Aleutia the Rat-Maiden

"*I didn’t want to . . . retire when you wanted me to. Also your retirement party was crap. You sent three soldiers after me. Underestimate me at your own peril.*"
―Aleutia the Rat-Maiden[[Game Theory, Chapter 44: Consultation]]

## Aleutia the Rat-Maiden

Fanart of Aleutia the Rat-Maiden by Svedverite https://www.deviantart.com/svedverite/art/Fae-Sketchdump-1003-560538222

## Physical description

### Hair color

Brown-red

**Aleutia the Rat-Maiden** is an Unseelie rat shifter who served as a battle healer for the Unseelie Court for much of Gwyn ap Nudd's Seelie military career, and she later joined the Unseelie Court as Court healer during Gwyn's reign as King.

## Appearance

#### Pronunciation

* Uh-loo-shuh

Aleutia is 'squat, full-figured' and wore many layers of clothing when she appeared at the Unseelie Court to heal Gwyn. She has a frizz of curly brown-red hair. Even in human-form, she has whiskers, large rat ears with red hair on the backs, 'a long tail, clever rat fingers, beady eyes, [and] a nose that was closer to a snout.'

She carries a green healer's box.

## Personality

She has a sharp mind, and is darkly sarcastic while treating Gwyn. She is also quite blunt.

## Life

Aleutia lives in a cold area.

Aleutia healed Unseelie soldiers while Gwyn was pretending to be Seelie, and Gwyn sent assassins after her in order to stop her work.

When Gwyn arrived at the Unseelie Court badly injured, he suggested Aleutia as a healer. Aleutia came to the Court to look him over, and explained that Gwyn's shoulder injury was permanent, and the details of Gwyn's deal with Kabiri. Gwyn gave her an *immortalis* seed in exchange, with the promise that if it germinated, she would return as Court healer.

Aleutia appeared to have remained at the Unseelie Court to some extent, and helped heal Julvia Dubna Vajat, though Augus Each Uisge was critical of her methods. Augus suggested Gwyn consult with her over his 'issues with absorbing the energy of the dead', although Gwyn put it off.

At some point, Aleutia planted the *immortalis*, which germinated, but never grew properly.

She later returned to the Unseelie Court to help save Augus and Ash Glashtyn's lives. She ordered everyone but Fenwrel the Mouse-Maiden to leave, as they were simply getting in the way. After Augus and Ash were somewhat stabilized, Gwyn called in Aleutia's debt - that she would remain at the Unseelie Court as Court healer if the *immortalis* seed germinated. Gwyn had her move to the palace, which she disliked, although she was at least okay being close to Gulvi Dubna Vajat. After Augus awoke, Aleutia discussed Augus' changes to Aleutia's recommendations for Julvia's healing. She also let Augus know that Ash had a lesser version of poisoning from his time carrying underworld creatures. She joined Fenwrel in helping to heal Augus' sickness.

When Gwyn overcame Ifir's mutiny, Gwyn had Aleutia sent to treat Prince Vane.

Augus later sent for Aleutia to treat Gwyn's injuries, since Gwyn kept putting it off. Augus also took Gwyn to see Aleutia after removing Gwyn's heartsong of surrender. It was at this time that Gwyn consulted with her about his issues with using his light to feed. Aleutia explained that she believed Gwyn inherited powerful dra'ocht from Crielle ferch Fnwy, but had been feeding on his glamour in lieu of using his true appetite, as he'd never been trained in the latter and still need to live, and that she doubted he'd be able to feed 'correctly' at this point.

When Vane shot Mikkel at the last Wild Hunt, Gwyn sent for Aleutia, but it was no good, as the arrow was coated in mothersbane poison. When she realized she couldn't save Mikkel, she gave him a pain reliever, 'removed the head of the arrow for further research' and returned to the Unseelie palace, to help the injured from their recent battle. Aleutia was later tasked with reviewing Crielle's notes to help figure out how much poison she'd produced. She discovered it was only a small batch.

Aleutia helped looked after Gwyn after his death and during his recovery, and seemed to choose not to use magic on him, as it would drain his resources. She noted that his heartsong, without anything proper to anchor to, died along with his body.

## Special Abilities

**Healing:** Aleutia can use magic to scan other fae for injury. She also has a dearth of knowledge on healing, although Augus believes she is a 'generalist' healer, rather than a specialist, which can impact how valuable some of her knowledge is, particularly with more unique cases. Gwyn stated that Aleutia 'has been taught the skills of herb discernment.'

Aleutia stated she was trained as a green healer, but 'through a series of really weird circumstances' ended up specializing 'in brutal battlefield injuries and poisoning.'

## Relationships

#### Augus Each Uisge

Aleutia suggested Augus apprentice as a healer. Augus appears to respect her to some extent, and, although he takes issue with some of her decisions on herbs, he is deferential to her placement as Julvia's healer. They discuss herbs, which pleases them both. She sacrificed five years of her lifespan to heal Augus when he temporarily died. Fenwrel pointed out that not only is Aleutia seeing through her duties in caring for Augus' health, but she is also simply concerned for his welfare. Augus believes he has her grudging respect at best, but no more.

#### Fenwrel the Mouse-Maiden

Aleutia and Fenwrel seem to get along and enjoy each other's company, to the point of taking tea together, and they have worked together at least twice.

#### Gulvi Dubna Vajat

The pair seem close, to the point that they hug upon meeting again in *Game Theory*. Aleutia has saved Gulvi's life 'a few times', and seems fond enough of her to be all right with living in the Unseelie Court knowing that she'd be closer to Gulvi.

#### Gwyn ap Nudd

Gwyn tried to assassinate Aleutia many times, due to her excellent skills as a healer. Over time, Gwyn seemed to trust in Aleutia, at least insofar as she is Court healer, as she is present during important meetings with his Inner Court. Aleutia also seems to care for him to some extent, even checking up on him without asking.

#### Ifir

Gwyn noted that Aleutia is likely more loyal to Ifir than to Gwyn, as she served for so long as a 'battle healer of the Unseelie that Gwyn had wanted her assassinated when he still worked for the Seelie.'

#### Kabiri

She had prior knowledge of Kabiri before looking after Gwyn, so she likely either studied him or encountered him in some manner, possibly through another patient. Aleutia greatly disapproves of Kabiri's methods in dealing with Gwyn's shoulder injury, and is angry on Gwyn's behalf.

#### Prince Vane

After healing Vane, Aleutia called him 'a cutie' and 'poor dear', though it is unclear if this actual or casual interest on Aleutia's part.

## Quotations

* 'You’re Inner Court, you’re a warrior. Get me if you sustain a *real* injury.'
* 'Hanging onto that denial a bit longer, huh?'
* How do you have more? How did you find that fucking tree? My Master had one of these seeds, one, and she had to practically mortgage her firstborn to a Mage for it.'
* 'This is not good,’ she said finally. She looked over her shoulder and glared at Gwyn. ‘I mean it, Lord. Get out of here. Tell us where you want him and we will do what we can, but your energy could kill him off. You do not make things grow.'
* To Augus on Gwyn: 'I’m not waking him,’ Aleutia said, her voice hushed. ‘Life is far better when he’s sleeping. His energy was so discordant when we found you, he had to be made to stay away.'
* To Augus on Gwyn: 'That shoulder. God, I’d like to ream Kabiri out for that. But no, there’s just an unsteadiness in him I don’t like. I thought it would settle after last time, but it hasn’t. Some fae don’t handle switching status well? Just a few, they get sick from it, and the drop from King to underfae back up to King…’ She shook her head and placed a hand gently on Gwyn’s arm. It was odd to see her do something so kind, when usually she was so brusque. Perhaps it was because Gwyn was so deeply asleep, and couldn’t see her offering it.'

## Trivia

* Aleutia noted on multiple occasions that her rates are steep, and Gwyn noted at the end of *The Court of Five Thrones* that she is the most expensive member of his Court, but worth it.

## Image Gallery

Fanart of Aleutia the Rat-Maiden by Svedverite https://www.deviantart.com/svedverite/art/Fae-Sketchdump-1003-560538222
## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 not\_poignant. “Game Theory.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 28 February 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/915296/chapters/2571883. Chapter 43: Homecoming.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 11 November 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/5741654. Chapter 17: Life.
3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 not\_poignant. “Game Theory.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 7 March 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/915296/chapters/2655808. Chapter 44: Consultation.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 13 March 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/7780169. Chapter 35: Assertion.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 2 January 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/6705320. Chapter 24: Listen.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 1 August 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/4478196. Chapter 5: Unsolicited.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 12 September 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/5045072. Chapter 9: Amends.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 31 October 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/5651081. Chapter 16: Death.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 21 November 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/5922374. Chapter 19: Trust.
10. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 27 March 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/8003448. Chapter 37: Explosion.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 3 April 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/8119866. Chapter 38: Realisations.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 14 May 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/8820031. Chapter 43: Wildness.
13. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 24 July 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/10022663. Chapter 53: Arrow.
14. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 31 July 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/10152347. Chapter 54: Fraught.
15. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 7 August 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/10279800. Chapter 55: Refuge.
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 4 September 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/10796753. Chapter 59: Epilogue: Futures.
17. ↑ not\_poignant. "All That We Were, All That We Will Ever Be." *The Fae Tales Verse - canon extras. Archive of Our Own,* 18 August 2022. https://archiveofourown.org/works/40955040/chapters/103059351. Chapter 2.
18. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 10 October 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/5386955. Chapter 13: Advice.
19. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 12 June 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/9291202. Chapter 47: Redirection.
20. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 10 April 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/8227330. Chapter 39: Want.