Chapter 14
Teir's POV
I could barely feel her life force, in the back of my mind, and I realized that my face was bleeding as I watched the vortex die around the human prince and a statue of my best friend.
"Bring her back!" Lor'Themar screamed, his face covered in tears as well as gore, "Bring my daughter back you wretched boy!"
Anduin was shaking, holding the stone body close, and he sobbed, "I can't. Not without stabilizing the magic permanently,"
He lunged forward, but Varian got in his way.
Bad idea.
"You!" Lor'Themar took a swing, and it was chaos.
My lady got them apart, while I jumped down silently, my oily tears washing away the grime on my face as I knelt beside her.
"She still lives, but only barely," I said, and the chaos on the rise ceased, and I heard running.
"She lives?" her father was there, cupping his daughter's cheek tenderly, staring at her face with a look of utter heartbreak.
Weak….
I jumped, flying back, staring at the statue like I'd been shot.
"You heard her," Kenlora was at my side in moment, and I grabbed her hand tight, staring at Jadearra's statue.
She was in a position of falling back, like Anduin had cradled her as he froze her.
"I'm here, Jadearra." I said, wondering if she could hear me.
I felt her move into me, and it was a small grapple for control.
Let me...speak…tell them…
I gave in, falling back and watching as Jadearra's spirit-a frail thing that was flickering in and out-took control.
"Princeling. Father." She spoke slowly, and her voice came through along with mine.
They turned to look at my body as though I had two heads-which, at the moment, I kind of do.
"I'm…alright. Anduin…smart, to freeze. Contained…explosion. I... love…you...both."
She fell out of me again, back into her stone prison, and I wheezed, head aching.
"She's alive. She's very weak," I said, and they were still staring at me.
"How did you- "
"The life grip that Teir put on Jadearra after the juggernaut's attack, it bound them mentally, physically, and emotionally-in a sense that they can go back and forth between their bodies, and communicate." My lady explained, standing farther back and studying the statue.
"I can take her to Dalaran-we can try to stabilize her there, and if we can't- "
"Then you would let her explode where no one would get hurt," Varian Wrynn said, and I snapped my teeth-wait, that's not something I usually do.
"Whatever you do, you need to do it fast," I said, reevaluating my mind quickly-she's soaking in, afraid of her own body, "She's hiding now, and she might lose her way back."
"I will teleport us immediately-inform the rest of the leaders what is happening," Jaina said, and Varian slowly pulled Anduin away from where he was still wrapped around Jadearra.
He sobbed hollowly, eyes never leaving her, and I felt her heartache.
"Bring her back-please, Jaina," Lor'Themar said, staring at his daughter in agony.
Elynae will be furious.
I watched, easing Jadearra's almost completely tapped out essence back into her body as Jaina opened a portal to Dalaran, lifting Jadearra and stepping through, and then they were gone.
The rest of the party came through, and it broke into splintered chaos.
"Where is Jadearra?"
"What happened to Garrosh?"
"Restrain him!"
I fell to my knees, silent amongst the chaos, and funnily enough, I locked eyes with the human boy, who looked like his heart had just been ripped out.
"You did the right thing," I said to him, and he looked at me, tears streaking his face.
Rangers dragged Garrosh into the centre of the circle that had formed, and my lady brought me back to the edges, where Kenlora simply opened her arms.
Jade and her human were young and fresh on the hellacious path they had set themselves on, but thankfully Kenlora and I had done this for years.
Thrall and the King marched out to either side of the fallen Orc, launching into an argument over who should kill him and blah blah blah, until a Pandaren dropped into the middle of it.
"Enough!"
Anduin took a knee, whispering, "Lord Zhu," in utter respect.
"Hello Anduin-where is…?" He stopped when he saw the utterly destroyed expression on Anduin's face, and he nodded sadly.
"We have all suffered from his atrocities. My people more than any other," He said, speaking to the room, "Let us hold a trial in Pandaria, where we will mete out justice for all."
Two other Pandaren walked up, and the rangers handed the chains over before falling back. Thrall and Varian gave each other a dark look, before nodding. Lord Zhu and the two Pandaren led Garrosh away. I snapped my teeth again on instinct, and then I missed her again.
The factions separated, Horde and Alliance gathering in around their own, and Varian led Anduin away.
I whimpered as Kenlora pulled away from me, but she merely pressed soft, warm lips to my forehead, before she went to her mother.
I followed my lady; leaning into her without meaning to-I was simply to raw to hold a grudge right now. Her breathing paused, before she sighed with relief, putting an arm around my shoulders protectively and holding me close.
"Thrall, da Horde needs its true Warchief, now more dan ever," Vol'jin said, and all eyes moved to Thrall expectantly, and he looked down and away.
"Yes," the old Orc said, his voice deep and heavy, "But it is you who held the Horde together during this madness," Thrall was staring right at Vol'jin now, and My lady's lips pulled back minutely in a sneer as we realized what he was implying.
"It was you who protected our honor. From this day forward, Vol'jin-if you lead, I will follow." Thrall kneeled before the troll, and I stared in shock as Lor'Themar and Baine followed his lead. Soldiers had all already taken a knee, and even Jastor Gallywix had tipped his hat. My lady and I sunk down to our knees, but my eyes never left the troll.
"I…am not worthy," the troll spoke slowly, before he rose to his full height, towering higher than even Malfurion Stormrage, "But I will give my all…for da Horde."
He thumped his chest twice and bowed to us, and we all rose in silence.
"I will speak to your Warchief!"
We spread away from Vol'jin, eyes on Varian as he marched across the room, Anduin staring in shock after him. Vol'jin stepped forward, and Varian seemed caught off guard, eyes sliding to Thrall momentarily.
"I speak for da Horde," Vol'jin said, the official acceptance not lost on anyone.
"Very well," He paused, eyeing us all in turn, "The Horde has committed heinous crimes, Vol'jin."
The tension was tangible in the silence of his pause, and I eyed Shalamayne with a slightly foreign hatred-Jadearra must be haunting again.
Suddenly, he slammed the sword into the floor, embedding it slightly with a crack, "But some among you fought against Garrosh's tyranny. For that, I'm willing to end the bloodshed. But know this," He drew the sword from the ground again, turning to walk away, "If your Horde fails to uphold honor, as Garrosh did…" he paused again, casting a dark look over his shoulder, "We will end you."
He walked away, and I whistled silently. The high king is one for dramatic flare.
"Is dis da only reason you call for truce, High King?" Vol'jin called, and all eyes slid over to Anduin, who was still watching his father with utter intensity.
"I call for truce because one of your own was willing to die to protect one of mine." Varian said, and I watched Lor'Themar as he flinched visibly, "I see hope for peace, and this is the path to it." With that, the conversation was ended.
The war was ended.
Partying broke out amongst the armies, as food and ale and music was revealed, but some of us remained solemn. I slipped away, going to one of the platforms high up, to watch in silence.
"It wasn't your fault."
I turned to see Kenlora there, sitting down beside me and letting her long legs hang over the edge, her silvery eyes studying me.
"I…I should've resisted, I shouldn't have let her go through with it," I said, my face oozing oily goop again.
"Leave us for a moment, Kenlora."
I straightened upon hearing my lady's voice, and turned to see her with a dark ranger at her side-one that wouldn't stop staring at me.
She nodded, pressing a warm kiss to my temple before standing and walking away, white robes swaying around her feet. I watched after her, affection warming my veins and causing my heart to shudder slightly.
"Teir…it is time we discuss more of your past."
I looked at my lady in shock, eyebrows raised, and I noticed that the ranger was holding an ornate box.
The puzzle box that held my memories.
"It is no secret that you are hungry to know about…your first life," she eased down to sit, the ranger sitting gracefully beside her, and I turned so that I was facing them.
"Are you finally going to give me what I want?" I asked, the screaming void in my mind trying to break out of its cage.
"Hold out your hand," the ranger said, her red eyes watching me and her voice choked with emotion.
I held it out slowly, confused and wary, and the ranger pressed the pad of my index finger to the puzzle box.
I gasped, and was sucked in.
Lor'Themar's POV
I walked through the emptying camp on the Echo Isles, heart heavy as I locked eyes with the love of my life. It's been a day since she was taken to Dalaran, and it was time her mother knew.
"Lor'Themar!" Elynae came running, throwing herself into my arms and hugging me desperately, "Oh how I worried! Where's-where's our daughter?"
"Elynae-" I couldn't form the words, my own throat choked with emotion, and her eyes widened, filled with horrified tears.
"No-" she stepped away from me, shaking like a leaf, tears slipping down her tanned cheeks, "No."
"My love-she isn't dead." I said, and she looked at me, her agony bleeding through her very spirit.
"Then where is she?! Lor'Themar, where is my daughter?" She sobbed, and I knew eyes were drawn to us in sympathy.
"She…she took in enough magic to level Kalimdor, to incapacitate Garrosh. She was…she was destabilizing. They contained it, but she is in Dalaran now," I said, my voice choked and cracking.
"How did they contain it?" Elynae asked accusedly, and when I held her gaze, she choked on a sob, holding her sides as she fell to her knees, and I felt my own eye dampen.
"No…no!" She was sobbing, and I went to her, wrapping my arms around her shaking body, pulling her to me.
"The Kirin Tor is working to stabilize her magic, but…they aren't sure how long it will take." I said, choking on my own emotions.
Elynae was a mess, sobbing and agonizing, mumbling about her 'beautiful Jade'
"We should never have let her go to Pandaria. We should never- "
"Elynae, look at me," I said, holding her face in my hands, looking at her tenderly, "We will get her back. Our Jade is stronger than anyone. She will survive this. She will come home."
Jadearra's POV
I wished I lived in the desert.
I couldn't see, taste, or breathe, anything! My only comfort was the turning of bloody pages and the twisted mumblings of Jaina bloody Proudmoore.
I don't know how long I was stuck here, trapped in an ice charm to keep me frozen, while she studied endless pages. I knew she was trying to save my life, but still.
Suddenly, she screamed, and I would've jumped, but I can't move.
She spoke harshly, "Anduin!"
My soul twisted, and I wished I could go to him.
"I found something."
I yearned for him, and I hurt, because he sounded so tired and broken.
"A way to…temper the magic, bind it to the magic that naturally occurs in elves. That way she could control it." Anduin said, my heart-well, it didn't pound, it didn't even beat.
"That would make her the most powerful mage to walk Azeroth since Aegewynn, Anduin. Are you sure it would work?" Jaina's voice was skeptical, and I believed.
I want to be free.
I want to go home.
"I'm…I found it in the Silvermoon Court department of Magical containments. I'm about 90% sure it'll work."
I perked at that-a human was allowed into Silvermoon?
"Her parents have been…they want blood. They want their daughter back. We have to give it a shot," Anduin said, and Jaina sighed, and I heard the passing of parchment.
"Alright…bring her with me. We will do this in the Violet hold, in case this doesn't work." Jaina said, and I felt my own excitement temper slightly.
If this fails, I die.
I was lifted up, if the air rushing was any indication, and then I was moving.
"I'm bringing you home, Princessling," Anduin whispered, and I felt arcs of adoration trigger in my mind, and If I could, I'd probably cry.
I want to go home so badly.
I want to see Mother.
I was set down again, the smack of stone on stone indicating it, and I was so bloody cold.
"We'll have to bring her back from stone before we try this," an unfamiliar voice said.
"Very well-Anduin, get out." Jaina said, and I agreed with her.
"What?!"
"Jadearra's last sentient thought was your safety. I won't have her return to this world powerful enough to level a continent, and realize that I didn't keep you safe. Now get out." She said, and I wanted to hug her.
I heard doors close ominously, and I braced myself as best as I could-which meant not at all.
"Alright, Miss Proudmoore. We're ready. Lift the charm."
I suddenly felt the cold recede, for the first time in an eternity, and felt everything at once.
I gulped up air as I fell down finally, my muscles quivering as my eyes rolled back in my head and I convulsed. Power started flooding the room, a vortex forming. Everything was blurry, Oh my god I can feel again-
"Now!"
Ow.
I screamed, my throat grinding itself up after being dormant for so long, as magic spiraled in and out of me, binding and shredding and rupturing.
"She's holding! Keep going!" Someone yelled, and I felt tears falling as I writhed on the ground.
Oh god it hurts; it's hurting so much-
"She's fighting it!"
The vortex intensified around me, and my mind went back-
Boom.
I screamed as my body released a sonic boom, banishing the Mist, obliterating the Heart of Y'Shaarj, and bound Garrosh to the wall. I was dying.
"She's destabilizing! If we don't stop it she'll level Durotar!"
"Forget Durotar-she'll destroy half of the continent!"
"No!"
"Anduin-!"
I saw Anduin pushing his way past the wind, and my heart pounded hard in my ears as terror and raw energy flooded me.
"Go! Take your hearthstone! Go back! Get away! You'll die!" I screamed, and he pushed forward anyway.
"I'm not leaving without you!" He pressed closer, and I fell backwards, to the ground, the pain rupturing who knows how many organs in my body.
"Anduin go! I don't want you to be hurt! I…love…" I lost control of my nerves, and I was silently screaming, as he finally got close enough to touch me.
"I love you too…forgive me for this."
Everything froze.
He flooded my system with pure ice, my skin and organs piecing back together and becoming whole again, only to become stone. I stared in horror as he sobbed, furiously repeating the spell as the vortex began to calm around us.
He was containing the power in a statue.
"I love you," he sobbed, and my eyes sealed over.
I screamed, and a wave of power forced its way out of me, knocking the surrounding mages back off their feet, and the vortex was growing stronger.
"We have to contain this or she'll level the city!"
"We're almost done! Keep going!"
I sobbed and roared as they kept ripping into me, magic soaking into me, and I felt like I was dying in that damned hold again.
"Jadearra hold on!"
I was on my knees, hammering my fists in the ground as I convulsed, falling and rolling onto my back, and I arched up, my nerves on fire as lightning went off around me.
"I…CAN'T-!" I sobbed, another boom of energy forcing out again, and I screamed in agony.
"We're so close-!"
My back arched so hard I think I broke something as fresh waves of pain and power flooded me, and I flipped over, my hair lifting from my body in the wind, and my hands flickering, and my eyes and it all hurt so much-
Pop.
I slammed into the wall, falling back and screaming.
"She's trying to teleport out!"
"I know!"
"Jade!"
I forced myself to my feet, wide, panicked eyes on-oh my god.
My beautiful Princeling stood there, in the flesh. His skin was tanner, he had grown taller, his hair was longer, his eyes, his everything-
I flashed back to Orgrimmar, where I was doing this exact thing-no.
"No! Go! Get out!" I screamed, a fresh crack of lightning sending me forward as I roared in pain.
"Anduin go! She's destabilizing-!"
"No she's not! She's having a panic attack!"
He was right. My heart was pounding so hard it hurt, my pulse was skipping and I couldn't think straight-but if he didn't leave everyone is going to die-
CRACK.
It was all gone. The Vortex. The Kirin Tor. Dalaran.
I was on my knees in a clearing in a forest, where the wind was cool and birds chirped. I was outside.
"How-?"
A 'crack!' sounded next to me, and Anduin was standing there, hearthstone in hand.
"I had…second one made…in case…that happened," He panted, and I looked down to see that I was squeezing a white and blue stone in my hand, and I breathed hard.
"Oh," I whispered, and then I panicked again, "Anduin-"
"No, stay calm," Anduin was at my side in seconds, his hands sending shocks of electricity through me, in a good way, "You're safe. It's okay. We're both okay."
"Where…are we?" I looked around, failing to recognize anything.
"We're in the woods east of Stormwind-I spoke with my Father about having this area cleared, so you could gain control of your power when you woke up-"
"How long was I in there, Anduin?" I whispered, staring at the frost that coated the shady ground.
"What?"
"Anduin it was summer time when we took Orgrimmar. The ground is frosty-" I was starting to panic again.
"Hey, hey! Breathe. It's been…it's been a while, Princessling," he said, eyes uncertain.
"How. Long?"
He swallowed, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand, as if trying to find out how to phrase his next words.
"You need to write your parents," he evaded my question, and I realized he was right.
"There's a house through here-it's got all of your favourite things from your Spire, according to your mother and your maidens, and it even has-"
Bandit came crashing into the clearing, barking joyfully.
"Bandit!" I gasped, and he jumped on me, licking my face as I hugged him.
"We may be here for a while, I thought you at least needed to be comfortable," Anduin said, and I leaned into him, still weak and overwhelmed.
He helped me to my feet, and Bandit bounded ahead as we walked down a dirt path, and I saw the house.
It was adorable. Wooden walls were painted sunny tan, with a thatched roof and a brick chimney. Apple trees were growing all around it, and a small garden of blossoms grew in the window boxes.
"There's only one bed, and I may not always be able to stay with you-" I interrupted.
I turned to Anduin and pressed my lips to his, shutting him up and causing his breath to hitch, my hands on his shoulders and warmth sliding through me.
I felt his hands go to my waist gently, and smiled into the kiss.
By the Sunwell I had missed this.
"It's perfect…thank you, Princeling," I said, hugging him, and he hummed happily, not letting go of me.
"About how long you were in there…" he swallowed, and hugged me a little tighter.
"How long, Anduin?" I asked, looking up at him, and his eyes showed pure pain and relief.
"You were in a stone coma for four months. Winter Veil begins in three weeks."
