Chapter 17

Once more, Aloy walked through the streets of Meridian with the intention to gauge just how much destruction had been done to the city. She was thankful to see that much of the rebuild from the attack of Hades still stood, having been used by the Oseram during their occupation. Wounded, Oseram and Carja alike, were clustered around the priests that remained, who were administering aid. Aloy had given the order to spare Oseram who'd surrendered, though she knew it may cause more clashes down the line, but right now it seemed all were exhausted, famished, and in need of a rest.

It was oddly silent, compared to the chaos of the battle. Adrenaline gone, she could feel her exhaustion catching up to her. When she passed Olin's house, she longed to retreat within to just hide, sleep, and recover. She wished someone else would take charge. Perhaps when Avad returned…

"Aloy!" Namman shouted, gesturing her over. She sighed and obeyed, frowning when she saw that he was not engaged with providing aid. Instead, he had two other priests with him, each carrying several scrolls. Interested parties catching sight of the exchange paused with whatever they were doing, turning to watch as she stopped in front of her friend.

"What is this?" She questioned, gesturing to the scrolls. The two other priests looked uncomfortable. Namman looked excited.

"Hope! A new beginning!" Nammad assured her, uncrossing his arms. In his palm rested a headpiece. At first she thought it was Avad's crown. But no, this one was much smaller, lighter…

Her stomach clenched. She looked quickly around at the people, as if searching for escape. More had arrived, obviously expecting this to happen. They were all smiles, expressions of adoration on faces whole and injured alike. Silently, she cursed them.

One of the priests unrolled a scroll. He began to read in a slightly wavering voice. "I, Avad, Fourteenth King of the Sundom, hereby declare the necessity and establish the ability of the position of Sun Queen. This position is gained by birth, by marriage, or by appointment of the current Sun King." Aloy gazed longingly at the ground, wishing it'd arise and swallow her up. The priest went on. "The position on all aspects mirrors the powers of government given to the Sun King, wherein power is distributed by half. Should the absence of a Sun King be imminent or sudden, the Sun Queen would then stand as ruler until a Sun King is once more established. This is the will of the Sun, written by my hand, on the dawn of my third year as rule."

Nammad had not withdrawn his offer of the crown. She heard the Carja hold their breath, murmuring amongst eachother. They certainly liked to murmur. So this was it. Savage one day, queen the next. She will never understand people. A woman in the crowd shouted. Aloy winced, half expecting a rock or piece of vegetable to fly her way. But then it was followed with another cry, a cheer. They were cheering her.

Her hands shaking, she reached up to remove her helmet, letting it fall to the ground. Namman stepped forward, smiling that easy smile of his as he locked the crown around her head. It wasn't as heavy as it looked. The Carja fell silent. The priests knelt. The rest of the crowd followed suit, just as Erend burst through to see what was going on. He stuck out like a sore thumb in a sea of kneeling, battered people before he realized what was happening, dropping to his knee.

"Not you," Aloy murmured. "Please not you too." She reached out, forcing Namman to his feet. "Make them stand," she pleaded. "I don't need kneeling. I need progress! I need these people seen to, and if a dumb hat will put this behind us and get things DONE then I accept!" She saw she'd balled Namman's robes in her fists with desperation. "I need these bodies seen to. I need repairs. I need… "

"The Sun Queen has been named!" Namman announced, raising his arms to the crowd who began to regain their feet. "We have much to discuss. Please, address your questions to me, and I will arrange for them to be heard." He stepped away from Aloy, tilting his head towards the palace, perhaps a hint that if she were to escape, no other time would be better.

Furious, she grabbed Erend by the collar of his armor and dragged him towards the palace. He seemed in a good mood, following her faithfully. "Did you know about this?" She questioned across the bridge to the palace.

"The declaration? Nah. I figured Avad just wanted you around for show. For the Nora. I had no idea he'd split the job with you…" He scratched at the back of his head as he walked. "Wonder if he thought it'd come back to bite him in the bum while he was gone. It won't take him long to find out you're in charge now."

She couldn't help but smirk. An order to scout devolving into a small war with a newfound matriarchy? "We're really bad at following orders," she told him. "And not making a mess." They reached the parapet with Avad's throne and she threw herself upon it. "I just need to sit," she told him, rubbing her eyes. She unclasped the crown and tossed it aside, leaning back to take a long breath of smoke filled air. She could see the entire city but there was so little noise. She basked in the silence.

She opened her eyes to see Erend leaning against the parapet railing, watching her. A moment of embarrassment set in… he must be exhausted as well, but not once did he complain. He smiled at her playfully. She realized he was admiring her, in Avad's throne. "Now that the beautiful Nora warmaiden is Queen, does she have much time for a lug like me?" He wondered aloud.

She looked at him then, really looked. Scrapes and cuts covered his head and face where his helmet had failed, and his armor was chipped, torn, stained and blackened with smoke. Never did he look more heroic to her.

"Oh, I'm sure I could have a minute," she told him, hooking a finger into a loop on his armor and drawing him closer to the throne. "Maybe even two."