Inivisible string: A Sam and Nehemia story

Chapter 29

Sam knocked on the door to Aelin's chambers. Him and Nehemia hadn't had a chance to walk around the gardens, or the palace for that matter. But Aelin had asked not to, she didn't want the other royals to recognize Nehemia and start asking questions, something Nehemia was in complete agreement.

They had been talking about the future again after seeing the King of Ellywe and Nehemia wanted to go back. Sam had told her time and time again that wherever she went, he would follow. He had nothing left in Rifthold and his friendship with Lysandra and Aelin would never be the same.

When Aelin opened the door it was only a small space.

She looked straight at Nehemia. "So, your father came over for a talk a few minutes ago, therefore we are gonna have to reschedule."

Nehemia answered Aelin "We had a talk last night in the library. He knows I'm alive and that I am here. He knows about everything, well mostly."

"He isn't yet aware that you know we are here, but considering how long it's taking you to open the door, I think he is about to find out." Sam intervined with an amused laugh.

"Oh shush, you guys could've let me know before and not taken me by surprise." Said Aelin, opening the door and gesturing them to come in and take a seat.

When the King saw them come in he spit his tea in surprise. It seemed he hadn't expected them to just be around the castle.

"Nice to see you again, Your Majesty." said Sam to the King.

Before the King or anyone else could say something, Aelin turned to Sam. "How come he gets to be called "Your Majesty" and I don't?"

She said it in a tone of voice that Sam wasn't sure if she was actually offended or just messing with him. It was surprising, he had known her since they were children, but somehow, this was an entirely different person. But then he saw that tell on her eyes and knew that it was just a joke.

"I can't call you that, I still can't wrap my mind about you being a Queen. You could've saved us a lot of beatings if you had reclaimed your throne or something before."

"Touché." Was all her answer.

The King got up and hugged his daughter. Sam was expecting him to say something about him and Aelin from the way that he was looking between them, something about how a Queen shouldn't act that way or about how Sam should be more respectful to her. Instead he just smiled at his daughter and offered his hand to Sam, who shook it.

Nehemia looked at her father and to Aelin. "We have chosen what comes next. before I say it, know that I love you both and me rejecting your offers has nothing to do with anything other than my people."

Sam could see Aelin and the King were nervous, though he was almost sure that neither of them would criticize their decision, it still made him nervous.

Nehemia continued "We are going back to Ellywe, but Dad, neither of us wants the crown. We don't want to be King and Queen. Sam and I have talked about this and we both think we are not needed in that position. Kharis is the future King now, you said so yourself father, he is ready to take on the mantle. Sam and I on the other hand... I had some experience before I left, but it's been a few years since then and Sam has no experience at all. And what would the people think if his past ever came to light? An assassin as King?" Sam could see Aelin stiffen from the corner of his eye. After all, she was an assassin Queen, the only difference was that Sam had no royal blood, while she was born to be Queen. Nehemia must have felt or seen Aelin for she turned to her and just said "You know what I mean. You were born to be the Queen of Terrassen, you fought for your kingdom and got them where they are today. Sam and I don't have that experience."

Aelin nodded. Sam could see Nehemia relax, but just like earlier, it seemed he still knew Aelin really well. He could see that the words had affected her, but she probably didn't want to show it in front of them.

Her father seemed to be taking the decision a little to heart, Nehemia must have noticed too, since she took his hand in hers and looking at his eyes said "We just think that there are other ways to help ellywe, and with Kharis already prepared to be King, there's no need for me to take the mantle." Her father didn't seem to be completely on board with the idea, Nehemia must have noticed too. "Let's go for a walk around the gardens and maybe we can speak about this?" Her father accepted her arm and they left the room.

.................

When it was only Sam and Aelin left, he turned to her. "She didn't mean it that way. I have only been in this shores less than a week, but I can already see that you have made a great Queen. Your people admire you, they look up to you. They are all lucky to have you."

She smiled at him. "When I came back for my kingdom, I had to fight the Lords of Terrassen for a chance. I came back because of her, she pushed me to take back my kingdom. I spent a year in Endovier but during that time, even though I could see my people die and suffer next to me, I never thought of taking back my throne. I never wanted to be Queen but suddenly after everyone told me that they wouldn't help me, that I had to prove myself to them, it suddenly felt like the most important thing had to do. Hearing Nehwmia say that about assasin Kings or Queens, it brought all of it back. It felt as if she didn't believe in me, and who could blame her? I let her down." Sam could hear it in her voice how she was about to cry. He got closer to her and hugged her, that was all it took for the tears to come out. He let her cry on his shoulder and said "She didn't mean it that way. She is just looking reasons for why she shouldn't be Queen. She doesn't say this, but I think she feels like she abandoned her people. She thinks it's best her brother take the throne."

They stayed in silence for a few minutes while Aelin could calm her tears. When she had calmed down they separated. Aelin looked at him with a tear stained face and said "Whatever Nehemia chooses, just know that in those times that I let myself think about who I was, I could picture you as a great King, Sam. If you and Nehemia take the throne, just remember that you can do it, the people will get over you being an assassin and her faking her death."

---------------

Christmas surprise, hope you like it. :)