A/N
WOW. Chapter ten is here. I know I said I wouldn't publish ahead of BlizzCon, but well, writing and reviewing went faster than I thought. That being said, be prepared for a heartbreak. Don't leave me - I promise it will get better!
A very special thank you goes to Taedae and Crazeegab. You both are wonderful!
And you, Windcage! I never would've gotten so far. (Speaking about monsters... LOL)
Thank you, also:
RandomFreezingfan123 - I heard you, with the faster update! Sylvanas is coming slowly out of her shell, but for Nathanos, you will have to wait a bit. :-)
Lsowayan - I hope I do. Keep up with the amazing comments! ;-)
SilverDakkar - I truly hope the update is soon enough for you. :-) Thank you for your lovely comment!
Zorcoz - Welcome, new fan! ... I am so sorry to tell you here's another cliffhanger torturing you. Will you stay, nevertheless?
Taedae - I hope you smile while reading this chapter although it is not all for smiling, Taedae. I do better, next time!
tamerlan110 - Yes, Nathanos was showing his love for the Warchief, too, but in another way. But there will come one day for him when he gets to know the truth... :-)
Mysterious-I - I hope you are still excited for this one! Our heroes clash again...
Crazeegab - More chills to come? As always, your comment means a lot to me. Simply amazing. ;-)
dfsdfvh - Here you see what happens next! And yes, the plot thickens! How's playing, BTW?
Darkilirium - I think there will come one day when Sylvanas gets to know about Taelia (since Genn is such a shipper!), but we'll see. First, our heroes have to find out about each other... :-)
Francisco Cegelnicki - you spoke of things that I had already written in this chapter which I really hope you come to like, Francisco! As you will get much later Nathanos' reaction, of course and Sylvanas has to do something, now. I also hope I pleased you in publishing earlier! :)
Batman96 - Thank you so much for your nice words. Really. And I will keep this story going. I fell in love with it, too. ;-)
Jaybird 9876 - I'm adding another chapter for your daily routine, is that ok with you? ;-) Thank you for your awesome comment. And I fear there will be, one day, a spy following our heroes... we'll see!
KatdFic - a special thank you for reminding me of the three sisters... the penultimate part of this chapter is for you! :-)
DAZAR'ALOR, ZANDALAR
Noon saw King Rastakhan and Talanji having another talk while lunch was served, in the shadows of the palm trees.
"Talanji, Loti informed me of a fight? With de young king? And dat he is still in our prison?"
Talanji who herself had not been proud of how she handled things, blushed. "I am sorry, father."
Rastakhan's eyebrows drew together. "You had a role in dis?"
"I was away while it happened, father." Talanji hesitated. "I stopped de fight as soon as I returned."
Rastakhan leaned forward. "Do be careful, Talanji. - I do not want you to get involved in politics dat are not adequate for our people. You are young, but I want you to remember dat de Zandalari had always been proud and fair trolls."
"I have done nothing dat de Alliance's king had not done as well. He put me in prison, too!" Talanji protested. "And had not de Horde arrived..."
"Talanji." Rastakhan shook his head. And sighed. Softly, he mentioned: "Still, dis is no way to treat an emissary who came flying de white flag."
Talanji lowered her head, for a moment guilty, but then, she looked up. "De times are changin', father. We need help. - I want to start a raid in Uldir to get rid of de problems of G'huun since de last seal was ultimately destroyed. Rezhan..."
"I know what happened to our loa, Talanji."
"... and G'huun is also wrestling control over de souls of de dead from Bwonsamdi..."
"So ya decided to call for help?"
"De Speaker of de Horde, father, had been very helpful to us. And he will help me again, we just had a talk, and he assured me of..."
"You trust him dat much?"
"He did everything I asked him for, father. He accompanied me everywhere and helped me. Without him? I do not know..."
Rastakhan nodded. "I see your point, daughter, but I am not content with how you treated de young king of de Alliance. Let him go, Talanji. And dis is not a wish."
"I will, father -"
And right in this moment, one of Talanji's guards came to inform her that the Warchief of the Horde had arrived.
Talanji stood. "Excuse me, father, but I have to go. I promise to get de young king out of de Rastari Barracks."
Rastakhan nodded and wanted to add something but Wardruid Loti's arrival, carrying important news, forced him into silence.
And then, Talanji was gone.
Areiel had been very silent when they stepped through the Portal and set foot in Dazar'alor, arriving directly in King Rastakhan's palace, which was an enormous pyramid. They were expected and greeted by the Horde's champion who took them, while talking with their Dark Lady, to the Horde's embassy that was in the same building on another floor. When they entered, the troll princess was already waiting for them.
Sylvanas greeted her. "Princess Talanji. - Our champion may have already informed you..."
"Warchief of de Horde," Talanji interrupted her then, "it is very fortunate for ya to come just at dis moment. I was talking to your champion and telling him dat de Zandalari will need de help of de Horde again. - As you may know, we had a hard fight against de Blood Trolls of Nazmir. Dey worshipped G'huun, known as de Blood God, as a loa. De threat he is posing is still world-ending. G'huun's corruption, that is called "under rot", it sought to spread its rot, pestilence and decay across the world, and beyond, and to consume Azeroth in the process. Now, with de fall of de last seal – once three seals existed – nothing prevents G'huun from doing dis. Which is why it is of utmost importance to fight and slew G'huun before he could break free, and to travel to Uldir, where he is locked away."
Sylvanas nodded, almost happy that she obviously didn't need to go through with her former plan now that a new event appeared which brought the Zandalaris in the position to request help from the Horde again. This was a better development than she had thought, just at the right time. And it made it a lot easier to voice her next issue after they had discussed about that action that needed to be taken for the raid of Uldir.
Finally, Sylvanas had the chance to address it. "I have another business, and it concerns the High King of the Alliance."
Talanji shook her head. "I am sorry. Dis prisoner is under my father's protection."
Red eyes turned towards her. "My champion already told me you put him in prison, princess, to please us." Sylvanas strived to sound convincing and not threatening. "But if I am to give you my best soldiers to get rid of your threat, I acquire the right to visit him. By myself."
A warning glance met her. "He won't be treated de same way your champion did. - I will have your word on dis otherwise my answer is no."
Sylvanas' anger flared up again – because Nathanos had the Horde shown in a very bad light, that was obvious. Had the fool of her champion acted... in front of the princess? That would have consequences, she swore to herself. Yet, who was this young troll to say no to her?
But she saved face. She knew they needed their allies, but she didn't like the way the troll princess refused her. Once, the Zandalari had pledged their loyalty to the Horde, they would have another talk. A talk with her as the Warchief of the Horde. But right now it seemed more important to check whether the boy-king was alright or not.
"You have my word. - I just want to ask him some questions, princess."
Talanji seemed to have made up her mind. "He is in de Rastari Barracks, Warchief of de Horde. My guards will show you. - But you alone will enter." Talanji added with a strict tone, pointing silently at her dark rangers.
Sylvanas gritted her teeth, but nodded. She turned to her dark rangers to order them to stay where they were and subsequently followed the Zandalari warriors alone.
She didn't see how Talanji's eyes followed her. Querying. Wondering. If there were some personal issues at stake here and therefore she had to worry about the young king? The princess hadn't been happy to put him in prison, but she simply felt like she had had no other choice. The Horde had helped her, supported her and was now ready to accompany her in a raid to get rid of a big threat for Zandalar and possibly Azeroth. The Horde had even freed her from the Stockades in Stormwind, otherwise she wouldn't be here. So she owned them, that's why she had honored that request from the Warchief's champion himself although she didn't like him at all. Then there was Rokhan, who had stayed at her side. And of course the Horde's champion, whom her father had pronounced Speaker of the Horde and who had fought hand in hand with her, so far.
ZULDAZAR, RASTARI BARRACKS
Anduin sat on the bench at the end of the cell, head leaned back against the bars, just staying calm and keeping himself in a state of trance. He was dead tired but sleep had been impossible, so far. Hopefully, it would be over once Princess Talanji had spoken or dealt with the Horde again. He tried to believe her word because a part of him suddenly started to fear that she would be forced to hand him over to the Horde. If that were the case...
He didn't try to deceive himself that – although they had come close - Sylvanas wouldn't hesitate to force him to surrender. And the complete Alliance with him. He closed his eyes. No, don't go there, he admonished himself, and felt for the umpteenth time for the Light in him to give him some comfort and not to lose courage. This waiting was worse than anything else. Also the constant worries he had about Grand-Admiral Jes-Tereth and the 'Wind's Redemption' – and of the ones he had left behind, who knew about this mission... the responsibility of the situation weighed him down.
He suddenly heard voices and then the familiar walk of heels in a special rhythm he would recognize everywhere. Anduin's heart sped up, slamming against his chest. She came? Both excitement and fear held him in place.
His cell was at the end of the corridor where it was still mostly dark, but he could see the red glowing eyes that stopped in front of his door and then she entered, after the door was opened for her, looking around. She came alone?
His voice was husky. "I'm here."
Sylvanas recognized him immediately as the shadow in the background. He was not moving, and he was eerily quiet. With swift steps she went over to him, to the bench where he was hunched up. In the dim light that shined through one of the windows that was covered with plants she could see that he was still in his royal overcoat. Yet, it was shredded and had bloodstains on it. A quick look showed him not wounded, but weary, she recognized the eye rims immediately.
"Are you hurt?" The question was out before she could take it back and in the same moment she was angry at herself for showing that she cared for him.
There was no answer.
"Which fool in you decided to come here and try to bargain with the Zandalari trolls?"
He turned his face away, but she had seen the glimpse of something like... hurt. Shame. He cleared his throat, looking back to her. "Why are you here?"
"To solve this diplomatic incident."
"Diplomatic incident?"
"Is it better if I call it a mess you got yourself into?"
Anger rose in him, that the first thing she did was to scold him, as if there was no lost love between them. As if... it all had meant nothing to her. He hadn't invited her here and he didn't deserve her mockery. He was very well aware of what sort of danger he had gotten himself into and it had been worth a try – which he would've succeeded in, he was convinced, if her champion hadn't showed up and demanded, above else, for him to be put in prison. Yet, his stubbornness needed clarity.
"Why are you here?"
Sylvanas rolled her eyes. Not wanting to admit at any price, for starters, that she was here because of him, she smirked. "I was discussing options and conditions with the Zandalari when I heard of your 'bold adventure'." And before she could stop herself, she was back at mocking him, back at being cunning and deceiving. "You were offered to me for making short process. We had a good laugh. But I wanted to see for myself the fine mess you created."
Anduin gritted his teeth. So that was why she was here? She came to gloat? Nothing else? And the only conclusion left for him was indeed that all... had been a game to her? Perhaps she had somewhere caught herself in it – Areiel's visit could've been the proof – but in the end, he would always be the loser of this game. Had she sent her champion, then, to test him? Whatever he did, whatever he tried, it didn't matter. All he ever earned were her scorn and her triumph over him. Tired, he closed his eyes. Refusing to look up to her while he answered, a hint of defiance slipping in his husky voice.
"So are you here, to make short process?"
Was this the end? He felt exhausted. On his feet over a day now, no sleep possible last night in this dungeon. The screams from other prisoners had been hard to endure, trolls weren't oversensitive in handling their prisoners. The worries having him too often in their grip. And then there was the severe beating he had taken from her champion and he still didn't know how to rank it. He was missing his father. And he was missing a happy evening that had been granted him in Ratchet, the only thing that maintained in getting a hold on himself. Somehow, Anduin started to lose hope. Hope of ever touching his dreams, of getting close to peace... and of getting close to her. He was a fool. She was giving him nothing but shattered dreams. And the realization tasted bitter.
Sylvanas had monitored him closely, but with him staying where he was and making no step towards her, dark shadows showed on her face again. She got furious. The whole kaleidoscope of doubts and emotions new to her he had pushed her through – and she had had once so easily in her grip - made her grab him and shake him just like her own champion had done before.
"Wake up, boy-king! It is time for you to come to senses!"
Her reaction only ignited his simmering fury, too. Who was she to lecture him, again? Who was she besides his enemy he had to fight and bring down on the next battlefield?
"Let me go." Anduin started to fend her off and stood up. Blue eyes flashed angry at her.
Red piercing eyes stared back. "You try my patience dangerously again, boy-king."
The blue eyes turned cold. "First of all: King Wrynn to you -"
His tone, so completely different from the one he had used before to address her, hit her. And all the things she had come here for, they were wiped off at one blow. It deepened her anger. Who was he? This young boy, to challenge her, a well-versed warrior? He was nothing. She poured all her sovereign contempt and her hate into the next words.
"We are back at the beginning, little lion? Where I tell you that the Horde wants nothing to do with the Alliance's sissy? And that we will slaughter anyone who stands in our way."
Of course she was mocking him. Yet, he hit rock bottom with her use of 'little lion' and her use of the words she had greeted him with when he had gone down to her cell in the Stockades. It took him a moment to concentrate on breathing. Right now, he had enough.
"I didn't invite you here. And first of all, this is an incident between the Zandalari and the Alliance. Nothing else."
"I was invited here. And you should be lucky that it is me who is here."
Anduin was stunned for a moment, his voice husky again. "Are you threatening me?" Had he really expected that she would visit to comfort him? To... kiss him again? To tell him she was sorry what her champion had done to him? How naïve was he really to believe in such things? He turned away from her abruptly, hurt.
Sylvanas' red eyes turned piercing and illuminated to a bright red, her voice abrasive. "It seems you have overseen in your naivety that you are on Horde's land which makes it a Horde campaign."
He laughed as derisively as she often did. "Horde land? Right now, it is Zandalari land, as King Rastakhan told me himself. And you have no power here. - Speaking of, your Horde..."
"You mean you tried to convince the enemy of the better only to fail spectacularly?" Now she smirked. "Look at the boy-king. - These are our allies, to make that clear to you." She snorted. "You have no right to be here. And you have no right to interfere!"
Her accusations hit him completely unprepared. Was this the real Sylvanas? And the truth in her words? The hurt deepened. The facade put away – she was back at the one who everybody warned him of. Light, it made him so angry. Fighting battles on lost ground again? No, he decided. This one, I am fighting through. In knowing he would lose... this what had been most precious to him. Made him feel alive, for a short time. For all what he had hoped for...
"I have no right?" Anduin laughed a joyless laugh. "We are at war, dear Warchief, and I have every right..."
"Always thinking you're right..." She sneered back at him, furiously.
He was so tired of defending himself. "Always thinking you've been wronged..." He retorted and shook his head, fighting with his emotions. "Stop turning the tables."
"I am not..."
"Yes. You are. Always."
"You dare..."
He turned around, stepped in front of her.
"Yes I dare, Warchief of the Horde. I'm tired of all the platitudes you're throwing in my face. I already know them all by heart. Give me something new!"
For the first time, she seemed to be at loss of words. But angry, oh so angry. Couldn't the red eyes glow more? Pierce more through him? Anduin didn't know. And it didn't matter because he was angry at himself. Sometimes he asked himself why he hadn't killed her with his Holy Light, yet. Problem solved. No one of her schemes or machinations going on anymore. She always had one up her sleeve, being cunning, deceitful and smart. And he was so easy to cheat. Still believing she had some good left in her, he had only to find the right button to push it! And in the same moment the thoughts shot through his mind, he was very ashamed of himself. What was wrong with him? He clenched his fists when, in the depths of despair, his eyes reflected fear and sadness of losing her. Which made her following words cut all the more deeper.
"You disgust me. I will bring you to your knees. I have no time for games."
Now it was her turn to step aside.
Her cruelty got him. This time. "No time for games?" Anduin echoed. "This was never a game."
"As I said before, boy-king, the difference is you're not used to gamble when the stakes are high."
Anduin bit his lower lip. "And I told you I don't gamble with you."
She snorted and darted him a disdainful look. "You're nothing else than a boy playing soldier."
Spoken so coldly, it pained him to no end. It affected him. Was everything lost? Had he been blind and never seen that she had been too long in the darkness and that no glimpse of light could lighten up her way... that he actually wasn't able to change her? That she didn't want to change? As he had thought once, only to see in the Stockades a different kind of Sylvanas? The despair grew so much that he couldn't do other than turn around again and walk away from her to the door of his cell. No words were needed, right? No words. Father, he thought, I can't do this anymore. I can't be the hero you were... Tears shot in his eyes, his emotional turmoil threatening to overwhelm him. Anduin didn't answer her. There was no comfort here.
"I make you pay for all, little lion."
This started to get really personal.
"All?" Anduin's voice was barely audible.
"You made me believe I could trust you."
"You made me believe... we're friends."
"We're not friends."
"We're not? - What are we then?"
"Enemies. Don't forget it, boy-king."
"Are you finished now?" Was all he asked, the taste in his mouth ashen, disappointed and heart-stricken. This kiss hadn't meant anything to her? His whole world crumbled. When no answer came, he forced himself to speak.
"If that's all there is to say, Warchief, then it is better we part ways."
He called for the guards, who – to his astonishment, as if they hadn't agreed to this visit, either – came into the cell after he had stepped away from the door.
He threw her one look, steeling himself. Unyielding, although his heart hurt badly. "My visitor wants to leave."
Sylvanas' eyes glowed when, passing, she hissed at him angrily: "You win nothing. I'll make sure of that."
She left his cell, her cloak flapping behind her, and Anduin was painstakingly reminded of a moment in the Arathi Highlands where he had looked after her, too, smiling, at the beginning of something... Desperation crawled in, slowly but overwhelming.
Light, when she was gone and the guards, too, closing his cell, leaving him behind, helpless as he was, still here in Zandalar, he was heartbroken. And even the thought that now, he could concentrate on 'what a king must do', didn't help to ease his pain.
Yet, he wasn't long alone. Some time after Sylvanas had left, Talanji showed up and escorted him back to the harbor. Silent. Since Anduin was tired and sad, he didn't mind. He had nothing to say, either.
DAZAR'ALOR
Sylvanas was seething in rage while leaving the barracks behind. And the rage had not left her when she arrived back where her dark rangers waited for her. She spoke no word. And Areiel, watching her, feared suddenly for her Dark Lady and for the young king. But she remained silent and followed the rest of the group back to the Portal Room. Back to Princess Talanji.
"He answered your questions, Warchief of de Horde?"
Sylvanas who had been about to step already through the portal, following her dark rangers, turned around, being the last one.
"He did, princess."
Talanji nodded.
There was a slight hesitation, but then, Sylvanas acted in the heat of the moment. "Since we got that settled now, you can let him go. - It is better when my Horde troops arrive that he's not here anymore. Including his ship. We have an agreement?"
Talanji nodded again. Almost confused – only wanting to fulfill her father's will as soon as possible - that the Warchief of the Horde wanted the same now while the Warchief's own champion had requested to imprison him, but not letting it on. "We have."
STORMWIND
Anduin had been very quiet during the complete sail home to Stormwind. And Grand-Admiral Jes-Tereth, who worried a lot about the pale young king, had not asked any questions.
Arriving at Stormwind harbor in the evening, Anduin had ordered the 7th Legion soldiers to return to their quarters, thanked the Grand-Admiral and taken his Lion's Guards to Stormwind Keep.
In a short meeting with Mathias Shaw, Genn Greymane and Lady Katherine Proudmoore, who had stepped through a portal because Anduin found it important to inform her, too, he had explained what had happened – except the part concerning the Warchief's champion beating him up and the Warchief of the Horde visiting him in prison – only to earn head shaking from Genn, worried looks from Lady Proudmoore and the impenetrable face of his Spymaster.
Since he had had enough time on the 'Wind's Redemption' to think it all through, what to mention and what to answer, it was easy for Anduin to appear calm and composed. Yes, he was prepared for the most formal questions, but not for the private ones that were inwardly still nagging at him.
He spoke of the polite welcome from King Rastakhan, from being shown around in Zuldazar, and then having the misfortune of meeting Princess Talanji who wanted first to deal with the Horde. He told them that the Horde's champion had shown up and how the body of Derek Proudmoore had been to him denied after that. That the princess had put him in prison – for his own safety – and explained to him that after dealing with the Horde he would be freed. Which had happened exactly as she had promised him, one day later.
A longer discussion followed, what to do and how to react. Anduin, very tired aftere spending the night in a not very comfortable cell and wishing to excuse himself, told them frankly that there was nothing they could do, seeing the ties between the Horde and the Zandalaris were already under hand and seal. Again, he apologized to Lady Katherine Proudmoore for not being able to bring Derek home and took leave. He was truly exhausted.
Genn had shouted: "Anduin, wait..." after him, but he was fleeing to his private quarters, no longer being able to keep the facade up. He sank down on his knees beside the hearth, the warmth giving him a bit comfort when dry sobs threatened to break through him. How badly he missed his father with all these restless questions haunting him again.
Why? Why? Why had they both not been on the right track, this time? Why did Sylvanas, after he had gotten close to her, turn and left him behind, desperate for catching up? Whatever he did, she always had her own machinations going on, and he would never – ever – succeed of getting her to... peace, now. The sobbing stopped when he heard the knocks outside. Of course. Speaking of peace, was there ever peace possible for him?
"I'm out, right away." He answered and let the devastation that still had him in its grip stay outside his voice. Drilled in keeping emotions at bay, not even showing glimpses of his burning inner core, he was now fighting with his inner demons. He heard the door crack open – and Genn came in, who stopped right midway seeing Anduin, still trying to gain his composure back, slowly standing up and looking away from him.
There was silence until Anduin, finally, turned around, his balance back in place.
"What is it that you want, Genn, coming in here unannounced?"
"I knocked three times."
Genn, it seemed, realized for the first time how much of a bad condition the young king truly was in. He knew next to nothing of what Anduin had gone through – since that night Stormwind City had burned, their most important prisoner had escaped and he had had a talk with Anduin he had wanted to forget all the time.
"Anduin..."
The young king shook his head and passed him by, but got swiveled around when the elder Worgen grabbed him by his arm. Determined.
But the young king was determined as well. "Let me go, Genn. There are things to do."
"I'd like to talk to you, now, Anduin." The elderly man answered instead, not letting him go.
The bright blue eyes, as tired as ever – and now showing small red traces – started to glisten angry, but the young man remained silent.
"I just realized I never... apologized." Genn inhaled deeply. "I was so furious..."
Anduin, his heart bleeding, had longed to hear those words – over days, over nights. He pulled his arm out of the elder man's grip. "We all make mistakes, Genn."
"Anduin..." Genn sighed. "I would have liked to spare you this experience, my king. We all make mistakes, how true. We all fail from time to time. And that you failed the negotiation with the Zandalari is something you should not take personally. You came at a bad time. As King Rastakhan told you himself, to quote your words."
Anduin turned away, looking out of the window. Yes and no. He had failed his mission, but he also knew that without Talanji's mistrust, he would've succeeded. What broke him really down were the fights he had had to endure. Bad timing, indeed. Misjudged by the Warchief's own champion. The same feeling again when Sylvanas had come into his cell. And the still unanswered question of how she came to love... such a person. Of course, Nathanos Blightcaller had once been a human, too. But now? What was it, then, she had found in him to kiss him in that tunnel, Anduin asked himself. It only strengthened his assumption that he just had been an amusement for her. He shook his head. A part in him still cherished the memory of dancing with her. Feeling... free and happy. And that it had been mutual, at that time, he had felt it. His only happy memory, as it seemed now. Bitterness crawled in.
"Anduin?"
He was reminded of returning back to reality. "I learned my lesson, Genn."
Did he really? Anduin's hand touched the glass window. It was cold, as cold as a body that had pressed against him – and longing caught him. If only... he closed his eyes, feeling the emotions coming up. Yet, there was shame, now. For his own reactions. That he had answered to sides in him – unknown to him, better untouched, it turned out - that had lead him here, in this hopeless situation. What a fool he was to take a beating without striking back in knowing she had given the other man her heart, too. And that he was nothing like him, Nathanos Blightcaller. If she were in to such aggressive types – a part of her answered to this aggressiveness, too – he wouldn't have had any chance to come close of her personal ideal of a man anyway. No, he was no strong warrior. He was one that was called a weakling. His hand clenched to a fist.
He suddenly heard Genn's voice behind him. "My king you are not alright." The Worgen worried.
Taking himself back – at least one thing he was good at – he stepped back from the window and turned around, the impenetrable mask at its place.
"I will be, Genn." He answered him. "I just need a bit time."
Genn looked guilty. Slowly, he sat down in one of the chairs that stood next to the fire and Anduin decided to follow him, hovering directly at the hearth and glancing at him.
"I know I treated you wrong. I miss... talking to you. - I already lost a son. I won't lose another. Tell me what I can do for you to forgive me." Genn's voice was hoarse.
Anduin swallowed. "Genn." His voice softer, recognizing an imaginary outstretched hand from the elderly man, he looked up to him. "I forgave you a long time ago. It's not that I don't know how much you've been gone through. That's why... that's why you should put some faith in me and let me try my best."
Desperation overtook the young man. Suddenly and cautiously, he leaned his head on Genn's knee. "I won't fail you... or father." The words were spoken suffocated.
"Anduin!" Genn gazed fondly at him, his hand slowly touching the young king's head so as not to shy him away – or was it himself that would shy away, too lost and too deep buried in his hidden feelings he had tried to forget a long time ago? In the end, Genn's hand stayed there. "I know you won't fail. I only have to overcome... the burdens of my past that make me fear for you."
"Genn." Anduin lifted his head when he looked up to him, fearing to lose his hard maintained control so he put Genn's hand cautiously back on the knee where his head had rested for a short time. Immediately, Genn missed the warmth but was rewarded with a small, very sad smile from Anduin. "I'm glad you're here."
He meant what he said, Genn could feel it. "I'm glad, too." He sighed. "So you might also want to tell me what's on your mind that keeps you so distracted from time to time?"
"I'm not distracted."
"You are. You had been in Kul Tiras, too. I know you long enough, my king. You even fled to your quarters now. Don't deny it."
Anduin sighed and brushed through his hair. Tired. "Alright. I won't deny it."
"So what..."
"Don't ask."
The words were unusually hard spoken for the young king. But they didn't hinder Genn to continue asking.
"How about you put some faith in me? That I learned my lesson, too. I see you're worried, Anduin, and it worries me. I want to help you. Let me in – please."
Anduin, upon hearing those warm and heartfelt words, hesitated. Was he ready to plunge into another lecture? Perhaps he could... circumscribe it.
"Anduin?"
The young king looked at the elderly man and opened himself a bit up to him. Hurt, as he still was. "Alright, Genn, you asked for it." He took a deep breath. "Something has... happened. And I don't know what to make of it."
Genn smiled a little. "Care to tell me what that 'something' is about?"
Anduin suddenly blushed, thinking of a kiss in the tunnel. And Genn, watching him, had a sudden inspiration that it was personal. When had he been that absent in his youth? When he had thought of Mia? Which could mean... Anduin had met someone? Taelia, perhaps? He gave his inspiration word. "Is it more about 'someone'?"
"Yes." Anduin was relieved that he didn't have to get around the subject any longer.
"And that 'someone' confuses you?"
"She does..." Anduin's words were spoken before he realized he had to be more careful, but Genn smiled, relieved that it was a matter of the heart. Anduin needed someone at his side. Someone strong.
"You met a girl. - And you developed feelings?"
Anduin took a deep breath, again. Could he ever tell Genn that he had been kissed by their enemy, the Warchief of the Horde? The whole talk was going into another direction as his intention had been. "The thing is, Genn, I don't know..."
"If she feels the same?" Genn helped out, still smiling. "Go on, ask her." He added.
Anduin folded the arms, leaning back. "I can't."
Genn shook his head. "Of course, you can, Anduin. The matters of the heart aren't that different from going into a battlefield. All you need is the courage to weather through them."
Anduin sighed. "I wish it would be that easy, Genn."
"So what's the problem? She's already... promised to another one?"
"No." Anduin's answer followed promptly. But then he thought of Nathanos Blightcaller. And that he knew now, they were playing in a completely different league. Anduin closed his eyes, lost.
With Genn, he began to see the utter foolishness of even wanting to be with her. It would have never worked. In this, she had been right. Her words echoed in his mind... 'What for, because we both know all of this can only end on a battlefield?' And had he forgotten what crimes she had done? She had put the torch to Teldrassil, and he had failed those who burned. Lordaeron, blighting her own city, destroying all of it. On the battlefield, when he had seen her raising undead people, making no difference between humans or other races, even not between Alliance or Horde. What had only gotten into him to meet her, there in Ratchet? To flirt with her? Was he so desperate for company... so desperate of another warrior at his side – a question he had asked himself over and over again – to fill in the hole his father had left in his heart, that he even accepted hers? The company of a cruel mind? Of a cunning, deceiving and smart personality? Her words before leaving him back in the cell had been clear enough. 'You win nothing. I'll make sure of it.' No, he had lost and it was time to face the truth. He opened his eyes.
"No?" Genn repeated the young king's last word. "What is it, then?"
"It's complicated." Anduin evaded the question.
"If you don't ask her, Anduin, you will never get the answer to your problem. And, believe me, that is the worst thing you can go through. Asking yourself the same question over and over again." Genn's voice had suddenly turned sad and he looked at his empty hands. "The older you get, the more it haunts you."
He could've spoken for Sylvanas' perspective as well, Anduin suddenly mused, touched by the Worgen's feelings shining through. Would it haunt her, one day, too? No, he told himself. It only haunted him, the question of what if...
"I see you try to come up with a solution to your... problem?" Genn insisted, seeing the young king starting to think again. Immediately, the elderly man spoke the next words. "Tell me who she is and I can mediate with her parents."
"I'm sorry, Genn." Anduin shook his head in dead earnest. "You can't. And I won't tell you who she is. Just leave it for now. Please."
Genn would've loved to know who this mysterious girl was – if it was really Taelia -, but then, there were other ways to gather information, and he was thinking about the man who he surprisingly had become closer friends with, since he had turned away from Anduin, in Kul Tiras: Spymaster Mathias Shaw.
"Of course." Was all the elderly man answered.
And then, they talked about other things, until Genn bid farewell and Anduin was able to slip beneath the sheets, his thoughts still elsewhere. If he had acted in the right way. How was it possible to kiss him that passionate and invite him to a second date only to be so quick to condemn him for bargaining with the Zandalari for a dead corpse?
ORGRIMMAR
Sylvanas was brooding again. This time, they simply wouldn't let her go, the what ifs. Areiel hadn't spoken a simple word to her the last days. It was almost as if the young king had gained another ally and she would've sneered about it if it wasn't for the bitter realization that she would not succeed this time to get him out of her thoughts. Just when she wanted it to be all over, just when he wanted it to be all over – he had said it in all clarity! - just then, she had problems of letting go.
And it made all her anger, her rage flare up again. Wildly. Sylvanas had trouble to keep the Banshee Queen in her in check so she fled Grommash Hold, this time. She took one of her bats and flew around, officially with the intent to visit Gallywix and check on her champion's status, but unofficially? She felt lost. As if someone had taken her goal. And she didn't know how to cope with it. She didn't know how to get along with it. It wakened long distant memories in her. Memories of something that was far, far gone.
She felt helpless, and she hated it. There was no comfort in her usual patterns anymore. No joy in planning battles. In planning strategies. In planning tactics. And the taste of bitterness returned. One, that reminded her permanently of something else she forbid herself to think of. Which was why she decided suddenly to fly somewhere else.
STORMWIND
Anduin buried himself the next days under his work as a king which was never done. Endless petitions to sign, endless talks with the Lords of the Noble Houses, plans to discuss of how to continue the war and how to keep the Alliance together. He endured them all, only to forget the pain in his heart.
And Genn, who wasn't blind to Anduin's quietness, working too much, sleeping too little, thought of it as a good idea when Turalyon asked for another short reunion with Anduin while on his way back from Stromgarde to Kul Tiras to visit Alleria. Perhaps a talk with the other light wielder would get Anduin into a better mood.
And so it was that Anduin had no possibility to say no when Turalyon showed up and asked him for a walk around Stormwind City because the weather was fine, seeing the young king pale and exhausted. Anduin, who was first glad to meet the other light wielder again, was suddenly reminded of all that had happened in Stromgarde, especially when Turalyon spoke about all the measures Danath Trollbane and him had taken to secure it and even explained him some improvements the Drywhisker mine had undergone. Anduin found it all interesting and very important – but once, the three months were over, she would be there, he was certain. Or even earlier, now? She wouldn't leave the opportunity to make Stromgarde hers. The hurt, the pain, it was there, again. And that he had failed. Completely. He closed his eyes.
"I always wanted to know how you got to..." Turalyon just mentioned while walking, but suddenly missed a person next to him. "Your majesty?" Turalyon looked back. He watched the young king who had stopped and sensed immediately the pain in the other young man. Cautiously, he spoke again. "You don't want to talk about it, your majesty, but I know that sometimes it is better to talk than to stay silent."
Anduin opened his eyes, a sad smile playing at his lips. "Thank you, High Exarch. - I just need," here, he sighed, repeating the phrase he had made one of its own now and walked to the side of the elder man, "I just need a bit time."
Turalyon shook his head. "No, your majesty. You need someone to talk to."
Another sad smile flew over the young king's face. "Perhaps."
"You are doubting yourself, which shouldn't be. - Sometimes, when we act with the best intent, with the best care we nevertheless can't change the outcome, your majesty. - Don't lose your kindness because of what happened over there in Zandalar."
"I try not to, High Exarch."
"It's not only the try, your majesty, it's the act that counts."
Anduin was almost tempted to tell the other man more, the one who was bound to her sister, but better not. The best way was to forget about it, or at least try to take the most precious memory he ever had with him into the grave. Although he would've loved to exchange about the two sisters and what it meant to be at their side, Anduin remained silent. However, he was held back by the other man.
"I don't know what happened, your majesty, but you clearly lost your - how can I say this - your flame of striving for peace? I can only assume, but while in Stromgarde, you came back with inspiration and a smile from that personal talk with the Warchief of the Horde. You told us you succeeded in being given a pause, which enabled Danath and me to have more time for preparations, once the warfront ignites again. And I have no illusions it will do so."
And in one rush, all of Anduin's memories returned. She just wouldn't let him go. Anduin forced himself to stay calm, a bitter taste in his mouth. From the situation? From a kiss?
"I...," Anduin was ringing for words, "I met Lady Sylvanas Windrunner in Zandalar again."
Turalyon's golden eyes rested upon him, quiet.
The young king turned away from the High Exarch, clearly in turmoil, as his clenched fists showed. Why had he even mentioned this? When he had managed to stay silent about it all the time? But Turalyon was with Alleria, her sister, and he felt something like a kindred spirit in the other man.
"It didn't go the way you wanted it, your majesty?"
"No." Anduin's answer was short and painful.
The golden eyes remained kind. "Then which way had you preferred the meeting to go?"
The simple and easy question made Anduin almost break. "I hoped for... rapprochement. I was mistaken."
"But you consider it your fault, not hers."
"I do." It took a long time for Anduin to reply. He didn't wonder anymore how Turalyon had found out and named it, the core of his torment. He was together with another Windrunner sister. Did Alleria know how lucky she was?
"I am still in awe, your majesty," Turalyon began, "How, in Stromgarde, you tried to get by on using unusual weapons like compromises and talking against the enemy. And it seems to me you were on your way to victory in Zandalar again – if you had not stopped believing in yourself and in what you wanted to gain?"
Anduin's voice turned husky. "I didn't stop believing in myself." And then, desperate. "I mistook her behavior." Name it, he thought. "I suspected she came to gloat over me, finally. But now I tend to believe she came to help. And I... I... failed to see it." He concluded.
Because there had been a sentence in their fight Sylvanas had hurled at him which had come to his mind more often now: 'You made me believe I could trust you.' And which was revealing, in a way.
But Turalyon smiled at him and it was a warm and genuine smile. "Then not all hope is lost, your majesty. - My advice is simple. If your heart tells you to go for it you should do it again. Try to convince her for the better. If not you, there's no one around here who will. And I am acknowledging this here in all truthfulness."
His words made Anduin smile a bit in return. If he only saw a chance for making it up to Sylvanas. But he had not Areiel. All he had were her last words, hissed towards him, and they spoke of a finality and of a reunion on the battlefield. Nevertheless, a glimpse of hope returned. "Thank you, High Exarch. I will think about it."
After saying goodbye to Turalyon and walking back to Stormwind Keep, Anduin admitted to himself how much he missed Sylvanas. He pushed aside all the negativity. No anger, no failure, no guilt could cover the fact that him meeting her had inspired him. Pushed him. Shown him that there existed other possibilities, different mindsets and, of course, different behavior patterns. That she was someone who took him exactly as he was and who allowed him to be like he was. It had opened his eyes to another world compared to the one he had grown up with. And although the thoughts deepened his hurt, they made him smile.
Anduin knew he would certainly never meet another woman or man again who would wake this passion in him. Wake this stubborn will not to give in. He had told Genn he would only marry for love, but he wasn't fooling himself. If he were so lucky to survive this war, to live long enough, chances were very high he would end in a political marriage. Which was why it was so hard to accept he had lost with Sylvanas a chance he had waited his whole life for, meeting someone equal, intelligent and challenging. He also had lost his chance to gain her trust for bringing peace on Azeroth – but he was the only one to blame for having screwed it.
WINDRUNNER SPIRE, EASTERN KINGDOMS
It was eerily quiet since she had been the last time here. Then, it had been together with her sisters. Sylvanas dismounted the bat, graciously, something she still had preserved.
And when she looked around, standing in front of the beautiful and elegant building, the pain she touched upon was still immanent. And present. Her sisters... she had been planning to bring them down to her and instead had let them go and cling to their sorrow-filled lives a little longer.
The rage came back – what did she want here? To leave the living part of her behind or to give herself a reason to hang on to it?
If a bit of the young Wrynn had been in Arthas, she knew now, she would have gotten her clean death. And none of this would have ever happened. But then, she wouldn't be here, either. And she wouldn't have the wish of kissing him passionately again.
"And what are you doing here, Lady Moon?"
The well-known voice, still familiarly anchored in her head, made Sylvanas swivel around.
Alleria didn't smile. "It's too late for us all to come home."
"Everything changes." Sylvanas answered.
"You still see the certain advantages to being undead."
"Still rude, sister?"
"I'm not here to fight you, Sylvanas. Neither did I expect you to come back here."
Both sisters looked over to their former home, when Alleria continued. "And you didn't answer my question - as you didn't finish your part in the game we played when we met here the last time."
"I don't have time for questions."
"But for coming here?" Alleria threw a questioning look at her sister, who, oddly enough, was very quiet. "Something happened. Won't you tell me what it is?"
Sylvanas hesitated. "I don't know... what to make of it."
Alleria's look wandered back to Windrunner Spire. "Don't we all."
"Nicely said."
Silence followed.
"Did you mean it? That you will never betray us?" Alleria queried suddenly.
"I did."
"Then what brought you here, sister?"
"Family." Sylvanas stopped. "Someone saved..."
There was a very curious gaze from her elder sister. In those little words shined hope. Was not all lost with the monstrosity her sister had become? "You did not expect it."
"No."
"That there are people who save others? Or is this about someone specific being saved or doing the saving?"
"All of it."
"It is quite contrary to what we both became. Me, the sister of void, and you, the sister of death. - Mother taught us to fight but not necessarily to save."
There was silence, again.
"If you won't open up to me, I can't help you, sister."
Sylvanas smirked. "Didn't you say you should've killed me when last we met...?"
Alleria fell silent, for a moment. "I did. But my heart didn't mean it. - Why are you here, Lady Moon?"
"Trying to make a decision. One where I don't know the outcome, Alleria."
"You were ever strong-willed, Sylvanas. You'll know what to do."
"Why do you believe in me, still?"
"Because after all, you are my sister – whatever we are to one another now." Alleria smiled a very small smile. "Time to go."
She stepped away and opened a void portal, looking back. "And whatever decision you make, I wish you all the best."
Then, she was gone. And Sylvanas was alone.
STORMWIND
It was late in the evening when Anduin finally entered his quarters. The quietness, once a comfort for him, wasn't now. A chance to have time for his own thoughts and dreams – yet, there weren't any anymore. The talk with Turalyon still on his mind, Anduin stared blindly at the fireplace. He recognized Valeera only when she stood in front of him.
"Are you alright? I came as soon as I heard..."
"I am, Valeera, thank you for asking. - What brings you here?"
"The worries about you."
"I am fine."
"No, you are not. Don't lie to me."
Anduin sighed, when his mask started to slip. He had to endure another talk of... this? "I am... alright, at least for now. And I would like to go to bed, now, if you'll excuse me?"
She stepped in his way. "You are hurt. More than hurt. Anduin?"
Anduin turned away from her, her compassion making him feel too much. Of all of these days, she must be here when he just had gathered time for himself to spend an evening in peace – having Genn as company most of the time – and to let his painstaking facade of calmness go for a moment.
"What do you want from me?" He pressed between gritted teeth.
Valeera's worried look met him. "What went wrong, my king? Tell me, please." Seeing him in such a turmoil alarmed her. "I was told a version of you being in Zandalar where they did not hurt you, or did they and you just didn't want to admit it?"
"Valeera." Anduin flinched back, knowing she would get the truth out of him the longer she stayed here. "If you have nothing to report to me, can you leave, please? - I need to be alone. I really need to."
She watched him for a long moment. He was visibly ringing for his composure. Something wasn't right. Something... if she only knew! "Let me help you." She begged him, changing her tone, but Anduin stepped back once more.
His voice was pleading, too. "Not today, Valeera. - Come by another night. Respect my wish. Please."
There was one last look at him, then Valeera nodded and vanished through the window.
Anduin was alone now, and let go. Let go of all the emotions that shook him to the core. Of his heart breaking. Of his anger and his sadness. Of his desperation of having lost something that just started to get precious to him. And the pain that went along with it. Would he lose it all, in the end? Was this the price he had to pay, being king? His father – and here, the first sobs gripped him quickly – had spoken of 'what a king must do', yet he had never told him that it also meant to endure losses. Losses of all kind. Anduin broke down, in despair, not knowing what to do. And it was hard to accept, that, again, the feelings he had developed had ended into... nothing. Had lead to nowhere, Wrathion likewise. He would always be the one left behind: broken, confused, not welcomed. For a second time, he had started to gamble and had lost. But perhaps this was his destiny. To stay alone his whole life. To stay a priest. To never get connected to anyone. Yet – he had so much to give. There was so much he yearned for. How good it had felt to share with Sylvanas these moments, being close, talking intimately, flirting - weren't his wishes something worth, too? Their kiss. He could still feel inside himself the tension, the wonderful surprise when she had pushed him against the wall. The passion, his hunger, his desire, all that she had wakened and he hadn't known he carried inside him. To be able to feel so deep... it came close to wielding the Light but on a different level. Yet, there was one question left he still had no answer to.
"Why?" He sobbed, pressing his fists against his eyes to hinder the tears of coming down. "Why?"