New chapter up. This one is a bit sad. Hope you're enjoying my tale and thanks for reading.

When Kia stepped through the portal to Stormwind, she wasn't surprised to find her father waiting for her arrival. He looked somber and greeted Kia with a hug as soon as she was clear of the portal.

"I'm sorry, Kia. I know you were close to Varian."

Kia did her best to remain composed. She needed to be strong for Anduin and if she broke down now, she'd never be a able to hold it together later. She wasn't an emotional person, but if she started to cry, she'd never be able to hold herself together when she saw Anduin.

"I'm alright, father, I just don't understand how this could happen."

Malfurion pulled away and gave her a somber, but serious, look. "The leaders of both the Alliance and the Horde came together with our best warriors in an effort to stop the burning legion from getting a foothold in our realm. We didn't know it was a trap until it was too late. Both sides were overwhelmed and the king gave his life, so his men could get away. It was a noble death, fitting for his bloodline."

"And Anduin?" Kia asked.

"He ascended the throne yesterday. He's holding up well, but it's been difficult. Not only with the death of his father, but also with Jaina Proudmoore abandoning him."

Kia almost gasped. "That doesn't make sense. Jaina is like an aunt to Anduin, why would she leave him, particularly now."

Malfurion gave the two mages currently in the portal room a meaningful look. They nodded and left, the archdruid waiting until they were gone to reply.

"Jaina blames the Horde for Varian's death. So does Genn Greymane. They both moved for immediate retaliation against them, but the remaining leaders, myself included, urged the new king to focus on fighting the legion. If we try to fight a war on two fronts, we'll never survive. The legion can only be defeated if we work with the Horde, not against them. It appeared the Horde ran, leaving us to die, but we could not see the whole battlefield, the whole picture. I have a feeling more happened on that island than any of us know. " Malfurion bowed his head. "Anduin agreed with our assessment. Jaina got angry and left. Her patience, even with Anduin, isn't what it used to be, not since Theramore."

"I'm assuming he's at the keep?" Kia asked. She couldn't believe Proudmoore would just up and leave. Anduin needed support and she was the closest thing he had to family now. It made her angry, but she pushed the feeling down. Now wasn't the time.

Malfurion nodded. "He is. He'll need your support right now."

Kia returned the nod, then headed out of the tower. Once she made it to the stairway outside the tower's highest door, she shifted to a stormcrow and headed towards the castle. She had no time to waste walking there. She noted the people below as she flew over the city. The mood was obviously somber. She could tell even from above.

Just outside the keep, she noticed Archbishop Benedictus standing on the stairs, looking lost in thought. She landed a few feet from the man, then shifted. Her sudden appearance startled him.

"Lady Stormrage!" He said, placing a hand over his heart. "I see your Druid training is going well." He gave her a slight smile, though she could tell his heart wasn't in it.

"Forgive me, Archbishop. I just arrived by portal and I wanted to get to the keep quickly. Being able to fly myself around at will is still new. My father would have scolded me for popping up next to you as I did. Forgive me, I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's alright, my dear. I'm very happy you're here. Of everyone in the new king's life, you're the one who can do him the most good, at the moment. Everyone is trying to give him advice or push him to do things. I know you're here for no other reason than to comfort a friend. Anduin is in mourning, even if he can't show it."

Kia nodded. The Archbishop had always been an insightful man. It didn't shock her to realize he understood her reasons for rushing to Anduin's side. She didn't care about any war or what direction the kingdom should go in. She just wanted to wrap her friend into a hug and console him over the death of his father and only blood relative. She needed to show him that not everyone he considered family had abandoned him.

Kia got closer to the Bishop and lowered her voice. "How's he doing?"

The man gave her a somber look. "Very well, considering the circumstances, but I'm still worried about him. This has all happened very fast and a great deal has been thrown at him all at once. And unlike before, he's not a child anymore. He's conducting himself like a king, but I'm concerned he's not giving himself a chance to openly grieve. He barely eats or sleeps, or so I've been told."

"I think I'll be able to help with that." Kia said.

The bishop place a hand on her shoulder. "I'm counting on it. Now go ahead to the throne room. The king is in the war room, but I'll let him know you're here. I have a feeling you won't have to wait long."

Kia nodded her thanks, and headed into the keep. The hall leading to the throne room had never seemed so long. Though she had traveled that hall dozens, if not hundreds of times, it just didn't feel the same anymore. She entered the room without incident, since most of the guards probably still knew who she was and why she was there.

In the center of the room was a stone casket engraved with Varian's likeness. Kia approached it slowly, stopping once she was less than a foot away. She reached out and placed her hand on the side. The dark stone was smooth and cool to the touch. It took all the willpower she could manage to not breakdown. After several minutes, she heard someone approach from behind.

"Clear the room!"

The guards stationed around the room left without hesitation and the doors to the throne room were closed. The room was eerily quiet and still.

"I was hoping this was all just some sick joke. I can't believe he's gone." Kia said quietly, her hand still on the cool stone. She turned to face Anduin, not trying to stop the tears from forming in her eyes. She wouldn't have been able to stop them, anyway, now that she was in the same room as Anduin.

Standing before her was a king. It was still Anduin, but his dress, his posture, everything was that of a king. He looked so much like his father in that moment. Without any further hesitation, she ran to him, hugging him tightly. He returned the hug fiercely, as if he'd been waiting for it since the news of the father's death reached his ears.

The hug continued for several minutes in silence. Tears were flowing freely now from Kia's eyes. She no longer felt the need to hide them.

"I'm so sorry, your Majesty." She said softly.

Anduin pulled back from the hug suddenly, though he didn't fully release her.

"Don't call me that. Never call me that. You're not a servant or a subject, you're my best friend. Please just call me by my name."

Kia could see tears threatening to fall in his eyes. She nodded and returned to the hug. "Of course, Anduin." Again there was a long pause, Kia waiting until she was sure she'd be able to get the words out before speaking. "What do you need me to do?"

"Just be here." He said, his voice, for the first time, sounding shaky.

"I'm here. I'll stay here for as long as you need me." She replied, taking note Anduin was now several inches taller than when she had seen him last. She seemed to fit in his arms perfectly, now that he was slightly taller.

Nothing else really needed to be said. They just stood in the empty throne room, holding each other. A while later, neither of them really knew how long, Sir Rodrick opened the door a crack, so as not to interrupt too suddenly.

"Sorry to interrupt, your Majesty, but you're needed back in the war room."

Anduin broke the hug and took a step back. He cleared his throat and composed himself while his back was turned. "Of course. I'll be right there." His voice was once again clear and strong, all signs of his earlier vulnerability gone. He squeezed Kia's hands one last time. "I'll see you at dinner?" He asked.

Kia nodded, not trusting her voice to cooperate. She wasn't the king and had no need to hold in her grief. She hoped her show of sadness would help Anduin feel like he wasn't the only person in pain.

Rodrick nodded in acknowledgement before following Anduin out of the room, leaving Kia alone for only a moment as Tyrande came in. She stood beside Kia, looking over at Varian's stone double.

"How are you holding up, Kia?" She asked.

"I knew this would be hard, but I'm finding it's all much harder than I anticipated. I want to be strong for Anduin, but I'm not sure I can."

Tyrande place a gentle had on Kia's shoulder and gave her a somber look. "Then don't be strong. The king has an entire kingdom putting on a strong face for him. Maybe what he needs most is someone who's showing exactly how they feel. You're his friend. Just be his friend and let the emotions come naturally."

Kia managed to smile. That was probably the best advice she had received in a long time. She turned and hugged Tyrande and the moon goddess returned it.

"Your father and I will be returning to Darnassus shortly." Tyrande said, looking down at her daughter. "Please take care of yourself and watch over the king. He'll need you to be something no one else can be right now, a friend."

Kia nodded, a new stream of tears falling.

Tyrande wiped away a tear from Kia's cheek and kissed her on the forehead, then turned and left.

Kia watched her leave with a new determination to do exactly what her mother said. Be Anduin's friend.

To Be Continued...