A/N

This chapter would've never been written or published without the help and encouragement of Windcage. You're awesome, you know that?

And thank you, Grand Phoenix, for your help. I'm still working on that dialogue thing you mentioned. LOL

Another thank you, tamerlan110, for leaving a review. I watched the Russian version and liked it a lot!

Anduin was so tired he didn't notice the two Stormwind Guards who started escorting him, left and right, while he walked back from the Stockades to Stormwind Keep, taking his time. Usually he went via Cathedral Square, but this time he chose the way through the Trade District and Old Town. It started to get real foggy and moist. Upon arriving at the castle he was asked by the servants if he were hungry but he denied. All he wanted was to go to bed and sleep. He was looking forward to the quiet of his quarters, although a part of him regretted that Wyll Benton wasn't there anymore. The elderly servant would've understood immediately the trouble Anduin took upon himself to make peace on Azeroth happen. Well, Wyll Benton already rested in peace.

He sighed.

It stood to question if he were able to sleep, though, the time he had spent with the Warchief of the Horde in her cell bearing in mind. Her remarks. Her mocking, too. And that he still had no clue what this conversation had been really about, besides him wanting to win her trust - again, he added in his thoughts, because he was taught a hard lesson the first time he tried, not that long ago at the Arathi Highlands – and to aim for ceasefire which was his first and foremost priority. Sometimes it had almost felt like a flirt, sometimes like the fight they hadn't fought – and should have? - on the battlefield before. Yet, Anduin wasn't kidding himself. Having the strong wish of not killing her, he would've lost the real fight a thousand times. If he didn't want to burn her with his Holy Light – which she wouldn't survive, possibly – there was no chance for him to win a duel with her. His sword skills and tactics were less than average, having never ever developed a talent for being a fierce warrior like his father and without using the Light there was simply no possibility for him to defeat a military veteran like her. Brushing his hair back, he sighed once more. So what else was he to do than opting for the chance of gaining... trust? Because at the end of the day, that was what really mattered. Anduin had seen what 'not trusting enough' could do. With his own eyes.

He wasn't even sure if he were to win another battle of words with her that they had just shared, recapitulating her many affronts. If he were honest to himself, he was left with more questions in the end. Why had he not gotten through to her? Why had she not jumped at his offer for a truce?

Anduin was in such deep thoughts that he didn't even notice Genn Greymane who had waited in the antechamber to his quarters, sitting by the fireplace with a drink in his hands, as he slowly stood up.

Only the well-known deep voice tore him from his musings about a 'hauntingly beautiful' Banshee Queen and his current confusion.

"My king."

Anduin stopped dead in his tracks, having already undressed his white-blue tunic and his leather boots, and turned around.

"Genn?" He echoed. "What are you doing here? It's past midnight."

The elderly man dropped the drink he had sipped from and stepped close to Anduin.

"I've waited for you." The baritone voice changed from a warm welcome to a more demanding tone. "Where have you been?"

This was no question Anduin wanted to respond to. "I needed some time."

Genn nodded, but his eyes followed the young king who padded barefoot across the floor in direction of his bathroom. "Isn't an hour a bit too long not to inform the Royal Guards of where you've been gone to?"

"I didn't know you kept track of my goings." Anduin remarked lightly but couldn't hinder himself from struggling a bit inside concerning the elder Worgen's overprotectiveness. Yes, the times were dangerous but that didn't mean he had to be followed everywhere. He could take care of himself. And he was the king.

Looking in the mirror while he turned on the faucet, he saw his eye-rims and the worries that were etched into his face and refused to leave him these days. He knew Genn meant well which made him add: "You know, if you had asked me I could've told you not to wait for me."

Outside the bathroom, the one spoken to shook his head but remained silent, waiting for the young man to return.

"I'm old enough now to take care of myself, Genn. - Please stop worrying." Anduin continued softly when he came back to the antechamber, the cold water making him feel refreshed.

"Anduin. - I thought you might be in need of companionship." Genn explained and sighed. "I mean, after that exhausting battle."

He looked at the tired young man. "I can see the marks the previous events already left on you."

Was it that obvious? Well, Genn knew him long enough. Anduin shook his head and placed shortly his hand on the elder man's shoulder, a small smile on his lips, reminded of how often Genn was on his side when needed. The human touch felt good. It was in a way a comfort to have the warmth of a friendly presence to keep him company after hours of being pierced and judged by those glowing red eyes. Her eyes. And she did seem to see more than he wished to show.

"Thank you for your concern. I just need some sleep, that's all."

"Anduin. - It's not that I know which burdens you shoulder every day. Burdens, responsibilities and obligations you weren't ready for, being so young."

Anduin sighed. How was he to take Genn's mind off his worries?

"The walk helped you clear your mind?" The elder man continued asking.

"It did, somehow." Anduin murmured, trying not to be too specific.

"Tell me how it helped," Genn however insisted, "I thought you were going to the Cathedral of Light for praying but I didn't find you there."

Anduin was hit with a pang of guilt. The obvious care of the elder man was shining through his words but Anduin didn't know how to handle it without having to bluntly lie which he didn't want to.

"It helped..." Anduin began, searching frantically for a general answer.

"Talk to me. - I'm here for you." The Worgen said gently, keeping in mind how often he had battled with his son Liam instead of speaking to him.

Anduin groaned inwardly. Why couldn't Genn let the matter rest? Determined, he replied: "I really appreciate your offer but... "

The elder man sighed and interrupted him. "The truth is, Anduin, I've waited for you because I wanted to talk to you about something."

Anduin stiffened. By the Light, all he wanted was to crawl into his bed and escape more awkward questions. But fate, it seemed, differed tonight. And Anduin was not one who refused to extend a helping hand when needed.

Genn looked him directly in the eyes and Anduin had to swallow. A sudden thought if the elder man had known all along where he had really spent the last hour shot through his head. With bated breath, he waited.

However, Genn started to pace restlessly up and down with his hands behind his back.

"Tell me what she said when you captured her. Tell me which punishment will await her. Tell me... so I can have at least some satisfaction..."

The rest was lost in Genn's rumbling, but the young king knew immediately about whom he was talking. Relief - for Genn not knowing his secret yet - and dread – for knowing where this topic could lead - flooded him at the same time.

A longer pause followed before Anduin was able to give an answer. "Don't you think this is something we should discuss with all members of the Alliance?"

The question was lightly posed, nevertheless Anduin felt a heavy pull in the stomach. Of all potential people, Lady Windrunner was the one he had to speak about, now?

"A Council meeting? They will discuss and drag the matter for ages. We cannot sit idle while those Horde monsters build their forces, my king."

Anduin was slowly becoming desperate. Given his present status, he would've taken every punishment gladly only to avoid a discussion with Genn right now. He wasn't only dead-tired, he was a bit shaken and confused as well.

"Genn...," he began cautiously, "her fate isn't at the top of my priority list right now. We have to think about more urgent matters..."

"You could do me a favor and put her there, Anduin." Genn's growling answer cut him off. "And I'm speaking here in both of our interests."

Anduin closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. How could he distract Genn, so not willing to let this get out of hand? He tried the direct way. "Excuse me, Genn, but this conversation is better to be conducted tomorrow. I'm going to bed now. I wish you good night."

Anduin granted him a small smile, the instant he walked up to Genn to again squeeze his shoulder, he was, however, immediately chastised by the elder man.

"I swear, my king, if you don't listen I can't guarantee...," all the rage broke out of the human Worgen, "it is time for that Forsaken predator to become the prey! - And if you don't do it, I will!"

Anduin's smile was wiped off his face. His hand fell off the elder man's shoulder, painfully reminded of Lady Windrunner again, who had watched him like a predator studying her prey. No, he wasn't in the mood for discussing things in regards to her when Genn assailed him with his next question.

"I want to know what you plan to do... about her."

"What do you mean... what to do... about her?"

Genn rolled his eyes, clearly impatient. "Having the Warchief of the Horde imprisoned means that things will shift, Anduin. We may be closer to changes in favor of the Alliance than ever before."

Anduin couldn't help but stare when Genn's voice heightened.

"This crazy bitch deserves to die, might she be the leader of the Horde or not. Didn't even you tell me once that she is well and truly lost?"

Anduin swallowed, for a moment bewildered by this irreconcilable side of the Worgen. But then, Genn Greymane had lost his son. To her. Anduin remembered it all too well. - Yet, her fate wasn't to be decided in a private talk but between all members of the Alliance, Anduin thought in despair. How was it possible that he was suddenly made the advocate of the Warchief of the Horde? He groaned inwardly. Somehow a feeling that he might had to protect her from whatever wrath others – and Genn was certainly not the only one who harbored such feelings - nurtured was pushed to the forefront.

No, he hadn't given up hope. Anduins's voice became clear and cutting. "I will not allow it, Genn."

He could see that Genn was baffled first, not expecting such a reaction from him, but then the Worgen's eyes narrowed.

"I pretend I didn't hear that, my king. Since when did you become her protector? - She who is to be made responsible for all? Even to drag you into this war? And don't forget she had a hand on your father's death, too."

Anduin closed his eyes for a moment. "We don't know that yet."

Genn snorted. "Of course we do. And it fitted well in her plans."

"We may not, Genn."

The elder man's gaze grew piercing. "You weren't there."

Anduin stepped aside. Blaming Sylvanas of things proven to be her doing, yes, but not of things that were still unclear.

"You are right, I wasn't. - Yet, as it is, I firmly believe there's a peaceful way to end the conflict between the Alliance and the Horde by gaining the trust of the Warchief of the Horde..."

"We must gain her trust? Anduin, do you hear yourself talk?"

"Of course."

"You've tried that once and it backfired. What makes you think it will be done this time when all she's up to is war and our extinction?"

"What about second chance policy?"

Genn's derisive laughter made Anduin clench his fists.

"You really don't know her like your father and I do because otherwise you would show no mercy to her. Are you that desperate for peace that you would lower yourself to try to come to terms with that crazy queen, Anduin?"

Was it the mentioning of his father again that Anduin irritated to no end? Was it the implication that he didn't know what he was doing? His words were spoken before he could think about what else they included.

"Desperate? Lower myself? Is there more to this lecture? Because I might not know her like you do, but at least I was willing to when I talked to her."

"Talked to her...?" Genn started, only to look closely at Anduin who blushed by realizing his faux pas. "Are you out of your mind?"

Anduin remained silent, churned up inside, not knowing what to answer for the moment.

Genn's voice wavered. "So that's where you had been, for the last hour, right?"

Furiously, he stepped towards the young king and grabbed him by the upper arms. "I knew it."

Suddenly, Anduin found himself shaken frantically by the elder man.

"Answer me, Anduin. You really were with that crazy bitch?"

Anduin simply nodded. Torn apart between feeling bad for the Worgen who was like a second father to him and feeling disappointed that Genn so openly denied him the right to do 'what a king must do' – his father's words always ringing in his ears – and doubted that he was capable of doing anything right as if he hadn't learned from the catastrophe called Arathi Highlands.

It hurt, because it was clearly the same situation as he had faced the last hour with Lady Windrunner. She, too, seemed to judge him too young for his rank and too inexperienced to be able to live up to his appointment as the Leader of the Alliance.

Faced with Anduin's silence, Genn's chagrin and lack of understanding came through. "What on Azeroth made you go to her? And alone, I suspect? You have a death wish? - She's mad and dangerous at the same time."

He was shaken again, but Anduin let it happen because he knew the elder man better than anyone and understood his grief and sorrow – maybe a bit all too well by himself.

"Genn."

Anduin turned to him, overwhelmed by exhaustion. He wanted some peace, something he wasn't allowed to have for some days, and above all he wished to avoid adding a personal fight with Genn to the argument with Lady Windrunner. By the Light, didn't he deserve some rest, after all?

"Can you please... let this go for now? I really need to sleep. - And I think you need to rest, too. - Genn?"

Since he was still being held by his upper arms, Anduin placed his hands on Genn's elbows, trying to calm his friend down.

But the elder man shrugged them off and shook his head, still furious. "This is far from over, Anduin. But I will allow you to rest, if only because you're my best friend's son."

And then he was gone in an instant, leaving a shocked and sad Anduin back who felt reduced from being a friend to being his father's son. Again? What had he done to be judged twice a day? He was taken aback by the sudden and legitimate question if he was the only one who wanted peace. By the Light, what went wrong with Azeroth?

Anduin's world fell apart in realizing that the seemingly unbreakable friendship he always thought he shared with Genn could suffer a setback due to her. A freaking Banshee Queen. No, that was not something he would've ever expected to happen.

He couldn't sleep, reeled as he was, without getting some answers. Or at least the most important one. Although his leaden tiredness nearly wore him down, he steeled himself.

Instead of going to bed, he slipped back into his boots, chose some hooded clothing and hurried back to the Stockades, grimly determined. Being in emotional turmoil allowed him no sleep anyway.

Back to her.

The door of the cell rattled again and the Warchief of the Horde looked up. Smirking.

Anduin knew that he looked like a complete fool, coming here again. And it didn't take long for her to give voice to that.

"Back so soon, boy-king?"

Of course he deserved that mocking. Anduin cursed himself for his impulsiveness, but in the end his need for answers was stronger. Genn's accusation of him being biased stung.

"Lady Windrunner."

He waved the guards away and waited until they were gone. This time he didn't take a seat but remained upright. He leaned against the wall – its coldness seeping a bit through his clothing helped him regain balance in his overheated thoughts – not far from her bench, arms folded.

His feet had been quicker to bring him back here than he had intended. He was wondering about it. Maybe... because he had almost felt comfortable with her in their conversation? In their battle of words. It was a new world for him, this, to fight, to argue, to be curious, to be open, to talk with someone – someone like her. And that had, sadly, made him defend her against his eldest friend. Father substitute. Military experienced advisor.

Still hurt from Genn's reaction he didn't realize that she stood up and came closer, looking right at him, red eyes meeting blue eyes again.

"Tell me, boy-king," she sneered at him. "Regrets for leaving me? Bad news?"

He would've laughed at her choice of words because it felt like... she actually cared. But who was he fooling?

Instead of answering, he just looked back at her, inhaling deeply before his thirst for knowledge forced him to tell her why he was really here. "I need some answers."

Sylvanas raised her long, elegant eyebrows. "I have no time for questions."

Anduin couldn't help but roll his eyes. "My apologies if I got in the way of your brooding, Lady Windrunner. It pains me greatly to put you in such distress."

She watched him, the corners of the mouth twitching, red eyes piercing through him again. "Then I trust you will not waste my distress."

"I can't sleep." Anduin admitted sincerely after a moment, although he knew she was teasing him. He just stood there, watching her, perhaps – perhaps a bit too considerate. "I need to get one thing straight."

"We're done with talking about peace." Sylvanas sneered immediately.

Standing his ground, he retorted only: "Are we?"

"Do not dance around this, young king."

Anduin sighed and was going for another try when she - clearly annoyed with him - turned around without a word and walked back towards her bench. "Lady Windrunner."

Such a friendly welcome, Anduin thought and walked after her, summoning all his courage and taking a leap of faith. "Will you hear me out this time?"

She stopped where she was, only tilting her head. "What for? - I've already told you I will claim what is ours so don't waste my time."

Anduin groaned quietly. "I thought we already sorted this out."

"You try my patience dangerously, boy-king."

It was obvious she wanted him to leave, but Anduin ignored her comment, his stubbornness refusing to accept her words. "I'm sorry for interrupting your plans for the night, Warchief, but this is important." Anduin didn't bother to let his sarcasm on.

Sylvanas had to smirk against her will. On the one hand, a part of her welcomed him back here, especially when he unveiled a bit of the dry humor he seemed to possess. On the other hand, dawn was almost here... and there were indeed plans at work.

"Plans for the night? What sort of plans could I possibly have?"

"Stop teasing me."

She acted surprised but was amused to no end when she turned towards him. "But you like being teased by me."

Anduin eyed her, getting slightly acidic that she always seemed to get the upper hand. Whenever he thought he had figured her out a bit, she made a whole turn in their conversation. Alright. Time for an honest answer. "Maybe it keeps me up."

He looked way too... smug to her while admitting this. Her friendly mocking words turned icy. "The young king is far too used to be taken seriously."

Sylvana's red eyes glowed. "I will never. - That's why you're coming back like a well behaved dog."

He clearly didn't like her reference at the end, but he was too tired for another blow. Even if not too tired for his mind to stop thinking about all that had happened today. It was slowly making him crazy. And the real truth was – there was nowhere else for him to go. He couldn't talk to Genn, not anymore. Jaina had her own difficulties to fight with. Wyll Benton, his elderly servant was gone... and so was his father. Although he tried everything to get used to the pain, it still lingered.

And so, choosing not to engage her in her chosen battlefield, he heard his voice drop, eyes still very much on her face. "I might feel... comfortable here."

Yes, that was the naked truth although Anduin knew all too well he had given her only more ammunition to use against him. Screw it.

"Don't get too comfortable, boy-king. You do well to embrace the cruel cards fate has dealt us and will deal us in the future."

"I'm not lost, if that's what you think."

The corner of her mouth twitched. "Aren't you? Look at yourself."

Anduin shook his head but didn't deny her words. "We have a saying where I'm from: It is darkest just before the dawn."

Sylvanas frowned. "I wonder what your fate holds, young king? When fate decides your time is over?"

"I think now you overestimate fate – all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." Anduin replied.

"Do we?" Another derisive laugh of hers. "You don't know what fate means. What joy is there in the curse of the Forsaken? Once upon a time, there was a man child not unlike you, his name was Arthas – and he destroyed everything I held dear. And you talk about fate like it is for us to decide when it is already decided for us."

"That's not what I meant." Anduin stepped forward. "I am nothing... like Arthas. - And you know it."

Sylvanas snorted. "Your Alliance will never recognize our rights as you claim this land as your own while attempting to invalidate our claims..."

All Anduin had wanted was to find... some diversion for his mind, and here he was, confronted with strong accusations again. This was not the direction he wanted their conversation to go so he answered as calmly as he could: "I honor your arguments in service for the Horde, yet..."

He was interrupted by her snarl. "The Horde gave my Forsaken a chance to survive when your Alliance did not."

"Lady Windrunner." Anduin sighed, resorting to his diplomatic skill. "As I told you before, I am strongly convinced there is a chance for us all to survive here, on Azeroth, side by side."

"And here it is the fool and his naivety speaking."

"Here it is the youth speaking." Anduin countered. "Which has the right to make mistakes but to believe in healing the world and making it a better place."

Sylvanas snorted but preferred to stay silent.

"Because who else would?" He added after a while, having Genn's arguments and everything else freshly brought back to his mind.

"I see you feel like you're always on the right side of things." She mocked him again, but her voice sounded less cruel than before.

"No." Anduin shook his head. "A king is only as noble as the cause that he serves."

Her derisive laugh was an answer itself.

"Of course. You're the knight in the shining armor who comes to rescue the fallen world. You are one who embodies everything good and holy and justly lawful."

Platitudes again? Anduin's hidden temper rose, being tired of taking all the blame.

"If I were, I would've just burned you with Holy Light."

There. It was in the room. Something he had never wanted to say. And now he was left to ask himself why he gave such a damn about her opinion and why her opinion counted more to him than anybody else's right now. Was he that desperate for being acknowledged? For being recognized as a worthy adversary of the Horde? Why did she make him react in such extremes?

Anduin, who was usually quite good at keeping himself in check, calmed down rapidly. He just stepped back. Flushed, embarrassed, agitated.

"I offer my apologies. - That was really below the belt."

He swallowed and looked away, still feeling the innermost ashamed. Where had his manners gone to? Why, now of all times, hadn't he kept his mouth shut? He brushed through his hair, the exhaustion arising from all this fighting almost making him sway. It was becoming quite clear he fought a new battle on lost ground. He rubbed his eyes, feeling miserable.

"Initially, I came here to ask you about my father's death."

This was not a topic Sylvanas liked to talk about, so she turned around. "In the end, death claims us all, young king. - Let's leave it at that." Her answer was brief. And dismissive.

Anduin stared after her with heightened attention.

"I know how my father died. And I might know – that you had no direct hand in it."

His clear words, spoken with a certainty that wasn't there before, made Sylvanas turn back towards him to find bright blue eyes scrutinizing her.

Sylvanas realized with astonishment that he had meant what he had said when he added: "Although Genn wants me to believe otherwise."

Anduin swallowed. "I had a short vision when I came to the place where he died. And you weren't in it."

Then, he hesitated, aware of her heightened attention as well.

"What I don't know is why you... retreated. The overall opinion is that my father was slain as much by betrayal from you as by the monstrous, fel-fueled creatures. But someone told me that you simply had had no other choice. - Which one is it?"

Sylvanas observed him sharply, yet, the young king hid his emotions well this time. She knew how much he had loved his father. It was obvious how much he still missed him. Speaking of family, she was reminded of her sisters. How much she missed them, too, knowing full well there was no way for reuniting with them again in her... kind of life. It tipped the scales.

"The Warchief – Vol'jin – was mortally wounded by a poisoned spear. I came to secure him but he urged me not to let the Horde die this day. So... I blew my horn and ordered a retreat."

She made a significant pause. "I did not betray your father."

Suddenly she understood a bit of the telltale stories, how the young king could've managed to befriend Baine Bloodhoof – and to speak with Garrosh Hellscream, too. He had something about him that made others open. Vulnerable. Herein lied his strength. And hadn't he almost caught her, too? It was time to end this talk.

"Thank you for letting me know."

As some of the inner and physical tension lowered, Anduin staggered a bit but caught himself because there was one last thing he wanted to tell her.

"You know... I heard your 'For the Horde' battle cry – and I had the feeling it was really meant. From the heart."

She just looked at him, those red piercing eyes still glowing and said no word.

Anduin sighed. What had he expected? "Somehow I had to answer your... rally." He continued, slowly, quietly. When no reaction came, he shook his head. "I won't bother you anymore, Lady Windrunner. Goodnight."

He turned towards the cell door and had already called for the guards when her remark held him back.

"Is that a promise or a threat, boy-king?"

He smiled a weary smile while turning his head to the side. "What do you prefer, Warchief?"

She answered without missing a beat. "I have no time for questions."

Anduin nodded, well aware of her teasing. "I know we're enemies, Lady Windrunner, but allow me to say there is more to you than meets the eye."

The long elegant brows frowned. There was a pause, it stretched until she found her usual sneering voice. "I suggest you go back to your beauty sleep – for both of ours' sake."

Sylvanas turned around and Anduin left with a sigh.

The author would be delighted about a review!