A Tough Conversation

"A quarter of the army killed in the defence of the forests and half of that in Stratholme."

"So we lost one hundred and fifty rangers at the very least." Kael'thas said, getting a nod from the General. "Will that be a problem if we are attacked again?"

"Seeing as we usually have around six hundred rangers all together, not including the six hundred reserves, I think it will make our lives a little more difficult." The General looked over to the Convocation sitting at the table with their King. "We should get back those numbers from the academy in three years, but then after that, Athrodar's class will be made into a new company and will need another one hundred and fifty to make up the reserves and the other half of the main group." Sylvanas rubbed the back of her neck. "All in all, it will take at least six years of recruits for us to get our numbers back and that's just if all the recruits graduate and don't drop out or fail their training."

"And we all know only half of the recruits that enter the academy actually finish the academy on a good year." Lord Sunblade said, looking over to the King. "I think we're looking at close to twenty years until we have a full force."

"Brilliant." Kael'thas muttered, tapping his finger on the table in front of him. "And let's not forget, the undead still have that floating fortress in Eastern Lordaeron. For all we know they are getting their numbers back quicker than we ever could."

"On the plus side, Highlord Mograine and the Silver Hand would have taken Stratholme and cleansed the city by then." Sylvanas told them. "With a city full of paladins so close to our border, they might take the attention off of us whilst also defending our borders by pushing back the undead too."

"Sounds like a win for us." Athrodar said, looking over to the King. "Plus it would save us time when it comes to asking them to help with the undead when they're already fighting them."

"And it would allow us to keep our focus on the Amani." Dael'Thaelas said, getting several nods from the rest of the Convocation. "Aerinan has reported more visits from the orcs and tauren over the last few days that it's looking more than likely that they're joining the Horde."

"That would mean we would have to keep an eye on the orcs too." Athrodar told them, looking over to General Feathermoon who was sitting in on the current meeting. "A small group of rangers sent to Kalimdor would be good for that."

"And who would you suggest?" Lord Sunblade asked him.

"I can gather a group." Sylvanas said. "What would we need, twenty?"

General Feathermoon shrugged her shoulders. "Twenty will do I suppose. If it's just an expeditionary force, maybe more. But if they're just going to Kalimdor to scout, twenty is fine."

"Very well." Lord Sunblade said, pulling out a fresh sheet of parchment and looking around at the rest of the Convocation, all of them minus Kael'thas and General Feathermoon knowing what was about to come next. "The next topic we have to discuss before this meeting is over is the naming of an heir." Dael'Thaelas said, looking over to the King who turned his attention to the Ranger Lord. "It's been long enough, my King. You will need to name an heir sooner rather than later, in case the worst was to happen."

"Is this really a conversation we should be having now?" Kael'thas asked Lord Sunblade.

"It is." Athrodar said, surprising the King that he was on the same side as the Convocation in this. "Should you fall in battle or an illness, we need to be prepared with an heir to take the throne."

Kael'thas shook his head and looked over to Sylvanas, the Ranger-General remaining silent as to not upset the King or the Convocation. "I don't think it should surprise you all that I don't have an heir. Nor do I have someone to make an heir with, be it a son or a daughter." He held up his hand when he saw several members of the Convocation begin to speak. "You heard me. If I were to have a daughter, she would be the heir, even if I were to have a son after."

"My King, are you sure about that?" Lord Sunblade asked. "We have always had a son as an heir, even if he was the youngest. Our rules have stated -"

"Our rules are as out dated as the idea of thinking we are better than the humans." Kael'thas told them.

"With all due respect my King." Athrodar said, looking Kael'thas in the eyes. "The humans are the ones who brought this plague and death to Lordaeron. Their constant infighting has torn their once strong Alliance into tatters and only a handful of humans remain somewhat agreeable."

"Even still. We have never had a human Queen and the people of this city will never bow to one." Dael'Thaelas told the King, watching an anger grow on his face. "There are many suitable women in the city that we can write up on a list and send them to your chambers, your Grace. If that will make your life easier."

"If it would make my life easier." Kael'thas said, letting out a quick laugh. "I don't want any of your lists, nor do I wish to entertain this conversation any further than it's already gone." The King stood up from his throne and began to make his way out of the Convocation Hall. "Bring this up again and I will remove you from this council and strip you of any titles you have." He looked over to Lord Sunblade who had a small grin on his face. "No matter what your position currently is."

The moment the King left, many of the Convocation members stood up and left shortly after, leaving General Feathermoon, Sylvanas, Athrodar and Lord Sunblade in the Convocation Hall. "Well..." Athrodar said, tapping his hands on the arms of his chair and standing up shortly after. "That went well."

Lord Sunblade sighed and shook his head, watching Sylvanas wrap her arms around Athrodar's neck and press her head against his shortly after. "He has been away from us for too long. He has forgotten our ways and our laws and wishes to speak out against them."

"Perhaps you should listen to your King." Sylvanas said, watching General Feathermoon begin to leave now. "He has given us a powerful ally, taken over as King without a fuss and should be given the freedom to choose his future Queen."

"I hope you're not suggesting me." General Feathermoon said, noticing Sylvanas' eyes on her.

The Ranger-General laughed. "No, I assure you I wasn't suggesting he marry you, General." She looked back to Athrodar and kissed him lightly. "I think he has his eyes on Lady Proudmoore anyway."

"A good choice in my opinion." Athrodar said, hearing a sound of disgust from Lord Sunblade.

"You change your mind so quickly about the humans that it's almost amusing." Dael'Thaelas said. "One minute they're the reason Lordaeron and the Alliance has fallen, the next thing I know, you're suggesting a human to marry our King."

"If you recall, I did say some of them are agreeable." Athrodar told him, looking over to Lord Sunblade. "She is one of the highly agreeable ones that I would happily call Queen should Kael'thas marry her. But it's not up to me who he chooses."

"That's right." Sylvanas whispered, kissing him on the cheek. "Let's get you home so you can rest up some more. Can't have Liadrin seeing you still walking around after she told us you need to rest."

"Alright, fine." Athrodar said, leaning forward and kissing the General again. "Perhaps Victoria will be open to speak today for more than five minutes."

"I have a good feeling she will." Sylvanas told him, squeezing his hand.

Athrodar glanced over to Lord Sunblade who was rubbing his temple whilst he remained sat at the Convocation Hall. "Don't annoy the King, otherwise I will miss disagreeing with you in court."

Dael'Thaelas sighed and looked over to Athrodar. "Thank you for your advice."

"Can't leave these two anywhere for more than five minutes." Sylvanas muttered under her breath, shaking her head at both Anya and Clea who were left in her Sunfury apartment to look after Victoria whilst they were with the Convocation, finding them both asleep on either side of the young elf whilst Talanas slept in Victoria's arms. "Though they look really cute together."

Athrodar walked into the spare bedroom and frowned at the sight. "Cute? Anya is upside down, Clea is snoring louder than some of the humans I knew from my time in Stormwind and our son sleeps with his mouth open as if he's catching flies."

Sylvanas smirked and leaned up against the door frame she stood beside. "Like I said. Cute."

"It's nice to know we have two different definitions of the term." Athrodar said, looking towards the room he was sharing with the General. "If you need me, I'll be laying in bed, trying to recover."

Sylvanas smiled brightly when she saw Victoria open her eyes and look at Talanas, watching her sit up and stretch when she extracted herself from the three elves around her. "We'll join you in a minute." Sylvanas told him, beckoning the little elf over when she began to climb out of the spare bed. "Let's go keep your father company." She whispered, stroking a thumb across her cheek and smiling just a little wider when she saw a sleepy nod. "Come on. I'm sure he will just be happy that you'll be with him."

By the time they entered the room Athrodar was in, Victoria had already climbed onto the bed and curled up beside her father. "Took you no time to lay down here." He muttered, smiling a little when Victoria held onto his arm.

"You're the only family I have left." Victoria muttered, holding onto his arm a little tighter. "I can't lose you too."

"We're going nowhere." Sylvanas said, climbing in behind the little elf and placing a hand on her head, stroking her hair lightly. "This one has to rest for a couple weeks and then he is going back to teaching at the Academy. Then once you've graduated, he will be your Lieutenant and leader of your company." She looked over to Athrodar who leaned down and kissed his daughter on the top of her head. "You will always be with him so long as you graduate the Farstrider Academy."

"And if you don't, I will still be here with and for you." Athrodar told her, holding onto the little elf tightly when she wrapped her arms around him. "Sylvanas too. You're our daughter now, we always look after family."

"Well... Maybe not the eldest of your family." Sylvanas muttered, getting a slight glare from Athrodar. "Sorry, you're right. Not the time."

"I miss them." Victoria whispered, yawning and cuddling up to Athrodar. "But I still have you."

Sylvanas smiled when she saw the little elf drift off to sleep, moving her focus to Athrodar who kept his attention on his daughter. "I don't think I've seen you look like that before." She said softly, trying to not wake up the little elf between the two of them. "At least, not to anyone else other than our son."

"What look?" Athrodar asked, not taking his eyes off his daughter who hugged his arm tightly.

"It's a look I'm quite jealous of actually." Sylvanas told him. "A look that says 'I will fight and kill anyone who hurts you.' Even if it's an accident." She smiled and stroked a few strands of hair from the little elf's face so she could look at her. "I'll admit, I feel the same way too. Even if her only connection to me is through you."

"Having you on her side means she has at least half the rangers in Silvermoon backing her up." Athrodar told her, getting a chuckle from the General and smiling himself. "I feel sorry for whoever is foolish enough to hurt her." He leaned down and kissed the little elf on the temple, feeling she squeeze his arm tightly for a second, only to loosen up when whatever she was dreaming of had calmed down. "Now, about those two next door. Tell them to behave whilst they look after my rangers."

Sylvanas smirked at his request. "I'll try my best, but we both know what they're like."

"Just.. Make sure they don't ruin their chances at graduating." Athrodar told her, watching Sylvanas hold her hands up.

"I'll try my best." She told him again. "I can't promise anything though." She then said, laying down in her bed and behind Victoria, stroking her hair lightly. "She's been through a lot, I'm a little surprised with how strong she is. I would have thought she would sit in a corner, away from us and waste away."

"She has Sunblade blood." Athrodar whispered, smiling at his own sentence. "We're hard to kill."

"I think I should take our son away from those two in the spare room before they wake up and realise this one is gone and kidnap him." Sylvanas said, sighing and standing up. "Just as I was getting comfortable, my motherly instincts kicked in."

"What was the report?"

Athrodar looked over to the King who was flicking through several reports in his hand, glancing back down at the report in his hand. "It's a report from this place called Nethergarde Keep." He said, looking back over to the King who had a raised eyebrow at him. "Sound familiar?"

"It does actually." Kael'thas said, tapping his index finger on the table he sat around. "It's a military and research base in the Blasted Lands set up by Dalaran to keep an eye out on the Dark Portal and study it and its effects on the land."

Athrodar frowned at the letter and scanned through it once more to fully understand what it was saying. "If that's the case, we may need to keep an eye out for the Dark Portal in the near future."

"Why's that?" Kael'thas asked, being handed the report by the young Sunblade and reading through it quickly. "I see..." He muttered, looking over to Athrodar again. "So they think something is happening, or is about to happen."

"By the looks of that report, I would have to agree with that." Athrodar said. "What is our plan should that portal open up?"

"Officially, we're to do nothing and let the rest of the world deal with whatever is to come through that portal unless we're needed." Kael'thas told him, folding up the parchment and placing it to the side. "We have been at constant war with the undead on our border that we have had little time to rest since they first appeared. And with the Amani gathering in the Hinterlands, we have an even bigger immediate problem to deal with."

Athrodar nodded his head slowly, looking over to the King and slowly smiling at him. "And unofficially?" He asked, getting a grin from Kael'thas in return.

"Well... When the General finds out the Dark Portal has opened up, whenever that may be, she will want to gather a group of her best rangers and travel through it in the hopes of finding her sister, or at the very least clues to where she could be." Kael'thas said, looking over to the folded parchment beside him. "And I don't intend to stop her either. In fact, I might even encourage such a plan."

"You know that will mean that I am to go, right?" Athrodar asked, getting a laugh from the King now.

"I am more than aware of that, Athrodar." Kael'thas told him, laughing some more. "I'll have someone look after you class should that day come, unless they've already graduated by then, then it might be a good chance to test them."

"Let's hope it's the former." Athrodar muttered. "I don't think a hostile, unknown world would be an ideal place to test them and their abilities to work as a group. Especially a young group at that."

"No, that is true." Kael'thas said. "I suppose you'd normally have veterans and a few officers to help out, but this would be an entirely new group of newly graduated rangers."

"I do have a question though." Athrodar said, leaning back in his chair.

"I'm listening." Kael'thas said, leaning forward in his chair whilst Athrodar continued to lean back in his.

"When are we telling the others about this Dark Portal thing?" He asked. "I'd prefer it if we don't wait too long to tell the rest of the Convocation or the General. They might have an idea or two that we might not think of."

"We'll tell them when we have more information." Kael'thas told him, looking over to the twin doors of the Convocation Hall and placed a hand up to the young Sunblade. "That means you say nothing." He whispered, watching two members of the Convocation walk in and bow their heads to the King. "Including the General."

Athrodar watched the King stand up and make his way towards the Convocation members. "I'll keep my mouth shut on the topic." He said, standing up and bowing to the King when he smiled at him. "But if we get news of the Dark Portal actually opening, I will have to tell the General. If not for the chance to find her sister, it will be for the safety of this Kingdom. We can't risk the portal opening up and an army charging through and threatening our world."

Kael'thas nodded his head slowly. "That's fair." He said, looking back to Athrodar. "I won't stand in your way if you do to tell the moment it opens. But I am hoping we get more information before the portal does open up."

Athrodar watched the King leave with the two Convocation members, sitting back down in his chair and stretching his arms above his head. "Great. One more thing to worry about." He muttered to himself.

"How is she holding up?" Viraleth asked, sitting beside Sylvanas and Liadrin who were both watching the two elves in front of them spar with each other, though for different reasons.

"She follows him around like a lost lynx cub." Sylvanas said, glancing over to Viraleth. "But she was really excited to practice her swordplay today, so here we are." She smiled and looked back to the little elf. "Makes me happy that she looks to be distracting herself. The more she does that, the easier it will be for her to move on."

"I wished she asked in a weeks time." Liadrin said, biting the nail on her thumb. "I don't want Athrodar sparring with anyone, let alone someone who is barely able to wield a sword." She looked over to both the General and the Chief Scout. "He might strain his injury and make it worse."

"Which is why you're here." Sylvanas said, looking at the Paladin and giving her an innocent smile. "I made sure to invite you because I knew you would be angry if you weren't here and found out." Her attention returned to Victoria who had just parried Athrodar's sparring sword. "Plus if he does get injured, you can laugh at him later as you got to witness a little elf injure a fully grown ranger."

Liadrin began to smirk and nodded her head slowly. "That's a good point and a very tempting reward."

Viraleth looked over to the two little elves playing to her left, smiling at how close her daughter and the General's son were, much like she was to Sylvanas the day she joined her company and every day since. "They are going to marry each other one day." She said, hearing Sylvanas chuckle and feeling her hug her from behind.

"And we will be family through marriage." Sylvanas said, watching Talanas play with Viraleth's daughter. "A Windrunner and a -"

"Ah ah ah." Viraleth said, interrupting the General. "He still doesn't know my family name." She said, nodding over to Athrodar. "And I don't want you saying it here, especially since he can most likely hear you."

"You'll have to tell him at some point." Sylvanas said with a laugh, watching Athrodar tilt his head at the two of them when he heard them both laugh.

"I will." Viraleth said. "Just not now, I want to tease him a little longer."

"Are you going to sit there all day, or do you want to come here and help train one of our future rangers?" Athrodar asked, looking at the General who rolled her eyes and stood up.

"Fine. Seeing as you can't seem to do it." Sylvanas said, making her way over to the two of them and being stopped by Athrodar who took hold of her arm.

"First things first." He whispered, leaning forward and kissing the General lightly, hearing her chuckle when he continued to kiss her every time she pulled away. "I won't stop until I get a kiss back." He told her, feeling Sylvanas wrap her arms around his neck and pull him in for a long, deep kiss.

"Better?" She asked when they pulled away, getting a nod of acceptance from him. "Good." She purred, kissing him once more before making her way towards the little elf. "Right, let's get you some proper training from a General and not an ex-Lieutenant."

Watching him sit down, Liadrin sighed when she saw Athrodar place a hand on the side of his abdomen. "You've hurt yourself, haven't you? That's why you told her to take over."

"Of course not." Athrodar said, wincing a little in pain and looking over Liadrin who had a raised eyebrow. "Maybe a little."

"Honestly..." Liadrin muttered, kneeling down in front of him and lifting up Athrodar's tunic. "Hold this." She said, handing him the bottom of his tunic and placing a light engulfed hand on his abdomen. "Yeah, I can feel something here. You'll need to rest now for at least a couple of days."

"Something Sylvanas will enforce." Viraleth said, glancing over to the two of them. "Trust me, I know she will do what she can to keep you in bed. Preferably with her and alone." She laughed, looking over to Liadrin who narrowed her eyes at the Chief Scout. "N-not to do anything like that. She will make sure he rests and knows he's easier to contain if nobody is around."

"That's not true." Athrodar said, getting another laugh from Viraleth with Liadrin joining her.

"It is so true!" Viraleth exclaimed. "You know that if you have nobody else around, you'll just sit back and do whatever it is the General tells you to do."

"As long as he remains rested in bed, I don't care what he does on his own with the General." Liadrin said, standing up and stretching her arms above her head. "Just as long as he is resting and not trying to make a second child with the General."

Athrodar went a little red in the cheeks, looking away from the Paladin who had her tongue in her cheek the moment she saw his reaction. "Victoria will stop that train of thought the moment it enters my mind." He said, glancing back over to the Paladin who had a smile on her face. "She is my priority right now outside of resting."

"Good." Liadrin said, patting the top of Athrodar's head. "I'm going to go find that pesky Dawnstrider mage and keep her company for a while. I'm sure she'll visit sometime soon, maybe in the next couple of days." Liadrin made her way towards the General and Victoria, saying her goodbyes to the General and crouching down to hug Victoria. "If you need anything and these two say no, come find me. I'll get you whatever it is you want." Liadrin whispered to her, kissing the little elf on the cheek. "After all, I'm the amazing, fun aunt."

"Okay." Victoria said, smiling at the Paladin who smiled back before making her way over to the two youngest elves still playing together beside Viraleth. "Can we go home?" The little elf asked, looking over to Sylvanas who tilted her head at her. "Please?"

"O-okay." Sylvanas said, smiling at her and waving Athrodar over at the same time. "Is it okay if I ask why?"

"I just want to go home." Victoria told her, leaning against Athrodar when he stood beside her. "I don't want to train any more today and I just want to go home now."

"Alright." Sylvanas said softly, cupping one of Victoria's cheeks with one hand and brushing her thumb across it lightly. "Wait here, I'm just going to get your brother and say goodbye to Viraleth and her daughter."

"Are you tired?" Athrodar whispered to the little elf, having her shake her head.

"I think I rushed this." Victoria told him, holding onto his hand with both of her own. "I just want to return home and be away from everyone."

"Does that include me?" Athrodar asked, getting a smile from the little elf.

"No." She said, hugging his arm. "I don't want to be away from family." She said, looking around the Farstrider Academy. "I just know that people are watching us from time to time and I am not ready for that, not until you're ready to teach our class again."

Sylvanas looked over to Athrodar and Victoria the moment she said her goodbyes to Viraleth and her daughter, picking up her son in the meantime and smiling when she saw Victoria hug Athrodar tightly the moment he crouched down. "Before we go." She said, looking back to Viraleth. "I just want to thank you for everything you had done to get him to take me back."

Viraleth frowned and tilted her head, only to smile when she saw both Athrodar and Victoria. "It's the least I could do, Sylvie." She said, placing a hand on the General's back. "Especially when you get to see that."

"Makes it all worth it." Sylvanas said, kissing the top of her son's head. "Come on, little one. Let's go home. Say bye bye."

"Bye." Talanas said, waving at both Viraleth and her daughter, getting a wave back from the little elf.

"They're definitely marrying each other." Viraleth said, making Sylvanas laugh as she made her way towards Athrodar and Victoria.

"Ready to go?" She asked, getting a nod from Victoria. "Alright, let's go home."