The Seelie Queen

Shadowhunter World
2007, Faerieland, The Seelie Court

The Faerieland, sometimes referred to as Faerie, the land under the hill, or the Undying Lands, is the underground abode, palace or city dwelling of the faeries. It can be considered the Shadowhunter World’s version of the Faewilds; though since the Feywilds span all worlds and universes it is more accurate to say it is merely another part of the Feywilds 

Faerieland is massive; one can travel in it like in a country, and its corridors are almost maze-like if traversed without a guide. It does not have a consistent layout and, thus, seems to change often. As part of the Feywilds it does not tolerate being surveyed, thus no map of the land has ever been produced; and similar to the fey of the Percy Jackson world it is divided into Seelie and Unseelie territories, and between these two exist a neutral space called the Borderlands, which is neither part of Faerie nor of the mortal world.

Time flows at a different rate in the realm, sometimes slower, sometimes faster. Seasons can change in the blink of an eye, mountains and caverns can appear where minutes before no such things were visible, and its rivers change their courses at the whim of some unknown force.

Like those of the fey from the Percy Jackson world, food or drinks from Faerieland are known to have hallucinogenic and euphoric properties, particularly faerie narcotics and alcoholic beverages. When ingested, these may trap people, mundanes and Shadowhunters, in the Faerie until dismissed by the ruler of the Court. It is possible to convince or bargain with a faerie, to guarantee the protection and one's freedom; however, these deals are often subject to the usual faerie trickery and duplicity. 

This is one of the main reasons why Simon requested Aemon’s aid for this endeavor, though unknown to Simon, Aemon has long been privy to the outcome of this journey long before they met. And while the consequence of this expedition plays a vital role in Simon’s future development, Aemon has no intention of letting events play out as they are meant to. For a multitude of reasons but more importantly because he simply doesn’t want to.

As he appears beside Simon within the Seelie Court, Aemon pays no attention to Meliorn, the Seelie Knight sent to receive the Queen’s guests. Rather he phases deeper into the Feywilds, becoming undetectable by all but the most powerful and perceptive of the fae. 

This ability is a side effect of Aemon’s previous merge with the Other, similar to his new way of using Conqueror’s Haki. The ability makes use of the many layers of the Feywilds as it stretches throughout reality, allowing him to seemingly teleport from one place to another or to seemingly become invisible. Truly it reminds Aemon of Talion and Celebrimbor’s ability of making use of the Unseen World in the games Shadow of Mordor, and Shadow of War. Of course unmentioned is how Aemon use of the ability is largely inspired by the game. 

[Don’t panic. I’m right next to you] Aemon tells Simon through the group chat just as the vampire begins to look for him. 

When Jace and Clary turn to Simon with the same question on their lips, he merely shrugs as if he too is unaware of Aemon’ whereabouts. 

“Clarissa Fairchild, and Jace Wayland, welcome to the Seelie Court.” says the faerie knight sent to welcome them with a knightly bow. 

He has long, blue-black hair, green eyes, and possesses a leaf-shaped mark on one cheek. As a faerie knight, he wears silvery brown armor with a design of overlapping scales. His facial features are sharp and he wears a cool expression.

Upon seeing him Aemon immediately recognises as Meliorn, the personal knight and trusted confidante of the Seelie Queen. A half-fey with a powerful faerie father, raised in the Seelie Court, and due to the time differences between Faerieland and the mundane world, is over two hundred years old.  

“Wow, rude much?” says Simon upon being ignored, his words bringing Meliorn’s attention to him. 

“Simon Lewis, the Daylighter, we did not expect you.” says Meliorn with a grin. 

“Well, I’m  here now. Deal with it.” with a shrug, but it is clear to Aemon that Meliorn’s knowledge of his condition leaves him ill at ease. 

“Daylighter? What is that?” is Clary with a frown. 

“Oh, did he not tell you?” asks Meliorn, before adding with widening grin. “How fascinating.” he says before turning around and leading the trio into the Seelie Court. 

“Simon, what is he talking about?” asks Clary with a frown. 

“It’s nothing.” reassures Simon with an unsteady smile before following Meliorn, prompting Clary and Jace to do the same. 

[You did not tell her.] observes Aemon. [Why not?] he asks. From what he remembers, whether in the books or show, Simon does not hesitate to tell Clary about his being able to survive in the sunlight now. 

[Between the group chat and the fallout from the attack on the Institute I just didn’t get the chance.] replies Simon, causing Aemon to frown.

[How long has it been for you?] asks Aemon, for he wonders how fast time passes in Simon’s world compared to his own. 

[A week. In my world it’s been a week] replies Simon as they enter a massive courtroom with a party in full swing. 

There is a haze around the room, giving it a dreamlike quality, enchanting music seems to surround them, and beautiful fey laugh, and giggle as they dance enticingly. In some corners a few fey can be seen indulging in sexual pleasure, while others do not seem to care enough to find a corner. 

A particularly handsome male fey approaches Clary, drawing her in with an enchanting smile. Only through Jace’s interference does she return to her senses. 

“The Seelie Court.” sneers the Other as his spirit materiales next to Aemon. “You will not find a more debauch group of beings than them. They make demons of lust seem tame at times.” 

“Demons?” asks Aemon with a raised eyebrow. “You’ve met demons?” 

Rather than answer with words, the Other merely returns the gesture. 

“Fair enough.” says Aemon as he turns his attention back to Seelie Court. 

“That girl will not survive this night.” remarks the Other as Clary is almost tricked into partaking in the food of the fey, only being stopped by Simon. “That is twice now that she has almost been killed.” he comments. 

“An over exaggeration.” replies Aemon. She may have been enticed into partaking in the pleasure of the fey and become trapped in the realm, but she would not be killed so easily; the Seelie Court is not so merciful.

“You are right.” replies the Other. “A Shadowhunter trapped within their court and a slave to the pleasures they bring, the Seelie Court is not so merciful.” 

As he follows Simon, Aemon makes sure to keep an eye on Clary and Jace. He may not care what happens to the two, but Simon does and for the respect that Aemon holds towards his character during his first lifetime he will not let him needlessly suffer. This world is not a storybook where all eventually ends well. 

Eventually the group is led to the Seelie Queen, and for the first time Aemon believes that he understands what others feel the first time they lay eyes on him. 

The Queen is a majestic, beautiful slender woman with long scarlet hair, and clear, blue eyes; and like most faeries she has slightly pointed ears. Over her brow is an intricate golden circlet for a crown. 

When she steps from her throne and walks towards her guests, she seemingly glides through the air with a grace and majesty that Aemon has only seen in himself. 

“Careful, that enchanting smile of hers hides a sharp dagger.” warns the Other. 

“A woman after my own heart.” replies Aemon. After all, dangerous women have always been his ‘type’. Arianne, Melisandre, and Daenerys, all women who posed a danger to him in some form or another during his first life as Jon Snow. Unfortunately since his second chance at life began none of the women he has met have fit the criteria. 

The closest in recent memory is Evelynn, but she poses no danger to him. To other men, certainly, but to him hardly. 

The Seelie Queen would be the first. Aemon thinks to himself as the Queen’s eyes pass over the area where he stands only to stop on him with a glare. 

“She has noticed you.” remarks the Other. 

“I know.” replies Aemon with a grin as Meliron hurls his spear towards him. 

Rather than retreat, Aemon steps forward, entering another layer of the Feywilds before stepping out into the Seelie Court before the Queen, seeming teleporting before her. 

Aemon’s abrupt appearance causes Meliorn to warily appear before his Queen in a protective stance with his sword drawn. Immediately after Meliorn takes action, a dozen faerie knights quickly surround Aemon and his group. 

“Quite rude to treat a guest with such hostility.” says Aemon. 

“He is right. Where are your manners Meliorn.” agrees the Seelie Queen as she gently guides Meliorn to sheathe his sword. 

“Pardon me.” says Meliorn with a bow as the other faerie knights follow suit before retreating. 

“You are not who I was expecting.” says the Seelie Queen as she steps past Meliorn.

“I tend to have that affect.” says Aemon as he lightly takes the Seelie Queen’s hand into his own and gently kisses it. “Enchanted, you may call me Daemon.” names have power after, especially if they hold some significant meaning to him. Better to err on the side of caution.

…

…

…

“Enchanted, you may call me Daemon.” says the fey after placing a kiss on the back of her hand. 

It takes much effort for the Queen not to sneer at him, his presence reeks of the Unseelie and in such a concentration that would put the Unseelie King to shame. Which begs the question, who is he? And has he usurped the Unseelie King? 

As she contemplates these questions, Meliorn whispers to her the relevant information. 

“I am sure that you are.” says the Queen before asking, “How fare my knight? It has been some time since they have visited. I worry for them, especially Dairic; such a temperamental knight that one.” she says.

“Ah yes, Dairic, he has brought me a pleasant surprise that one. He does not confide in me, but I am sure that he and your other knights miss their home.” says the fey before her, vague truth and conjecture intertwined together as easily as he breathes. This is no youngling before her, this one is at the very least a few centuries old. This will be quite interesting, the Queen thinks to herself with a beautiful smile

Author's Note: Here's the latest chapter. As usual, tell me what you guys think.