Chapter 31

Early morning light filtered softly into the room, and I looked up in a daze to see that Anduin's arm was across my bare back, and the goof ball was asleep with a smile on his face. Seeing him so…happy brought a smile to my own face, even if it was a sappy one. What would mother say is she knew I was engaged to a human?

My sleepy glee drained as realization hit-

I'm engaged.

I slipped from the bed, stealing Anduin's shirt and buttoning it quickly, not wanting to fight with my own blouse, and I decided to forgo shoes as I slipped quietly out of the room.

The city was beautiful when it was waking up. Clean up was already well under way, and the citizens were beginning their day with the sun.

I was eyed by many different people, but my stomach sought food while my brain wanted the strongest drink the Draenei could make.

It's a bit early for that, so I'll stick with food.

I followed my nose, and found a market where Draenei were selling what looked like fruit-By the Sunwell, will I not be able to find meat here?

"You look lost, young one."

I jumped, turning to see Prophet Velen standing not to far off, wearing the same elegantly simple robes as always, a smile warming his features.

"Do Draenei eat meat?" I blurted, then I blushed as he laughed at the bluntness of the question.

"Rest assured, meat is a part of our diet-you have come upon a fruit market," he said, and I felt really stupid upon that realization.

"Oh."

"Come, I will show you where you can find your meat," He placed a seemingly withered but surprisingly strong hand on my shoulder, tucking me almost into his sleeve as we walked along the paths.

"There is something on your mind," he said, not questioning, after a few moments of moving through the increasingly crowded paths.

"I…yes, there is," I said, feeling somewhat sheepish for my transparency.

"An old man makes for an excellent listener," He prompted with a chuckle, and something about him made my chest feel warm as he treated me with this kindness.

"I…was offered something. I accepted, but I am scared of it," I phrased it as simply as I could, hoping that my reluctance to share wouldn't offend the Draenei.

"All big decisions are feared, it is a natural thing," Velen said, and I looked up at the serene old man.

"Have you ever loved someone?" I asked, and I watched as old emotions flickered briefly over his features.

"Once, long ago."

We fell into silence for a bit as he navigated the now crowded streets, waving and greeting people who all seemed to lighten up in his presence.

"It's been a long time since I've seen love like what your human feels for you, Jadearra." Velen said, and my face flamed-he saw right through my vagueness.

"I'm scared of life after him," I admitted, my true worries coming to fruit in the morning light, "I…elves outlive humans by hundreds if not thousands of years. I would have to watch him grow old and die, while I remain just as I am."

"That would be hard, yes." Velen said, a dryness to his tone that made me smile, "But you would have your human lifetime with him, and then keep the kingdom he loved in prosperity, and pass down his heroics."

I mulled that over for the rest of our walk, only returning to the present at the smell of-

"Is that bacon?" I swear I was drooling already, and Velen laughed-a hearty sound that brought joy to me-and lifted his arm to withdraw a pouch from his robes.

I realised it was money, "Prophet, I couldn't-."

"Nonsense, you saved two of my people's homes within a day. This is the least I can do," He put the pouch in my hand and closed my fingers around it, smiling, "No go, feast on what Shattrath offers."

With that, I was ushered off, and when I turned around again, he was gone.

Well if he's so damn convincing-

I found the bacon, buying three rashers and stuffing my face as I walked about, taking in the smells and sampling small parcels of unfamiliar meats. I was aware of how old I looked-bedraggled, in a man's shirt and barefoot with a mane of hair-but I was also aware that the Draenei can cook.

I continued to meander past the meats, and into what looked to be a market of all kinds of trades. I wondered why no shoes were sold, but of course-they had hooves, duh.

They did however, sell what looked to be anklets, of all kinds of sizes and patterns and colours, and I found myself drawn to the sparkling gems, when I felt it.

A magical pull, from one of these.

Without a pause, I began to sift through the crate, gem after gem after gem sparkling until-

I gasped as I felt a flare of power, and I wrapped my hand around the object in my hand and brought it to the light.

The gems didn't shine, but they pulsed with an energy that I felt moving through my finger tips, and glowed a multitude of different colours. I loved them.

"Find something you fancy?"

I looked up to see a light skinned Draenei standing there, dark hair pulled sloppily into a bun between her horns, her bright eyes inquiring.

"What are these?" I held the gems up to her, the chain still curled in my hand.

"That would Apexis crystal, a not rare but hard to obtain material native to Draenor," the woman said, "they run quite high in price, should someone wish to purchase?" she added hopefully, and I looked at the dwindling pouch that I had been given.

"How much?"

I looked over my shoulder, startled to see Anduin standing there, a lazy smile lighting his features as the sun caught the simple Draenic robes that he had on-they were much to big, amusingly enough.

"45 gold pieces," the merchant spoke, and I gaped as Anduin dug into his pouch.

"I-Princeling-Have you even eaten? Food runs quite high here, please don't waste-." I was rambling as they exchanged the gold, and was left flabbergasted as He handed me the gorgeous piece.

"I have eaten, Princessling. Now let me spoil you," he said, pressing a kiss to my cheek, and I felt my cheeks heat as he knelt before me, securing the gorgeous piece about my ankle in such a way that it Fit-I did not have the ankles of a Draenei.

"Thank you for your business. Enjoy your time in Shattrath," The woman had a smile on her face, watching us as she absently counted and put the gold away, and I was taken by the hand as Anduin wandered.

We moved through the market, jostled occasionally as it continued to grow crowded. The sun beat down on us, and I found my hair piled atop my head chaotically, and I had to repeatedly hide the things I liked from Anduin-he will not empty his coffers on me.

We settled to lunch-delicious fruits that made my mouth water-when he revealed his purchases.

"Try as you might, I will see you adorned in jewels," Anduin laughed as I groaned, taking the interesting horn chain that we meddled with until they hung comfortably on my ears, and he grinned as I left my head tilt, feeling them out slowly.

They were gorgeous, deep blue gems that glowed in the light, contrasting my pale skin perfectly, and the golden chain blended into my hair seamlessly. I was given a matching necklace and another anklet, and he was given cuff links and a new headband.

"They had no lions, so I found you one with scripture," I said, handing over the satiny red band.

It read 'In the light we are one' in Draenic, and his eyes lit up as he put it on, pushing the floppy golden strands away from his face, and we stayed like that, just looking into each others eyes.

I was dressed in his colours, and he in mine.

Peace can last only so long.

"Jade!"

I sighed, feeling the call before I heard it, and I turned to see Teir jogging up, armed and ready, though her arm was adorned with colours that told me Kenlora had given her some peace too.

All at once, the information came to me, and I closed my eyes: The Blackrock Foundry has fallen, and Blackhand is dead. Garrosh is cornered in Grommashar. They believe you deserve the right to kill him. The Frostwolves are sieging the city but the Warsong are strong.

"We have to go," I said, the gems hanging about my figure now feeling like wastes.

Anduin sighed, fingers brushing electric paths down my side, before getting us to our feet, "Where to?"

"Grommashar, Southern Nagrand. Durotan sent rylaks that know the route," Teir turned on her heal, and we followed.

I took my gems off as I walked, laying them carefully in my hand to pack when we reached our quarters.

I changed quickly, ignoring the heat of Anduin's gaze as I took off his shirt, and I slid into armor and boots, the gems tucked away into my pack ensconced in cloth to keep them safe.

As the sun began to reach its apex in the sky, we were off-each on individual rylaks.

I clung to the juncture between the two necks, eyes squished shut as my heart thundered painfully in my chest. Rylaks were shaky, fierce creatures that dived and twisted and were a nightmare to fly. I felt Teir through the bond, coaxing me to calm down, but each time I got the courage to open my eyes, it'd be in time to drop into a nauseating dive. With a terrified shriek, I'd bury my face again, tightening my grip on the straps of the saddle and praying for it to end.

The air turned warmer, and continued to heat until sweat dripped down my face, and my hair was damp against my back. The hot air ripped at my close, and I felt the beast dip into a slower dive, and I dared a glance up.

We were landing, thank the light, and ahead stood Durotan and-

I urged my rylak down, straightening completely and nearing jumping the damn thing as it landed, running to Draka and the bundle on her chest.

I slowed, hunger and an ache I had shoved away returning full force as I gently took my ward from her, and the cooing of Shad melted my heart.

"Why is she here?" I asked, a smiling creasing my features as I took in the cool, snowy scent of my babe.

Three days away from her was too much.

"I fight with my mate, and none of the other mothers could take her-very few are left back in Wolf Home when Frostwolves go to war." Draka said, and I curled her into the warmed leather of my armor, wondering how she liked the heat.

She seemed fond, her tawny brown skin glowing in the light, and the golden eyes sparkling as she giggled.

"I understand your pleasure, Jadearra," I looked up as Thrall approached, the longing for his own boy clear in his eyes, but he continued, "But we must take Garrosh."

I sighed, already used to my ward in my arms again, and I pressed a kiss to her forehead, "Teir."

She walked up, curiosity marring her features as she peeked at the babe, and I gestured for her to take her, smiling when she got a startled, shocked look on her face.

"I-I don't-."

"Hold my ward, Teir." I said, and she relented, gently taking her, and shushing frantically when she cried out.

A strand of blue hair fell, and Shad grabbed it, looking at it in curiosity before tugging on it hard.

Teir grinned, already in love with her, and I gave a longing but dubious wave as she went to Kenlora, and they doted on my babe.

I looked to Anduin, and held out my hand, "We have business to finish."

We moved into the city, just the two of us-it was empty. Corpses littered the ground, the heat exemplifying the sickening stench, and I felt no spirits present-they found their peace, good. I inhaled, looking for life, and the spicy, putrid aroma of one Orc in particular filled me with hatred.

"He's here," the sound was guttural, inhuman, and I felt the wrath of two worlds behind me as I stalked forward.

Two blades unsheathed, and I felt Anduin's honey and mint follow me as my magic unfurled itself, preceding us and opening the large gates that stood between me and my prey.

It seemed to be a throne of sorts, and the remains of the Warsong stood flanking it, bloodied and battered, but they remained strong in spirit. Growls moved through them, and some bared their teeth at me, throwing venomous slurs in rough Orcish.

"Where is your Warlord?" My voice was clear, and my speech was Orcish. Anduin didn't know, but the orcs in front of us did. They shifted, not knowing I could break their barriers down.

"I'm here, bitch."

The throne was actually a door, and it opened with the heaving of a couple of orcs, and my prey stepped into the light.

Old tattoos on older skin, he blended in here, mannoroth hilt and all, and the famed Gorehowl hung at his side. Golden eyes narrowed, and my hatred coursed through me as I snapped my teeth.

Garrosh Hellscream.

"Do you come to lose? I have the might of a clan!"

He's right. Even with my new power, hand to hand would be my end-

Wait.

"Garrosh Hellscream!" His named echoed, and he was at attention. I sheathed my blades.

"What are you doing?" Anduin whispered behind me, but I held up a hand, taking a deep breath.

"On the counts of death, and evasion of punishment for your crimes. I challenge you to Mak'gora!"