Chapter 1: Through the Woods and to the Clearing
Rowan and Aelin raced through the trees of Oakwald, not caring to be quiet. The others followed close behind. Aelin was in pure bliss; she was with the people who have accepted her completely, and without question.
As the pair slowed to a halt, their fae hearing noticed faint murmurs in the distance. Aelin asked Aedion if he too heard the voices, and gave a nod in reply. She then quickly scaled a tree to get a better view of where the voices were coming from. Her balanced was almost lost when her eyes beheld the clearing and the soldiers camped there. Upon seeing this, she quickly shimmed down the ancient tree and told the first of her court to follow her, but keep their cloaks covering their faces.
Ren had been waiting for what seems like hours. Why haven't the chefs finished with lunch? what could possibly be taking so long? As he turned, he caught a glimpse of what looked like four adults with one child. Alarmed he sounded the alarm of an attack that was imminent.
All soldiers who were waiting for lunch grabbed their weapons and positioned themselves behind Ren.
"Who are you people?", a order from interim general of the rebels. There seemed to be three females and two males. The males and two other females seemed to monitor the leader female, as if she were their leader. With this knowledge he took a step forward. A snarl came from the tallest male, a warning to not come any closer. Losing his patience Ren asks again, "Who are you?". Once again no answer. The second male then steps forward, with a familiarity Ren recognized but could not place. As if the male, himself, had read his thoughts he removed his hood to reveal golden blonde hair, and Aedion.
Aedion knew that when he took his hood off all the men that had been in the clearing would recognize him and in turn, know that Aelin herself was here. Before Aedion could say anything Rowan, the bastard he is, took his hood off and spoke.
"I am Rowan Whitethorn, a member of Queen Aelin Ashyver Galathynius's court". So typical of Rowan to be the one to assert his dominance.
Ren began to look rather annoyed and unfazed by Rowan and Aedion. Rowan could also sense the annoyance coming from Aelin too. He was in deep shit for speaking out and going against her orders. Seeing, though that Aelin has no choice, she stepped forward and in front of her wall of weathered, and scarred muscle; and in the process taking off her hood. The look on Ren's face as his eyes darted between Aelin, Rowan and Aedion, was priceless.