New chapter up. I'm still setting up this one for the main plot. I do like the interactions between Varian and Kenya. Fun stuff. Enjoy.
Kenya stood just outside the door to the war room, listening to Varian talk to some of his men, though talking might not have been an accurate assessment. The king was angry and when he's angry, he's almost incapable of talking with a normal indoor voice, even if he wasn't angry with the people he was speaking to.
Anduin had spent a full two months on the Exodar, not including travel time, and he was scheduled to be back home in a matter of days. Varian had been anxious, knowing his son was on the open sea, but he was also excited for him to return. The city had been just a little bit lonelier with the crown prince gone.
Unfortunately, they'd just received word that Anduin's flagship had run into Horde opposition on the trip home and had crashed on an unknown island. There had yet to be any confirmation on the status of the prince other than he'd survived the crash and Varian was pretty much losing his mind, which didn't help with the yelling. Kenya felt sorry for the men in the room with him.
"I have hundreds of ships and somehow the one carrying my son goes missing!"
Kenya cringed. This certainly wasn't the first time she'd heard Varian yell, but it was still startling and a bit unsettling to hear.
"It will take days for the full fleet to reach The Vanguard's last known location. Even with their last transmission, we can't pinpoint anything for sure." She heard a female voice say. Somehow, the voice was even and calm.
"We can't wait that long. SI:7 will send a small elite force to this new land, secure it for the Alliance and bring my son home." Varian replied, a little more calmly, but not much.
There was another few minutes of more muted discussion, then the room began to clear. Kenya waited while several people left the room, then peaked in to make sure Varian was alone before entering. She then entered, closing the door behind her.
"Varian?"
Varian turned from the table map and smiled at her. It wasn't his usual, genuine smile he normally gave her, but Kenya could tell he was trying. His stress level seemed to lower from just the sight of her.
"How much of my rant did you hear?" He asked, sounding apologetic. She'd never admit it, but Varian knew his angry voice scared Kenya just a little.
"Only the last bit, but don't worry about that. Anduin is missing and you're stressed out about it. If I were in your position, I'd probably be ranting a little bit too." She took Varian's hand, holding it gently. "Anduin will be alright. He's missing, but he survived the crash. He's alive. I know he's your child and as a parent, you worry, but he isn't much of a child anymore and he's far from a helpless target."
Varian nodded, but it wasn't a very confident nod. "I know, but that realization doesn't make this situation any easier. I shouldn't haveā¦"
"Before you say you shouldn't have let him go, how many times have missions and voyages gone sideways for you and you're still alive. Things never go as planned. Look at the talks in Darnassus. If the Horde hadn't attacked, you and I might never have met. Everything happens for a reason, Varian, even the bad stuff."
"So, you think Anduin being missing on an uncharted island is happening for a higher reason?" Varian sounded skeptical.
"I do. Anduin will be king someday. Things like this will happen to him. Light knows, they've happened to you more times than you can count. You'll still worry, but have faith that your son is smart enough and strong enough to take care of himself."
Varian pulled Kenya into a hug and she melted into his arms. He too seemed to also relax into her touch.
"Thank you." He said quietly.
"I love you, Varian, and this is what you do for those you love. It might not help you find Anduin, but it's all I can do. I wish I could do more." Kenya held her breath for a moment, realizing what she just said. Neither of them had actually said they loved the other. There had been references to falling in love, but never any direct I love yous.
Varian felt Kenya stiffen. This made him chuckle, regardless of the situation.
"I love you too and what you're doing right here is more than enough."
To Be Continued...
