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**Walking through the spring court forest was strange to say the least I'd been living alone in a cottage in the forest in queen Vassa's domain in the human lands for about 100 years by now. When I'd gotten a letter from Lucien explaining that my old friend TimTam was struggling with heartbreak.**
*I was just approaching the manor when the golden beast attacked me* ‘Hey! Get off me fatass!’ *It's eyes widen and it gets off me before shifting forms and suddenly hugging me instead* ‘Put some fucking clothes on before hugging me.’ *I say brushing some dust off my clothes and then plucking leaves out of TimTam’s hair as he looks at the ground.* ‘Valerian it's been so long…’ *I sigh pulling on his hair slightly.* ‘You're so fucking miserable I sensed it from the human lands.’ *He looks away*
*I take off my jacket and put it around his waist to cover him a bit.* ‘Why are you a fucking giant otherwise I'd lend you my spare set of clothes.’ *He tries to move my hands aside but I slap his hand away.* ‘Come on Tamlin let's go to your manor.’
*During the walk to the manor my friend finally decides to speak to me.* ‘Why are you here? I thought you were happy living as a hunter in the human lands.’ *His voice is hoarse like he hasn't spoken in weeks.* ‘I was happy with my lifestyle until I received word about what happened to you.’ *Tamlin stays silent for a bit before letting out a sigh.* ‘Lucien?’ *I nod and he continues.* ‘He left me for The Night Court.’ *I shake my head.* ‘He didn't leave you. He just wants to spend time with his mate.’
**When we get to the manor I can't help but sigh he's clearly working on fixing it but hasn't gotten far.**
‘How are the villages?’
‘The few people that stayed have been rebuilding.’
*I glance at Tamlin and walk into the manor after him noticing how almost everything is destroyed.* ‘Damn, this is bad.’
*Tamlin only walks forward in silence and shame.* ‘Oh come on Timtam stop sulking. First order of business we're fixing the manor then we go out to the villages and help there and then your smile will reappear.’ *Tamlin turns to me.* ‘It's all ruined like it's going to work. I fixed some parts but it got so damn frustrating I broke it again.’ *Tamlin clenches his fists and I run a hand through my hair.* ‘Now now that won't help at all. You're the high lord you did well before.’ *Tamlin turns away again and mutters something.* ‘What was that Timtam?’ *He shakes his head.* ‘Nothing. Just ignore it.’ *I shrug* ‘fine. Now let's get to work.’
**We spend hours every day fixing the manor and we've certainly come far. But while we were fixing his study Tamlin brought up something interesting.**
‘I agreed to an alliance with Eris. Do you think that's a good idea?’ *I whip my head around.* ‘You're serious? Of course that's a good idea! What do you mean!? When Eris becomes high lord that alliance will be amazing! You know he apparently has an alliance with summer and winter too? Honestly it's amazing.’ *Tamlin looks back at me.* ‘Are you sure? I just figured I might but I was in a pretty bad situation so maybe my judgment shouldn't be trusted.’ *I ruffle his hair.* ‘You did well Timtam and I'm not kidding you.’ *Tamlin nods and continues working.* ‘Well I didn't do THAT well since the magic has been unstable or that's what Eris told me…I bet it's stabilized since you came back.’ *I glare at him.* ‘You're the high lord Tamlin. I'm not the one stabilizing the magic you are.’ *Tamlin looks away mumbling something again.* ‘You better not be saying I should've been high lord instead or I'm kicking your ass.’ *Tamlin decided to ignore me after that.*
**It was now two days later. The interior is mostly finished and we've begun working on the exterior.**
‘See Timtam, it's coming along nicely.’ *Tamlin nods and I spot the ghost of a smile on his face.* ‘How about we go look at the borders? Maybe we can fix some stuff with the magic.’ *I nod* ‘Good idea. Let's go.’
*As we walk to the border I notice a familiar magic flow.* ‘Hey Timtam, you notice the magic?’ *Tamlin looks at me confused.* ‘No what do you mean it's still in the same unstable state.’ *Make an arrow out of wind magic and shoot it suddenly and yep there she is. Pale skin light green that looks like it's glowing. A nature spirit. A dryad.* ‘Hey Valerian! Put me down!’ *Not just any dryad this angry little brat is Dahlia. A half dryad half high fae.* ‘Dahlia!? I thought that the dryads fled to the weaver’s forest.’ *I cancel the magic in My arrow and she steps into the clearing.* ‘Well I didn't. I've been here the whole time. Honestly get your shit together Timtam the magic is more unstable than your mental state.’ *I can't help but burst out laughing and Tamlin glares at me.* ‘You two are so annoying.’
**After that Dahlia came back to the manor with us and we started working on stabilizing the magic.**
*I was sitting outside sunbathing while Tamlin and Dahlia were inside working on the magic when Eris Vanserra winnowed in.* ‘Well hello there fire boy.’ *He looked shocked for a split second before composing himself.* ‘I should've figured it was you when my father began complaining about a missed chance to take over Spring.’ *I nod noticing the ever so slight hint of blood in the air around Eris.* ‘Let me guess you got punished for stalling and making it so Beron didn't have the chance to attack.’ *Eris only nods.* ‘If you're here I think it's safe to assume a certain half dryad is also around?’ *I gesture behind me just as I hear Dahlia complaining about Tamlin stepping on her foot.* ‘As you can hear, she is. She'll probably heal you.’ *Eris nods and Tamlin and Dahlia walk out of the manor.*
‘Hello Eris what brings you here today?’ *Tamlin asks politely. He's covering Dahlia's mouth with one hand.* ‘Get your hand away Timtam. Hello Fireboy! How's it been?’ *Dahlia ran over to Eris patting him on the shoulder. Automatically healing him* ‘Hello Dahlia. Long time no see, and sorry for coming so suddenly Tamlin I know it's impolite.’ *Tamlin shakes his head and joins the group.* ‘It's fine, Eris, I don't mind the visit.’ *Eris looks around again* ‘Seems like the repairs have been coming along and the border is much more stable.’ *Tamlin nods.* ‘That's right. Especially with these two helping it's coming along perfectly.’
**They spent that evening hanging around with Eris.**
**It's been a month by now and we were looking to recruit new soldiers and servants when Rhysand suddenly winnowed into the spring court.**
*Dahlia and I immediately got ready to fight but Tamlin stopped us.* ‘Go away Rhysand my court is fixed, there's no need for you to bother me anymore.’ *Rhysand looks around and then at me and Dahlia.* ‘Tsk guess you're right. You finally moved on from Feyre it seems.’ *He says glancing at Dahlia and I got pissed.* ‘Get out Night court brat.’ *Rhysand glares at me.* ‘And what will you do Valerian. I'm a high lord you're not.’ *I trap him in a tornado and Dahlia rips his glamour to shreds and grabs him by the wings.* ‘Oh my seems like Mr starlight has forgotten me and Valerian are on high lord level of power.’ *I smirk as Rhysand yelps in pain when Dahlia pulls on his wings.* ‘Enough you two it's no good provoking him.’ *Tamlin speaks up to stop us and Dahlia drops Rhysand kicking him for good measure.* ‘He's getting far too cocky being the “strongest high lord”.’ *I walk back to Tamlin's side with Dahlia.* ‘She's right Tamlin. Plus why forgive him for what he and his darling mate did to our court.’ *Tamlin sighs.* ‘Go away Rhysand. Or I might just let these tow do what they want.’
*Rhysand winnows away and we get back to rebuilding our court.*