Thanks for reading and reviewing. New chapter up.

When Kia woke up again, she opened her eyes to see an unknown tauren standing over her. This tauren was male, but must have been fairly young, since he was much smaller than Baine and almost ganguly. He smiled down at her when he realized her eyes were open.

"Don't be alarmed. I'm just making sure you're doing alright. I healed you originally, but I just wanted to be certain I didn't miss anything." The tauren said softly. "Oh, I'm Torian, by the way."

"It's nice to meet you, Torian. Thank you for healing me." Kia said, thankful her voice seemed stronger and less raspy.

"You're welcome, your Majesty."

The formality make Kia blush slightly. "No need for the formality, Torian. Call me Kia."

"As you like."

"Where's Vera?" Kia asked.

"Vera and the chieftain are in the front room, having dinner. If you'd like, I can help you up and you can join them. It'd be good for you to eat something too." Torian offered.

"As long as I can sit up today without getting nauseous, then I'd love to."

Torian placed a hand behind Kia's back and helped her sit up slowly. Kia was thankful there was no dizziness or nausea this time around. They both paused for a moment as Kia got her barings. Kia then smiled up at Torian.

"I think we're good." Kia stood, leaning on Torian heavily. "Though if you moved away, I'd probably tip over."

"I'll stay with you, just go slowly." He instructed as he half carried Kia out to door and into an adjacent room, where both Vera and Baine were seated.

"Look who's up and around." Torian announced.

"Well, I'm up, but I'm only around because I'm being helped, but it's better than before." She said, allowing Torian to place her in a seat at the large table.

"How are you feeling?" Vera asked, looking at Kia. "Are you sure you should be moving around?"

"I told her she could." Torian answered for Kia. "She needs to eat and the only medical thing wrong with her at this point is weakness from being injured. She's fully healed. I made sure of it."

Vera offered Kia a bowl of some type of stew. It smelled good and, thankfully, Kia's stomach growled with hunger, rather than lurched with nausea at the scent.

"Thank you." Kia replied, taking a bite.

"We've been trying to think of a good way to get you home. Do you carry a hearthstone?" Baine asked.

Kia smiled at him. "I actually have something better. Anduin and I carry a special stone which allows us to open a portal to a specific location."

"So, you can leave right away." Vera said, sounding relieved. She, no doubt, wanted to get Kia back to Anduin as soon as possible and remove the risk to herself and her cousin from harboring an enemy.

"Unfortunately, no. The stone uses my druidic magic to open the portal. It's a big drain, since the portal does not require a mage to support it. I'm not strong enough to open the portal, let alone hold it open long enough to travel through it."

"Well, you are safe here to recover. This place is entirely secret. I fear we won't be able to notify the king about your safety, but considering the circumstances, this is better than I could have hoped for." Baine said.

Kia could see the regret in Baine. He was an honest and good person and she could tell it pained him not to be able to tell Anduin his wife was safe and sound in his care.

"I am most thankful for everything you have done for me, Baine. I can't even express how thankful." Kia said, almost near tears. She sniffed and cleared her throat. "I'm sorry. I'm not sure why I'm so emotional about all of this."

Vera chuckled. "Your pregnant. It's probably hormones. I'm sure it'll only get worse from here."

Kia chuckled. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I'm pregnant. It doesn't seem real to me, yet."

"Well, with any luck, you'll be home soon. You can stay here as long as you need. I don't want you to risk yourself or your child by trying your portal before you're ready." Baine replied, getting to his feet and stretching.

"I, on the other hand, must return to my army. I don't want my absence to be noticed." He walked around the table and took Kia's hand gently. The size difference was almost comical. "Please give my best wishes to Anduin, since our positions in life prevent us from being true friends. And take care of yourself and your baby. I hope to live to see a time where I can meet him or her in person."

"I wish for that day as well. I thank you again for everything you've done for us. I will never forget your kindness."

With a final bow, Baine left the cave, to presumably hearth back to his people.

Kia sat quietly, thinking about how things would be different now, if only Baine had become warchief instead of Sylvanas.

To Be Continued...