Rowan was taking a brisk walk through Oakwald Forest, trying to clear his head, when he smelt the skinwalkers. Seconds later, a scream shattered the silence of the forest, "Nox-".
Rowan began running towards the sound. He reached scene just in time to see a girl smacked over the head with a club by an especially slimy skinwalker, and a young man, eyes stricken, sprinting towards her. He had his sword out but he didn't seem to be particularly proficient with it. Rowan guessed this man's strength was in stealth and cunning; he was out of his depth here. There was only one thing for it – he would have to wade in.
Nox was just about to charge at the first skinwalker, when its head suddenly flew off. A pair of startling green eyes were reflected in his own. It was a Fae; a massive, muscled Fae.
"Mark my back", the stranger barked. Nox immediately covered his back whilst the Fae male started slashing his way through skinwalkers, who were all trying to reach the woman lying unconscious on the ground. Nox felt sick with worry – would Elide be alright? He couldn't see her amidst the flailing limbs of skinwalkers and the stranger's quick swordplay. He too was wielding his sword, cutting through the foul creatures that were hurting his friend.
It was Rowan who noticed the lone skinwalker at the back sink his fangs into the girl's arm. He roared and began to charge towards her, throwing skinwalkers left and right. The skinwalker who bit Elide started to suck the blood from her arm… then stopped and spat it out violently. "She's a blue-blood", he cried disgustedly.
As quickly as they had come, the skinwalkers raced back into the bushes; all but the few who could not escape Rowan's clutches. Nox stood there, mouth wide open. Elide, a witch? It seemed impossible. She was so timid and sweet. Rowan turned, facing Nox.
"What is a witch doing in Oakwald Forest, in close proximity to Orynth and the new queen Aelin?" Rowan growled in Nox's face.
Nox started backing away, "I swear I didn't know –"
Rowan grabbed his by the shirt, slammed him against the nearest tree and said in a voice of cold fury, "Who is she?"
Nox gasped, "Elide Lochan".
Rowan's face remained the same, but his head was suddenly alive with thoughts. Could it really be her? But Elide Lochan, a witch? Aelin had never mentioned anything about her beloved Marion being a witch. Unless… unless she hadn't known. "You'd better come with me", Rowan ordered, "If you try and escape, I'll kill you".
"I'm not an enemy," Nox said with his hands up, "I'm indebted to Aelin, and we were, sort of friends, when we were competing for King's Champion".
Rowan remembered Aelin talking about an ally she had in the castle; she had pondered over what had become of him. Rowan was glad to see him alive and well, knowing it would make his Queen very happy indeed. "Well, I certainly hope she remembers you because if she thinks you're an enemy, she'll kill you quicker than I could".