Inivisible string: A Sam and Nehemia story

Chapter 28

Aelin was tired, she wanted this council to be over now. They were talking about all the same things they talked yesterday, all while making political aliances. She could see Dorian's eyes begin to close from where he was sitting at the head of the table. She couldn't blame him. He hated this meetings as much as she did. More than anything, she wanted to check in on Sam and Nehemia, she ahd promised to have breakfast with them, but alas, she had to be here. She looked over to the other side of the table where the King of Ellywe was. She knew, just by looking at him, that he already knew Nehemia was here. He looked more hopeful than the day before somehow.

She was suddenly aware that she had lost herself in her thoughts once again and was no longer listening to the meeting. She looked around the room once more, just to make sure that no one was waiting for an answer from her, and got back to paying attention.

"These new trade routes will be better for all of us, it will make thing quicker and easier. There still aren't enough magic wielders to do it another way." It was one of the Merchants of Fenharrow. Aelin took a look at what he was suggesting and in all of one second she slammed her palm down into the table.

"No, that won't be better. We can't destroy the forest."

"It's not destroying the forest, it's just making a path through it. It will benefit all of us here. We just cut a few trees here and there and we have our path. Our costs and our time will be cut down in half this way."

"i said no." She wasn't shouting but she was using her "Queen voice" as Aedion liked to call it. She wouldn't let anyone hurt the forest more than everyone, unfortunately including her had, during the war. "The cost and times don't matter, Oakwald has been through enough already. The trees are still growing again, there are places where it is still devoid of life."

She knew without having to see the face of the Merchant that he was angry at her. She knew that it seemed unfair to them. The kingdoms were all still recovering financially from the war, so spending less and having easier trading routes was something they all wanted. She looked at the Merchant in the eyes, waiting for him to say anything against it. Terrassen was big enough to have more sway among the other territories, but it wasn't just that what made Terrassen's world law. It was her, her and all her family had done over lifetimes to make sure it was not just feared, but respected. Everyone in this room knew the power she held, if not for Dorian, she was probably the most powerful person in this room and they knew it. They also knew Dorian would be on her side on this. And that easily, the Merchant broke her gaze and relented. They kept going about how to make the trade routes shorter without going through the forest for a few more minutes. That was until Aelin decided she had had enough of the meeting and got up. She looked at everyone and just said "Well I have other matters to attend to, but when you bring another topic to check on the meeting, I will happily come back." She knew it was rude of her, they had all come from their various kingdoms for this meetin, but she couldn't concentrate and she would rather be with her friends. She never thought she would see them again so she was going to learn everything that had changed. She had long since given up on her anger and sadness, hell, she had spent most of the night talking Rowan's ear of about it, she knew she owed them a conversation, she had promised the night before after all.

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Aelin was in the dining room in her chambers reading a book when a knock on the door interrupted her. She had told all the servants that they only had to worry about bringing her food at certain hours, everything else she could take care of, so she had to get up and open the door herself. It was probably a surprise for the King of Ellywe, most royals appreciated the servants doing things like that, but Aelin and her court all liked to do things themselves.

"Your Majesty, I wasn't expecting you." Said Aelin to the King.

"Yes, well, I was wondering if we could speak."

"If it is about the trade routes, I made myself clear back in that meeting."

"No, not at all. It is about... About Nehemia."

Aelin was surprised, she hadn't thought the King ever wanted to speak to her about his daughter. It made Aelin wonder if he somehow knew that she was alive and in the palace. She didn't want to be the one to break the news to him if he didn't. It was probably something Nehemia had to do on her own terms, that was if she even wanted to. Maybe if she didn't want to be Queen anymore there was no need for him to know.

"Oh well, come on in then."

She gestured for him to take a seat at her table and took back the seat she had been in. She wasn't sure what to say, Sam and Nehemia were supposed to be here in under fifteen minutes, maybe less, she sometimes lost herself while reading. And she was afraid to say something that would let the king know about Nehemia's presence.

From where they were seating they could see each other, she knew that she had to keep her expression and her voice and words neutral so as not to give anything to him. They stared at each other for a while, until she decided to break the silence.

"So... What about Nehemia did you wished to speak about?" she asked.

The King looked down at his hands and then looked back at her. "I wished to talk about how she was when she lived here, how she behaved, more than anything, was she happy?"

That made Aelin blinked, she had expected something else, something to do with her being back, with the King knowing she was alive, but about their friendship? About how Nehemia was in Adarland before her death? That was surprising.

"She was happy, though she hated the winter, the snow, the cold. She also missed home. From what I knew, she had no other friends than me. She was in company of the rebels, she even trusted some of them, but as far as I know, they weren't really friends." She let out a long breath. "She had a kind soul, she was my best friend. Without her... without her to inspire me, I don't think I would have fought this hard. I thought, she loved her people, she wanted nothing more than to free them, why shouldn't I make sure her last wish was accomplished?"

The king looked at her intently, she could see the tears he was fighting, she had seen that look in the mirror so many times after Nehemia's supposed death and after the war to recognise it.

"Thank you." He said to her. "I am happy to know that she really did have a friend in you, that she had someone she could trust. That she wasn't alone in this kingdom when she missed our home."

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Not sure about the beginning of this chapter, but I loved writing the conversation with the King of Ellywe. I believe this might be the last Aelin POV. I love writing in her POV, but I have to remember the story is about Sam and Nehemia haha. Anyways, sorry for the late chapter and I will try to get another one before Christmas and The New Year. If I don't, happy Hanukah, Christmas, New Year, Kwanza, or whatever it is that you celebrate. 

As always thanks for reading and thanks for your support.