Fireheart: A "Throne of Glass" Fanfiction

Chapter 10

Rowan woke up to Yrene walking into the room with a small, white blanket wrapped around Nehemia, who was crying. The girl had Aelin's eyes, but the sprouts of her hair were silver.

"The best of both, in my opinion." Yrene said, as if knowing what he noticed. Aelin stirred. When her eyes swept over Nehemia, her tiredness was swept away and she sat up, staring at the little bundle. Yrene brought the girl over, and Aelin took her in her arms, tears already forming. "I present to you, Your Majesty, Crown Princess Nehemia Whitethorn Galathynius, Heir to Terrasen, and your firstborn."

When Aelin took her child, Nehemia's crying slowed to a few little coughs. Aelin rocked the baby.

"Hello, little one. Welcome to Erilea. We're in your sibling's future kingdom, Gavriel. I'll tell you all about the man its named after when you understand words. We just finished a war. Thats why we're not home. But, we'll be there soon. Orynth stands strong. Terrasen is strong. You are strong. You will be queen, one day. Until then, you are mine." Aelin whispered.

She gave Nehemia to Rowan, who handled her with as little strength as possible.

"Hello, Princess. You will be a great warrior. When I'm done, nobody will have what it takes to bring you harm."

"Damn it, Rowan, after Mistward there is no way you are going to train our child."

"Its because of my training that you survived."

"Shut up and say something nice. She won't remember it, but I will." Aelin said with a pointed glare. Rowan looked back down to Nehemia. She grabbed his chin. Aelin laughed.

"You certainly won't be living a boring life, my daughter. This is an era of change. But you will be protected, until the day you no longer need it." Rowan said.

"Much better. Now, to the Capital."

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Ten weeks later, Aelin arrived at Orynth with Nehemia in her arms.

When their army appeared on the horizon, they heard the cheers. When Aelin held the heir in the air, they felt the world shake.

Aelin got to the top of the tower, her people still cheering, and raised a hand. The cheering slowed and stopped, with some whistles and whoops still ringing out. Aelin laughed.

"Hello, people of Terrasen. My people. A few months ago, a brazen queen strode into this city, your city, and threatened war. She threatened the lives of everyone here. You, you," Aelin began pointing randomly into the crowd to drive the point home. "and you. All of you, and your children, too. She threatened me. She thought herself the conqueror of Erilea!" Aelin shouted, pausing to let the crowd boo the thought. When it passed, she continued, giving her people a grin. "Her armies didn't get past Adarlan's border." Aelin laughed. The crowd laughed, too.

"Aya Beckend and the Lords of Fenharrow are here. They are in the dungeons, awaiting their final moments. I will swing the sword personally. But, enough with war." Aelin said. She took Nehemia from Rowan and showed her to the masses. "Allow me to introduce to you the Heir to the Throne, Crown Princess Nehemia Whitethorn Galathynius, my firstborn."

The cheer shook the world. Nehemia just cooed. When the cheers died, she continued.

"I can assure you, this little one will have a sense of humor unlike anything the world has seen." Aelin laughed. "And I will ensure she is ready for when the time comes. She will know leadership, and she will know how to win a war quickly and efficiently. As for the future, allow me to give you a peek at what is to come. Melisande and Fenharrow has been divided between Eyllwe, Skull's Bay, Adarlan, and Terrasen. Eyllwe got a southern stip of land. Adarlan got the northern strip. Skull's Bay got the eastern coast. Terrasen has the rest."