Hello! This is my first WoW story, so I do hope you all enjoy it. Please read and review to tell me how I did. Happy reading!
A young man stood in the gateway leading out of the city watching an old cart slowly bump towards him. The man, labeled handsome by many of the unmarried ladies of Gilneas, smiled pleasantly as figures became recognizable on the approaching cart; his dark green eyes seeking only the one person that mattered to him. His smile widened as he caught sight of her.
The young woman looked up sharply as the person seated beside her leaned over to tell her something. Her eyes immediately locked with his and he gave her a jaunty, almost teasing, wave. A scowl marred her expression as she brushed off the man beside her.
The young man brushed his hazel hair out of his eyes as a sudden breeze caught it and watched as the cart get close enough for him to hear its wooden wheels creaking on the cobblestone. He heard the impatient young woman shoot a question to the driver who simply waved in answer. The young woman promptly hopped off the cart when it was near enough to the handsome young man and jogged to where he was waiting.
"Welcome back Jeanne. I do hope the harvest-witches treated you well."
The young man grinned at the female approaching him, scowl still firmly in place on her otherwise lovely face.
"Cerdic," she greeted shortly, emerald eyes roaming over his figure briefly before searching the area beyond him, "Why are you here? I thought Ammon was supposed to get me."
A small frown tugged at the corners of Cerdic's lips as he offered his arm to his sister, the woman habitually taking it. "He never stopped by the house. He's probably skulking somewhere with those so-called 'trainers' he has taken a liking to. Common criminals the lot of them."
"Cerdic," Jeanne huffed, her tone sharp with irritation, "My twin is not a criminal. This is no more a crime than your own martial training. Or mine for that matter."
Cerdic's frown got deeper as he led Jeanne across the dim and gloomy square, only punctuated by the lit oil lanterns and the occasional pair of guards patrolling the streets. He paused as a pair passed by, nodding to them in greeting before picking up the conversation again.
"Your own training is a crime as well." Cerdic said, "You should be here with me in the city or married and tending your own household like a noblewoman of your station should be. Not off traipsing around the woods and playing with animals like some kind of savage."
Jeanne's face twisted in annoyance and exasperation, her hands clenching the heavy woolen fabric as the urge to smack her brother rose up.
"Has it ever occurred to you, dear brother, that I don't want a husband? I don't wish to be bartered and given over like a prize mastiff!"
"I am only looking out for your welfare, Sister," Cerdic countered, calm as ever in face of Jeanne's temper, "If something were to happen to me then who will care for you? Ammon is out of the question, seeing as he has shamed our family name enough, running around with common criminals."
"I don't need someone protecting me! I am not a defenseless child!"
"No, you're not. However, you still need a man to speak for you."
With an infuriated growl, Jeanne stabbed a pale finger into the bigger man's chest. "I don't need any man to speak for me as if I have no brain and no opinion. Any who tries are not worthy of me!"
Jeanne glanced up at the sight of her brother's 'meager' living quarters, scowling as she recognized it for what it was.
"I'll never figure out why the King give you back the townhouse. He reclaimed it after Papa died." she muttered to herself, knowing her brother would overhear.
"Being the admiral of his personal navy helps things."
"A title you only inherited," she grumbled, allowing him to escort her up the pathway, "Papa was the one who earned it. Besides, the King doesn't really have a navy anymore."
"That may be," Cerdic replied, hurt colouring his tone a bit, "But he isn't here now. I am the eldest so it is fitting that it goes to me."
"Though I was always the better sailor."
"You are a woman!" Frustration heating his words more clearly now that they were inside his home and not in public, "It is not acceptable for you to run off like a wild harpy and do as you please!"
"Says who?" Jeanne challenged, letting her anger flow freely now, "This bleeding society that cares more for fashion and appearances than the happiness of its people?! That only wants to keep us women chained to the notion that we are nothing but helpless, weak playthings?"
Cerdic opened his mouth to retort when he caught sight of the rosebushes growing outside the front windows. They were now about twice the size they originally were and waving frantically, as if a strong wind had caught them. Some branches were beating against the glass, creating a ruckus he was deaf to until that moment.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, letting most of his anger and frustration out on an exhale, he looked back up at his enraged sister in front of him and holding his hands out in a placating manner.
"Jeanne, sister, we don't need to fight as we always do. Can we agree to disagree this time? You're making the roses beat down the windows again."
Snorting, she took a deep breath and visibly tried to reign her emotions in. After the third purposeful exhale, the roses ceased their barrage and settled back down in their beds.
"You would've deserved it if they had broken your precious windows," she snapped, whirling around and starting towards the nearest stairwell, "I assume there are fresh gowns waiting in my rooms and that I need to be out in time for dinner."
"Bathe quickly Jeanne, we dine with the King tonight," Cerdic called after her, making her freeze in her tracks.
"When were you going to inform me of that?!"
"When you had calmed down, dear sister," Cerdic grinned up at the flustered and infuriated stare she leveled at him, "and that wasn't until now. Please hurry; it wouldn't do if we were late to the King's hall."
With a huff, Jeanne picked up her traveling skirts and ran out of sight, barreling through the poor maids. Cerdic shook his head and retreated to his own quarters to freshen up while his sister is most likely rushing through her bathing routine.
"As unorthodox as Jeanne is," he thought, whistling a merry tune as he changed into fresher clothes, "She still has the sense to not keep the King waiting. Especially now that he's taken interest in her as a potential candidate for the Prince's hand."
Jeanne tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for the maid to finish lacing up the back of her gown. She had indeed rushed through her bathing routine, not truly noticing the expensive soaps she was using in her rush to scrub away the traveling dirt and grime. Now that she was looking at herself in the looking-glass above her vanity did she notice the way her bright red hair shone in the light of the many candle-lit lanterns.
"Damn soap must be enchanted," she thought bitterly, watching the maid comb and manipulate her hair into an elegant pile on top of her head, "He definitely is going all out this time. This does not bode well for me."
The maid pushed a final jeweled pin into her locks and stood back, examining her handiwork. She came forward to make a few more tweaks and finally nodded her approval, smiling widely.
"Lady Delroy, please stand and let me give you another look over."
Rolling her eyes, Jeanne did as she was told, standing still as the maid made a few circles around her, reaching to tweak a few things on her person before nodding.
Another couple maids, who were sent to collect Jeanne's laundry and tidy up the washroom, gawked at the young lady clothed in the finest forest green silk that money could buy and hair up in an elegant updo. Matching green jewels swung from the Lady's ears as she turned to examine herself in the looking-glass.
"Oh, she's going to make a fine bride for the Prince," a maid sighed wistfully, jumping as her companion turned on her, hissing to be quiet.
The Lady's eyes flew to their reflections and narrowed in scrutiny. "Maid, repeat yourself. I didn't quite hear you the first time."
The maid attending to the Lady Jeanne turned and glared at her underling, daring her to repeat the secret they swore to keep. The girl froze in a good likeness of a deer as her brown eyes flicked between the two women.
"Well?" Jeanne demanded, turning bodily to face the girl, "Speak!"
"I-I said," she stuttered, clenching her eyes shut and damned her loose tongue, "t-that you'd make a fine bride for the Prince."
Jeanne's eyes widened in shock then narrowed as fury boiled in her eyes. Her entire form shook for a few moments before the woman took a breath and composed herself.
"I see," Jeanne spoke slowly, forced calm coating her words. "I do believe I am fit to see my brother. Please take me to him."
"Right away my Lady," the head maid assured, giving the pair a last scathing glare before escorting Jeanne out of the room.
Jeanne held her temper as the maid led her back down the hall and onto the stairwell overlooking the main entryway. She glowered down at the sight of her older brother standing talking to a shorter, leaner young man. As if sensing her anger, both males looked up at her practically stomping down the wooden stairs.
The younger man, Ammon, cocked an eyebrow and glanced between Jeanne and Cerdic, stating after a few moments, "I told you she'd catch on, Cerd. You're an idiot for thinking you could hide this for long."
The eldest sibling shot a hostile look at the younger redhead, making him fall silent.
"So when were you going to tell me you set me up with the Prince?!"
"Technically, I did not," Cerdic replied calmly, glancing at the roses that had taken up beating down the windows again, "The Queen was the one asking of your welfare, as you had not been to court in six years. The King was the one who asked me to bring you to dine with the court this month. There's only one reason for him to make such a request and that is to—"
"To formally introduce me to the Prince," Jeanne finished dully, leaning unladylike against the wooden wall.
She glared at him as he made a move towards her, stopping him in his tracks. "And you didn't see fit to tell me until now, right before court?"
Cerdic laughed nervously and raised a hand to run his fingers through his hair. He caught himself and dropped his hand to his side.
"I guess you can say that I forgot..?"
Jeanne stared at him for a few moments, waiting for a better explanation. When none was forthcoming she threw her hands up in the air and made a sound of disgust.
"By the Light Cerdic! You have to be the most idiotic, manipulative wank—"
Jeanne was interrupted by the sound of a carriage pulling in front of the small mansion. With a peeved glare at her older brother, she took Ammon's arm and marched out the door, leaving Cerdic to shake his head and follow. The ride out to Greymane Court was a long and silent one; Jeanne staring out the window, stewing in her anger, Ammon fiddling with one of his hidden throwing knives, and Cerdic being lost in his own thoughts. They all started when the carriage halted and cheerful voices were heard outside.
"We're waiting to disembark," Jeanne informed them, sitting back and crossing her arms.
"Jeanne, arms," Cerdic hissed, giving her a pointed look, dropping it when the woman rolled her eyes and let her hands fall into her lap.
"Tosser."
"Language."
"Stop being such a prat Cerdic!" Ammon finally snapped, giving the small knife a final twirl before stashing it where it came from, "This is why we haven't gone with you for years! You always rag on her for being herself and it isn't fair of you to do so!"
Before Cerdic could retort, the carriage jolted to a stop and a rapt knocking came from the door. The door was opened by a young boy in his early teens who offered his hand to Jeanne. Squashing down her anger and annoyance to the deepest parts of her brain, she gave the boy a tight-lipped smile as he helped her out, making the poor lad's face flush deeply.
"H-h-hello Lady Delroy," the boy squeaked, making his face flush more from shame before he bowed deeply to her, "I-I am Alfred, assigned to be y-you and your companions' servant. Whatever y-you need t-tonight you just need tell me and I'll do m-my best to get it done."
The young woman hid her amusement behind a more genuine smile as he fumbled his introduction to her brothers. She took Ammon's arm and followed Alfred as he led the party up the cobblestone path and to the main manor's front doors where they waited in a short line of other courtiers. A few of the nosier women turned and gawked at the trio before gossiping among themselves. Jeanne resisted the urge to roll her eyes as they passed through the exquisite double doors and, after their hats and coats were taken, were shown to their seats in the formal dining hall.
"Pay no mind to the gossipers Jeanne," Cerdic, who was seated to her right about midway down the long table, murmured, "They can only speculate to why you're here."
"Like I care what they have to say," Jeanne huffed, staring down at the many dozens of utensils laid out in a neat row beside her plate.
Cerdic, seeing her slightly panicked expression chuckled and patted her hand comfortingly. "Just go from the outside in and you'll be okay."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Jeanne bit off the rest of her sentence as more courtiers entered and were seated. Another ten minutes rolled past and Jeanne was fidgeting in her seat when the royal family strode in. She and the rest of the table surged to her feet and, when the family were at their designated places, seated when the King did.
Breathing out an inaudible sigh, Jeanne carefully folded her napkin in her lap and patiently waited as the servants served her some sort of foodstuff that she couldn't discern.
"Well," she thought sarcastically as she began eating, waiting for the King to start as usual, "Here's to the good life."
The meal progressed as it normally would; the men exchanging recent news and stories with each other while the women babbled and gossiped, each sneaking peeks at the object of their discussion. More than once Jeanne felt eyes on her as she daintily ate whatever was on her plate. Hate simmered for those gossipers underneath her ladylike manner, though she concealed it well enough; the only ones that noticed were her two brothers who took turns engaging her in conversation.
After an hour or two of dining and polite conversations, the latter irritating the young woman to no end, the King rose and, with him, the entirety of the hall.
King Greymane took a moment to survey the assembled mass, as small as it was, and gave them a welcoming smile. "I would like to thank you all for attending. It is good to see you all in good health after so long."
Jeanne didn't bother fighting a small smile at his words, feeling the warm glow of respect settle in her breast. Those grey eyes swept the crowd of nobles once again and paused on her for a brief moment before continuing.
"I would like those who has a problem or an issue of importance to discuss it with me in the sitting room. The rest I bid a good and pleasant night."
The assembled nobles all bowed/curtseyed at the dismissal and filed out, save for the few who had words for the king. Cerdic offered his elbow to his sister, who took it with a dark glare. He merely smiled and followed the royal family out, Ammon tagging along behind them.
The three were led to another set of doors nearby and were ushered in by yet another servant. Behind the other nobles were heard getting their proper belongings and being ushered outside to their proper carriages. Before she knew it, the three were seated inside a lush room that put theirs to shame. As she looked around the room she noticed that there were three other nobles seated on similar cushioned armchairs to one side of the flickering fireplace. King Genn, Queen Mia, Prince Liam, and Princess Tess seated themselves on the other side and, after tea was poured and served by the servants, turned their attentions on the nobleman farthest to the left.
"What is your grievance Lord Godfrey?"
The balding man stood and took his monocle and cleaned it with a handkerchief with slow precision as he seemed to mull over his words. Just as slow, he refolded the cloth and replaced it and his monocle on his eye before finally addressing the King.
"This Civil War goes poorly and is taking longer than it should to end," he began, his voice tight with controlled frustration, "We cannot afford to keep dragging it out, my King."
The greying king hummed and gestured Lord Godfrey to continue.
"I propose we have the army flush out the rebels and sympathizers and—"
"Turn the ones that vowed to protect the populace against it," Genn finished, contempt colouring his voice, "I cannot order that Lord Godfrey. I vowed to keep the people safe when I ordered the Wall be built and that holds true now. My decision created enemies of those people who felt that I betrayed the Alliance; betrayed them. I cannot betray the rest by disturbing what peace they have held onto since then."
Godfrey's face remained still, though his lips twitched downward a hair. The other two lords weren't as quick to disguise their displeasure.
"My King, we could end this war within a fortnight! Think of the supplies and lives that can be spared!"
Genn's face remained its mildly pleasant air, though when he spoke next it was heavy with finality.
"Think of the lives I would uproot and destroy if I were to give that order. We would not have to worry about this war because we would have another civil war on our hands. I will not entertain that option and that is all I have to say on that."
The man's face turned stony and he bowed deeply, muttering his excuses as he and the other two lords turned and strode out the doors. Jeanne narrowed her eyes at the way Lord Godfrey excused himself, sensing something out of place with him. A barely concealed sigh grabbed her attention, turning in time to see her king rub a hand down his face. Queen Mia shot her husband a look and placed a supporting hand on his arm, letting him compose herself. He did after a few moments, drawing himself up and focusing weary grey eyes onto the siblings.
"Baron Delroy, I see you tore your sister away from her studies."
With a small grin, Cerdic stood and gestured for Jeanne to do the same. Steeling herself, she did and curtseyed to the family, forcing a smile to lift her lips.
"Yes, I have Sire. This is my sister, Lady Jeanne Delroy."
Knowing that she must behave appropriately, she curtseyed again at the introduction. When she lifted her eyes to the family, she noted that Queen Mia and Princess Tess had matching smiles and that Prince Liam had a warm glint in his eyes.
"Lady Jeanne, how have you been?" Queen Mia asked, warm smile still gracing her face, "We have not seen you since you were sent off to the harvest-witches to train."
Jeanne's smile became genuine as she regarded the elderly queen with fondness. "I have been faring well, thank you, your Majesty. It has been a while since I was last in court. Thank you for inviting me your Majesties."
The King dipped his head in acknowledgement and stood, motioning for Prince Liam to stand with him.
"I introduce my son, Prince Liam Greymane."
Jeanne and Liam locked eyes as she curtseyed once again, each sizing each other up.
"It is a pleasure to be introduced to you formally, Lady Jeanne," he said on a light chuckle, rising from his short bow, "Last I saw you, you were a feisty child dead set on learning swordsmanship."
Jeanne chuckled as she saw Cerdic looking both embarrassed and scandalized at that. "To which you catered to that desire, your Highness. If I recollect correctly, you took the time to teach me a thing or two about that very art."
Liam grinned and, after giving a glance to a very scandalized looking Cerdic, replied, "Yes, I recall that very same thing, Lady Jeanne. You are a natural at it if I say so myself."
Jeanne's smile got wider at both the praise from the Prince and the expression on Cerdic's face. The scandalized man glanced at his golden pocket watch and cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention.
"By your leave, my King?" he asked with a bow to the man, "We must be getting back. My sister is yet to unpack her belongings and she must be very weary from the journey back home."
Jeanne hid her sudden irritation at Cerdic's excuse well as she curtseyed once more for the royal family.
"Very well," the gruff king said, nodding once to the siblings, "I hope to see you again very soon Baron Delroy. Your family has always served me loyally and it is time I provide an adequate repayment for years of dedication."
A/N How did I do? Love it? Hate it? Please let me know in a review! Thank you very much for reading and have a wonderful day!
~Kat