Fireheart: A "Throne of Glass" Fanfiction

Chapter 7

Aelin stayed at the camp with Yrene and a few dozen Royal Guardsmen while Rowan led the rest of the force ahead into Fenharrow to find Aya.

Yrene had her hands on Aelin's belly.

"She's still growing strong."

Three weeks since she showed up at the encampment and executed some general. Aelin's camp followed Rowan's warfront, only a few miles behind. News of the war was already hitting Terrasen. Aelin had just recieved letters from many nations and her lords congradulating the victories. None mentioned her initial retreat except for Ren.

A good leader knows when to turn tail and run. You've done well, Your Majesty.

Aelin appreciated the boost in confidence. Her hand held her belly. Part of the danger of Fae births was shorter, harsher pregnancies.

"Why is it that my life is longer, but my pregnancy is condensed into five months? It hardly seems fair. I'm already a quarter of the way there."

"More or less. You might have an early birth."

"Nehemia is an impatient little girl."

"Like mother, like daughter."

"Treason." Aelin said lazily. "I'm already tired, and I've been awake for maybe three hours."

"Maybe if you spent your nights resting..."

"I do rest. Rowan's the one working at night."

"Too much, Aelin." Yrene cringed.

"Sorry, my filter loosens with exhaustion."

"Thats a good sign for what Nehemia's first words will be."

"Little thing will look at her father and say bastard." Yrene laughed.

"And Rowan will either high-five her or ground her for a week." Yrene said.

"The latter option, if he parents the way he trains."

"That bad?"

"If it weren't for the ancient bitch in my display case, I would still have a few scars from it."

"Fae mating must be quite strong to ignore that."

"Oh, don't worry. He got as good as he gave." Aelin promised.

"A storybook romance." Yrene joked.

"You have no idea." Yrene pulled back.

"Done. The guards should be packed by now." Yrene walked off, leaving Aelin to get dressed. As she strapped Shadowsbane to her side, she heard a rustle outside the tent.

"Yrene?" She asked quietly. A shadow moved, and she drew her blade just in time to deflect her attacker's ax. She looked at him. "Tern. Working for Aya? Not a smart move. As a citizen of Adarlan, attacking your king's friend and ally is tantamount to treason. And attacking the reigning head of Terrasen is pubishable by death." She raised her sword. Tern grabbed the general's sword and lunged.

She delfected the sword and caught his ax. She kicked his gut before he could do the same. He released the ax. Aelin tossed it behind her.