A Story of Fire and Darkness (A ToG and ACoTaR crossover)

All That Matters

Feyre POV-

     The absolute pride and joy that Aelin expressed while introducing her family reminded me of the way Rhysand first introduced his family to me. Back then, they had been strangers to me, merely the source of my escape from Tamlin. But only a fool could look at their true selves and say that they did not shine. I had believed Rhysand to be a cruel being once, but looking at him now, I could not condemn him. My mate, my wonderful mate who had sacrificed so much of himself to save them, protect  them from the devastation that Amarantha brought to our world. Memories of darker times filled my mind. I shuddered, hoping to dispell the inky feel of a scarlet smile. 

    Rhysand's large hand enveloped mine, his warmth seeping into me, more comfort than I would care to explain. In that precious space in my chest, a flare of love and comfort flared and in return, I sent back my own love and gratitude.

    As I directed my focus back to Aelin, a thought occured to me. 

    They had to be Dreamers. 

    Something I have learned about the Court of Dreams is that the true Dreamers are the ones who never give up. They're the ones who have fought, and shoved down emotions that could tear them apart for the things most important to them. They climb up mountains and take leisurely strolls in beautiful valleys, but when it matters most they put their boots on and climb. 

    I used to believe that I wasn't a Dreamer. I hunted. I helped provide. I did all the things expected of me because what else was I supposed to do? But I never Dreamed. I did my part, simple as that. I never fought. 

    Never, not once, had I fought for something. Something for myself. 

   And yet here I stand, a Dreamer. I wear this title with pride, and for those who are worth all the fight, I fight. 

   So, as I watch them, these nobles, these kings, queens, lords and ladies, I can see Dreamers. In the eyes of soldiers wearied beyond their time, I can see the beauty, the primal fight and the love they have for each other. And I have no doubts in my mind that they are Dreamers. 

   Standing tall, immovable as the great oaks of the forest, they Dreamed. They flowed as  the Sidra does, calm in some places, deadly in others. The people standing before me were being who had held stars in their palms, giggled with the moon and had no fear of the darkness. They befriended monsters lurking in the dark and they plotted with writhing shadows. 

    They were Dreamers. 

    But, they did not know what that meant yet. 

     I stretched my mind towards Rhys and felt his shields come down enough for me to slip in. Shall we?

     A chuckle of midnight smoothness echoed in my mind. Indeed we shall, Rhys said, his voice filled with amusement.

    As one, we stood. 

   Motioning towards Rhys, I began to introduce my Court. 

     "My mate and husband, High Lord of the Night Court, Rhysand and I am Feyre Archeron. I am High lady of the Night Court. Amren, Second in Command to our Court and the Angel of Death." Amren stood, her blood-red lips in a smirk.

    "Morrigan, Our Third in Command of the Court of Dreams and Truth Speaker." Next to Amren, Mor stood, her chin held high and a proud smile upon her face. 

    "General Cassian, leading Commander and high General of our armies." Arms folded across his chest, a grin that was more teeth-baring than pleasant, Cassian joined those who still stood. Aelin bared her teeth at him in her own feral grin. 

     "And Azriel Shadowsinger, Spymaster of the Night Court." Az stood quietly and I watched Aelin's eyes sharpen, focusing more intently on him for whatever reason. 

    "Together we rule the Courts of Nightmares," wary glances at that one, "and the Court of Dreams." I motioned at my court, my family. "We are they who have fought with fangs and shadows, truth and magic to make our lives our own."

     Aelin's eyes sharpened on me, her gaze unrelenting. I chuckled a little, because in that moment I knew I was right. Her eyes practically glowed with the power to Dream. 

     How interesting, hmm? The window to the soul is the eyes, they say. In my twenty short years, I have seen eyes of humans and Fae alike, and they never seem to lose that feeling. That precious life that shines through blues, greens, grays and browns. Such a variety, and such different emotions that one can see through eyes of a person, if they only choose to look. 

     People will tell you all their secrets. We all do it. We do it without even realizing. Only the people who truly have the ability to see, can learn these things though. Gazing into someone's eyes can show so many things, some of them beautiful and loving, others full of anger, pain and sadness. 

    I fear that the eyes full of happiness are dwindling away. 

    Those beautiful, dancing eyes are vanishing. For even those who have tasted true joy, have also tasted bitter rejection and harrowing sorrow. More and more, I see eyes of sadness, of regret and guilt and mourning. 

    That's what we're fighting for. Happy eyes. 

    And I can already tell that Aelin has fought so many battles that she didn't deserve to fight. But her eyes are shining right now. 

    She opens her mouth to speak, a closed fist coming to rest above her heart.

    "I promise to you, that while my people are in your world, we will not bear you harm nor will we bring harm upon your people. As of now, we are allies and we will not break our oath."

     Aelin's court move to copy her stance, and I could swear that her eyes danced with wildfire.

    But fears I didn't know were there calm at her oath. I know that she will not break her oath to us, and the alliance between two courts of Dreamers can only bring good things. The Dreams will continue to flow and the Nightmares will be fought. 

   All for them. The people who laugh and dance in the streets of Velaris. We will fight for them, even to our dying breaths. We will cry and bleed and ache but in the end, they will be safe.

   And that's all that matters. 

A/N:

Hey y'all! Thanks for reading this next chapter of A Story of Fire and Darkness! I am so glad that you've made it this far!

So, a little bit of a backround on the music for today's chapter. This song is called Fields of Gold, sung by a woman who was formerly a part of the Celtic Woman group, Lisa Kelly. She is no longer a part of this fantastic singing group, but she does her own covers of Celtic songs. I've always grown up with Celtic music in my life; my family has ties in Scotland and Ireland, so this music holds a special place in our hearts. 

I feel like this song represents the Court of Dreams. It may be just me, but the song is full of hope and also a bit of sadness. I feel like that is the character of this amazing family, and I hope you can share some of the same sentiments as I do!

Thank you again and keep shining for the world to see!

-KAM