I am a monstrous Tamlin x Briar shipper (when I'm not being a Feyre x Rhysand x Tamlin poly boy), and would love to see her get to meet and talk to him with the knowledge that he was a spy, on top of having helped free her from Hybern's prison camp.
Helion gives Rhysand a pep talk, Tamlin reunites with Briar much to his displeasure, the meeting continues leading to more trouble for everyone involved and finally, Beron and Tamlin struck a deal.
Notes:
Thank you Lesbian Pope Siuan Sanche for your words. You helped me with this chapter.
Helion sat at a golden table, in his hand a bronze mirror currently showing him the lady of autumn sat beside her son quietly. She was practically invisible at the meeting but he'd notice her in every crowd and look for her voice in every word. Just as beautiful as the last time he saw her. He touched the bronze mirror, his fingers gently tracing her image longing to touch her once more but when he heard foot steps he made the mirror disappear.
Rhysand entered the room shadows curling around his feet despite the bright light from outside.
"Rhysand, my old friend. Come take a seat." Helion offered using magic to pull up a chair for him.
Rhysand glared at the other as he sat down, "is friend the right word? You barely sided with me during the meeting and to make matters worst you revoke my mate's invitation to it." He sneered.
Helion only raised half an eyebrow in response, "let's not pretend we don't know why your mate was disinvited. What I'm more curious off is why you're acting like this? Surely you still have a brain."
Rhysand's glare continued before he spoke, "Do you stand with spring as well?"
"It's adorable you believe you can control anyone's mind this late in the game." Helion teased before he summoned a book and tossed it to Rhysand, "go ahead and check. What your enemy sent us a few days back."
Rhysand caught the book and scanned every line, "daemati wards and mind shields..." he muttered.
"Your enemy is ten steps ahead of you while you still believe you're untouchable. You still believe your armies and gold is enough. So let me ask you, will you squander your power or finally start using your head again?" Helion urged eyes focused on the night lord.
There was silence and Helion raised his hand before summoning a wine filled chalice, "wise up old friend or you'll finally start facing the consequences of your actions." He advised.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
Tamlin walked into the room reserved for the winter court rulers, Kalias had asked him for a short chat and he could only assumed it was due to his antics at the meeting earlier. "Before you tell me to break any alliance I have with Beron-"
"This isn't about him." Kalias interrupted as Tamlin walked into their room and came face to face with something he didn't expect to see. There in the middle of the room beside the lady of the winter court was a human with fair skin and braided black hair wearing robes meant for priestess.
"Lord Tamlin, tapadh leibh airson mo shàbhaladh. Is mise Briar, aon de chloinn nan Beannaichte no na tha air fhàgail dheth." (Lord Tamlin, thank you for saving me. i am briar one of the children of the blessed or what remains of it.) Briar spoke softly with a bow.
Tamlin was shocked silent for a moment before he spoke, "Tha thu a' bruidhinn seann teanga nan sìthichean, ciamar?" (you speak the old fae tongue, how?)
"Rinn clann nan daoine beannaichte adhradh don àrd-shìth agus don mhàthair. Bidh sinn a’ cleachdadh am faclan agus an ùrnaigh."(the children of the blessed worshipped the high fae and the mother. we practice their words and prayer.) Briar answered with a soft smile. She was far different from when Tamlin last saw her injured and in rags. She stood there with the gentleness of a blooming flower yet Tamlin only felt guilt.
"You shouldn't be worshipping us or her, Briar...after all we've done. After what my family did to you..." Tamlin uttered weakly as he took a stepped back from her.
Briar looked confused, "my lord. I must, thanks to lady Viviane and Lord Kalias I have received the knowledge of the ageless. I learnt of the mother and-"
"Humanity had been enslaved by fae for so long they have forgotten their own gods and culture." Tamlin cut her off and rubbed his up his face settling his clawed hand in golden hair. "Briar you are the descendants of slaves. We have done nothing but hurt you for centuries, my family has done nothing but your kind for centuries." He protested wanting to change her mind.
Briar looked crestfallen and looked down while fidgeting with her hand. Viviane stepped forward placing herself in front of the human female. "That's enough. She only wished to bridge the gap between human and fae. To stop anymore animosity, you cannot expect her to simply forget her culture." Viviane argued the floor beneath her freezing from her rage.
"She worships us. We enslaved her kind." Tamlin snapped.
"I do not believe you enslaved any of my kind, your lordship." Briar spoke up from behind Viviane, "is it true? That you've been helping the human lands beneath the wall. That you are protecting them."
Tamlin wanted to lie but he felt the burn on his tongue too quickly. The deal was still in effect since the meeting isn't concluded. "Yes... but what difference does that make. I've...my family has done you a great harm, Briar." He remarked.
Briar slowly stepped forward, "then harmony is possible, I want the humans to ally themselves with you and the other courts."
Tamlin was silent for a moment, "Briar... I mean no disrespect. I want peace but the courts... tensions are high and I refuse to drag those who are innocent into a war that has nothing to do with them. Peace is possible but not in this era unfortunately." Tamlin explained his words heavy with despair.
Briar looked down her grip on her robes tight, "I understand my lord."
"At the very least allow her to connect with the humans down the wall. She shouldn't be alone in this ordeal." Kalias demanded with his arms crossed.
Tamlin nodded with defeat, "that I can do." He said and walked to the door, "I'm...I'm sorry for your people Briar but I am not your saviour. Had I not invited Hybern into my lands they might have been alive still," with those words he left.
Briar stood silent her hands gripping her robes. "You did nothing wrong, Briar. I shouldn't have asked you to do this." Viviane comforted with a gentle hand on her back.
"Thank you my lady. I just wished... we could have met on better circumstances." Briar uttered weakly. She later returned to the winter court with Viviane's sister leaving the winter court rulers alone in their room. Later Kalias walked to his mate and held onto her arm, gently.
"Your plan would have work Viv. He's just stubborn." Kalias said and kissed her hand.
"It didn't work but it did reveal great things about our ally." Viviane replied as she sat down at the table on the side of the room over looking day court.
"Ally? Even after what he's done. Isn't it better for our safety to be neutral towards him, my love?" Kalias questioned as he sat at the chair opposite her.
Viviane looked out the window as if she was starring into the future, " if he was consumed by vengeance he'd accepted the human allyship to fill his army but he didn't. He is determined to avoid war, to end needless bloodshed. I believe he's truly using Beron the question is for what. What does the notorious autumn snake have that Tamlin would risk it?" She pondered putting a finger under her chin. "What are his plans? If it's not war how does he intend to ensure night court falls?" She wondered on.
Kalias noticed her position and smiled softly, a privilege only Viviane could see. "You look like that marble statue, my love." He teased.
Viviane's focus was interrupted before she laugh, "Kal! I was in the middle of a break through." She complained with a smile before the winter male stepped closer and picked her up spinning her around while she laughs.
"You'll figure it out again. After all, I have the smartest mate in the world!" Kalias cheered and kissed her forehead before the two lock eyes only to share a passionate kiss.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
High fae had a tendency to procrastinate unless pushed, hence why meetings like this can last for weeks or months with multiple meets and breaks that last for a day at minimum. The short recess was an entire day and allowed the emotional beings to return to meeting hall with a level head. Like ereyesterday every high lord and a high lady was beautifully dressed except for Tamlin who dressed like an upper middle class commoner. Everyone came to the either conclusion, that the spring court was struggling financially or Tamlin was insulting the meeting by being dressed like that especially since he seems contempt to stay in his half beast form like a lesser fae.
"To recap, the seasonal courts have reminded the night court of it's transgression and have demanded reparations but also demand justice. We have made no progress regarding the food crisis or price in pyrinthia while Spring court has declared itself the enemy of the night court under a temporary truth pact but its meaning are unclarified." Helion informed.
"We must have it clarified then," Rhysand spoke while he glared at Tamlin, "you are still under the truth pact. You have spent the past year rebuilding your armies, protection and alliances." Rhysand reminded.
"Yes." Tamlin answered curtly. The tree fae and the sentry beside him were on guard.
"Do you intend to wage war on the night court?" Rhysand questioned boldly. The room silent as all eyes fell on either of them.
Tamlin barely gave a reaction before the corners of his mouth turned upward into a sly grin, "scared high lord of night, Shouldn't you be more focused on the revolts in your own lands or are too busy in your manors?" He taunted before he snapped his clawed fingers creating a glamour of the hanging dead bodies of rebel leaders and then a view of the town house in Velaris.
Shadows curled around Rhysand enraged, "how do you have that?" Velaris was his sacred place and somehow this beast had infiltrated the wards.
Tamlin shrugged, "no, I don't intend to wage war." He answered vaguely changing the subject.
Rhysand wanted to question the golden beast further, how he managed to have a perfect image of Velaris when others could barely step in. He couldn't figure out who would betray them, Lucien was the main suspect of course but there were the illyrian females even Nesta.
Helion saw the rage and stood up to regain the attention, "I'm glad we don't have to worry of another memorial so soon then. Now, to discuss the food crisis Pyrinthia is facing."
The rulers were glad to finally start focusing on the main reason the meeting was held until it was derailed by the night court again. Everyone summoned their own papers and facts before Helion made a detailed map of Pyrinthia including the roads taken from each court citizens for trade. Notably many of spring court roads were still closed off due to the ashwood wall.
Thesan stood up just as Helion sat down, "After Spring court's ruin approximately 3 years ago, food trade has went down considerably with many courts having to rely on trading with autumn court for most grain and the fae realms."
"But the fae realms have been busy with their own troubles, food trade has went down further and due to the harsh winter. Many of our people are starving." Helion commented.
"Not to mention sending goods by sea cost more added in with the time. There's also... cases of sea beast attacking. There's a beast of seaweed keeping human boats away from entering summer court oceans." Tarquin spoke and starred at Tamlin who only smiled in reply.
"It's been a shit year all around. There's not enough grain for everyone and who am I to disagree on reaping the rewards." Beron added almost pleased.
"You're currently starving us for gold." Rhysand snapped.
"I don't recall being a daemati or sabotaging defenses. Blame your mate for this. She should have known aiding Hybern in another court's destruction would lead to this. I'm simply reaping the reward of her recklessness." Beron argued a half smile formed on his face. He enjoyed antagonising Rhysand.
"In other words," Thesan cut in before an argument ensued, " If this continues, the price hikes and the food shortages will cause Pyrinthia to face a famine. Our people will suffer and die unless Spring Court, the biggest contributor to agriculture and food product starts trading more." He pleaded.
Tamlin cocked his head to the side similar to how canines size up their pray, "Curious, you all demand so much but did everyone forgot the amount of people we've lost? Spring court lacks workers and mages to supply demand."
"Which is why," Helion snapped his fingers and summoned a scroll letting it float towards Tamlin, "We are offering you a deal. Workers, material and anything you need to help rebuild in exchange for reduced prices and increased trades. It'll help everyone." He offered. The deal was fair all things considered and he had even both Thesan's and Rhysand's agreement.
Tamlin read the scroll before he used air magic to float it back to Helion before he spoke, "I cannot agree to this. I am spring court's high lord not high king of Pyrinthia. It is not my concern if the other courts struggle to pay for food."
There was a moment of silence, "surely you jest?" Helion asked but his courtier smile faltered.
Tamlin's feline eyes turned into slits as he focused on the day court ruler, "3 years ago, you and many here were quick to brand me traitor even after I took your citizens in fifty years. When my court fell only one came to my aid, everyone else repaid my kindness with nothing and I refuse to be taken advantage off again." He growled and stood up to speak, "you claim you care but you're still wearing fine silk and eat like kings. If you cared for your people you'd reduce cost and actually use your wealth to aid them but you'd rather force me to accept a one sided deal just to remain comfortable."
"It was a difficult time for all of us," Thesan argued.
"Difficult? My court suffered hell and you couldn't even offer condolences until the memorial. My court will not suffer once more. We have decided to end all trade with the night court, day court and dawn court will face an up charge on both agricultural goods and shipments. Winter court and Autumn court will have additional charges on shipment and summer court will have reduced prices." Tamlin announced.
"That isn't fair, you don't care if our people starve?" Rhysand questioned standing up.
Tamlin chuckled at the hypocrisy, "you let your own people be treated like slaves."
"And why the increased prices on dawn and day?" Helion asked but he knew the answer already.
"Him." Tamlin answered and pointed a clawed finger to Rhysand. "A warning before I leave, I once warned your predecessors of Amarantha and I'll do the same here. If you ally yourselves with him, that male who stands for nothing, who craves for power... you will find your court surrounded by enemies and your precious crowns fallen." Tamlin warned eyes starring at Rhysand with challenge.
The magic that bound him to truth disappeared when he walked out and left with his courtiers. Kalias left not long after, then Tarquin and finally Beron who thanked them for the show.
The meeting ended with more problems then solutions, worst a few hours before Helion could announce a vague conclusion of the meeting the majority were already reading of it in the news paper. Summer court had given the people the news to announce the return of their newspaper publisher's return but within it was what got everyone talking.
The second page in bold letter writings, "Spring court increases prices of agricultural goods on dawn court and day court due to their allyship with night court."
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
"This is aye horrible idea, Princey." Archie spoke barely above a whisper as a brown carriage being pulled by a pair brownish red drakes were seen heading towards the manor.
"We have to try," Tamlin whispered back.
"If he demands for land or compensation I vote we kill him." Houyi whispered as the four of them stood at the front of the manor.
"Murder is not allowed. Cripple is a possibility." Shel suggested but the four silenced themselves when Beron arrived alone.
The greeting was brief with Tamlin welcoming him and the courtiers bowing down to show respect. Mindless chatter and a few comments from Beron to Tamlin about the lack of courtier. It was a tedious dance of politeness which led to Tamlin and Beron to finally discuss their matters in spring court's meeting room. Similar to day and dawn court's it was a circular open room close to the garden with flowers growing around the pillars, a pool of water blooming with aquatic flowers in the middle including seven carved wooden chairs around the pool. Each chair decorated for the court it represents.
"Thank you for finally accepting the invitation Lord Beron, as you know-" Tamlin began talking somewhat awkwardly only to stop by Beron's dismissive wave.
"Can we skip the introduction. We are here because you want revenge against the night court and require my assistance. What is it worth to you?" Beron interjects already slouching in his chair.
Tamlin was silent from surprise but his posture relaxed and his eyes narrowed in on the lord across from him. "Revenge but also getting rid of a century old nuisance. What can you offer?"
Beron stopped slouching and leaned forward finally interested, "thousands of fae in my army, advance weaponry and allies beyond Pyrinthia. What can you offer?" He questioned.
"War is a waste of resources, time and also fae who could be put to work and not to mention the ruination of good land. We both can agree it's unwanted. So what if I offer you night court's ruination?" He countered.
"And how do you plan to do that? Your efforts aren't in vain but that court will last for a few more decades at least." Beron dismissed.
"Reveal my plan? I am no fool." Tamlin retorted and created an illusion of the night court map. "I offer your their weakened military forces, economic instability and political isolation."
Beron narrowed his eyes before tilting his head, "let's make a deal then. If you can do all what you're saying, I will give you everything you need to succeed but... fail and I want you to restart production of enchanted opium plants again."
Tamlin's smile dropped instantly, "I will not be dragged into your crimes, Beron." He hissed.
Beron let out a soft chuckle, "and here I thought the curse breaker had made you lose your morals. Such a shame." He commented before leaning back, "Spring court has historically been apart of the drug trade for millenias. Their production of both regular opium and enchanted plants brought significant wealth to your predecessors. Isn't it worth the risk?" He urged.
"No it's not." Tamlin rejected firmly before he scanned the male up and down, "a good supplier knows to not use their own products. Your own choices led to your deteriorating health and weakened body."
"You're not my healer, Tamlin." Beron spoke annoyed.
"No but I can heal you. I offer you Beron Vanserra, spring's health and in return I want your connection to those with any relation to the night court, from nobles to spies. All of it." Tamlin offered and walked towards the other with his clawed hand extended.
Beron grabbed the lord's hand skeptically but when he was about to pull away Tamlin had placed his other hand on top and didn't let Beron go. Panic rise in Beron's heart until the spring glowed gold and his magic washed over him for a moment. When the glowed dimmed, his veins started to glow golden and he felt his body becoming lighter and stronger by the second until Tamlin let go.
When Beron walked out of the room he seemed slightly different. His hair was shining of health, his movement faster and his skin wasn't as pale. He didn't even acknowledge Tamlin's courtier when he left but everyone was glad he was gone.
The courtiers walked in the meeting room and found an exhausted Tamlin, Shel was the first to speak, "I take it the meeting was a success? Any chance he wants to threaten spring court's peace again?" She questioned.
Tamlin shakes his head, "the meeting was a success and no. He seems more interested in what we can produce. That being said we need to prepare. I need all three of your support for this." He states beasty eyes on them.
"We're with ye, Princey. So long you don't forget who you serve." Archie answered while he crossed his arms.
"Good... first the interview for new courtiers and which noble houses we should accept into our midst again. All three of us will judge and hopefully we can reduce our work load. Secondly... Houyi I believe it's time to start accelerate your emissary training, Archie I believe we need to research more wards." Tamlin ended.
"What about sun forged weapon?" Houyi asked like a nervous child asking their parent for candy they shouldn't get.
"Calm yer self, Young blood. Day court is enemy lands aye dinnae think your brains safe there." Archie commented.
The young fae frowned, "ugh... daemati and more daemati. If only we could just stop their magic from entering our brains rather than just shielding." He expressed frustrated.
Shel looked down for a moment as if she was solving an equation, "daemati has no effect on me since I have no brain. It also seemed less effective on you when you were in your beast form, my lord. There must be a reason for that."
Archie stepped back, while he was a good general who can keep his soldiers in line he didn't have the book smarts of the three fae in front of him.
"You're...right but why is that? Are animal brains that different?" Tamlin questioned.
Houyi thought for a moment, his feathered neck ruffling slightly. "Dawn court medical books probably have the answer to that... but brains are just flesh with weak lightning inside aren't they?" He questioned.
"We have lightning in our brains?" Archie asked confused fitting for his age honestly.
"That sounds made up." Shel interjected making the young fae frown.
"You have no right to speak on this matter. You don't even have a brain or organs for the matter." Houyi countered while light sparked around him,
"That's enough. If we have weak lightning in our brains then maybe lightning is the answer to our question on how to completely nullify daemati. We need a daemati first for experiments and we have to find a way how to harness it." Tamlin informed and stood up shakily. "Shall we?" He asked before they left the meeting room.
Endnote: I made spring court have ties to drug trade cause of the British opium war. Tamlin obviously stopped it when he got into power but it doesn't change that his family is the reason why drugs are a problem all over pyrinthia especially autumn court. It's also a problem in the fae realms
Looong time I read fic, can't remember the chapter count, but Elain with Vvianne or just Vivianne? were kinda bashing Tamlin during tea a tete and Briar has spoken up to shut them up that "Tamlin saved her like and without him they would die in War"
I think that we might see more of Winter Court in Elain's book.
It's fascinating how in ACOWAR Elain was dressed in Winter Court clothes. SJM choose specific court's fashion for Elain.
"Viviane stepped in, offering a Winter Court fashion that was far less scandalous: leather pants but paired with a thigh-length blue surcoat, white fur trimming the collar."
And what really had my train of thought going was Briar - human, one of the Children of the Blessed. She was kept in the same camp as Elain. SJM chose to give this woman a name. And to station her in the Winter Court:
"My brows rose. The human girl—Briar—was with them. Now tucked beneath Viviane’s arm, face still bruised and swollen in spots, but … smiling timidly at the Winter Court ladies.
Viviane began to lead Briar away, chattering merrily, and Mor and Viviane’s possible-sister lingered to watch them. Mor said something to the stranger that made her smile—well, slightly.
...Mor watched the female’s face carefully—and swiftly looked away as she turned back to her, clapped Mor on the shoulder, and strode off after her possible-sister and Briar."
Now, Briar's name comes from Middle English and means "thorny bush of wild roses". Fancy how similar it is to thorns and roses - a very important symbol for SJM in this book series (shoutout to @booksnwriting, her theory about Briar made my brain work). And thorns and roses are closely connected to the Spring Court. And humans are close to the Spring.
So what I'm implying is: Elain has Spring imagery, Briar has Spring imagery. Both were mentioned in relation to Winter Court. What if when Elain will travel to Spring (through Winter Court as Feyre and Lucien did when they fled the Spring) she might meet Briar there and together they'll venture futher to Spring.
Amongst the thistles and the briar, the Spring Court waits for visitors like you. Whether you come to see the endless gardens of the High Lord's manor, try tea and whiskey in the villages of the downs, or dance to the music of the bonnie fiddle, our southernmost court has something for everyone. And while the Spring Court may be like the rest of the continent in its court life and balls, it's greatest secret is that it's all a mask - a mask that hides a verdant, primal spirit, of new life and creation, that may just involve you, if you so desire...
Inspiration: Gaelic pagan lore, classic faery books, and the regency era
