New Chapter up. Thanks very much reading.

Kia sat quietly in her sitting room, doing her best to wrap her brain around the news she had just received from one of Anduin's SI:7 operatives.

Anduin and his forces had been gone for just over three months and there had been very little news. This wasn't unexpected, but Kia found the not knowing nerve racking all the same. Rell had personally delivered the letter from Anduin to her while she was resting in the garden with Quinn, but she had retreated to her sitting room to read it. Regardless of what was said in the letter, Kia knew she'd probably end up crying. It seemed to be her goto move, as of late.

The letter had informed her that Anduin was returning home. The battle hadn't gone as planned, since Sylvanas had used her blight to make Lordaeron uninhabitable, rather than have it fall to the enemy, killing both Alliance and Horde troops in the process. A good portion of the Alliance army, as well as the king himself, had been saved by the sudden appearance of Jania Proudmoore.

Though the news that Anduin was safe and returning home filled Kia with relief, the news about Jaina's intervention left her with mixed feelings.

Kia was alone for a long time, but a knock at her door pulled her from her musings. Malfurion came in, looking worried.

"I was informed about Lordaeron. I was also told you receive a letter from Anduin. Are you alright?"

Kia smiled weakly at her father, gently running her hands over her steadily growing stomach. It was a habit she had started to do more often, now that her pregnancy was showing significantly. Tyrande had told Kia she was carrying like a night elf, which meant she was showing more prominently than a human woman would at this point.

"Anduin is coming home. I'm great." She said, though she had to admit, she didn't have much excitement in her voice. Her words weren't convincing and certainly didn't fool her father.

"I know you're happy he's returning to you safely, but you sound like something is bothering you." Malfurion took a seat across from her in a chair by the fire.

Kia sighed. "Jaina is with him."

"It's my understanding Jaina saved many lives with her appearance, including Anduin's."

"Yes, but where has she been?" Kia stood suddenly. "Where was she when Anduin was forced to mourn his father's loss alone? She walked out on him for not agreeing with her and now she can just show up and all is forgiven?"

Malfurion nodded in understanding. He knew Jaina's desertion of Anduin had been a very sore subject to Kia. He also knew Anduin wasn't the type to hold grudges or be unforgiving, so he most likely had forgiven Jaina for her actions almost immediately.

Under normal circumstances, Kia would follow Anduin's lead on such matters, but these weren't normal circumstances. Kia was pregnant and night elf females tended to be more volatile when expecting. It was some biological survival trait from ancient times when night elves were more primitive. Though Kia was only half night elf, she had been displaying some of the normal traits of pregnant night elves, including terrible mood swings.

Malfurion stood, standing in front of his daughter, placing a hand on each of her shoulders. He needed to approach this delicately. Even he knew not to upset a pregnant woman if it was avoidable. "I know Jaina's actions in the past have never set right with you, but it's up to Anduin to forgive her. Your increased irritation is due to your current condition."

Kia scoffed. "So you're saying I'm being irrational because I'm pregnant?"

Malfurion chuckled slightly. "That is exactly what I'm saying. You may live with humans and are carrying a mostly human baby, but you're still half night elf. From what I've seen, you're carrying your child more like a night elf than a human. Volatility is to be expected."

Kia pulled away from her father angrily. "You don't think I should be angry at Jaina? She abandoned Anduin when he needed her most!"

"I'm not saying you don't have a right to be angry. I'm just saying, perhaps you're expressing that anger a little more than you would normally because of your physical state." He pulled Kia into a hug and she didn't fight it. "Let your husband handle Jaina. If he forgives her, you should too. The king can't afford to push allies away, particularly now. And, like it or not, he considers her family."

Kia growled. "Stop being so logical."

Anduin sat within Jaina's airship, making their way back to Stormwind. Although the mage could probably get them back to the city quickly using a portal, Anduin has opted to sail back with his troops. Their victory, if you could call it that, had been unsettling and he felt he needed to stick with his army. Not to mention, he wanted some time alone with Jaina. He had a feeling his estranged aunt had some things she wished to talk about. Things which were best discussed in private.

So far, they had had a quiet dinner, but nothing outside of the battle had been discussed. Anduin could sense Jaina's hesitation all through the meal. It wasn't until after the meal had been cleared away that she finally began to speak. She spoke shyly, which wasn't a normal trait for the mage.

"I'm sorry, Anduin." Jaina said, returning to the table after preparing tea for both of them.

Anduin smiled and nodded. "I know."

Jaina shook her head. "No, you don't. After everything that happened over the last few years, your father's death was the last straw. But...I shouldn't have left you. You were forced to shoulder everything alone, simply because I was too petty to put aside my own feelings for the greater good. I'm sorry I left you."

"I forgive you. You know I can't stay mad at you." Anduin replied. "Besides, I wasn't alone. Kia was there with me the whole way."

Jaina smiled. "I'm happy she was there to help you. I'm also happy you two got married, though I regret not being there for the wedding. I honestly can't think of a better woman to sit by your side as queen. I was actually surprised she wasn't with you on the battlefield. Kia was never the type to be left behind."

Anduin grinned. He couldn't help it. The topic of his wife always made him smile. "Normally, she probably would have completely ignored my pleas for her to stay in Stormwind, but things are a bit different right now. We found out right before I left that Kia is pregnant. She hated to be left behind, but she didn't fight me on the issue."

Jaina's eyes grew wide with surprise. She knew as king, Anduin would most likely try to start a family shortly after getting married to Kia, since he didn't have an heir, but it still felt strange to hear that Anduin was going to be a father. He didn't seem old enough, sometimes Jaina couldn't help but look at her adopted nephew as younger than he actually was. In her eyes, Anduin was still the carefree youth of old, not the king he had become.

"That doesn't even seem possible, you becoming a father." Jaina stood, walked over to Anduin, hugging him. "Congratulations, Anduin. I'm very happy for you."

Anduin returned the hug, laughing. "Trust me, I'm still wrapping my head around it myself. I had to leave before she started to show, so it doesn't seem very real yet. I'm guessing she'll be obviously pregnant by the time we get back. She'll be almost five months along."

Jaina returned to her seat, but was still smiling.

"And, actually, I'm just thankful to have her alive and well in Stormwind, considering what had happened to her."

Jaina looked at Anduin, confused, but she knew he'd elaborate without being asked. This was obviously something he wished to share.

"Kia was in Teldrassil when it burned."

Jaina gasped slightly. "By the Light. Obviously, she made it out."

Anduin nodded. "Yes, but barely. She, being Kia, stayed behind to ensure everyone was evacuated. During her final sweep of the tree, she was injured and had to escape by flying up and out. She was overcome by the smoke and crash landed among the Horde army."

Jaina replied. "Was she captured?"

Anduin shook his head. "No. Fortunately, it was Baine Bloodhoof who found her. He and his cousin smuggled Kia away from the battle without Sylvanas knowing. He told Kia he couldn't in good conscience hand her over to their warchief, knowing full well what she'd do to my queen, if given the chance. It was the tauren shaman who healed Kia which discovered Kia was pregnant."

"Kia was lucky indeed." Jaina replied thoughtfully. "I get the feeling Baine isn't totally onboard with how Sylvanas is handling this war."

"He's not. I think much of the Horde are uncomfortable with their warchief, though openly opposing her would be catastrophic. I'm confident I could negotiate peace, if Sylvanas weren't warchief."

"We live through troubling times." Jaina said, but then stood, taking a bottle of wine out of a cupboard, pouring two small glasses. "But, now is not the time to discuss the war effort. Let's toast to you becoming a father. Varian would be so proud of you."

They clinked glasses, then sat and talked for the rest of the night. Anduin was happy to have his aunt back. He had missed her company and discussions.

To Be Continued...