Chapter Five re-posted. I added a new section between Varian and Kia. Hope you enjoy.

Anduin left the cathedral and strolled towards the castle, missing Kia's presence. When they were together, his bodyguards kept more of a distance. Alone, they stayed about two feet behind him, which was annoying. He understood his father's wish for him to be protected, but they could at least keep their distance while he was still in Stormwind.

He was lost in his own thoughts about his lesson with Archbishop Benedictus. He found his priest training far more rewarding than his weapons training. It felt like he was making real progress in becoming a priest and servant to the Light. What was started in Ironforge was progressing at what he thought was a good pace.

Normally on his walk back to the castle, he completely ignored the conversations around him, but as he was about to turn a corner, he heard a name which stopped him in his tracks, his guards stopping quickly behind him. He stood quietly, listening.

"...Kia, I think." Said the first voice. The owner of the voice sounded young, probably only just slightly older than Anduin.

"Well, whatever her name, she's gorgeous. She has the perfect amount of elf in her. I'd jump at the chance to get a closer look at her features, if you understand my meaning." Said a second voice, equally as young, but slightly deeper than the first.

The first voice scoffed. "Yeah right. She's got that SI:7 night elf watching her every move. You wouldn't get close enough to even say hi. Not to mention she's the daughter of the head druid. You wouldn't have a chance."

"I guess it's better that way." Replied the second voice. "She's a mongrel. My parents would be horrified if they found out I was fooling around with a night elf, let alone a mutt, as exciting an experience as it probably would be. I hear elves have incredible stamina."

This comment angered Anduin . Kia was a amazing person. Far more than the sum of her parts and she didn't deserve to be talked about in such a way. He didn't care if they thought she was beautiful, since she was, her elf features giving her an exotic look, but no one had the right to call her a mongrel or a mutt. Those words were inappropriate to use when referring to a young woman.

He straightened his posture and walked around the corner. "She doesn't like being called a mongrel or a mutt, you know." Anduin said matter of factly in his best regal voice, stopping in front of them, his bodyguards in their customary place behind him. "I'm shocked anyone in the city would dare call any woman such disrespectful names. Particularly this woman. You know who she is and who guards her."

The two young men stood speechless. Anduin recognized them. One of them was the son of the innkeeper in the marketplace, the other was the son of one of the blacksmiths. They had probably never been this close to any of the royal family before. Anduin didn't like pulling the 'royal' card on people. He liked to consider everyone equal in the eyes of the Light, but this was his friend they were speaking ill of and he could not let it stand. He could see the fear in their eyes and a small part of him was enjoying it.

"Of course not, Your Highness. I didn't mean it. I'll never speak of her or anyone else like that again. I promise. Please don't tell anyone what I said!" Said the owner of the second voice, the one that had made the comments. His words were frantic.

Anduin paused, as if considering. "I won't, but I'd be more careful in the future. Her bodyguard's a rogue with SI:7. He pops up out of nowhere all the time. You never know where he might be and he'd be far less civil with you than I. Not to mention she does travel with a very large cat. Being mauled by a sabercat would be unpleasant, I'd imagine."

"It won't happen again, Your Highness. We promise." Said the owner of the first voice. He had not made the comments, but he was equally as scared. The two nodded in agreement and scurried away.

Anduin allowed himself a small smile, satisfied with the results of his plan. He turned and found his two bodyguards also smiling under their helms. Over the weeks, they had gotten to know and like Kia as well, not minding the extra charge her presence entailed.

"Well handled, Your Highness."

Anduin's smile grew bigger and nodded. "Thank you. Shall we continue to the castle?"

"After you, Your Highness."

They continued on their way, Anduin now happy Kia wasn't with him. She didn't need to hear such things.

Rell smiled from the shadows as he watched Anduin's confrontation with the two older boys. The prince handled himself well.

Kia was safely tucked away in the castle library, at the moment. He didn't feel the need to keep an eye on her all the time. Quinn was with her most of the time anyway and the frostsaber was a far better bodyguard against the dangers of Stormwind than he'd ever be.

Rell knew occasionally he'd hear talk from people who found Kia's unusual appearance a source of mockery and he was just as happy as the prince that Kia hadn't been with him today. She was a hardy young woman and intelligent enough to know some people were not kind, but she wasn't used to hearing such things about herself. Humans had far less tact than night elves, particularly the young ones.

Rell followed along behind the two youths, making sure they had dropped the subject. Kia could pretty much take care of herself physically, so Rell spent a good portion of his time listening for any emotional harm that might possibly come her way. Honestly, the guilty parties were usually teenagers or young men and there weren't many offenders. For the most part, Kia was well liked around Stormwind, regardless of what she was and how she looked.

The boys stopped near a local inn and stood talking quietly. Rell slipped out of the shadows and casually walked by them, eyeing them carefully. Their eyes widened as they watched him pass, Rell being a highly recognizable figure in Stormwind. He turned a few feet away from them and looked in their direction again. This caused them to jump and scurry away.

Rell doubted he'd have a problem with them again.

Kia sat quietly, reading a particularly large book about the history of Stormwind. It was fascinating to read about the Wrynn line. She hadn't realized they had been ruling Stormwind for so many generations. She was so engrossed in the book, she didn't hear the king when he walked in behind her.

Varian had been heading towards the war room when he spotted Kia in the Library. Quinn was snoozing lazily by her side. The cat opened an eye when he entered the room, but didn't move or make any sounds.

"Finding anything interesting in there?" He asked, once he was next to her table, so he wouldn't startle her.

Kia looked up at him and smiled. "I am. Stormwind has an interesting history. So does your bloodline. I never realized your family has been ruling the city for so long."

Varian took a seat at the table next to her. "The Wrynn family has been here a very long time, yes. This is one of the reasons I act the way I do around Anduin. He's important, though I do sometime feel I've forced him to grow up too fast."

"Trust me, your Majesty, I understand. Take me, for example. I'm nineteen. In Stormwind, I'm an adult. I look like an adult and I'm expected to act like an adult. In Darnassus, I'm barely considered a youth. I still act like an adult, but I'm easily forgiven for acting like a child. I understand the pressure to act differently simply because of who my father is, regardless of my age."

"I do see many similarities between you and Anduin. I think it'll be good for him to have you around." Varian looked comfortable and relaxed. He was almost a different person than when he was around those who expected him to be the king and only the king. "And there is no need to be so formal when we're alone. You can call me Varian."

Kia chuckled. "Okay, as long as you do the same and call me something other than 'my lady'."

Varian actually laughed out loud. The sound was almost startling, though still pleasant. "You are so much like Anduin. You have a deal, Kia."

To Be Continued...