It was difficult for Faith to sleep.

Two weeks after the defeat of the Emerald Nightmare, she couldn't shake the new dreams that plagued her slumber. Recurring dreams where Sylvanas was alive and making love to her, only to die as Arthas laughed made it impossible for her to get any rest. It was better when Sylvanas was around, because she could usually calm her with a word and a cuddle. But Faith could tell that her lover was getting frustrated.

"You're still not sleeping," she remarked one morning.

"I'm fine, Sylvanas."

"I didn't hear you screaming. Did you put a spell on the room?"

When Faith didn't answer, Sylvanas looked up from the note she had been writing, waiting.

"I don't want to bother you with it."

"Yes you do. I know you, Faith, better than anybody here. You want me to help you. But if you don't tell me what's going on, there's nothing I can do."

"You can't stop the recurring nightmares, Sylvanas, so why would I talk to you about them? We had the same one, and I can't figure out what it means."

Sylvanas chuckled, "You know exactly what it means, Faith. I know what it means for me, to have watched you die so many times without being able to do a thing about it. I never understood what you felt, not really. Knowing that I had died like that. And I know it was just a nightmare, but," she shrugged. "It felt real."

Faith walked to her, and Sylvanas moved her chair away from the desk so that she could sit on her lap. "You don't want me to die."

"I think we've established that already."

They shared a gentle kiss, "I didn't want you to die either."

"Yes, I know." She rubbed Faith's sides slowly, "I really liked that gold dress, though. You looked like the sun."

"Too expensive," whispered Faith, curling up against her and closing her eyes. She was asleep a minute later.

She awoke in the exact same position a couple of hours later. Sylvanas' arm was keeping her tucked against her as she finished her correspondence. Someone had wrapped a blanket around her so that she wouldn't be too cold, and for a moment, she considered going back to sleep.

But Sylvanas knew she was awake. She briefly looked at her, leaning in close and kissing her, "We've been summoned to Orgrimmar."

"We have?"

A nod, "Most of the Northrend troops are coming home, and there's a big celebration that the warchief would like us to attend. We leave the day after tomorrow."

"I suppose that means I should get ready."

"You should, yes."

"But I'm comfortable here."

Sylvanas gave her the kind of look that would have struck fear into the heart of the bravest warrior, but Faith merely cuddled her some more, making her smile a little.

"How long will we be there for?"

"As long as we're needed."

Faith reluctantly got to her feet, giving Sylvanas a last kiss, "I like this. You and I together that way. We should have that more often."

"Any more of this and I'll have to find someone else to run the city. You keep distracting me."

"Oh, you love it."

She really did, although she wouldn't have admitted it, not even to Faith. It reminded her of what they could have had together. A quiet life filled with nothing but love.

"You're looking sad again."

"Faith."

"I know, I know, I'm going. But you're still looking sad."

They left for Orgrimmar in due time, leaving Rotvine to take care of Undercity in their absence, something that they both felt was well within his capabilities.

"I hope I won't disappoint you," he said.

"You could never disappoint us, Carrick," said Faith to him.

"If I could blush, I think that I would right about now, Faith."

"She has that effect on people," murmured Sylvanas. "If you need anything, send someone to us in Orgrimmar, and Faith will teleport us back."

The newly repaired Windrunner was waiting for them in Tirisfal Bay. Faith had been working on it since it had docked there a few weeks previously, and Sylvanas had to admit that it looked great. "How did you get it to shine like that?"

Faith winked, "Magic."

There were only twenty of them going to Orgrimmar this time around, but Sylvanas knew that some of her Forsaken troops would be coming back from Warsong Hold, hence the ship. She settled into her cabin with Faith, urging her lover to get some sleep, but Faith just shook her head.

"I don't want to sleep," she said, stifling a yawn.

"I know you had another nightmare last night."

"I didn't."

"I was in the room with you, Faith."

"You didn't wake me."

"No. I wanted to see whether you'd be able to get out of it on your own, which you did eventually." She took something from her bag, a phial of clear potion, "Here."

"The last time I drank an unknown potion, it started to kill me."

"It started to, but didn't actually kill you, and I'm working on a better version of that with Lydon."

"For what purpose?"

"It can always be useful." She walked to Faith, pressing the phial into her hand, "This is a Dreamless potion. Hopefully it will keep you under long enough to get some real rest."

"If it doesn't work and I get another nightmare, I'll be stuck with no way of getting out."

"It'll work. The druids made it for you. Please take it."

Faith never could resist Sylvanas for very long. With a sigh, she got into bed, just as the ship began to move, and drank the potion. She didn't want to go to sleep. Sylvanas saw her eyes widen in fear as the potion immediately took effect.

"Shh, my darling, it's all right. I'm here." She kissed her forehead, "Sleep."

Faith did. For hours. Sylvanas had duties to tend to, but she checked on Faith every twenty minutes, satisfied that she wasn't dreaming. She looked peaceful in this dreamless slumber, and Sylvanas wished that she would one day be able to bring peace to her. But she didn't see how it was possible.

"My Faith," she said quietly, kneeling by her bedside and taking her hand. "You've been through so much."

"Sylvanas…"

She was waking up. "Come back to me, my darling."

"Nnn… sleep with me."

"Nothing about that suggestion will lead either of us to sleep, even if I were still alive."

Faith smiled, opening her eyes, "How long have I been asleep?"

"About ten hours." She watched, unashamed, as Faith stretched, "How do you feel?"

"Okay, actually. Do you need me to do anything?"

"Yeah, get more rest. The Sunwell knows you won't get any once we reach Orgrimmar."

She was right about that. They found that the great orcish city had changed since the last time they had been there. It certainly seemed more festive, the powerful smell of ale permeating the air, along with the smell of blood coming from the slaughterhouses, where, apparently, dozens of animals were being butchered for a great feast.

Thrall was waiting for them with Lor'themar, who had evidently just arrived as well, as he hadn't yet changed out of his traveling clothes.

"You're both looking well," said the warchief. "Much better than the last time I saw you."

There was an uncomfortable silence, but Faith took Sylvanas' hand, "Thank you, Warchief," she told him. "You're looking well too."

"We heard you had been affected by the Emerald Nightmare," said Lor'themar. "Is that true? Are you okay?"

Faith didn't answer, so Sylvanas spoke for her, "Yes, we're fine. It was quite an experience, let's just put it that way. One we don't want to bring up again."

Thrall nodded, "Understood. Well, the warriors should be arriving within the hour, if you'd like to freshen up. Cairne Bloodhoof went to get Garrosh and the others."

"How is Cairne?" asked Faith.

"He seemed to be doing well. Ah, Faith, your tauren family's here, by the way."

"They are?"

"We're right here, sweetheart."

Faith turned around, giving a small squeak of joy. Releasing Sylvanas' hand, she went to Atalo and hugged him tightly, before hugging her Tauren mother, and finally, turning to Hamu.

It didn't seem as though losing an arm had affected him much, although it was odd to see him that way. He was good-humored as ever, lifting Faith off her feet and nuzzling her forehead playfully.

"You look good, little sister," he said.

"Little sister, I'm older than you!"

"Yes, but you're shorter, so you're my little sister."

Faith grinned, "How are you, my brother?"

"Can't complain. The ladies seem to find me more attractive with just one arm. I wish I had known that before, I would have asked a Nerubian to eat it a long time ago."

"That is not a matter to joke about," said Atalo. "Even though it did lead to a good thing."

"A good thing?" wondered Faith.

"I don't know if you remember a female named Ishaka?"

Faith thought for a moment, and a vague figure came to her mind of a shy, pale grey tauren, "Of the Plainhorn clan?"

"That's her," said Taisha. "Apparently, she and your brother have been very… close since his return."

"How close?" Faith's eyes were wide.

Hamu glanced at Sylvanas, looking apologetic, "She has agreed to be my life-mate."

"Really?" Sylvanas winced at the high pitch of Faith's voice, but had to smile when she launched herself at her brother again, "That's amazing! When did that happen?"

"About three weeks ago. You know, she and I had been talking for some time and… she can't wait to meet you. You will come to the ceremony, won't you?"

"Of course I will!" exclaimed Faith.

"Lady Sylvanas, we would be honored if you would join us as well," said Atalo.

"I appreciate the offer, Master Raincaller," she told him, already planning on not attending. She was afraid that going to a wedding with Faith would end with the two of them sadder than they already were about their situation.

Faith seemed to read her mind and went to her, taking her hand again and squeezing it. She squeezed back, hoping that would suffice.

"You're not going to come, are you?" she asked her quietly when they moved to the stands that had been erected to welcome the warriors back. "Are you afraid I'm going to ask you to marry me again?"

"Are you telling me that you haven't been thinking about it lately?"

"Every day. But I won't ask you again."

"No?"

She shook her head, "There's only so many times I can take a refusal, Sylvanas. If I ask you again and you refuse me, I won't take it well. So I'd rather spare myself the pain." She looked out at the crowd or orcs, tauren and trolls that were gathered, "Besides, you might decide to finally ask me someday."

She said that last statement in such a low voice that Sylvanas chose not to respond to it. However, she couldn't ignore the pain she saw etched on her face. Leaning over, she pressed her lips to Faith's cheek, "We'll talk about this later, all right?"

Faith's smile didn't touch her eyes, "No we won't."

Trumpets sounded, and Sylvanas was forced to let the conversation go as the returning Northrend troops marched through the gates of Orgrimmar to thunderous applause. She didn't cheer, nor did Faith, although she did smile when she saw Cairne Bloodhoof greeting Thrall. There were a few Forsaken sprinkled with the troops, but hardly enough to matter. Sylvanas could only guess what had happened to the others. She would need to investigate that.

They moved to the area that had been reserved for the banquet, where what looked like a hundred boars were roasting over an open fire. She sat down with the other leaders, while Faith took a seat with her family. She looked sad.

I can't win.

Halfway through the banquet, she excused herself, wanting to be alone and get away from what she considered to be an excessive celebration. She would have never done such a thing in Undercity, not even for her lover.

She wasn't alone long. She counted to ten, hoping that Faith would take the hint and leave, but when she turned around, she was surprised to see that it wasn't Faith at all who had been behind her, but Atalo.

"I was under the impression that the two of you were close again," he said to her.

"We are."

"But she is still hurting."

"The Emerald Nightmare brought back some pain for us both, I can't help that."

"But you could. She wants to be your wife, you know that."

Oh, that was the last conversation she wanted to have with anybody. "If I were alive, I would marry her in a second. But I do not want her to marry the dead. My position on this hasn't changed."

"Sylvanas, for better or worse, Faith is married to you. She loves you. The two of you are together. You share each other's joys and pains. You are there for each other. What do you think marriage is?"

"I will not change my mind."

"No. I can see that you will not. But if that is the case, then I wonder what it is that you're doing with her now. What is she to you? Your girlfriend? Your companion? Your lover? Would it really be that much of a stretch to consider her your wife?"

Sylvanas didn't answer, turning away from the tauren. "What do you want me to do, break up with her? I tried that, it didn't work."

"Drop it, Atalo," came Faith's voice. Sylvanas glanced back, seeing her with her hand on Atalo's shoulder. "Please don't confront her about this. I know why you're doing it, and I appreciate it, but it won't do any good."

Atalo murmured something, gave Faith a hug, and went back towards the banquet. Faith stayed where she was, watching her.

Sylvanas didn't say a word to her, but after about ten minutes, she went to her and put an arm around her waist, kissing her forehead, "Thank you," she whispered.

"Do you want to sneak away? We could go back to the ship."

She didn't deserve someone like Faith. "No. I'm okay, don't worry."

"Who me? Worry? About you? Where did you get an idea like that?"

Sylvanas kissed her, "I'm sorry."

"Listen to me," said Faith, putting both her hands on Sylvanas' face. "Do you love me?"

"You know I do. I don't deserve you, but I love you."

"Then it's all I need. We don't need to make it official. I want to, but it's okay if you don't. And of course you deserve me."

Sylvanas had a hard time believing that Faith had suddenly changed her mind about marriage. "You're really okay with us not making this 'official', as you say?"

"I don't want to lose you. Being married to you wouldn't be a guarantee, would it? You'd still be able to leave me, one way or another." The realization had come to her a short time previously, but it didn't make it any less real to her. As long as she was with Sylvanas, nothing else mattered to her.

"I'm not leaving you. Why would you think that I would leave you?"

"One day, you'll find someone better than –."

Sylvanas put a hand to Faith's lips, "No. I won't. If I couldn't be with you, I wouldn't be with anybody."

"Not even Nathanos?" asked Faith innocently.

"What does he have to do with anything?"

"He liked you when he was training under you."

"He did?" Sylvanas sounded shocked. "You knew about this? And you didn't tell me?"

"What, and risk you acting like your sisters and go crazy for a human man? Nope. I wanted you all to myself. I got you, too."

"You fiend." Sylvanas tackled her, and Faith screamed as she began to tickle her mercilessly.

"I give up! I give up!" she squealed.

Sylvanas rubbed her nose against hers, and kissed her gently, "We should get back. Come sit with me."

Out of breath, Faith nodded. She stayed close to Sylvanas for the rest of the day, except when she and the other Horde leaders were asked to a meeting.

She came out of it looking troubled, taking Faith aside almost immediately.

"What is it?" she asked.

Sylvanas pursed her lips, "Thrall has learned of some elemental unrest, and he wants to look into it."

"Elemental unrest?" Faith cocked her head to the side, "Is it related to the Nightmare?"

"He doesn't know. But he's going to be working closer with the Earthen Ring to figure it out." She paused, "To do this, he's stepping down as Warchief of the Horde."

"Stepping down?" yelped Faith. "Who's going to replace him?"

"Garrosh Hellscream."

Faith burst into laughter. "Garrosh Hellscream, Warchief of the Horde… That's a good one, Sylvanas, really."

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Oh, come on, you can't be serious. He's a good warrior and everything, but he's no leader."

But the look on Sylvanas' face was perfectly serious. She was telling the truth.

"Sylvanas… he hates the Sin'dorei. And he hates the Forsaken even more."

"As if I weren't aware of that," she muttered. "He won't make our lives easy."

Faith shook her head, "When is this taking place?"

"Effective immediately."

Wonderful news. Faith didn't know what to think about that. Having fought with him in Northrend, more or less, she knew that he had great qualities, but she was convinced that he wasn't fit to lead the Horde. "What are we going to do?"

"Do? There's nothing we can do about this. The decision's been made, and he accepted."

"You can't tell me that everyone's all right with it."

Sylvanas didn't need to answer. It didn't matter what they thought, only that Thrall had decided to step down, and had chosen his successor.

"It should have been put to a vote."

Putting both her hands on Faith's shoulders, Sylvanas looked at her squarely, "Faith. Garrosh Hellscream is the new Warchief of the Horde, and we're going to have to make the best of it. We can't change it, as much as I know you wish you could."

Faith looked away from her piercing gaze, "All right."

Sylvanas kissed her forehead and walked away to ready the ship, as they would be returning to Undercity the very next day, despite having only been in Orgrimmar for less than twenty-four hours.

With a sigh, Faith shook her head again and made her way back to the banquet area, where most people were still partying. However, a strong brown arm shot out from behind a bush and grabbed her hand so painfully that she heard a couple of bones splintering.

"There's no need to scream, Major," came Garrosh's voice. He walked out from behind a bush, and Faith realized immediately that he had heard her talk with Sylvanas.

"And what… exactly… do you get from breaking my hand, Garrosh?" gasped Faith, glancing around. There were several people not far away from them, but Garrosh was effectively blocking what he was doing from view.

"A chance to talk to you."

"What about?"

He released her hand, "You don't think I'm fit to be Warchief."

"No, I don't. I don't think you're fit to be a leader, Garrosh. You're a war hound. You're good with battle strategies, not stuff like this."

If he was surprised by what she was telling him, he didn't show it. Instead, he smiled, "What would you know about it?"

"I know that the role of warchief is one of ambassador. Not just an ambassador to all of the factions within the Horde, but you need to be a diplomat when it comes to the Alliance as well. And we've all heard of what you did to that Alliance ship off the coast of Northrend as you were returning here."

"That ship was in our waters."

"After being caught in a storm. What you did was uncalled for." She looked at him, "As I said, you know war. You know how to battle. But this isn't your forte, Garrosh."

"You don't know that."

"Except I do. Although I have to admire the fact that you're confronting me about what you heard me say." Faith took a deep breath, "I have to think about the way you treated me while I was at Warsong Hold. You had absolutely no respect for me."

"You were a soldier, nothing more."

"And every single soldier deserves respect, especially in that kind of situation. Things are hard enough in combat without having one's commanding officer treating everyone like dirt."

Garrosh looked at her, "I'll prove you wrong. I will make a great warchief for the Horde."

Faith looked right back at him, "I hope that you do. And I will be the first one to apologize to you when that time comes."