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.
She was trying so hard not to spill half the contents of the wrapped plate she was balancing on a package down her dress as she weaved her way down the halls of Lordaeron Keep a few hours later, greeting those that showed her the same courtesy and merely smiling awkwardly at those who didn't, stopping at Tiffin's door and taking a quick listen, frowning at the lack of noise and instead knocking on Varian's. "Enter."
He still sounded tense, which meant that the baby wasn't here yet, but that didn't explain exactly why Tiffin's room had suddenly gone quiet. She let herself in, smiling at him even though his back was turned and putting the plate on his table.
"Gramma sent me with leftovers if you want any." Varian turned on his heel, smiling rather dumbly as he clocked her. "Sweetheart…" Val grimaced, wondering if she had indeed spilt gravy down her and he was just trying hard not to laugh. "What? What's wrong?"
Varian's eyebrows went up and he wandered over, taking both of her hands and kissing them. "Nothing, absolutely nothing. You look exquisite love, even more so than usual." Val could feel her cheeks burning as his fingers twisted around her hair.
"You wore your curls…" He had made no secret through the years that he preferred her natural corkscrew curls to the straight tresses, and Val could tell from his smile that he was more than happy to see them.
She suddenly found her shoes rather interesting, smoothing the silk of her red off shoulder dress and doing all she could not to look at him. "I didn't really have a choice, Priss did my hair for me." She looked up through her eyelashes, trying not to sigh at how he'd clearly not slept despite his promise to at least try, which she was convinced he didn't do either.
"Do I look ridiculous? I told her they wouldn't look right this short, but she kept going on about knowing what she was doing." Varian had to chuckle at her babbling kicking up everytime she became bashful, it was like a routine at this point; he'd tell her she looked or was beautiful, she'd deny it until she was blue in the face and start to blush, which normally she never did.
He'd have to spend his whole evening convincing her that he wasn't jesting or making fun and that he really meant it, it was as predictable as the sun coming up, and strangely, Varian didn't care. He would rather have a woman that denied she was beautiful than one that believed it above everything else any day, since a woman that denied could possibly be persuaded otherwise, while a vain one would never budge, and it would probably end up driving him insane.
"Sweetheart, they look stunning." He kissed both of her cheeks, not caring that he could taste the thin layer of paint on them when he straightened again. "You look stunning." She opened her mouth to protest but he cut her off with a grin.
"No, no arguments. Now say 'thank you Varian', and we can get on with our evening." She rolled her eyes and sighed loudly, folding her bare arms. "Thank you Varian." He watched her shoulders relax and finally felt it appropriate to embrace her, letting her run her nails over the velvet of his doublet. "Tiffin's gone quiet." He made a noise to tell her he knew.
"They've put her to sleep so they can attempt to turn the baby, that's all. She'll be awake soon enough." Val's frown was so genuine Varian couldn't help but feel incredibly bad about it. "Still no luck then?" Varian swallowed, putting his chin on the crown of her head. "Not yet. But hopefully this will work." She stepped back, running a thumb over the bags under his eyes.
"I take it you didn't heed my advice?" Varian knew she wouldn't believe him but he argued his case regardless. "I swear to the Light I tried. You of all people should know how easy it is for sleep to elude me." Strangely, she wasn't as frustrated as she first thought she'd be, and merely kept her hand on his cheek. "I do. I just wish there was something I could do." He gave her a small smile, looking at the table with a small smile.
"Did Minnie really make a dinner for me?" Val nodded, not really wanting to tell him that it was at her behest when she was more than sure that he Gramma would have done it anyway. "We knew the kitchens would be busy, and that you'd be too frazzled to call for it, so she gave me this. Sit, it should still be hot." He reluctantly let her steer him to the chair, kissing his head as he unwrapped the generous meal and felt his gut cry out for it the minute he saw it. "It's only goose, but it'll do the job." Varian twisted the fork in his hand, starting to feel a little overwhelmed.
"This is more than I could've asked for Sweetheart, I'll be sure to give her my gratitude when I see her." She opened his window as he started eating like he hadn't done it in days, smirking to herself and not being able to help it. "So, where's this horse of mine?" She heard the fork slam on the table and his exasperated sigh.
"Light damn it! Why does anyone tell Priscilla anything?!" She started laughing, getting her cigar case from the table outside where she'd left them that morning and cutting the end from one. "You should've known better by now Varian! She couldn't keep a secret to save her fucking life." She couldn't shake the playful mood she was now in, leaning against the doorframe and lighting up.
"I think it's quite sweet that you've got me a toy horse for Winter Veil." Varian hated that he chuckled at what was by all accounts horrible joke, stabbing a honeyed carrot and throwing it into his mouth. "Don't act stupid Sweetheart, you know exactly what you're getting." She gave him a rather strained smile. "You shouldn't have shown such extravagance Varian. I could've saved for my own."
Varian poured himself an ale from the jug that had admittedly been refilled quite a few times today, taking a generous gulp. "Yes, but how long would that have taken? I merely took the reins- pardon the pun- and made life a bit easier for you." He put his goblet down with a grin. "You're giving Tiffin and I a home, it's the least I could do to repay your generosity." Val pushed herself from the doorframe, showing on her face how she was trying to determine whether he was being serious or not until she started to practically vibrate with excitement.
"You're saying yes?!" Varian nodded, laughing despite his terrible humour as he watched her run in and throw her arms around his neck, glad that he was sitting down since it meant he was at the perfect height for her to pepper his stubbled cheeks with kisses.
He appreciated the affection but nonetheless took her hands away, pressing his own lips against them and gently pushing her back, anxious of not only the time, but Tiffin waking and the fact that now he'd started eating he never wanted to stop, making him finally realise how hungry he'd actually been and how he'd shut down since the announcement of Tiffin's labour. "Yes, I am. I've decided after today that a little 'normal' would be a breath of fresh air. I can't give an exact day, but after we've gotten the baby settled and I've finalised everything, we'll bring our things over."
He squeezed the hand he was holding, letting her go to finish her cigar before she wasted it. "As long as you still want us there?" Val narrowed her eyes, not realising that he was only being half serious as he continued his meal. "Did you honestly have to ask me that? Varian, I've wanted nothing more since I suggested it." She had a dreamy smile on her face that Varian couldn't resist feeling uplifted by. "It'll be nice, seeing you every day and not have to keep crossing the continent to do it."
Varian pulled a strip of goose with his fingers, knowing she didn't care about manners and just wanted him to eat comfortably. "I know exactly what you mean Sweetheart. I'm dying for a little stability nowadays." She flicked her ash, still smiling at him and threatening to make his heart melt. "I hope I can accommodate your needs then my love." Before he knew it, Varian had cleared his plate, tearing some of the bread that had admittedly been sitting there a while to mop his gravy up.
"I'm sure you will." He brushed his hands off, swiping her case as he came to join her, earning a raised eyebrow. "Since when do you smoke?" Varian stuck one in his mouth so she could cut and light it for him, not planning on arguing since he was a grown man and she had no right to preach non-smoking to someone when she did it like a chimney. He took a long drag, slumping into one of the chairs dotted around the large balcony and leaning his head back as he blew it back out.
"Since my son or daughter decided to fuck with me before they're even born." She pressed and pushed her fingertips against his scalp, earning a rumbling, pleasured groan. "You can't blame it on them Varian." He closed his eyes, losing himself to her relaxing touch. "I know I can't. It's just frustrating, having all of this happen and having no idea what to do about it."
Val put her cigar between her teeth and started putting his bangs and the top layer of his hair into a sloppy braid to keep it away from his face, securing it with the tie he'd been using for his ponytail. "There are plenty of people in that room that know exactly what they're doing Varian, you have to have at least a little bit of faith in them." His face hardened and she could almost guess what he was about to say. "Bah, I lost my faith in everyone and everything months ago."
She tugged the braid, which she would admit wasn't the best looking thing on the planet, bending over and putting her arms back around his neck, holding her cigar away from him. "I would certainly hope that's not the entire truth Varian Wrynn, or I'll just leave right now and make friends with the drinks table." Varian's hand snapped to one of her arms and he opened his eyes, keeping his head back and accepting her kiss. "You know what I mean Val, don't act stupid."
She looked over at Tiffin's window, hearing the noise start up again and feeling a little nauseous at how instantly the Queen's cries rang out again. "Do you want me to go and check on her?" Varian shook his head, tightening his grip on her arm. "No, it'll only make things worse. I have to trust that those damn priests can manage to keep a lid on the situation."
It was a barrage of noise coming from all sides, with Tiffin's window being slammed shut but not doing anything to muffle the sounds of childbirth, and below them, the Menethils' Winter Veil guests were starting to surge into the snow covered gardens, making Varian tenser than she'd felt him become all day. "You don't have to go Varian, we can just stay up here."
He took another drag, feeling his throat and nostrils burn. "If I stay up here any longer twiddling my thumbs like an arse I'll end up throwing myself from this balcony. My theory is that if I go downstairs it'll make it easier not to work myself into a state."
Val put her chin on his shoulder, flicking the gold fastenings on his doublet. "In theory." He gave her a tiny smile. "I never said it was the best theory in the world, cut me some slack." Val knew just how to cheer him up, so she took her arms away and ducked inside, peaking his interest and causing him to sit up. "Val? What are you doing?" She cursed her shoes for having a small heel on them since even they were starting to hinder her, picking up the package and practically skipping outside.
"Gramma made the baby a Winter Veil present." She dumped it on his lap, ignoring his sour look as it hit him with a small thump. He rested his cigar in the ashtray conveniently put out here since Val started staying, ripping the brown paper open and feeling his chest tighten a little.
"Val, she didn't have to do this…" Val leant on the balcony, watching the people below and waving down to Adil, who had looked up and clocked her, waving just as enthusiastically. "I know, but you know Gramma, Varian, she always tries to do her bit." Varian's hands looked too big as they held the tiny white cardigan in them, clearly knitted with care and with tiny pearls to fasten it together, it was truly beautiful.
"I remember she used to make us all clothes for Winter Veil." Val chuckled, taking another drag and looking up at the grey sky with hope for more snow. "Then you decided to become a brick shit-house so she couldn't afford the wool anymore." Varian grumbled, putting a bootie in one palm and praying the baby that would be wearing them arrived soon.
"You make me sound like a vrykul in the guise of a man." Val gave him a smirk, putting both elbows on the stone behind her. "Varian, I can't even begin to list how many times I got teased about our size difference all the time I was on tour." He gently put the package of baby clothes by his feet, pushing himself up and being very wary of the people below as he held her, moving her away with a kiss deep enough to snatch her breath from her throat a little and make her smile beyond reason.
She was well aware that he was making a point by bending to her level this time instead of lifting her like he usually did, just as he knew she didn't care about the fact that he was nearly two foot taller than her, and he wasn't phased by how she was barely taller than a dwarf.
She wasn't sure whether she was supposed to notice his palms running up the boned bodice of her dress, or how his thumbs whispered over the curves of her breasts as they merely peeked from the neckline. "Varian, calm yourself." He huffed, instead winding his arms around her waist and holding her to him, following her jawline with his kisses.
"I can't help it if my woman is the most alluring thing I've ever seen in my life." She actually used her smaller stature to her advantage for once, ducking from his arms and going back inside, opening the door and giving him a wicked grin to counter his look of utter annoyance. "We have plans tonight Your Majesty. Come, before everyone thinks you're not making an appearance."
Val knew Varian wouldn't like her plan on going downstairs ten minutes before him, but he would have to live with it if he had any chance of Val staying in the Keep tonight instead of going home, and he damn well knew it.
Val was certain that if he came into the ball with her on his arm whilst his wife was giving birth upstairs, it would do nothing for his reputation but make it ten times worse, cause arguments neither of them wanted to even start, and the last thing Val wanted was an already tense Varian to snap, which she knew would happen if they 'flaunted' their relationship tonight.
He had begrudgingly agreed and let her go, so now she was meandering at the bottom of the stairwell wondering if she wanted to go to the ballroom at all. She had thoroughly enjoyed the cosy, family Winter Veil that she'd experienced all day, and now, as she watched the crowds surging down the hallway to her left, she was suddenly just the outsider again, and it was hard to take.
She put her face in her hands, trying to get her breathing under control, but it just wasn't happening and she didn't know why. This wasn't her first ball, it certainly wasn't her first without Varian, so why couldn't she just go in there? Then it hit her.
This was her first ball without her support crutch. Lucian would normally be standing her with her, trying to raise her spirits, shoo her anxiety away, and this time he wasn't…it was overwhelming, finding out how much she really depended on her brother for things like this, and only made it more painful to know that he wasn't here, she was on her own, it was enough to make her want to just sit here and cry.
But it was like she could hear him in her head, knowing he'd be telling her to straighten up, take a deep breath and show her fear who the fuck it was dealing with, so she did exactly that, fixing the white fur shawl she had borrowed from Tiffin (Tiffin knew she had it, she had given it to her a week ago) and scrunching her curls even though she didn't need to with the amount of wax Priss had put on them keeping them rigid, starting to move in the same direction as the crowd and feeling her legs turn to jelly after a mere few steps.
She would always hate admitting it, but she wanted Varian, and absolutely regretted her decision to make him stay behind. A couple more steps and she was starting to feel spittle in her mouth with little dots dancing in front of her eyes, it was frightening to say the least.
"Milady, it's alright, you're alright." She heard a gentle, familiar voice felt a hand touch her arm and flinched violently, looking to her side and finding a smiling Lee, who took her arm and held her hand as tight as he could. "How- why…?" Lee's smile got wider.
"His Majesty sent me to make sure you were alright Milady." Of course Varian would guess that she couldn't hack it, perfect. No, that was a cruel thing to think when he was just being sincere, and she had to admit, just having a familiar face next to her was helping alot. "Don't tell him I was that bad." His brow wrinkled a little.
"If that's what you want? He knows all about your anxiety Milady, it might be a bit redundant." She shook her head, watching her feet and falling into step with him as they joined the line of people waiting to be announced. "I don't care. I don't want him feeling the need to baby me more than he already does, understand?" Lee clearly didn't want to agree with her but had no chance, merely nodding and squeezing her hand again.
"Yes Milady." He started to grin, putting his head near hers since he was a sensible height and only an inch taller than her. "His Majesty has been gushing for the past five minutes." Val's eyebrow went up. "About what?" Lee looked like he wanted to laugh so badly it was making her smile, which she presumed was the desired effect. "About you, what else?" He bit his bottom lip. "Apparently you're 'the most beautiful thing walking this Light forsaken world'."
Val's cheeks flushed, she could tell. "Give over did he say that." Lee chuckled, holding his hand out for her invitation, which she had put in a stealthily hidden pocket in the skirt of her dress, giving it to him to pass to the doorman, making her realise that they'd gotten to the door already. "I mean it Milady…he's like a completely different man when he talks about you." She didn't know exactly how to respond to that, so merely smiled.
"I'll just politely disbelieve it, if that's alright with you?" Lee laughed once more, steering her to the drinks table like he just knew she needed it, giving her a glass of whiskey and clinking it against his own goblet. "I bet it was nice, managing to spend today with your family after all?" Val nodded, reminding herself not to chug the spirit like she did with ale.
"It was, I won't lie. If Varian wasn't needed here, I'd very much think we'd still be there." Lee's face told her he totally agreed. "His Majesty is rather fond of his privacy. Though I suppose one can't blame him, after being hounded all day by councillors, I'd want to just lock my door to the world." Val looked into her glass, tapping the bottom of it.
"Varian's always had the mindset that his business is his and no one else's, but I think the whole circus that has been this birth has finally made him see that it's not possible with the situation he's been handed." She sighed, still staring at the amber coloured liquid. "He's been like it since we were children; always wanting to run from the crowds and find our little sanctuaries."
Lee gave her a small nudge. "At least he can be open about the two of you, that must be refreshing." Her face didn't fill him with confidence about the fact. "I fear that's about to change." Lee knew instantly what she was talking about, which she wasn't sure was a good thing or not. "I thought the two of you had discussed the baby already? His Majesty told me you're content?"
Val swallowed, wondering exactly how to say this without sounding immaturely jealous. "I was when we had nine months before it actually arrived. Now it's practically here and I have no idea how to feel about it all. Everyone will be looking at the three of them as the perfect, happy family…and I'll just be the add on again." She cleared her throat, knowing already that she'd said too much already and drinking the rest of her whiskey, putting the glass down and giving Lee a smile.
"Gratitude for your escort Lee, but I'd like some time alone if that's agreeable with you?" His look of concern told her that he didn't want to leave her but she left him no choice, starting to make her way to the doors leading to the courtyard but being jabbed in the sides by a laughing crown prince, making Val swat Adil's wrists and bow to him as he kissed her hand.
"I'll tell you what I tell Varian when he does that, next time it'll be a punch to the face and you'll only have yourself to blame." She didn't even notice that he'd started dancing with her until they mingled with the others, and she couldn't help but chuckle to herself at how fluid and soft his movements were compared to Varian's clunky dancing, which in hindsight wasn't his fault since he not only hated the act, but the discipline that came with his training made it hard for him to relax enough to make it enjoyable for himself, so she rarely got the pleasure.
Adil spun her, letting go of her hand and catching it as she came back around like he'd been doing it all his life, giving her his almost signature grin, smoothly bringing her into a waltz that by all accounts was a bit too fast paced for her as she tried to keep her feet in time with his. "Ah come now Valerica, surely you're glad to see me?"
Val rolled her eyes, still smiling enough to tell him there were no ill feelings. "I am, but I could do without the tricks tonight Adil. It's been a very long day." His expression told her that he knew exactly what she was talking about. "Yes, I think we've all heard Queen Tiffin's cries by now. I hear she's been like this for over a day?" Val nodded, wary of prying ears around her and bringing herself closer to the prince, not caring how 'lewd' it looked to the surrounding guests.
Thankfully he picked up her hint and broke the waltz, putting an arm across her stomach and turning with her instead, watching the others follow suit once they noticed a royal doing it.
It put their heads closer together so she could actually manage a whisper instead of pathetic miming, which suited her just fine. "The babe wasn't positioned properly. They've just attempted to turn it but I have no idea whether it was successful or not." Adil's brow furrowed and the normally jovial Samarkandan suddenly looked rather serious.
"That's a dangerous position for a labouring mother to be in. My daughter was arse first and it nearly killed Deena." She narrowed her eyes and he realised his error. "Ah, yes, sorry. I'm sure it will be just fine." Against her better judgement she laughed at his backtracking, turning to face away from him when she saw others doing it, feeling his soft palms cover hers as they fell into step with each other. "Will Varian still be attending tonight?" She nodded, trying not to catch the eyes of anyone until she turned again, going back to the waltz.
"He will. He wants to keep himself busy lest he pace himself to death." Adil chuckled, stopping and applauding the band with her before he held his arm out, letting her loop his and start turning again. "I take it that's a genuine concern when it comes to the King of Stormwind?" Val slowly nodded, attempting to conceal her own laughter. "It is. I don't think I have to tell you how much of a worrier Varian is."
Adil's face straightened, but still held that hint of warmth that she'd come to expected from him. "And how are you doing?" Though she wasn't sure in what capacity the question was asked, she felt she had to answer. "I'm fine…?" Adil clearly wasn't happy with that answer, ducking from the dancers and keeping their arms looped and manoeuvring the crowd until snow crunched underfoot and a pleasantly chilly air brushed Val's warmed cheeks.
"Why does the shake to your voice tell me otherwise? You can talk about it Val, it's no shame to not be alright after coming home from war." Now Val understood his question perfectly and felt comfortable enough to answer him at least semi-truthfully. "I've been….alright. That's the only way to describe it." She managed a tiny laugh, fiddling with the trim of her shawl. "I never thought I'd be scared by everyday noises though, that one was surprising."
Adil gave her a warm, friendly smile that she fully appreciated. "That will fade with time. I realise that all someone wants after coming back from something so horrific is peace and quiet, but it's not always so easy." Now Val gave him a genuine laugh, folding her arms. "I have three boisterous children in my house right now, I was never expecting quiet." He snorted, leaning in.
"Try having twenty six." She cocked an eyebrow, looking up and watching the snow fall. "Will Nizaar ever decide to slow down?" Adil shrugged with a grin, fixing the fur trim of his own cloak. "There's absolutely no telling." He tilted his head, looking at her intently enough to make she squirm a little. "You look like you haven't slept in weeks Val, are you sure you're feeling alright?" She nodded despite herself. "I've just had alot on, that's all. I'll muddle through, I always do."
"Amyr Adil, may I have a word with Lady Glenmore please? Alone." Val really didn't like how sharp Varian's tone was and instantly knew that Lee had blabbed about her troubles, making her note never to tell that boy anything from this moment forward. Adil kissed her hand, clapping Varian's shoulder as he went inside, and the King of Stormwind watched as she started to walk away, taking three strides to catch up and hold her arm in a grip tight enough to stop her.
"'Add on'? Add on? Are you taking the piss woman? Do you really think I would discard you so quickly because of my child?! A woman I've cherished for nearly twenty years?! You insult me beyond measure Val!" She ripped her arm from his hand, spinning on the heel of her slipper and gritting her teeth.
"Well I'm sorry Varian, but that's exactly how I feel! You're going to have a family, it's not just Tiffin, doesn't that hit home with you about how much this 'arrangement' isn't going to work anymore?!" He flattened his hand on her back and pushed as gently as his anger would allow, giving them a small amount of privacy as they travelled further down the gardens and away from the crowd that was already starting to stare at them.
"You have been absolutely fine up until now, why did you wait to tell my bloody groom before you voiced these concerns to me?!" Val's chest shuddered with her sigh and she folded her arms tight enough to look as if she were hugging herself. "Because I didn't want to pile more stress on you Varian! You're all over the place as it is, this would have only made it worse!" Varian roughly lifted her chin, pressing his thumb into her skin.
"You need to talk to me Val. No one else, do you understand? Do you realize what a fool I looked when Lee told me of your sadness and I had no idea what the hells he was talking about? What kind of partner does that make me?!" She swiped a fist up, disengaging his grip. "Can you stop making this all about you? For once Varian, can we just make it about me? You know, the woman that took you back after I swore to myself that I never would, the one that let you marry another woman despite that, get her pregnant then drag her to the birth of said child three months after finding out I can't have children?! I've been pretty fucking forgiving if you think about it!"
Her harsh words seemed to hit home and Varian slumped, pinching the bridge of his nose and taking a deep breath, sitting on the wall despite the snow getting his crisp breeches wet. "Well when you say it like that I sound like a complete cunt." She took her shawl off and put it down, sitting next to him. "You are a cunt Varian." His brow furrowed. "Was that supposed to make me feel any better?" She shrugged as if they weren't just on the brink of screaming at each other. "No, but it certainly helped me." Varian let his forearms hang between his legs as he put his elbows on his knees.
"Why are you here Val?" Now it was her turn to raise an eyebrow. "Because I don't fancy playing fourteen rounds of charades with Thomas?" Varian didn't even give her a hint of a smile. "I meant why are you with me?" Val fought the urge to sigh and merely put her head on his shoulder. "Because for some reason, I love you, you big ape." His hand groped for hers and eventually found it, linking their fingers. "You should've left me years ago." She couldn't help her snicker.
"Varian, I did leave you." She brought her head up, kissing his cheek. "Just tell me you won't forsake me and realise that Tiffin's the perfect wife once the baby's born and I'll be content." He didn't mean to chuckle yet he did it anyway. "That's most possibly the stupidest thing to ever come out of your mouth." He let go of her hand and put his arm around her shoulders instead, resting his cheek on the crown of her head.
"You know that I feel nothing for Tiffin in terms of love, that won't change once the baby is here. She's merely my child's mother, nothing more, and I won't suddenly want to ravish her just because she gave me a child Val, please give me at least a little bit more credit than that." Val finally relaxed, patting his leg. "It just seems like I'm holding you back from having everything you wanted." Varian's brow wrinkled.
"I'm sure that's normally my line." Her smile was pathetically small. "Well I'm stealing it, just for now. You have the chance to have a family Varian…something I can't give you, doesn't that sound the least bit tempting?" Varian exhaled slowly, staring straight ahead. "No. Not if it's without the thing I love most. I love my child already, truly I do, but I can't force myself to love the mother simply to have a family unit."
He looked down at her, still looking annoyingly passive. "Think we can make this work?" She appreciated his silence as she spent a good minute thinking about that very question, wringing her hands and flicking her nails. "It'll be a big adjustment." Varian scoffed.
"Because we haven't had to deal those in a while." He was glad that he could make her smile, even when it was during a conversation that was by all accounts rather depressing. But he could also understand how it was a needed conversation, so didn't begrudge her the chance to talk about something that had clearly been bothering her. "I still want you to spend plenty of time with the baby." Varian gave her a smile that was steadily getting wider. "We're all going to be in the same house Val, that won't be a problem."
Val didn't want to admit that she had completely forgotten that he'd agreed to move the 'Wrynns' in literally an hour ago, looking rather sheepishly down at her feet. "Don't expect me to love it straight away. I know it's not the babes fault, but I'm still very much bitter about the Light's decision to take my chances of being a mother away. I'm sure I'll come to adore them, but it won't be instant."
Strangely he understood her meaning and gave her a short nod. "I don't expect you to. I've expected far too much leniency from you already, I can't want anymore." Her brows drew in. "If I bend anymore Varian, I'm going to break, and I don't think either of us want that."His palm was big enough to practically cover the entire width of her thigh and his fingertips dug into the flesh through the silk of her dress as a sign of reassurance.
"No, we don't." He kissed her forehead, knowing she wouldn't want to be smothered with affection in this mood, just as he wouldn't. "Forgive me?" Val couldn't help but be a little confused. "For what?" Varian jabbed a thumb towards the doors of the Keep. "My boorish behaviour just now. I was out of line, and should've treated the subject with a little more delicacy."
She got up, brushing her backside off and waiting for him to join her, smoothing the velvet of his doublet. "It's alright. I can understand why you were upset with me." He opened both arms in a rare show of vulnerability, needing the affection that he embrace brought him and holding her tight, subtly swaying to the soft music coming from indoors. "Well, you were right about one thing this morning I suppose. It's Winter Veil, and we had a fight…does that mean it was perfect?"
Val's laughter was muffled by his doublet, but he could see her shoulders shaking and the big grin on her face as she buried it in his chest to give everyone a sense that she wasn't snorting like a pig. "Shut up Varian." Varian pushed her back as gently as he could, taking both of her hands. "Would it seal the deal if I asked you to dance with me?" He frowned, brushing snowflake residue from her shoulders.
"Once we get inside of course. How you can stand this cold is beyond me." He picked her shawl up, grimacing at how one side was damp and matted, rolling it up and ushering her inside to give it to a waiting Lee, who shrank at Val's look of utter disappointment. "So..any more news?" Varian led her to the other dancers, never failing to make her smile when he bowed to her when really, she should be doing it to him whenever he walked into a room.
He was clearly uncomfortable, but he slowly started to relax and break the stiffness in his limbs the more they fell into step with each other. "Yes actually, and even more shockingly, it's good news." Val let out the breath she'd been holding, waving off his apology when he caught her toes. "Well that's refreshing. What kind of good news?" Varian's smile held a hint of nervousness, but nowhere near as much as there was this morning.
"The baby turned beautifully and everything is back on track." Val's face flushed with relief, and he was glad to see it. "So what now, we just carry on waiting?" His lip curled, which meant yes. "Unfortunately. But at least progress is being made." He swiftly pecked her cheek, remembering their agreement to not show too much affection tonight, and gently twirled her. "I really wish you had come to me with your grievances Sweetheart, I could've helped alot sooner."
He didn't mean to play the guilt card, but he was only being honest. "It saddens me to think that you can't talk to me about these kinds of things." Val's brow furrowed, stepping back before his boot caught her again. "I would have eventually, I just needed to get it straight in my head first."
She gave him a pained smile. "Apologies regardless. I promise next time I'll talk to you." Varian stopped as the music did, bowing to her and taking her hands when she straightened from a clumsy curtsy, kissing her knuckles and smiling. "Good. As long as you believe me when I tell you that you won't be cast out because of the baby, I'll be willing to pretend our 'spat' never happened. I still love you as much as I did, and that doesn't change because I have a child, understand?"
Val nodded, wanting to embrace him but wanting to keep herself in relative check more. "I understand." She gave him a grin, pulling him back towards the dancing since she had instantly noticed his not so subtle attempts to steer her away once the music stopped. "Now can we actually enjoy what's left of our Winter Veil please?" Varian grumbled under his breath, chuckling as she only pulled harder on his hands and finally looking up and groaning. "Fine, but one more dance and that's it. I swear, the things you convince me to do astound me."
It was starting to reach early morning by the time the ball started to wind down, but both Varian and Val had been absent for almost two hours, finally admitting defeat in the battle against their exhaustion and choosing not to put themselves through the slog anymore, barely managing to pull their boots and shoes off before both flopping on the bed and finding themselves instantly swallowed by sleep, looking like two discarded dolls.
Both laid there I blissful rest with arms and legs akimbo, still in the clothes they'd been in all night. Varian would have happily been in dreamland still had it not been for a forceful hand shaking his shoulder, jerking him from his slumber and making him realise their position.
He squinted to adjust his eyes to the light of the candles that had obviously stayed lit, sitting up and looking to his right, finding Val with her face paint smeared and curls in disarray, hugging the pillow she was laying on and looking like a little doll where her dress spread about the bed.
He dug his thumb and forefinger into his eyes to clear them and found a rather giddy Lee standing next to him. "Whazz happenin'?" Lee took a deep breath, glad that Gregor was away for the holidays so he could deliver the news. "I'm overjoyed to inform you that Her Majesty has given birth to a bonnie little boy, Your Majesty."
And suddenly, Varian was very, very awake.
He leapt to his feet, not caring if he woke Val since she'd understand the minute he told her what was going on, running a hand through his hair and bolting to the basin, splashing his face and drying it just as quickly. "And they're both alright?" Lee nodded, still smiling in order to reassure his master. "Yes Your Majesty, the babe was crying like the world would end if he didn't, and Her Majesty has been seen to by the priests. Both are awaiting your presence."
Varian took a deep breath, bending over Val and kissing her sleep warmed cheeks. "Val. Sweetheart, wake up." She rolled over, stretching her back and rolling her wrists, opening one eye. "What's going on?" He swept her hair back, kissing her forehead. " Val…the baby is here. A boy. I have a boy Val." She sat up, with realisation creeping over her face before she threw her arms around his neck, squeezing him just as much as he was doing to her.
"Oh Varian…are they alright?" Varian nodded, feeling his eyes moisten. "I have a son Val…" She kissed his temples, drying his eyes with her thumbs. "Well go on then you big oaf, go and meet him." Varian squeezed her hands, looking annoyingly conflicted. "Do you want to accompany me now, or come in later?" Val lifted a wry curl with a smile.
"I'm going to have a wash and get changed. You have some time with them." Oh how he adored this woman's resolve. She didn't even bat an eyelid now when a few hours ago she had been voicing her doubts about whether she could handle the situation, it was a weight lifted off of his heart that he'd been desperate to shift. "Varian, go!" He laughed out of sheer nerves, letting her quickly fix his hair. "Right, of course. I'll see you soon." She waved him off and he closed the door behind him, hesitating as he held the knob to Tiffin's.
"It's alright Majesty, most of them have left." He gave Jon a grateful nod at answering his silent question, finally going in and opening his closed eyes, smiling dumbly at Tiffin as she did the same, looking more well than she had for the past two days with freshly braided hair and the glow to her complexion put back thanks to what he could only presume were thanks to the priests that thankfully were nowhere to be seen.
There was a small bundle in her arms and already he could see his son, his baby boy, sleeping peacefully in his beaming mother's arms. "How is he?" Tiffin let him kiss her cheek as he sat next to her on the bed, looking down at their son. "He's perfect. A good weight, and he took to the breast beautifully." Varian moved the blanket from his head, running his fingertips over wispy blonde hair.
"That's good to hear. And what about you?" Tiffin appreciated his concern and smiled warmly. "I'm fine, if anything I'm just glad it's all over." Now Varian's knuckle brushed his cheek, a soft, warm cheek that he wanted to kiss until his lips bled. "He's beautiful…" He managed a strangled chuckle, taking the boy's hand and stroking it with his thumb.
"He's the spit of you it seems." Tiffin shook her head, not being able to tear her eyes away from him. "Wait until he opens his eyes, they're definitely yours." She turned to him, holding the babe out. "Do you want to hold him?" Varian nodded, suddenly not caring about his doubts, or his fears about whether he could do this, all that faded away the second his son was passed to him and he cradled the tiny creature, feeling a wave of love crash over him like freezing cold water.
"Anduin…" Tiffin strained to hear his whisper, bending her head. "Pardon?" Varian had pinpricks of tears in his eyes as he managed to wrench them from the baby. "He'll be strong. He's a beautiful, strong little boy who'll do great things one day, and that deserves a name worthy of that. If you're agreeable, I'd like to call him Anduin."
Tiffin was merely glad that he was clearly in love with a boy that by all accounts, should've been borne by a different mother, so nodded instantly. "Anduin Llane Wrynn. It fits perfectly." Her brow wrinkled as Varian rocked Anduin, shushing him as he started to fuss. "Where's Val?" He gave her a hopeful smile. "She's just washing up…we kind of fell asleep still dressed for the ball."
Tiffin giggled, taking advantage of her arms being free and sitting back. "I wondered why you looked like you'd been dragged through a field." Varian narrowed his eyes in just as much jest as she meant her jab in. "Ha ha." He looked back down at Anduin, who was now awake and starting at this large man that had suddenly taken him from his mother, with blue eyes that Varian had to admit matched his perfectly, but were full of curiosity and a certain twinkle that he couldn't place.
"Hello there. You have absolutely no idea who I am, do you?" Anduin's hand looked tiny when wrapped around Varian's pinky, but thankfully the boy showed no fear, which was all Varian wanted. "I'm your Papa, son. And I swear to protect you for the rest of my days, and help you grow into a wonderful human being." Nan answered the door when Tiffin gave her permission to respond to the small knock, beckoning Val in, accepting her embrace and letting the brunette sit next to Varian.
"You're looking alot better than you were Tiffin. How are you feeling?" Tiffin flashed her a smile, feeling the past two days catch up with her a little. "Absolutely fine. Tired beyond all reason, but fine." Varian held Anduin a little higher so Val could see him, glad to witness the adoration in her own honey irises that he had been worried wouldn't be there after their little 'talk' earlier.
He knew this was going to be a large adjustment for her, and she would struggle with it as much as he would, but he was determined to actually get off his arse and do something to help her through it. "Does he have a name yet?" Varian didn't mean to look as bashful as he did, yet here he was. "Anduin. Anduin Llane." Val tickled his cheek with a fingertip, grinning with glee as Anduin's little hand curled around it when she moved it away. "He's gorgeous."
Tiffin reached over and took Val's spare hand, squeezing it. "Please don't feel you need to step back now Val. Anduin needs all of us. And Varian needs you most of all." The king in question looked as if he agreed. "We all have different things we can teach this boy." He smiled down at his son, not quite believing he was actually here. "And they will make him a strong, wonderful human because of them. Anduin Llane Wrynn will be remembered as a beloved Prince by all."
