Hello dear readers! As some of you guessed, it is the final chapter to this story.
Enjoy!
Chapter 11: For Azeroth and the Alliance
Lothar arrived in Stormwind an hour or two after midnight, landing directly in front of the palace. Karandra was still asleep in his arms as he dismounted, keeping her against him, not wanting to wake her up.
Guards quickly surrounded them, shocked and silent as they could see their King's dead body on Lothar's saddle.
"Two of you get the body to the throne room. One of you go and get the Queen there too. I'll be right behind you," Lothar instructed.
The guards nodded and did as they were told, not daring to question their Commander.
"You," Lothar said to one of the guard that hadn't been assigned to anything yet. "Do you know where Khadgar, the young mage, is?"
The young soldier merely nodded.
"Bring him to the throne room as well".
The man left quickly, and Lothar turned to the remaining ones.
"I'll need a healer, quickly. And I want the army to stand ready for the day after tomorrow. We're at war now".
They all left in different directions. Lothar rushed inside the palace and to the throne room. He arrived just behind the soldiers that were carrying Llane's body. He ordered them to lay the body in front of the throne. He gently laid Karandra on the ground down the few steps that were leading to the throne, and she groaned lightly in her sleep. He heard light but quick footsteps, and inhaled deeply to face his sister.
When Taria entered, she looked relieved to see her brother up and standing. She turned towards the throne, expecting her husband to be sitting on it. Her eyes widened once she saw the body, and she fell on her knees with a terrifying cry of pain and sadness.
She had to support herself on her hands, sobbing, shaking.
Lothar slowly approached her and knelt down beside her. He embraced her and rubbed her back comfortingly.
"I'm so sorry Taria," he whispered. "I've failed you, I've failed everyone. I didn't make it on time".
She cried for a long time, before she finally raised her head to meet her brother's gaze.
"Tell me what happened," she said in a harsh voice.
"I wasn't there… But from what I know, the Guardian died, so the troops were surrounded at the Black Gate with no way to escape. The Orcs killed them until Llane, Garona and Karandra were the only ones still alive. Garona saw her chance to join the clans and she murdered Llane with her dagger. Karandra was about to get killed and that's when I arrived. I killed the Orcs' war chief in single combat, so they let me leave on my griffin with Karandra and Llane's body. That's all I know".
"Is she d-de… Well, is she, too?" Taria managed to ask.
"No. Just exhausted, and she had a dislocated shoulder, along with a few little injuries. She'll be fine."
"Good. We'll need as many fighters as we can."
Lothar was about to answer when the doors banged open, Khadgar arriving in the room panting as if he'd run all the way there.
"Lothar! Your Majesty," he added when he saw the Queen. "What happened? Where is…" he started to say before his eyes fell on the two bodies lying on the ground.
He paled visibly and swayed slightly.
"A-are they…?" he gulped.
"The King is," Lothar answered, fighting against the lump in his throat. "Karandra's just exhausted."
Khadgar nodded. Lothar asked him to stay with the Queen for a moment as he was taking Karandra outside of the room. He crossed paths with the healer as he was getting out of the room. He didn't hesitate as he laid her down gently on the ground in the corridor.
"She had a dislocated shoulder, a few cuts and bruises, and her right ankle might be sprained," he explained. "Report right back to me. I'll be in the throne room."
The man nodded as he was starting to look at the young woman's injuries. Lothar went back to the throne room, but as soon as he entered, Taria stopped him.
"Lothar, please leave with Khadgar. Leave me alone for now."
He wanted to protest and stay with her, pondered for a second but complied, knowing she needed some time and privacy to say goodbye to her husband. He dragged the young mage with him and they went to see how the healer was treating Karandra.
"She'll be fine, she just need some rest. Keep her out of stress and physical activities for a few days. She'll wake up any minute now I believe."
Lothar nodded and thanked the healer before taking her in his arms again.
"Let's go to your quarters," he told Khadgar. "We need to discuss a few things."
The young man nodded and led the way. They arrived in a small room in a tavern, all the furniture was made of wood, and it felt very homey.
"Didn't want to stay in the palace. Too much for me," Khadgar simply said when Lothar raised his eyebrows as he passed through the doorframe.
He nodded and was about to lay Karandra on the cot but she stirred in his arms and suddenly woke up with a gasp, eyes wide with fear. She was about to trash around in panic but Lothar let himself plop down on a chair as he tightened his hold around her and started rocking her gently as he whispered soothing words in her ear, so low that Khadgar didn't even notice he was saying something.
Lothar gently cupped Karandra's cheek with his large, calloused hand and captured her gaze in his. A soft smile illuminated his features as she calmed down, trapped in his beautiful, mesmerizing, hypnotizing stormy eyes. She sighed inaudibly and curled up on Lothar's lap, nestling her head in the crook of his neck.
Khadgar had watched the scene with a curious and slightly jealous stare. He had no idea that they cared so much for each other, but their deep bond was quite clear to him now.
Keeping his right arm around Karandra's waist, Lothar then slammed something on the table with his other hand, looking at Khadgar with the disgust and the hatred still clear on his face. The young mage curiously picked the object up and exanimated it quickly.
"It's Garona's dagger," he said as he slightly furrowed his brows.
"I pulled it out from Llane's neck," Lothar said with an even voice.
"Well, there has to be an explanation," Khadgar replied.
"Yes. She made her choice," the Commander announced darkly.
"I don't believe that," Khadgar shot back.
"Maybe you and I didn't know her as well as we thought we did," Lothar let out.
"But… Karandra, you were there, you can tell us what really happened!" Khadgar urged her.
She whimpered and shrunk back into Lothar's side, shutting her eyes tight as she could see what had happened like it was unfolding in front of her right now. Lothar immediately felt the need to protect her and hugged her tighter, placing a hand against her hair to make her feel safe.
"Leave her in peace, she's still shocked by the battle that she fought in," Lothar said with a bit of a threat underlining his words.
"But she has to tell us, I'm sure Garona didn't just murder the King for pleasure!" Khadgar insisted.
Lothar immediately jumped up and gently sat Karandra down on the chair before facing Khadgar, angry at him and ready to throw a punch.
"Step back!" he growled. "She's traumatized, don't force her to talk! Garona killed Llane, of that I'm sure, so leave my princess alone, understood ?!"
The three didn't move for a second. Karandra because she was still fighting the nightmares, but the other two were still processing what Lothar had just blurted out. Khadgar eventually nodded. Lothar swiftly turned on his heels and picked Karandra up in his arms again before walking out without any more words and back to his room in the palace.
"Lothar?" she softly called him as he was closing the door with his foot.
"Yes?"
"Why did you say that?" she asked, her voice so low he nearly missed it.
"Say what?" he tried to dodge.
"That I was your princess," she simply answered. "I don't know what it means, I'm not a princess."
He sat down on the edge of his bed and placed her comfortably on his lap.
"Karandra, I'm not sure this is the right moment to speak about it, but… I care for you. I really do. I mean, I want to protect your and keep you safe, I worry about you, and…"
"Do you love me?" she suddenly asked, her voice always soft.
He looked at her, surprised. The golden eyes stared right back at him, awaiting an answer.
"Yes, I do" he said softly, as if he didn't want to frighten her. "I love you."
"I love you too," she said.
A small smile tugged Lothar's lips upwards despite the desperate situation outside.
"This is clearly not the right moment to ask you this, but will you marry me?" he suddenly asked.
"Marry you?" she repeated.
"Become my mate. Live here, with me. Fight by my side," he explained.
She slowly leaned towards him and kissed him, letting their lips dance gently together. Lothar pulled her slightly so she would straddle him, and he started removing her clothes. He pulled a bit too hard on her sleeve and she winced with a groan as it made her shoulder move in an uncomfortable way.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry," Lothar said with an utterly worried expression as he immediately inspected her shoulder. "Are you alright? Does it hurt?"
"I'm fine," she answered. "Can we… can we just lay down together for the end of the night? I'm really tired and sore."
"Yes, of course. I'm so sorry, I didn't want to hurt you. Here, let me help you with the rest of your clothes. You can sleep with this shirt on if you want. It's one of mine."
She slipped on the shirt he handed her and slipped under the blanket. Lothar joined her a minute after, keeping only pants on. He gently and carefully pulled her into him, and wrapped his strong arms around her fragile frame. He kissed her forehead with a content sigh.
"Goodnight, Karandra."
"Goodnight, Lothar."
In the morning, Lothar woke up at first light and carefully slipped out of bed, not waking his future wife. A small, silly smiled spread on his face. Even though he was truly devastated by his King's death and immensely worried with the Orcs, he knew everything would be fine as long as he had Karandra by his side. He rang a maid and had her pour him a hot bath, then bringing breakfast for both of them.
Karandra woke up a few minutes later and bathed after him, letting him help her dry her skin after. They quickly ate and he put on his armour that had been cleaned since, then he helped her into her armour as well, carefully tightening it because of all the small injuries she had.
"We have to go, Taria will hold the ceremony for Llane in a few minutes in front of the palace." He told her before pecking her lips.
She followed him through the corridors until they reached the main doors, and were outside. Llane's body was laid her in his armour. Taria was standing on one side with her two children, Khadgar and an old man from the Kirin Tor were on the other. Dignitaries were seated, and the people of Stormwind and the refugees of other regions were a few steps down. The crowd was huge, as everybody had come to say goodbye to the late King.
They were the last ones to arrive. Lothar went to stand with the children as Taria walked to the centre, in front of her husband's body.
"There is no greater blessing a city could have, than a king who would sacrifice himself for his people." Taria said with her voice loud and clear. "But such a sacrifice must be earned, we must deserve it. If we only show our unity, to mourn a good man's death. Was King Llane wrong to believe in you?"
The people shouted "No!", "We will avenge you my lady!". Lothar felt that he was not alone in this fight. They would fight, and they would win. Khadgar respectfully took Llane's sword.
"Lead us to combat against the orcs, Lothar!" someone shouted.
Khadgar approached the Commander with the beautiful blade. The people started chanting Lothar's name. He tightly grasped the sword and walked to stand next to his sister, pulling Karandra alongside with him. He put a comforting arm on the Queen's back, sharing a look with her. They trusted each other for everything. She trusted him to avenge her husband's death, to protect their kingdom and people. And he did not plan on failing her.
He brandished the sword, and Karandra held his hand tightly.
"For Azeroth!" he shouted. "For Azeroth and the Alliance!"
"For Azeroth! For the Alliance!" the people repeated with faith as the soldiers saluted him with respect.
Lothar, sword still raised above his head, snaked his arm around Karandra's waist and pulled her against him before capturing her mouth in a savage kiss. The people cheered and shouted even louder.
"Together, we will stand against the Orcs, and defeat them!" Lothar said to the crowd.
They had faith in him. He could feel the weight of the invisible yet huge and heavy burden on his shoulders. Good thing his shoulders were strong. Because he had Orcs to kill, a war to win, and people to avenge.
After a while, they went back inside, and Llane's body was burned, and the ashes were carried down to the royal crypt, beneath the Palace. Lothar then went to see if the preparations of the army were going smoothly. He asked Karandra to go find Khadgar to see if he could teach her how to control her magic. He had specifically told her to go back to her own room afterwards, and that he would come and get her when he was ready. Ready for what, she didn't know.
Khadgar had agreed to train her, starting tomorrow first thing in the morning. So, she had lunch in the kitchens, then went back to her room, bathed again and put on a royal blue velvet dress with long sleeves and golden embroideries. She added a golden belt and slipped on black leather flats, not wanting to put on her armour boots. She tamed down her hair, and slipped on a deep blue cape with golden embroideries as well. As she was finishing to dress, a knock was heard, and Lothar entered the room. He took a second to contemplate her, and smiled.
"You are beautiful," he murmured.
She had to say, he was really handsome, in his blue and golden formal clothes. He had a blue and gold cape too.
"We match," she chuckled.
"And that's even better," he smiled. "Come, we don't want to be late."
"Late for what?"
"You'll see."
And with that, he placed her hand in the crook of his arm and hurried with her towards the hidden garden, which could be find behind the library, if you knew how to get in. It was a small room with a very tiny window that let a small ray of sun in. Beautiful flowers had grown, and it was always fresh and smelling good in there. She was opening her eyes wide to see everything. An old man in a white and gold robe was standing here, apparently waiting for them.
"Are you sure you want to do this, milord?" the man asked.
"Yes, we don't have much time," Lothar answered.
"Hold the hand of your lady and say your words, then," the man said in a dull voice.
Lothar gently held Karandra's left hand in his right hand, and as the man wrapped a white ribbon around their joined hands, he looked into her eyes and spoke softly.
"I vow to protect you and keep you safe, I vow to love you and cherish you, I vow to help you and to support you. I swear this to you today, and make you mine."
The man tied the ribbon.
"Kiss your wife," he simply said.
Lothar leaned forward and slowly kissed Karandra.
"Congratulations, you are now husband and wife."
And with that, the old man walked away.
"So… This means I am your mate now?" Karandra asked.
"Yes. Now, my wife, what about going back to our quarters?" he smiled.
"Our quarters?" she repeated.
"I vowed to protect you. I'm not going to live separate from you," he answered as he pecked her lips.
Their hands still joined with the ribbon, they hurried back into his – their – quarters. Karandra was smiling. This new world surely held more for her than her old one. And new challenges and adventures were rising in the future, but she knew she would be fine, as long as Lothar was by her side.