Winwolfa (A Roan x Female OC Fanfic)

Chapter 41

A gust of wind tickled the back of Astrid's neck as she sat beside the burning byre of Polis. It felt like another lifetime she sat beside those billowing flames as Freya, watching over the bustling commotion of the market below. The energy was so different. Life was slowly piecing itself back together, but it still wasn't the same. 

Even if the looming dread of the end of the world hung over her head.

Astrid had to admit she was only half-listening to the spiel between Roan and Kane. Tuning out shortly after Kane announced Trishanakru was hunting her and Roan. While thinking about her eventual murder of Rafel, she completely skimmed over that crucial piece of information: Praimfaya. 

Astrid had pulled Octavia into the Shadow Stalkers chamber before anybody questioned their disappearance. After a slew of vulgarities and promises, Octavia was finally explained when Clarke shut down the City of Light, ALIE told her that nuclear reactors were going to wipe out the population in less than 6 months. A second Praimfaya. Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, now she had to hide the fact that the entire nation would die in a few short months. Irked, Astrid didn't understand why Roan didn't tell her.

Sitting by the pyre allowed Astrid a place to think through all the information from the past few days. It provided a sense of familiarity and space where she wasn't overwhelmed by the guards and servants. Here, she was alone. She didn't have to be a Queen. Just Astrid.

Astrid heard the approaching footsteps before she turned to face the unknown person. From the depth of the shadows, she saw the stoic face and couldn't decide if she should be relieved or petrified. There were still faces that Astrid believed ALIE controlled, even though its presence was long gone.

Holkom was one of them.

Astrid didn't know what happened to him after that day in the courtyard. She heard his voice during the long sleep, but when she pressed Roan about him, the only thing he said was 'He went home.'

She didn't expect to see him so soon. If at all. She was sure the events of that day haunted him just as much as they haunted her. Holkom was nothing but loyal to Astrid, even until that last day before her capture. For a while, she figured he was dead after trying to save her. But that day in the courtyard quickly proved her wrong.

There was a sullenness in his footsteps as he approached her. Almost a hesitation, but he still stalked closer until he met her along that edge, sitting down so his legs dangled in the air as well.

Silence occupied the open air for a long time. Neither one of them could figure out what to say. Words would offer little consolidation after everything that happened.

Instead, he reached into his vest and pulled out something large but thin, covered in an animal hide. As he placed it in his lap, he finally broke through the silence with a heavy sigh.

"I went back to the keep after that day." He murmured quietly. His eyes fixated on that cover object. "I... uh... went back to the library."

Astrid's eyes shot to him. They grew wide, glassy with tears. Yet, Holkom refused to meet them.

"It was so odd." He chuckled out slightly, "It was like she dropped everything and left. I guess that's what happened when you took the chip. We dropped who we were and became soldiers to ALIE."

Astrid was grateful he didn't say her name. To hear it would shatter the pieces of her heart that were trying to heal.

Holkom finally handed that mysterious object to Astrid. Her fingers trembled as she uncovered what lay behind it. Tears pricked her eyes as she glanced at the cover. Etched in leather: The Chronicle of the White Wolf. She glossed over that title dozens of times and never knew the words. It wasn't until Tilda's lessons that she could decipher the language. Astrid just wished Tilda could see her reading the title to the novel they shared now.