Tamlin, Lord Bryony, and Cin stood side by side on the dais against the far end of Monardo's village square, a sea of fae folk gathered before them, their faces eager and expectant.
The High Lord had come to their village, and they were all desperate for the chance to speak to him.
A small part of Cin couldn't help but wonder whether the fae gathered were only there to hurl insults, accusations, and maybe even rotten food. Despite their warm welcome into Monardo, she knew all too well that things were not always as they seemed. In a crowd of over a thousand fae, things could turn ugly in the blink of an eye.
At the heart of the square stood a breathtaking fountain, its water glittering in the bright sunlight. Surrounding it were several benches where both locals and visitors could sit, relax, and chat. Today, in the warm midday sun, a handful of children were frolicking in the water, and the sound of the splashing water echoed across the square. Cin smiled at the sight, realizing that it was probably best to let the children play and cool off in the fountain, especially if the adults intended to listen to what Tamlin had to say.
Tamlin stood tall with a commanding presence, his voice ringing out with clarity to cut through the chatter of the crowd. "Good people of Monardo. Before we begin this public assembly, I want to take a moment to share some news. During the week of Calanmai, I plan to wed Hyacinth Fiore. I wanted to be transparent with all of you about this, as it will have an impact on our court and our home. My wish for her to be my wife will make her your Lady of Spring."
Tamlin scanned the crowd, his eyes alight with sincerity and a hint of nervousness. Though he wasn't the most skilled at commanding a crowd's attention, he stood tall and resolute, his hands clasped loosely behind his back. He knew his words didn't always come out smoothly, but he was resolved to see this through.
Cin watched Tamlin's hands fidgeting behind his back and knew what it meant. She had asked him earlier if he was nervous about the assembly and he had confessed that he wasn't worried about the message, but about speaking in front of a large crowd. Even with his sentries standing guard before the dais, Tamlin was still nervous.
Tamlin's voice was steady. "I know that some of you may have concerns or questions about my announcement, about our court, and I welcome them, in the spirit of transparency. To keep things orderly, I ask only that any fae with a question for me, form a line in the center of the crowd." He pointed to a spot near the front of the dais.
Cin watched as the fae murmured to each other, some exchanging skeptical glances, while others looked relieved that Tamlin had invited their questions. She could see the tension in Tamlin's shoulders, even as he tried to hide it with a smile. She squeezed his hand, offering him silent support.
Cin leaned into Tamlin and whispered, "It seems like they have more questions than you anticipated."
Tamlin nodded in agreement, his gaze sweeping over the growing line of fae waiting to address him.
"I suppose they do," he said with a small smile. Cin smiled at his words, feeling a swell of pride for the High Lord she served. He may not be perfect, but he truly cared for their court and their people.
Cin watched as the fae formed a long line, eager to have their questions answered by Tamlin. She couldn't blame them for their curiosity, not after all that had transpired in the Spring Court. As frustrating as it was to see so many of her people in the dark, she couldn't bring herself to be upset about it.
The woman with the orange and white hair stepped forward to ask her a question. Tamlin listened carefully, his expression neutral as he waited for her to speak.
"Before I ask, are our questions limited to this betrothal?" she inquired, uncertainty lacing her words.
Tamlin began, his voice low and measured. "The rebuilding of Spring has been a physical one until now, and while we have made significant progress, there are still areas that require attention. So, I urge you to take advantage of this assembly and ask any questions you may have, about the betrothal, about me, about what happened."
His words were earnest, a clear invitation to delve deeper into any concerns that might be lurking beneath the surface.
The fae woman before Tamlin seemed to be choosing her words carefully, wetting her lips before she spoke. "I suppose I'll start then. What part will your new bride play in the restoration of Spring? And may I ask why you have chosen to take on a new bride at this particular moment?"
Tamlin's expression was unreadable as he took a moment to consider his answer, his thoughts clearly focused on the gravity of the situation.
"My new bride, Hyacinth," he finally replied, "will be a vital component in the recovery of Spring. She possesses a unique set of skills and abilities that will prove invaluable in our efforts to rebuild. And as for the timing of our union, I believe it is necessary to look to the future and make plans for the prosperity of our court."
Cin's contribution to the restoration of Spring had been invaluable, she knew. Her magic had been instrumental in reviving the fields, but as the land slowly regained its strength, the focus had shifted to other areas. Now, Cin's powers were channeled towards the cultivation of medicinal plants for Lady Freda's latest endeavor.
Tamlin's gaze shifted to Cin, his lips curving into a proud smile. "I know this may sound overly idealistic, but the truth is that I am marrying Hyacinth because I love her. I believe that together, we are capable of confronting any obstacle that may come our way."
As the crowd murmured softly amongst themselves, Cin picked up on a few familiar names being tossed around. Feyre's name was being whispered with particular frequency, and Cin wondered if Tamlin had heard it as well. After all, the High Lady of the Night Court had played a significant role in the events that had shaped the lives of those in attendance, and her name had become synonymous with both glorious triumphs and devastating tragedies.
With a quick nod towards the expectant crowd, Tamlin silently conveyed to Cin that the floor was hers to win them over with her words. And so, without hesitation, she began to speak.
"In response to your question about my role in Spring's recovery," she began, "I would like to start by reviving an initiative that I believe is crucial to the well-being of our court."
Cin paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "I am speaking, of course, about the Lotus Ladies Gathering. Lady Iridessa Primavera began this initiative to provide a safe space for the women of our court to share their thoughts, feelings, and concerns that would aid in bridging the divide between men and women. It is my hope that we can continue this tradition, to ensure that every voice is heard and every woman is valued."
Cin could see recognition in the eyes of the older women in the crowd, and she knew that they understood the importance of what she was proposing. Lady Iridessa Primavera had championed the Lotus Ladies Gathering, and her legacy had not been forgotten. Cin knew that Iridessa had kept records of the conversations that had taken place during those meetings, even though she had never shared them with anyone. She also knew that the women of the court had suffered greatly under Tamlin's father, who had done nothing to protect them against the evil face of misogyny.
Iridessa had refused to remain silent. She had used her influence to convince her husband to grant her enough allowances that afforded her the ability to protect the women of the court. It had cost her dearly, but for the sake of those who had been abused and silenced for far too long, she had risked everything.
Cin remembered reading Lady Iridessa's journals, and the bruises she had complained about that still ached days after they'd been inflicted. As a high fae, Iridessa should have been able to heal any wound with magic, and yet the bruises had remained. It was difficult to read about the abuse that her husband had inflicted upon her, then to look at Tamlin and wonder how such a kind and fiercely protective man could be the offspring of such a monster.
Cin's eyes gleamed with enthusiasm as she pressed on, determined to win over the crowd. "And while we are here in Monarda, I plan to host the first Gathering."
The fae woman pursed her lips, giving Cin a single, curt nod that acknowledged her answer but didn't necessarily accept it. Cin steeled herself for the next question, delivered by a stocky man with a sharp nose who stepped forward.
"That is her plan. But what is your vision for the future of the Spring Court, then?" he asked, directing his question squarely at Tamlin.
Cin watched as Tamlin shifted his stance, keeping his hands clasped behind his back in a conscious effort not to appear closed off. She had warned him that crossing his arms over his chest would give off the wrong impression. He stepped forward to take the center of the dais once again, acknowledging Cin with a nod.
"Innovation and healing," he declared, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "We must move forward, not only in terms of rebuilding our land but also in healing ourselves from the traumas we've suffered. We must encourage new ideas and initiatives, and find ways to honor our past while embracing our future."
"All this talk of rebuilding and repairing, but what about precautions? What security measures have you put in place?" a sneering voice tore through the crowd.
Tamlin's voice grew even stronger as he replied, determined to allay any doubts about the Spring Court's preparedness. "Our army may be small, but it will be mighty. I have learned from the mistakes of the past and will not let Spring fall again. We will protect our home, our people, and our way of life. Our army will be well-trained and well-equipped, ready to face any threat that may come our way.
"But our strength does not lie solely in our military might," Tamlin continued. "We must also create stronger bonds between our people, to ensure that we are united in our purpose and as a court. Together, we will build a stronger, more resilient Spring Court, a place where every fae can thrive and flourish, and nothing and no one will ever take it from us again."
Tamlin's gaze swept over the crowd, his conviction unwavering. "We are one court, one land, one people."
A hush descended upon the square, and Tamlin could feel the weight of their expectations bearing down upon him. The fae looked at him with a mixture of reverence and uncertainty, waiting for him to prove himself. They wanted to believe in his promises, and Tamlin knew that he could not afford to disappoint them.
Cin watched from the sidelines, surprised by the fae's willingness to give Tamlin a chance. Though hesitant, they seemed to recognize that he was their High Lord, and that he alone held the power to protect and guide them.
A tall man stepped forward, his arms wrapped around a toddler, and asked about the economic impact of the recent wars. Tamlin's confidence did not waver as he responded, detailing a series of initiatives he had been working on to rebuild the Spring Court's economy. He had been collaborating with village heads to create a bartering system between their villages, establishing workshops to help entrepreneurs build their businesses, and investing in the creation of new boardwalks that would connect the villages and create jobs.
Tamlin's words sparked hope in the fae, and they murmured amongst themselves, discussing the possibilities that lay ahead. The man with the toddler listened intently, his expression thoughtful. It was clear that Tamlin's plans were well thought out and carefully crafted, and the fae were beginning to see that their High Lord was not just a strong warrior, but also a shrewd strategist.
The questions continued to pour in, with the occasional one directed at Cin, but it was clear that Tamlin was the center of attention. The fae were eager to hear his responses, and their inquiries ranged from why he had allowed Hybern access to the Spring Court, to why he had driven Feyre into Rhysand's arms.
Tamlin did not shy away from any of the questions, answering each one candidly and without hesitation. He knew that an informed court would make a strong court and that was what they needed.