New Chapter up. Thanks for reading.


"How does that movement feel, Your Highness?" One of the healers asked Anduin, as he did slow stretches, moving his newly healed body deliberately.

Kenya listened to Anduin's healing session while she looked over the papers in her hand. She'd been accompanying him to his therapy everyday, enjoying the fact that it was nice enough outside to be able to conduct the sessions in the garden, rather than the medical wing of the keep. She always felt calmer when in the garden. It was the druid in her.

"I feel a little stiff, but otherwise, it's fine." Anduin replied, continuing with the movement. He had been healing himself daily, but the injuries he'd sustained while on Pandaria had left his body weakened and tight. Fortunately, the pain he had experienced initially had gone away, though the words of the healers about lingering pain for the rest of his life still haunted him.

As expected, Kenya had been sent home with Anduin, while the king stayed behind to ensure Alliance interests on Pandaria. He'd promised Kenya he'd write often and would be home in a few weeks, so they could continue the process of arranging their marriage. In the meantime, Kenya was working to plan the wedding, a task she was finding difficult. She knew she loved Varian. She knew she wanted to marry him, but she honestly didn't care how they got married. Getting married hadn't been a childhood fantasy for her, unlike many women.

Anduin's therapy session ended and he joined Kenya on the bench, leaning in to look at the papers in her hand.

"Ah, flowers."

Kenya frowned. "Yes, flowers. The planners are asking what kind of flowers I want at the ceremony and in the ballroom. Is it bad that I really don't care?"

"Really? Most women care almost too much about their weddings being perfect."

"Well, I'm not most women." Kenya sighed. "I just want to marry Varian. That's all. I honestly never wanted to get married. If it was marrying anyone but the King of Stormwind, I'd just have us find a priest and get it over with in an afternoon."

Anduin chuckled. "Yeah, marrying into royalty does come with the necessary frills, even if you don't want them. There's a reason my father is having you approve the arrangements. He probably cares less than you do. But he is the king and it is expected."

"He's probably staying longer on Pandaria, just so he doesn't have to make any decisions about the wedding." Kenya joked, though part of her was serious.

"I can help you, if you'd like." Anduin offered.

Kenya turned, placing her papers off to the side, then took his hands. "I am just happy you're here, alive and well, to help us celebrate. That's all we need from you. This is my stress and I can handle it. And if it turns out Varian is staying away a little while longer to get out of planning this blessid event, I will make him suffer."

Anduin laughed. "Well, the offer stands if you change your mind."

"I appreciate that. So, no pain today?" Kenya asked, happy to get off the topic of her wedding.

"None. I feel stiff, but not sore. The stiffness seems to get less and less each day, so I call that progress. I am a little worried about what the healers told me about this injury bothering me for the rest of my life, though."

"You haven't had any pain since the initial injury, right? Maybe they meant you'd have more pain when you get older, like arthritis."

Anduin shrugged. "Maybe. I guess there's no point in worrying about it until it happens."

Though his words were confident, Kenya could still see concern in the young man's eyes.

"Exactly." Kenya patted his knee twice then stood. "For now, you can walk me over to the ballroom to meet with one of the planners. I've decided that I need a second opinion on the decorations for our engagement party and since your father won't be back for another week or so, you're it."

Anduin chuckled, but stood and offered her his arm. "As you wish. I can't refuse my future stepmother."

"Nor should you." Kenya took his arm and they headed out of the garden.


To Be Continued...