Aelin
It was the third week of our voyage when we spotted the battle. There were smaller ships fighting against large, dark-colored ships. In the air, I could see many winged figures fighting as well. On land, destruction rained down, and screams could be heard. I could feel the magic in the air.
"Rowan," I turned around to my mate, "We should help."
He nodded grimly, and asked, "But who?"
During the war with Maeve several decades ago, I had discovered that by using the Wyrdkeys' power, I had the ability to read minds, teleport, predict a few things in the future, and other useful tricks. These abilities had been one of the numerous reasons I'd decided to keep the Wyrdkeys, which we had discovered were impossible to destroy.
I reached my mind out towards the battle. The dark ships were from a place called Hybern, and I immediately hated them. They were horrible Fae bastards, and believed that they were superior to humans.
Using my magic, I marked everyone who we would assist with a tiny flame, only visible to me and my court. I had learned that trick many years ago, and it had been extremely helpful in many battles.
Rowan smiled. I felt Lysandra, Aedion, Dorian, Manon, and Asterin behind me. Manon and Asterin mounted their Wyverns, while Lysandra shifted into a dragon.
Rowan, Aedion, Dorian, and I were all wearing our black suits. I'd bought the suits for them twenty years ago for Yulemas, and even had them all upgraded. They are completely covered in Spidersilk, have more hidden weapons, and come with beautiful metal wings that collapse into themselves when they aren't needed. We'd each had to get a surgery to attach a sliver of metal into our backs that allowed us to could control the wings, and it was worth every coin I spent on it.
I unfolded my wings and took off, my friends following closely behind.
Feyre
Mor and I stared at the ship that had recently arrived. It had green and silver sails, and a flag with a symbol I wasn't familiar with. We didn't know if it was there to help Hybern.
Small streams of magic leaked from the ship, and I looked on in horror as they went into every single Night and Summer Court warrior. Marking them. Three winged figures flew out of the ship, as well as three beasts.
What's happening? I asked Rhys through the bond.
I have no idea.
Did you try to communicate with the people on the ship?
Before he could respond, I felt a foreign presence entered by brain. I frantically checked my shields. They were gone.
Hello the new presence said. My name is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius. I am the Queen of an empire very far away. We are here to assist you.
Prove it. I told her. She didn't respond.
Then, I felt an explosion from the ocean. Mor gasped. Thirty of Hybern's ships had detonated, but the debris had been contained in a small area around each. None of Tarquin's had been touched.
You don't believe me, she said. Of course not. She had so much power. It was terrifying.
Rhysand
What was going on? A minute ago, I had been following the source of magic that had been draining my magic, then the strange ship came, I heard explosions, and then my power came back. It was like something had scared the spell away.
I immediately misted everyone around me, and destroyed the nearby enemy ships. A group of flying people and animals were using various sorts of magic and weapons to kill Hybern soldiers. A small ship with green and silver sails could be seen. Who were they? I spotted flames and ice. Someone also had wind magic. Arrows rained down onto the dark ships. The battle was over in five minutes. The strangers had helped us win. But why?
Who are you? I said directly into the woman with fire's head. She had a very strong mental shield, and I was unable to break inside.
My name is Aelin. She responded.
Can we meet?
Of course. But be warned, my friends and I are dangerously attractive. You might need to shield your eyes.
I chuckled. Your friends will look like wild boars compared to my court.
Keep telling yourself that.
Aelin
The battle had gone beautifully. It was a piece of cake, really. The Hybern ships were made of wood, so they had burned easily. The magic protecting them didn't stand a chance against my fire.
I told my friends to stay in the ship, and then flew down to the town, Adriata. In this land, the Fae kingdom was divided into courts, and each court had its own High Lord. The people I had communicated with were High Lord Rhysand and High Lady Feyre. They were from the Night Court. The history between the courts was complicated, and the war with Hybern started centuries ago. I was impressed by the age of High Lord Rhysand- he was more than twice Rowan's age. I was basically a baby to them. Thankfully, the High Lord of the Summer Court was also very young. And attractive. Too bad I already had a mate.
When I reached the ground, Rhysand, Feyre, and Tarquin were waiting for me. I bowed to them.
Tarquin said bluntly, "What do you want?"
"Well," I smirked, "I'd like a thank-you."
He stared at me. I stared back. After a while, he gave in, and muttered "thanks."
"You are very welcome," I said cheerily.
"Now," Tarquin said, "can you please tell me why you helped us, and who you are?"
I sighed. "I should have introduced myself to everyone at once. This will be my third time. My name is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius. I am the queen of Terrasen. I helped you because I believe in your cause to help humans and lesser faeries. I am part human, and some of my friends are humans."
"How do you know what we fight for?" Tarquin asked.
"She can read minds," Feyre said. "She's a daemati. Like Rhys and I. She know everything about us already."
I nodded, "If you want, I will allow you to look into my mind as proof that I really want to help."
When I felt Feyre and Rhysand's presence in my mind, I opened my mental gates. Of course, I hid away some of the more private memories, but they knew everything that happened to me. Even the horrible things I had done in the past.
"We trust you," Rhysand said. "You and your court are welcome to stay in the Night Court."
"Thank-you," I smiled, "Let me get my court, I'll meet you back here soon."