It had not been going well.

Aelin was going into premature labor, and she wasn't going easily.

Rowan clutched her hand to his chest as she screamed. He let her squeeze it so hard it would've crushed the bones of a human.

"It'll be okay. I love you," Rowan kept repeating to her.

Gods above, he was still in his suit, now marred with sweat and blood.

Aelin groaned even louder.

"She's losing a lot of blood and the baby isn't coming out easily. I would suggest a surgery," the midwife said.

Aelin's eyes were rolling back again. "Do...whatever...you need," she rasped.

Rowan nodded at the midwife.

"Give her the tonic!" she yelled for at one of her servants.

"Aelin, you don't leave okay? You will wake up and teach this baby how to walk with me. I love you, I love you to whatever end."

Aelin slightly nodded, "I love you too."

And they rolled her away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The King of Terrasen had been waiting for a long while alongside his whole court. No one had said a word, all holding their breaths until a slight sound reminded them to exhale.

Until a nurse walked out, face looking grave.

"It's...Your Majesty we were able to deliver the baby-"

Rowan didn't wait any longer as he ran into the delivery room, his court on his tail.

The cries of a baby greeted them.

Sobs out broke as Rowan went to go take his baby girl in his hands.

He stretched his pinky out, "Hello, Elentiya Galathynius," he breathed. "Welcome to the world."

But then the room went quiet.

The tears of bliss were still rolling down his face as he turned to find Lysandra with her hand over her mouth.

On her knees.

Because when Rowan Whitethorn Galathynius looked down.

His Fireheart was not breathing.

Author's note - Please don't hurt me. Am I pulling a "Rhysand" on you or am I pulling a "Sam Cortland" on you? One more chapter left!