Saviour of Ashes

Chapter 12

The first day of the new world was pretty crappy. Aelin had stepped on to the deck and had immediately felt sick. She had to swallow it - shove it down inside as she couldnt run this time.

Aedion offered Lysandra his arm, grinning like a wolf. Choal stared at Nesryn, shook his head, then offered her his arm. Dorian was already waiting with Manon who wore a black dress with red capped sleeves and a silver wyvern wrapping around the gown. And beside them stood Lorcan with his hand on Elide's waist. She wore a grey dress with a green band pulling in at her curves.

Crowds had begun to gather at the docks, people hoping to glance at the woman and the court who had saved them all.

Elide and Lorcan stepped off the ship first, and was greeted by a quiet applause, which only grew louder as the rumors spread through the crowd. Manon and Dorian joined them, the crowd cheering at the witch who had used her clan to help Terrasen. Aedion took Lysandra's hand and helped her onto the docks. The crowd was still roaring, Aelin heard the occassional shout of "Shifter!"

Then it had been Aelin and Rowan's turn. The future King and Queen of Terrasen.

A little girl stepped out of the crowd with a crown of flowers in her hand. But she backed away from Rowan, who must have looked huge to her.

Aelin stopped and Rowan took a few steps ahead. She knelt down to the little girl and bowed her head. Some of the crowd behind her gasped and stopped clapping. Aelin thought it was strange because royals had always made time for their people, especially children bearing gifts. The little gave her a nervous smile and placed the crown upon her head.

"Why thank you, Miss," Aelin smiled. "What is your name?"

"Lilianna, M-Majesty."

Aelin nearly laughed at how close the name of the little girl was to the psuedonym that Aelin had used during her time as the King's Champion.

"My name is Aelin, Lilianna. That tall male over there is Rowan. He is as nice as cake," she told the little girl and Rowan flashed her a smile. The little girl waved at him.

"I-I want to be a healer," Lilianna told her. "To heal the world, like you."

Aelin felt every word the girl said.

"I don't have fire like yours to bring down the bad people, but I want to help."

Aelin realised that she was now a role model for young children. She fought the urge to touch her stomach. Aelin hugged the little girl as people continued gasping behind her.

Aelin let her go and looked up at a pale man and woman. Her parents, Aelin realised. "When the court has been established, regardless of who rules Terrasen, when Lilianna is ready, come find me and I will make sure her dream comes true."

Aelin bowed her head to them and walked further down the docks to join Rowan. The crowd was cheering, throwing flowers in their path. But...
But the crowd behind... There was a ripple as the applaused died and gasps and quick, quiet chatter spread behind her. Aelin continued the walk with her head held high.

It wasn't until an elderly man called from behind her, "Aelin Galathinyius. Why do you walk with the son of the man who caused those marks on your back?"

That was why the crowd had stopped cheering, Aelin realised.

Aelin turned to face the man. He was looking for a reason to call her Majesty.

"Dorian Havilliard's father was not the only man to mark my body," she said loud enough for everyone to hear. She didnt need to hold Rowan's hand for this. "There have been a good many number of people - monsters - who have left their marks. But I will not hold innocents responsible for what those monsters did. Dorian Havilliard did not leave a mark on my body, nor has any of my court you see before you. I have suffered and fought for Terrasen - for the world. We all have," she said looking back at her court. "We wear our scars with pride, honour and dignity. We show the world what we have done - what we have sacrificed - for them, in the hopes that they will never repeat the mistakes of those who came before us." Rowan stepped beside her along with Dorian and Manon, followed by Elide and Lorcan on her left, and Lysandra and Aedion on Rowan's right. "Please, do not hide your own scars. Do not be ashamed of what you have lost. Do not blame the innocent just because of their bloodlines that they did not choose to be a part of. Be proud of what you have sacrificed, be proud of your battles. Do not hide. Please. Join us in showing the world that we can be better." Aelin wished Nhemia was there to see it. She caught a whiff of lotus blossoms in the breeze. "Let us show the world that we do dare rattle the stars."

Silence greeted her. She gripped Rowan's hand and Dorian's. Aelin just knew they all stood their palm in palm.

The old man looked her right in her eyes as he said, "A true Queen." His bow swept the floor. Aelin glanced at the crowd as row by row they got down on one knee and bowed to the Queen of Terrasen.

Lysandra nodded at Aelin. Aelin used her power to create a glowing golden stag that bowed back to her people.