How does Manon Blackbeak's coven arc connect to Aelin?

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Key intersections between Manon’s arc and Aelin

1. Shared enemy & shifting allegiances Manon begins as part of Erawan’s Ironteeth witches under Morath, led by her grandmother (the Blackbeak Matron). Over time, she witnesses and rejects the cruel and inhumane breeding experiments among witches, and her loyalty pivots—not just away from Erawan but towards a more just cause aligned with Aelin’s goals. Her heritage—half Crochan—plays a big role in this shift.

2. Battle for Rifthold — Manon saves Dorian Manon is sent with the Thirteen to sack Rifthold under Erawan’s command, but she makes key choices: she kills Iskra Yellowlegs’s member Zelta to protect Dorian, warns him of Erawan’s true nature, and helps him flee the city. This aligns her actions directly with Aelin’s cause, creating a life debt between Manon and Dorian, which also brings her into Aelin’s orbit.

3. Alignment through the Lock and the witch mirror Aelin’s quest involves finding the Lock and Wyrdkeys to defeat Erawan. Manon, alongside her coven, assists in this by protecting the Wyrdkey (passed via Elide) and explains the lore around the “Eye of Elena,” the witch mirror, and the curse on the witches. When Aelin and Manon enter the mirror together, they share visions of the past and see Elena Galathynius’s sacrifice, learning more about what must be done to defeat Erawan—and that Aelin’s destiny involves self-sacrifice.

4. Rescue & shared vulnerabilities After a mission goes awry, Manon ends up near death and is found by Aelin’s ship. Aelin makes the decision to heal her, though she is under guard as a prisoner. This rescue is a turning point: it gives them time to exchange truth and build mutual respect. Aelin sees Manon’s suffering and sense of honor; Manon sees the burden of Aelin’s leadership.

5. Strategic collaboration & tension Though they don’t always get along—Manon has her Witchish code, and Aelin her Queenly duties—they develop an “irritable but understanding relationship.” Their personal histories, bloodlines, and choices become intertwined: Aelin’s claim to sacrifice herself, Manon’s role as the heir to the Crochan legacy, and the necessity of witches joining Aelin’s fight for the Lock and against Erawan. This interdependency deepens as the war gathers intensity.

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In short: Manon’s covens arc intersects with Aelin's in that Manon’s identity shift and moral awakening make her a key ally—one whose choices help unlock major revelations about the past (via the witch mirror), influence critical battles (like Rifthold), and set up the sacrifices ahead for Aelin. They move from opposition by duty to collaboration by choice.