AN: Sorry for the wait. Hopefully dumping three chapters at once will help make up for it. Unfortunately I can't promise faster updates with the summer because I'll be spending the majority of the season in the woods sans wifi. I want to give a big thanks to those who've stuck with this story and promise not to just abandon this without posting something.
Just before the first rays of light appeared on the horizon Feyre, Amren, Riandur, Rowlis, and Azriel found themselves preparing for their trip to the Dawn Court. They planned to arrive unannounced outside the palace in the capital city and demand to see Lord Eos. Feyre, Amren and Rowlis would demand the audience while Riandur and Azriel took to the shadows to be silent watchers and waiters. Each member of the group had been selected with the mission in mind. Feyre and Rowlis would play the role of grieving mother and friend, though Feyre was a power to be reckoned with in her own right. Amren would provide enough intimidation to secure their safety, and it was unlikely that they would suspect both Azriel and Riandur to be present and snooping around. The council composed of both inner circles, the old and the new, had decided not to tear through the no winnowing boundary surrounding the palace even though both Rhys and Feyre were capable. They weren't interested in openly declaring war on the Dawn Court without any proof of culpability in Navi's disappearance, though at this point Rowlis and Riandur were almost hoping the Dawn Court was guilty if only to get Navi back faster.
As Rowlis adjusted the dress she'd chosen in order to appear less threatening and Riandur tightened his gauntlets, emerald siphons glowing on them, his chest, and his shoulders, a subtle silence descended over the room. Rhys was the only one present who was not going on the mission and gave a nod to those assembled before kissing Feyre on the forehead and whispering to her softly. Now prepared, Feyre reached out to grab Azriel and Amren while Rowlis winnowed Riandur into the Dawn Court.
Upon arrival, both Riandur and his father disappeared into the shadows. Leaving the women at the gate they darted down the ornate iron fencing to a distance that would allow them access to the gate as it was closing without being so close as to draw attention when the group was first examined. Instead of knocking or yelling to draw attention, Feyre and Amren simply stood by, feigning boredom until a grinding sound reverberated through the gate and it opened of its own accord. When it had reached the point at which it could open no further, a regal looking man and woman exited the palace and stalked toward them with a surprised and scared look they couldn't quite hide coloring their features.
Upon joining the little assembly gathering on their front lawn, the woman turned to glance at Amren and shuddered before addressing Feyre directly, "Does this mean you've heard and decided we're guilty?"
Feyre simply raised a brow and gestured for them to lead her and her entourage into the palace, concealing her surprise well behind the mask of the High Lady of the Night Court. As they moved through the gate Azriel gave his son a nudge, urging him forward because, in his shock, Riandur had become rooted to the spot. Barely making it into the confines of the gated-off palace, the two took to the shadows once more, Riandur staying with the group to provide backup and keep an eye out for foul play while the High Lord of Dawn and his High Lady met. Meanwhile, Azriel disappeared to search for anything that could lead them to Navi.
Situated in an extravagant parlor room, the last rays of the dawn sun streaming through the windows to land gracefully on the rulers the Dawn Court, Feyre finally addressed the interesting comment made by the consort of the Dawn Lord.
"You may begin talking now," she said, letting a bit of her power as High Lady leak out and pool around her. Her ability to control her powers while leveling the hard stare now gracing her face had won her many arguments, even with Rhysand and Amren teamed up against her.
Eos glanced to his wife, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder before he began, "We have nothing to hide from you anymore. We ask that you hear us out until the end, we truly didn't know about your daughter until we received word of her this morning. We would never have gotten involved with the Autumn Court had we know what we would face."
Feyre was, for once, too shocked at the open mention of her daughter to respond, so Amren inclined her head slightly to urge them to continue. This offer of a tentative promise not to try tearing them apart until after they had spoken their piece seemed to ease some degree of apprehension in the Lord and Lady before them.
Eos continued as tears pooled in Feyre's eyes, "This morning we received a letter from the Autumn Court via messenger. It demanded that we move up the marriage date between Beron's son Eris and our daughter." As Eos spoke a servant tiptoed forward to place the letter in question in Feyre's lap, which Feyre passed off to Amren to examine so she could continue to listen. "We already had our doubts about the union based on letters we had received from Evelenne, our daughter, expressing her doubts toward Eris. She said he was cruel and cold. At first we assumed it was just that she didn't want to go through with the arranged marriage but, when the letters continued, we brought her home. She was covered in bruises just under the hems of her dresses, places not easily visible. That was a week ago."
"That letter," Eos gestured to the parchment in Amren's lap, "went on to say that even if we doubted Eris we could pick another son to promise her to and still establish an alliance with them. They claim that they're already allied to Spring and that they possess a way to bring you, or rather your court, to its knees. They mentioned having Navi hidden away in Spring where she could be monitored and controlled. There's more, but I'd rather not continue, I think it would be better if you read it for yourselves. However, should you find yourself in need of assistance, we shall provide it for you. We," Eos glanced at his wife once more and this time she nodded to reassure him, "would hope for your help if our situations were reversed and it were our daughter that had gone missing. We'll adjust our no winnowing boundaries for now to allow you access to this room in the palace. You may come and go as you please and are welcome to any of our resources until Navi has been returned to you. We hope that'll you'll find it in your heart to forgive us for getting involved with such shady characters as Beron and his ilk."
Voice breaking ever so slightly Feyre looked from Eos to his wife. "Did… did your daughter hear anything about Navi while she was in Autumn. Do you know if she's alright?"
"Unfortunately, Evelenne wasn't trusted with any information on your daughter. I'm very sorry, but this letter is all we have for you at the moment in regards to information. Though, I suppose if your spymaster wanted, he could examine our future correspondences with Autumn and Spring until Navi has been returned to you."
Amren finally deigned to speak up, hiding her shock better than Feyre. "And this generous offer of yours? What price do you demand for the assistance you offer? No High Lord can offer so much and expect nothing in return."
In as calm a voice as Eos could muster while facing Amren he replied, "The hope for an alliance. We can't scorn both Autumn and Spring without risking repercussions. We simply hope that, if it comes to a fight, we can count on you and you can count on us." Gulping quietly, Eos ventured into more dangerous territory as he continued, "despite assurances from the other High Lords that the Night Court is untrustworthy, I can't find it in myself to believe them. I still remember Amarantha, Hybern, and the destruction they left in their wake. But I also remember you and your mate, your court, and your people being some of the first to put their lives on the line to defend us all. After these dealings with Beron, I've decided that those are the kind of allies I want watching my back."
Still in shock, Feyre and Amren rose. Feyre, looking between the leaders of Dawn before allowing her High Lady façade disappear all together, finally replied. "Thank you; we won't forget this. If we could, I'd like to come back with Rhysand and meet with you and your daughter sometime."
At the change in mood, everyone, especially the residents of Dawn gathered before them and around the room, seemed to sag with relief, as though some invisible weight had been lifted from their chests. With a smile and nod from Eos to Feyre, both Azriel and Riandur winnowed away, with the others quickly following.
The second Feyre appeared in the townhouse she leapt at Rhys, and, finally allowing her tears to spill, murmured, "We made a terrible mistake, but I think we found her."