--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why,” he asked. “Why did you save her?”…" description: "\"“Why,” he asked. “Why did you save her?” She dragged a hand through her hair. A white bandage around her upper arm peeked through her shirt with the mo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/sarah-j-maas-58_bad-luck_why-he-asked-why-did-you-save-her-she-dr_543384.png" --- # Why,” he asked. “Why did you save her?” She dragged a hand… ![“Why,” he asked. “Why did you save her?” She dragged a hand through her hair. A white bandage around her upper arm peeked through her shirt with the movement. He hadn’t even been conscious for that wound. He stifled the urge to demand to see it, assess the injury himself—and tug her close against…” quote by Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/sarah-j-maas-58_bad-luck_why-he-asked-why-did-you-save-her-she-dr_543384.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/sarah-j-maas-58_bad-luck_why-he-asked-why-did-you-save-her-she-dr_543384.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/sarah-j-maas-58_bad-luck_why-he-asked-why-did-you-save-her-she-dr_543384.png) > ““Why,” he asked. “Why did you save her?” She dragged a hand through her hair. A white bandage around her upper arm peeked through her shirt with the movement. He hadn’t even been conscious for that wound. He stifled the urge to demand to see it, assess the injury himself—and tug her close against him. “Because that golden-haired witch, Asterin … ,” Aelin said. “She screamed Manon’s name the way I screamed yours.” Rowan stilled. His queen gazed at the floor, as if recalling the moment. “How can I take away somebody who means the world to someone else? Even if she’s my enemy.” A little shrug. “I thought you were dying. It seemed like bad luck to let her die out of spite. And …” she snorted. “Falling into a ravine seemed like a pretty shitty way to die for someone who fights that spectacularly.” Rowan smiled, drinking in the sight of her: the pale, grave face; the dirty clothes; the injuries. Yet her shoulders were back, chin high. “You make me proud to serve you.” A jaunty slant to her lips, but silver lined her eyes. “I know.”” [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character wrestles with the moral conflict of saving an enemy because of personal loyalty, highlighting the complexity of duty versus compassion. **In simple terms:** Saving an enemy can be driven by love and duty. Key Takeaway Consider the humanity in your adversaries. Themes loyalty compassion conflict war identity Mood conflicted hopeful determined Type literary character-driven When to use this quote - battlefield - rescue missions - personal relationships - leadership decisions Key Concepts moral dilemma personal sacrifice empathy Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to protect someone you hate? - How do personal bonds reshape wartime ethics? A Different Perspective The decision may be viewed as betrayal by allies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-luck/) [Dirty clothes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dirty-clothes/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Rowan Stilled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rowan-stilled-4538183/) [Screamed Rowan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screamed-rowan-4538182/) [Witch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witch/) [Wound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wound/) ## Related quotes > [“Burning the witch Giordano Bruno is one more wound inflicted on Christ’s body.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/burning-the-witch-giordano-bruno-is-one-more-wound-inflicted-on/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [“have no interest in prisoners or battling today,” Manon said. The Queen of Terrasen gave her a grin. “Good.” Manon turned away, barking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/have-no-interest-in-prisoners-or-battling-today-manon-said-the-queen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Look at me.” Elide obeyed. The witch hissed, and Elide flinched as she shoved Elide’s hair out of her eyes. A few strands fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/look-at-me-elide-obeyed-the-witch-hissed-and-elide-flinched-as-she/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“A cry went up from the witches, save for the Thirteen—­who stayed cool and quiet. They did not need to cheer, for they ­were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/a-cry-went-up-from-the-witches-save-for-the-thirteen-who-stayed-cool/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Wrong kind of witch." - Manon Blackbeak”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/wrong-kind-of-witch-manon-blackbeak/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“His massive hand gripped the closet doorknob, dagger now angled at his side. “Come out, little Crochan,” he crooned. Silent as death, Manon slid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/his-massive-hand-gripped-the-closet-doorknob-dagger-now-angled-at-his/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I was about to rush out the door when I realized that I’d be stealing his clothes. Frantically thinking of some quick way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priscilla-west/i-was-about-to-rush-out-the-door-when-i-realized-that-i-d-be-stealing/) [Priscilla West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priscilla-west/) > [Even though I was their captive, the Indians allowed me quite a bit of freedom. I could walk about freely, make my own meals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/even-though-i-was-their-captive-the-indians-allowed-me-quite-a-bit-of/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [“Our philosophy is that home decor shouldn’t be taken too seriously, because we want our homes to reflect who we are, no one else.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jolie-sikes/our-philosophy-is-that-home-decor-shouldn-t-be-taken-too-seriously/) [Jolie Sikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jolie-sikes/) > [“Lie there panning, looking, all ribs and elbows and dilated eyes. The awake floor is littered with gear and dirty clothes, blond hardwood with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/lie-there-panning-looking-all-ribs-and-elbows-and-dilated-eyes-the/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [She paints her nails and she don't know He's got her best friend on the phone She'll wash her hair, his dirty clothes Are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/american-hi-fi/she-paints-her-nails-and-she-don-t-know-he-s-got-her-best-friend-on/) [American Hi Fi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/american-hi-fi/) > [Bro she just called you dirty! OH HELL NO, Hold My dirty clothes...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrell-thomas/bro-she-just-called-you-dirty-oh-hell-no-hold-my-dirty-clothes/) [Terrell Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrell-thomas/) > [It's hard to be a clubhouse guy without being a great guy. I mean, the nature of the job is, you know, you're picking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-francona/it-s-hard-to-be-a-clubhouse-guy-without-being-a-great-guy-i-mean-the/) [Terry Francona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-francona/) > [“I’ll throw some dirty clothes under your car and claim you ran over my anorexic friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-ll-throw-some-dirty-clothes-under-your-car-and-claim-you-ran-over/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“It is the same principle as washing dirty clothes - the more you clean the dirt away, the more it goes back to its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woo-myung/it-is-the-same-principle-as-washing-dirty-clothes-the-more-you-clean/) [Woo Myung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woo-myung/) ## More by Sarah J. Maas > [“Light it up, bitch.' 'Light it up, asshole,' ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/light-it-up-bitch-light-it-up-asshole/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lysandra chuckled, a surprisingly deep, wicked sound—probably a laugh she never let Arobynn or her clients hear. “Some night soon, I’ll sneak back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lysandra-chuckled-a-surprisingly-deep-wicked-sound-probably-a-laugh/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I love you. I am in love with you, Rowan. I have been for a while. And I know there are limits to what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-love-you-i-am-in-love-with-you-rowan-i-have-been-for-a-while-and-i/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she'll enjoy the taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/perhaps-nesta-will-take-up-the-blood-drinking-habit-too-i-certainly/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“To being the most fearsome and imposing girls the world has ever seen.” Celaena raised her goblet high before she drank. As she swallowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/to-being-the-most-fearsome-and-imposing-girls-the-world-has-ever-seen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“have no interest in prisoners or battling today,” Manon said. The Queen of Terrasen gave her a grin. “Good.” Manon turned away, barking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/have-no-interest-in-prisoners-or-battling-today-manon-said-the-queen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Well, I'm late for something incredibly important," Lucien said, and before I could call him on his outright lie or beg him to stay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/well-i-m-late-for-something-incredibly-important-lucien-said-and/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Holy gods. He'd frozen the whole damn lake. He was THAT powerful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/holy-gods-he-d-frozen-the-whole-damn-lake-he-was-that-powerful/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“She bellowed the last word with such soul-deep hatred that he felt it like a punch to the gut.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-bellowed-the-last-word-with-such-soul-deep-hatred-that-he-felt-it/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Afraid she and I had a summer romance?" That insufferable grin was still there. "I hope you did. I certainly enjoyed myself this summer."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/afraid-she-and-i-had-a-summer-romance-that-insufferable-grin-was/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“There are different kinds of darkness,” Rhys said. I kept my eyes shut. “There is the darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/there-are-different-kinds-of-darkness-rhys-said-i-kept-my-eyes-shut/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“So you’re going to ask Ress and Brullo to just leave a back door open so you can sneak in?” “Don’t be so simpleminded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/so-you-re-going-to-ask-ress-and-brullo-to-just-leave-a-back-door-open/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Gently, he pulled my hands away from my face. Gently, he took my cheeks in his hands and brushed away my tears. I didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/gently-he-pulled-my-hands-away-from-my-face-gently-he-took-my-cheeks/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I barely saw my silk slipper as it flew through the air, fast as a shooting star, so fast that even a High Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-barely-saw-my-silk-slipper-as-it-flew-through-the-air-fast-as-a/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) [Explore all 1,807 Sarah J. Maas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## More Bad luck quotes > [“You never talk to the pitcher when…” He shook his head. “You just never talk to the pitcher when--” “I just wanted to congratulate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/you-never-talk-to-the-pitcher-when-he-shook-his-head-you-just-never/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [Bad luck isn't brought by broken mirrors, but by broken minds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramandeep-singh/bad-luck-isn-t-brought-by-broken-mirrors-but-by-broken-minds/) [Ramandeep Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramandeep-singh/) > [I never knew an early-rising, hard-working, prudent man, careful of his earnings, and strictly honest who complained of bad luck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/i-never-knew-an-early-rising-hard-working-prudent-man-careful-of-his/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [“I didn't do any of what they told me,' she said, 'because the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/i-didn-t-do-any-of-what-they-told-me-she-said-because-the-more-i/) [Gabriel García Márquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/) > [“Everyone knows it is bad luck to step on a toad or on the shadow of a tree, to walk under a ladder,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-knows-it-is-bad-luck-to-step-on-a-toad-or-on-the-shadow-of-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Because the core of my personal philosophy is that everything that happens to us benefits us, I was also spared the futility of cursing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/because-the-core-of-my-personal-philosophy-is-that-everything-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“There is no bad luck in the world but whitefolks”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/there-is-no-bad-luck-in-the-world-but-whitefolks/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [The biggest trap, the biggest dungeon in life isn't laziness or bad luck, it's comfort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/the-biggest-trap-the-biggest-dungeon-in-life-isn-t-laziness-or-bad/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [All of us have bad luck and good luck. The man who persists through the bad luck - who keeps right on going -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-collier/all-of-us-have-bad-luck-and-good-luck-the-man-who-persists-through/) [Robert Collier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-collier/) > [“I was just beginning to wonder how long I would have to wait when finally a guard sauntered up and said, “Galloway, get your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-galloway/i-was-just-beginning-to-wonder-how-long-i-would-have-to-wait-when/) [Noah Galloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-galloway/) > [“Oh, I don’t buy lottery tickets... because if I won, and I was capable of that kind of odd luck, then I would also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrissi-sepe/oh-i-don-t-buy-lottery-tickets-because-if-i-won-and-i-was-capable-of/) [Chrissi Sepe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrissi-sepe/) > [“Before Tessa could answer, there was a knock at the door, and a familiar voice. "It's Jem. Tessa, are you there?" Charlotte sat bolt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/before-tessa-could-answer-there-was-a-knock-at-the-door-and-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“If you were crossing the road and saw a black cat passing, you may possibly get hit by a car, or a mail boy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/basma-salem/if-you-were-crossing-the-road-and-saw-a-black-cat-passing-you-may/) [Basma Salem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/basma-salem/) > [I'm very superstitious, and I think it's bad luck. You don't have to show your love by tattooing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priya-sachdev/i-m-very-superstitious-and-i-think-it-s-bad-luck-you-don-t-have-to/) [Priya Sachdev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priya-sachdev/) > [To my bad luck, my first schedule for 'Natasaarvabhowma' was in Kolkata and I was not really introduced to the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anupama-parameswaran/to-my-bad-luck-my-first-schedule-for-natasaarvabhowma-was-in-kolkata/) [Anupama Parameswaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anupama-parameswaran/) [Browse all 529 Bad luck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-luck/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Why,” he asked. “Why did you save her?” She dragged a hand through her hair. A white bandage around her upper arm peeked through her shirt with the movement. He hadn’t even been conscious for that wound. He stifled the urge to demand to see it, assess the injury himself—and tug her close against him. “Because that golden-haired witch, Asterin … ,” Aelin said. “She screamed Manon’s name the way I screamed yours.” Rowan stilled. His queen gazed at the floor, as if recalling the moment. “How can I take away somebody who means the world to someone else? Even if she’s my enemy.” A little shrug. “I thought you were dying. It seemed like bad luck to let her die out of spite. And …” she snorted. “Falling into a ravine seemed like a pretty shitty way to die for someone who fights that spectacularly.” Rowan smiled, drinking in the sight of her: the pale, grave face; the dirty clothes; the injuries. Yet her shoulders were back, chin high. “You make me proud to serve you.” A jaunty slant to her lips, but silver lined her eyes. “I know.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sarah J. 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