Disclaimer: I own nothing (except all 6 TOG books!) and all characters belong to queen Maas :)
I hope you enjoy this Fic! It is just me imagining what would have happened if the King of Ardalan hadn't been evil and conquered terrasen.
Please review and I will write more if you like it! Also, suggestions of things you would like to read about would be much appreciated!!
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Twirling in front of the mirror, Aelin Ashryver Galathynius couldn't contain her excitement. She LOVED parties! And tonight promised to be a night to remember. It was her thirteenth birthday - the day she finally became a teenager- and Rhoe and Evalin Galathynius had organised a surprise masquerade ball as part of her present. The other part had been the dress she was now admiring in the long looking glass of her dressing room in the palace in Orynth. With an expert eye Aelin traced the finely stitched silver embroidery that wove in waves down the pine green folds of the skirt. She had to admit: the craftsmanship was exquisite. The neckline was modest but the back plunged low enough to make her seem more of a young woman than a small girl; the bodice fit snugly and Aelin grinned when she turned side on and caught a glimpse of her newly curved figure. Yes, summer had been kind to her. Turning back to face herself in the mirror, she batted her blackened eyelashes and pouted before stopping low in a mock curtesy.
"Why! I would love to dance!" She addressed an imaginary nobleman or foreign prince as she admired her reflection. Tonight was definitely going to be a night to remember.
An hour later after scrutinising herself from every angle and twirling around her chambers in wild excitement, Aelin picked up the final element of her outfit: an elegant yet eye catching peacock mask, and headed out of her room towards the ballroom where she could already hear the sound of laughter and music. She could barely contain her excitement as she joined the stream of nobles and royals from across Erilea as they washed into the brightly lit hall. And it was all for her!
The party was greater than she had ever dreamed it would be: she immediately spotted her beloved cousin, Aedion, who was slouching against the rough stone wall with an air of such impressive nonchalance and boredom that he could have given even Aelin a run for her money. She shook her head and smirked as she wove her way across the dance floor towards him.
However, before she got there, she was intercepted by her mother who knelt down and enveloped her in a light embrace.
"My Fireheart." She whispered lovingly. "You look stunning. One day you will turn heads - there is no doubt about that- and you have enough fire to fuel the whole kingdom!"
Aelin smiled back as she gazed into her mothers eyes - Ashryver eyes- and felt a sudden overwhelming sensation of contentedness fall on her like a blanket from above.
"Now," her mother started, standing up and scanning the crowd, "there are some people I want you to meet."
Aelin barely suppressed a groan as her mother led her into the thick throng of 'important visitors'. It would seem her cousin would have to wait.
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Dorian Havilliard sighed. He HATED parties. Being a typical teenage boy, he found no enjoyment whatsoever in dressing up in extravagant clothes, and there was NEVER anyone his age to talk to. If only Chaol had been invited too...
But of course he hadn't. He was too busy training with Brullo, anyhow. Sighing, the crown prince of Ardalan ran a hand through his ebony locks, trying to make himself seem no so perfect before making his way across the huge chambers he was sharing with his mother, father, and baby sister Galia. Stopping next to her cot, Dorian pivoted to lean over the bars, taking in her soft, wispy hazel hair and delicate features. She looked so innocent, curled up in a fresh, white silk blanket. Dorain gently leant over and stroked her velvet soft cheek, a soft smile tugging at his lips. He loved all of his family but his sister was special. He would die to protect her and nothing made him happier than being near her.
Straightening up, the crown prince stretched and looked at the time piece he had been given the previous Yulemas by his parents. It was nearly 7 o clock - that meant that the ball would be starting soon and he had promised his parents to be on time! Dashing out the rooms, he sprinted along the stone hallway, and down several flights of stairs before realising that he was hopelessly lost. Groaning at his own idiocy, Dorian began to backtrack, tracing his steps until he found he could hear a faint hum of music. The ball! Setting off at a steady jog, the prince followed his ears until he arrived at the grand ballroom. He straightened his midnight blue tunic and donned a simple, unadorned masked stitched with gold thread before slipping quietly into the hall.
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After she had shook hands with 'Duke this' and 'Lord that', after she had smiled sweetly as nobles and royals from across Erilea had fawned over her and then waltzed away to indulge in the dazzling buffet that ran the length of the hall, Aelin sighed. Now for the real fun to begin! Pecking her mother on the cheek and curtsying to her uncle and father, she disappeared into the swirling mass of ballgowns and glitter, intent on finding her cousin. She couldn't wait to dance! Spotting him hovering by a huge mound of profiteroles, Aelin made a beeline towards him, darting in an out of the crowd as quick as an asp.
Frowning, she stopped, suddenly remembering the friends that hadn't been able to make it to her birthday. Nehemia Ytger, her best friend, had been delayed in her journey due to an unexpected heavy snowfall in the southern pass. Of course the Ellywe carriges weren't made for icy roads but it had disappointed Aelin none the less. The girls were inseparable whenever they were together, and many democrats in both Terrasen and Ellywe's courts agreed that it was probably due to the two princess's friendship that trade relations between the two countries was so good. The two would spend hours poured over books in the great library of Orynth or swimming in the lakes and fountains in the palace at Banjali in an attempt to escape the scorching heat, conversing in a strange mix of the old language of terrasen's court, the common tongue and Ellywe.
And the there was Sam. After a near fateful attempt of her life a couple of years back, Evalin and Rhoe Galathynius had decided to send their daughter to secretly train with the King of Assasins, Arobynn Hammel, in order to learn the skill required to defend herself. Whilst there, not only had Aelin proven herself to be a singularly gifted student, impressing even Arobynn himself, but she had also grown very close to the only trainee of her age at the keep: Sam Courtland. Having spent hours training together, it was almost inevitable that they would grow close and although her parents would never be able to know his REAL profession (she had told them that they had met at her dance lessons whilst in Ardalan because of course being a princess she had had to continue with Her royal training at the same time!) but that didn't matter to Aelin. Sam, like Nehemiah, like Aedion, managed to make her laugh even when she was ill, even when the weight of her crown seemed to press down of her shoulders like a suffocating, inescapable burden.
Aelin shook her head. She may not be able to see two of her closest friends tonight but she still had her beloved cousin. And the Food, Music and Dancing! With an excited skip, the crown princess of Terrasen barrel rolled into an unprepared Aedion and it was all he could do to stop the two of them falling into the chocolate fountain.
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Dorian was bored. He had eaten his fill of the luxurious feast, and as he was still waiting for a growth spurt, he didn't feel like dancing with ladies that would tower above him and look down on him like a child. No. That would just not do. If only he was more like Chaol. Although, only a few years older than Dorian, the apprentice captain of the hard was already at least 5 foot 10 and his voice had dropped to a tenor pitch over the summer, causing Dorian to feel even more childlike when in his company than he had before. He had sat down with his father one night when the King had come up to his chambers to check on his son and explained his embarrassment and his father had chuckled before telling his son how he had felt the same way at his age. Dorian smiled fondly at the memory. There had been a period about six years previously when the King of Ardalan had seemed distant, troubled, pained. More than once during this time Dorian could have sworn he saw something otherworldly pass over his fathers face for a few seconds before vanishing. Then one morning, the Glass Castle had awoken to find the King gone and only a note telling his family not to fret- he would be back within a month - and that was that. When he had returned, all trace of darkness had gone. His father had returned to his old self and Dorian had never spoken to him about it.
Sighing, Dorian decided to go and help himself to a glass of punch from the ornately chiselled, pure diamond tureen. He skirted the dance floor, pondering on how he might be able to excuse himself from the celebrations early and maybe go and curl up in bed with a good book for a few hours. Upon reaching the drinks table he ladled himself a goblet-full of the sweet, tangy, alcohol-free beverage and sipped it slowly.
Suddenly, from the crowd, three small figures came twirling towards him in a whirlwind of laughter and energy. They fell upon the table, gasping for breath and it took several minutes for them to even notice the hound prince.
The first to recover was a slight girl with thin brown hair and dainty but plain features, save for her eyes which sparkled with delight and a perfect pair of rosebud lips that were spread into a wide grin. All three had removed their masks at some point in order to help them cool down from their vigorous dancing and Dorian immediately recognised the other two children who were still clutching their sides in silent laughter as Aelin and Aedion Ashryver Galnthynius.
"Don't mind them," the brown haired girl smiled, noticing the Crown Prince staring at the two cousins, "as you have probably heard before, Aelin and Aedion tend to get a bit giddy when they're together."
Dorian just chuckled. He could still remember the time when he had been visiting with father and had accidentally tripped Aedion up whilst the three were walking in the grounds. Immediately the young boy had decided to start a full on snowball war - an idea that his strong headed cousin had immediately adopted and they had ended up chasing each other all the way into the library of Orynth, much to the displeasure of the librarian. Yes. Giddy was a bit of an understatement- wild was more like it!
"Anyway. I'm Elide, Elide Lochan. And your Dorian Havilliard."
Dorian was awoken from his thoughts by the voice of the young girl and was startled to see three pairs of eyes fixed intently on him.
"Er... Yes." He replied dumbly, much to the amusement of the two blondes who looked on the verge of breaking into fits of giggles again - and they might have done if Elide hadn't fixed them with a sharp glare. Dorian was surprised- he hadn't thought that anyone short of the King of Terrasen himself could control the wildfire that was Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, much less this small girl. He smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Elide," he offered, giving a small bow that made Aelin roll her eyes.
"Eugh! Enough with the formalities Havilliard! We have been looking for you! We figured you would be a bit bored in here with all these adults - we have a better idea! Come with us." And with that Aelin turned in her heel and dove back into the saying crowd, trailed by Aedion and Elide. Dorian chuckled. Maybe the night wast going to be as boring after all.