys tuck Ellias back into his chest.

“Where’s Kallias?” Feyre asked, noting the absent high lord.

Tarquin gave her an easy smile. “He had business to attend to back in the Winter Court, but he left some guards still to help clean up.”

Feyre was about to ask further when a short squeal had her bolting upright. Elain breezed into the room, a flushed Lucien following close behind, arms laden with bags.

“Feyre! We heard all about it!” Elain said excitedly. “We’re so sorry we weren’t there to help, right Lucien?”

Lucien nodded and flashed Feyre an apologetic look. “We came as soon as we could.”

“Where is he?” Elain asked, before narrowing her gaze at Rhys still holding his son awkwardly. She took a step closer. “May I?”

Rhys nodded warmly before handing over his son to his aunt. Elain easily took Ellias, cradling him to her shoulder while gently swaying.

“Oh, he’s simply gorgeous.” Elain said, showing him to Lucien who couldn’t help but grin up at Rhys and Feyre excitedly.

“I’m so glad to see you Elain, but I thought you weren’t coming home for another few weeks?” Feyre asked gently.

Elain waved her off. “Don’t be silly. We’ve come to offer our babysitting services.”

“Get in line.” Cassian grumbled.

“I see we’ve got some competition.” Lucien said, noting the intense stares the inner circle was now giving him.

“I haven’t held him yet.” Amren said impatiently.

Elain wasted no time in handing him to Amren, who had always slightly intimidated her, made no less scary by how well she and Nesta got along.

“Well, perhaps we should also be off before we see an all out brawl between you lot.” Helion laughed, grabbing Tarquin by the arm. “We’ll come back another day to have our fair share of baby time.”

Rhys escorted them out, thanking them again for all their help.

“Okay, time’s up ancient one. Let someone fun hold him.” Cassian said, grabbing Ellias from Amren. He held him up similarly to how Rhys had, studying him.

“Yep.” He nodded to himself. “He’s gonna be a big strong male one day like his father. I already know what I’m going to get you for your first birthday-”

“Please. No weapons until he can at least hold them properly.” Feyre said groaning.

“Illyrians learn from a very young age how to wield them, I can train him as soon as he’s ready.” Cassian said determinedly, showing Feyre the small bumps protruding from the baby’s back that would grow into his wings.

Feyre just shook her head as Rhys rejoined her, sitting down on the lounge by her legs where there was room for him.

“He’ll need all the training he can get...” Rhys said to her quietly.

It was something they had already discussed. The son of the most powerful high lord in history, and Feyre Cursebreaker, would indeed be highly sought after. Dead or alive.

“We will all look out for him.” Mor said, accurately reading their faces.

“Will you send him away to train with the Illyrians when he’s older?” Nesta asked.

Rhys and Feyre exchanged another look.

“When he’s old enough... yes. Rhys wants him to know his own people and to train with them.” Feyre explained.

“And you, Feyre?” Cassian asked quietly.

“I’ll be with him too. I’ll live in the cabin that Rhys’ mother lived in.”

“And I’ll be there as often as I can. As many nights as possible.” Rhys promised her.

“Does this mean we’ll have to come and visit you up in the mountains if we want to see him?” Elain pouted.

“Yes, but we’ll often be bringing him back to Velaris too. He should know the fae who live here just as much as the Illyrians.” Feyre told her.

“Until then, you’re all ours.” Cassian grinned wickedly at the baby.

He gently began swaying side to side as he had seen Elain doing while the others talked. Cassian quickly began to build up speed though, thinking the baby was getting bored of such a slow pace.

“...Cassian.” Feyre tried to warn him, but it was too late. Baby vomit was splattered all down the front of Cassian’s shirt.

It was Nesta who laughed first, Cassian’s face burning red. Then Rhys was snickering as Cassian held Ellias out at arms length away from him.

“This is just how he’s marking me as his favourite.” Cassian said shrugging.

Everyone else began laughing as Cassian tried to salvage the situation.

It was then that Azriel appeared, back from being in Velaris, scoping out the damage. His face lit up with amusement as he noticed the vomit dripping off Cassian.

“What did you do this time?” Azriel chuckled.

“If you think this is so easy, here.” Cassian said, thrusting Ellias out to Azriel.

Everyone waited with held breaths as Azriel slowly took the baby in his scarred hands. His shadows dancing in delight over his shoulder. As if just realising how they might terrify a newborn, Azriel quickly tried to call back the shadows, but to his surprise the baby was watching them wide eyed. Slowly he reached out a hand, trying to grasp them.

Cautiously, Azriel unspooled some more shadows, letting them grow closer to the baby but never letting them touch him. Ellias let out what could only have been a giggle, reaching up with both hands now to grab at the black tendrils.

Azriel looked up at them all with what Feyre could have only described as joy. Joy over this baby who hadn’t been scared of him, hadn’t shrunken away from his scarred hands, his darkness.

“Oh he’s a child of the Night Court alright.” Amren said smiling.

No one wanted to take Azriel’s moment from him, so for the next hour, Ellias was Azriel’s alone. He had even fallen asleep against his chest when he had grown tired of chasing shadows.

“I’m going to buy him so many outfits.” Mor promised, looking over to the baby curled up in Azriel’s arms.

Feyre laughed as Mor began explaining all the cute outfits she’d seen in a store recently, including costumes.

“I’ve already lost him to Az.” Cassian scowled from nearby. “How long until you have another one?” He asked with a crooked grin.

Feyre smiled but Rhys’ face paled.

“Oh no, we’re not doing that again.” He said, a brief look of panic flashed at Feyre.

“We’ll be better prepared next time.” Feyre added quickly.

“Next time?” Rhys croaked.

“Of course.” Feyre winked at him. “I thought you told me you wanted a legion of children.”

“That was before I realised how dangerous it was.” Rhys muttered,

“Besides,” Feyre began, an evil smile growing as she continued. “If we didn’t want any more children, we’d have to give up your favourite activity.”

Rhys seemed to briefly contemplate this. “Well, I suppose one or two more wouldn’t be so bad.”

Cassian roared with laughter as he dragged Rhys away for a celebratory drink, despite Nesta’s complaints that it wasn’t even noon yet.

Mor joined Feyre on her couch, her arms resting on Feyre’s drawn up knees as she quietly spoke to her.

“I know about the bargain.”

Feyre tried to make her face blank, hoping to avoid this conversation.

“Why would you even think to make a pact like that?” Mor continued, hurt shining in her eyes.

“We’ve both seen each other die Mor. It’s not something I could live through again. But that was before we had a child, I get it now.” Feyre promised. “Rhys and I discussed it last night and we both agreed to not make another bargain like that until our children are grown and don’t need us around anymore.”

Mor began to protest but Feyre shut her down as Elain came to sit with them and check up on Feyre. It was a battle Mor would continue with Feyre later, that much she could tell, but for now Feyre was content to watch her family pass around her son.

When Rhys finally regained hold of Ellias he managed to easily slide him into his arms comfortably, while talking with Cassian.

“He was worried he wasn’t going to make a good father.” Feyre said quietly to Mor.

Mor snorted. “Only Rhysand, one of the best males I know, would worry his own child wouldn’t like him.”

“He used to stay up late, waiting until he thought I was asleep, to whisper to him inside my stomach. Telling him stories. And how he was going to teach him to fly when he was big.” Feyre said, a gentle smile curving her lips.

From across the room, Rhys looked down at his son in surprise as Ellias sleepily grabbed one of Rhys’ fingers to hold tight as he slept. Rhys’ jaw dropped as he noticed how easily he had settled him, how comfortable Ellias seemed as he slept.

Rhys turned away quickly, pretending to show Ellias Velaris from the window. But Feyre had seen the tears form in Rhys’ eyes before he had tried to hide them from his friends.

Moving stiffly, Feyre got up from the couch to join her mate and son by the window. She slid her arms around Rhys’ waist, her chin resting on Rhys’ shoulder so she could see Ellias.

“I love him too.” Feyre whispered in Rhys’ ear.

A shudder rippled through his back as Rhys fought back sobs.

Together they began pointing out all the different parts of Velaris to their son. Feyre showed him the Rainbow and Rhys pointed out the townhouse that they would all move into together.

They showed him all the places that he would one day rule over just as they did.

#the bargain #feysand #feyrhys #acotar #acomaf #acowar #feyre archeron #rhysand #rhys #feyre #inner circle #sjm #sarah j maas #sjmaas

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