Nation Of Water - A Throne of Glass Fanfiction (Fenrys Pairing)

2

After a silent breakfast of bread, cheese, apples and cold meat, they set off. They rode up into the Cambrian Mountains - the forests turning lusher and denser while it became even mistier. A day passed. Then another. They smelled smoke before they saw the lights. Not campfires, but lights from buildings rising up out of the trees, hugging the spine of the mountain slope. The stones were dark and ancient - hewn from something other than the abundant granite. A ring of towering rocks was woven between the trees surrounding the entirety of the fortress, Mistward. It was hard not to notice them when they rode between two megaliths that curved towards each other like the horns of a great beast, and a zinging current snapped against Maradines skin. Magic wards. Maradine raised a hand in greeting at the guards at the gate. Three stable hands rushed to help the three of them dismount. She unpacked her saddle bags, taking her satchel, before saying farewell to Celaena and Rowena. Maradine walked to her room and collapsed on her bed with a sigh of relief.

***

Maradine stood in the kitchen - her hair tied back into a high ponytail and her ring hidden in her pocket - peeling potatoes.

"Your new scullery maid for the morning shift. After breakfast, I have her for the rest of the day." she heard Rowan tells Emrys. Maradine had dyed her hair last night - now a light shade of brown - so that she wouldnt be recognized by Celaena- Aelin. She wasnt ready to confront her twin, or her twin to confront her.

"Elentiya." Celaena choked out. "My name is Elentiya." Maradine ignored the rest of the conversation.

"And the female peeling the potatoes is Opal." Emrys introduces. "But Ive heard that you already know each other." Maradine looks up and smiles at Celaena.

"Hello Elentiya. It is nice to see you again." Maradine greets Celaena.

"Nice to see you too Opal." Celaena replies. Emrys continued talking, telling Celaena what to do. The female took up the spot that Luca vacated. Maradine took the worktable next to her, cutting the potatoes and other vegetables. The two females worked in silence. It was a comfortable silence, just enjoying each others company.

***

Breakfast was a madhouse. But at least, after a while, Celaena and Maradine got to sit down and eat.

"And I thought I ate a lot." Maradine chuckled. Celaena set down her fork.

"Sorry." Celaena apologised.

"No. No. You have nothing to be sorry for. Youll need the energy." Maradine argued. Celaena nodded. "Stop by after you finish your training. Im sure someone will tell you where to find me. I dont have enough female company." She grinned and leaned to whisper in Celaenas ear. "I have chocolate." Maradine left the kitchen.

***

"Look at you!" Maradine exclaimed in horror as she beheld Celaena. "In here now!" The female didnt even complain as Maradine dragged her into the room and sat her on the bed. "Im sure I have some clothes for you to borrow and something for that black eye and the cut." At least Celaena must have washed before coming here as she was dressed in nothing but a towel. Maradine started rummaging through her draws before taking out a salve. "I cant do anything about the black eye but I can heal the cut?" Celaena nodded. She looked exhausted. Physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. Maradine put her hand over the cut and allowed it to stitch back up with her magic. She applied the salve to Celaenas black eye and gave the female a top, pants, boots and jacket before allowing her to dress herself in privacy. Once she was done, Maradine re-entered the room and pulled out a box of chocolates. They sat there for a long time, eating the chocolates and enjoying each others company. It wasnt long before Celaena passed out. Maradine smiled at her and sat down on the couch in the corner.

***

Maradine didnt show up for morning duty. She had told Emrys earlier that day that she wasnt going to be there for a couple of days. He understood. Maradine usually took a couple of days off. Just as she was saddling her horse, she realised she wasnt alone.

"When are you going to tell her?" a male voice asked. Maradines head snapped towards its source; Rowan stood near the stable door.

"Like you care." Maradine growled before mounting her horse.

"Where are you going?" Rowan inquired.

"Im out of chocolates." She replied simply before kicking her horse into a gallop.

***

Maradine rolled over in the soft bed towards the male body next to her. She stares up at Fenrys.

"Why are you so tall?" Maradine questions. He chuckles.

"Youre still half asleep." Fenrys concludes. Maradine smiles before getting out of bed. Fenrys whines. "Just a couple more minutes."

"Youll be saying that for the next hour and I need to get back to Mistward by dusk." She points out. "And you need to get back to Maeve." He sighs.

"Cant we-" Fenrys starts but Maradine presses her lips to his.

"We cant." She teases before putting on her clothes. The bed groans behind her as Fenrys gets up; she smirks.

"So." Fenrys starts. "Are you going to tell her?"

"Im not sure Im ready. It has been a long time." Maradine bites her lip. "But its better to tell her now than if she shifts and my scent gives it away."

"Im sure you'll make the right choice." Fenrys states.

"What if I dont? What if I make the wrong choice?" Maradine inquires.

"Then youll learn from your mistakes and youll do better next time." Fenrys points out.

"Im supposed to be the smart one who everyone comes to get advice from. Stop taking my job." She jokes. Fenrys grins and kisses her.