A/N: So this is my first fanfic ever. Please be nice.

***Aelin's POV***

I pinched the bridge of my nose between my fingertips. We, Aedion and Chaol and Ren and myself, had been having the same conversation for the past hour and a half. They were trying to convince me that attacking Perranth now was the best option, even though we would be greatly outnumbered. We would lose many lives, way more than I was willing to sacrifice.

"It's the best option Aelin, why can't you see that?" Aedion implored.

"I will not throw away the lives of my people to win a pointless city and boost your ego." I shot back. "It is pointless to conquer Perranth when instead we could far more easily capture Suria and put it to good use. That way we could welcome soldiers from Wendlyn when they arrive."

"Those soldiers will not arrive," Aedion argued back. "Wendlyn is far too busy keeping Adarlan off their door step to lend us aid, and Maeve will never send aid without attaching a hefty price to it. The best option is to take Perranth, to take their best stronghold and their most valuable position in Terrasen."

Aedion had a point about Wendlyn. They were already stretched thin keeping Adarlan at bay, but I still had a card up my sleeve. Before I left, I had instructed Rowan to ask the Ashryvers for aid in fighting Adarlan. I hope he succeeded, we need all the help we can get.

If, no when Rowan gets the help of the Ashryver armada, they will need a port base. And that is why we must take Suria. We needed a defendable port city to give the soldiers easy access to Terrasen and as a base of communication between our two countries.

Rowan would succeed in obtaining help from the Ashryvers, the other option was not as kind-Maeve. The very notion sent a shudder of fear thru me. The thought of being in debt to HER was petrifying, especially after the way Rowan and I left her. Even more terrifying was the thought of Rowan being near her. It made my hair stand on end to think about having left him in the proximity of her-the woman who'd been so cruel to him for centuries.

Just thinking about Rowan made my heart ache. I missed him so much, not in a romantic way, but just missing his presence. I miss the ease in which I could be myself around him; where I didn't have to watch my words or actions. I miss the way he understood how I felt without having to explain in words. I miss his silent company and the way he was always there and how he always had my back no matter what, to whatever end. I miss our silent conversations. I even miss the bantering! The constant teasing which let me know that he cared about what happened to me.

I had sent for Rowan about two months ago, right before we launched our successful assault on the tower in Rifthold. He should have been here by now. Three weeks for the message to get there, a week for it to find him, and three weeks for him to get back. I need him here. I need someone else on my side.

It wasn't like I didn't get along with Aedion, Chaol or Ren, but it wasn't the same. I couldn't confide in them like I did with Rowan. They didn't know my whole backstory or what even happened on that day, and they never would. I still trust them, but not to the extent that I did with Rowan. I trust Rowan more than I trust myself. I trust him with my life, my people, and my kingdom. He will always be there for me to turn to whenever I need him. Except for now apparently. I need someone else on my side to help me change the mind of these big headed idiots.

I was roused from my thoughts when Chaol said, "Aelin I really think you should listen to Aed-" he started as the door to the great hall was flung open.

"Your Majesty," and out of breath soldier panted. "There is a-a fae, a fae warrior at the gates demanding entrance. He says that you are expecting him."

...

***Aedion's POV***

I froze. A fae warrior, here? It must be Maeve, it had to be. A glance at Aelin was unnerving. She look positively shocked. By the gods...Aelin had been in Dorrendale; she had met the fae. If she was scared into this state then I must be prepared to defend her at all costs. And I would. I was her protector, her general, her cousin.

Just as Aelin opened her mouth to reply there was a cry, and a white hawk swooped in thru the high open window. I narrows my eyes, birds did NOT just fly into buildings. Especially not with people around. The hawk swooped for the ground and there was a flash of light. A fae stood in the bird's place. I drew my sword, a growl rising in my throat as I stepped in front of Aelin.

Soldiers rushed in to the room, surrounding him as I began to assess the intruder. He was tall about my height, with long white hair and flashing green eyes. He was of a strong build, a warrior, and by the looks of it, one with decades of experience. His eyes locked onto mine, a challenge in them as his hand moved to his sword.

I took a step forward, challenge rising in my throat, when a small hand was placed on my shoulder.

...

***Aelin's POV***

I couldn't believe I hadn't sensed him sooner. I should have been able to, with the blood oath, but I had been so wrapped up in the battle plans I hadn't felt the signs.

Rowan was here.

I stood frozen in disbelief as he swooped in in that wonderful hawk form of his. Frozen still as several dozen soldiers flooded into the hall and surrounded him, while keeping a safe distance. They had all learned to be wary of things magical and to let us, Aedion and I, take care of them. I stood frozen in wonder and pure happiness that he was finally here. Rowan. My trainer, my general, my confidant, my second, my best friend, my carranam.

I was shocked out of my frozen state by the challenging growl that rose in Aedion's throat. How could he consider Rowan a threat? But then, why wouldn't he? Rowan was a warrior hardened in the black pits of

Maeve's armies. He was a better warrior than my whole army combined. One to be feared.

I moved to stop Aedion. He looked at me, a slightly confused look on his face. I gave him a reassuring look, well I hope it was reassuring I probably still looked a bit dazed. With a flick of my wrist I released the guards and they spread out toward the sides of the room, giving me room to fight should I need to.

Rowan turned his piercing gaze to me as a stalked to meet him. Our eyes met and we had one of our wordless conversations. It wasn't much of a conversation, more of an evaluation of the other, assessing damage and rejoicing in the fact that the other was here.

Behind me I heard Chaol and Ren draw their swords, prepared to fight even though they wouldn't be much use against magic.

I stopped about 10 feet from Rowan, hand on my sword. Running my eyes down his figure I said in a clipped disapproving tone, "You're late."

Gods above I missed him. I missed his company and the ease of which I could be myself around him.

"Apologies my queen," Rowan said with an incline of his head. "But I had some troops to recruit." His eyes crinkled with the effort to keep from smiling.

It was the eyes that did it. The last shred of my self control dissolved and I practically flew the last 10 feet between us. Tackling him in a bear hug, laughing, I buried my face in his chest, breathing in the snow and pine scent of him.

His arms wrapped tight around me like vices. Promising to never let me go again, that we would never be separated for that long again.

"I missed you," I murmured into his chest.

"I missed you too Fireheart," he chuckled back. He pulled back slightly and looked me up and down.

"By the gods I've missed you," he said again touching our foreheads together.

I finally felt complete, whole, content. The missing part of my life was no longer missing. Rowan was here and I felt as if nothing more could go wrong. Together we were unstoppable, together we would change the world.