My first fanfiction for May, and with good reason. This one is for Mother's Day. I started working on this since May 1st. I read all the Red Queen books cover to cover. Except for Broken Throne. I am aware of what happens after, it's just that since...since it's not a steady story like the other ones, I don't need to read it.

And let's be honest, I'm not the only one wondering where Kilorn's mother is. I've had this idea since 2018. The reason I never got around to writing it is because I thought someone else might've beaten me to it. But if I'm not, I really want this to be worth it.

The story is written in the form of a letter. It sounds more personal to me, more meaningful.

Well, here's to my first Red Queen fanfic.

Dear Mom,

It's been years. The last time we saw each was when they brought Dad's remains in that shoebox. Bad day for both us, I would say. I was devastated when you I woke up and you weren't in your room. All your clothes were gone and I set off to look for you, but in the end I knew weren't in the Stilts anymore.

I nearly starved to death until Mare found me. You never met her, but she helped me. We've been friends ever since. We continued being friends even after I left school to work for old Cully. You probably remember him, Mom. He's the old fisherman. Well, I went to apprentice with him, and Mare continued going to school, although she didn't have a knack for it. I spent a lot of my childhood with Mare and her family. I got along okay with Mare's brothers. Bree, Tramy, Shade. Mrs. Barrow was nice to me, she let me stay over for dinner a couple of times. Mr. Barrow, with his leg missing, he wasn't the 'mushy' type, but he was a good man. He was like a second father to me.

Ten years went by. Mare and I still friends after all this time. One by one, Mare's brother's all got conscripted. I enjoyed my work on the docks, fishing, knot-tying. This was going to be my life. But then one day, Cully died and that meant I was going to be conscripted. And I already had turned eighteen. Mare did all that she could to help me. One thing led to another and she found work in the Hall of the Sun. It was there where she discovered her hidden powers: lightning. I didn't believe it until I saw it for myself. I was more surprised to see all of Mare's brothers back home, all except Shade. She somehow made it so that I wouldn't have to get conscripted.

You would not believe what I did after that. I thought after Cully died I wouldn't be useful for anything. But I proved myself wrong. I joined the Scarlet Guard. To everyone's surprise Shade returned. He also had an ability; he was a jumper. That's how they couldn't capture him. Mare was so surprised and she thought she was the only one who was a newblood. Little by little we took Mare and her family to a base, where they'd be safe. All hell broke lose. Maven married Iris, thus he was king, and Cal ended up joining us. I didn't trust him. He was a Silver after all. I couldn't let myself believe that a Silver could be anything but arrogant, unfeeling and cold. Even if he was trustworthy, I still didn't believe him. Mare still trained with him and Shade and Farley.

Things spiraled out of control and then Queen Elara was killed along with Shade. Then Mare got captured by Maven and she was his prisoner for several months. It took months to free Mare and get her back with her family. I was glad to see her, too. I also was surprised to see Farley with a daughter of her own. It was obvious that she was Shade Barrow's daughter. Same eyes as him.

But then Cal betrayed us and returned to Norta with Evangeline. It was difficult to believe, but life needed to go on. And so did I. Mare and I helped with the other newbloods. We all went to Montfort. It's that country where Reds, Ardents and Silvers live together equally. I know, it's sounds fake. I didn't believe it. When we arrived, I saw every kind of person of both blood colors. I wasn't really convinced the moment I saw them. Like Mare, I was suspicious. I didn't trust the Silvers. After what Cal did to us, I didn't know who trust. I felt like the Silvers were waiting for the right moment to attack us and take over Montfort. It's what I thought; they were Silvers after all.

The Scarlet Guard had the prince and princess of Piedmont held hostage. Then, of course, Iris rescued them and returned them to their kingdom. Then, what do you know, Iris ended up betraying Maven and handed him over to the Scarlet Guard. It seems it was try that anyone can betray anyone. That's what Julian once said. I'm getting ahead of myself, and I want to tell you happened next.

Maven was killed. Mare shot him. He had her cornered, she was in a fight-or-flight response. It was either she shoots him or he shoots her. But it happened. Cal didn't handle the loss too well. Even though they didn't get along, he was still his brother. It's surprising that Silvers can feel grief. And I, as well as all Reds, see the silvers like a different species.

Cal and Mare went their separate ways. Neither could be in each other's presence after that. While Mare was spending time with her family, I was with the Scarlet Guard. Training, doing what I can. I needed to find myself in my own way. I decided to change my life around. Since I left school when I was seven, I decided to learn to read. Then I learned to write. I wanted to be better than I was back in the Stilts. Months passed and I was already reading books I never regarded.

I always hoped Mare and I would become more than friends. But she always told me that we were only friends and that's all. Several months later Mare and Cal ran into each other again. They weren't exactly pleased to see each other. You can guess what what happened after that. He and Mare got married and had two kids, Shade and Coriane. Me? I'm happy for them, and I got together with my new love, Cameron Cole. You'd like her, Mom, I'm sure. She and I live together in Montord.

After everything that's happened, I'm proud of who I am. I'm Premier of the Free Republic of Montford. I organize charities to help Nortan refugees. After I reeducated myself, I wanted to help other children get educated too. I prioritize education, politics, and science the most. That's what I love about my new life: being able to give back to those in need.

I guess what I'm trying to say is...I miss you. I miss you, Mom. I do. I don't know where you are. I don't know whether you're dead or alive, but...I miss you. I miss you. I don't even know why I'm writing this letter. I guess I just had a need to write.

I'm successful, Mom. Aren't you proud of me? I want to show you who I am. I want to introduce you to Cameron, and our future child. I just want to know where you are. I want you in my life. I've already forgiven you, Mom. If you ever get to read this letter, just know that I'm okay. I love you, Mom, I never stopped loving you even after you disappeared. All I want is to see you again.

Your Son,

Kilorn Warren

Happy Mother's Day. ^_^