Chapter re-posted. Enjoy.

Kia sat with her legs stretched out in the middle of one of the secure meadows next to the Amber Ledge. She was reading a book while leaning against Quinn, who was snoozing in the sunshine. Attros lay next to her, his head resting on her lap. He had brought a spell he was working on with him, but he was choosing to snooze in the sun instead of actually working on it, much like Quinn.

Kia had been in Northrend for almost eight months and, much like it had been with Stormwind, she was finding more and more reasons to stay.

Lantash had taken almost a full day to hatch, but when he did, Kia found before her one of the most beautiful creatures she had ever seen. He had been almost pearlescent when he first emerged, wobbling around on his unsteady legs. He was all tail and neck, but the cutest thing she had seen since first meeting Quinn when she was a child.

At first sight, a bond had been formed between the two of them. Lantash could talk to her in her mind and vice versa. It wasn't true reading each other's thoughts, more of a potential link that could be used deliberately. It was apparently part of the bonding process. Kia found she didn't mind him being able to pop into her head whenever he desired. He might have been only a baby, but his thoughts weren't that of a child. He was insightful and very intelligent.

Kia helped raise the tiny dragon. Fortunately, he seemed to get along well with Quinn. Kia had been initially afraid her feline friend might be jealous of the new addition to their little family. At about seven months old, Lantash was out with other dragons, learning the ins and outs of being a dragon. This allowed Kia to focus on other pursuits, which included Attros.

Once it was confirmed Kia would be staying at the Amber Ledge until Lantash was old enough to go out on his own, Attros started finding reasons to be around Kia. At first she thought he was just being friendly, but when he kissed her under the stars they were supposed to be studying, she understood his intentions. This was the first real adult relationship she had ever had and she found herself enjoying his company.

"Ya know, Attros, you might work out that spell faster if your eyes were open." She commented, putting down her book and looking down him. Even with his dazzling blue eyes closed, he was still incredibly handsome.

Kia found both humans and night elves attractive, in their own ways. Night elves were tall and lanky with lean muscle and graceful movements. Humans weren't as tall and were usually built a little more solidly. Both types appealed to her, but she had found that Attros seemed to be a nice middle ground between the two. He was several inches over six feet tall and built lean and muscular, though she hadn't been able to truly make the comparison until she had seen him without his Magi robes.

"I'd probably make more progress with my eyes open, yes, but then I'd be enjoying this beautiful day less." He opened his eyes and looked up at her. "That would be a tragedy."

"It would, indeed." She replied. She leaned down and kissed him gently. When she pulled away he had an even bigger smile on his face.

"The day might be beautiful, but it pales in comparison to you." He said, placing his hand gently on her cheek.

Kia laughed. "Always the romantic."

Attros shrugged, returning both his hands to his stomach and closing his eyes. "What can I say, you bring it out in me."

Kia heard what she could only describe as a groan in her mind.

"Ya know, Ki, you're supposed to be living here to help raise me, not to swap bodily fluids with a human." Lantash said in her head.

"You've been within earshot of the local kids again, haven't you?" Kia replied back. "You're starting to speak like an adolescent boy, not a dragon. There's no reason for you to be crude."

"I'm just kidding with you, you know that. I like Attros well enough, I just think you could do better." It was funny how Lantash's voice in her head 'sounded' exactly as it did when he spoke to her aloud. "The reason I'm butting in on this ever so mushy moment is to inform you about an intruder in your room."

"Intruder?"

"Yes, a very large human male wearing a cloak with the hood up. Should I eat him for you?"

Kia sighed audibly. "No, I'll be there in a few minutes. Hold off on eating him until I find out who it is and what his intentions are. Eating someone isn't always the best solution and probably shouldn't be your goto move, Lantash."

Kia patted Attros on the chest.

"Sorry to ruin the rest of the day, but Lantash is summoning me." Kia said, not telling Attros about a possible uninvited mystery visitor in her room. She didn't want to worry him needlessly. Afterall, whoever this person was, he'd be no match for herself and Quinn, not to mention Lantash would no doubt tear down the whole tower to help Kia if she needed it. She didn't need Attros in the mix trying to be chivalrous.

Attros laughed. "Is it just me, or is your dragon getting more and more pushy. He always seems to need you when we're together."

Kia shrugged, standing up. "Lantash is the jealous type, but I doubt he's interrupting us on purpose. Don't worry, he likes you."

They both collected their things and they headed back. They paused for a few minutes just outside the settlement to kiss goodbye in relative privacy, then Attros headed towards one of the tents on the far side of the settlement as Kia headed towards the tower where the sleeping chambers were located.

"What's the problem, Ki?" Asked Quinn as Kia looked around her. She saw nothing amiss.

"Lantash says a mystery guest is waiting for us in my room. Think you can sniff about and see if you can identify our visitor?"

Quinn ran up ahead of Kia, dashing into the tower. Only a few seconds later, she dashed back out.

"You'll never believe who it is…" Quinn said, filling Kia in on what she smelled.

The two of them headed up to the room, which was reasonably dark, since the sun was currently on the opposite side as the window. Kia walked in and lit a candle, placing it on the table across from her bed. She could see someone sitting in a chair in the far corner of the room.

"You know, it's considered rude to sulk around in the dark corners of a woman's chambers." Kia turned and faced her visitor fully. "Even if you are the king."

Varian pulled the hood off his head and stood. He had a smile on his face.

"How'd you know it was me?"

Kia returned the smile. "My dragon friend told me someone was lurking around my room and Quinn confirmed it was you by your scent."

"So you have a dragon now?"

"I think it's more accurate to say he has me. Being my companion was pretty much his idea." Kia sat in the chair by the small table. Quinn came in and went right up to Varian, looking up at him. Varian reached out and ran his hand over the cat's head. Satisfied, she jumped up onto the bed and got comfortable.

"So, I'm guessing I can't eat him." Lantash said in Kia's mind.

Kia rolled her eyes. "No, you can't eat him."

Varian gave her a confused look. He had seen the eye roll, but hadn't heard the comment.

"Lantash and I can speak to each other through thoughts when we wish to speak over distances. He was just confirming I wasn't going to allow him to eat you. Don't be offended by it. He's only seven months old, even if he's large enough to eat a whole cow. Most of his mental comments revolve around his stomach."

Varian sat back down. "Raising baby dragons now, are we. Sounds like you've been busy."

"You could say that. It's been a constructive and eventful few months. At least I accomplished what I came here to do. The baby dragon part has been an unexpected bonus." Kia paused for a moment, thinking. "As much as I like the visit, I'm sure you didn't come all the way to Northrend to catch up with me. You're a busy man, so something must be wrong."

Varian sighed. "It's Anduin. I'm sure you've heard rumor of the mysterious island discovered a few months back?"

Kia nodded. "Pandaria. I've heard some of the magi talking about it, but I know very little more than that."

"Anduin's airship crash landed on the island after being attacked by a Horde fleet."

Breath escaped Kia for a second. "Is he alright?'

"He's fine, Kia. I should have started with that. He was missing for a short time, but an SI:7 team found him alive and well. He's currently on Pandaria and refuses to return to Stormwind."

Kia chuckled. It sounded like something Anduin would do. He so very rarely got to leave Stormwind, it wasn't a surprise that he didn't want to go back right away. Being on a new world, with new people had to be exciting.

"I'd like you to go the Pandaria and talk to him. See if you can convince him he should come home."

Kia sighed. "You know full well he won't listen to me. Yes, I'm his best friend, but that won't be enough. For the first time he's truly on his own. He won't go back until he's good and ready."

Varian smiled and nodded. "I agree."

Kia gave the King a confused look. "Then what, exactly, do you want me to do?"

"I want you to go to him and ask him to come home. When he refuses, I'd like you to stay with him. Watch his back. You see, he keeps refusing bodyguards. Every soldier I send out to protect him, he sends back. Maybe, he'll see you as more of a friend, than a bodyguard. He's the crown prince of Stormwind. He needs protection. He cannot remain alone in hostile territory."

Kia was quiet, thinking.

"I'm not ordering you to do this as your king. I'm asking you to do this as Anduin's father. I know he can take care of himself. He's a very old 16 and very powerful in his own way, but..."

"But everyone can use someone to watch their back. It's not a measure of maturity or strength, just common sense. He's in a land uncharted by the Alliance. Who knows what he'll run into out there." Kia finished for the king.

"Exactly. I'm glad you understand."

"You do realize I'll be taking Quinn and Lantash with me, as long as I can convince the dragonflight to allow him to leave the clutch. You'll need to make sure the airship taking us to Pandaria is big enough to accommodate a medium sized dragon."

Varian stood. "It will not be a problem. I already have a airship being prepped. The lower hold should be more than big enough. I'll inform the Admiral he'll need to make extra space below, even if it means they take a few less supplies."

Kia stood as well. "Give me a day or two to get everything here wrapped up."

Varian nodded. "I'll leave orders for the magi to open a portal to Stormwind as soon as you're ready." He walked towards Kia and took her hand. It was an odd gesture for him. Varian was not the type to follow physical social conventions. "I truly thank you for this, Ki."

Kia shrugged, placing her free hand over his. "It's Anduin. If he needs me, then I go, it's as simple as that. Hopefully, he'll realized how much he needs me and chooses not to fight me on the matter."

Varian chuckled. "I have a feeling he won't give you any grief." He released her hand, then offered her his arm. "Escort me to my portal."

Kia took his arm and they walked quietly out of the tower.

To Be Continued...