New chapter up. I love this chapter. I think it's sweet and I liked writing it. Enjoy.
Malfurion sat quietly in the forest on the edge of Darnassus. The war with the legion had been making him feel drained and impure, so he found himself communing with nature more often. It helped make him feel more like himself.
Most of his fellow night elves knew better than to interrupt the Archdruid when he was connected with nature, unless it was truly important, so when the sentinel walked up to him, waiting patiently for him to acknowledge her presence, he knew something was happening. He slowly lowered himself out of the trees, his feet touching the ground lightly.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you, Archdruid, but we received a message stating that King Anduin Wrynn is about to portal to Darnassus."
"Anduin?" He replied. His first thoughts going to Kia. If something had happened to her, it would be Anduin who would deliver the news personally. King of Stormwind or not, he was Kia's greatest friend. "Once he arrives, please show him to the arboretum. I'll join him there shortly.
The sentinel bowed, then mounted her sabercat and sprinted back to Darnassus.
Malfurion took a deep breath, letting it out slowly to calm his nerves. This didn't mean there was something wrong with Kia. Anduin was the king now and there was a war going on. This could have nothing to do with his daughter. It wasn't unusual for the High King of the Alliance to travel to the other capital cities to discuss business.
Malfurion made his way to the arboretum, wishing Tyrande were here and not in Ashenvale. He missed her supportive presence. The city was lonely without her.
He entered the arboretum to find the king casually examining one of the Tollian flowers near the waterfall, the nearly four inch, pink blossoms moving slightly in the breeze. It made him feel better to find Anduin seemed relaxed. Anxious, maybe, but not in distress. If something had happened to Kia, Anduin would not be calm.
"Your Majesty. I'm honored by your visit." Malfurion said, bowing. Anduin looked different than he had when the night elf had left Stormwind right after Varian's death. He looked older, and more confident. He also looked a great deal like this father, carrying himself like a king. Malfurion also noted that Anduin now carried his father's sword, which had been lost at the Broken Shore at the time of his death.
"I'm sorry to drop in unannounced, Archdruid, but I needed to speak with you."
"Is Kia alright? The last I heard you were personally overseeing the battle at the Broken Shore. I can only assume Kia was with you." Malfurion asked.
Anduin chuckled nervously. "I probably should have started with that. Yes, Kia is fine. She was living happily in Stormwind the last time I saw her. She didn't go to the Broken Shore with me. I asked her to stay behind. I'm actually here on a more personal matter."
"What can I do for you, Anduin?" Malfurion switched to a less formal tone, knowing the new king was much more comfortable when called by his name. Anduin was good a formality, but didn't prefer it.
Anduin paused, taking a calming breath. "First, don't think of this visit as the King of Stormwind visiting the leader of the night elves. Think of it as a young man coming to speak with the father of the woman he loves. I wish to have your blessing to marry Kia."
"I did not realize your relationship had gone to that level." Malfurion said, not sure what else to say after a slight pause. This was definitely not what he had expected from the king. He knew Kia thought the world for Anduin, though he hadn't heard anything about any romantic attachment. He had suspected there could be something between them, but he didn't feel it was his place to inquire.
"It's relatively new. It took the trauma of father's death to take us there, but I think we both felt the same way a long time ago. We just never admitted it to ourselves or each other." Anduin said nervously.
"Have you asked her yet?"
Anduin shook his head. "Not yet. I wanted to get your blessing first. It's a bit of a human custom, getting the blessing of the bride's father. I honestly haven't studied much about the marriage customs of the night elves." He shrugged. "I never thought I'd fall in love with one."
Malfurion walked to the back of the arboretum, examining the flower Anduin had been looking at when he arrived. "I'd say I was surprised by this revelation, but I'm honestly not. Kia has loved you since the moment she saw you. She might not have consciously known it, but her actions have always spoken louder than her words." He turned to Anduin. "On several occasions, she dropped what she was doing to assist you, even if you were not the one asking for help."
Anduin nodded. "Yes, I had a feeling she might have done that, particularly when she joined me on Pandaria, though she'd never admit it to me. I think I've loved her since the moment I saw her on that archery field, the day she arrived in Stormwind. I was too young to fully realized what I was feeling, of course, but now it seems so clear."
Malfurion stood quietly for a moment, thinking. The look in Anduin's eyes was similar to what he figured he looked like when he looked at Tyrande. The boy was in love and it took great courage to approach someone of Malfurion's age and position, just so he could marry the woman he loved. It took even more courage, considering Anduin's station.
"I will give you my blessing, Anduin Wrynn, if you can promise me one thing."
"Anything." Anduin said.
"On multiple occasions, Kia has sacrificed something of hers, to help you. I know it's a difficult thing to promise when you're the king but, are you willing to sacrifice for her? Will you show her the same blind love and devotion?"
"If she asked me to abdicate the throne and run away with her, I'd do it in a heartbeat."
Malfurion laughed. Those were the words of a man in love. "I highly doubt she'd ever ask that of you, but it's good to know your devotion runs deep." he nodded to the young king. "You have my blessing, Anduin."
Anduin bowed. "I thank you, Archdruid."
The night elf waved his hand dismissively. "If you're going to be my son in law, you can call me Malfurion, when the company is appropriate, of course. Now, my young friend, you look like you've traveled a long way. Please, grace us with your presence at dinner. Tyrande is due to be back within the hour and I would be honored if you would spend the night here in Darnassus, before you head back. A first hand update from the frontline would be welcome."
"I'd be happy to stay. Honestly, I'd like to be rested when I see Kia tomorrow. Asking for your blessing was the easy part, I think."
"Not to worry, your Majesty, Kia loves you. She may fight you on not being totally human, but don't let her. She deserves to be happy. As do you."
Anduin laughed, nodding. "This is one fight I plan to win."
To Be Continued...