Chapter 10

Hair dresser was not in Fox's resume, but the King certainly did seem to have enough of it. She kept her own just long enough to manage to get into a ponytail. Short hair needed to be styled. Long hair was always in your way. It was also a liability, should an enemy manage to grab hold if it.

Fox chuckled at the thought of someone grabbing on to Varian's thick brown hair. It would be like having a tiger by the tail. Certainly not something she was ever going to dare. Then again, she could try daring Shaw into doing it. She could bait him with the sheer challenge of the action. Knowing her boss it would eat away at the Leader of the SI-7. Until he succumbed to the temptation. She would probably hear about the repercussions while in the field working. Safe in some far off location from Shaw's initial vengeance. There was no doubt Shaw would put her in her place for such an infraction. He always did.

Fox wrapped a towel around Varian's hair to squeeze what rain water she could from it. He gave a contented sigh as the large shoulders dropped in relaxation. Who could have known the powerful Varian Wrynn was undone when someone played with his hair? This was possibly why he kept it so long. It certainly made no sense in any other regard. She amused herself with the thought of him wandering around the main keep in Stormwind asking others to brush his hair. Although she doubted that was ever the case. With this length tending to it was a given responsibility he would not have to ask for.

Sadly for him, her arms were still sore from her first aid training. So the plan was to do as little work as she could. "Your Majesty."

"Yes, Fox." The sound of his voice was a sultry purr.

That caused her to cock her head to the side. Okay then. Time to get this job done, and as soon as possible. "I would like to request permission to braid your hair for the night."

The brought him around in his seat. He moved to stare up at her with a baffled expression. "Braid my hair?"

"I apologize, but it's rather long. I fear if you sleep with it down, as it is now, you will wake up with a weeks worth of knots. I am sure you have someone quite skilled at handling such dilemmas in Lion's Landing, but I really am not suited. Surely you can see what I am trying to say is not for my benefit, your own?" That last bit was a lie. Fox knew it, but if it got her out of the added work in the morning it was a risk she was willing to take.

Varian turned back around. She wanted to braid his hair. Why would she want do so such a silly thing to his gorgeous hair? Women loved his hair! Many commented on it when they thought he was out of ear shot. It was one of his vanity points. Braiding? It was a womanly thing to do he supposed. At least he had heard of them doing such things before, to each other. During childhood sleep overs. He sighed deeply, "Very well."

"Thank you." Fox wasted no time in sectioning off the strands.

"Mrs. Applebloom brought us up an extensive selection of dishes. Perhaps when you get me out of this leg armor, we can try a few out."

"Will you be wanting to eat?" Fox asked as her hands stilled their motion. She was still full from lunch and tea with Mrs. Mudclaw. The Panadrian women simply loved to show their affection with food.

"I don't see the harm in it. Certainly do not want all her hard work going to waste. It would be rude." Varian leaned forward to reach for one of the trays.

Fox was forced to hop on one leg around the chair to keep from pulling on the braid in her hand. That she managed to keep her self up right was a credit.

Varian lifted the lid and a heavenly aroma filled the room. He reached down, and pulled up a doughy ball in his hand. This must be one of the sweet buns Jiayi had been speaking about. He lifted it to his mouth only to receive a harsh tug on the back of his head.

Fox pulled back on the long braid, she was just finishing tying up. "Don't you dare put that in your mouth!" She growled in an almost terrifying tone.

"Excuse me?" Varian blinked as she reached around him and pulled the treat out of his hand.

"Let me try it first. I do not believe that any harm is meant to you here, but I will not be lax in my duty to protect you, your Majesty." Fox lifted the bun pulled a small bit from it. She examined it for a moment. Then popped it into her mouth. Nodding she handed it back, "This one is fine."

Varian looked down at his mutilated bun. "Really Fox? They have no idea who I am, and if they did I am sure there isn't a drop of poison in this entire establishment."

Fox turned and shot him a look that practically shouted, 'Are you an idiot?' But not a word passed her lips.

"You are being over protective."

Fox turned away and lifted her pack. She pulled out a piece of leather that was rolled up in a tight coil. A flick of her wrists sent it flowing to the floor. Vials upon vials littered the inside. "My King, tell me, how do you want to die?"

"Excuse me?" Varian was stunned. Closer inspection brought him to one conclusion. "Are all of those poisons?"

"Yes. Traceable, for when I want to make a statement. Untraceable, for when I want it to look like an accident. Instant kill for when I need to be on my way, and slow killing, for when I think I might have to come back and question them over the next few months." Fox set a finger next to certain vials as she spoke. "Poison is no laughing matter, your Majesty. Knowing about it is one thing. Seeing it kill gives you an all new respect for it. Having to leech it out of your own blood, now that will impress your respect into something damn near paranoia."

"How do you leech poison out of your own blood?" Varian's expression was thoroughly disgusted.

Fox sighed and rolled her case back up. She slipped it back in her bag. "It's not pleasant, and that is all I really wish to say on the matter. So will you just let me be over protective."

"Who poisoned you?" Varian came to his feet. There was so much more he wanted to ask. The look on her face made it clear that King or not, she was no longer going to indulge him on this topic. "Fine. I understand more then most that we all have things in our past that are too painful to relive."

Considering the subject dropped, Fox scanned the room. Stepping to the chair she lifted the robe and held it out to him. "I believe you are capable of handling the rest of your armor without assistance from me."

Varian cocked up an eyebrow, "Really? Are you so cruel as to make me do it myself?"

"I am your protector, not a nanny." Fox let the robe in her hand slip through her hand until it dangled off one slim finger.

Varian sighed and snatched the robe. "Really Fox, you can't fish." He turned toward the screen.

"I can now."

"You can't use a bandage."

"Oh, that I most certainly can do now!" The black hair flew up as she glared at his retreating back.

Varian grabbed a candle with deliberate intent and moved behind the barrier just as Fox had earlier. "And it's becoming clear that you have no idea how to properly undress a man."

Fox dropped her head into her hands. This was not a subject one simply discussed with one's King. "That knowledge is for me and and my past lovers."

Varian reached down to undo the belt. "Have a list, do you?"

"I never thought to keep... a..." Fox shot a glance at the screen. The image she saw there forced her to spin back around. She had seen him removing the belt from his hips with perfect clarity. Sure it was merely a silhouette, but it was a pretty sharp one.

"Something wrong, Fox?" Varian smiled as he undid the clasps locking the plated leggings. Wait for it, Varian. He told himself. Just a few moments more.

"BY THE LIGHT!" Fox let out a shriek that almost busted his ears.

Varian chuckled loudly. It rolled into out right laughter as he pulled on his robe. Leaving his clothing behind the screen he tied the sash loosely. A casual gait as he stepped around the screen. He saw Fox on her knees in the center of the room. Palms over her face. To her credit, she was not rocking. "Something wrong?"

She dropped her hands to clenched fists just under her chin. The embarrassed blush eating her cheeks. Dark brown eyes wide, as she beseeching him to lie. "Before when I was changing?"

"Ah that." He gave her a lazy grin and nodded, "Yup, I saw all most everything."

Fox moaned in horror as she pushed herself back to her feet. "Your Majesty. I am so sorry. I never meant... I mean, how this looks to you?"

"Like you planned it? One room, one bed, I am sure you planned for me to see from the first. Am I right?"

Fox felt her jaw drop open. "You think that I wanted this? No! I told you before, I can not protect you from another room. I would have stood watch at the door, but there is the window. I have to be in here to keep my eyes on both."

Varian jerked. He had not consider that. "But the single bed?"

"You can't be serious? What do I need a bed for, when I have to spend the night up watching for danger from the door and the window?" Fox shook her head. The realization of what he had been thinking coming to her in degrees. "What were you thinking? That I was going to share the bed with you? Why would I do that?"

"You realized I would make an excellent pillow?"

Stunned Fox simply stared at him for long moments. Then lifted her hand and pointed to the bed. "Your Majesty, you have had a very long day. Starting from your early morning meeting with Taran Tzu."

Varian's eyes narrowed. She had to mention that irritating Pandarian and his demands. That certainly ruined his good mood.

"Culminating into, well, what ever this is." Fox sputtered trying to keep her temper at bay. Anyone else and she would have locked her hands around their neck. This was High King Varian, however, and as such needed to stay alive a bit longer. That was the wording her mind consoled her with. "I believe that once you have a good night of rest you will be back to your rational demeanor in the morning."

Varian was almost numb with disbelief at her words. Was she really shooing him off to bed like a toddler in footie pajamas?

Fox looked over at him and shot the most expressionless look she could muster under the circumstance,"Is something wrong? Do you need a glass of water, or perhaps I should get Mrs. Applebloom to heat you a cup of," Fox wanted to say milk. She really did. "tea."

By the Light, she was! Varian literally wavered on his feet with the shock of it. Fox was visibly upset with him. The tone bordering on insubordination. This certainly had not turned out as he had thought. Where was the subtle touches, the pouty lips, and pleading eyes he had been waiting for all night?

Author Note: Just so you know, I do realize that I just wrote a chapter that's main focus was Varian's hair. I assure you it was not intentional. Next chapter they will be back at Lion's Landing.