Chapter Text
“In a fight, they are lethal, around each other they melt”
“I still think Elain should stay,” Nesta huffed as she stuffed some dresses inside Elains bright amethyst bag, they had been packing for almost two hours now and they were nowhere close to finishing.
“Well we are one person short since Mor won’t be attending,” Feyre commented while making typical mom ‘silly” faces to Nyx who would laugh and flap his wings with each ridiculous face his mother made. Feyre was sitting in Elains bed with Nyx in her lap as she observed Nesta, The twins, and Elain go through her wardrobe trying to pack for a week away at the Autumn Court in a diplomatic visit the Night Court leaders were attending, including Elain.
“You are aware I am here, right Nesta?” Elain spoke from the floor where she was folding some clothes next to Nuala and Cerridwen.
Nesta rolled her eyes, “ Yes, Elain I am very aware you are there however I am speaking to Feyre.”
“About me.” Elain rebutted glaring at her.
Nesta decided that throwing the dress at Elain was the best answer to her sister and turned back to speak to Feyre. “ I just think Elain would be better staying here with Mor and the twins,” Nesta voiced her concern, “Azriel won’t be there and that sick fuck of Beron is still out there, Elain is Lucien’s mate” she gritted hating that fact, that her sister was trapped and chained, condemned to share a bond with someone she had no interest in. “He might think he can hold all three Courts by the balls if he gets his hands on her.”
Elain laughed, “You have gone mad,” she said standing up and dusting her dress, “Since when have I become the most important female in Pyrinthian,” Elain walked towards Nesta and hugged her, “You are being paranoid Nes.”
Nesta sighed and accepted the hug, “ I don’t like the idea of you near Eris or that court.”
Elain smiled and hugged her sister tighter, this past year had been wonderful. Elain had gotten her sister back, she no longer held onto anger nor devoted herself to self-destruction, and she was happy. Seeing Nesta and Feyre happy was the best part of Elains new life as Fea, experience it with them and was part of this beautiful life her sisters had built.
Feyre smiled from the bed at the scene and hugged Nyx closer to her but the moment had been shattered as Nuala stood up and looked at elain voicing her concern, “Nesta might be right,” she said as she placed a pile of clothes in Elains bed. “You might not be the most important female in Pyrithian but you are a precious asset to any court,” Nuala said, no playfulness on her face, “You are not only a fae made but the sister of the High lady of Night and a Seer,” she walked until she was in front of her, “ Your mate is the heir of Day and your sister was the bearer of three death troves, Lady Death herself, do not underestimate what others might think of the third Archeron sister.”
Cerridwen laughed nervously and stood up walking to them, placing her hands on her sister’s arms.
“What Nuala is saying, “ she said with a smile towards elain, “is that you are no longer a small flower of the Night Court, Elain.” She offered a hand to Elain who took it. “You have grown from that small human girl into your own person; a seer of the Night Court, someone strong who is willing to take on whatever challenge might come.” Cerridwen said proudly
Elain felt her cheeks heat up and squeezed Cerridwen’s hand.
“Listen it will be fine,” Elain smiled trying to calm down everyone in the room, “I’ll be there as an aid for the High Lord and Lady in case I see anything happening.” She looked at Nesta, “ I’ll try to stick with you and Cassian for the duration of the trip and I’m sharing a room with Amren.” She said reassuring everyone.
Elain couldn’t help but feel hurt at everyone’s concerns, she appreciated having a family that loved her so much but the need to treat her as if she was made of glass was very unnecessary, she had gone on missions with Azriel and the twins, and she had completed her training with Cassian and Nesta alongside the valkyries trying to add some strength and speed to her movements contrary to all the stealth and delicacy of the training the twins had taught her. She currently was scrying for Koschei. She was more than capable to deal with any threats in her future, she no longer was a flower that needed constant work, she had bloomed and was the seer of the Night Court, a title she took with great pride.
Nesta sighed in defeat and let go of Elain, “ Fine but I expect you to carry the dagger and still train while over there.” She squinted at Elain, “ It’s after all a military visit we are doing.”
The Night Court Leaders and their military head were granting the current Autumn High Lord, Eris Vanserra, a visit to discuss a military alliance so they could finally get ridden of Beron for good.
Five Months ago Elain had received the vision in her dream. Bloodied Eris Vanserra sparring with his father, he had organized a coup against his father and taken the throne. Elain had woken up shouting and ran out of her room to write down everything she had seen in her office. Back then she and Azriel had been together, so he had with much concern followed her out of bed, waiting for her to be done, he then had flown them to Feyre and Rhys river state to talk to them. The next morning Rhys, alongside Feyre, had received a letter from the new self-proclaimed High Lord of the Autumn court, Eris Vanserra.
Elain found herself in a huge room, the light was sunset orange, and there were tons of leaves all variance in colors from green, yellow, brown, and purple falling around her. “Okay Autumn court,” she thought figuring out where her vision had taken her. She could hear the clashings of swords at a distance and decided to follow it, through a narrow hall that took her to a room similar to the Hewn City Ballroom. Walking through the hall made her realize she was barefoot, the leaves had started to pile under her feet. When she arrived at a room with a massive throne in the middle she encountered two males sword-fighting, the young fae with an undeniable advantage was cornering the older fae and forcing him to keep backing up until he tripped and fell onto his throne, the younger fae who elain had recognized as Eris, was covered in blood and had some wounds in his face, he had trapped his father who had lost his sword when falling. Eris with a smug grin had lifted his leg and placed his foot in one of the arms of the throne while pointing the sword at Beron’s throat.
“You are making a mistake Eris,” Beron growled, from the distance Elain could see him sweating.
“Do not tell me what I will regret or not,” Eris shouted shaking with anger, “Where is SHE?” He shouted putting pressure on the blade against Beron.
Beron to her surprise laughed as he looked Eris straight in the eyes, “You child,” he mocked, “ All this for her?”
“All this and more so tell me now where she is or ill end you here and now” Eris growled.
“You will kill me either way, why not leave you a parting gift.” he laughed
Elain saw Eris raise his sword and plunge it into Beron’s chest.
They all had assumed Beron was dead until they realized he had escaped, they had been informed by Eris himself, he could be everything they called him and more but he was not a dishonest bastard or went against his word. Beron had been able to escape due to some unexpected loyal guards and some priestesses who owed him. That had been two months ago.
Now they were preparing to travel to the Autumn Court to help Eris find his father and kill him. A few weeks ago he had requested the aid of the Night Court, specifically Cassian’s and Elain’s. It shocked Rhys and Feyre when Eris mentioned the middle Archeron sister in his letter, all three of them had agreed to keep Eris' request to themselves not wanting anyone to be more on edge than they already were. They had used Mor’s dislike of the autumn court and Eris himself to make an excuse of why she wasn’t attending as the Night Court third in command and Elain was going in her stead.
Elain smiled at her friends and family, “ I have a feeling it will all go smoothly.”
Nesta looked at Elain and gave her a small and unsure smile. “ I have to go training before finishing packing my own bag but I’ll see you guys tomorrow at first light.” She said kissing Elain’s head, she went to give the twins a brief hug and proceed to say her goodbyes to her sister and nephew.
“Everything will be fine,” Elain thought as she returned to packing clothes and organizing the ones that were scattered on the floor.
A few moments later when Feyre had said her goodbyes and had winnowed to her home, Elain and the twins were preparing dinner for a girl's night, Elain had been putting away her dress from the couch where they had come to the conclusion that this was the dress for tomorrow when a feeling of numbness had taken over her hands. Elain knew the haze she was in right now very well as she looked directly at the the dress she had in her hand concentrating on the sunset colors blending together, the light pinks and orange mixing as her vision blurred. She could feel Nuala and Cerridwen at her side holding her. Feeling protected by her friends she closed her eyes and indulged in the feeling pulling her to the darkness.
“Now look what the Hound caught”
“You are the only one I need”
“Do you not understand I am willing to kill for you!?”
“Why is it wrong for me to love him”
“I will tear whoever I need to be at your side”
Elain gasped and opened her eyes.