The Legend of the Seven

The queen's grief

It was midnight by the time the six reached the gates of Naellin, as they entered the city sadness was written on their faces. They went directly to the throne room of the castle Queen Aredhel was waiting for them, anger was written on her face. It was discovered shortly after they left that Elzae was gone, but before she could begin yelling at them Theoden and Wyn laid Ailwin's body just beneath the steps that led to the throne and exposed his face. the queen's face fell "What happened?!" she demanded. Ayred looked to Theoden who spoke "After we returned the dragon hatchling to her people we split up, Ailwin, Arcaena, Celaena, and myself went to a cave, while the others finished the mission. We decided we would meet back up outside Ancestor wood, the four of us arrived first. As we waited for the others Ailwin and Arcaena went into the woods where they were attacked by four human men..." he said. Ayred jumped in "The same men that attacked us as we left Naellin, the same men that attacked Shael, Wyn, and myself at Cresa. Who are they mother? What are we up against?" he asked. Queen Aredhel shook her head and left her throne to touch the face of her first born "I should have told you..." she whispered to Ailwin's body. She then looked up at the six "I should have told you all." tears were now streaming down her face.

She stood and touched the face of her living son "You look so much like him, your father. I never told either of you how he died, mostly because I didn't want you to share the pain I feel. Bastian, the man who's been attacking you, he has been after you and your brother for a very long time. It started with his father before him, I was betrothed to his father it was meant to bring our two peoples together. Alas it was not meant to be, at a festival I met your father and before I even realized I was completing the mating bond with him. As you can imagine Bastian's father was livid, he vowed to end my line leaving me alone in this world." she turned away and looked down at Ailwin "He passed that hate onto his son, and that hate only grew with the death of Bastian's wife and unborn child at the hands of a dragon." she finished breaking down into loud sobs. Ayred placed a hand on her shoulder "That doesn't explain how father died." he said. The queen shook he head "We received word there was a bounty on both yours and Ailwin's heads. Your father went to put an end to that, he never made it home..." she said.

The queen turned back to the six "Please take my son's body to the temple... I have a funeral to plan." she said. The six nodded Theoden and Wyn picked Ailwin's body back up and left the throne room. Before the others could leave Queen Aredhel spoke again "Ayred, Arcaena please stay for a moment. We have things to discuss." she said. The two stopped and turned back to her, Arcaena's eyes never left the ground "Tell me about the hatchling." the queen stated. Ayred looked at Arcaena knowing she was still in no state for talking "Ailwin took her to Elzae. You know Ailwin wasn't okay with us keeping her here. He and Arcaena plotted to free her, I knew nothing of it until we were halfway to Agocaster. I wasn't okay with what they had done at first, but I realized what they did was right." he said. The queen raised an eyebrow "Elzae?" she asked. Arcaena looked up for the first time "That's her name!" she growled "If you had bothered to learn what you took maybe you'd know that!" she said spitting venom. Ayred stepped in front of her "Arcaena... Please let me." he said softly "I know how much pain you're in right now." he finished gently wiping a tear from her cheek. She nodded and shut her mouth.

Ayred turned back to his mother "Though harsh, she is right. Elzae is a living being and we didn't treat her as such, we're lucky she doesn't hate us." he said. The queen raised an eyebrow "How can you be sure she doesn't?" she asked. Ayred looked at Arcaena "She bonded to her." he stated simply. Queen Aredhel shook her head "I have much to think about. Leave me." she said walking up the steps to her throne. Ayred and Arcaena left to find Celaena and Shael waiting for them. The girls each wrapped an arm around Arcaena and began to lead her away, Shael looked back at Ayred "Theoden and Wyn are waiting for you by your room, none of us should be alone right now." she said. Ayred nodded and walked away. Celaena and Shael laid Arcaena down in her bed, she cried herself to sleep as the girls sat near her. Ayred found Wyn and Theoden standing just outside his bedroom door, Ayred let the boys in and sat down in a chair. He buried his face in his hands as Theoden and Wyn sat down next to him, he began sobbing quietly. Wyn placed a hand on Ayred's shoulder "I can't imagine what you're going through, but we are here for you." he said.

Morning came and went and Arcaena hadn't left her bed, Shael and Celaena were at a loss of what to do. Suddenly they hear a knock at the door, Celaena opened it to see Theoden standing there. She stepped out and closed the door behind her "What is it?" she asked. Theoden looked down and shook his head "The queen has asked to see all of us." he said. Celaena sighed "Arcaena hasn't even left her bed. How is she supposed to have a meeting with the queen?" she said anger ringing in her tone. Theoden shook his head again "I don't know, but I'll help get her ready. Wyn is with Ayred helping him." he said. Celaena nodded and they entered the room together. It was an hour before the six met up outside the throne room, grief written on everyone's faces. Ayred went to Arcaena's side and took her hand, her head shot up. Ayred gave a nod of reassurance, Arcaena gave a small smile in return.