The Assassin and the Queen

Chapter 2

When Sam walked into the room he shared with Celaena, he found it in disarray. There were trunks open on the beds and clothes spread across the tiny space. Celaena was sorting through them, tossing things either into the trucks, or back in the direction of the dressers. 

Sam, unfazed by her antics, walked over to Celaena and grabbed both her arms. She looked up at him, and Sam noticed the shining tracks of recent tears. That did surprise him. He couldn't remember the last time Celaena had cried. 

"What's going on Celaena?" he asked, his voice soft.

"We're leaving. Pack." was her only reply.

"Why?" Sam asked, confused.

"Please don't ask Sam." Celaena said, her voice shaking "Please."

"Ok." Sam said, pulling her into his embrace, "Ok."

* * *

Celaena felt horrible, not only was she leaving a place where she had been happy, but she was forcing Sam to leave too. And she wasn't even telling him why. Of course he wasn't asking any questions. Thank the Gods for that. 

After a moment she pulled out of Sam's arms and said "You finish packing, I'm going to go tell the silent master."

Sam nodded, and she left. 

Walking down the silent hall gave Celaena way too much time to think. And there was only one thought she could focus on, that face. That face that haunted her old memories. And now he was here, he was back. He couldn't find her, she wouldn't let him. 

She arrived at the 'throne' room of the silent master. In truth it was less of a throne room than simply a place where the silent master sat. 

The silent master was sitting, in silence for some reason, his eyes closed. Celaena cleared her throat quietly, not really wanting to disturb him. His eyes sprang open and he tensed, but relaxed when he saw who it was. He gestured for her to come to him, and she obliged. He took both her hands in his and raised his eyebrows at her, a clear question. 

"I'm here," she said "to tell you that Sam and I are leaving."

The silent master's eyebrows drew together, and he looked at her again.

"I'm sorry." she said, her voice barely above a whisper "I wish I could explain, but..."

It was at that precise moment that a loud voice behind her said "Well isn't that lucky. I come to ask where I might find Celaena Sardothien, and she's already here!"

Celaen'a shut her eyes and tensed. She knew that voice. She knew it far too well. 

Aedion. 

"What do you want." she said, not turning around, her voice barely more than a hiss.

"Why to inquire about hiring you. There are some, problems, that require solving."

Celaena chuckled slightly. "Oh honey," she said "you couldn't afford me."

Aedion laughed behind her, and the sound sent chills down her spine "You'd be surprised what I can afford sweetheart."

"Get out" Celaena spat, acid dripping from every word.

"Dear you wound me. Why do you hate me so?"

Then he paused for a moment, obviously considering the answer to his own question. It was then that he seemed to notice her hair, so different from the dark hair colors native to Adarlan. 

"Shit." he said under his breath "You're from Terrasen."

"I am." she said, so, so glad for the easy out he had unwittingly given her. And he wasn't wrong, it was one of the reason's she didn't want to look at his face. She couldn't face what he had become. 

"Gods," he said, "I am so sorry. I didn't know."

"You didn't know that you were leading an army to slaughter hundreds, thousands? You didn't know that the trail of bodies you left in your wake was filled with people brothers and fathers and mothers and sister? You didn't know that the blood you were spilling came from your own country men? You didn't know any of that?" Celaena screeched.

"I'm so sorry." Aedion said again, his voice having dropped any haughtiness or laughter. He sounded dead serious. 

Then she felt his hand on her shoulder. 

With her eyes still closed, Celaena kicked out behind her, and heard Aedion drop to his knees with a hiss. "Aedion Ashryver," she said "If you every touch me again, I will gut you."

She knew her mistake as soon as the words left her mouth.

"What did you just say?" Aedion said from the ground. 

"If you ever touch me again..." she began, hoping he would drop it.

"Not that part." Aedion said, and there was something in his voice, something almost painfully fragile. "My name. You said my name. Say it again."

Celaena bit the inside of her cheek, hard. "No." she said, but there was a slight tremor to her voice. 

"I've only ever heard one other person say my name like that. If you heard it from her, please, I need to know where she is. Please."

"No" Celaena said again, though she had begun shaking in earnest.

"Please." Aedion said, his voice at once broken and hopeful. 

Celaena was about to refuse for the third time, when she felt the mute master squeeze her hands. She opened her eyes and looked at him. 

"Is it not better," he whispered, his voice rough "To face our fears, rather than let them consume us?"

"Not this time."Celaena said "I can't do it this time."

A voice sounded from the corner, and Celaena had to force herself not to turn and look at Sam as he said "My name is Celaena Sardothien..."

Celaena took a deep breath, and it was a long moment before she finally said "And I will not be afraid. My name is Celaena Sardothien and I will not be afraid."

Then she turned slowly, her eyes once again closed, to face Aedion. 

"My name is Celaena Sardothien and I will not be afraid. My name is..." she choked for a second on unshed tears, then continued "I will not be afraid."

Then she opened her eyes, and fixed them on Aedion. 

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