Disclaimer: I do not own the Throne of Glass series or any of the wonderful characters and stories told by the lovely Sarah J. Maas.
Summary: "Elide, my darling girl. It's time to come home." (OR what if Vernon doesn't go down without a villainous, manipulative fight). KOA what if scenario.
A/N: Here we go again. I think Vernon is absolutely the worst and this scenario popped into my mind, so I decided to shake it out and play for a while. Thanks for coming along for the ride :)
Prologue: My Darling Girl
Standing at the cliffside look down the valley, he smiled. Their army was coming. He turned to the creature beside him and said, "it seems Erawan's plan may be coming together." The creature said nothing, only bowing its head in response. "Now we wait. They will leave her unprotected. Fools."
Vernon had heard about what happened at the beach in Eyllwe. And across the sea in Doranelle. The actions that had ultimately driven Maeve back to her kind. To Erawan. Yet despite the Fire Queen's escape and her armies rallying, he saw his opportunity in this war. True, Aelin had faced an army at Anielle, but Vernon had wagered she would find success there and continue the march north. Which she had. So when he presented his audacious scheme Erawan only said, "Do it now."
"Consider it done my Lord."
Seeing the weakness in his opponents and then being unafraid to act on it is how he had managed to survive. Where others stopped short he only saw the next step in the climb to power. He looked at Aelin and saw her weakness. Unlike the Fae Queen, who had not understood or been able to bend Aelin to her will. He knew the Fire Queen's true weakness- and he planned to mock her for it.
So he had left Morath for the Ferian Gap. Weeks ago. He proceeded to empty the Gap, sending the witches to Terrasen after Aelin's stand at Anielle was successful. Unleashed them to do what they will in Perranth, then on to Orynth with the rest. He then settled down to wait for his enemy to come to him so he could set his trap. And now they were here. Finally.
"You know what to do" he clipped as he continued to look at the oncoming army. The creature again said nothing before slipping away and disappearing into the shadows. He allowed himself a moment to smile before turning around to head back to the compound. He needed to change out of his robes if he was going to play his part.
"Elide, my darling girl. It's time to come home."
Next Chapter: My Princess