Disclaimer: Varian Wrynn and all recognisable characters belong to Blizzard entertainment. Valerica Glenmore and characters not from Warcraft or it's associated games cannot be sold or used without express permission from the author.
Varian barely knew what day it was anymore, and that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Of course he'd asked Gregor and Lee, who had told him that three months had passed since Val had travelled to Westfall, and they were all waiting on tenterhooks to hear news of the retaking of Stormwind, which was probably why his head was pounding every day.
It probably didn't help that Tiffin was four months pregnant by this point, and had just started to show, which neither of them could deny was a fantastical feeling and sight, but was incredibly bittersweet, making his thoughts muddle before he could stop them.
As much as he had protested about the marriage, the thought of becoming a father to any child was such a fulfilling prospect that he almost felt guilty about how excited he was.
He was on his way to join her and Arthas for breakfast, dreading the packed day he had ahead of him; he had another meeting finalizing the plans with Vancleef, then a council meeting to arrange in which order the people of Stormwind would return to the city once it was clear…and he couldn't help but feel that they were jumping the gun by just the tiniest bit.
The reports he'd been getting weren't exactly the most promising in the world, and even though Westfall and Goldshire had been taken back, they were a mere morsel compared to the city, which he had been told was now held by one of Doomhammer's greatest, Varok Saurfang, and he knew it was merely his own anxiety coming into play, but he had little optimism for a victory.
He had absolutely no idea when exactly Garside and the other captains were planning to strike, which made his nerves even worse. Val had gone silent on the letter front, which told him that she was doing something at least, but that didn't quell his fears for her.
Most of her letters always held a footnote hurriedly telling him what injuries she had gotten that day, making him want to just commandeer a ship and sail down himself, and thankfully Tiffin and Arthas were constantly conspiring against him to calm him down and force him to let it go and let her get on with it even though all it did was make him more damn worried.
He'd told her about the baby, and wasn't sure whether her reaction was a genuine one or not. Of course she'd congratulated him and told him she was happy, but her wording made Varian think that was all a façade, even when the two of them had talked about this eventuality at length numerous times before.
He had asked her outright if she was upset and she had reassured him that she was fine, it was just letters not conveying it properly, but he couldn't shake the feeling that she was lying to him, which was the last thing he ever wanted her to do. She had done this to everyone they'd known at some point, and he knew her too well to not recognize the little signs that pointed to her being deeply hurt.
She would go quiet, insisting she was fine but drawing into herself, which was made more obvious on the days where she had been particularly boisterous and would out of nowhere just want to be by herself, leaving him dumbfounded and searching for her for sometimes an hour or so, tucked into the tiniest crevice she should find.
She would become vague, with one word answers and a quiet voice, and although he obviously couldn't hear how she'd said the words blotted onto the parchment he was even now looking at as he pulled it from his pocket, but he could read between the lines. "'That's fantastic. I'll see you soon.'...that doesn't sound good Majesty." He gave Jon a sideways glance.
"I know, that's what worries me, I don't want to hound her about this, but she's clearly upset." He ran a hand down his face. "Or is this just me thinking too much?" Jon shook his head, holding a hand out and asking silent permission to read the missive, which Varian gave since it was one of the cleaner letters he had received.
The curly haired guard took a minute, clucking his tongue. "I don't claim to be an expert on women Majesty, but going with my gut? She's happy, but she's not…does that make sense?" Varian's eyebrow lifted, making Jon laugh. "No, what I mean is, right, she is genuinely happy, but she's still sad…there's a word for it but I'll be fucked if I can remember it."
Gregor cleared his throat on Varian's other side. "I think the word Sir Leighton is looking for is 'bittersweet'." Jon snapped his fingers, looking visibly relieved. "That's the one, 'bittersweet'. Oh come now Majesty, you can't expect her to be ecstatic about the news, surely?" Varian's jaw clenched before he could stop himself.
"Of course not, if anything I empathize with her. I just…she knew this would have to happen at some point, I thought she'd be more at peace with it by now." Now it was Gregor's turn to point out the obvious.
"You expected her to be at peace with the man she adores having a child with another woman?" Varian's grimace made him look older than he was. "Well when you say it like that, it makes me feel like an absolute monster." His sigh made the hair on Jon's arms stand up even though he was wearing chainmail.
"I can't be angry at her, I know that, but I just hope that having to live with it doesn't make her miserable." Gregor swallowed, sharing a nervous look with Jon. "Well, that definitely won't be a problem Your Majesty." Varian's look was rightfully wary.
"What do you mean?" Gregor handed him a sheet of parchment. "The first applications for housing came through today, and obviously the military have first priority." Varian wasn't insanely pleased about that, yet he waved a hand for the smaller man to carry on, skimming the missive.
"…Lady Glenmore has applied for a house to share with Private Carson Eastcroft and a Private Kaylie Thorpe. She doesn't intend to live at the Keep." Varian stopped, reading the same thing a the exact moment Gregor said it. "She never told me about this…"
Jon tried to play the diplomat even though he knew it probably wouldn't work. "Maybe she wants to do it in person, you know, make it more heartfelt?" Varian felt his gut wrench. "Or maybe she was scared of telling me and wanted you to do it." Jon scoffed, pushing a stray curl from his face. "She's not scared of you Majesty, come off it." Varian didn't look convinced.
"What if this is just her diplomatic way of telling me she can't do this anymore?" Gregor and Jon both shared the same look of exasperation. They both loved and respected their king, but they had grown quite vexed at the ridiculous sharp turns their master's emotional state would go. Jon clapped one of his shoulders and Gregor mustered the most sympathetic look he could.
"That's absurd Your Majesty, she might just want to give you and the queen a little space, especially when the baby is born and your time is occupied more. Lady Glenmore seems more of the type to want to let you get on with things and breathe a little…from what I've seen. She's independent Your Majesty, becoming a noblewoman was never going to change that."
Varian looked as if he might actually have listened to the chamberlain much to his relief. "That's true, I suppose I was never going to convince her to change a lifestyle she's had for twenty years." He had to laugh at himself, embarrassed by how much of an idiot he was sometimes.
"I swear, I get worse. So did you put her on the list?" Satisfied that the brief melancholy had passed, Gregor nodded, opening the binder he was holding. "Of course Your Majesty, since she is the Mistress of the King she's been put at the highest priority."
Jon tried to hide his snicker but couldn't quite manage it. "Besides which Majesty, I personally think it'll be better for your relationship if she's not living here." Varian was strangely intrigued considering the rather private topic the conversation had clung to. "Oh really? And how did you come to that conclusion?"
Gregor's cheeks had already started going red. "Sir Leighton this is highly inappropriate…" Varian however, was strangely enjoying the 'man talk'. He hadn't really made time to sit with men who weren't his councillors or courtiers, so to converse with someone who Val would humorously dub 'common as muck' was refreshing.
"No, let him speak, I'm morbidly interested." Jon was clearly not trying to laugh all the while he was attempting to speak. "Well, won't it be more..exciting if you have to wait to see her, and go to her house instead of down a corridor?" Varian knew what he was trying to convey and couldn't help his smirk.
"You mean it will be as if we were courting teenagers again?" Jon's grin was infectiously uplifting. "Exactly! So don't feel too bad about it, I'm sure that's what Val was thinking of when she did it." Gregor looked as if he were about to pass out from shock at the insinuation of the conversation, but Varian looked alot happier about the whole thing.
"It would be nice to 'woo' her again I suppose…I didn't really do it last time, if anything it was all a bit rushed." Gregor opened the door to the dining hall, still looking highly uncomfortable. "I'm sure she'd appreciate it sire." Tiffin looked up, giving him a smile as he sat down and kissed her cheek.
"Appreciate what?" Varian reached over and clapped arms with Arthas, thanking Nan as she poured him a coffee before his backside even touched the seat. "Val has applied for housing when Stormwind's retaken." Tiffin looked surprised, poking another strip of bacon into her mouth.
Varian had found it highly amusing when she had found that bacon was to be her main craving, seeing as she never really touched the stuff before, claiming it was far too greasy for her liking. So to see her shoving it in her face quicker than he could count the strips she had consumed made Varian laugh.
The fact she always put honey on it was just the icing on the cake for the king, who had mercilessly teased her for it when it first kicked in. "Did she? I thought she'd be living with us?" Arthas didn't look too shocked by it, as Varian expected him to be. "Val doesn't like to be noticed Tiffin, she'd bee seeing it as making herself a spectacle if she lived in the keep."
Tiffin's face dropped as she drank her orange juice. "So we won't see her as much?" Varian shook his head, plating himself some of the eggs, lushrooms, bacon and potato fritters that had been served. "Oh I don't know about that, If I were to guess, the house would just be a place to sleep."
Arthas gave Tiffin a smile. "Especially when that baby's born, it'll be hard to get rid of her." Varian's hand wavered and of course, they both noticed. "Varian? Are you alright?" Varian rubbed his temples, trying to muster up an ounce of dramatic skill.
"Yes, I'm fine, just a headache, that's all." Tiffin looked genuinely concerned, which didn't help the fact that he'd just lied through his teeth. She reached over, rubbing his forearm. "Maybe you should take today to rest? You have been on the go non stop Varian, it's not healthy."
Varian waved her away, seriously considering it but knowing it couldn't be done. "No, no I'm fine, honestly. I have too much to do today." As to reiterate his point, Gregor put his binder in front of him, letting him read through it and wither instantly.
"I have audience as well? When was this arranged?" Gregor looked regretful. "This morning at Lady Prestor's insistence." Arthas' brow furrowed. "Nice of her to tell the King that." Varian ran both hands down his face. "Fine, I'll be there. Anything else?" Gregor's face didn't fill him with hope.
"There's been whispers in Southshore…nothing major, people are merely noticing that you haven't been down there for a few weeks, so if I might recommend taking a trip soon?" Tiffin pursed her lips. "Gregor, that's enough, look how drained Varian is, can't that wait?" Varian chugged his coffee down, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Tiffin, it's none of your concern, it's what is asked of me as king, now leave it. I'll be alright." He looked down at her belly. "You're not the one that should be suggesting rest to me. You need to slow down as well." Arthas exhaled slowly through his nose. "Varian, you don't look well." He almost expected the glare he received.
"If I wanted input from the peanut gallery I would ask for it. Now for the last damn time, I'm perfectly fine! Leave me be!" He looked up at Gregor, fully intending to eat his bloody breakfast at some point. "I'll go to Southshore tomorrow, let Marshal Redpath know." He waved a hand, feeling his head start to cave in on itself. "You're dismissed until council."
Once he was gone, he stabbed a lushroom like it was his worst enemy and threw it in his mouth, eating it at the speed of light in case some other arsehole decided to interrupt his morning. He used his other hand to take Tiffin's, squeezing it lightly. "How are you? I haven't even asked yet, forgive me."
Tiffin gave him that smile of hers that even Val had come to love; it was one full of reassurance, a reassurance that she didn't feel any anger or anything remotely close, she just wanted people to look after themselves before worrying about little old her.
He'd come to respect her greatly over the past six months, regretting all the spiteful words he'd launched at her over the years and not really knowing how to feel about how quickly she forgave him for it all, if anything that only made him feel worse.
"I'm doing well, thank you. No movement as of yet, but I've been told all is as it should be." Varian gave her the most genuine smile he could muster. "Good. I'll make sure to put aside some time to help you with everything." Arthas looked skeptical. "And just when do you plan to do that after everything else?"
Varian pinched the bridge of his nose, really wishing he'd gone to Elwynn, since he truly believed it would be less stressful than his days were proving to be right now. "I'll just have to find time, won't I? Did Jaina write you?" Arthas couldn't be insulted by the sharp question since he could see just by the redness of Varian's eyes that he was practically a dead man walking at this point, and the art of tact was probably not high on his mind's to do list right now. He put his tea down, clearing his throat.
"She did one better actually…we met a few weeks ago to talk, and it went semi-well." Tiffin looked genuinely curious, which was better than just becoming the interrogator like Calia had when he'd come back from this 'meeting'.
"'Semi-well'? What does that mean?" Arthas fiddled with the teaspoon he was holding, trying to think about how to word this without getting everyone's hopes up. "Well, we both agreed that now Kul Tiras is a member of the Alliance, it's inevitable that we're going to see each other at some point, so it would be childish to carry on not speaking."
Varian was so glad the conversation wasn't centred around him anymore, it actually felt like his head was starting to relax. "And what did she say to that?" Arthas' look didn't fill him with hope. "She agreed, but told me she wasn't ready to become as close as we all were back then. She rightfully said that things were still too raw and I told her she could have as much time and space as she wants."
Tiffin reached over and patted his shoulder. "She'll come round eventually Arthas, especially since you're clearly genuinely sorry about the whole thing." Arthas gave her a pained smile. "I know, it's just not helped by the knowledge that other people are vying for her affections now they know she's not with me."
Varian grunted, already knowing who he meant. "Not the damn elf again?" Arthas' own grunt was one of affirmation. "Yes, it is the damn elf." Tiffin's brow furrowed since she felt quite left out. "What elf?" Varian chugged the last of his coffee, reaching for the pot and ignoring Tiffin's disapproving look. "Kael'thas Sunstrider."
Tiffin looking impressed was not the reaction he was expecting. "The prince? I wasn't aware they knew each other." Arthas started to play with his food, which was never a good sign. "They both study in Dalaran." That told Tiffin all it needed to and she tactfully stayed quiet.
Thankfully the borderline awkward silence was broken by the door opening and an always chipper Lee coming in, really settling in to his new role and practically bouncing on the balls of his feet as he passed a wad of envelopes to Varian. "Anything good today, or more reports?" Lee looked sympathetic but still had a grin on his face.
"There's a few reports unfortunately Your Majesty, but there is a letter that looks like it's from Lady Glenmore." Varian had gotten to it as he said it, smiling at how her handwriting had stayed the same over the years so he knew exactly which one was from her.
He flipped it over, ignoring Arthas' smug look as he broke the small seal and started reading, feeling his face drop. "What does it say?" Varian was trying not to look worried but it clearly didn't work. "They're beginning their assault today. She just wanted to let me know and say…" He trailed off and Arthas finished his sentence, no matter what pain it brought the brunette opposite him.
"To say goodbye. She's only being practical Varian." Varian's jaw tensed as he ran his fingertips over the small 'I love you' at the bottom of the page. "I know she is, but that doesn't make it any easier." He folded it back up, twisting to look at Lee.
"Go and find Gregor, tell him to move the council meeting forward. If she's telling me the truth and they're starting the assault on Stormwind, we need to put things in place quickly." Tiffin was getting more excited with every word.
"So by this time tomorrow we could be making preparations to go home?" Varian squeezed her hand, quickly kissing it and shoving what food was left in his mouth. "We could very well be, should everything go as plan." Tiffin's hand were both tiny wrapped around his. "Can we go to the monastery today to pray for victory?"
Varian looked guiltily at her. "I probably won't have time, and the road is getting more dangerous…" Arthas wiped his hands, giving them both a smile. "I'll take her Varian, it's no trouble. I have reflection anyway, so it will be nice to have some company." Varian's head still throbbed, but a small flicker of the light that was hope was trying its best to spark within his chest. "Right then, I better get dressed, it looks like today is going to be a big day for us all."
The council chamber was already buzzing when he arrived, and Terenas himself had chosen to attend it seemed, since he stood when Varian entered and heartily embraced him. "Today brings good news my boy." Varian mustered up a smile, still not being able to shake the sharp pain at the base of his skull.
"Indeed it does, let us hope there's more to come." Varian sat down, inviting the rest of them to and raising his hand for quiet. "I have received word from General Clay that the takeover of Stormwind is imminent, maybe even in the next few hours."
He took a long, deep breath. "Are things in place Light willing it proves successful?" Ridgewell passed him a sheet of parchment, but Varian would be lying if he said he wasn't struggling to read it. "We have ships already stocked with building supplies, food and necessities. We should be able to get the first load there within the week depending on how long the battle itself takes, then a few weeks to assess the damage and start rebuilding."
Varian linked his fingers and put his forehead on his hands. "Gregor, let in Mister Vancleef." Gregor nodded, opening the door and letting the dark haired man come in, stop in the centre of the room and bow. "Your Majesty." Varian tried to smile at him, but only felt his head spin.
"I trust you've heard the news?" Vancleef nodded with a sly smile. "Aye, I did Your Majesty, it was good timing really, our plans have just been finalized." Councillor Hartfield rolled his shoulders, clearly skeptical. "How long will the rebuild take Mister Vancleef?"Edwin shrugged, not filling the older man with confidence.
"If I had to give a rough estimate on what your scouts have told me is still standing? About two, three years at least- five at most? Stormwind Keep will take the longest, but the houses won't take long, not if we make them simple." Varian held a hand up to quiet the small murmur that had arose.
"And how soon can you start after the takeover?" Vancleef looked more confident this time. "Oh that's not a problem, we can start as soon as all the rubble and debris are cleared. And with the help of the Dwarven labourers, in theory it should go even quicker."
Varian had already spoken to Magni and Gelbin, who had both agreed to aid Stormwind's rebuild with heavy machinery and technology that could speed the process up considerably, which was a relief. The Samarkandans were already on board, Nizaar was sending his best once he got the go ahead, so with so many chipping in he supposed this would be quite the efficient process.
"And we are agreed that you will be paid after construction is complete?" Varian couldn't help but wither at the smooth voice of Lady Prestor, who was sitting two down from him. Vancleef frowned, speaking to Varian instead. "I still don't understand your logic with that Your Majesty, I almost feel as if you don't trust us to do the job properly."
Varian tried to look as passive as possible. "I do Edwin, but it's a case of we don't have the money straight away, and you never know what costs will crop up afterwards." Edwin still looked like he didn't agree. "With all due respect-" Prestor cut him off with a raised hand.
"Remember whom you speak to Mister Vancleef, King Varian is your sovereign lord, do try not to forget your station." Varian threw her a dirty look. "There's no need for that Lady Prestor." He rose, extending his hand to Edwin.
"I trust you to take care of your end of this bargain Edwin, and look forward to seeing the results. You're dismissed." Edwin shook his hand, shooting a dirty glance at Katrana as he left with a bow. Varian sat back down, running both hands down his face. "Now, onto other matters."
He had finally given in to Tiffin's 'request' (it was more of a demand, but he'd never admit a five foot two woman got the best of him) and taken a short reprieve after council, rubbing his temples with one hand and letting the sun bathe him in its light, leaning back on the bench he was perched on and closing his exhausted eyes. "Drink?" He opened one eye, giving Tiffin a weak smile and accepting the goblet she gave him, grimacing when he took a sip.
"What the hells is this?" She patted his leg, shielding her eyes against the glare and wondering why he hadn't sat on the other side of the hedge. "Lemon water, it always helps me when my head hurts." He managed a tiny, grateful smile. "Thank you." He glanced down at her small but noticeable bump, realising he'd been a little too selfish today. "How are you?" Tiffin shrugged with a grin.
"Same as I always am. Can't smell anything without wanting to be sick everywhere. It's fun, carrying a bucket everywhere with me, I can just put it upside down and sit wherever I want." Varian's chuckle only made his head throb more but he didn't mind in this instance. "I'm glad you're making the best of it. Your check up's later, isn't it?" She nodded, glad that he was slowly sipping his water.
"I take it you're attending?" Varian's eyebrow rose. "Of course I am." He groaned, holding his goblet by the rim between his legs. "I don't want to have audience today." Tiffin's brow furrowed. "Then don't, go and get some decent sleep." He shook his head, just as she expected him to. "No, I can't shun my duty for a little headache." He pushed himself up, helping her and putting her arm in his. "It probably won't take that long anyway. It's the last thing on my list for today so it'll be a bit ridiculous not doing it."
Tiffin didn't look convinced as they went back inside, already hearing Gregor organizing the few citizens of Stormwind that had come to speak to their king in the ballroom, which Terenas had made Varian's temporary throne room. "I just think you're stretching yourself far too thin."
Varian gently shushed her, letting go of her arm and raising a hand to those who were waiting, sitting down and feeling himself wobble as he did, needing to blink a few times to make his eyes focus. "Welcome, all of you. You'll have to pardon my tardiness." Of course none of them said a word about it, but he leant back, grimacing at how it felt like his brain was rattling around. "Let's begin, shall we?" Gregor cleared his throat, ushering the first person forward.
Audience went by in a blur, and by the time it was done Varian felt like he was ten times heavier and his mouth had gone dry. He was halfway to his chambers when a call of his name turned him around, and a face he really didn't want to see was what greeted him. "Oh Light, you have to be fucking jesting me. What the hells are you doing here Mila?"
Val's mother looked rather pathetic, standing in the middle of the hall with the lapels of her coat pulled up in a vain attempt to conceal herself, with the same thick brown hair he very vaguely remembered tumbling over her shoulders and bright green eyes staring right at him. "I was hoping we could speak in private. I came to audience but lost my nerve."
Varian snorted, resisting the urge to just slam the door in her face. "You seem to have quite alot of it, cornering me in my private chambers like this." His eyebrow rose. "You know I could call this a threat and have you thrown in prison?" Mila stiffened, still keeping her face straight and looking far too much like Val for Varian's liking, especially in his tired state.
"Surely that alone tells you how desperate I am to speak to you?" Varian was glad Tiffin had a separate room to him, pushing his door open and extending his arm. "Then by all means." He nodded at Jon, who stopped Mila just before she got to the door and patted her down, turning out her pockets and checking she had absolutely nothing on her that could be used against the king before following her inside, closing the door behind them.
"Drink? I know I certainly need one." She stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, wondering why he was being so calm. "No thank you." Varian huffed, pouring himself a whiskey. "Suit yourself." He downed it quicker than he would've liked, wincing at the slight burn and turning to face her. "So go on, get it over with, why are you here?"
Mila's brow furrowed. "You know why I'm here Varian." She swallowed, wringing her hands. "I was hoping Valerica would be with you." Varian's face took on a black anger and he folded his arms. "She's not here. She's away with her troop."
He hated the genuine worry on Mila's face. "She's still in the army? I didn't know she'd gone." Varian clucked his tongue. "Of course you didn't, Val made sure of it. You're wasting your time here Mila, you know that, don't you?" Mila looked at his table and chairs. "Can we at least sit and try to be civil?" He stiffly nodded, not wanting to admit that a sit down was just what he needed since his head had started spinning.
"I know she doesn't want to talk to me. But Varian, both she and you need to understand, everything's different now." Varian clenched a fist on the table. "Aye, it is. We've lost our home and our families, making your timing for this whole charade rather convenient." Mila was trying to keep her cool, he could tell, and he didn't give a fig whether she was getting angry or not. Had he not been feeling awful today he probably would've had her by the throat by now, so it was just another reason to curse his ailing mood.
"It's not a charade Varian. I've been trying for years to get in touch, but first it was Lokir telling me that I was never going to see my children again and actually sending assassins after me, then it was my son carrying that trend on and telling me that he was looking after himself and Valerica, so what could I possibly do? She's on her own now-" Varian held a hand up to stop her in her tracks.
"She is in no way, shape or form alone. She has me, as she always has. She's content with that, and you have no place or right to disrupt that." Mila shook her head. "You're going to have hardly any time for her anymore Varian, not once the baby is born." He huffed, giving Jon a glance that told him to be ready to throw her out at a moment's notice.
"Don't lecture me about parenting Mila, otherwise I'll be here all day listing the things that make you a shitty mother." Mila held both hands up. "Alright, I admit it, I was awful. I left my children because I was bored with my husband, I'm a terrible person and she has every right to hate me." Varian let the corner of his mouth rise. "Understatement of the millennia, but go on."
Mila's eyes narrowed. "But now all this has happened, surely it's time for us to bury this and start again?" Varian lightly banged his fist on the table. "No, it's not, you deluded, wicked bitch." He knew he was getting too angry too fast, but he didn't care, this was a sore spot for him and having her sit here acting like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth was riling him up beyond reason.
"How dare you come here and try to convince me to coerce the woman I adore to give you a chance, a woman who left her when she was a mere toddler, who abandoned her children just to go and have another." He stood, putting both palms on the table and ignoring how she was shaking with rage. "Val's been through enough. She doesn't need you Mila, she's never needed you. I won't manipulate her to your own selfish needs."
He felt himself swaying and he didn't know why. "You waited until that girl was at her lowest, after the death of your son, to decide you want to have anything to do with her." Mila stood as well, giving Jon a worried glance as he took a step forward. "I didn't even know my son was dead until I saw his name on the memorial in the town square! You have no right to stop me seeing my daughter Varian, too many men in that girl's life have tried to call the shots, but not anymore! Tell me where she is!"
Varian shook his head, seeing little spots in front of his eyes. "Not if you held a knife to my throat. She's so much better off without you it's not even funny. She has me to look after her, and that's exactly what I intend to do."
Mila snorted, putting her hands on her hips. "You're doing a wonderful job of that, letting her swan off with the army! Varian, I'm her mother! It's in my soul to look after her, you're just the man she's sleeping with!" Varian's eyes blazed with an anger he could feel burning through his veins.
"You ignorant- How dare you sully one of the most perfect things in my life! If you had been here you would know how long I've loved that girl, how I would kill anyone and anything that even suggested hurting her! You-" He was biting too much, telling her too much of his private business, he had to stop talking, and fast. He exhaled slowly through his nose, feeling his head start to explode.
"What do you want Mila? Tell me. Is it gold? Is that why you're hounding us? I can give you gold, I'll give you as much as you need to leave that girl alone and let her live her damn life." Mila swallowed, pushing her hair away from her face. "I want you to speak to my daughter on my behalf." Varian's teeth gritted. "Not a chance. When she told me you had written to her, I begged her not to give you the time of day, and she agreed. Why would I want to go back on my word?"
Mila straightened her back. "You're a child Varian, a royal one at that. You don't know what the real world is like. You don't know what it is to struggle, or be with someone who won't admit he's struggling. My daughter is all I have in the world now, I want to make amends." Varian rolled his eyes. "No she's not, you have your perfect son and perfect husband, Val told me! Just go home Mila. Go home and stop this idiocy." Mila shook her head.
"Just tell me where she is." Varian could feel his muscles tensing. "Never. Mila, I'm going to say this once, do you hear me? I have the authority in this room, and I intend to use it if it keeps people like you messing with her head. I swear by the Light as my witness, if I ever, ever see you within a mile of Val, I'll come down on you so hard your head will spin!" Ironic words really, since it was his head that was threatening to jump from his shoulders.
"You can't do that!" Her appalled look only made Varian angrier, angry at the fact that she had waited nearly twenty years to show she cared when really, Val had needed her alot sooner than this. "I can and I bloody will. I can't arrest you because you're not from Stormwind, that much I know and accept, but it's my duty to protect those who are, and that includes Val. You're toxic Mila. You'll end up hurting her and that….that I will never allow to happen. You were wrong when you said she has no one, she has me, she always has and she always will."
Mila had tears in her eyes, ones that looked so fake to Varian he wanted to strangle her. She reached into the pocket of her coat, making his eyes roll at the thick envelope she held out. "Then at least give this to her."
Varian took it, handing it to Jon, who ripped it open despite Mila's protests, emptying the contents on the table. Varian picked up the letter, the broach and note for fifty gold in quick succession, putting them back down.
"You think these will buy back your daughter's trust? A trust that you destroyed? Get out, I won't ask twice." Mila stepped forward to protest but Jon's large hand caught her shoulder. "I'll see you out miss." Mila glared at the king, pulling her shoulder away. "You have no right to dictate my daughter's life Varian Wrynn. You may be a king to others but to me you're a child playing puppets." Varian waved a hand, turning away as Jon drug her out, letting a bewildered Tiffin in as the King of Stormwind leant on the back of his chair, feeling his legs start to give way.
"What the hells was she doing here Varian?" She noticed how Varian's face was blank and his torso was lurching forward, only just catching him before his head met the stone floor. "Jon- Jon!" The knight was there in an instant, clearly abandoning his task of escorting Mila from the keep and taking the limp monarch from the queen, who grabbed Nan's hand once her ladies came running to see what their mistress was screaming about.
"Fetch doctor Hemill, quickly!" Jon managed to get Varian on the bed, lightly slapping his cheek and not liking how he wasn't responding. "Your Majesty? Your Majesty!" Tiffin was trying not to panic, taking a deep breath instead. "Why was Mila here Jon?" He clenched his jaw, putting his ear to Varian's chest and thanking the Light that he was breathing.
"For the same reason she's been bothering Lady Glenmore, Your Majesty." Tiffin picked up the letter that had fallen from Varian's hand, tearing it in two and throwing it on the fire. "I knew he was exhausted, he's going to work himself into the grave before long." Jon sat Varian up, propping the pillows behind him. "Let's just wait to see what the good doctor says before we scorn him eh?"
Varian had come to rather quickly, but not quickly enough to protest against the appearance of doctor Hemill, who was checking the kings eyes by stretching both lids out. "I said I'm fine, will you leave me be?!" Tiffin shushed him, furrowing her brow. "Varian, you've just fainted, let him do his job and make sure that you're not about to do it again." She handed him a cup of water and he took it, huffing as he sipped the cold liquid.
"'Fainted', you make me sound like a swooning maid." the old doctor came to Varian's other side, and couldn't help but flinch at the scathing look he got from the King. "Tell her I'm fine and to leave me be. It was a small hunger spell, nothing more." The doctor looked apprehensive."Your Majesty, your collapse was caused by extreme exhaustion, one that a few minutes staying off your feet will not remedy. I recommend a few days bed-rest, and plenty of fluids." Varian grumbled, trying to sit up again.
"I don't need bed rest, I need to get downstairs. We'll be hearing about Stormwind any minute now and I need to be present for it." Tiffin took his hand, clearly not budging. "Varian, listen to him before you put yourself into an early grave!" Varian rolled his eyes. "Stop exaggerating! I'm tired, that's nothing new!" Again, the good doctor looked pensive. "On the contrary Your Majesty, exhaustion leads to all sorts of horrific health problems. I very much recommend you heed my warning and rest yourself."
Varian's jaw set and he attempted to sit up a bit more, and Tiffin swallowed, knowing she was about to rile him up more but figured it would be worth it in the end. "Stormwind is about to become ours again, do you really want me to worry Val and tell her your dead from exhaustion?" Varian's teeth gritted. "You wouldn't dare. You know damn well that's what Lokir died of, why would you put the damn girl throug-"
He slumped back, feeling his head go light again. "See, you're overstressed Varian, this proves it. A few days rest won't hurt." Varian looked up at the blue canopy, really not wanting to admit that she was right. "By the Light, alright! A few days, then I get back to my normal duties." Tiffin shook her head, threatening to anger him again.
"No, we'll see how you are in a few days then decide whether you're fit for duty." Varian's face flushed red once again but he took a long breath, relaxing his clenched fists. "If it shuts you up and gives me a moments peace, then that's what we'll do. Now both of you, leave me be." Tiffin saw the doctor out, resuming her place in the chair next to his bed.
"…You haven't really told Val about this, have you?" Tiffin gave him a small smile. "It's only been an hour, I haven't had time to. But I'll have to Varian, we can't keep this from her." Varian looked like he was really trying to keep his anger in check.
"We can and we damn well will. She'll only worry." Tiffin tried not to look exasperated. "Varian, she'll hear it from one of the courtiers when we go back, and all that will happen is that she'll feel hurt that you didn't tell her yourself." His look told her that he knew she was right. "Fine. Pass me some parchment."
She shook her head, obeying only half of the command by fetching the stationary, putting it on the bedside and inking her quill. "How about you dictate to me instead so I know you're telling her everything?" Varian mumbled another 'fine', (that was seeming to be his word of the day) and actually started to appreciate the pillow under his head.
"Drink this whilst I do." She handed him a goblet and with even a tiny sniff he smelt something in it. "What are you drugging me with woman?" Her brows moved down. "Varian, I know Val puts up with you calling her that, but I certainly don't, and you know that."His look didn't move despite his quick apology. "It's just a little mix to help you sleep. Including peace-bloom, to ward away the nightmares." He huffed, chugging it down anyway. "I don't think anything will do that, but there's no harm in trying."
Tiffin picked her quill up again, starting to write. "Alright, so far I have 'Sweetheart, please don't be alarmed." Varian grimaced, passing back the empty goblet. "Yes, because that won't alarm her instantly." His brow furrowed and he turned his head to face her. "How did you know to immediately put 'sweetheart'?" Tiffin shrugged with a small smile.
"You call her it at least fifty times a day Varian, it's hard not to notice." She poked the back of his hand with the quill. "Don't worry, I won't judge. If anything I find it incredibly sweet." Varian laughed, feeling sleepy already. "Just tell her what happened directly, that I'm fine and she's not to worry." Tiffin carried on scribbling, letting him drift off into what would hopefully be a peaceful sleep for once.
Val felt rage build inside her belly the minute they got to the gates of Stormwind. The wall surrounding them had only been half destroyed, with more pikes skewering poor men, women and children that hadn't managed to escape set there to intimidate, but the two thousand bodies marching towards them weren't going to let that stop them. She was with Carson and the others, not even feeling her feet hurt from the trek, with a fierce determination numbing her to everything except the intense concentration that came with the preliminary attack.
Elven archers were in the trees, watching the Orcs patrolling the still standing ramparts whilst she and the other foot soldiers had weaved through the trees and were working to their full extent to uncover two tunnels that had been built years ago to escort the royal family should anything happen to Stormwind.
In the attack there had been no way to get to them, but now as they pushed away more under-brush, two wooden doors met Val's palm and she, Carson and a few others opened them, hearing the whoosh of arrows that were waiting for that exact signal to take out those on watch, letting half the army slip into the two crevices and follow the tunnels, one to Stormwind Keep, and one to Cathedral Square.
The gates were barred from the outside, a clever move from the orcs really, but they were ignorant to the network of tunnels Val and the others were making their way through, tasked with getting out, clearing a path and opening the large gates to allow their comrades entrance to finish this once and for all. "I never knew these were here."
Val caught Kay's whisper and grinned at her. "How do you think Varian and I snuck out all the time without being seen?" They were following the tunnel that led to Stormwind Keep, which she had to admit now she was actually doing it was a daunting thought.
She had no idea what condition it was in, no idea who or what she'd find when she came above ground again, it was enough to make her mildly nervous. Would Llane's body still be lying on the floor where Varian had reluctantly left it? Or would she recognise some other unfortunate soul that was dumped like a ragdoll?
These questions were nothing but distractions, ones she couldn't afford to have at this point, so she focused all of her concentration on the small flickers of torches that had been lit at the front of their group, eventually finding the fork that led towards the keep.
She smelled blood and realised that the other tunnel opposite them was the one the crowds had used to get to Stormwind harbour during the attack, and everything in her was screaming to change course and find Bessie if she could, but Carson's hand on her shoulder turned her the way everyone else was going. "We'll come back after Val."
She wasn't sure whether she'd want to by that point but nodded regardless, trying to focus as they edged closer and closer. She had no idea whether she was imagining it or not, but it was like she could hear the screams from that night ringing in her ear as if she'd gone back in time, turning her head and seeing Bessie, Tiffin, Wyll and the rest of their unfortunate group running for their lives, when only a handful would actually make it out.
She felt the bile travel up her throat as they all eventually stopped after Light knew how long, with Syverson raising his hand and shushing them all, putting his ear to the crack of light that came through the doors she had sent countless down that night, with no guarantees that they'd get to the other side alive, it was enough to make her chest tight with the apprehension going back to Stormwind Keep was always going to bring.
He opened the doors once he presumed it was clear, using the ladder that had been discarded on the dirt floor of the tunnel to climb up and tell them all to wait, hunching down and slowly scouting what used to be the Keep kitchens before giving them the all clear.
Carson gave Val a boost once it was her turn to leave the dark passageway, and she'd be lying to everyone including herself if she said she didn't have her eyes closed the whole time, walking blindly until she couldn't take it anymore and opened them, feeling about six emotions flood her at the same time and finding it rather soothing that she wasn't the only one.
Varian hadn't been exaggerating when he had told her that half of the main structure was still standing- apart from the roof being blown open and everything looking scorched with holes in the wall here and there, glass blanketing the floor and everything inside looking like a tornado had just blown through, Stormwind Keep was pretty much intact.
"They weren't here for the buildings Val." Carson had a point; the Horde was always about killing as many as they could, not about destroying material things. They strove to end lives, not worry about buildings that they weren't going to use anyway, so really, it made sense that it looked as good as it did, but then again they were only in the kitchens, so Light knew how the rest looked.
Syverson waved them on, stopping once they got to the door, where Val could already hear orc laughter coming from down the corridor. "No more theatrics this time, just get in there, kill them quickly, and then we can leave to meet the others. Eastcroft, Glenmore and Thorpe, you take the upper floor with Garrett, Halliway and Fingus. The rest of you, come with me. Now move out."
Hemming clapped her shoulder as he and Arin joined the general, leaving Kay to grin at Val. "Don't suppose you know any other secret tunnels?" Val shook her head, but pointed to the door to the left. "No, but that's the back stairway, it leads to the residential wing of the Keep." She swallowed, already getting emotional.
"We can either go up there and try to have the element of surprise, or go straight through and risk getting caught with the other group and delaying ourselves." Carson could already hear them engaging, so motioned his head to the door. "Back way it is, come on, step lively." Kay couldn't help but stop Val once she'd closed the door, letting the others start up the winding staircase.
"Are you alright?" Val was hoping she wouldn't ask that until everything had been done so she didn't throw her concentration off, but she had to answer her, so swiftly nodded. "I'm fine, but I'll be even better when this is all done and dusted so I can have a proper look around."
"I'm shocked at how…good it looks. If that makes sense?" Halliway's smooth tone that all elves possessed calmed Val in a strange way, and she finally went up the first steps, seeing ghosts already, ghosts of her and Varian as children giggling as Bessie brought them down these stairs for late night cake or a sneaky hot chocolate. She could see the two innocent souls running past her, looking back and watching her little self trip, letting Varian help her up and soothe her crying like it happened a mere five minutes ago.
"Val?" She snapped from her trance, wiping her eyes and carrying on, trying to calm herself down. "I'm here."Carson looked concerned and she knew exactly what he was about to say even though she didn't really want to have this conversation right now.
"Car, I'm fine, don't even start." Carson squeezed her shoulder as Garrett and Halliway went ahead, flattening themselves either side of the the door at the top of the stairs.
"Are you sure? We're about to see their chambers Val. Memories are your worst enemy right now." Val took a long breath, taking Captain's Might from her belt and tightening her fingers. "I said I'm fine. Let's get on with it." Carson, the appointed leader of their team, nodded to Garrett, who put up a ward in front of him before kicking the door open, alerting the four orcs patrolling the hallway that they had company. "I'm surprised they couldn't hear us."
Val ignored Kay as she launched herself at them, trying not to get blinded by the sunlight coming through the caved in roof and jumping over the debris in her way, ignoring how the fireballs from that night had made the once beautiful hallway look desolate, frightening and sorrowful and using the rage she had been felt churning in her chest since first light to meet the axe coming towards her and plant herself enough to show the orc wielding it that she wasn't to trifled with, not here, in what was by all rights her territory.
Sparks showered her feet as she deflected blow after blow, using every trick Varian and Garside had taught her to keep meeting the axe until the orc became complacent, wildly swinging enough for her to duck and the blade become embedded in the crumbling wall, making the already weak foundation bend and bow, showering her in dust as a few more stones fell away, hitting the orc's arm and giving Val a split second to hit its gut and make it bend, side swinging its head enough to make small shards of bone pepper her face, not stopping until she truly knew it was dead.
Once they were dead, Val stopped, dropping her hammer and ignoring Carson's warning as she swung open one of the doors hanging from its hinges after counting three along, knowing whose it was and needing to see what state it was in.
She wiped her hands of the soot that seemed to cover every single surface, realising now that stone was never going to burn in the first place, but the fire had emptied out the carcass until Varian's chambers were practically desolate. His bed, the bed they had first made love in, the one where they had shared secrets that no other soul would ever know, made plans that never came to be, was nothing but a pile of ashes. She bent by them, picturing how the room used to look in her mind and scooped up a handful of soot, letting it fall back to the ground and staring blankly at it.
She knew there were probably a few trinkets that had survived, but apart from maybe his jewels or a sword or two, everything else was merely cinders in the wind. The curtains looked as if half of them had been savagely ripped off, and even they didn't spare her memory.
She started envisioning the mornings where she and Varian would have slept in, only to be blinded by the sun as a chuckling Wyll threw the blue velvet open, making the prince always groan and hold on tighter to the girl lying on top of him, adamant that the day wouldn't begin. "If we get out of this bed, it means you have to go home, and I can't have that."
His bright, youth filled voice sounded as if it filled the air when in reality it was her mind clinging to the past, and all it did was make her cry. A fair few things were still standing; his bookshelf had survived but been painted black with tar like soot, she could still see the books that she had stolen from him on too many occasions, charred and twisted.
It was surprising what survived fire really, and all she did was stand there and stare at it until Carson found her, following her eye-line and sighing at the singed portrait of Varian, Llane and Taria, looking warped and blemished when it had always been one of Varian's prized possessions.
"Val, come on, the others are waiting." Val didn't move, not even when Carson put her hammer back into her hand. "It's been looted…" Everything that wasn't burnt was gone, it was like Varian had moved out of the room before the attack, and Carson wasn't helping no matter how much he squeezed her shoulder.
"You really expected it not to be? Val, I won't tell you again, we're here for a reason, shake a leg." Val knew he was right and that it wasn't that much of a shock that half of the things in here were gone, so she flexed her fingers, putting the tips in the grooves on the handle that had seen too much action already. "You're right. I'll come back later."
Carson guided her out, not bothering to open the door since it was hanging loosely enough not to warrant it. "This hallway's clear. Check the rooms for stragglers." Val surged on, pulling bits of rubble out of the way to unblock the rest of the hallway, realising that they couldn't have come up the normal staircase anyway, so going the back way had saved them precious time. "Where are we meeting Syverson?"
Kay peeked into one of the chambers, declaring it clear. "The Throne room." Carson sniffed, feeling soot fly up his nostrils. "Then let's go back down." It was almost as if he could tell that Val wanted to see more of the damage, which whilst not being the worst she had expected, wasn't looking fantastic either.
She climbed through the hole she'd made, waiting for the rest of them to clamber through. They all gathered at the door leading back to the throne room, listening to see if anything was on the other side before Carson opened it enough for them to slip through.
Garrett and Halliway took care of two orcs waiting for them and Val smashed the legs of the charging wolf, pivoting away and letting Carson swing his great sword upwards and take its head off. "Downstairs, all of you."They had to take it slower than they wanted since there were holes in the stairway as well, so one wrong step would be more trouble than it was worth.
They soon found out why upstairs had been so quiet, since a large pile of dead orcs, wolves and a few humans sat in the middle of the throne room, making the floor slick with a mixture of their blood. Syverson huffed angrily, stomping towards them. "What the hells took you so long? I told you to clear one damn hallway!" Carson puffed his chest, clearly wanting to take the lead on this. "Leave off Sy, it was bound to affect morale a little, we just got sidetracked!" Syverson's face became redder. "We were supposed to clear the Keep quickly and open the damn gates! Do you want this city back or not?!"
Before Carson could unleash the tirade that was clearly sitting on the tip of his tongue Syverson pointed to the doors of the keep, ignoring how Val was staring at the clearly intentionally smashed throne, which sat in pieces of ruined stone. She supposed it was a statement by the Horde that the Kingdom was itself in ruin, and couldn't help but feel sad, then angry, then strangely indifferent. It was just a chair, after all. She knew the King was safe, there was no reason to make it hurt. "Get your arses out there and clear the way. I want an easy path from gate to cathedral, now get to it!"
Val spat a 'yes sir' at him and followed the rest, keeping up a brisk pace and trying not to look at the city as she traversed a path she'd been treading for so many years that her feet merely carried her there of their own free will. She only glanced at the ruined, burnt out and crumbled buildings around her as she engaged, hating that more tears welled in her eyes as she ran.
The battle for Stormwind lasted ten agonizing hours. Horde reinforcements called from what was once known as Brightwood had crippled their assault, but eventually they had overcome using the only advantage they had of knowing the city from back to front. Eventually Syverson had taken a force to the stockades and confronted Varok Saurfang himself, who had put up one hells of a fight but was eventually outnumbered and apprehended.
Val was watching him be marched through the ruins of the Trade District in a daze, not really believing that they'd actually won. There had been moments when she had truly thought that the tides had turned against them, yet here she was, standing in a newly reclaimed Stormwind. There were voices all around her but she couldn't hear any of them, it was just a garbled mess to the exhausted twenty year old smith, who finally looked around and actually felt rather optimistic about how much was left of their city. The houses that had been hit had all burnt to the ground, that was already expected, but the stone structures, including the cathedral, were all standing to a certain extent.
She started walking before she knew what she was doing, ignoring the celebrations taking place as she watched her feet. "Val? Val! Where you going?" She looked up briefly to see Carson and the others had caught up to her.
"I need to see." Hemming's brow furrowed. "Val, I don't think it's a good idea…" Val didn't care, even if it was true. She carried on, over the familiar bridge that was half rebuilt with crude wood, past the demolished houses and through the crumbling archway, then left.
She shut her eyes as she turned, opening them and finding the shop she had called home for nineteen years, where she'd been born, where her father had died and so many memories had been made…was gone. Only about half of the building was left, with one side completely demolished. "Oh Val…" Carson squeezed her hand but she threw him off.
"We can rebuild it Val." She didn't say a word, merely continuing onward, dropping her hammer and gauntlets. "Val, it might not be safe!" She ignored Kay, stepping over the foot high piece of wall left, not needing to use the door anymore. Shockingly, her tools were practically intact; the forge had been destroyed, along with the counter she was so used to seeing, but the tools that had belonged to Lokir were scattered around her feet. She bent and took her cloak off, gathering them up and laying them in a pile in the centre, determined not to leave them behind.
Carson took over, seeing she was rightfully distressed, watching her stand back up and shamble over to where the counter used to be, shoving bits of wood, stone and Light knew what else to find the safe, somehow in her stupor remembering the combination and opening it, yanking out the few precious things the Glenmore family had in their lives; her father's gun, a few half empty coin purses, the key to her jewelry box, it wasn't much, but she wanted all of it.
She looked up, shielding her eyes from the sun and starting up the stairs, cringing at the yells as her foot went through a step and she grabbed the bannister, hopping the last two altogether. Up here was where the real damage was; half the floor was missing, which explained the remnants of the kitchen table downstairs, and what was left of the kitchen was hanging precariously on wooden slats leaning downwards.
She had to tread carefully over to what used to be her bedroom, which judging by the hole in the far wall, was where whatever had done this hit. Her room was a mess, and had clearly been looted as well, making her stomach turn. Her bed was half blown away and askew with the blankets completely gone, her wardrobe had been emptied and knocked over, there was hardly anything left.
Everyone had used their cloaks to help her, and by the end there were a few treasures in them, including the lambskin coat of her father's that had miraculously survived and was now sitting on Val's shoulders.
"Are you alright?" She knew Arin meant well with his question, but couldn't help glaring at him for it. "Oh I'm just fucking peachy." Hemming gave her a quick squeeze, intent on diffusing the argument before it even started. "Val, we got the city back, we can put things back the way they were. Your shop-"
"Is gone, my shop is gone. There's nothing left of it, I don't want it made new, I want it just the way it damn well was! Before the Orcs, before all this shit happened, I just…want It ba-" Her knees barely felt when they hit the ground and her chest felt like it was collapsing in on itself, with fat, hate filled tears running down her cheeks. Although the city had been retaken, her life within the walls had been utterly destroyed.