Varian

The following evening, Varian stood alone in his personal chambers, eagerly awaiting the arrival of both Anduin and Auriana. He had spent a long day listening to petitions from various members of the Stormwind populace, and while he considered the work very important, he was admittedly looking forwards to an informal dinner.

As it turned out, Auriana was the first to arrive, appearing in a bright flash of light that briefly illuminated Varian's receiving chamber. She was dressed simply but elegantly in a short sleeved, dark green dress, and he could see that she'd made something of an effort with her appearance. Varian smiled to himself, silently appreciating how the dress hugged her slender curves and the way the firelight caught the elaborate braids of her mahogany hair. Auriana grinned nervously at him, and Varian realised that she was somewhat apprehensive about dining with Anduin. As far as Varian was aware, she and Anduin had always gotten along famously, but he suspected that Auriana was concerned about a change in dynamic now that she and Varian were involved.

Varian strode forwards to greet her, determined to put her at ease.

"Good evening," he said warmly, pulling her forwards into his arms.

Auriana came to him willingly, resting her head against his chest and sighing contentedly. Varian adored the way she fit snugly between his powerful shoulders, and how she had to stand on the tips of her toes to kiss him.

"Hello," she murmured. "How are you?"

"Better now," Varian said honestly, kissing the top of her head. "How was Dalaran?"

"Frustrating," Auriana said flatly. "Sometimes I feel as if I understand less now than before I started to work with Jaina."

She stepped back, and moved to pour herself a glass of wine. Varian followed right on her heels, wanting to stay as close to her as possible.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

Auriana sighed and turned back to face him, taking a long draw of her drink. Her expression was all of a sudden serious, and her delicate brows drew together in a frown.

"I'd rather not talk about it right now, if it's all the same to you," Auriana said, shaking her head. "Though perhaps we might speak after dinner."

"As you wish," Varian said lightly, pouring a drink of his own.

He was well aware that pushing her on an issue would not go well. Auriana would talk if and only if she was ready, and she would do so on her own terms.

A brief moment of awkward silence passed between them, only to be broken by a sharp knock at the door.

"Come," Varian called.

The door swung open to reveal Anduin, followed by two serving girls.

"Good evening, Father; Auriana," Anduin said brightly. "How are you both?"

Varian clapped his son warmly on the back as he entered the room, and Auriana nodded her own greeting.

"Very well, for my part," Varian replied, with a sidelong glance at Auriana.

"Um… I'm also... well," she replied, blushing slightly.

Anduin smiled amiably, and moved to take a seat in one of the heavy oak chairs that lined Varian's dining table. The two serving girls followed closely behind him, each carrying an assortment of dishes for the evening meal. The younger of the two women looked at Auriana very curiously as worked, and Varian realised it probably hadn't been the best idea to have Auriana teleport directly into his chambers. Although it wasn't his preference, Varian had agreed to keep his dalliance with Auriana a secret from everyone except Anduin and Jaina. He still half expected to Auriana to flee from the relationship at the first sign of trouble, and to that end he didn't need inquisitive serving girls starting palace rumours.

"Er… please take a seat, Commander," he said, emphasing Auriana's military title slightly.

Varian gallantly pulled out a chair, and Auriana sat down, sweeping her skirts beneath her with surprising grace. She sat with her back perfectly straight, her chin lifted, and Varian was starkly reminded that she was noble by birth, even if she didn't use her title.

"Thank you, my Lord," she said, quickly picking up on Varian's intention to downplay the personal nature of their relationship in front of the servants.

Anduin had taken the seat to the right of Varian's usual chair. The prince frowned almost imperceptibly at the sudden formality between Varian and Auriana, but he remained silent as the servants quickly set the table.

Tonight's dinner was a simple but hearty meal of steak, buttery potatoes, and greens. The potatoes were one of Anduin's favourites, and Varian hoped that Auriana would find them equally appetitive. He dismissed the serving girls with a wave of his hand, offering them his thanks as he settled into his own chair.

"I've been reading those volumes you leant me," Anduin said to Auriana, tucking into his food with the kind of gusto that only hungry young men possessed.

"Oh?"

"They're very interesting," Anduin continued, in between bites of meat and potato. "I had no idea that magical theory was so complex… or contested. There were a couple of points I didn't understand, and I was hoping you might be able to enlighten me?"

"Um… of course," Auriana said, quickly looking sideways at Varian.

He nodded at her encouragingly, hoping she'd take Anduin up on his invitation to converse. She smiled hesitantly, but she turned her attention back to Anduin and leant forwards in interest.

"What would you like to know?"

Anduin and Auriana were soon swept up in an intense debate about magical theory. Auriana's earlier nervousness soon vanished, soothed as she was by Anduin's eager affability and her passion for the topic at hand. Varian didn't really participate in the conversation, instead choosing to sit back and listen. It was a simple pleasure to sip fine whiskey and watch his beloved son and the beautiful young mage as they bantered back and forth.

Anduin and Auriana rapidly switched topics, soon leaving magical theory behind to discuss current events in both Draenor and Stormwind. Neither of them seemed to have particularly noticed Varian's silence, and it was nearly midnight by the time Anduin yawned and indicated his intention to retire.

"I apologise, Auriana," the prince said. "I've keep you very late. And you, Father, we seem to have ignored you entirely."

"Think nothing of it," Varian said. "You both know I'm generally a man of few words."

"Still, you might have liked to get a single one of those few words in edgewise," Anduin pointed out.

He yawned once more, squeezing his blue eyes tight.

"I think I'll be off to bed, then," he said, rising to his feet. "Thank you for the conversation, Auriana. It was most illuminating."

"Any time," Auriana said happily. "Let me know when you're finished with the first volume of Antonidas' reflections on magic, and I'll give you the second. He speculates more specifically on other forms of magic used in Azeroth, including the Light."

"I'd like to read that," Anduin agreed, making his way towards the door. "Goodnight, Father. Goodnight, Auriana."

"Goodnight, Anduin," Varian and Auriana chorused.

Auriana's eyes followed Anduin as he departed, her expression thoughtful. Varian idly wondered what she was thinking, and toyed with the idea of asking her, but instead decided to follow up on his question from earlier.

"So," he said, stretching out in his chair. "Are you going to tell me what happened in Dalaran?"

Auriana considered him pensively, but she didn't seem as reluctant as she had been before.

"I ran into Elwin Lansing," she said finally.

"He was one of the mages who fought at Highmaul," Varian recalled, instantly more alert. "I'm sorry. That must have been difficult."

Auriana nodded.

"It certainly wasn't... pleasant, but… on reflection, I realised I can live with his censure, strange as it might sound," Auriana said. "Sometimes terrible things are necessary for the greater good… and if someone has to bear the burden of that, I'd rather it be me than anyone else."

"So what's bothering you, then?" Varian asked, sensing that she had other concerns.

"Something Jaina said, actually…" she said, her voice wavering slightly. "Am I… am I cold, Varian? Am I a cold person?"

"You're reserved," Varian said slowly. "And I know you don't much like to discuss your feelings…. but I wouldn't call you cold. You certainly aren't cold with me."

Auriana smiled ever so slightly at his words, but she still looked uncertain. Varian frowned.

"What did Jaina say to you?"

"She said... she said that I don't let myself ever really feel anything," Auriana murmured. "I know I'm not the most open person… but I never saw myself as some kind of... heartless monster."

"You're not a monster," Varian said swiftly. "In any sense of the word. And you certainly aren't heartless. Just because you are not demonstrative, doesn't mean you don't feel things very deeply. I would argue that someone who was truly cold... someone who truly didn't care... wouldn't even think to ask the question."

"Perhaps," Auriana said doubtfully. "But I have been wondering if Jaina might be right. Sometimes I think that if I let myself care too much, I won't be able to do what needs to be done in Draenor. Or worse, that I'll fall prey to my own fury."

She sighed, and suddenly looked very young.

"I'm sorry," she said. "It's just been preying on my mind today. I want to be the best commander I can be for my men, but sometimes I'm not sure I even come close to what they deserve."

"You don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, Auriana," Varian reminded her, placing a gentle hand upon her arm.

She looked back at him then, her brilliant blue eyes very serious.

"I do, actually," she argued. "Quite literally. Lunarfall is all that stands between Azeroth and a second Dark Portal. And Lunarfall is my responsibility."

Auriana looked away once more, running her fingers along the edge of the table as she collected her thoughts.

"So much of what we have suffered, both the Alliance and the Horde, comes back to that moment," she continued. "You personally lost your father, your family, your home… as did countless others. If Lunarfall's mission fails, if Azeroth falls… that's on me."

Varian regarded her carefully, before picking up her hand and gently kissing her knuckles lightly.

"When I first became king of Stormwind, I felt much as you do now," he told her. "It all seemed so… impossibly big. I struggled with the enormity of kingship for years. I still do, actually. But I think you need to remember that you don't have to save the world, Auriana, you just have to do the best you can with what's given to you."

"Easier said than done," Auriana murmured, still sounding slightly doubtful. "I'm sorry, I'm sure you don't want to hear me ramble on about this sort of thing."

"You can talk to me about anything, Auriana," Varian said firmly. "I hope you know that."

Auriana nodded, but she touched a weary hand to her eyes.

"Still… I think that's enough self-pity for one night," she muttered, rising to her feet to pour herself another glass of wine. "Who knows… perhaps I should take Jaina up on her offer..."

"Her offer?" Varian asked.

"She thinks I should become an Archmage," Auriana said, chuckling slightly, as if the very idea were absurd. "Which would, of course, mean giving up my command."

"Is that so far out of the question?" he asked, genuinely curious. "Becoming an Archmage, I mean."

Varian knew little of the inner politics of Dalaran or how mages assessed rank, but on power alone he knew Auriana was as deserving of the title as almost anyone else in the world.

"Jaina seems to think so. But you know me, Varian. I worry greatly about my command, and the job that I do… but there's nowhere else I'd rather be," Auriana said. "I certainly don't want to be hidden away in Dalaran for the rest of my life."

"I'm fairly sure they'd let you leave, on occasion," Varian pointed out drily. "Perhaps if you were on your very best behaviour."

Auriana gave a tolerant sigh at his joke, but some of the tension faded from her posture, and her lips quirked ever so slightly upwards. Varian returned her smile, rising to his feet and kissing her swiftly. Auriana was something of a natural worrier, and he hoped that she wouldn't continue to brood on the matter overmuch.

"Are you going to stay tonight?" he said, changing the topic.

As he spoke, he reached forwards to gently cup her face in his hands.

"I really shouldn't," Auriana said firmly, though there was a note of regret in her voice. "We lost some of our forward bases in Gorgrond about two weeks ago. I had intended to push back sooner, but then the garrison was invaded and we were forced to deal with the Burning Blade. Now that Azuka is dead, however, I need to turn my attention back to Gorgrond, and more specifically, Blackrock Foundry. I'm leading an assault on one of our lost outposts early tomorrow morning."

She made to step back, but Varian caught her slender wrist and pulled her towards him. She had no resistance against his vastly superior strength, and she fell gently against his chest as he captured her lips in a slow, lingering kiss. He stroked her bare arms gently, and was amply rewarded by the sound of her soft sigh.

"Surely you have subordinates who could lead such a mission," he murmured.

"Varian Wrynn," she said, with mock sternness. "Are you seriously suggesting that I neglect my duties as Commander of Lunarfall?"

"No," he conceded. "Of course not. Still… I can't deny that I'd like to have you stay in Stormwind tonight."

"You'd like if I stayed in Stormwind every night," she said lightly.

"Of course," Varian said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

A brief flash of surprise crossed Auriana's face, and Varian realised that her statement had been intended in jest. He frowned, genuinely confused by her reaction. It was as if Auriana didn't seem to consider herself of any great importance to him, despite the strength of the passion they shared. Varian looked down at her, wondering what he could possibly do to convince her that he took their relationship very seriously. She gazed back at him curiously, apparently entirely nonplussed by the sudden power of his stare.

"It's tempting," she said slowly, evidently thinking that his intensity was part of an attempt to get her to stay. "Really, it is. But I do need to be up early. The Iron Horde aren't just going to give up territory in Gorgrond without some… encouragement."

Varian grunted by means of reply. He knew she was right, but there was a part of him that wanted to be entirely selfish and simply keep her to himself for an entire week or more.

"Are you sulking?" she teased lightly, brushing a strand of his unruly hair back from his face.

"No," Varian growled. "It's just… inconvenient."

"Would you like me to let the Iron Horde know?" she asked drily. "'My apologies, Grom Hellscream, I'd really love to keep fighting, but the King of Stormwind has decided it is inconvenient for me to do so.'"

"Could you?" Varian retorted. "It would save us all an awful lot of time and trouble."

Auriana ducked her head and laughed, the warm sound echoing pleasantly around the room. Varian loved the rare occasions when she truly laughed, and he was overwhelmed by the sudden urge to kiss her once more. By the time he eventually released her from his embrace, her lips were ruby red and she was breathing heavily. She tilted her head to the side, her eyes soft as she gazed up at him.

"How is it that you're always able to put me in a good mood?" she wondered.

"I have my ways," Varian replied, raising an eyebrow.

She gazed up at him affectionately, blushing slightly under the heat of his gaze. A second later, however, she stepped back, some of the earlier humour had fading from her face. Varian could feel her hands suddenly tremble as they lingered on his broad forearms, and she was unable to meet his eyes.

"Varian… I… um..." she started nervously, only to fall silent mere moments later.

Varian squeezed her arms encouragingly, but it appeared that whatever she had been about to say would remain a mystery.

"I… I really should be going," she said firmly, as if trying to convince herself as much as him.

"When will I see you again?" Varian asked, choosing once again not to press the issue.

"I don't know how long we'll be in Gorgrond," Auriana admitted. "We've lost significant ground, it could take some time to restore our presence in the region."

Varian nodded, though he was sorely disappointed.

"I'll try to get back as soon as I'm able," she said hopefully, looking up at him once more. "Three days, perhaps."

"I look forward to it," Varian said softly. "Goodnight, Auri."

"Goodnight, Varian," she replied, pressing her lips softly to his cheek before she simply faded away into thin air, and he was left alone once more.