Sisters of Westfall, Epilogue

Westfall, one year later

Honeymaren looked out the kitchen window as the portal from Dalaran opened in the middle of the cornfield as it always did. Elsa emerged with a giant sack, carrying her staff and wearing brilliant blue adept's robes as Anna hurtled across the field to greet her.

"Finally gotten used to it?" Iduna asked, putting her arm around Honeymaren's waist.

"I still don't know how YOU got used to it," Honeymaren said, watching the sisters passionately kiss each other in the middle of the field, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. "My people were very open minded, but I can't think of anyone who had this kind of relationship."

Iduna laughed. "I never would have thought I would have fallen for a bandit, either," she giggled, kissing Honeymaren on the cheek and looking at her daughters out the window. "They're happy together, it's not forbidden under the laws of the Kingdom, and I'd rather them find love in each other than force themselves to be something they aren't."

"I…" Honeymaren started, choking back small sobs, "I suppose I would have felt the same if Ryder… had grown up… and fallen in love with someone… not traditional."

Iduna pulled her into a tight hug. "Shh, it's okay, love. It's okay," she comforted, rubbing her hands gently up and down Honeymaren's back. "I understand."

Honeymaren turned her face into Iduna's shoulder as her tears slowed. "I'm sorry, I should… it's been so long now. I'm sorry."

Iduna wove her fingers through Honeymaren's hair. "There's nothing to be sorry for, and it's only been a year, sweetheart. I still miss Agnar, and it's been over a decade. Remember what I always say?"

"Where there is deep grief, there was great love," Honeymaren murmured. "I… it's not the same, but I am so glad I have you in my life, Iduna."

"As am I… even if our first meeting was a little… pointed," she joked, covering her mouth with her hand to hold in her laughter while Honeymaren glared at her until breaking down and embracing her lover.

The front door burst open as the sisters came in, like twin tornados. "Hi Mama, Hi Auntie," Elsa said, grinning.

"Auntie?" Honeymaren gasped, pressing a hand to her breast in surprise. "When did I become Auntie?"

"We needed something to call you besides Mama's squeeze," giggled Anna as she ran past. "Though we can call you that if you want!"

Iduna struggled to contain her laughter as Honeymaren opened and closed her mouth soundlessly for a few moments before finding words again. "Auntie… Auntie will do fine, I suppose. You're the closest thing I have to family now."

Anna heaved the large burlap sack on the brand new dining room table. In addition to being a skilled rogue, Honeymaren was also quite handy around the house and like many Kvaldir, was a talented woodworker. In the year that had passed, she'd fixed up much of the aging furniture around the home or outright built new furniture for Iduna.

Anna opened the sack, pulling out every manner of food from it, squealing in delight. "Mama! Elsa went to Ironforge and brought back food from Brewfest!" She pulled out countless types of sausage, pretzels and breads, and piles of different, exotic cheeses. Anna's eyes bulged as her mouth watered; Elsa had even managed to carry a pony keg of Stormstout Brew back with her.

The women all began organizing the goods and preparing for an afternoon meal with the dizzying array of food. Iduna sent the girls out to clean and prepare root vegetables while she and Honeymaren prepared cheese fondue for the pretzels. She started humming a little tune as she cut up some Alterac Swiss into cubes while Honeymaren cut up some Dalaran Sharp.

"Iduna…" Honeymaren said softly, pausing in her task. "Where did you learn that song?"

"What? Oh, you mean what I was humming? It's from when I was a little girl. I don't remember where I learned it; it's just stuck with me over the years," she said, brushing some of her brown and grey hair behind her ear. "There are words to it, too." Iduna cleared her throat. "Where the north wind meets the sea-"

"There's a river full of memory. Sleep my darling, safe and sound, for in this river all is found…" Honeymaren completed the verse, as Iduna stood shocked.

"How… how did you know that song?" Iduna asked, still stunned. She'd not heard the song since she was a child and had never heard it since.

Honeymaren put down her block of cheese and walked over to Iduna, clasping her shoulder. "It's a Kvaldir song, Iduna. From my people's village. I… how in the world did you learn it? It's not something we would have taught to an outsider."

"I… I don't remember. I thought it was something I'd heard growing up."

"Iduna… where were you born? You said you're from Stormwind, but were you born in Stormwind?"

Iduna shook her head. "No… I was an orphan. I was a ward of the Kingdom, looked after by Matron Nightingale at the orphanage in Stormwind until the Davenport family took me in. I grew up in Redridge, two provinces over, until I met Agnar and married him." She smiled fondly at the memories washing over her. "Agnar was stationed near the border of Duskwood and would come into the tavern in Lakeshire at the end of his shifts. I was working as a waitress there, and I caught his eye."

"So you have no memory of your family?"

"Not my original family, no. Matron Nightingale said I was just dropped off one day by soldiers. It happened a lot during the wars. All I remember are the Davenports. Maybe that's where I heard the song? I've got a few books from my youth in the sitting room," Iduna said. She dusted off her hands and walked into the living room, Honeymaren close behind. On one of the bookshelves, she pulled down books she'd kept from her childhood and leafed through them.

Elsa and Anna came back into the house, bearing buckets of potatoes and carrots. Anna looked with confusion at the women in the sitting room, digging through books. "Mama… what's going on?"

"We're trying to figure out where the nursery song is from," Iduna mumbled as she leafed through the pages of a tome her adoptive mother had given her on child-rearing, shaking her head.

"The one about the river full of memory?" Elsa asked.

Honeymaren looked up at her. "You know it too?"

Elsa nodded. "Mama used to sing it to us when we were little," she chuckled at the memory. "Anna falls asleep almost the moment she hears it, even today."

Anna swatted Elsa on the forearm. "You're not supposed to tell people that, you stinker!"

After fifteen minutes of digging with everyone helping, they were no closer to any answers. Finally, Elsa reached up to the top of the bookshelf and found an old leather tome covered in dust. "What's this, Mama?"

"Oh… that… that's your grandfather's journal," Iduna said with a scowl. Honeymaren gave her a quizzical look. "Agnar and his father weren't on good terms; Runeard was a… well, he didn't approve of our marriage because I was poor." She dusted off the cover, revealing cracked leather, a faded crest of Lordaeron embossed in it, and an ornate lock. "I've never opened this in all the years we've had it, even after Agnar… didn't come home. I wouldn't even know how to."

Honeymaren gave a small smile. "My rogue days may be over, but I still remember a few things." She looked carefully at the lock, then went to the kitchen for a small knife and a few pins. Within moments, she'd easily picked the lock open.

The women scrunched together on the couch, Iduna and Honeymaren in the middle, Elsa and Anna on either side, as Iduna opened the mysterious tome, the parchment smelling as old as it looked. Inside were charts, maps, rosters, and everything one would expect of a military commander. They flipped a few pages, found the journal part, and started reading.

January 7

We have sailed past a series of islands far north of Lordaeron. After being at sea for nearly a week, we've come across what I can only describe as a savage, hostile land. The cold here is like nothing I've ever felt - it cuts through your clothing like a knife. We have spotted what appear to be bipedal walrus-like creatures along the coastline, but have not approached closely yet.

"That sounds like Northrend and the Tuskarr," Honeymaren mused. "They're all along the southern beaches of Northrend, coast to coast. Some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet."

They continued flipping through pages.

January 23

We have made landfall in what appears to be a frozen land that's also volcanic. There's ice and snow as far as the eye can see, but also hot springs, geysers, and the smell of sulphur in the air. I've dispatched a scouting group to see what resources might be available to us.

Honeymaren's expression darkened. Iduna took her hand gently. "What is it, love?"

"The… for years, explorers and adventurers have come to Northrend in search of fame, excitement, adventure, treasure… slaves. You name it, people have attempted to exploit it from our lands. Thankfully, the continent is so inhospitable that many of the adventurers do not survive, but it is still… infuriating… to read about how callously they think of my people's land, as though they were promised it somehow." Honeymaren tightened her grip on Iduna's hand briefly. "It's not your fault, what your husband's father did or said. It's just… difficult to hear."

Iduna made a motion to close the book, but her lover stilled her hand. "I'm all right, Iduna."

February 17

We lost over half our landing party today after our excursion to one of the native villages ended in disaster. We approached bearing items for trade, but one of my Knights was easily spooked and shot a villager who raised a spear at him. A skirmish ensued, and we retreated as quickly as we could. Tomorrow I shall lead a larger landing party to retrieve our dead and confront the villagers.

"Does this sound familiar at all, Honeymaren?" Anna asked softly, tears welling in her eyes at the horror of the story and the sins committed by her own family.

Honeymaren nodded. "It's a tale told all too often. These specific events, no, but many like this have happened over the years. The pirates that kidnapped me and my son behaved similarly, except that their intentions were clear from the beginning."

March 2

We are preparing to depart for Lordaeron. After negotiating with the villagers, we secured some small trade and leave in peace despite the rocky start. Our chief engineer, Fizzwhistle, brought one of his Gnomish inventions along to commemorate the moment, some dastardly device that captures our likenesses on parchment. I have taken this 'photograph' as he calls it and appended it to my notes.

A small square of paper fell from the journal; Iduna reached down to retrieve it. In it, several Lordaeron soldiers posed stoically, along with many of the villagers - men, women, and children.

Honeymaren gasped. "This… this is my village! This here, this woman, that's my mother, Yelena!" She stared closely at the grainy black and white photo, seeing her mother along with two children, a toddler wrapped in a dark shawl and a baby. She froze, her finger gently touching the photo.

"What is it, love?" Iduna asked, rubbing Honeymaren's shoulder.

"This… I… look, Iduna. Look carefully. Look at my mother," Honeymaren whispered.

Iduna squinted at the photo. "I see her and two children. Which one is you?"

"I'm the baby, swaddled in the light-colored cloth. There's another child. Iduna… I never had a sibling growing up. Mother said I was an only child," she breathed, barely able to believe her eyes. Honeymaren thought back to her childhood and never remembered any kind of sibling. Cousins, friends, plenty of other kids to play with, but not a sibling. Family was everything to the Kvaldir.

Anna and Elsa passed the photo back and forth to each other as Iduna flipped the page in the journal.

March 4

After a day of hunting around the ships, we finally found the source of the wailing that had spooked my men, fearing that sirens were coming to claim them, or the naga, or whatever other superstitious nonsense they believe. It turns out that a small child somehow snuck aboard our ships before we departed the village. We are five days away from Lordaeron, and we have plenty of rations, so we will keep the child alive and turn it over to an orphanage when we return home.

Iduna turned the page, her hand shaking.

March 8

A monstrous storm has knocked us badly off course the last two days. We barely survived, fearing we would be knocked into the Maelstrom by it, but we were able to avert disaster. We look to be just off the coast of Stormwind. Thankfully, King Terenas is on good terms with King Llane, so we should be able to repair and resupply.

Elsa lit candles to illuminate the darkening room as they read on.

March 16

We have made full repairs and are now making the long, two-week journey back to Lordaeron. We've sent word by gryphon to Lordaeron so that the crown does not think us lost or worse, derelict in our duties. The men are much more settled now; leaving the child in Stormwind's orphanage has made the superstitious among them feel better, as they believe the presence of any woman, of any age, is a curse on their ship.

Anna looked as though she'd seen a ghost and left the room for her bedroom, while Iduna closed the book and sat back, putting an arm around Honeymaren. "What… what do you think all this means, love?" she asked.

Honeymaren shook her head. "I… I don't know. I am still shocked by the photo."

Elsa looked around the corner to see Anna coming back from her room, carrying what looked like a blanket with her. She started at the realization - she'd had the blanket when she was a little girl, and then given it to her sister when she was old enough to not just chew on it.

"Mama…" Anna almost whispered, her voice raspy, hands shaking as she held out the blanket. "Look."

Iduna took the blanket carefully, confused. "What am I looking at, Anna?"

Anna picked up the photo and put it on the table in front of them, then unfolded the blanket, a royal purple-colored shawl with diamond patterns embroidered all over it.

Honeymaren took the cloth between her fingers. "This… this pattern is something my mother wove into her textiles. She embroidered this on everything, said it was something to do with the elemental spirits of Azeroth. How… how do you have this, Anna?"

"Mama gave it to us… Auntie." Anna picked up the photo again, her fingers trembling. "Do you see it now? The blanket wrapped around the toddler is the same. You can make out the diamond patterns in the photo…"

Time stood still once more. No one dared even breathe as the realization sank in.

"You… you're my sister," whispered Iduna, as fat tears gathered in her eyes. "…I have a sister…"

Honeymaren paled, her tan skin sallow. "I… in Helya's name, I've been making love to my own sister!" She stood up abruptly and fled the room, leaving the Jansen women staring in shock.

After a few moments, Anna stood up, hugging her teary-eyed mother. "I'll go find her. It'll be all right, Mama."

"Want me to come along?" asked her sister, concerned.

Anna smiled. "Sure. We know a thing or two about sisters loving each other."


The sisters found Honeymaren inside the stables a little while later, soft sobbing coming from the furthest stall. Elsa cast a glimmer, shining soft blue light in the darkened barn space from a floating ice crystal.

Honeymaren lay curled up in a ball atop a few straw bales. As she heard the footsteps approaching, she sat up and pulled out a small kitchen knife, preparing to defend herself.

"Old habits die hard, huh?" Anna said softly.

"Oh… it's you. Sorry," Honeymaren muttered. "I… I just need some space." She curled up in a ball once more in the straw, burrowing to hide herself.

Anna sat down on a nearby bale of straw, beckoning Elsa to sit in her lap. "I know. It's a lot, a lot for everyone, so I'll just say what I came here to say and let you be, okay?" She received a silent nod in response. "I don't know what the Kvaldir culture was like, or how less than traditional relationships were treated, but all I know is that you love who you love."

Elsa chimed in. "And for all intents and purposes, our mother may be your blood, but she's not your sister. Neither of you remembers the other, and over the last year, the love that's blossomed between you two has been romantic, not sisterly."

"Not to say that you couldn't add some sisterly love in there if you wanted!" Anna chirped. "But yeah. Do you love her?"

Honeymaren nodded. "I- I do. Even… even knowing what I know now, I do love her. I… she's been my world since you rescued me. I don't know what I would have done without her… without any of you. But still… what we are… is that bad? Are we bad?"

"Do you think we're bad for each other?" Anna asked Honeymaren as she stroked Elsa's forearm gently, her sister leaning into her.

"I… I thought that when I first found out. I wasn't sure what was happening, or… or if Iduna knew. But…" Honeymaren sighed, looking at the sisters, "You… you're perfect for each other." She struggled some days to reconcile the taboos of her culture and mainstream society with the obvious love the sisters shared, but couldn't deny that their love was deep and true.

Elsa stood up and walked over to Honeymaren, pulling her into a tentative embrace. "You could have that with Mama, too. The two of you love each other, so very much, as much as Anna and I love each other. Every time I've come home this past year, it's been like watching the sun rise over the horizon for the both of you. She looks less at the painting over the fireplace, and you… well, you spend less time in here. You're perfect for each other too."

"This world has enough war and sorrow, Honeymaren," murmured Anna as she embraced both women, softly rubbing her palms over both their shoulders. "Love as much as you can, while you can. You never know when… you know, a gigantic fallen Titan will plunge his sword halfway through the planet."

"That was last week," Honeymaren gave a small laugh, took a deep breath, and walked hand in hand with both sisters back to the house, back to Iduna, who waited quietly.

Honeymaren sat on the couch next to her as the sisters winked at their mother before retreating to the kitchen.

Honeymaren stared at her hands for a long moment, fidgeting.

"Are… you all right, love?" Iduna asked softly.

"I… yes. It's a lot, you know, to take in all at once. But…"

Iduna reached out, stilling Honeymaren's hands. "I know. I felt the same way when I found out about the girls. If you need space, if you need to think about it… I understand."

"I need you," she said without hesitation, shaking her head. She embraced Iduna fiercely. "It still sounds so strange in my head, to know that I love… that I am in love… with my sister, a sister I never knew. But I need you, Iduna. I need you in my life, in my heart, sister or not. What does that say about me?"

"It doesn't say anything about you, my love. I don't care what we call ourselves, as long as we're together," Iduna said, running her fingers through Honeymaren's walnut hair. "Come on, let's go help finish making dinner."


Author's Notes

I decided to have a bit of fun in the epilogue and finish out with the revelation that Iduna and Honeymaren are sisters. Kudos to those eagle-eyed readers who spotted the few hints along the way, all the way back in part 2 when Anna thought the mysterious woman looked familiar.

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