Winwolfa (A Roan x Female OC Fanfic)

Chapter 40

Sitting upon the throne, Lexa's throne, felt bizarre to Astrid. 

Like her ghost still haunted it. There was a constant chill on her spine that forced the hair on her arms to stand. Despite the chair conforming to her body, Astrid couldn't quite settle into it.

She was sitting there not as the Commander, but the Queen of the Ruthless. A name that had been circulating in the streets more and more now. 

After a week of rest and healing, Astrid felt ready to return to her people. Not just Azgeda, but the entire Coalition now. Sitting in her bed with those gruesome thoughts all day was beginning to take a toll on her wellbeing. She needed to do something. A distraction from the gory images and sudden sensations that washed over her body.

Roan had dismissed himself from her side more and more as she gained independence. While Astrid was banned from training from the doctor's orders, it didn't stop Roan. There was still a nation that demanded his attention. Astrid hated sitting on the sidelines, doing nothing but resting her feeble body.

It's why she was so eager to return to the throne, despite the looming dread that hung over her when she thought of the previous owner.

Astrid didn't expect her reign like this. When she first married Roan, she pictured them bickering amongst the throne in that expansive Azgeda hall. Constantly at each other's throats. Never, in a million years, did she expect to sit beside him, hand in hand, ruling over the entire Coalition. The crown, made of thin wire branching out, felt a bit lighter with Roan at her side.

"Welcome to your throne room, My King and Queen." Echo said as she strode through the front doors. "Now that the lift has been repaired, I've doubled the guards on the doors at every floor."

"Expecting trouble?" Roan cocked his head to the side, tapping his finger impatiently on the arm rest. Astrid looked at her with a face of concern.

"I trust only Azgeda." Echo continued, "Your mother taught me that. Our people loved her for it."

"Our people feared her for it." Astrid's voice was cold and calculated, especially as she leaned over and said, "Her brutality and iron fist are why she died. By my blade. Do not forget that."

Echo gulped. There was a sudden uneasiness in her aura as her gaze shifted between the King and Queen. Unable to look the Queen fully in the eyes, Echo pressed on, "If I may, why do you insist on ruling as Lexa did when it's not what's best for our people?"

Astrid slowly pushed up from her seat, the calmness in her steps towards Echo were frightening. No sign of emotion, just a stoic face with chilled voice that forced Echo's spine to straighten. "The 13 clans, the entire Coalition, are our people now. It is our duty to restore peace and justice for the present, not the past. Dwelling on past wounds will only lead to insanity."

Echo bowed, a tinge of embarrassment on her cheeks. Astrid hated speaking to her friend in such a manner, but her persistence in following the rules of Queen Nia began to fatigue her. This wasn't the first time she insisted that Azgeda should take complete and utter control of Polis, and Astrid knew this certainly would not be the last.

As a saving grace for both Echo and the Queen, the doors burst open. Astrid resumed her seat next to Roan, feeling his fingers lightly traced the back of her hand. A wave of comfort washed away the pressing tension. Kane and Octavia stepped in a moment later to their surprise.

Kane was a person she heard many stories about, but only interacted with a few times. Only once on the Ark. When Roan was by her side during her recovery, he would pull the King aside to murmur plans and stipulations Astrid could only hear blurbs of. There was one solid piece of information she did trust- he was a respectable ally and liaison for Skaikru.