A/N: This is a ToG AU where the 13 didn't die and Elide doesn't get together with Lorcan. I know the whole 13 not dying is going to mess with the lore a little bit, but I don't care. There will also be some other editing to make the story flow better. It's like a parallel universe almost but a few minor details are off. This is going to be very gay…. This is also going to be from Manon's POV. I'm not sure if I'll make this multi chapter or not so we'll see what happens.

Chapter 1: Nothing Interesting

Maeve and Erawan were finally gone, the battle finally over. It would take years to rebuild, Manon knew that, but she was grateful that at least all of the thirteen made it out, even if they were traded for Crochan witches- her Crochan witches.

Staring intently into the horizon from her stance on the balcony of her room in Aelin's castle, Manon began thinking over the events of the battle once more.

Asterin and the rest of the thirteen were intercepted and forced to stand down by a legion of Crochan witches that sacrificed themselves in the place of the Ironteeth.

Manon had been watching the events unfold from the top of the wall in horror. Most of her attention was on the confrontation in the sky of the two groups, but she also began to notice how close the tower was from use. She silently begged one group to destroy the tower, even if that meant she lost her thirteen. In the end, Crochan won, and the thirteen returned to Manon, lying limp on the hard stone, passed out.

"Manon. " Asterin walked behind then placed a hand on the Wing Leader's shoulder. "I know what you're thinking, but we still won the war, even if it wasn't in an amazing fashion."

Manon turned to her second. "At least I didn't lose you."

"That is true."

Looking back into the distance, the Queen once more began thinking intently. "I also didn't lose Elide."

"It was touch and go for a little while, but yes, she is alive and well. Almost a miracle at this point." Asterin smiled, irking Manon because she knew her second was in her head. She knew Asterin was certain of the reason Manon was grateful.

"I hope Lorcan makes her happy." The look she gave betrayed her, conveying the true pain she felt about the situation.

Asterin, despite her usual straightforward nature and to the surprise of Manon, decided against attempting to convince her cousin to admit how she felt. "Yes, I'm sure he will."

Manon walked inside her room, the sun falling far enough beneath the horizon stars became clear in the clear sky. Asterin followed, deciding to return to her own chambers.

"I hope for your sake, Manon, that you truly do wish Elide and Lorcan the best." Asterin did not wait for a reply before closing the door behind her.

Left to think, a retort still fresh in her tongue, Manon removed her armor and Wind Cleaver, and sat on the edge of her bed.

"Of course I wish them the best, why would I not?"

She knew the answer as well as anybody else, but refused to acknowledge it. Every part of her soul knew why she wanted the human beside her, and no amount of convincing would change that. No amount of convincing would stop her from wanting to rip the Fae male's throat out with her teeth.

Deciding to ignore the situation, Manon attempted to fall asleep, succeeding barely with harsh nightmares from the war plaguing her fitful sleep.

Manon woke the next morning feeling even more tired than prior to sleeping.

Before joining the others in the dining hall for breakfast, as Aelin had requested the day before, Manon dressed in her leathers and attached Wind Cleaver to her back. Taking a quick look in the mirror, she decided braiding her hair would also be smart.

A red cloak hung off the side of the mirror, and Manon debated wearing it. After the destruction of the first one, the Crochans gave another to honor their queen. Feeling immensely guilty, she refused to wear it. She knew she had to wear it though, as a Crochan queen Manon needed to show her loyalty to her people. Donning her cloak and crown, she left her room with any doubts shoved and locked into the back of her mind.

Following the twisting corridors of Aelin's castle was near impossible. Knowing only how to get to the dining hall and back made Manon realize she needed to explore the castle more to become comfortable with it. The witches would be leaving the next day, so she remembered there would be no point to learning about the castle.

Entering the dining hall, Manon was greeted by the sight of Aelin's friends. Rowan was sitting to the right of Aelin and Fenrys to the left.

Immediately after noticing that, the door behind Manon opened. Elide was face to face with her, and Lorcan was behind her.

Elide smiled cheerfully. "Good morning, Manon."

"Good morning, witchling."

Lorcan sneered at the name Manon gave Elide.

"Oh calm down, Lord Lorchan Lochan."

Manon walked away feeling a heavy stare on her back taking a seat next to Asterin. The rest of the thirteen decided not to join the group and instead went to feed their wyverns.

Elide decided to sit across from Manon, Lorcan next to her. Manon did not want to look at the pair of them, but she endured for Elide's sake.

After a moment, Aelin stood, her crowns shining as though a candle was directly in front of it. Manon figured it was one of her Fae dog's magics.

"I would like to say thank you to everybody here for their efforts in this past war. It was by no means easy."

The speech went on for many more minutes and Manon was not paying attention to any of it. She hoped Asterin was listening so she could give any important information later.

Aelin finished, and everybody began clapping and cheering. Food was brought out by people in bandages and casts, but they looked happy nonetheless.

"Manon?"

Looking up, Manon saw Elide looking expectantly at her.

"Did you ask something?"

A look Manon could not identify flashed across Elide's face before disappearing.

"How did you sleep last night?" Elide asked, smiling.

"As well as you can expect. How did you sleep?"

Elide smiled. "Well I slept, other than that nothing interesting happened."

Based on the look on Lorcan's face, he did not seem to think nothing interesting happened. He seemed to be in shock and angry about what Elide said but Manon did not know why.

Just as Manon was about to mention it, a loud bang sounded from outside the castle. With everybody still in fighting mode, the entire table shifted as twenty war hardened soldiers rose in a fraction of a second, the metallic scent of magic filling the air.

Aelin looked at everybody. "What was that?"

Nobody had an answer.

Rushing out of the room, they all split into their own groups to figure out what the noise was.

A/N; I know this is kind of a messy ending but eh. I hope you like it, hopefully I'll actually keep writing instead of writing like 3 stories then disappearing for like 7 months.

Thanks for reading!

Fire and Iron Teeth