Throne of Glass, #3
Heir of Fire
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 5
Overview
Celaena and Rowan begin the hard journey from mortal Wendlyn toward Maeve’s immortal lands, with Rowan’s silence and lack of comfort making clear that Celaena’s meeting with Maeve is unlikely to be gentle. In the forest, Celaena’s buried Fae identity resurfaces through her awareness of Rowan’s abilities and the arrival of the Little Folk, who recognize her as something connected to them.
The chapter shifts the story from political pursuit to mythic inheritance: Celaena is being watched not merely as an assassin, but as a descendant of Fae blood and a survivor of Terrasen’s devastation.
Summary
Celaena and Rowan ride away from Varese through Wendlyn’s southern foothills, heading toward the Cambrian Mountains that divide mortal Wendlyn from Queen Maeve’s immortal lands. Celaena recognizes the route from maps and understands that Rowan is taking her to Maeve, but exhaustion keeps Celaena silent.
As night falls, the road enters a dense, ancient-feeling forest. Rowan stops to make camp without offering comfort, supplies, or conversation, reinforcing Celaena’s suspicion that Maeve’s summons will not be pleasant. Celaena notices Rowan’s Fae advantages, such as night vision, but refuses to think about shifting into her own Fae form because of the trauma tied to her earlier transformation.
Rowan leads the horses to water, gives Celaena bread, cheese, and an apple, and refuses to light a fire. When Celaena asks whether Wendlyn has many threats, Rowan answers that the danger is not from mortals, leaving Celaena alert and uneasy in the dark forest.
Celaena sees small glowing eyes watching from the trees and realizes the Little Folk have found her. Remembering how the faeries of Terrasen once recognized and honored her despite Adarlan’s rule, Celaena wonders what these Wendlyn faeries know about the destruction of her homeland, the slaughter of Fae and faeries, and the loss of sacred forests and stags.
Moved by their silent curiosity, Celaena whispers that their western kin still live. The watching eyes disappear at once. Rowan appears unmoved, but Celaena senses that Rowan has been aware of the Little Folk the entire time.
Who Appears
- Celaena SardothienExhausted traveler to Maeve’s lands; resists her Fae nature but speaks to the Little Folk.
- RowanSilent Fae warrior escorting Celaena; withholds comfort and remains alert to unseen forest watchers.
- The Little FolkSmall faeries who silently observe Celaena and vanish after she acknowledges their western kin.
- Queen MaeveUnseen Fae queen whose summons drives Celaena and Rowan’s journey into immortal territory.