The Lion and the Eagle

So the time had come and here he was standing before the King of the Alliance, Varian Wrynn himself and Sokaron followed the customs he knew of Alliance to have. He took a knee and bowed before he rose again, unwilling to appear a servant. His mind wracked at how to phrase the message that Thrall had bestowed upon him.

"King Varian Wyrnn," he began, barely noticing a woman enter the court, standing to the side of one of the men who seemed to watch him with curiosity, "I have been charged by Thrall, Warchief of the Horde, to come to you with a question. A question that could mean an end to the world as we know and understand it," he said and he watched as Varian digested the information before a flash of light took place and they saw Jaina once the light dissipated.

"What does Thrall ask?" Varian spat, hardly amused and Jaina threw him a warning glance before her eyes rested upon them once again.

"Even though Thrall is a warrior, he also answers the shaman's call. According to the warchief and the shamans of the Horde, the elements have been unstable. I am no messenger for the elements and Thrall has asked Rok'thar of the Earthen Ring to join me here. Thrall wonders if your shamans have felt the same troubling signs. I have a message from Highlord Tirion Fordring with his blessing for us to have come here."

Faranor produced the document and presented it to the King who took it from the elf, unsealed it and his eyes read the words in Tirion's own hand. Varian recognised it instantly and regarded the warrior and hunter for a moment before he looked back to the letter.

To King Varian Wrynn of Stormwind,

It is not often I would send men and women of an opposing faction so freely into your land and ask that they receive pardon for their trespasses. I know only too well what they represent. However, the fight against Arthas has finished but we cannot stop for a moment if what Sokaron and his companions, which includes a paladin I trust, have to pass on to you is true. The time for the coalition may yet not be over and we will have to consider what Warchief Thrall is suggesting greatly. Together, we stand united and the world cannot so readily fall. Is that not what we agreed with the fight against Arthas?

I am aware of your distrust towards the Horde given your history, Varian but I humbly ask that you at least give them room to talk with the shamans of your court. It may prove to provide you with information you may not have otherwise gained.

Whilst Rok'thar and Faranor Thorongil bear loyalties to organisations larger than that of their factions, Jonathan Deaver and Sokaron, for he does not remember his human name, are loyal. However, I know their condition is a painful reminder but it is not their fault or doing as to what and who they now are. Sokaron appears to have a practical mindset that you, yourself, perhaps might appreciate in an unstable world and he appears willing to do what is necessary to fulfil his mission given to him.

Yours sincerely,

Highlord Tirion Fordring

Varian rolled the paper in his gloved hands and gave it to Anduin who took it wordlessly and did not read it though it was clear he was wanting to. Varian then moved towards the undead warrior and regarded him for a moment.

"I have not met many Forsaken willing to come to my court unarmed,"

"If it means I get out of here more quickly, King Wrynn, then no matter how much it riles me, I will do so. I came here to get a job done. Warchief Thrall requested me for this mission, I don't know what reasons for this he chose but I will do what is necessary,"

"If roles were reversed and it had been an Alliance party to have sought Thrall out, I doubt they would have gotten through the door,"

"Then you would done as we did," Sokaron replied, his response a little too cut and dry and it seemed to have an undesired effect upon Varian but the Forsaken did not do well at politics. It had confused him as to why he was the one chosen for this and not one more suited to the task.

"What he means to say, your highness, that by having people who are affiliated with neutral organisations with ties to both Horde and Alliance, the party would stand more chance of being heard in the very least," Faranor spoke up and his head dipped in a refined if unglamorous version of a bow. Varian glanced at the paladin elf before looking to Sarathir.

"I believe you are friends with such shamans, Sarathir?"

"Yes, my lord. They're both in the city as far as I am aware,"

"Fetch them and do not delay. I will entertain this lark."

Sarathir nodded, bowed as did the other paladins before before they left the crew of Horde surrounded by city guards. Sokaron was beginning to tire of this and at how long it took. Faranor placed his hand on the man's shoulder to give him reassurance and caught him off guard, the Forsaken uncharacteristically jumped. Faranor gave an apologetic face in return before dropping his hand. Sokaron nodded, glad for the company. He would not have liked to do this alone, he doubted he would have made past the front gates let alone into the royal chambers.

Varian turned back to Sokaron, Rok'thar, Faranor and Jonathan as Jaina joined him. They seemed to share a few words without a need to talk before Varian cleared his throat, "It is just about lunch time. Whilst it's against my better judgement, perhaps you will join us? Though, I suppose you two won't need feeding,"

The latter of his statement was of course directed at the two Forsaken but Faranor spoke in quickly to stop them from using it as an excuse to back out, "Your offer is graciously accepted, my King,"

Varian nodded and gestured for them to follow before making to leave for a door to the left of his throne as a steward hurried on ahead to inform the kitchen staff of the preparations they would have to make. Anduin and Jaina followed suit as members of the King's personal guard brought up the rear. They had to climb up circular stairs before reaching the upper floors where the King walked towards a pair of large wooden doors. He opened them before the guardsman could do it for him and they were shown into the large room with a long dark-stained oak table with matching wooden chairs that were cushioned with red velvet and golden studs. Paintings of landscapes and Kings of the past including that of Varian's father, King Llane, were hung on the wall surrounded by blue drapes held up by golden lion's head fixtures.

"Please, sit," Varian spoke though it was clear he was not really fond of having to entertain Horde but they had held their word thus far it seemed and true to Tirion's letter, Sokaron seemed quite rational and capable of dealing with people that would have his head by sundown. Another man joined them and smiled slightly though he did eye the Horde members with some concern and held suspicion before he spoke.

"My apologies to my lateness, King Wrynn but I had matters amongst my brethren I had to attend most urgently,"

"Apologies accepted. Have a seat. This is Genn Greymane, King of Gilnaes... which of course now is under greater siege by the Forsaken forces in the area," Varian watched Genn for a moment before looking to Sokaron and Jonathan, looking for a rise that would hopefully end this charade. The Forsaken warrior simply gave a warning gaze to the hunter to shut his trap before he opened his own.

"I did not come here to argue tactical pursuits, King Wrynn. I came so the shamans of Horde and Alliance could convene and discuss the elements. When the Dark Lady wants me to divulge such talk with you, I will do so then and not before. However, this is unlikely to happen,"

Sokaron had not come here to fight and this verbal jousting was not something he was interested in either as they took places around the table with the two Kings at either head of the table. At the signal given, they sat down. Kara whined and Varian glanced to see the diseased thing had followed them.

"I trust your dog can behave itself, Mr. Deaver?" he asked with open disdain

"Kara's a wonderfully behaved wolf, King, and call me Jonathan," Jonathan replied before muttering commands in gutterspeak that was too rapidly spoken for others to understand with the exception of Sokaron who smirked slightly. Kara gave another unimpressed whine before stalking towards the fireplace nestled into the side of the wall and lay before it.

"For the moment, I think we should get along as if we were on the same side," Jaina spoke, placing her napkin on her lap, "I do not believe that they mean harm to us. I for one am interested in these events. Have they been occurring quite often..."

"My name is Rok'thar, Lady Proudmoore and yes, for a few months. It was not as noticeable at first but as time grew, I was not the only shaman to notice the elements. They were unsettled and restless... something was troubling them and we can only assume that it has something to do with the earth itself"

"Bertie! Andrew!"

Bertie raised his head as he heard the voice of their younger sister ring through their small home. It was small but it served them well in the time they had it and they were loathe to let go of it now. He glanced up to the painting that hung above the mantelpiece. It was of their mother and father, Gloria was in the robes of her priesthood and Theodred was clad in the armour that had become so familiar to them. He nodded, he felt that their parents would be proud of them.

"In here," he replied as Andrew looked up from the paper he was reading and Aretha rushed into the room, leaning on the door frame to catch her breath. It was clear she had run home from work today.

"You saw us this morning," Bertie smiled with amusement before handing her his cup of water and she sipped at it greedily before she gave her brother a look.

"Not funny,"

"Then what's gotten you so flustered?" Andrew asked more willing to entertain their sisters views.

"King Wrynn had an audience earlier. I was making my rounds when I saw him," she looked as giddy as a schoolgirl and it would not have been the first time she had been called ditzy.

"Saw who?" Bertie asked a little skeptical of what her reply was going to be.

"Father. I saw Daddy. His face was the same as far as I could tell behind the strappings he wore, his hair was exactly how father kept his hair even with that lock that I always used to push back as a child... he even wore the same armour that Daddy wore when he left for Northrend,"

"Our father's dead, Aretha. He died in Northrend" Bertie sighed and she glared at him as she moved across the short space of ground between them. He blinked, it was rare that his sister got angry or upset.

"I know what I saw. What if it is him?" she asked, her eyes searching those of her brother's. She could hear Andrew placing his paper down and getting up to join them. "His... his body was never found! They told us he was dead but they couldn't find the body. How can you prove him dead, brother? How?"

"And this fellow you saw, was he Forsaken then?" Andrew asked warily.

"Well, yes,"

"Then you know where his loyalty lies. All Forsaken rather die than be captured in relation to revealing secrets. Good riddance too," he replied and Aretha threw her hands in the air.

"By the light!" she gave up for a moment and left them to it as she went for a walk, wondering what she should do about who she had seen. The armour was the same and so was the stubborn lock of hair that she had seen falling on his pale withered forehead. It was just too coincidental but perhaps she was just seeing what she wanted to see. How often had she wanted one more moment with her father? How often had she wished to see him again? To know what had happened to him to stop him coming home.

She sighed and hugged her frame, praying to the light for an answer but no answer seemed to come to her.

"Khaiyrah and Shayle, my Lord," the guard at the door announced and Varian glanced up as he saw two female Draenei enter the room. One bore lighter hair than the other with curved horns that swept backwards whereas the other had darker hair with horns that jutted outwards slightly. He nodded to them and they moved over to join them at the table.

"I have been talking to Rok'thar of the Earthen Ring. I am unsure if you three are acquainted,"

"Rok'thar and I have met briefly in the past back on Outland, your Majesty," Shayle replied, inclining her head as Khaiyrah simply blinked and sat down.

"And what have you both felt of the elements lately?"

"They are troubled by something far greater than of ourselves," Khaiyrah replied, "They will not always oblige our wishes and they have begun to react more violently lately. Before, the odd fire started by a fire elemental out of mischief and boredom was few and far between and mostly because of inexperienced shamans. Now, they seem to want the world to burn as if to cleanse what is ailing them."

"Orgrimmar has experienced the same sort of outbreaks. I fear that in the chaos of whatever is driving this, it will consume Orgrimmar. It could mean the same for Stormwind, or other Horde and Alliance strongholds," the orc female grunted as she looked to the shaman she had not met yet as Varian Wrynn considered their words before nodding slightly.

"Question is then, what are we to do about it?" he asked sighing deeply.

"I know Thrall," Rok'thar began and Shayle seemed in the mood to finish.

"He is not of this world, Rok'thar. He is born from those who came from Draenor. Nagrand is his ancestral home."

"Yes, and Outland has seen this upset from the elements before. They would listen to him if he chose to go them for help. I will suggest it to him if he is not considering it already,"

Their dinner did not take long for them to finish and it was made a little easier since the two Forsaken were not taking part in the food though they did drink occasionally from the wine goblets offered to them beforehand. It was unclear as what effect alcohol had on Forsaken systems. For death knights, it seemed to be just used as a fuel and didn't seem to affect their judgement. Varian's lips thinned as his eyes set on Sokaron, the Forsaken male seemed to be deep in his own thoughts and looked to be brooding.

"Remind you of some one?" Jaina asked, smiling to him as she followed the King's gaze.

"I've never known a Forsaken to exhibit signs of what they really feel. He's screaming his loud and clear," Varian replied, his voice low as to not draw attention to the fact he was talking about the man at the same table.

"I was just talking to Faranor. Apparently, Sokaron is regaining memories of his human life. Faranor wishes to know if they may be allowed to see if they could find his family to help stop the flashbacks. I find it all very fascinating," Jaina replied softly and Varian looked at her harshly.

"And the public would react very kindly to that, Jaina. They're scourge,"

"No, they're not scourge, Varian. They are men forced with a decision to make. The Alliance would not accept them and they had to make allegiances in order to survive. I'm not saying all of them are good fellows but at the same time, it was not their fault what was done to them. It's a shame the public do not realise it. Perhaps I could handle it? And I'm sure Anduin could use some more experience handling politics."

"Perhaps. I'm still tempted to take them prisoner,"

"And what would that prove, Varian? They came with Fordring's blessing and they willing relinquished their weapons. I'm sure, as a fellow warrior, you understand how Sokaron must be feeling to that point, hm?"

"I hate it when you have a point, Jaina," he grumbled and she smiled as they finished dinner and it was agreed that the Horde members would have pardon to stay in the city but they would remain under constant escort. Rok'thar was surprisingly gracious of them all for an orc and she had gone with Shayle and Khaiyrah to discuss more about what was happening with the elements. Jonathan had seemed all too giddy about the idea and more than once did Faranor and Sokaron tell him to shut up.

Greymane and the others excused themselves and left the warrior and paladin with Varian, Anduin and Jaina. Varian rose from his seat and moved to the window to calm his frustrations and dislike at having Horde in the same room with him.

"It's clear that you have another mission for coming here," Jaina announced looking between Sokaron and Faranor.

Sokaron scowled and glared at Faranor, "You told her?"

Faranor didn't bat an eyelid as he stared the Forsaken back in return, "Sokaron, if these memories, for I certain that is what they are, continue to come to you more and more as they have been doing... you may become distracted and die for it. You, yourself, admitted they came to you during usual waking hours. From what I remember of reading through human history in the events, Lordaeron fell and those who had survived the onslaught left for the last great human stronghold left open to them. It's highly possible that the sons and daughter you had from your human life came here."

"Yes, Stormwind accepted all the refugees that had managed to escape. A record of names would be in the city archives," Varian muttered from where he stood.

"Do you remember your human name?" Jaina asked softly and Sokaron looked at her for a moment before wordlesly adjusting the straps that held his jaw and skull together.

"Theodred comes up a lot... I don't recall a last name,"

"Perhaps if we were to instil another memory to come forth. Perhaps your subconcsious would tell it for us to hear,"

"Possibly," Sokaron relunctantly agreed before remembering the scroll he had yet to give to her. He retrieved it and handed it to her.

"What's this?" she asked as she took it and and broke the seal.

"I was told to hand it to you," he answered vaguely noting Varian was watching in his silence as Jaina read the contents. To her credit, she gave no outward reaction to Thrall's handwriting that had been painstakingly learned in Durnholde. She nodded and put it away into a small bag attached to her belt.

"Relax, Sokaron... this may twinge a little," she said softly before she began to chant under her breath. Sokaron watched her, almost transfixed and was starting to doubt her before his mind besieged him once again and he grew quite still as the memory took over and whilst Theodred experienced it through himself, Jaina seemed to watch from the sidelines completely unaffected by the cold reaches of Northrend.

"I have never known such bitter coldness, Theo,"

The voice belonged to Darren and often just referred to the warrior by the four-lettered name. Theodred smiled in return as he rubbed his chest a little to combat the cold. Darren was doing the same thing as were most of the men in their camp. He could still hear the bleats and brays of the shoveltusk nearby and wondered at how they could bear to be out frolicking in the snow.

"Hell, Dun Morogh isn't this cold," Darren continued.

"Dun Morogh isn't this close to the north pole, Darren. You know that or did you skip that day of school?"

"Very funny, Theo. Oh dear, here comes trouble," the boy muttered and Theodred glanced up to see Falric stalking past them. Theodred got to his feet and cleared his throat.

"Any news as to what's going on, Sir?" he asked and the man paused mid-stride and looked back at him.

"No, Marshall. Arthas has yet to return. Sit tight, it'll be over eventually, nay?" Falric smiled before carrying on his way leaving Theodred Marshall to stare after him wondering at what that was supposed to mean. He sighed, his breath rising in the air as he sat back down in front of the crackling fire that was only just keeping them warm against the cold. None of them wanted to entertain the prospect of getting frostbite.

Sokaron snapped back into reality and this time the memory seemed to have a greater effect on him as he slumped forward, narrowly avoiding a wine glass as he went. Faranor helped him up and Sokaron would have blinked but for the lack of eyelids. Jaina smiled and took his skeletal hands with no fear knowing Anduin was watching with silent but boyish interest and curiosity.

"Your name before your undeath was Theodred Marshall. We shall check the archives to see if any Marshall's were entered into the books."

Anduin piped up, "One of the priests that makes her rounds here, her last name is Marshall!" he told them and blinked as Sokaron looked at him.

Faranor seemed to brighten up at the news glad they were getting somewhere with this, "Well, that's definitely worth looking into. Would it be permitted for Sokaron to meet them if they're found?"

Varian pinched his nose feeling a headache coming on, "Only if there is proof of their relation to him," he sighed knowing better than most that losing a member of your family, let alone more than one, and not remembering them was somewhat devastating. He had experienced that for himself and even though Sokaron was Forsaken and a reminder of everything that Arthas had stood for, the man did have the right to see them again one last time in the very least. He was sure that the family of Marshall's were wondering at what had happened to their father..