Shadows of Spring

by laurelbloom

Blessed, Chosen, Gifted. That's what the voice told me I was. Given a great power to bring together a broken land, to fix a broken people and their High Lord with it. Little did I know what this power would do, where it would take me and force me to do. (Tamlin/OC fic, an idea I've had for a long while and finally taking the time to write it down)

12. Chapter 12

All characters, excepting my Original Character's are property of Sarah J Maas, who I thank greatly for creating such magical worlds.

Dappled lights danced around me as I slowly blinked, my eyes reluctant to fully open. I had been so blissfully asleep and felt more rested than I had in weeks that I really couldn't bring myself to leave my bed just yet. I allowed my eyes to close for a little while, enjoying the way that the sunlight blurred through them and felt my body relax, sighing into the comforter and silk pillows that surrounded me. After allowing myself this little moment of peace, I once again opened my eyes, letting out one final yawn before making to get out of bed; as I moved, swinging my legs from under the covers, I suddenly became aware of the fact I was still wearing the same dress I had on yesterday. Though no one was around to witness it, I blushed and covered my face with my hands, the memory of being carried to my bed after falling asleep in the library coming back to me. I looked around me, checking to see if there were any clues at all about who had carried me back, the blush coming fresh to my face as I realised whoever had found me asleep in the library would be present at breakfast. My stomach grumbled and I chuckled to myself lightly, my body letting me know that unfortunately embarrassment would always lose out to hunger; there would be no skipping breakfast for me.

I looked over to the gilded clock that sat upon the fireplace, wondering why Gerda hadn't yet come to wake me. Perhaps I was free to ready myself this morning.

I slid out of bed, my feet landing softly on the dais upon which it sat, pulling my long skirts of yesterday's dress with me. I wandered over to the mirror, turning so that I could see the back of the dress and working its fastenings to get it off of myself, a feat I'd mastered through many years of working with the gowns my father made. I slipped it off my shoulders, leaving myself in only the short slip dress underneath, but safe in the knowledge only Gerda would come to my door anytime soon. I hoped. I hardly needed any further embarrassment, quickly picking up the gown and laying it on the trunk at the end of my bed, before hurrying over to the drawers to find a new one.

The thought of the beautiful gowns hidden in the secret room was hard to ignore as I looked through the decidedly plainer ones in the drawers, but I eventually settled on an olive green dress, a soft satin with a tiered skirt; not too heavy for any practical tasks but still elegant enough that it was something I would happily wear. I stepped into it and once again headed to the mirror to fasten it myself. Happy with my decision, I quickly went to the dresser to unpin my hair, now looking more like a birds nest that when Gerda had styled it the day before, and brushing it through to somewhat calm it. My own skills with hair were far from Gerdas, so I settled on simply pulling up half of my hair and tying it in a braid, leaving the rest of it to spill over my shoulders. Nodding, having achieved the best I would by myself, I looked at myself in the mirror, sitting up straight and taking a deep breath before I got up to leave the room and head down to the great hall for some food.

Filling myself with as much confidence as I could I stood up, opening the door and walking out, heading down the stairs and towards the hall. Full of people. One of whom had carried me to bed. I felt myself flush again, but willed it down and softly called a fresh breeze to me to help die down the redness on my skin.

As I neared, I heard the usual chatter coming from inside, pleased to know that the people of the Spring Court seemed to be finding some peace. I reached the door, giving the guard who stood there a curt nod before turning to look inside and seeing something before me that shocked me so wholly, I found myself stuck in that spot.

Before me, the High Lord, the very same one who seemed happy confined to his rooms and away from his people, sat amongst them. Not at the top table in his throne, but with them on the hard wooden benches. He still sat some distance away, positioning himself at the far end of the table closest to the windows, with Faolan opposite him, Weylyn and his brother sat a few feet away, closer to the other members of the court but still keeping with the other High Fae. There was still a way to go in bringing them together, but this was progress.

I was brought out of my stupor by Gerda, who had seemingly rushed over to me and was now apologising,

'Lady Olwen, I'm so sorry! I hadn't realised you were awake and lost track of the time, I had to keep an eye of my son you see-' her words were hurried, but I simply placed my hand on her shoulder as she began to bow, I felt the same heat from earlier rise to my cheeks when I realised a few people were looking our way, including the High Lord,

'Don't worry, and please don't apologise, you have every right to a morning off to be with your son,' I smiled as she looked up at me,

'I know my hair's not quite as wonderful as when you do it, but trust me when I say I've spent enough years of my life making dresses to know how to put one on myself', I spoke with a smile still on my face, let no one mistake me for anything but kind.

Gerda smiled too, and went to bow before stopping herself and smiling at me again, both of us letting out a soft laugh as she turned away, heading back over to a particularly rowdy table full of families, headed by Bearnard. The smile remained on my face as I headed to the far table where the high fae sat, nodding and wishing a good morning to those I knew as I walked past them.

Still somewhat unsure of the High Lord, I stopped just before where he sat, instead turning to Weylyn,

'would you mind if I sit with you?', he looked to his brother and then back to me, smiling and gesturing with his hand to the seat opposite,

'be my guest,'

I smiled softly, and lifted my skirts to allow me to get my legs over the bench, sitting down before reaching to decanter set in the middle of the table. Weylyn quickly placed a cup in front of me and I thanked him, tipping the warm liquid into it, enjoying its rich smell. One of the women who served quickly brought me over a bowl of warm porridge, drizzled with honey, and as she placed it down I made sure to thank her. However once she had gone, it appeared all my manners went out the window and hunger won through. My stomach rumbled once again as I wolfed it down, barely taking a breath, til I'd eaten the whole bowl and my stomach finally seemed satisfied to stop its constant grumbling at me. I grabbed my cup and began to drink, slower than I ate, but once again realised eyes on me, not just Weylyn and Ivar sat across from me, not even just Tamlin and Faolan, but I realised an awful lot of human and lesser fae heads had turned my way too, including the busy table at which Gerda sat. I stopped and caught Bearnards eyes, expecting some kind of shame in them, yet his face burst into a grin and he smiled at me so brightly, a smile that spread among the others and I recognised pride within it; the human part of me revelled in it, glad that I could still keep parts of my old life and of my father with me even now. I gave Bearnard one last small nod before turning my attention back to the brothers I sat with, Weylyn smiling at me now too, his pale haired brother's expression still seemed removed and exactly what I had always expected a high fae to be, yet it softened a little as I caught his eye.

'So after that I hope you're ready for some training?' Weylyn's voice was teasing in a way I had often imagined a brothers might be,

'I would hope so, though that may have been the result of forgetting about eating last night, so I can't promise you too much,' I replied, trying to match his tone the best I could,

'don't let the cooks hear that, they'll be chasing you round the training field with plates of food just to make up for it,' he continued to wear a jovial expression on his face and I found myself at ease far more than I had ever expected only a short while ago. While Ivar had been all I imagined a stone faced fae to be from the stories told in the mortal realms, Weylyn was the complete opposite, all joy and jokes, easing me into training and the conversation flowed between us easily. He began to explain to me his plans for the day, his brother cutting in every now and then, telling me about new stances and ideas for my training when I noticed someone standing behind me. Weylyn stopped talking and nodded, Ivar echoing the action as I turned around noticing that the High Lord had come to join us; I joined the brothers in lowering my head before looking back up to see Tamlin still stood while Faolan, opposite us, had sat himself next to Weylyn.

'May I?', Tamlin asked as he gestured to the empty seat to my right,

'Of course,' I answered, once again lowering my head as in mock bow. He sat down with a grace no human I had ever known to have, swinging his legs over the bench easily and in a careful way, as not to disturb my skirts. As he sat, he began to speak,

'I would like to join you in your training with Olwen today,' as the High Lord said this, my head turned to him, as did Ivar's,

'I believe I might be of some use when working with her,' he spoke directly to Weylyn, who dropped his head in response,

'of course, My Lord, it would be an honour to have you with us', these words were the most stern and serious I had heard from Weylyn, and stood to remind me that he was still high fae and bound by their rules and traditions. There were many things I still had to learn about my mother's people, yet I felt it within me that here in the Spring Court was the best possible place I could be to do just that.

I sat, surrounded by the High Lord and his Generals, in a calm silence as they finished their breakfast and I continued to sip at my tea. The people of Spring continued to chat around us as others moved to collect the empty dishes from the tables, clearing up as people thanked them for both the food and constant attention they paid to their needs. The high fae around me nodded as their plates were cleared, stern looks upon their faces, though I now supposed these nods were in fact their own form of thanks. My human manners won out and I verbally thanked those who cleared my plates, garnering a smile in return.

Following Weylyn's lead, I moved off with the high fae, following them through the corridors and out into the armoury I had become more familiar with. As more Men filtered through, all keeping a close eye on their High Lord, Weylyn passed me the familiar training swords and protective gear I had been using up til now. As Ivar moved to hand me more things to carry, Tamlin's hand appeared in front of me, stopping Ivar from placing two shields onto my growing pile. In silence, yet with that same acknowledging nod, Ivar passed them instead to the High Lord.

I kept in step behind my trainers, who at first seemed reluctant for Tamlin to be following them, but he insisted. As we walked, a few feet behind the brothers, he turned to me slightly, keeping his voice quieter so that others might not hear,

'you need to learn how to use your powers when fighting, especially after yesterday', my mind went back to seeing the Queens guard, spying, and the words he spoke; They're coming, all 5 of them, to claim what's theirs and take more than before.

I shuddered at the thought, but was calmed by a warm breeze carrying some spring blossoms, reassurance from whatever power lay inside me for sure. I nodded at Tamlin, agreeing that perhaps using them to attack could be helpful in whatever lay ahead.

'Thank you,' his eyes shot to mine, full of shock and something as yet unknown to me,

'for offering to help, I mean, I'm sure it isn't everyday some strange girl turns up with powers she doesn't know how to use,' I try to reassure him with my words, but that strange look remains there as we reach Weylyn's favourite sparring spot by the large oak tree. I put all the things down where I normally do, followed by Tamlin, who still seems somewhat bemused.

We quickly work through all the usual preparations and warming up, Ivar directing me to stretch certain muscles while Weylyn marks out his plans. Today though, Tamlin joins Weylyn, speaking to him, I assume trying to work out what the plan is and adding his input, his ways to teach me how to use my powers. Ivar says little other than to instruct me, and when we're finishing up the others join us.

'I think we'll start with what you already know, basic sparring with the swords, defense etc.,' I nod as Weylyn goes on, handing me the familiar blunt training sword,

'but if you do so with Tamlin, while Ivar and I practice, I think you might learn what you need there first before you spar with me again,'

'of course, you're my tutor here, what you says goes,' I reply, falling back into the sibling like banter we have; Weylyn smirks and laughs in response. Beside me, the High Lord visibly stiffened slightly as Weylyn too passed him a sword, still smirking at our conversation.

I moved over to the side, to one of the sets of marks Weylyn had laid out, taking the offensive stance Ivar had taught me. Tamlin took the same stance, a mirror image across from m, bringing his weapon up in front of him. I recognised from working with Weylyn before he intended to attack first and prepared myself, moving to a defensive position and recalling Ivar reminding me to stay light on my feet. I might not have the brute strength of the high fae warriors but I had inherited some form of swiftness from my mother. As Tamlin stepped and swung with his sword, I narrowly dodged, bringing up my own to defend my body as I swung around, moving out of his way. He followed me, using his own unnatural speed to stay one step ahead of me, he managed to strike me on my arm as I tried to move away, remembering to keep my balance as I held my weapon to protect me. As we continued, I lost my concentration, being outmanoeuvred by the high lord with every move I made; he was barely even trying.

'Use your powers,' he said, not even out of breath. Meanwhile I panted, trying to defend myself and keep my weapon up, to move out of the way of his attacks,

'how?' I grimaced, my tone angrier than I had intended.

'Call it to you, use that anger you're feeling, like you did yesterday,'

I listened to his words, still trying to guard myself as he continued to parry with me, and tried to remember how I did it before, recalling Tamlin's words, finding the deep roots of power within me again. I reached down inside myself, allowing my mind to meet with the power, asking it for its help. I felt it run through me, climbing up through my veins, welling at my fingertips. I closed my eyes and threw my hand out in front of me, releasing the surge of power I held there. I felt its force and quickly opened my eyes, hearing a low growl from ahead of me and the clanging of a weapon falling to the floor. A few yards back from where he had been before, Tamlin lay half fallen on the ground, his arms and legs bound by gnarled roots, I looked down to my hands to see the same roots curled around my arms, forming an armour like gauntlet round my wrists. I quickly dropped my own weapon and ran over to him, kneeling as though to help. He had already let loose his claws and was ripping at them, tearing them to set himself free.

'I-I'm so sorry, I hadn't meant to harm you, its just-'

'There's no need to apologise,' he looked at me, his eyes glowing that same green from before, as he finished freeing himself from the roots which receded into the earth.

'you did exactly as I asked you, you use your powers to protect yourself,' his eyes met mine, and they were much softer than his tone of voice; the voice of a commander. He got himself of the ground and reached his hand down to mine, assisting me up from my kneeling position on the ground. He walked back over to where we had been before and where our weapons lay on the ground, picking them up and placing mine back in my hand.

'And I don't think that's even the beginning of what you can do.' He took his fighting stance again and I followed. We continued that way for a while, Tamlin pushing me again to use my powers, to find and control them to help me in a fight. When I lost my balance I called to the wind to lift me up again, when I needed respite I called to the vines and roots to guard me, either building a hurdle for Tamlin or pulling him away, and he urged me on further, directing me as he continued to attack. Weylyn and Ivar stood watching now too, helping me find my way and directing me when to use my powers. Eventually, growing more and more tired with every bit of my power used, I called to Tamlin to stop. His eyes glowed again, and I saw he didn't intend to, the face of a powerful high fae coming towards me.

'Please!' I hollered, throwing my hand out again and forming a shield of winds and leaves in front of me before he came too close; he stopped then. Dropping his weapon and putting up his hands, I dropped the shield, breathing quickly as I felt myself draining. I was kneeling on the floor now, dropping further down as I tried to catch my breath, feeling too weak to get up. Weylyn came over to me, taking my fallen sword and putting his arm round me to help me, lifting me to standing. My hair had fallen over my face but even through the curtain I could see Tamlin keep his distance; his claws were still down and I could feel that familiar crackling of his powers surrounding me.

'My Lord I don't mean to be too bold, but I think perhaps you of all people should know when a woman asks you to stop, you should probably do as she asked,' Weylyn's words were somewhat cold, and his High Lords reaction was equally so. His jaw was firm, and his breaths short, all as though he was holding himself back. Ivar moved to him, but the High Lord stayed as he was,

'Excuse me,' was all he said as he turned and marched away, back towards the manor, attracting some stares from the others on the training field.

I was entirely bemused, unsure of anything that had happened in the last few minutes,

'Are you okay?' Weylyn said softly as he put his hand on my shoulder, I righted my hair again as I replied,

'Yes, I think so, a little confused if anything,' Ivar sighed in the background as I said this.

'What do you actually know of our High Lord?'

'Honestly? Very little at all,' Ivar scoffed, I continued, 'My father didn't like to talk to me about Prythian, he said I was safer not knowing at all. I remember the echoes of war, we knew something had happened with a human girl but that was it, he wanted me to stay at home but then I felt something and I had to leave,'

'Something certainly happened with a human girl,' Weylyn said, a slightly joking tone to his voice which disappeared as soon as Ivar sent him a hardened stare.

Ivar came towards me as Weylyn moved away, both brothers now in front of me.

'This human girl, you heard about, she came here to the Spring Court and our High Lord took rather a shine to her,' as he continued he told me about the girl, Feyre, how she freed the court from a curse and all of Prythian from another fae woman who had made herself some kind of queen, trapping each court with fear. As Ivar carried on, I zoned out, trying to listen where I could but as he moved on to the tale of the girl leaving and becoming High Lady night, I stepped back,

'Please, I think, if you don't mind, I would perhaps rather hear this from Tamlin himself,' I spoke quietly and gently. The brothers looked at each other quizzically, but Ivar, seemingly ever one for tradition nodded at me, respecting my decision.

'Olwen, there are things you need to know,' Weylyn didn't seem to want to stop telling this story,

I reached out, putting my hand on his arm,

'and I'd like to hear them from him,' he still looked sceptical, but eventually gave in and too nodded.

An awkwardness still in the air, I asked for an early finish, drained from using my powers before and trying to process what I had allowed myself to hear from Ivar. My request was granted and I left the brothers, heading away and back towards the manor, but taking a longer path than usual, past the rose gardens and to the smaller door round the far side.

As I walked I took my time to look at the flowers blooming in the hedgerows, breathing in their scents and committing them to memory. I moved along the bushes that lined the edge of the manor, jumping as I reached their end to find Eilidh sitting on the doors ledge, looking over to the training field. I stopped short before reaching her, following her eyeline to find what held her attention.

I coughed, bringing her out of her daydream,

'Olwen! I hadn't seen you there,' I smiled in response, I knew full well she hadn't seen me.

'Nice day?' she nodded. I sat down next to her, letting my legs stretch out in front of me and into the grass.

'tell me Olwen, what do you know about men?' she said, frankly. I gave a little laugh as I answered,

'very little at all, why do you ask?'

'I've known him since I was a child, and every time I think he's getting closer to admitting he feels something for me, he acts more and more distant,' Ah, I realised now the nature of this discussion, and that her staring at the men training was more specifically her staring at Ailean.

'there's so much I want to tell him, and I can see he has so much to say to me too, but he's either too proud or too stubborn to do it, and I can't wait forever Olwen,' she turns to look at me now, a fierce expression in her eyes,

'People wait too long for love, so why do they deny it when it's there?', in that moment she looks close to tears so I throw my arms around her, and she does the same to me. As we move back I smile at her again,

'perhaps we should go inside now?' I say softly, she nods and we stand up together before moving back inside the manor. We walk into the building, towards the central rooms where many of the human women spend their days helping to prepare furnishings and other machinery for the village that continues to be built. Eilidh takes my hand, stopping and turning to me,

'Thank you for listening, but I should be going back to work now,' she gives a little bow and she leaves me, and I laugh before letting her go, still not quite used to all these people bowing to me.

I then move off by myself, thinking about Eilidh's words and realising there's an awful yet I'm still to learn as a human, never mind as a fae.

A/N;

Hello everyone!

Sorry it's been another age since I updated, this chapter's taken me a while but hopefully it being massively long compared to the ones before makes up for it somewhat!

I've had some lovely reviews since last updating but major thanks and love to LuaMinguante because your review got me back into writing it and made me want to finish this chapter for you all!

Hopefully I'm doing the story justice and it lives up to any expectations you might have; Tamlin is ultimately a very flawed character but he isn't one beyond redemption. I'm not going to ignore what he's done, which hopefully is hinted towards in this chapter, but I don't believe he's the only one in this world who has to answer for their actions.

As always, if you're enjoying this please follow, favourite and review, even if you think there's something to be improved upon I appreciate some critical feedback! If it's going to make the story better for you to read, I'm open to it!

Thank you, Much Love,

Laurelbloom xx