Fireheart: A "Throne of Glass" Fanfiction

Chapter 11

It was five years since Aya's Doomed War. That's what schoolteachers had begun calling it. Fifteen years since the Dark War, and a quarter century since Terrasen's fall.

It was Nehemia's fifth birthday.

For it, the Terrasen Royal Theater was preparing a great performance. Nehemia sat in Aelin's lap, her silver hair at her shoulders. They sat in the Queen's box, placed just a foot higher than the nobility boxes. The boxes on her right were for the nobility of Terrasen. The boxes on the left were for foreign nobles and royals.

Beneath them all was a massive arena for the people.

"Are you excited, darling?" Aelin asked.

"Yeah!"

"Good. I am, too. Those musicians down there are here to perform for you, you know."

"Really?"

"Oh, yes. The people love you. They are going to sing for Princess Nehemia."

Talking shushed as the composer stepped to his booth.

"Alright, no more talking." Aelin said. Nehemia nodded. The composer bowed toward Aelin, who gave a nod. He then bowed to the Terrasen nobility, then the foreign leaders.

"Welcome, one and all, to a very special performance. Today is not just any day. Today is a day of celebration. Five years ago today, Terrasen's heir was born. Happy birthday to Princess Nehemia!" The composer said, the crowd roaring their agreement. Nehemia smiled up at Aelin.

"Told you." Aelin smiled back at her. "Pay attention." Nehemia looked back down.

"Before we start with the Princess' celebration, however, allow us to begin honoring the many nations of Erilea, whose ambassadors and leaders were kind enough to join us." The composer gestured to Aelin's left flank.

The orchestra, magnificent as it was, played the songs of Erilea's nations. Eyllwe first, followed by Adarlan, the Witch Kingdom, and finally, Terrasen. When the final note of the Song of Terrasen rang out, the crowd cheered. Aelin clapped, Nehemia's hands in hers.

"Thank you. But, as promised, we are not yet done." The composer said, turning back to the orchestra. A choir walked onto the stage, in front of the composer's booth.

He began to play a reenactment of Rena Goldsmith's rebellious performance at the Glass Castle. The choir performed the lyrics. They were beautiful, but Aelin remembered Rena's was far better. Even an entire orchestra and a choir couldn't match Rena's voice paired with a single instrument.

But, all the same, by the time the piece was finished, Aelin was in tears. Nehemia was, too.

The composer played pieces thay went through the three major emotions. Sorrow, rage, and finally, joy.

Rena's Rebellion, as he appropriately called it, represented sorrow.

He then played an aggressive, powerful piece called the Lost Heir that described Aelin's story- from the day Terrasen fell to the day she was crowned queen. It skipped small details, for the sake of not taking hours, but got all the major points.

Finally, he played a one-off piece he named Terrasen's Joy that was little more than a birthday song with an absurd amount of compliments. Aelin was sure her daughter would be spoiled rotten by the end of it.

When the cheering settled, the composer spoke.

"That is the first and last time I will play that song. I wouldn't want to get repetitive, would I?" He looked to Nehemia.

"Thank you!" Nehemia shouted.

"You are very welcome, Your Highness."

"You performed wonderfully." Aelin said, mustering her grace.