Characters A Dawn of Onyx Kate Golden

Halden: Childhood Friend, Assassin, and Catalyst in A Dawn of Onyx

Overview

Halden is a character whose introduction as Arwen's beloved childhood friend and former romantic interest quickly unravels into something far more sinister. Initially presented as a fellow villager from Abbington who disappeared to fight in the war, Halden is captured by Onyx forces in Chapter Fourteen and revealed to be an assassin working for King Lazarus—an agent sent to kill Fae defectors. His role is central to several turning points in the story, forcing Arwen to confront the gap between her memories and the truth. Halden embodies the theme of trust and betrayal, serving as a foil to Kane and a crucible for Arwen's growth.

Plot Role

Halden's reappearance in Chapter Fourteen shatters Arwen's fragile sense of safety in Shadowhold. After a war forum, seven soldiers bring in three bound prisoners; when their hoods are removed, Arwen sees Halden—bloodied, bruised, a prisoner of war. He claims she was to be his wife, which enrages King Kane, who orders execution. Griffin delays it, and Halden is taken to the dungeons.

In Chapter Fifteen, Arwen visits Halden, who admits he manipulated the situation and asks her to help him escape. She is torn between her past loyalty and her growing connection to Kane. Mari concocts a plan to use the upcoming banquet for King Eryx as cover. In Chapter Seventeen, Halden presses Arwen about a "relic" and questions whether she has met any halflings, foreshadowing his true allegiance. He kisses her, but she feels something missing.

The escape goes awry in Chapter Eighteen when an explosion traps Arwen and Kane in a wine cellar. Kane warns Arwen that Halden is a murderer. In Chapter Nineteen, Kane reveals Halden is an assassin sent by Lazarus to kill Fae defectors in Onyx. Halden had abandoned Arwen during the escape, confirming his self-interest.

In Chapter Twenty-eight, during a surprise attack on the castle, Arwen's sister Leigh runs to Halden, revealing a potential betrayal. In Chapter Twenty-nine, Halden corners Arwen and Leigh in the stables. He refuses Kane's offer to surrender, a fight erupts, and Arwen knocks Halden unconscious by smashing her head into his nose. That is the last direct action Halden takes in the novel; his fate is left unresolved as the castle burns and the survivors flee.

Motivations and Traits

Halden's surface motivation appears to be survival—he wants to escape Onyx custody and return to Amber. But as his true colors emerge, deeper drives become clear. He is willing to manipulate Arwen's affection to gain freedom and to extract information about the king's plans and a relic. He shows no remorse for killing innocents; Kane states Halden killed six Onyx men and three bystanders while trying to access the vault. Later, in Chapter Nineteen, Kane reveals Halden's mission was to assassinate Fae defectors—work done on behalf of a tyrannical king.

Halden's traits include charm and familiarity (he knows how to use shared history to sway Arwen), a capacity for deception (he lies about being a mere soldier), and a self-preservation instinct that supersedes loyalty. He abandons Arwen during the escape in Chapter Eighteen, showing he values his own life over hers. In the stables scene, he ignores Arwen's pleas and chooses to seize her for Lazarus, indicating a cold efficiency. His final line, "I can't do that," when asked to let them go, underlines his transformation from friend to enemy.

Chronological Arc

  • Pre-Novel History: Halden grew up with Arwen and her brother Ryder in Abbington. He and Arwen shared a romantic relationship, watching shooting stars on the roof of the Tipsy Boar. He left for war over a year before the novel begins, and Arwen believed he was fighting against the "wicked kingdom" of Onyx. She missed him deeply.
  • Chapters 1-13: Halden is absent but referenced. Arwen thinks of him nostalgically. Ryder reveals he hasn't seen Halden in months, deepening the mystery.
  • Chapter 14: Halden is captured as a prisoner in Kane's war tent. He claims Arwen was to be his wife, provoking Kane's jealousy and ordering execution.
  • Chapter 15: Arwen visits Halden in the dungeon. He admits manipulating the situation to use her connection to the king. They plan his escape using the banquet as distraction.
  • Chapter 17: Halden presses Arwen for information about a relic and halflings. They kiss, but Arwen feels no spark.
  • Chapters 18-19: Halden's escape explosion traps Arwen and Kane. Kane reveals Halden is an assassin. Halden leaves without Arwen.
  • Chapters 28-29: Halden reappears during the attack, trying to take Arwen and Leigh to Lazarus. Arwen knocks him unconscious, and Kane defeats the remaining soldiers. Halden's ultimate fate is unknown—left unconscious in a burning stable.

Relationships

  • Arwen: The central relationship. Arwen's memories of Halden are fond; she considered him a future love. His betrayal leaves her heartbroken but also clarifies her feelings for Kane. She ultimately rejects him physically (the kiss lacks passion) and morally (she fights him to protect her family). Their confrontation in the stables marks a definitive break.
  • Kane: Antagonistic. Halden uses the claim of being Arwen's intended to wound Kane and gain leverage. Kane sees Halden as a threat and a murderer. They clash physically in Chapter Twenty-nine, with Kane winning.
  • Ryder: Halden was Ryder's friend, but Ryder hasn't seen him in months prior to the novel. There is no direct interaction between Halden and Ryder.
  • Leigh: Leigh initially runs to Halden during the attack, suggesting she still trusts him. But when he refuses to free Arwen, she stands behind Arwen. Halden's betrayal widens to include Arwen's family.

Key Decisions and Consequences

  1. Halden claims Arwen as his wife (Chapter 14): This provokes Kane's execution order, escalating the conflict. Consequence: Arwen's position in Shadowhold becomes precarious, and Kane's jealousy is inflamed.
  2. Halden asks Arwen to help him escape (Chapter 15): She agrees, setting the plot for the banquet explosion. Consequence: Arwen's illegal actions nearly destroy the castle's security and lead to Kane confronting her.
  3. Halden presses for information about a relic (Chapter 17): Shows his true mission. Consequence: Arwen becomes suspicious but dismisses it; later Kane reveals the relic is connected to the Fae prophecy.
  4. Halden abandons Arwen during the escape (Chapter 18-19): He leaves her alone in the wine cellar. Consequence: Arwen is trapped with Kane and learns the painful truth about Halden's nature.
  5. Halden tries to capture Arwen in the stables (Chapter 29): He refuses to let her go even when Kane offers to surrender. Consequence: Arwen physically fights him and knocks him out, severing all ties. This decision highlights his final slide into villainy.

Theme and Symbol Connections

Halden is a vehicle for exploring trust and betrayal. His false identity as a simple soldier hides an assassin's purpose, forcing Arwen to question her ability to judge character. He also connects to power and control: Lazarus uses assassins like Halden to maintain control over enemies. Halden's manipulation of Arwen's emotions mirrors the larger power dynamics in the war.

He stands as a symbol of the past Arwen must outgrow. Her nostalgic memories give way to harsh reality, paralleling her journey from sheltered healer to a woman who fights for her own future. The kiss that "felt missing" signals her emotional shift toward Kane and away from childhood attachments.

In contrast to light versus darkness, Halden initially seems a "light" figure from her home, but he aligns with the darkness of Lazarus. His betrayal is a catalyst for Arwen's self-discovery and bravery: she learns to trust her instincts rather than her memories.

Questions and Answers

  1. What was Halden's true mission in Onyx?
    Halden was an assassin sent by King Lazarus to kill Fae defectors in Onyx, not a regular soldier. Kane reveals this in Chapter Nineteen after the wine cellar explosion.

  2. Why did Halden claim Arwen was his wife?
    He did it to manipulate the situation—to test Kane's reaction and gain leverage. In Chapter Fifteen, he admits to Arwen that he said it to provoke the king, hoping to use her connection for his own survival.

  3. Did Arwen ever truly love Halden?
    Arwen believed she loved him, but after their kiss in Chapter Seventeen, she feels something missing. Her later choice to fight him and her growing feelings for Kane suggest her love for Halden was more about comfort and familiarity than a deep bond.

  4. How does Halden's betrayal affect Arwen's growth?
    It forces Arwen to stop relying on her past and to see the world as it is, not as she wishes it to be. She learns to question loyalty and to defend herself physically—she knocks Halden unconscious in Chapter Twenty-nine. This event strengthens her resolve to face Lazarus and her own destiny.

  5. What is Halden's ultimate fate in the novel?
    Halden is left unconscious in the stables after Arwen knocks him out in Chapter Twenty-nine. The castle is burning, and his battalion is defeated. His fate is not shown further; he may have died in the fire or been captured by Onyx forces. The novel does not confirm his death.

For more on how Halden's actions tie into the novel's overall conflict, see the ending explained and the main book page.