Sorry for the delay in updating. Hope you're enjoying the story.

The weeks went by and Anduin felt like he was accomplishing nothing. Everyday he attended meetings and war councils with generals, advisers and other leaders from all across Azeroth, but every meeting ended with the same topic...the Broken Shore. The place where his father died saving his men and the place where the battle against the burning legion was currently taking place.

The new king could hardly find time to eat or sleep, let alone grieve for the loss of his father. The only thing keeping him sane was sleeping next to Kia at night. He'd return to his chambers in the wee hours of the morning to find Kia sound asleep in his bed. He'd snuggle up close to her and found the only peace he had in his life. In her sleep, she'd sense his presence and roll into him. Those moments were the only things keeping him going.

What bothered Anduin the most was the attitude of his people. They liked and respected him, of course. Being liked and respected was never a problem. The problem was they didn't trust him or believe in him as a king and Anduin really couldn't blame them. He wore the crown and held the title, but he often felt like he had done nothing to earn it. His father and his grandfather had both been great warriors. Even when their decisions weren't popular, in the end, people trusted their king to do what was best of the people of Stormwind. Anduin had not earned that same sense of trust. Not yet, anyway.

And it wasn't just the people whose trust he needed to earn, it was everyone else as well, his advisors, his military and the other leaders. He had overheard Prophet Velen, who was currently staying in Stormwind to serve as an advisor, and Genn talking about him. They were concerned for him. Velen assured Genn that with time, Anduin would become a great leader and ruler. Genn was concerned that Anduin just couldn't understand the weight of his orders on the war, since he had never seen it, first hand.

The more Anduin thought about it, the more he knew Genn was right. Since becoming king, Anduin hadn't left Stormwind. He was giving orders and commands from the relative safety of the keep, not seeing the price of those commands. This was why Anduin planned to sneak out to the Broken Shore. He had to, if he was to gain the trust of those who followed his orders.

Anduin looked down at Kia as she slept. She was going to hate this plan and would probably insist on accompanying him. He wasn't going to allow her to go with him, though. Even though he know she was a fully trained ranger and a powerful druid, Anduin wanted Kia nowhere near the fighting. She was the only family he had left and she was going to stay safe.

The thought made Anduin smile sadly. Was this how his father had felt about him? Was this the reason he had led a sheltered life within the keep? Had his father been so desperate to protect the only family he had left, that he was willing to practically smother him at times?

Anduin held Kia closer and quickly fell asleep.

Kia paced the room. She often did this when she was thinking. Movement had always helped her think. Anduin sat on the bed, watching her pace. He had just told her his plan to visit the troops on the Broken Shore and to see the place where his father was killed. Just as he had expected, Kia hated the idea.

"I fear for your safety." Kia finally said, stopping in front of Anduin. "The last time you went off on your own…"

Anduin nodded. "I know. I still feel the pain from that mistake, but I've learned from it."

Kia then knelt before him, her hands on his knees. "I understand why you must go. I even understand why you want me to stay behind. I'll do as you wish, without complaint. I'll worry about you, of course, but I know you can take care of yourself. You're the king now. You can't always stay where it's safe."

Anduin stood, pulling her up with him. He hugged her tightly. Kia rested her head on his chest.

"I saw first hand how you handled yourself during our time in Pandaria. I believe in you, Anduin. In time, everyone else will too."

"I don't know how I would have survived these last few weeks without you." He said softly, not releasing the hug. He could tell Kia was trembling slightly.

"Just promise me you'll be careful."

Anduin pulled away so he could look into Kia's glowing blue/green eyes. "I promise."

Kia placed a hand on his cheek and kissed him gently. She then slipped away through the hidden passage between their chambers. She wanted to be out of sight before she let the first of her worried tears fall. She knew he had to go, but deep down, she was terrified. All she could see was Anduin, the man she loved with all her heart, lying on the ground, clinging desperately to life, powerless to help him.

To Be Continued...