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In the five years since the defeat of Maeve and Erawan, much had occurred in Terrasen.
Aelin, Rowan and all their court had mostly settled into their roles in healing the kingdom. They had worked tirelessly to ensure that not a single citizen of their country went without, whether that was food or shelter. The court also worked to ensure that all of the orphaned children found kind and loving homes to the best of their ability. Of course, there were no guarantees but they also put into place plans and laws for when those circumstances arose.
They had also banned the use of whips throughout the kingdom. That one had been Rowan's suggestion.
Considering what the people of Terrasen had been through, they had come a long way in recovery. The country's rulers couldn't be more proud. Almost every citizen had a roof over their heads with more being added every day. Healers worked at training everyday people on how to help people in their minds to relieve some of the strain on them. Supports had been put into place to help people in those cases and with providing people with food, shelter, and financial and medical support. Schools had also been reopened and rebuilt, including a magic school just outside of Orynth itself as no one wanted a repeat of what happened to Ren Allsbrook’s sisters and their classmates at their school near the border. They had also set to work repairing the castle and restoring it to it's former glory. At this point, there was just one more wing to go before it was all restored.
When they weren't in meetings, signing paperwork, or talking to their people, Aelin and Rowan could often be found training together and if they weren't to be found, everyone knew that they were most likely in their rooms and were not to be disturbed unless there was an emergency. Only Fenrys, Lysandra and Aedion were brave enough to ever interrupt them.
Rowan and Aelin, these days spent more time in their suite than ever. They were cherishing this time with their newborn daughter, Nyrah Evalin Whitethorn Galathynius. She had come when they had thought that they would never get to be parents, when they most needed the hope that she brought with her. Nyrah had quickly become their everything. Rarely was she without one of her parents or many aunts and uncles (and cousin Evangeline) who absolutely doted on her. Aelin was endlessly entertained by seeing the cadre with her daughter - those big imposing warriors softened by someone so little. Seeing her tiny body in their arms never ceased to entertain Aelin. Rowan with their daughter was her favourite sight of all. Her little body in his giant arms, him comforting her when she was upset, him resting with her on his chest, having a nap. They were her favourite scenes in the whole world. It never failed to bring tears to her eyes when she caught Rowan sleeping with their daughter in his chest.
During her pregnancy, the question of a nursemaid had been brought up many times and each time Aelin and Rowan refused. They said that this was their child and that they would be the ones raising her. Sleepless nights, breastfeeding, diaper blowouts and all.
Their sleepless nights were sometimes exacerbated by their nightmares that they both had. While they had quieted over the years, they both still awoke often by nightmares of their pasts. While she occasionally dreamed of her time in the Assassin's Keep in Rifthold, and losing Sam, most often her nightmares were a result of her time with Cairn and Maeve. It was not unheard of that Rowan spent whatever remained of the night comforting Aelin after such dreams and assuring her that they were dead and that he and their daughter were very real.
However, the first months after the birth of Nyrah, had almost been a reprieve from the nightmares as they were awoke. So often. But as she slept more, they started to come back.
Despite their nights being what they were, neither Rowan or Aelin would give their reality up.
Four months after the birth of Nyrah, Aedion and Lysandra announced that they were expecting their own child. Their first as well. Aelin couldn't restrain herself from basically throwing herself at her cousin and best friend. She congratulated them with tears in her eyes.
Over the years, Aelin had worked to heal her relationship with Aedion after what she had had Lysandra promise during the war and their relationship was the best it had ever been.
She couldn't wait for their family to grow again and for it to continue to grow.
In a blink, Emerie Aelin was born and Nyrah had her first best friend her age. The two quickly became inseparable and loved to wreak havoc in the castle.
Evangeline became their big sister who guided them through things that they didn't want their parents to know.
Eventually, Evan, Lysandra and Aedion’s son, and all of Nyrah’s siblings joined their crew and chances are that you would never find one of Aelin's children without one of Aedion’s. When Lorcan and Elide were in Orynth, their children would always join in in the mischief too, endlessly bugging their parents.
All six parents were impossible to get things past but with how much of a softie he was with his kids, Rowan was by far the easiest to get out of trouble with. Aedion was next.
In addition to miniature paintings of her family being on her desk, she also had one of the Kingsflame encased like Darrow had to remind her of what she had been through and that no matter what there is always light, hope if one knows there to look.