Fireheart: A "Throne of Glass" Fanfiction

Chapter 3

Aelin awoke to Celaena cuddled up to Rowan, his arm protectively wrapped around her.

"Good to know what awaits me when I give you a child, my love." Aelin said, both happy and annoyed at the sight. Happy, because it was right- parents should love their children more than their partner, even their mate. Annoyed, because some part of her will always want his full attention.

She had to change in the bathroom, in case Celaena woke up in the middle of it.

She walked out to see Celaena waking up. She sat up.

"Good morning, darling." Aelin said. "Use the bathroom and get changed. Today will be a long day, I'm afraid." The little one left the bed and did as told. She still seemed a little sad. Aelin looked at her until the bathroom door shut.

Rowan sat up, awakened by her movements.

She kissed him, words unnecessary between them. She went to the balcony and looked at the city.

"This is a risk now." Rowan said, standing beside her.

"I will not be afraid. The people out there don't have a castle to hide in, and yet they are willing to fight and die. I would be a cowardly queen to hide in my castle, especially after all the bravado I showed in that throne room. The people of Orynth have all heard the news by now. We are at war. They need to see my unafraid. They need to see that we are not in danger, as long as we stand together. Terrasen shall not fall." Aelin said.

"You've changed, Fireheart. In the best ways possible, you've grown." Rowan said. She smiled at him.

"That makes one of us." Rowan seized her and gave a hard kiss as punishment. He pulled away.

"I don't think I've learned my lesson yet." He did it again, harder. As he pulled away, he bit my lip.

"Ew!" Was the sound that made us quickly pull apart to see Celaena standing their, cringing. "Thats gross!"

"Indeed it is. You should never do it." Aelin said. Rowan raised an eyebrow at her. "Its for grown-ups only."

Rowan wordlessly went into the bathroom. Aelin looked at the little girl and shook her head.

"Boys." Aelin sighed. Celaena giggled.

"Come, darling. We have a full day ahead of us. But first, breakfast." Aelin took the girl's hand and led her down the halls.

Aelin didn't wear a gown today. Terrasen was at war. Aelin mirrored that. She wore simple black clothes- a tunic and pants- covered in gold-plated steel armor. It was decorated with flames. She still wore the crowns, but she kept a battle-crown ready in case she actually had to make use of her new blade.

She walked into the dining hall, most of her court already assembled and talking. Aelin entered, and they all fell silent and rose.

"Be seated, we don't have time for formalities. If we can manage, I want this war done in a week." Aelin said. They all sat down. "An extra chair for the little one, please." A servant provided it. "Thank you." The servant smiled and bowed his head, returning to serving drinks.

Aelin and Celaena sat. Only a moment after, Rowan entered and sat beside his mate.

"Melisande's fleet has made it to the mouth of the Avery. Our Fae scouts have reported that Adarlan's fleet is indeed incapacitated. Some of the ships are still afloat, some even still intact, but the harbour was blocked off by debris. The Melisande fleet simply kept out of range." Aedion reported.

"Lysandra, I hate to deploy you in the field, but I think a sea dragon could be of help in clearing those debris and getting Adarlan back in the fight." Aelin said.

"I'll leave as soon as I can, your Majesty." She said.

"Thank you, but not yet. I want all of the information in your head. If you're going to Adarlan, you might as well deliver our friend a message with important information." Lysandra bowed her head.

"Melisande's army is camped just east of their border. She seems prepared to go through the Morath-Endovier path."

"We'll ask King Dorian for permission to take Endovier temporarily. I hate the damn place, but it is a fortress of impressive magnitude, and if Adarlan falls, it will provide a barrier against Melisande before they can hit our border. You can tell Dorian the whole truth of the plan, he'll understand." Lysandra nodded.

"The Bane is where you wanted them, camping out. We secured a supply line from Orynth to the field." Aedion said. "And the larger army is encamped around Perranth and Ilium. Rolfe's fleet is moving to the Avery, now that Melisande has gone far enough south."

"Most nations have placed sanctions and embargos on Melisande. Fenharrow hasn't haven't, since their economy is too weak to do so." Ren said.

"Make trade deals, offers, donations if you must. Isolate Melisande." Aelin said.

"I can handle that." Elide offered.

"And so you shall. Lorcan, I doubt I must say this, but I will anyway. Protect her."

"Obviously." Lorcan said. Elide elbowed him. "Your Majesty." He said with a smirk.

A servant delievered Aelin's and Celaena's breakfast- eggs benedict with buttered toast and orange juice for Aelin, eggs and potatoes for Celaena.

"Thank you." Aelin smiled at the servant.

"My pleasure, your Majesty." He said, bowing. He then turned back to the kitchen. Rowan inspected the food.

"Good gods, Rowan, I think after ten years we can trust the damn cook." Aelin said.

"He can be trusted, but can all of his underlings? There are dozens of people in the kitchen with easy access to your food, not to mention the servants." Rowan said. "But, uh, its clear."

"I could've told you that." Aelin said. The table simply watched them argue. Aelin blushed. "How queenly of me." She said through a smile. They chuckled at that.

"Any other news?" Rowan said.

"Every nation on the continent has promised their allegiances to Terrasen are strong, except for Fenharrow." Ren said. Aelin looked at the map.

"Point to where, exactly, Aya is camped." Aelin said. Ren used his sword to point to it. She was camped right on the intersection of Melisande, Fenharrow, and Adarlan's borders. "She isn't going to invade us. Not at first. She's going to take Fenharrow." Aelin said, rising over the table. "This is not a war for revenge. This is a conquest."

"She means to conquer Erilea." Aedion said in realization. Aelin sat back down, needing to process it.

"Evangeline, send out all of your messengers. Tell our allies to rally forces. We are going to end this before she has a chance to become a real threat. We will use Morath once its rebuilt to gather our forces. Its a request for aid, yes, but I imagine they will all respond if they realize Aya wants to be Queen of Erilea." Evangeline nodded.

"Fenrys, you will be in charge of Orynth and its defenses once Rowan and I leave with Aedion. Ren, go to Allbrook prepare it. Lysandra, as soon as Adarlan's harbour is clear, go back to Caraverre. Prepare Rosamel. While our allies gather in Morath, Rowan, Aedion, and I will lead the Bane and my Royal Guard into Fenharrow to help defend it. Elide, Lorcan, you move with us until there is a clear path to Bellhaven. Negotiate with the lords, explain the situation. Ren, get an accountant to figure out how much gold Terrasen can spare so Elide can offer it. Offer the best trade deals we can afford to offer. Give them no reason to help Melisande." Ren and Elide nodded.

"Summon the Royal Guard in the courtyard. Rowan, you can get your armor on along the way." Aelin rose again, and the court rose with her. "You have your assignments. Time to defend our nation." She put her fist on her heart. "For Terrasen."

"For Terrasen." Her court agreed.