Burning Wildfires (Abandoned)

~2~

Dorian did not have the amount of time Aelin had to assimilate what had happened. He had travelled back to just an hour before he met with the fire-wielder and had to stop the panic from overwhelming him completely. He couldn't feel the raw magic inside of him at the beginning, but reaching deeper, he felt the brush of his magic and sighed in relief.

Seeing the tent he had been in before meeting Aelin for the first time as Celaena, his intelligent mind put all the pieces together and gave him just enough time to compose himself before, if he remembered right, Chaol came in.

Yet, when his best friend had entered the tent, the magic wielder couldn't stop himself from engulfing the Captain in a hug, strong enough to knock the air out of him. A few tears rolled down his face, as the last he saw of Chaol, he was- no, he couldn't think about that now.

"Dorian. What's wrong?", Chaol asked softly, seeing the King's, no Prince's need for comfort.
"It was nothing. A simple dream and nothing more." How he wished it was. Chaol clearly didn't take it but nodded sharply all the same.
"I wished to talk to you about your choice for your Champion. Celaena Sardothien is dangerous, and-"
"Chaol, we have had this conversation before and I have spoken to my father" The word left a bitter taste in the Prince's mouth yet "I have also told you my reasons, I am sure."
"Choosing a very volatile assassin just to spite your father is not a reason! I am tasked with your safety, Dorian and this is a huge issue!"
The Crown Prince pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated. "Chaol, I understand, and you do a great job at my safety, too good. Even at seven years old." The brunette took the jab, embarrassment taking over when he remembered that day. "I am perfectly safe" Even more now, if Aelin remembered, he supposed he should call her Celaena now. "I know you will see to that. Now if I remember correctly, we have an assassin to meet."

He gave Chaol another hug, and left before the man could question him about it.

~

Sitting in the opulent throne room, Dorian had time to think some more. His heart ached for Manon and skipped a beat as he realized that Sorscha would be alive. She would be alive. He didn't dwell on that. Although he loved Manon now, the gentle healer, would and always have a special place within him. The sapphire-eyed prince sighed, wondering how he was going to explain the sudden nightmares and his new-found maturity.

He contemplated just how big this opportunity was. Kaltain was still alive and sane, Perrington was too. He looked over to the self-righteous Lord at the corner of the room and felt a wave of anger. The queen of Terrasen and the prince of Adarlan had a lot to plan.

Dorian wasn't able to dwell on the rest of the facts when the red and gold doors opened and Aelin was shoved in. Chaol entered, bowing his head as he removed the black hood he had worn in order to intimidate Aelin, which obviously didn't work. 

He allowed a hint of recognition in his eyes and tilted his head in respect, just enough so that the Terrasen Queen would notice and smiled when he saw relief and a similarly tilted blonde head.

The confrontation with Perrington went the same way, except that Aelin almost smacked the possessed knight with her chains and Chaol shot him a look which clearly said, 'Really?' to which he grinned. 

Dorian quite enjoyed cutting Perrington down with his words and the demi-fae's eyes showed amusement with a hint of anger. 

He had practiced the conversation that had played out in the throne room in his head and it went the same way, a silent agreement between the two royals to keep up the act.