This would be such an interesting timeline, and I think it could easily make sense. Because the first big moves the Iron Realm made against the courts weren't actually against the courts— they were against the Seelie.
So Rowan, probably a few years ago (but not too long ago because Machina was on the throne), made some sort of contact with the Iron Realm, and sure, Machina is a massive imperialist and eugenicist, but Virus is talking about how evolution doesn't have to leave behind the Oldbloods entirely, she's working on synthesizing Iron Glamor with older forms of glamor, which Rowan looks at and sees A) So much Power, and B) Cool so hopefully the Iron Realm won't be actively eating the rest of the nevernever and turning into acid rain badlands.
She just needs to do some test runs! And Machina thinks the best place to start is with a half-fey, since they can withstand Iron, and it needs to be a really strong half-fey to withstand the Iron Realm, and—
So Rowan gets signed onto helping kidnap Meghan. Which, kidnapping a half-fey is small potatoes, plus will throw a wrench in the Summer Court, so it's all good.
Then a chimera attacks the summer court.
"Hey Virus, the courts are at each other's throats now. Is this your fault?" Rowan asks.
"Yes, but consider: it lived with iron inside its brainstem for a good few hours. I call this a successful proof of concept!" Virus says. And she has a point, she's making progress, Rowan just has to stick it out with this crazy mad scientist and her regime long enough to get a decent protection from Iron Glamor and then he'll be one of the most powerful Oldblood fey, and—
Ash and Meghan go into the Iron Realm and Machina's regime implodes on itself.
Okay. This is unideal. And while the Iron Court is fractured, they still have the advantage in that the Oldblood fey physically cannot go onto their land, and if this new regime make themselves known they could easily expose him for working with them. But he can keep riding along, because Virus is so close to results she just needs a lot more glamor to be working with since this new king doesn't trust her. She doesn't even need living specimens, she just needs an artifact, and if the courts are at each other's throats, well— Mab won't notice if her middle child is experimenting with iron, will she? It'll be quick, in and out, and if Virus finds a solution not only will she be powerful enough to cement her rule in the Iron Realm, but she'll be indebted to Rowan, who made it happen.
And then Sage dies. And Ash finds out Rowan's involvement. And Ash is kidnapped, turned into a puppet— but it's working, he's still alive, this means we're right, Virus says, and he needs to believe her because he needs this to work, because neither of them have any allies but each other anymore.
And then Virus dies. The Iron Realm is known by both courts, and Rowan is a traitor.
He could ally with Glitch, but Rowan might not even know he's alive until he's already thrown his chips in with Ferrum, and Glitch's survival strategy relies on being hidden— Rowan couldn't get to him if he tried.
The only way out is through.
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