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.

"I don't know if I can face that pain again," Elide admitted.

"With that sort of injury it would require facing a great many things inside yourself. My husband and I just went through one such journey together," Yrene replied.

"Was it hard?"

"Incredibly. But he did it. We did it."

Healing her leg. Elide could hardly wrap her mind around it. This injury defined and represented so much of her history. Of her mother. Of Vernon. She couldn't. But maybe if Lorcan was there. Maybe she could.

"We'd have to survive this war first, I suppose. If we live… then we can talk about it."

"Fair enough," Yrene dropped the topic and turned back to the brazier holding the tea kettle.

Elide felt her gaze drifting to the roof of the wagon, imagining the jagged peaks above them and the Gap the army now occupied. "I wonder what they've learned up there."

"Hopefully something worth our visit to this awful place," Yrene muttered as she set her mug down and a knock sounded at their door.

Elide waved her hand at Yrene as she rose to her feet and limped to the door.

It was Borte, uncharacteristically solemn as she looked directly at Elide.

"What's wrong?" Elide breathed as her heart dropped like a stone in her chest.

Borte shifted, with impatience or nerves, Elide couldn't tell. "They found someone, up there on the mountain. Lorcan asked me to come retrieve you. They want you up there- to decide what to do with him. They want you to come now. Right now."

Elide went still. So still. No way he was up there.

"Who?" Yrene was the one to ask.

"Her uncle."

Elide hands started to shake at Borte's admission. Borte didn't wait for a response, but reached out to grab Elide's forearm, tugging her outside the wagon.

"We must go. They found him hiding in the Northern Fang. He was trying to pretend to be a wyvern trainer. Lorcan said you must come."

Elide still hadn't responded but let Borte pull her away not bothering to look back at Yrene who had followed them both outside. Borte was tugging Elide toward the treeline at the edge of camp.

"My ruk stands ready just ahead," Borte explained.

Elide nodded absently. Her thoughts distracted by Vernon. Why was he here? What could he possibly want in the Gap?

Only when a shadow from the trees crossed her vision, did Elide start. Wait. Why did Borte need to take her this- Elide broke Borte's grasp and planted her feet.

"Where are we going, Borte?"

Borte seemed stunned for a second before recovering, "To- to Lorcan, my lady. He called for you."

That stutter gave her away, and Elide didn't hesitate. She ran. Ran for camp. But not-Borte was quick. She tackled Elide to the ground and before Elide could make a sound the creature was pressing a cloth coated in powder over her nose and mouth.

Elide screamed into the grasp but could not fight the lethargy attacking her body. As her head tilted back into not-Borte's waiting arms she fell into darkness.

The lack of sensation was the first thing that jolted Elide to consciousness. She twisted her wrists feeling numbing electric shocks jolt up her arms. Gritting her teeth she managed to suppress her moan to a low growl.

Her toes were barely brushing the ground and her arms were pulled taut above her head. She tilted her head up, grimacing at the recurring feeling of electric needles now jolting down her back as her body woke back up. She couldn't see past the darkness or understand how the spiders had strung her up.

Looking down she started at the trail of blood crossing her naked body. She didn't feel cold, which probably wasn't good.

She clenched her eyes tight and struggled to recall what exactly had happened. She felt her stomach drop like a weight when she really took in the complete silence around her.

The spiders were gone, Maeve was gone. Although the soft glow from where she had been standing remained.

How much time had passed? She hoped the others were okay. She hoped Lorcan was okay.

Did they even know she was missing?

Lorcan would. Lorcan would be looking for her.

And despite everything, despite this horrible black room. Elide felt her lips tilt up in the tiniest of smiles.

She felt relief. Lorcan would not leave her here.

I will always find you.

It was their vow. A promise. She just had to remain strong. She had to figure out the game Maeve was playing. After all of her effort with Aelin, why had she pivoted to Elide? Why was she even here? Was Vernon actually here?

"Ah, my sweet pet. I see you're awake," Maeve had returned. "I was hoping your nap would put you in a more agreeable mood. Pick up that ring for me, pet."

Elide said nothing as she was slowly, almost gently lowered to the floor by the creature who had captured her. She looked like Borte. The creature cut away the excess webbing, although her hands remained bound with the sticky substance.

While grateful for the lack of spiders, and to be back solidly on the ground, Elide felt unnerved.

As soon as the task was complete, the creature stepped back, blending into the darkness like a phantom. Elide let Maeve see all of her anger. Channeling her fear into a quickly rising rage.

"I see your stubbornness endures. A pity, really. You make this hard only for yourself," Maeve lifted her gaze past Elide into the darkness, "As discussed, please let's entertain our guest."

"Yes, lady," A voice whispered from the shadows.

Elide turned toward the voice, it was the creature. She knew it.

And was unprepared for the creature's quick attack. It shot out of the darkness with a sharp object in hand, slashing Elide's back as it flashed by. It had shed Borte's skin for that of a warrior Fae.

Elide only gasped, struggling to rise to her feet. But the creature was quick. From directly in front of her now it moved, this time slashing low along her right thigh. Her twisted, crippled foot dropping her back to her knee.

Elide cried out in pain, but the creature didn't abate, coming for Elide again and again.

The small scratches the spiders had left upon her vulnerable body became expanding cuts. Blood dripping on the floor besides her hands. Elide curled into as tight of a ball as she could make, seeking to build a refuge against the creature's onslaught.

Elide's voice choked on a sob, "Stop."

Strike.

"Please, stop." Elide almost biting her tongue against her weakness. She was pleading. Her body stung and ached.

"Are you willing to cooperate? You know the small favor I ask."

Maeve's words fueled Elide, steeling her resolve. She whispered, "No."

Maeve said nothing but, "Continue."

The creature slashed again.

And Elide lost it. Pitching forward towards the ground.

She tumbled inward clinging to a reserve of strength. She would not die here. She had not survived hell days ago saving the most important person to her, just to be separated from that happiness, by Maeve and this creature.

No.

A pulse of energy ripped from her body as Elide shouted. The creature didn't come near her, hovering back in the shadows. Elide panted, her hands on the ground, her hair draping over her shoulders, shielding her face.

"No, Maeve. Stay away from me."

Maeve's eyes flashed. How did this child hold this kind of strength? She weakened but did not bend. She endured.

"Fine." She waved her hand and Elide crumpled to the floor. A grudging understanding on what Lorcan may see in this child made Maeve lash out.

"You stupid girl, secure her bonds before we begin again."

"My Queen, return to Rowan and Sartaq," Gavriel directed, "Fenrys and I will head to the wall."

Lorcan's warning pulsed around them, his anger rampant. Something was coming, maybe already here.

"These fuckers. They're coming for him. They're coming for Vernon. I will not leave them to you." Aelin swore as they sprinted up the corridor.

"Or this is a distraction," Nesryn panted from behind.

"Whatever it is we need to face it head on and keep Vernon guarded, Gavriel's right, we'll handle the wall," Fenrys said.

Aelin scowled, but didn't argue further. The group split.

Aelin and Nesryn ran toward Vernon's room. Sartaq was waiting outside, clearly prepared and waiting for a fight. The normal sparkle in his eye was dimmed at the weight of anticipation.

"Do we have any idea on what is coming for him?" the question directed at Aelin as Sartaq locked eyes with Nesryn.

"My guess is creatures from Morath," Aelin intoned as she calmly repositioned two knives from her thighs to easy reach against her back.

Nesryn mirrored her movements, pulling her bow to the ready. "How is Vernon?"

"The same," Sartaq clenched his jaw, "but also too cocky. All of this is off. He's too unconcerned."

"We're missing something," Nesryn nodded and moved a bit further down the hall to improve their defense. Aelin positioned herself against the door, releasing the hold on her rage.

Rowan.

Fireheart.

He is not leaving with these creatures.

My love, this bastard is going nowhere.

Aelin's fury was matched by Rowan. She had a second to feel a flicker of surprise before remembering that Rowan also loved Elide. She had traveled with him across the whole damn continent to find Aelin.

"This door is the only way to Vernon," Aelin spat, "these creatures will not gain entry."

Nesryn and Sartaq responded with sharp nods.

Fenrys and Gavriel abruptly halted. It was too quiet. The silence eerie as the urgency of Lorcan's magic continued to pulse through them. Something was here.

Without a word they both transformed, wolf and lion. Gavriel padding toward the cliffside, while Fenrys loped behind him.

The attack was coordinated and brutal.

Gavriel roared as he was taken down, tackled to the ground by six spiders. Another group of four sprinted for the entryway with more pouring over the sides of the wall.

"FENRYS," Gaveriel had transformed back to Fae and was hauling Spiders from his back, "GO!" he shouted.

Fenrys snarled and jumped into the horde of Spiders, ignoring Gaviel's command. No way in hell was he leaving Gavriel out here with these abominations. He took down two with his teeth and saw Gavriel was back on his feet.

"Fenrys, leave me," Gavriel bellowed, hauling Spiders back over the wall, "warn them."

Fenrys saw that the door to the building was destroyed. The Spiders were inside.

Shit.

Vernon and Rowan said nothing. Rowan had positioned himself between Vernon and the doorway. The only way in or out.

In the silence faint tremors and booms could be heard. Rowan tensed, hatchet in hand.

At Vernon's soft chuckle, Rowan whipped his head around to meet Vernon's eyes.

"You cannot stop them, Fae. Take me out there and I'll spare your friends."

Rowan growled in response.

Vernon only smiled, "Fine."

Silence fell once more, but Rowan's hand now shook with his unsupressed rage.

You can't kill him.

Aelin's voice was sharp in his mind.

I know, Fireheart.

Rowan snapped his teeth in frustration, but relaxed his grip on his weapon.

Make no mistake, we will kill him. Just not yet.

Suddenly Fenrys appeared, snarling, "God damn spiders, Rowan. They're inside."

Aelin!

I heard, we're ready. Do not open that door.

AELIN!

You heard me.

"Fenrys you go hel-" Rowan was cut off as they heard a sharp cry from Sartaq.

Fenrys didn't need to be told twice.

Rowan moved closer to the door, wind and ice swirling to reinforce the door.

Vernon sat smugly.

Like outside with Fenrys and Gavriel, the Spiders moved quickly and decisively. Their silk strands immediately immobilized Sartaq and Nesryn. They rushed Aelin.

Aelin felt relief as Rowan's magic reinforced the door. She had to move, letting her own magical protection drop as the Spiders charged down the hall.

"No way in hell," Aelin muttered at the approaching creatures.

Fenrys appeared at her side and immediately shifted back to a wolf. With a vicious growl he launched himself forward. Spider gore flew. Aelin threw fire down the corridor forcing the spiders forward toward Fenrys' jaw and her blades. She pushed forward aiming to reach Sartaq and Nesryn who were working hard to cut themselves free.

The Spiders were squeezed between Aelin's fire and Fenrys' ferocity. Aelin made it to Sartaq and used her blade to cut him free. He immediately turned to help Nesryn while Aelin whirled to slash at a Spider who was crawling down from the wall.

When they heard Gavriel's roar down the hallway, Aelin knew it was over. As quickly as it begun it was over.

With one last, vicious slash, the spider in front of her toppled and her magic burned it to ash.

Fenrys brutally disemboweled the belly of another spider and then there was silence. Except for the rapid breathing of the crew.

"That was too fucking close," Aelin growled as she wiped her blade free of spider gore.

"Nesryn! Let's go," Sartaq shouted as he ran down the hall past Gavriel, "we'll check on the Ruks and make sure there aren't any more coming up the cliffside."

Nesryn looked at Aelin, who nodded an affirmative. They were gone.

Rowan opened the door and Aelin felt his rush of relief wash over her.

We're okay.

"How did they know us?" Aelin spoke to the entire Cadre but her gaze was on her mate. "Rowan, they knew who we were, where we were, and what we can do. How to attack."

"They're a step ahead. They have been from the beginning. Vernon knew those spiders were coming for him. In taking Elide. All of it," Rowan spit out.

"Maeve."

"What did you say?" Aelin whirled on Gavriel. At his soft response. Barely registrering the blood dripping down the side of his face as he approached.

"This is Maeve."

Gavriel's response was met with absolute silence.

Aelin's voice was one of horror, "We will not lose her. Not to Maeve."

Rowan, a voice of comfort, "Aelin we won't. We can't leave Vernon, but shou-"

Aelin interrupted him, turning to the wolf, "Fenrys, go and get Lorcan right now."