Chapter 25

Kenlora gathered Teir up into her arms, the twin blades now at her hips, and Anduin helped me to my feet.

I looked helplessly at Teir's stump, pain and sympathy aching within me, but it seemed Teir was already beginning to pull herself together. She took one of her blades from Kenlora's hips, hefting it carefully in her hand, before she nodded to the other one, "Give it to one of the unarmed ones." She said quietly, her voice lacking the hard edge that typically followed.

Kenlora gave her partner a hard look that burned with emotion, before unsheathing the twin blade and handing it to a particularly small Draenei woman, whose deep skin almost matched Teir's. The woman hefted it between her hands for a moment with a couple of experimental swings, before she settled and nodded.

Teir gave me a look, eyes seemingly empty, and nodded, "We need to keep moving. The scent of our blood will be noticeable with the next breeze."

We began to move, pushing forward through the Jungle-I noticed Thrall and Maraad with an older orc whose eyes were bound, and a Draenei in torn ritual robes. They must've been the targets.

We approached large gates, which led into an arena, and I bristled as Thrall spoke, "The Kargathar proving grounds. The only way through is to partake." Old rage moved through him.

I knew the story of his childhood, and knew what he must be remembering. I looked again to Teir, who was staring straight ahead, her spirit dampened significantly, and her shoulder twitching as she maintained her balance.

She felt my eyes and turned to meet them. Hers were empty, more of a stone grey than blue-no insanity, just a dull pain. I offered her a portion of my magic, coaxing it gently through the bond, but she shook her head minutely, turning away again.

She would fight through this, and she'll do it on her own.

I looked forward, taking blades from my hips, "Let's get this over with."

We moved forward, and the second the last of our party had passed through the gates they slammed shut, and laughter echoed.

"So you're the rats running amuck!"

I looked at the platform that stood above us, where a pale grey orc stood, with long and lanky hair and a serrated blade for a left hand. Teir's eyes were on that blade and her teeth were pulled back in a Snarl-I felt phantom pain in my shoulder.

The shattered hand would be destroyed before she was done with them. Their blades would be melted down and-

That gave me an idea.

I looked to Kenlora, who seemed to be thinking the same thing, and with the bat of an eyelid she winked.

"You want to leave? Then kill your hundred."

Just likes that, dozens of orcs swarmed the arena, and all was chaos.

I ripped into orcs like they were butter, calling out a command, "Sever their blades!"

They will suffer for their transgressions.

Every single one of them.

It's too fucking cold.

This was my first thought. Why can't I open my eyes? There's my second. Where the fuck am I? Three for three.

"She's waking. Quickly, bring torches! Blankets!"

My entire body hurts. What the hell happened?

I forced my eyes open to see-

I flipped over, into a crouch, teeth pulled back as I shook in blanket after blanket after blanket. I was surrounded by a collection of orcs-five to ten. None familiar. I was in the dark of a cliff face, with a roaring fire to my right, and all the orcs held torches. No one familiar-

"Please, miss, be calm. You're injured," The Orcish woman chanced a step towards me, and I recoiled, wrapping blankets about me as I realized my armor was missing.

"Where the hell am I? Where is-" Horror choked Me-Where's Anduin?

"Please dear. Your party is back in Wolf home. You were blown from the ship when it crashed, and we couldn't move you." The woman spoke, and I looked into her eyes-they were familiar…

"You had begun to thaw, so we wanted to warm you quickly and bring you home," Another orc spoke up, and I looked around, taking in the bleak landscape.

"Who are you?" I said, burrowing into the blankets and moving closer to the fire.

"I am Draka, mate to Durotan."

I nearly choked on my tongue-they were dead.

Then again, this is thirty-five years ago, remember?

Memories came back to me, of fire and flooding and chaos. Of destroying the portal and-and-

A throbbing pain sliced through my head, and I cradled it, hissing in pain.

"Careful, young one. The one called Anduin told us that you have great power, but you over extended yourself, and you fell a great distance. You must be mindful and rest," Draka said, and I slowly released my head, instead putting my hands out to the fire, to chase away the traces of grey still present.

This place will be hell if I cannot keep warm.

"Come, let us take you to Wolf Home. There is food and stronger shelter from the winds." Draka coaxed me to my feet, and I brought the blankets with me, hair falling into my face as I realized how hungry I was.

"How long was I here?" I asked as I was led to a large, hairy beast of a wolf, whose saddle covered most of their back.

"Multiple days, we are not sure. We spent days looking for you as well."

I stewed on that information as I was helped onto the wolf, and I leaned into the warm, soft fur that felt welcoming. Draka got on behind me, taking hold of leathery stirrups that seemed curled around the wolf's chest and tugging on them.

The beast flew through the snow, hard cold wind whipping at us like nails. I burrowed into my blankets, shivering and closing my eyes as we bounded over snow.

We began to slow down after what felt like an eternity, and I could smell roasting meat. I lifted my head, blinking the frost away from my lashes, and I saw-

Wolf Home.

A cavern that was surrounded by dark, sharp cliff faces of basalt was flickering with life. Huts and halls of different sizes and shapes hugged the edges of the passage, with a large cave at the back where glowing light spilled out. Large fires burned throughout the camp, and it bustled with life.

People noticed our arrival, and running the fastest to us was-

"Anduin." I was off the wolf and running, blankets falling behind me as I threw myself into his arms, holding him around the neck with all my strength, and allowing his arms to come around my waist and crush me. Relief shook me to my core.

"Thank the light you're okay," Anduin spoke into my hair, and I buried my face into his neck, taking in the warm honey and minty scent that was my Princeling.

"Jadearra. Glad to see that you made it through."

I looked up to see Thrall standing beside-

"Durotan," I moved away from Anduin, bowing low, eyes on the spirit humming within him. This is so weird.

"Rise elf. Thrall and Khadgar have told me of your predicament. They were correct in their estimations of your strength. Come, eat, rest." Durotan stepped aside, and Anduin placed a hand against my back as I entered Wolf Home.

I was handed furs to wear almost immediately, and roasted something on the stick that smelled heavenly. I was sat down on a log beside the roaring bonfire, the heat chasing away the final traces of grey, and I sighed, leaning happily into Anduin as I tore into my meal.

"The other half of your party works with the Draenei, attempting to make alliances and help your friend." Durotan said, and I jerked, reflexively reaching for Teir, but finding the connection muddled and weakened by distance.

"The Shadowmoon Valley is far from here, but they will be safe," Draka said, and I looked at Anduin, whose face held hunger for a moment-pure, undiluted hunger-before it was gone again and schooled into a calm expression.

"What's the mission then?" I asked, and I was met with uncomfortable silence.

I suddenly heard rustling behind me, and straightened, turning to see pairs of small eyes behind me.

"Children, go back to the den. It is to cold-."

Multiple Orcish children came into the light, their eyes bright and tusks small. They were adorable.

I was swarmed immediately, but when Draka tried to pull them back I stopped her.

"They're only curious," I said softly, standing so that they could get a look at me.

The children were curious, sniffing and poking and examining a species they'd never seen before. A particularly young child tugged on my boots, and I lifted her up into my arms gently, settling her among the furs that were wrapped around me. She played with my ears, which moved in response, eliciting surprised laughter.

"Want to see something really cool?" I asked, setting down the small one, and I had eyes on me. I held Durotan's gaze, "May I?"

He gave a cautious nod, and as night had truly fallen, I raised my hands to the air, looking at the stars.

All was still for a moment, then glittering light exploded into being. Gasps and laughs came from all around as more orcs came to the centre of their village. Ethereal pictures moved through the air. Wolves pranced and dragons flew. It was a light show.

I grinned at the display, seeing children running their hands through it and laughing as it dissolved around them, coming together when they moved away.

Anduin was looking at me, his hair glowing gold in the firelight, and his eyes sparkling with a myriad of emotions, but his pupils were dilated, absorbing the blue of his iris' almost entirely.

I knew hunger then. Old arousal woke from its slumber, rearing its head and wanting a meal.

I recalled my magic, calming the display, and children crowded around again, delighted.

"Are you really a hero?" one child asked, and I settled down so that I was leaning on the log, the heat of the fire keeping us warm.

"Some would say I've been heroic," I said, and they crowded in until I was nearly buried in children.

"Will you tell us a story?" One asked, and they were followed by all the others begging for a story.

"Now, now. It has been a long day little ones-." One mother tried, but I held a hand up as one little babe crawled into the furs I wore, yawning sleepily and curling up there, her little body no older than a few months. I placed a hand over her gently, and she held my thumb with her hand, falling fast asleep.

"I think we have time for one story?" I asked, looking around to see that I must've had every child in the village, and mothers sighed, smiling tiredly as they brought out blankets for themselves and their children, who were all curled around me.

It was quite toasty.

"Once, when I was younger, I was sent on journey to fight a fierce and evil Dragon," I began, and I allowed the image to come to life above us-A large, rude black dragon and myself.

The children were Awed-Dragons were not on Draenor, and the image was fiercesome.

"The dragon was very powerful, and from his jaws lava would spew out," I showed them, and I let my spectral self dodge and roll, "I was but a young elf who had no strength such as this. So I had to use my wits." I smiled, depicting my idea above me.

"Dragons love riches more than anything in the world-jewels and gold and everything that was shiny. I began to tell him a story of just such things," Images of riches appeared above us, and continued, "The dragon was so enthralled by his obsession that he didn't notice me moving under him, until-" the spectral elf stabbed upward, and the dragon dissolved into the air, "I bested him, and came out without a scratch."

I dissolved the image above me, and looked down to realize that the majority of the children were asleep, curled up into the furs. The little baby who held my thumb was humming in her sleep. The poor thing was so small, she would fit in one hand.

I looked around to see the mothers come collect their children, but no one came for the babe. Where was her mother?

"Killed in a raid," Draka said softly, and I looked down at the little thing who slept so peacefully in my hand, heart aching for her.

"Does no one care for her?" I asked quietly, running a finger through the fine black hairs on her head.

"The mothers do what they can, but she is the runt of the clan. No one expects her to live for very long."

She's so small…

I rested a hand over her, rising and holding her carefully, before I tucked her into my chest again, holding her gently. I dared anyone to contradict me.

"Does she have a name?" I asked, and Draka shook her head.

"Jadearra," Anduin was looking at me, emotions flickering through his face as he glanced between me and the orc cradled in my arm.

"Her name will be Shad," I said with a finality to it.

"Strength?" Anduin questioned, but I pierced him with a gaze that dared him to keep talking.

I will not this little girl be abandoned her entire life.

"I will show you where you are to be sleeping." Durotan moved forward, and I followed, Shad in hand, and we were let into a homey hut with blankets covering the floor.

Durotan eyed the babe, "I will ask the mothers to bring you a bed for her," was all he said before the opening fell closed behind him.

It was very dark, but I could see fine. Shad began to cry.

"Shh, Shh, it's alright," I tried to comfort her, running fingers along her small body until she quieted, bright eyes looking up at me inquisitively. Her eyes were a deep amber colour with flecks of gold. She was very much an orc.

"You're seriously going to keep her," Anduin said after a moment, and I looked up at him, aghast.

"Of course I am! This little babe is an orphan and she needs a mother!" I accused quietly, and Anduin scrubbed a hand over his face, his fatigue and age showing for a rare moment.

"We're warriors, Jade. How in Azeroth are we supposed to care for a child?" He said, and my stomach clenched. He's right.

"We can't just let her die," I whispered, eyes brimming for an unknown reason. I cared for this child, and it was so fucking weird.

A woman brought us a small basket with blankets inside, and I thanked her, setting the basket down and gently laying Shad inside it, rocking it gently and cooing when she cried out.

Anduin watched me, his gaze holding too many emotions to handle.

"You are the most unpredictable woman I will ever meet, Jadearra Theron," Anduin said, laying down and taking one of my hands in his.

He didn't like it, but he'll do it. For me. Warm emotions welled up in me at that, and I smiled at him gratefully.

I brought the basket over so that I could lay with Anduin while keeping my hand with Shad, so that she didn't feel alone.

I laid there, arms at a weird angle as Anduin's breathing slowed and deepened, and I watched his chest rise and fall, feeling the matching heartbeat of the baby orc I sought to protect.

Thalassian Princesses typically don't take Orcish wards from different planets, but since when was anything in my life normal?