*Rhys PoV*

Rhys flew up to the siphon shield, and called out, "What is here that we so desperately need to see - and guard so strongly?"

"See for yourself. It's hard to explain." Devlon, for once, wasn't sneering. "Open the shield! Now!"

He flew through the hole in the shield, closely followed by Azriel, Cassian and Feyre. Shimmering in the air in front of him was ... an impossibility. A place where you could reach out a hand and go from high over the Illyrian steppes to ... somewhere else. Probably not somewhere in that world.

"Why did this portal open now?" Cassian was pouting. "It could have chose a more convenient time." Indeed. The integration cities (places along where the wall meant to be for both human and fae) were due to open in a few weeks.

Rhys? Feyre's voice echoed in his mind.

What is it?

How long has it been since that night when I was pregnant with Haile? He had to think about that.

About 10 1/2 years, why?

You said two people can send their power through where someone was winnowing from each side, and a portal would appear. And that it took between 10 and 12 years to form.

So your saying that this portal leads to wherever that flicker went?

I think so.

How about we send them a note?

Why not?

He was still grinning as he threw a note through that door.

All that was left to do was wait. They weren't there for long.

*Aelin PoV*

Aelin was in utter shock ant the sight of Nox Owen, who Aedion seemed to trust completely, so she just ran after them instinctively.

They reached the courtyard, where the gateman recognised her and yelled

"Make way for the Queen!"

Nox spun around in surprise.

"The Queen! Where? But that's Celaena! It's been years! And - you're fae! You clearly have a story to tell"

"Yes Nox. It's been years since I started going by my real name. Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius."

"Bullshit."

At that point, she was save from further explanation by Rowan running into the the courtyard.

"Since when were you faster than me?"

"Since you had to put the children to bed before you came here."

"Fireheart."

"Buzzard."

Nox Owen still had his mouth wide open at the exchange, as if being forced to realise she was telling the truth. And besides, the resemblance between her and Aedion was hard to ignore. But by then the horses had been saddled, and they sped off to the war camp.

When they arrived, the bane were stood to attention at the sight of their Queen, King-consort and General. Kyllian ran up to them as they dismounted, announcing

"Your Majesties! General! It's this way."

Aelin followed them, but looked back at Rowan, who grinned and told her We could have run here in half that time.

So touchy. In case you didn't notice, humans can't run as fast as us.

We could have just left them behind.

So rude, Buzzard.

By then they had reached what the bane guarded at the centre of the makeshift camp. Like on the other side, what they saw was - an impossibility. Rowan and Lorcan threw up shields instantly, to protect against anything coming through. But all that appeared was a small note. Aelin picked it up, despite Aedion and Rowan's barked protests, and read it.

10 years, 6 months, 12 days, 7 hours, 6 minuets and 51 seconds ago, a flicker of power that appeared to be female appeared in our realm. I am Rhysand, high lord of the night court, and I would like to speak with whoever that power belonged to. I hope we can learn from each other. Please reply with permission for me and my court to pass through.

Aelin gasped, and muttered "No way. There is absolutely no way..."

"Fireheart?" She turned around to face Rowan, who asked what's wrong.

She passed him the note, saying "That was me. The flicker of power was me, when I came back through the gate..."

"Calm down Fireheart, it's not all that surprising. Shall we let them through?"

"He helped me before. I don't see why not."

As the return note slid back through, she hoped her county was ready for a second state visit in the same day. She sent Fenrys back to the castle to warn the chefs, but ...she was still worried. But there wasn't really time to worry, because that was a foot sliding through the portal. She straightened up, ready to meet the people from this other world, and wondered what would happen next.