Crowns ~ Alec Lightwood

A New Era

"I've tried to delay the trial but they won't allow it. I did manage to put my trial before Izzy's though. Maybe I can put in a good word," Rory suggested.

"Would they take it?" Alec asked, pacing back and forth, "You're under suspicion yourself."

"I can try. Izzy needs the defense more than I do anyway."

She sighed and sat down on the arm of the couch, slouching over. Alec squatted down next to her and placed his large hand on her arm.

"I'll find a way to help you too. You need it."

"I told you...I know all the rules and laws. I'll find a loophole."

He smirked, "I guess being groomed to be a Clave envoy has its perks."

"Actually, my dad taught me," she stated with a nostalgic smile, "My brothers and I were real troublemakers when we were kids. My mom would be furious, but my dad...well, he taught us how to be smart about it."

"You two sounded close."

"We were."

He was about to speak again but the door burst open, followed by a furious younger brother and an argumentative guard.

"Rory! What the hell is going on?" Eddie shouted.

"Let him through!" Alec demanded. The guard huffed and allowed her brother in. He immediately rushed over and gave her a tight hug.

"Barely even a week gone and you already got yourself put on trial for treason? By our mother?" he fumed.

"It's difficult to explain."

"Well you better start making it easier because Madam Inquisitor just showed up."

Alec and Rory glanced at each other in worry. He quickly excused himself to greet her. Eddie turned back to her sister and gave her a worried look.

She shrugged it off, "Don't worry about me."

"How can I not?" he questioned, "You know the consequences for these things."

"I also know the loopholes," she reminded, "Dad taught us everything. And I intend to use it."

He sighed deeply and hugged her again. Raj stuck his head in the door,

"Your trial starts in ten minutes."

-

"Miss Morrison, what case do you present us with?"

Rory inhaled deeply, "Morrison vs. Clave. I plead guilty with a cause."

"You've already admitted to aiding in the Meliorn escape. What defense could you possibly have that makes your transgressions innocent?"

"The defense of morality," she stated, "Since when did hurting downworlders because normal in the shadowhunter morals? We've become so kept up in ourselves that we forget what makes us a shadowhunter...our angel blood. Angels who protect."

"We protect against any threat to the shadow world."

"And a Seelie is more of a threat than Valentine?"

Her mother stood up at the prosecution table. She stepped forward and glared at her daughter, "Is it true that you gave Isabelle Lightwood the details of the operation?"

She nodded.

"For what reason?"

"To save an innocent life."

"What convinced you of his innocent nature?"

Rory was about to mention the Cup but hesitated, "Call it a gut instinct."

"You betrayed and broke the law for a gut instinct?" the Inquisitor asked unbelievably, "I quite believe it to be for the precious connection you have between the Lightwoods."

"My relationship with the Lightwoods has never effected my judgement."

"So you believe Miss Lightwood acted upon knowledge to her own consent, and not under your orders?" Alice asked.

Rory huffed and looked out into the crowd. Eddie was sitting in one of the rows, giving the harshest glare towards his mother. Alec, Izzy, and Magnus were behind the doors, watching curiously.

"We both acted on willing consent. But only because of the moral nature we were raised upon."

"I seem to be confused by your answer."

"Let me be clear," Rory stated, "My father raised me to uphold honor and respect amongst all people of the shadow world. And just as we hold a trial now, Meliorn did not receive the same treatment. And I refuse to harm anyone without giving them the same respect."

"Your point?" Madam Inquisitor asked.

"My point is...Isabelle Lightwood is the prime example of what a shadowhunter should be. And the only crime she committed was not fighting to defend herself. It's the Clave who is guilty...not us."

-

They wouldn't allow her to be in the room for Izzy's trial. So she had to impatiently wait in her room. It was a horribly long hour, with only her brother to keep her company.

After that hour, Alec walked in with a grim look. She became more worried, thinking they'd lost.

"Jace and Clary came back. They gave the Cup to the Clave...you're free to go."

Her lips turned into a wide smile, her pearly whites showing. Eddie whooped in celebration and lifted her up in a hug. He spun her around as she laughed.

"And Izzy? Is she-"

"Declared innocent. She also wanted to extend her thanks."

She laughed lightly and bit her lip as she stared up at her fiancé. Eddie glanced between them and awkwardly excused himself.

Once they were alone, Rory started to nervously drum her fingers against her side. Alec looked at her as if he was trying to bring up the courage to do or say something.

Whatever she was expecting, it certainly wasn't the hug that he swept her up in. She grunted from his tall figure squishing hers.

A whole flock of birds flew in her chest as she wrapped her arms around him. She could feel the muscles on his back and heard his heartbeat against her own.

"You're really something, Aurora Morrison."

She laughed and felt it bounce off both of their chests. They reluctantly let go of one another and smiled. Another knock came at the door and Madam Inquisitor stepped in. The pair immediately put a bit more distance between them.

"May I have the room, Mr. Lightwood?"

He nodded and left, shutting the door behind him. Rory cleared her throat and held her posture up as the older lady circled her.

"It's come to my attention that you've cooked up an engagement between the two of you."

"We thought it was a fitting match."

She chuckled, "I've known you since you were a child, Aurora. You've never been one to make a decision without heart. You displayed that quite clearly today."

"I apologize if I overstepped-"

"Don't be. Despite the assumptions, I like shadowhunters who stick by their beliefs. And I know you're a good one...your father raised you as such."

Rory softly smiled and turned to face her, "You're not upset with me?"

She shrugged, "You stood up for your beliefs and you've proven yourself to be a formidable leader. I wouldn't dream of giving you up."

The lady moved back to the door and opened it, "I expect you and Mr. Lightwood are going to help build a new era of shadowhunters. Don't disappoint me."

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