Thank you MelanaAdara for the review last chapter! I always enjoy hearing from you! I would like to announce that I am starting to plan out the sequel to this story. It is still in the rough idea stage, so I cannot say for sure what it will be about, but I feel that Jeanne, Ammon, and Cerdic's stories aren't going to be completely told in this one. I know I'm not the best writer, so I am completely honoured that you guys are reading though this fic and responding positively to it! Thank you for showing me that I don't completely suck! ^w^ You guys rock!
As usual, please read and review and I will see you next chapter!
Jeanne dismounted a little ways away from where the royal carriages were parked, gladly handing over her mount to a stable boy and jogging up the short path up the final incline. She ignored the few worgen loitering outside after determining that her brother was not among them and ventured inside and was greeted by another familiar face.
"Lady Jeanne! Oh, it is good to see you again!"
"My Queen?" Jeanne blinked in surprise at the sudden feeling of warm arms circling her lower half and returned the embrace after a moment. "I was not expecting to be welcomed back so… warmly…"
"Well, you are a bit different," Queen Mia stated, looking the worgen up and down with a warm, motherly gaze, "But that's nothing to be ashamed of. You are here, alive and in your right mind. That's something to be thankful for."
"Is it? Is it really? I am one of the monsters that ravaged our people! How can I live like this, My Queen?"
The queen's warm eyes hardened and she met Jeanne's gaze with a fierce one of her own. "You are not a monster, Joan. Circumstances made you this way and it is not your fault."
Mia's eyes softened again to a warm chocolate and she gently placed a hand on Jeanne's arm. "Come along now; you are exhausted and in need of food and a bath. There are warm baths drawn and I will get you clean clothes."
Jeanne sighed and let herself be led out of the main foyer, down a hall and into a very familiar-looking bedroom. She blinked and looked around, a small smile forming along her lupine lips.
"Queen Mia, is this where I think it is?"
"Your old room from when you stayed here? Yes it is. I assume you remember where the washing room is and I will be back with some clothes for you."
"….Thank you, My Queen."
"Thank you for defending our country with such passion. I knew Genn chose right in betrothing Liam to you."
"What?!" Jeanne yelped but the elderly queen was already out the door. The worgen snarled into the empty air, stalked into the wash room and slammed the door after her. She took a long look in the full length mirror and sighed at her appearance, plucking at the torn, blood splattered remnants of what once was her training clothes. She quickly disrobed and bathed thoroughly in the steaming water. She was just clambering out of the cooling, blackened water when a gentle knock alerted her of the Queen's return.
"Joan, I've got some clean clothes and scrounged up some armour that should fit you. I'll help you with your hair when you're ready."
Jeanne wrapped a towel around herself and opened the door wide enough for the Queen to hand her a folded stack of clothes. "Thank you."
The worgen set the bundle down on a small wooden table and carefully sorted through the clothes. In addition to some undergarments (in which Jeanne was very thankful for. Her old ones fitted ill now and were damaged beyond repair), there was a flowy, cream-coloured men's shirt that had a very wide collar, as was the fashion now in the lower classes, a black corset that went on top of that, and dark blue-grey trousers modified to fit her new anatomy.
Jeanne dressed quickly and was out of the washroom to find Queen Mia sitting on the edge of her bed with a familiar pack in hand.
"Ammon recovered this after you… changed… the first time. He thought you'd want it back. He and Cerdic are here and aiding me in making sure the refugees are comfortable for now."
Jeanne took it and sat beside the elderly woman. She made no move to open the flap though, instead facing the Queen. "Do… do you really think I—we could be…"
"Redeemed? My dear, there is nothing you or anyone else did that needs redeeming. What happened was not your fault. You are simply a victim of circumstance; if anything it's mine and Genn's fault."
"Your Majesty… what?"
"Come now, we're practically family. No need for formalities when we're in private. Anyway, I knew the Wall wasn't the best solution to our problems, but Genn needed support for this idea after the Second War and who was I to deny him that. It was he that ordered that mage to create the worgen and they have been nothing but a plague from the start. I stood by and did nothing, not even raising my voice in objection or to suggest another way."
"But… you didn't see another way… Was there even another way?"
"There probably was, but it was too late by then. I also had to concentrate on educating you, your brothers, and Tess in the finer points of being nobility, remember?"
"I remember… Though I spent more time running around the manor with Cerdic's practice sword pretending to be one of the heroes of legend."
Mia chuckled at the memory. "I remember finding you and Liam practicing together in the courtyard on more than one occasion. He is very fond of you, Joan."
"… Is that why I am betrothed to him..? Even against my wishes…?"
Mia sighed and suddenly looked older than she was a moment ago. "Yes… It is a sad thing to say that us nobility have to abide by different rules than the rest of society. Sometimes it feels like we have less freedom than the poorest of poor with all the unwritten rules and expectations we have to follow.
Liam, as the Crown Prince, is expected to take a wife from the nobility. The fact that he had not yet is one of the reasons why Genn has not stepped down. You are one of the only noble daughters that is still of marrying age, unmarried, and still alive, well, alive and whole in mind.
As a noble, you are expected to take a husband and the fact that you're still unmarried was damaging to your family name. Genn was simply trying to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. He was solving the issue that Liam faced and salvaging your family name at the same time. The fact that Liam is already fond of you will only help smooth things along."
"Mia, I cannot possibly marry Liam! I have no romantic feelings towards him; He's like another brother to me!"
"Which is why Genn thought it would work so well. Do you understand me Joan?"
"…Why isn't Cerdic and Ammon getting treated like this?"
"Cerdic has been actively looking for a wife. I suppose you haven't heard, but he had just broken a courtship with Lady Crowley shortly before you came back from training. I heard it was a mutual decision."
"Lady Crowley? He was dating Lorna?"
"Yes. As for Ammon… I don't know what his preferences are… I've never heard him try and woo another noblewoman..."
Jeanne snorted loudly and snickered, much to the surprise to the elderly queen. "Ammon does like women, though they are not as preferred as other men."
"Ah. That… explains a lot actually."
"I would imagine so. How's Tess been? It's been a long time since I've last talked to her."
"She's doing as well as circumstances permit. She was actually supposed to go into training before everything happened."
"Really? I've been sensing a more druidic spirit in her lately. Was she going to train with Celestine?"
"Yes and she was looking forward to training alongside you. You were her favourite playmate, you know."
"That's surprising, considering I used to drag her everywhere and get us into trouble with the nanny."
"I think that's why she liked you so much!"
Both women shared a laugh and a companionable silence followed. It was only when Jeanne couldn't hide her exhausted yawns anymore did the queen made to leave.
"Well, I should let you get some rest. I'll tell your brothers where you are so they don't worry overly much. Genn wants to see you when you wake again; I'll send someone to wake you if you aren't by dawn. It was wonderful to talk to you again, Joan."
"Thank you Mia… For everything…"
"It is nothing. Sleep well."
Jeanne watched the Queen gently shut the door and sighed deeply, looking around the dim room. Everything had stayed the same since she was a little girl and it was eerie to the druid. Her eyes skimmed the corner where she and an older Tess had played pretend with Tess's dolls. She thought she spied the hole where Ammon had first shown her his new skill with throwing knives in the opposite wall, right below the lavish painting Liam had given her for her ninth birthday.
Jeanne physically shook herself out of her memories and flopped onto the bed, slipping easily into sleep.
A loud knocking jolted Jeanne out of a deep sleep. She was on her feet and in her cat form before she realized what was going on. Grumbling, the worgen changed back and strode to the door to crack it open. On the other side was another worgen, though she did not know this one.
He nervously cleared his throat and murmured, "Lady Delroy, I was sent by Queen Mia to wake you at dawn. King Genn wants to see you up in his observatory."
"Thank you. I'll be out shortly. I know the way there."
With that, Jeanne shut the door again and turned to collect her things. She picked up her pack and was surprised when she felt that it was slightly heavier than she remember it last being. Flipping open the flap she felt her breath catch in her throat when she caught sight of supple leather in the grey pre-dawn. She gingerly pulled out what appeared to be possibly the most well-crafted set of leather armour in Gilneas, finishing with the leather 'boots' made for her new anatomy.
"Thank you Mia," she breathed, running a black claw over the decorative trim over the collar of the tunic before quickly dressing herself.
It fit her like a glove and seemed to be enchanted to enhance her abilities. Grinning at herself in the full length mirror, she brushed out her long hair and left it loose and flowing, like she normally had it, before heading out the door.
The Manor was busy with hushed activity in the waning moonlight. She ignored quiet greetings as she passed by them and up the grand staircase, intent on her destination. She slowed at the sight of the towering observatory, memories of her younger days briefly flashing before her eyes before she shook them away and proceeded up the winding stairs.
"You wished to see me, Your Majesty?" She asked when she got to the top, pausing at the sight of her brothers and her oldest friend standing beside her king.
"I did, Jeanne. It truly heartens me to see you back among us." Genn smiled up at her and gestured her closer. "I hope to call you daughter after all of this is over."
Jeanne grimaced at that, sending Ammon a sharp glare as she stepped to the King's side. "It's an… honour to be the Prince's promised."
Before anyone could say anything more the tower started trembling violently. The gathered group all scrambled for something to hold on to as the sound of rocks crashing into the ocean reached their ears. After what seemed like an eternity the shaking stopped and Genn immediately reached for the eyepiece of his telescope.
"No!" They all flinched at the pure shock and denial in the King's tone. "Look! Look at what's become of Duskhaven!"
He shoved the eyepiece in Jeanne's direction and she had to stoop slightly to see into it properly. Her jaw dropped in shock at the sight of where Duskhaven stood, or rather used to stand. The land, like before, had tumbled into the ocean, leaving nothing but a few buildings teetering on the very edge of the water. On a whim, Jeanne nudged the telescope farther to her right and gaped at the sight of Forsaken ships on the horizon.
"They're making a bigger push!" Jeanne gasped, releasing the telescope and staggering back a few steps. "They've got an airship! They've got a bloody airship!"
Genn's eyes hardened at the news and a deep scowl settled on his face.
"We're vulnerable here… We've got to move everyone eastward; further inland. Jeanne, you and your brothers get everyone onto carriages before it's too late. I pray we are not…"
Jeanne, Ammon, and Cerdic all galvanized into motion. Cerdic helped a stunned Tess down the steps first while Jeanne and Ammon escorted the King down after, finding that Cerdic started issuing orders for another evacuation. The next hour was filled with hastily strapping belongings to the carriages, ushering the many dozens of frightened citizens into them and sending them off. Before they knew it, their small group and a handful of citizens were left. Genn stopped Jeanne and Ammon on their way to strap some of the citizen's belongings to the second to last carriage.
"I need you two to go with Tess and Mia on this carriage. Liam, Cerdic, Lady Crowley and Miss. Armstead are bringing up the rear, leaving the rest of the citizens in the middle."
"Got it. How will you-?"
"Don't worry about me, Jeanne. I will get there. Now go!"
The two bowed deeply and hurried off to complete their task. Ammon hopped up beside the driver without a word, leaving Jeanne to duck into the carriage. Mia and Tess were already in there and, with a hurried knock on the roof, they were off down the cobbled path.
CRASH!
Jeanne jolted and twisted around at the sound, which had come from behind them, and gaped at the sight of a broken carriage on the bottom of the cliff it had just been on. Twisting to look out the other window she spotted the culprits; massive ogres were lobbing boulders at anything that passed by them on the cliff side. As she watched, the carriage behind the last, the one that Liam and Cerdic rode in, wheeled into sight. An ogre spotted them and, his face twisting into one of morbid pleasure, lobbed a boulder at them.
"No!"
Jeanne watched in horror as the rock smashed into the back half of the vehicle and caused it to crash onto its side. The ogres laughed stupidly and retreated when nothing else came over the cliff. Jeanne was halfway out of her seat, intent on leaping from the carriage to aid the survivors when two pairs of arms held her back.
"Joan!"
"Sit down! There's nothing we can do to help them!"
Jeanne briefly entertained the thought of shaking them off and jumping anyway before banishing it completely. Genn had ordered her to see his wife and daughter to safety and that takes precedence over anything else. She reluctantly took her seat, much to Mia and Tess's relief, and tried to focus on anything but her older brother.
You better be alright, dammit. I'll never forgive you if you die on me now, Cerd.
"Jeanne, Cerdic will be alright."
Jeanne flicked her ear to indicate that she had heard Ammon as she helped the queen out of the carriage. She habitually growled when Ammon grabbed her arm and wheeled her around to face him, a stern look on his face.
"He will. He's just as stubborn as you. However, we've got a job to do here. You cannot shut everyone out when we have to secure the royal family's safety. The King personally gave us this task knowing we will do whatever it takes to see it done and damn it I will not fail this! Not when we've lost so much! You hear me Jeanne?"
Jeanne grumbled, suddenly very thankful that she could not blush with mortification, and pulled away from her twin. She turned to the two royals, who were patiently waiting to the side for them and gestured them inside the inn. The twins followed them in, ordered a room for the royals and escorted them into it, where they made sure they were comfortable. Jeanne was in the middle of lighting the small wood stove to get some heat into the room when a soft hand on her elbow startled her. She glanced up and found that Tess was the one at her elbow, a drawn look of worry on her face.
"T-They will be alright, Joanie," the raven-haired princess whispered, offering her a small smile of encouragement, "They're both as stubborn as mules and twice as intelligent. I bet they're already putting one of their ridiculous plans into action."
Jeanne blinked and reluctantly bobbed her head in agreement, worry still pinching her heart. Tess, placated for now, simply patted her elbow. "Now, why don't you make yourself useful in some way out in town? Ammon is more than enough of a guard."
"…Alright… That okay with you Ammon?"
Ammon waved his hand in dismissal. "Yeah, yeah. We don't need an overgrown dog brooding and grumping at us all day long. Go on."
That earned him a short, irritated growl and he smirked in triumph. Jeanne glared at him for a moment longer before snorting and stalking out the door.
"Joan!" A very familiar voice called out to her and the worgen couldn't help but smile as she pivoted to face her speaker.
"Celestine! I never thought I'd see you again!"
"I can't believe you're alive!" The two women shared a short hug. Jeanne pulled away first and stared down at her teacher with a fondness that she rarely showed.
"It takes more than a little worgen invasion to kill me. You should know that by now!"
The older druid shook her head and sighed, equal parts exasperated and amused. "Be as it may, I was still very worried that you'd never regain your mind. Are you ready for further training? I believe you were still mastering your Moonfire spell…"
A slightly amused grin took its place on Jeanne's lips as she said, "Actually… I recently discovered that I can transform into a cat… and a bear. Also, are plants supposed to talk to you? Or am I going mad?"
Celestine's eyes widened almost comically. "You have your cat and bear form already? Communicating with nature is a high level skill that fully realized druids have… And you tell me you've heard them speak to you? Are you sure you didn't ask them to speak to you?"
Jeanne thought for a moment. "Well, I was simply thanking them for aiding me. I didn't expect them to say anything back!"
"Aiding you how?"
"I…I have found that if I get… well… irritated or angry… that they often respond to my mood… and attack whomever is… threatening me…"
"Really?" Celestine gave her a look filled with awe and respect. "Jeanne Delroy, I do believe that you need a trainer more experienced and powerful than I to reach your full potential."
"What? But you are the most powerful harvest-witch in Gilneas! If you can't train me then no one else can!"
Celestine gave her a rather mysterious smile and patted her arm gently. "We are called Druids, Joan. It's high time we start calling ourselves by the proper title. What you say is true; I am the most powerful trained druid in Gilneas. However, you may get your answer soon enough, young druid.
"Now, I understand that you are here to help, yes? There is one problem that needs to be taken care of that you can assist in."
Jeanne opened her mouth to inquire exactly what that was when a loud skittering-screech was heard close by. Her mouth fell open in horror as the mission became crystal clear to her.
"No…."
Celestine giggled. "Yes! Care to clear out some spiders for us?"
If you guys are in any way interested in how I conceived Jeanne's character, I have a short spiel on my profile. Have a great day guys!