Alaric Netheron

**Alaric Netheron** is the second in command of the Wild Hunt. He is Gwyn ap Nudd's battle partner. He is one of the oldest males in the Wild Hunt. He's currently in charge of the Wild Hunt at the island of Annwn, protecting the current Queen of Annwfyn.

## History

### The Beginning

Alaric Netheron was not born as Alaric Netheron. His birth name was actually Fergus Traech. He was born to two parents who were part of the ancient race of Fae, similar to that of Gwyn ap Nudd. This made him part of the first generation after the race of the ancients, who have all but vanished for the most part: either giving up their immortality for love and breeding or simply left Annwfyn for a new world. It was just after his Settling age, around the mortal age of 24, that he decided to go out for a hunt to provide for his parents, who were starting to ail in their mortality. It was here that he happened to come across many aggressive kelpie, which are similar to horses but carnivorous and they also live near or in water. While these kelpie began to team up against Fergus, he felt as if he'd never live to see his parents again. It was at this time that Gwyn ap Nudd came soaring in on his horse, Orion, but it was also at this time that Fergus' survival instincts, including his deathly magic, came to life. Together, they fought the kelpies side by side, as if in a dance routine, slaughtering the creatures as if they were made of butter instead of bones. It was the beginning of a budding friendship.

A few more years passed, Gwyn ap Nudd came into Fergus' life every now and then while he and his brothers were in town. Fergus' parents had passed away, and Fergus felt lost for the first time. He had no one to care for, he did not have siblings nor did his parents leave him with any information with relatives. It was at this time that Gwyn ap Nudd gave him the option to join the Wild Hunt with him and his two brothers. It was the first time the Wild Hunt opened its arms to someone who was not of the ancient race. Fergus accepted, and Gwyn allowed him to change his name if he wished. While Fergus was not keen on changing his name, he knew that he would be hung up on his past if he did not. Thus, he changed his name from Fergus Traech to Alaric Netheron.

After joining the Wild Hunt, Alaric and Gwyn became battle partners. Together, they seemed to fight stronger and smoother. It soon became that wherever Gwyn went, Alaric followed like a shadow. Gwyn helped Alaric gain power and control over his magic ability, which Gwyn nicknamed "Hellas," after the Fae god of Death and ruler of the Fae Underworld. Alaric eventually ended up marrying a Fae woman, handmaiden to Sorcha Fireheart, who was Gwyn's lover. During the assassination of Sorcha Fireheart, his wife had also sacrificed herself trying to save the Queen. It was an experience that both Gwyn ap Nudd and Alaric Netheron had to face together, though Alaric seemed to be the stronger one in this situation, taking over the Wild Hunt until Gwyn ap Nudd was more in tune with himself once more.

### Sardothien Reign

Alaric and Gwyn have been in charge of keeping Celaena Sardothien safe from harm, especially because she reminded Gwyn so much of Sorcha Fireheart. Alaric has noticed some slight changes in Celaena Sardothien in the past month, especially because she firmly believes Gwyn ap Nudd is either dead or a traitor to the crown. It has stirred up some unrest within him, as he continues to be the eyes and ears to his brother-in-arms, who he knows is hiding out in Meru.

## Appearance

Alaric Netheron is six feet tall. He has long dark brown, nearly black, hair that reaches his shoulders. It is usually tied back in a braid or a low ponytail when he's on duty or in battle. He has a large scar across his right eye that stretches from above his eyebrow to the bottom of his cheek bone. His skin is tanned as if he constantly lives in the sunlight. He wears mostly black, as a symbol towards the god of Death, Hellas, who he has named as patron of his familial name due to his magic. His ceremonial garb has a wolf skin cape, similar to Gwyn ap Nudd's, except it is all black instead of ashy brown. His body is lean, like most of the Wild Hunt. Like most first generation Fae and ancient Fae, Alaric has an animal form. His animal form is a tiger, though the colors are inverted. His fur is black while his stripes are orange. His eyes remain a molten gold, just like his normal eyes.

## Personality

Whereas Gwyn ap Nudd is very formal and intimidating, Alaric is more personal and charming. He enjoys talking to people, getting to know them. He enjoys all the social aspects of being part of the royal court. While he may communicate well with the community, he does not have many friends. He is only truly close to Gwyn and Brannon Netheron, his grandson. He is more strict and protective of Brannon, though, than he is of others within the Wild Hunt. Most people tend to fawn over his abilities to speak, even though he does not think much of it.

## Abilities

Alaric is commander over the shadows. He can manipulate shadows into doing whatever he needs them to do, especially inflicting pain on others. The shadows become more physical in the world, able to touch others at his command. Usually the touch is malicious, but he has learned to make it less so. The shadows are usually what Alaric used when the Wild Hunt took prisoners, for the shadows he commands are inescapable. He is also a master at wielding a great axe, which is usually strapped to his back, as well as two twin daggers that are strapped to his sides.

## Relationships

### Gwyn ap Nudd

Alaric and Gwyn have been together for the majority of Alaric's life, as well as the majority of Gwyn ap Nudd's life. Together, they are unstoppable in battle. They are more like brothers than simply two men in the same military unit. Where one goes, usually the other is not too far behind, unless they are scheming some plot together or one is in need for the other to be elsewhere.

### Brannon Netheron

Brannon is Alaric's grandson and the only other family member to possess strong magic like him. Alaric is very possessive over Brannon, inserting himself into the boy's life at every passing moment, despite Gwyn ap Nudd's advice. Alaric believes Brannon is destined for greatness and wants to control that greatness to make sure it is beneficial to the family and Brannon himself.

### Celaena Sardothien

Alaric does not have much of a relationship with Celaena Sardothien besides being one of her guardians. She does remind him significantly of Sorcha Fireheart.

### Sorcha Fireheart

Sorcha Fireheart is Gwyn's ex-wife, who unfortunately passed away during the assassination attempt on the throne along with Alaric's wife, who was her best friend and handmaiden. Sorcha Fireheart was the one who set Alaric up with his wife, who bore them four children, and he has forever felt grateful for her life. After her passing, Alaric helped Gwyn mourn and gathered Sorcha's remains for a proper burial on the royal grounds, despite nobles protesting that she should not be allowed to be buried with the other rulers.