Epilogue Part 1: 9 months later

Adarlan

Rowans POV

Aelin, Aedion, Lysandra, Dorian, Chaol, Nehemia, Nesryn, and I were seated around the dining table eating the delicious food the chef had prepared for us today. Dorian had invited us to the castle for his coronation ceremony a few days ago, and he graciously extended our stay when he saw the state of Aelin. Much to her disappointment, she could not fit into any of her clothing because of the size of her stomach. I snickered into my napkin, and unfortunately she caught the look.

"What?" she exclaimed, putting her hands on her stomach protectively. Everyone turned their attention to Aelin with their eyebrows raised, halting all conversation. I internally rolled my eyes, they'd bring popcorn to every one of Aelin's mood swings if they could.

"Nothing!" I said, trying not to look at her stomach, otherwise she'd see my glance, but it was so hard when I could hear the strong kicks of our child as loud as her heartbeat. Aelin still hadn't asked if it was a boy or girl, claiming she wanted it to be a surprise. She said she didn't care either way, but I had my suspicions she wanted a girl. Either one would be perfect for me. Girls could fight just as well, she said. Better, even. Oh, I was sure of that.

I shook my head and resumed eating only to notice Aelin looking at Dorian with an amused quirk of her lips.

"You eat like a fine lady, Dorian," Aelin crooned, laughing. Dorian's fork paused in midair. He slowly turned his head toward Aelin with an ever growing grin on his face. I looked at everyone and saw that they were just as confused, except Aedion. Realization was glimmering in his eyes, and I wanted to demand what this was all about.

"I eat like a king," Dorian retorted, his eyes crinkling.

"I can't believe you still remember!" she grinned. I turned to her with a questioning look on my face. She seemed to forget that no one else was aware of her little inside joke so she paused to explain, "when I was younger, the first time I came to this castle…" she hesitates, her face clouding with memory, "with my parents, I had no one to talk to and this guy here," she said pointing to Dorian exaggeratingly, "wouldn't speak to me. I tried to come up with some conversation so I told him he ate like a fine lady-" she was smiling at the memory.

"Oh, you should've seen the look on little Dorian's face. He was so angry. 'I eat like a prince' was what he said. Everyone on the table was trying not die of laughter," Aedion interrupted with a wolfish grin.

"Later that day you threatened to beat me up when I spilled some tea on Aelin's dress!" Dorian exclaimed from his seat. Everyone was watching the trio with obvious amusement.

"Because, my dear Dorian, your loving father manipulated me into bursting out flames

at that dinner!" Aelin said with a small frown.

Dorian's smile faded, "what?"

"He used some brain manipulation into outing me. The guards ushered you out before you saw what was happening. You thought I was sick." Aelin's frown vanished when she realized the mood was saddening. She waved her hand in the air like it meant nothing, but I knew better, "on that happy note-" suddenly her face paled.

"Aelin?" Lysandra worriedly asked from her seat. I was up in a flash, kneeling beside her.

"What's wrong?" I couldn't contain the concern in my voice. Everyone was out of their seats, not sure of what to do.

"I think my water just broke," she gulped, way too casually.

I'd like to say I took it well.

All hell broke loose.

I didn't even realize I'd shifted into my hawk form in surprise, flying circles above Aelin. Everything was in chaos.

"Get the healers!" Nehemia shouted to the servants. The servants peaked their heads in the room, trying to get a good look of all the commotion.

"Now!" Nesryn bellowed, shooting them a fierce glare that had them scurrying away.

"Oh my gods, oh my gods! What're we going to do? I'm not ready to have a baby," Aedion cried running his hands through his hair.

"Aedion I'm the one having the baby, you idiot!" Aelin yelped from her seat. Drops of sweat were running down her face, and she tried to control her breathing.

"Oh shut up, it's everyone's baby!" he objected. I saw Dorian put a comforting hand on Aelin's arm, surrounded by Nehemia, Lysandra, and Nesryn all fussing over her.

With a blinding flash of light, I was back again in my fae form. I ran over to Aelin snarling at the lot of them.

"Back off," I growled. I stepped protectively in front of her. Wisely, Chaol told them to follow my word.

"Rowan, just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I'm useless," Aelin ground out between clenched teeth. She put a hand on my arm, giving it a soft squeeze.

"No, not because you're pregnant, because you're giving birth!" I exclaimed back.

"If it makes you feel any better, Aedion wouldn't be able to do anything while giving birth either," Dorian insisted.

"No, but I'd make a radiant mother," Aedion smirked, appearing out of nowhere next to Aelin. I pinched the bridge of my nose and let out a frustrated groan. I threateningly took a step forward, warning Aedion to back off. Stupidly, Aedion took another challenging step forward, snarling softly.

"Enough, you two!" a healer exclaimed, appearing out of thin air. "Everyone out" she demanded, snapping her fingers with a fierce glare. Everyone immediately filed out of the room, except me, and I heard Dorian shouting at everyone in the halls that this room was off limits. Everybody protested, asking to be there while Aelin gave birth, but the healer made no exceptions. She barely let me stay by Aelin's side.

"This will be the heir of her throne. I can't take any risks," she exclaimed, and I silently agreed, still not yielding.

Healers were stationed around Aelin, pulling a bed out of nowhere. My senses really were off today, I thought miserably.

I sat beside Aelin, holding her hand for comfort. She squeezed my hand so hard, I thought she would take it right off. I started humming a tune to her, the tune of the music she first played for me in that theatre on her piano. That seemed to calm her down a bit. She took deep breaths and the healers murmured encouragement, and soothing words.

"Push!" they yelled at once, and I saw Aelin's face strain in pain.

"You're doing great, just give me two more big ones," one healer said.

After 20 excruciating minutes, and five pushes later, out came our baby. Aelin almost collapsed with relief. I sighed, knowing it could've taken much, much longer.

"Congratulations on your new baby girl, Queen Galathynius," one young healer squealed. The others reprimanded her for being unprofessional. I turned my attention to the extremely fragile little girl, now in Aelin's arms. Tears were streaming down her face and I looked at the wondrous being in shock. I couldn't move, I couldn't say anything.

I didn't even realize I, too, was crying, until I opened my mouth to speak, my voice quavering, "can I hold her?"

Aelin nodded, a grin forming on her lips as she held out our baby girl to me. I willed my arms to stop shaking and I hesitantly cradled her to my chest. She was so small, she could fit in one of my hands I positioned my hands like I saw Aelin do, supporting her tiny neck.

I gasped when she opened her eyes. They were Aelin's eyes, a startling blue, with a ring of brilliant gold ringing them. I stroked my thumb against her hair, my hair. The silvery color, soft as silk underneath my calloused hands.

"She's beautiful," I whispered in awe.

I had a few more moments, staring at her face, not wanting to look away before a healer shyly stepped forward and apologetic smile on her face, "we need to clean her up. It'll only take a few minutes, and she's yours again."

Reluctantly, I let her go, not taking my eyes off of the miracle that was my daughter. I took Aelin's hand again and let out a breathy laugh, and she let out a shaky one in return.

"Here you go," the healer held out her arms and I greedily, but gently, took her back. I would never let her go.

Apparently that was the longest time we got with her in private, before everyone burst back into the doors running towards us.

"I want to hold her!"

"No, me first."

"I'm her uncle!"

"I'm her godmother," the three ladies chorused. Oh, no.

I looked at Aelin and she looked back at me with wide eyes. She buried her face in her hands and I protectively held my daughter against me, glaring at everyone to back away.

"What're you going to name her?" Nehemia asked after a moment.

"Evalin," Aelin said, her eyes boring into my own.

"It's perfect," I said back. Evalin, after the brave queen who gave birth to a warrior. It was a fitting name.

"We have to tell Myriam, and Feyre and Mor! They'll be so excited!" Aelin gushed. I chuckled, my mind going back to the strange fae in the other world. Thanks to her fae healing, she was already up on her feet, giving hugs to Lysandra and Nehemia.

I glanced at everyone and suddenly I felt a heavy weight burning a hole in my pocket. I glanced around nervously at everyone who had looks of pure glee on their faces. I nervously glanced at Aedion a silent question in my eyes. He knew what I was planning on doing, it was just about planning the right time. And I couldn't think of a better time than this, with all of us together. He looked at me for a moment, his eyebrows drawn in confusion before realization hit him. He gave me a lopsided grin and nodded, discreetly giving me a thumbs up.

I walked over to Aedion and handed him Evalin and he stood there for a moment, as if he was surprised I trusted him with something as precious as her.

I slowly walked back to Aelin a nervous smile tugging my lips. Elephants were rolling around in my stomach, making this moment harder than it should be. Everyone seemed to get the importance of what was about to happen, even if they didn't know, because they were utterly silent. I took a deep breath and reached into my pocket, lowering myself onto one knee.

"Rowan?" Aelin breathed, knowing what was about to happen. She had new tears glistening in her eyes.

I cleared my throat, wetting my lips. "Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, my carranam, my soul-bonded, my queen, my mate. You came into my life at a time when I had no light, no hope for myself, and you didn't run from my darkness, just as I would never run from yours. You freed me from the shackles of my own mind and stayed by my side without hesitation. With this ring, I promise to follow you to the ends of the world and constantly remind you that you are not, and will never again be, alone. Will you do me the great honor of allowing me to call you my wife and allowing me to stand by your side as we raise our child?"

Her hand was covering her mouth, tears falling down her face. She was silent a moment, before she wiped away her tears and said, "let's go rattle the damn stars, Rowan."

It was all I needed to hear before I slipped the diamond ring onto her finger and held her face between my hands. I barely noticed the tears that were streaming down everyone's faces, even Nesryn's. All I saw was Aelin, my beautiful Fireheart.

"What're you waiting for?" she breathed, her breath tickling my face. I let out a low chuckle and crashed my lips onto hers. The entire world faded into nothing, and it was just me and Aelin, before the sound of Evalin's cries broke us apart.

"I know marriage seems insignificant in comparison to the bonds we already have-"

"Rowan," Aelin softly interrupted me by placing a short kiss on my lips. "To whatever end."

"To whatever end," I replied softly, reluctantly letting her go. We walked over to Aedion and Aelin took our daughter out of his arms, and immediately she stopped crying.

We stood in silence for a while, just marveling at our daughter; I faintly noticed Nehemia ushering everyone out, saying something about giving us time to ourselves.

"So we're going to be the brides maids, right?" I heard Lysandra ask on her way out.

"Oh, be quiet," Nehemia whispered back, shooing her out the door.

"King Rowan," Aedion pondered, " it has a nice ring to it," he finished, earning a slap on the shoulder from Lysandra. She took his hand and smirked at him; I could only imagine where they were going to spend their free time.

I looked at the faces in front of me and sighed. I wouldn't mind these people keeping me company for the rest of my life.

Meanwhile in Velaris…

Rhysand POV

I sat next to Feyre, one arm slung carelessly over her shoulders as she sipped on her tea. Mor, Azriel, Cassian, and Amren were all here chatting about Lucien and Elain's upcoming wedding. I looked around at the paintings on the walls; the last time I'd been in this house, I'd been away from Feyre for days. She'd been so shaken from the news of our bond that she'd run here and hadn't told me where she'd gone-I'd pulled on my hair for days, pondering where she could have gone. When I finally showed up, after flying through the freezing wind and snow, she was covered in paint and there were multiple works of art on the wall. That was the night that Feyre had accepted the mating bond.

"So, Feyre, when are you going to have your wedding?" Mor pried, shooting me a look I know all too well.

"What?" Feyre started, as if she never considered it before. Feyre stood up to fix herself another cup of tea.

"Oh come on. Just because you and Rhys did the paperwork in secret doesn't mean it gets you out of this," Mor insisted. I rolled my eyes at Mor's determination, if Feyre said she didn't want a wedding, we wouldn't have one. End of discussion. I noticed everyone watching her, waiting to see what she would say, myself included.

"Maybe we should focus on one wedding at a time," she half-whispered, but didn't deny it. I smirked and noticed Mor trying to reign in her enthusiasm as Feyre sat down in the same position she'd gotten up from.

"If you insist…" Mor trailed off, raising one eyebrow. Feyre glanced nervously at me from the corner of her eye.

"Besides, I'm sure Rhys has a million other things to do than hunt down a ring and have a huge party. We know we're married, so what difference does it make?" she asked hesitantly, hiding her face behind her mug.

The lot of them look at me expectantly, and I fidgeted under all of their fixed stares. I felt the lump of the box become uncomfortable in my pocket and I retracted my arm from Feyre's shoulders. Cassian nudged Azriel, and both were failing at hiding their emotions. Mor, and surprisingly, Amren squeezed their lips together, trying not to break out into smiles.

I got up and felt the weight of their stares as I nervously stretched my arms as if that was what I got up to do. Cassian snickered and I shot him a glare. I turned to meet Feyre's confused eyes looking at me in question.

"Oh, but I don't have to hunt down just any ring," I smirked as I reached into my pocket, my fingers trembling slightly. I willed my heart to beat normally and tried to ignore everyone staring at me. "It just so happens that you already hunted it down for me," I continued, slowly getting down on one knee.

The confusion only grew before understanding flickered in her eyes as I held the intricately woven ring in both hands, slowly extending it to her. I could feel the small pearls poking into my fingers and light flashed around the room as the sun caught in the round stone. The ring had been set with the deepest blue sapphire, a six-pointed star in the center-to represent the Night Court.

"Feyre," I started. I distantly registered Mor's excited squeal.

"I should have known," she breathed out, tears welling in her eyes. She didn't bother to look at the ring, she'd already seen it, held it. No, she didn't look at the ring, she just looked at me and smiled.

"You deserve everything the world has to offer, and then some. I've known for a long while that you absolutely deserve a proper ceremony and I extend my deepest apologies for making you wait as long as I have. But if you can find it in your heart of gold to forgive me, I'd like to stand at an altar in front of all of Prythian and declare my love for you. Will you, Feyre Archeron, take my hand in marriage?"

I was going to add that we certainly didn't have to have a ceremony if she didn't want to, but she was already nodding her head and smiling broader than I'd ever seen before. Tears gleamed on her cheeks as I took her hand and slid the ring down her slender finger. A perfect fit.

When I stood up, pulling Feyre up with me, she wrapped her arms around me and hid her face in my neck.

I discreetly waved the others out as I felt Feyre shaking from the tears; they looked at me with confusion until Amren pointed at the door and gave them a pointed look. They all shuffled out and, I assumed, headed back to the Court of Dreams.

"Rhys, I love you," Feyre sobbed into my shirt, refusing to let go of me.

I tightened my grip around her waist and said, "I love you too."

A/N: Here is part one of the epilogue! There will be 2 parts to it in total, so 1 more! I hope it meets your expectations.

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Comment what you'd like our next one to be about!