Chapter 9 – Challenging the unknown

Even at night, Dalaran was a lively city. With inns and taverns, people from all factions enjoyed each other's company, and it was a peaceful atmosphere. Jaina, however, had gone to bed rather early. It had been the first day she was out among the people of Dalaran after coming home and the first day she had performed as leader of The Kirin Tor again. Jaina was exhausted. Putting on a brave face and forgetting everything was exhausting. But she would not dwell on it any longer. She had achieved her goal and not offered Sylvanas as much as a thought all day. But when the night fell upon Dalaran and she retracted to her room, it was hard not to let her mind wander. Yet, she closed her eyes and blocked the memories out. No more Jaina thought to herself as tiredness overwhelmed her and she fell asleep.

Jaina shot up when she felt a cold hand with a sturdy mail glove block her mouth. "HEL….!" Jaina wiggled and tried to scream but she couldn't. The hand hindering her scream was too strong. Fear rushed through her but she quickly started channelling a spell to put up a fight. "Shhhhhh… It's me". It was a familiar voice and Jaina's heart skipped a beat. Was she asleep? Was she dreaming? She swiftly turned around and met a pair of red glowing eyes in the dark. "You?! How dare you come in here uninvited!" Jaina was furious. Sylvanas ignored her fury and reached out to stroke the young mage's cheek. "Fuck off!" Jaina hit her hand away. "I had to see you". Jaina let out a scoff. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "What? You couldn't respond to any of my letters but you had to see me? You do realise that makes NO sense!" "I can explain…" Sylvanas sighed. Maybe she had underestimated Jaina.

Jaina wanted to just let go and fall into Sylvanas' arms like nothing ever happened. She wanted them to stop talking and for Sylvanas to grab her. Kiss her. But she couldn't. She was the leader of The Kirin Tor, she was stronger than that. She certainly wasn't going to let Sylvanas walk all over her. "This really isn't the best time Lady Windrunner. You should leave". Jaina breathed heavily and looked at Sylvanas who now sat on top of her in her bed. "Are you sure about that Lady Proudmoore?" "I am not falling for this again, who do you think I am?" But when she looked up at Sylvanas she was glorious and all she wanted to do was to fall in deep with her.

Sylvanas looked serious and with a confident firm tone she said: "I think you are Jaina Proudmoore, founder of Theramore Isle and leader of the great Kirin Tor. I think you are the most powerful sorceress Azeroth has seen in centuries. I think you are the most intelligent and knowledgeable mage to walk the lands of our world. I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met".

Jaina sat with her mouth open, confused and unable to respond. She stared deeply into Sylvanas' red glowing eyes. How could she turn this down? It was like the Dark Lady had come to say sorry, although she didn't know how to. "Jaina…" Sylvanas leaned down to kiss her. It was the first time Sylvanas had only called Jaina by her first name and Jaina bit her teeth together. She wanted to accept the kiss so bad. It was the purest and most wonderful moment they had shared. "No…" Jaina finally forced herself to look away from Sylvanas, thus avoided her kiss.

Sylvanas retracted and frowned at Jaina. She knew now that she had underestimated Jaina for definite. "You cannot just come here in the middle of the night and expect me to say it's all forgotten! God, Sylvanas I don't even know you!" Jaina's harsh words hit Sylvanas like a blizzard. "How can you say you don't know me? You know my story." "Yeah sure, and you know mine. But I don't know YOU! What you like, what your interests are, what you care about. I don't know any of that, I simply know your past and I know you as the Banshee Queen of the Forsaken. That is not all there is to you as a person!"

Sylvanas looked confused at Jaina. Her interests? What she cared about? What she was like as a person? If those were the criteria for knowing someone, then Sylvanas wasn't sure if she even knew herself. She carried out her duties as the Banshee Queen. She fulfilled her purpose as a member of the Horde. She loved that she had the steadiest aim shot of all the rangers she had met. Apart from that, Sylvanas wasn't sure if there was more to her.

"Teach me". Sylvanas said. "Excuse me?" Jaina raised an eyebrow. She was officially confused. "Teach me how to know someone. I… I don't even know myself by the sounds of it". Jaina looked at Sylvanas. There was a clear, genuine tone to her voice. It made Jaina's heart warm and it filled her with joy. She had got what she needed now; Sylvanas Windrunner, raw and vulnerable. Jaina gently took Sylvanas' hand and folded her cowl down letting her blond hair flow. "My Lady, stay the night will you?" Jaina smiled.

Jaina's sudden change of heart made Sylvanas smile back. She had finally said something right. This should have been proof enough for Sylvanas that the whole love malarkey was not for her. But with Jaina, she was willing to put herself out there fully exposed. "Lay down". Jaina pulled her down beside her. Sylvanas had never cared much for cuddles, but right now, in this moment, she wish they could lay like this forever. "I didn't think you missed me". Jaina was still smiling and she bit her lip. "How could I not?" Sylvanas sighed happily and chuckled. Jaina let out a little laugh as well. They were like two giggly teenagers experiencing their first ever crush.

"I know why you sent me away now". Jaina fiddled with Sylvanas' fingers as they were laid close in her bed. "Do you now…" "You were afraid. Afraid to feel something for me. The Dark Lady doesn't feel right?" Sylvanas inhaled. "Well as it turns out, the Dark Lady has developed the ability to feel". Jaina smile widened. If she was to describe how she felt right now, it would be like standing in a field where the sun shined upon her while one hundred thousand butterflies swirled around her. "Thank you for forgiving me, my lady". Sylvanas buried her face in Jaina's neck. Jaina stroked her chin and they laid like that for a minute.

"I have to ask you something. I never got a chance to ask you during your stay in Undercity". Jaina rested her head in her hands as she was now laid on her stomach listening to Sylvanas. "Why were your clothes all torn and your skin dirty when you found me in the forest?" Jaina swallowed and she looked down. "I didn't mean to…" "It's okay". Jaina sighed. "Turns out, not all creatures in Ashenvale forest are friendly". "Did orc's from the Horde's timber camps hurt you?" Sylvanas was firm. "It doesn't matter, I am okay aren't I? Don't forget Lady Windrunner, I am not a weakling". She smirked and tapped Sylvanas' nose with her index finger. "How did you end up in the Ashenvale forest anyway? It is a long way from home for you". Sylvanas laid her hand on Jaina's waist. "I was hoping to avoid that but I suppose now that we are doing this whole getting-to-know-each-other thing, I should tell you". Jaina rolled over on her back and closed her eyes. "Kalecgos was my boyfriend… But we got into a serious argument that night. I wanted to figure out what really happened to my home once and for all. I was willing to meet with the Horde. Vol'jin has always been reasonable in his speech. I thought if I just went in peace to Orgrimmar now that Garrosh is gone, perhaps we could find some common ground and settle this feud". "And Kalegcos did not agree I take it". Jaina nodded and sighed. "So I went anyway but in my fury, my teleportation went a little… Off track. That's when I ended up in Ashenvale".

Sylvanas felt for Jaina. She had always been the diplomat risking everything to end the bloodshed between the Alliance and the Horde. It had cost her family members and friends, and now even her home. "I am very glad you found me that night, Jaina". Sylvanas reached over and caressed the young mage. "I am too. I would have probably been lost out there without you". As she stared into Sylvanas' eyes, a horrific thought entered Jaina's mind and it made her freeze. Arthas. How had they not talked about him yet. Jaina's former lover and Sylvanas'… curse?

"Sylvanas, you have now asked me questions and I answered truly and honest. Now will you promise to answer me the same?" Sylvanas shrugged but nodded. Honesty did not come easy for the Banshee Queen. "Arthas…" Jaina said slowly and she could already see Sylvanas' nose flare. "I am sure you are as aware of my past with him as I am about yours…" Jaina chose her words carefully as one wrong could bring out emotions in Sylvanas that she would rather not see. "I will not think of it" Sylvanas stated resolutely. "He is dead and he is not going to be the thing we have in common". Jaina was pleased Sylvanas reacted the way she did. She had made her peace with Arthas' death a long time ago and she was glad the Lich King no longer existed. "I'm glad. I didn't want it to be an issue…" Jaina sighed in relief. Sylvanas exhaled strongly and said: "He may have touched you before me. He may have loved you before me. But I am the one you are touching right now, and that is something he will never be able to take away from me. He will not be the one I think of when I'm with you, Jaina". Jaina closed her eyes and smiled. Sylvanas' was right. They were here, right now. No one else, just them. They were alive and what they currently shared was honest and raw.

"Thank you…" Jaina slid closer to Sylvanas and embraced her. Sylvanas gasped as she let Jaina's arms wrap around her. Although she was unsure of what tomorrow or the future held, she knew there was no place she would rather be at this moment in time. When she looked down at the beautiful sorceress in her arms, Sylvanas knew her trip to Dalaran had been worth every sacrifice.