Final Chapter: Quinn and Queen

The tribe had come to watch the experiment. They had now gathered around Quinn and Sejuani, who were both sitting on a bench near the Great Chief's tent.

" Quinn, you don't have to do this. " Sejuani told Quinn.

" It was my idea, so I'd rather be the one to deal with the consequences. " Quinn insisted.

After further discussion, they had figured out another possible outcome of the experiment. The Black Ice may get deadlier with repeated exposure. Worst case scenario the True Ice wouldn't immunise the body against the Black Ice, and the Black Ice would instead be immune to the True Ice. It was unbelievably riskier than they had originally thought.

Quinn had wanted to test the experiment out herself. Sejuani, feeling guilty for making someone not of Freljordian origin to risk her life for Freljord, suggested she cure someone else to test the theory of immunisation. But Quinn wouldn't let her. She didn't want to kill someone for her own curiosity.

" Think of your people. " Sejuani told Quinn. " You still have a responsibility to them. " Sejuani wanted to remind Quinn that she was first and foremost a Demacian scout, not Freljordian.

" The Measured Tread instructs…" Quinn began. The Measured Tread was a list of guidelines utilised by the Demacian military. " In our eternal forward march, we must stomp out evil all across Valoran wherever it may grow. Leave no stone unturned: The roots of one ignored weed will inevitably corrupt the whole of the garden. " Quinn continued. " So doing this is actually part of my duties as a Demacian. "

Sejuani stepped away and gave one hesitant nod.

Quinn took a Black Ice shard, closed her eyes, and stabbed herself in the already injured shoulder. She clenched her teeth as pain shot through her system. The wound was deep, like the previous one. The shard remained lodged inside her shoulder, making Quinn grow anxious. Then-

-the shard was neutralised, removing itself from the wound, making Quinn bleed out. Doctors quickly attended to her. As soon as it they were done, Quinn stood up and turned to face the Tribe of the Winter's Claw. They all cheered.

" The Quinn of Freljord! The Quinn of Freljord! "they chanted.

Sejuani rushed to Quinn's side, embracing her. " Brave coward " she beamed.

The Tribe of the Winter's Claw had now been completely immunised. The Avarosan had now joined the Winter's Claw, without the Frostguard's knowledge. Ashe got what she wanted, and so she had no reason to decline Sejuani's alliance. The only catch was that Ashe would have to be dethroned after the Ice Witch fell. Ashe agreed to let Sejuani ascend the throne then, knowing Sejuani had a better vision for the Freljord.

Quinn was, after healing from her second shoulder injury, about to leave the Winter's Claw's campsite to set off for Demacia in order to rally them to Sejuani's cause.

" Quinn! " Sejuani called, as she reached the falconer.

Quinn and Valor turned around to see Sejuani. She was in her armor as usual, but she had left her helmet back in the tent.

" Before you leave, I have an offer " Sejuani told Quinn.

" What kind? " Quinn asked, intrigued.

" A position. I'd like to recruit you. " Sejuani offered finally, the thought having crossed her mind countless times. " The Winter's Claw has suffered from poor scouting abilities. And with our greatest battle inching closer, I need information more than ever. It was part of the reason I desperately wanted to save you after reading your reports. "

Quinn thought about the offer. " Well I guess I'll be working for you anyway once I return from Demacia. " Quinn replied.

" Right, of course…. "

" Is there anything else? "

" ….. "

" Sejuani? "

" ….In the new Freljord, I want to work with you as well. I want you to be part of the country you helped save. " Sejuani then held Quinn's hands, one in each. " I want you to be a part of my life. "

Quinn stood there in a daze, not knowing what to say. Sejuani was looking at her softly, with affection in her eyes. Something Quinn had never noticed until now. Did Sejuani, the Great Chief of the Tribe of the Winter's Claw, the Wrath of Winter Incarnate, have feelings for her? Since when? How? These thoughts plagued her mind, causing her to remain silent.

The silence made Sejuani anxious. She wondered if she had acted too hastily. Too suddenly. After all, she had never made any moves on her before. This was a bad idea. She was about to give it up. Luckily for her, Demacia's Wingman was on her side.

Valor perched onto the Seeker's Armguard, facing Sejuani with a look that Sejuani interpreted as 'Leave it to me'. He then turned to face Quinn.

" Knock, knock " he hooted.

" W-Who's there? " Quinn replied. Valor had returned her to her senses. Knock-knock jokes made her reply on reflex by now.

" Sejuani " he hooted.

" Sejuani who? "

" Say-chu-wan-it too! " Valor hooted enthusiastically.

Quinn smiled. Oh, Valor. Valor then puffed out his chest proudly.

" I want it too. " Quinn said, bashfully.

Hearing that, Sejuani almost fainted.

" Well ,then there's one last thing. " Sejuani said shyly.

Valor flew away from the two women to give them some much needed privacy. Demacia's Wingman.

" You gifted Freljord a bigger chance to survive than it ever did…" Sejuani said. " so here…"

Sejuani pulled Quinn's face closer to hers. She paused. Quinn wasn't resisting. She then pulled her even closer.

Until there was no space between their lips.

It was a tender kiss.

Pulling themselves apart, Sejuani looked at Quinn and said.

"….a gift from the Freljord."

FIN.

Thanks for reading!

Afterthoughts:

A more story driven fanfic than my previous one: the Tale of Two Coppers. It has almost 4 times the length I think. Yet there was only one action scene- Wuuuut. I'm not sure which style fits me more though, I enjoyed writing both of them. Sam-spirit Sorry its not Vi x Cait, I was just super excited about this one.

Writing this made me realise that I've been writing for the plot more than for the romance. I feel like something's missing. Like I didn't build it up right (the romance felt forced at times) or that there was hardly any emotional conflict if at all. I feel like rewriting this tbh. Maybe in the future when I'm better.

So, Quinn x Sejuani. Not a popular pairing I think. I have seen others, so I don't claim originality. This pairing doe, the more I explored it, the more I liked it. I may have made a stretch though. Sejuani and Quinn both like courage, both have armguards on opposite hands (Coincidence? I think not! ) and both like each other (lol).

I made more quotes than references in this one than my previous project. Is that a good thing? I felt like references were a bit overbearing at times. Quotes feel more natural and in-character.

Speaking of in-character, I'm quite happy with how I wrote Sejuani. I wanted to display her authority somehow, so I never made her ask questions. She only gave orders and demands.

Then there's Valor. I just had stupid fun writing this guy omg. I really hope you enjoyed reading him! And this whole fanfic too.

Good day!