A/N: This is a chapter I've been meaning to write for a while. Sorry I've rushed it, but I wrote it really quickly and just wanted to post it. I had this idea of writing a chapter on characters meeting under different circumstances. I only ended up doing Caspian and Aspen though, because I couldn't think of what to do for the others. Haha
Having heard of a secret passage into the Land Under the Hill, Aspen was intrigued, finding himself constantly drawn to the spot. While he knew Nyx would never approve, he couldn't help but want to see what lay beyond the mundane world, where many faeries were rumoured to live.
One day he couldn't stop himself, and he waded into the pond at midnight, ducking his head under the water. He was disorientated for a long moment, and he felt like he was drowning. Pulling his head out of the water quickly, he gasped, his vision and thoughts finally settling. Climbing up onto dry ground, he shook some faerie water out of his dark hair, glancing around quickly, and he found everything seemed new and different. The colours of the Faerie were more vibrant, and there was an ancientness to the place, whispers of old forgotten dialects and knowledge.
His feet led him through the trees and shrubs, and his green eyes were wide and inquisitive, wondering what he might see. Time flowed differently to the mundane world, and he had no idea how long he walked for, until the scenery changed, and the colours seemed to darken. It felt different, and the hair on his arms raised, as if responding to a chill. Any creatures that had flittered around before now seemed hidden, and he felt like there were eyes watching him.
Frowning, he glanced around, staring at an ancient tree for a moment, before he heard a rustle, and he froze as a blade was suddenly at his neck. He swallowed, his gaze flicking over to the faerie who held the long staff, with the blade at its end. He stared for a moment, enraptured. The faerie was dressed in fine clothes, meaning he was obviously not of the lower class, and his silver eyes were cold and focused, blonde hair ruffled and falling against his forehead.
"On your knees. Now," the faerie snapped, finally pulling Aspen from his daydream. His hand inched towards the sword at his side, and he was annoyed he hadn't had time to draw it quick enough since he'd been so distracted.
The blade pressed further into his throat, drawing blood, and he froze, the other faerie narrowing his eyes. "I said now," he hissed.
Slowly, Aspen lowered himself to his knees, his gaze never leaving the other faerie's. "Who are you?" he asked, a little dazed. "Where am I?"
The faerie nodded towards his sword. "Toss it towards me, now," he ordered.
Sighing, he moved to unclip his sword in its scabbard, moving it towards the faerie. "I don't mean any harm, I-"
The faerie kicked the sword away, and there was still a coldness to his eyes. "Don't you know better than to wander into Unseelie territory? It's clearly marked. Outsiders don't belong here."
"Unseelie?" Aspen repeated, glancing around with a new understanding. "Ah, so that's where I am." Glancing up at the faerie, he smiled, slowly, in satisfaction. "If all the Unseelie faeries look like you, then I'd love to meet them."
"The penalty for trespassing is death," the blonde faerie hissed. He realised his mistake as the faerie pressed further, his eyes dark, and Aspen panicked, realising he was about to die there. The faerie was serious.
"Please, please, just wait," he pleaded quickly, holding up his hands as he tried to bargain. "I-… I can give your King information. About the Shadowhunters and the mundane world. He'd like that, wouldn't he?"
The faerie stared for a moment, before the pressure finally lessened. "I don't trust you. You probably know nothing, and you're just bluffing."
"I'm from there. And I swear it," he replied quickly, nudging his cloak so his wings would be in view.
Finally, the faerie pulled some robe from his pocket and threw it over to him. "Start tying your hands," he commanded. "And make sure it's tight, I'll be watching."
Exhaling, he wiped the blood off his neck, taking a moment to gather himself. Then, he picked up the rope, working on twisting it around his hands, before the other faerie started over to finish it off, and pulled it tight. Aspen stopped himself from making a face when it rubbed roughly on his wrists. It seemed he'd kept Aspen's hands tied together at the front, so he could pull him along.
Grabbing the rope, he started forward, tugging Aspen along behind him. Quickening his pace so he was walking beside him, Aspen glanced at him sidelong. "You never told me your name. My name's Aspen."
"Names have power, true or not," was all he replied, ignoring him and continuing on.
Aspen sighed, deciding he'd have to be content studying him and the surroundings. Observing the back of the faerie, he noted how his cloak stuck out a bit at the back, deciding he must have wings too, which was no surprise considering his obvious higher ranking.
"You mustn't have a brain to be wandering around here," the faerie muttered, shaking his head. "Or you have a death wish."
"Ah, the world would miss me too much if I died," Aspen replied, mirth in his eyes as he raised his chin. "So I can't have that. I just didn't realise I was in your territory."
The faerie glanced at him, before looking ahead and pulling him along harder. He clearly knew the way well, his strides confident as he led them forward.
"If I tell the King some things, will he release me?" he asked, hiding the hope from his voice. "If I'm useful?"
"… We don't usually take prisoners," was all he got as a reply, which didn't sound very promising.
Trying to think of a witty reply, he was distracted as they approached some tents and what was clearly the main part of the Unseelie. Faeries wandered around in their finery, with unusual cloaks and weapons barely disguised underneath. Everyone stared at him, and he could hear their whispers as he passed. One faerie spat at his feet, but he kept staring ahead, his gaze wandering to the other faerie on occasion.
When they came to a stop, another faerie who was clearly related to his captor moved to stand in front of him, staring with narrowed eyes. "Caspian? What have you brought us?"
Caspian. So that was his captor's name.
The faerie – Caspian – straightened, raising his chin. "He claims he's from the mundane world. That he has information on the Shadowhunters and their movements."
The faerie in charge didn't look pleased, although his eyes glinted sharply. "Bringing someone here wasn't very smart of you, Caspian," he replied. "Your punishment can be to watch over him until the King makes his decision. If he agrees, we can interrogate him later."
Caspian inclined his head, before pulling Aspen away, towards a meadow nearby. Without a word, he tied the end of the rope to a branch of an ancient tree, so Aspen's hands were raised in the air slightly. He seemed quietly angry – perhaps wishing he'd killed Aspen earlier, for all the trouble he'd caused him. Stepping a little distance away, Caspian shrugged off his cloak – Aspen guessed to give his wings a rest – and Aspen watched, fascinated by his pretty transparent blue wings.
He whistled under his breath. "At least I have a nice view."
The other faerie glared at him, his fingers at ease around his staff. "Don't talk."
"Oh, sweetheart, you can't stop me from doing that," he grinned, his posture relaxing slightly as he waited. "Not even if you tied a cloth around my mouth."
When he was ignored, he lowered his voice, his eyes glittering, despite the danger he was in. At least toying with him would be fun, and he couldn't help but say his name, to show that he knew it. "Even if you don't like talking, I'm glad I met you… Caspian. I think we'll have some fun."