Chapter 12
What would you do to keep the one you love?
Fox could feel Varian's anger. The King of Stormwind was not someone who just let things go. Anyone could tell you that. But there was something else going on in those blue eyes. She saw it the moment he had reached up to pull her off the horse. One didn't spend eight years with the SI-7, and not learn how to read people. Not that Varian had ever been one to keep secrets. Fox would say he was outright incapable of it.
She looked to Lady Proudmoore. That one was a completely different matter. Jaina could probably keep a secret very well. Which made this all the more perplexing to Fox. That the Archmage was here at all, made Fox squirm. Any Mage could have portaled them back to Stormwind. It was a simple matter, and yet here they had ridden halfway across Durotar to a ship.
Connect the dots, Fox. She told herself, as Varian placed his hand on her shoulder to usher her up the ramp. Oh if only she had all the dots this would be so much easier. Where was Mathias when you needed him most? Fox pressed her lips together hard. In this the Master Rogue had always been superior. She handed him the information, he handed her a target. She handled the target, he patted her on the head, and sent her on a horrible mission with no real purpose as a reward.
"Lady Proudmoore." Varian moved his hands to Fox's slave collar.
Oh please take it off. She thought with intensity. The chains rattled and fell to the deck. Nope, no luck at the moment.
"Your Majesty?" Jaina was not far behind them.
Varian looked down at Fox, yet again. There was war raging in his eyes. He seemed torn on some matter of great concern. "Take Fox below deck. I am going to order the soldiers and crew off the ship. Things might get a little loud, and I believe some privacy will be in order.
Jaina nodded, and set a gentle hand on Fox's shoulder. She pointed to the passage below deck, "If you please, Lady."
Varian was not taking his time as he moved to find the Captain. Fox assumed that it was because she could disappear into the shadows on them again. She could do it too. The night was dark, and a full moon shone reflectively off the ocean. Fox watched as Varian pause a moment and looked up at it.
"My Lady?" Jaina requested her attention again. "Could you please head below deck with me."
Fox gave Jaina a tired expression. "Pardon, but I am not of noble blood, Lady Proudmoore. My relationship with the King hasn't anything to do with titles." With that she moved into the dark passage. For her it was easy enough, but Jaina must not be used to it. The other woman waved her hand and sconces and lanterns alike came alive. It must be nice to be a Mage. Fox had a twinge of jealousy.
Jaina opened a door, and motioned for Fox to enter. It was a large room for a ship. A table bolted right to the middle. Large finely crafted furniture served for function. It was the bed that gave it away as Varian's quarters. She knew everything was custom designed, but were all his beds so lavishly large. Fox felt her stomach tighten instantly. Wild images coming to her mind, and she whimpered knowing they were not fantasy, but very real memories. She was so completely tainted by him. With no avenue of escape.
"The ship has been cleared. Let's get this over with." Varian entered the room and closed the door.
Fox resisted an urge to step behind Proudmoore. Not one of her braver most inspired plans, that one. Hide behind the Mage, had worked for her in the past. Fox wasn't proud of her tactics, but the flashing lights of their spells always drew, and held, so much more attention. Not that it would work this time. Fox was firmly in the red ,when it came to Varian's threat meter, the little incident of faking ones own death had done a splendid job of drawing that aggro down upon her. Funny thing about it was feigning death works so well for Hunters, yet not for her. Fox swallowed hard realizing Varian was watching every move she made with keen interest.
Jaina moved to take a seat. She simply planned to observe the interaction and offer assistance should it be needed. A hand rested heavily on her staff.
Varian ignored her almost entirely and went right for what was eating at him, "So you left Lion's Landing, did you?"
"You found out about that too?" Fox looked at Jaina, "Is there some magical scrying crystal out there hell bent on making my life miserable?"
"If there is, I have no clue." Jaina offered with a little laugh.
"Vol'jin told me." Varian replied. His voice taking on the deep Kingly undertones they had all heard him use so very often from court to battle. "He said you were on a very dangerous mission. That you are very skilled to have survived, and this has earned you a place in the Horde."
"I was wondering what I had done to gain me that honor. Good, I always wanted to visit Thunder Bluff. The elevators seem like lots of fun." Fox smiled wistfully, "At least when you aren't jumping from them trying to escape the guard."
Varian's eyes narrowed, "You are a proud member of the Alliance, Fox. Remember that. First and foremost your duty will always be to the Alliance and it's people."
"Yes, your Majesty." Fox frowned when he shrugged off her attempt to lighten the mood.
"I will met out your punishment for the insubordination for that later." He lifted a finger to her face, "So when we are done here tonight, do not for get that is yet to be dealt with."
Fox's shoulders dropped, "Oh thank you so much for giving me something to look forward to."
Jaina put a hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh.
Varian stepped closer. The large size of him alone was intimating to anyone. But to Fox it sent the butterflies going in her stomach again. Thank the Light, Proudmoore was there, or Fox would have already thrown herself at him. They had not been parted that long, and yet it felt like she had been denied water for days. "Could you care to be serious, Fox. I have much to go over with you, and only one short pleasure cruise back to Stormwind to prepare you for what is to come."
"I am being serious. I was starting to have my doubts I was going to survive you wrath. Insubordination, deceit, treason, and open defection are very real crimes, that one could argue a rather strong case against me." Fox wrung her hands. Which all but gave away just how scared she truly was.
Varian realized then all her posturing was merely for show. Closing his eyes, he pushed down the urge to comfort her. He had waited for this for days. The chance to crush her like she had crushed him. He did not want to feel any emotion that would undo his higher goals. "So we know you lied to me about Lion's Landing. Did you ever plan to tell me?"
"No."
"Damn it Fox, you could have at least lied!" Varian could not stop himself from grabbing her arms and drawing her so close she had to lean back to see his face. "You had no trouble with it the day you dragged me all over Stormwind. I had an entire day in the blissful illusion you created."
"King Wyrnn." Fox swallowed hard, "We do have company presently. If you would care to curb your outbursts for her sake alone?"
Jaina could be heard saying, "Don't mind me. I love being a third wheel in a passionate lover's spat."
"Shut up, Jaina." Varian loosened his hold and then slowly let go. "After you died I was rather devastated."
"I am happy to hear that." Fox rubbed her hands on her arms. Trying to dispel his touch.
Varian snorted at that. "It took a while, but your parents actually came to see me at the keep."
Fox felt her heart slamming in her chest at that. "Why would they do that? Surely, Shaw was handling everything important on their behalf."
"He was handling everything splendidly, right up until then." He waited to her reaction. It was the same look as before. "They are well. No harm has come to them, and none will."
Fox heaved a huge sigh and placed a hand over her heart. "That is all that matters."
"No, what matters is the information that Myles Fulbright was so inclined to bestow upon me." Varian walked over and set a hand on the chest. "Seems there is much you don't know Fox."
"I know it was wrong not to tell them I was a SI-7 Agent, Varian, but I did not want them to worry. And you have no idea how over protective they can be." The dark eyes watching her king as he traced the lid of the chest.
"If anything they are under protective from what you will be experiencing from here on out." Varian opened the chest and pulled out the letter. "You might want to read this."
Fox felt her fingers touch the crisp paper. Turning it over to read the name so eloquently scrawled over the envelope. "Eloise Lothar? Is this some sort of sick joke?"
"No."
"Is she related to Anduin Lothar?" Fox fumbled with the paper, before unfolding the note. A short scan had her eyes coming wide, "By the Light, Anduin Lothar had a child?" She looked from Varian to Jaina. "Has the SI-7 found her yet?"
Jaina almost fell off the chair.
Varian rolled his eyes, "She actually found them, or so I have been told."
"As amazing as this is, Varian, how does this tie in with me and my parents and..." Fox stopped and then a smile formed. Then laughter, "Oh Varian, you can't possibly think that I am this woman."
"I don't think it. I know it." Varian took the letter out of her hands, and carefully settled it back in the chest.
Fox looked over at Jaina, "And this is why you addressed me as Lady? Oh, no. I am sorry but it's not possible."
"The Crimson Fox is an alias for Eloise Fulbright, who is the alias of Eloise Lothar." Jaina said calmly. She had seen this sort of reaction before. Had done it herself on several occasions. Sometimes the truth was just to hard for one to accept. And loosing ones entire identity would firmly fit into one of those times.
"Varian, what nonsense led you to this conclusion? Did you consult with Shaw before racing across the sea?" Fox decided to use common sense to deal with crazy conspiracy theories.
Varian realized then, that this was not going to be as simple as he had originally supposed. And he had thought it was going to be a nightmare. "So you deny the claim."
"Of course I do! I remember my childhood quite clearly. I was raised in Booty Bay." She reminded him. "I know I told you. You remember that I hate Goblins and fish, right?
"But you were born in Stormwind." Varian cocked up one of his thick brown eyebrows.
"Well, yes. But after it burned, my parents went to Booty Bay."
"Which you already stated was odd since they broke from the main fleet and went out on their own."
"Varian, you said you spoke with my parents. I can't see how you can be making this assumption. When you have already met with them?"
"Because Myles Fulbright confessed to being entrusted by Anduin Lothar with your care. Then he begged me to see you buried with the honor you should have had in life." Varian stared at her hard. Waiting for her to accept the inevitable truth of her identity.
Fox paled, "Why would he say something like that?"
"Because it's true, Fox. Could you stop deflecting and rationalize for a moment?"
"Or because he was consumed with grief. My father isn't a young man. Perhaps he couldn't handle my loss." Fox floundered around in her mind seeking for a reason that made sense. Because what they were suggesting just didn't.
"Perhaps your grasping at straws, Fox." Varian snapped over at her. Fox was being Fox. Oh how he hated this side of her.
She glared up at him, but said nothing.
"Tell me do you remember anything of the night Stormwind burned?" He tried to get her to dig into her memories. Perhaps there was some clue that would settle this.
"You already know the answer to that. It's no."
"Well, I do. I watched an assassin cut out my father's heart. I remember Lothar finding me and taking me to the ship. I also remember him bringing in a little girl covered in blood as badly as I was. I, now believe that girl was Eloise Lothar, herself. What happened that night, Eloise. You need to remember."
The creaking of the ship starting to become louder in Fox's head. "I remember being with my father."
"Lothar?" Varian pressed. At least she was trying to remember now.
"No, Myles Fulbright. I remember screaming for my father." Fox stopped. She had been screaming for her father, but the odd part was she was in Myles's arms. That made no sense!
"What is it, Fox? What did you remember?" Varian pressed. He had been watching her close. Saw the exact moment a memory of confusion turned, and terror filled her eyes.
"Nothing."
"She's lying!" Jaina stood up. "I felt a fluctuation in the magic in this room."
"You mean her memories have been tampered with?" Varian was cursing himself. Now that made sense. With the people Lothar had under his command Varian should have suspected it from the start.
"Archbishop Alonsus was there, and I doubt Lothar would be able to bear the idea of his daughter suffering so much. Plus she could have endangered herself if she said the wrong thing to the wrong people. It's what I would have done in his place." Jaina admitted.
Varian agreed with a sharp nod. "Can you break the spell?"
"It's very old. It shouldn't be that hard." Jaina came across the room. "It's okay Lady Eloise. It wont take long."
Fox jumped back putting her hands up. "I'd rather not. I do not want anyone messing with my mind, even you Lady Proudmoore."
Varian groaned seeing her reaction for what it was, "You don't trust us."
"I wasn't trying to be that obvious." Fox threw back. The dark eyes watching Varian and Jaina with suspicion. "But I have not determined why you are fabricating such a ruse against me. And until I do, I will not be taking any chances."
Varian turned and pulled out the picture of Ondrena Manston. "I did not want to do it this way, but you are so stubborn it goes beyond all reason." The glass frame was flipped to Fox.
She caught it and looked down. Fox read the name etched in the glass. "Ondrena Manston?" Turning it over, was like flipping a switch. A white wave of light emitted in a single pulse. And Fox threw the picture away as if it burned her. The thick intact of breath as her world broke out in flame in her mind. Fox started to falter.
Varian saw her sinking, and rushed to steady her against his body. "Fox?"
Yes, a small stuffed fox in her arms. A cherished toy, singed and dirty. The smell of smoke and the heat of flying embers stinging her skin. "I'm scared."
"The spell is broken!" Jaina rushed around to gain a better view. Waiting to see if her aid would be required. "I knew it was weakening, but to think she broke it herself."
Varian didn't hear the Mage. He was slowly kneeling to the floor with Fox pressing hard against his chest. "What are you afraid of?" He implored her.
Fox couldn't make out his words. She was so far away. The sound of steel becoming louder. Before her the most beautiful woman she had ever seen raged in combat. The blade in her hand fending off the most horrifying Orcs she had ever seen. They look beyond possessed by evil fel magic. "I'm scared." Fox repeated blankly.
And then the woman turned to her, and Fox realized that this was her mother. Ondrena was gripped by her glorious black hair. Then the blood flowed, and Fox broke. Not just down in tears. There was a very loud cracking sound in her mind. Like shattering pieces of glass memories tore at her mind with sheering intensity. The pain of her mental wounds bleeding out.
The screaming ripping through the ship. It echoed out so that even the soldiers turn and broke ranks running back on board. They stopped by the entryway waiting for their King to call for their aid, but he never did.
"I'll fetch a priest!" Jaina moved toward the door.
"I forbid it." Varian clasped his arms around Fox. Trying to hold her still as she fought against him. Resting his chin on her head. He had known this kind of cry. It was the same one he heard in his worst nightmares. An echo of his own silent screaming. The sound when a child looses a parent they love dearly. And he knew why Lothar had abandoned his daughter. Ondrena had died right before Fox, just as Varian's father had died before him. Fox and he were the same. Right down to a haunted memory that was the very core of their soul.
Jaina pushed her hands to her ears. The whimpered cries were so heart breaking, she could hardly stand it. "But we have to reenact that spell. We have no real idea why Archbishop Alonsus ensorcelled her. She might not be able to survive the trauma of her ordeal."
"She will survive it." Varian shot a dark look at Jaina. It was enough to make her step back. "But this is something she has to endure. I would know since I experienced it as well."
"But that was different, you had Lothar and King Terenas to shape and guide you." Jaina argued. She was fairly bouncing on her toes wanting to run for more aid. The Lady Lothar was not in good shape and she feared it would be worse before getting better.
"She will not go through this alone. She will have me, and I will guide her into what she should become."
"Varian. You are to cruel if you plan to use this against her." Jaina seeing his words for what they were.
Varian turned away from Jaina not liking the truth of her words, "Get out, Jaina. I can handle this from here."
"Excuse me?"
"I was very clear Jaina. I said, get out." Varian turned his attention to Fox. "I will summon you when we return to Stormwind."
Jaina felt her mouth drop open. By the time Varian sailed to Stormwind, Fox could be completely manipulated to his will. This was not the King Jaina knew. "But Varian!" She wanted to stop him before he made a horrible mistake.
He looked over with threat in those cold blue eyes.
"Fine, but I will be back soon. The Lady needs clothing, and I will be contacting the other Alliance faction leaders to arrange an introduction in Dalaran to..."
"It's Stormwind or nothing. The Lady Lothar will not be leaving my city." Varian looked down at Fox. The wails had subsided to whimpers and those had died to the mere trembling of her soft form.
"Stormwind then, but still the others need to know of her existence before any decisions can be made."
"You can tell them first off that I claim dominion over her. She is of Stormwind, and that will not be over looked in even the slightest respect." Varian emphasized his stance. If Jaina thought to use the other factions to wrench Fox from his care she would meet nothing but resistance from him.
"Damn you, Varian. You planned this from the start."
"I may not be a Mage, Proudmoore, but I am not a fool either."
His answer was Jaina's bright glow as she disappeared. He didn't care if Proudmoore saw the entire thing for what it was. Varian wanted to break Fox's will to his from the start. She had always been so solidly stubborn and independent. Varian was not such a fool that he could not draw the similarity between Ondrena Manston and Eloise Lothar. Lothar had never conquered Ondrena. That had cost him not only his one love, but their child as well. The possibility of a happy future had been burned to ash with tears and blood. Varian would not repeat his mentor's mistakes.
Varian lifted Fox in his arms. Moving to set her on the bed. The legs hanging off the side unable to touch the ground. He knelt down looking up at her expressionless face. "Fox, don't worry. I am here and I will protect you." He reached up to cup her cheek.
She was truly the Lady Lothar, daughter of Anduin Lothar. Varian was brought to the realization that before him sat the last Arathi. A true princess of humanity that he and every other King in Azeroth would have openly vied for control of.
No wonder Ondrena had sought to hide her. The woman knew well what her own beauty and noble blood had earned her. Eloise would be so much more then that. A powerful pawn among the men of her time. No one could call her mother a fool. But now it was for naught, because Eloise was exposed and there was no one, not even her father to protect her from men like him.
"My Lady, I offer my loyalty and devotion. Please allow me to keep you at my side?"
Fox's eyes moving down to stare at him in somber silence. She could not hear what Varian was saying from the buzzing in her ears. She looked calm outwardly, but in her head screams and shouts of her past were rising up against her. Fox was desperate to make it stop. To lock away everything, and in Varian she saw that escape.
All Varian knew was she replied to his offer with a seductive kiss. A hand going to his hair to pull him closer to her. And he rose to her most gladly. Felt her hand drop from his hair and both hands moving to his face. The fingertips trailing over the course stubble that had grown since he last shaved. The magnetic pull of her mouth drawing him forward. She turned her head away as he trailed his lips over her jaw. His tongue trailing down to her neck. And as always she arched against him, with a quiet sigh that sounded much like relief.
"My Lady." He shivered just calling her that. His Lady, and she would be. First his lady, and then his Queen. Destiny could not be denied.
"Hum." the sound was a gentle vibration in her throat that drew his attention and soft sucking lips. He felt his hands rise to up the breasts in the harness. The fingers curling to press like talons against the thin leather over soft flesh.
He lifted his mouth to whisper against her ear. "Will you be so inclined as to help me removed my armor."
"I do remember having some sort of experience with that job before." She nodded in agreement. Why would she deny him? He had the most skillful way of taking her mind off everything. And Fox planned on using him until her body and mind gave out.
"Then perhaps your experience could hurry this along, because I find that I am not a patient man at the moment."
Fox ran her hands over the thick lions clasps that held on his cloak. Clasps that denoted him Anduin Lothar's chosen. She felt her hand shake for a movement before unhooking them and tossing it away from her lover. "Stand up King Wyrnn, your subject wishes to aid you in this most desperate hour of need."
Varian rose. He stood in pure torment as she moved around him loosening his plate with the same skill one of her kind would use to pick the pockets of their victims. The only time her demeanor changed was she she unlatched the great lion head belt. She lifted it in both hands, and walked over to set it by the chest on the table. Pausing a moment to run a hand over it. A lingering look that could not be placed as she stared down.
Fox heaved a great sigh before turning back to Varian. A hand rising to the buckles of her harness. Only two actually held the garment on. It dropped from her chest and was left forgotten behind her. The pants sliding off as she approached. The unconscious sway of her hips hypnotic. She moved to embrace him, but he held her back. Not ready to loose the sight of her.
Author Note: There will be a Non-Chapter Smut going up, once I feel the flow is right with the piece. Hope that I succeeded in making the big reveal dramatic and emotional enough for everyone. Just a heads up, this is an EPIC tale. I do have very detailed plans for what is going to happen and where it will end. There will be Varian and Fox for a long time to come. Mind you WLoD is coming out SOON. Updates will lessen, but there will be updates.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO READERS! Remember to Fan and Favorite! And as always please review, not just my work, but any author you read. Lack of interest is the fastest way to kill an authors motivation, and I am reading some pretty good stuff out there right NOW! Help me, help them, to help YOU get some great Fics up here. Come on Learen shake those pom poms! My bad. Those are daggers.