𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐬

Ch 36: Forsaken

"began walking towards the infirmary as I was glared at with confused and betrayed eyes."

Aedion POV

After that first set of attacks that had ruined everything, no other attacks came as the night approached. Standing in front of everyone with only Dorian on my side for support was not fun, especially when no one would shut up long enough to hear my excuse. Dorian was looking at me with worry as my anger increased by every second. It wasn't exactly my plan to leave my queen behind while we fought for freedom.

"Enough!" I shouted, finally losing it. Everyone, thank the wyrd, did go silent but the accusing glares were still there. There was only so much a shout could do. "This isn't anyones fault! Your queen, she sacrificed herself to save the lady of Perranth from being captured and tortured!" I shouted, beyond pissed now, all the frustration and guilt flowing out into my words. "You will not let her sacrifice go to waste! King Dorian has just come from scouting and Erawen's and Maeve's army will attack latest by tomorrow night!" I announced, going back to the voice of the general.

We were at a disadvantage, since the woods weren't exactly the best place to set up camp and if anyone of the assailants went over us and took Orynth from us, that would be game over. "Pick up your tents and your weapons. We're moving base to Orynth." I declared before I stepping down but before I could, Dorian stopped me with a hand. I looked at him to find him looking at the soldiers. I followed his gaze to find them kneeling, to me. The one in the front got up and walked forward, "As the late queen's brother, we answer to you now, King." he said. Instead of gratitude and pride, disgust and anger bubbled in me. All rational thought left me as a sneer found its way on my face as I walked towards the soldier.

I grabbed his colour and pulled his face to mine, startling him and everyone else. "She's not dead. She will come back. Don't you dare give up on her, she's given everything to you, her people" I sneered. His eyes were wide as I let him go and walked off to wherever my feet took me. How could they do that! How could they just forsake her like that!? She gave herself up to a sadistic bitch to be tortured so that they could live and they just throw that away in a matter of second!

Tears were falling down my face unconciously. I couldn't take it, I needed her back. Not just as queen but as my sister that I had lost once before and I am not ready to lose her again. I sat myself down in my tent, cradling my head in my hands trying to make the thoughts and images of Aelin being whipped that I had made up according to Elide's descriptions, stop. They were probably worse than the truth but they were stuck in my head, tormenting me every second of every day. Someone was rubbing my back, trying to console me, probably Dorian since he was probably the only one who witnessed by breakdown. "She has to come back. I can't lose her again. I can't" I sobbed, the tears flowing out as the closed doors of my emotions erupted. Dorian pulled me to his chest, still rubbing my back as I let it all out. He didn't say a thing, just let me cry, for which I was grateful.

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Manon POV

It had taken months to find the crochans, and as I flew over the little towns below me with the thirteen flanking me, the crochans following right behind, I was thankful that I had. The crown of the crochans shining on my head, all I could think about was that my first act as queen would be leading my people to a slaughter. Dorian had consoled me when the first of the army behind me had gathered, and I had told him my troubling thoughts but he wasn't with me anymore, and the thoughts had returned.

Orynth wasn't very far away , we would be there by tomorrow. No news of Aelin had reached me which meant that she was still with Maeve, which means we're screwed. As a trained warrior who has killed for more than a centure, for the first time I was scared.

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Note: I don't really remember that happened with Chaol and Yrene and the small battle they had Anielle so they'll just enter during the battle. Also since the timeline of when Aelin comes back to her people has been changed, writing that kind of scene is basically impossible. I am so sorry if you like the part when Aelin stops the river, but better scenes with power explosions are hopefully coming.