Chapter 13

Two Wrongs do not make a Right

The ship had set sail back to Stormwind. Varian lay stretched out on his bed feeling rather pleased with himself. Fox was tangled in a sheet leaning over him. The black hair falling around her face as she forced a smile down at him.

"You can do better then that, Fox." He played at being impassive to her request. Something she had been going on about nonstop for the last half hour.

"Please, Varian." The tone was sweet and amicable, but it didn't reach her eyes. Those eyes were full of unbridled fury.

He flashed her a smile that was full of white teeth. A wolf among men is exactly what he was. "I don't know. I kind of like that collar on you." He reached out and took hold of the chain ring with one finger pulling her closer. "It could come in handy from time to time."

Varian went to kiss her but she dropped her head and looked away. A huge sigh escaping her. "You said if I was nicer to you, you would take it off." She growled.

"I said I would think about it. I never actually said I would remove it."

Fox sat back. Pulling the blanket around her waist. The arms crossing before her. "I don't know who I hate more. Tharath for putting it on me, or you for refusing to take it off."

Varian made no effort to cover himself as he sat up, and swung his legs off the bed. "The more you hate it now, the more you will thank me when I take it off, Fox. It's the expression of your gratitude when I finally do, that motivates me." He leaned back to tap a kiss to her cheek before coming to his feet.

Fox sat with narrow eyes. Praying with all her heart and soul for some sort of retribution. Yes, a paladin with a very large mace to just appear, and SMASH! She almost smiled at the thought alone. But that didn't get the cold metal ring off her neck.

The Light answered her call in a different way. There was one knock. A single tap was all they got before the door was thrown open by Lady Jaina Proudmoore. She stared into the room. "I have searched this entire ship, Varian, and have yet to find Lady Lothar." She turned her lovely blue eyes on the naked King. Completely unaffected, she moved her gaze to the bed, "Ah there you are, Eloise!" Turning she called, "I have found her! You can set up in here."

The door way flooding with seamstresses. Varian scrambling for his pants, giving an ample showing of his buttocks to those lucky enough to enter first.

"Jaina! What the hell are you about?" He hopped around pulling up his trousers. Trying to ignore the sound of excited feminine giggles.

"I told you I would be back to wardrobe the Lady. It's nearly midday, King Wyrnn. You had ample opportunity to," She gave him a head to toe look and raised an eyebrow. "not be caught with your pants down. Or off? Yes, off is the correct word."

"You are in my quarters, Jaina! It's not acceptable." He roared back. The large fingers working at the laces.

The army of maids and seamstresses pulling Fox from the bed, careful to keep her sheet firmly around her. They hovered close. Taking great care to gently direct her every move.

Jaina placed a hand to her chest keeping her attention on Varian. She opened her eyes wide in fake surprise. "Really? Oh my, how was I to know that when you were entertaining the Lady Lothar in here as if it were. My mistake. Women, Let's go set lady Lothar up in the empty room we found just down the hall. I am sure that will be more acceptable."

Fox was paraded out the door. Jaina stopped. Placing a hand on the knob. She shot Varian one scathing glance before intentionally slamming the it behind her.

"That cunning bitch!" Varian blinked realizing Jaina had just stolen Fox away. The Mage had used the very status that made Fox an acceptable Queen, also made her a very unacceptable bed partner. Damn, but he had not seen that one coming.

O0O0O0O0O0O0O0

Fox was sitting across from Lady Proudmoore staring at the lovely sandwiches that looked more like art then food. It was much later in the day, since she had been absconded with by the Mage. No sign of Varian to challenge Jaina either. She was no longer wrapped in a sheet, although Fox would not call the gauzy pale green dress an upgrade. The golden combs in her hair were adorn with white pearls to match the necklace that hung heavy on her neck. And if one would asked, Fox it was not an improvement on the slave collar.

Jaina had been horrified that King Wyrnn had left it in place. It had only taken her a moment to find some rogue lock picks, and Fox had eagerly handled the rest herself.

"I told the Master Taylor to pick out matching accessories for your wardrobe. I could see that such things were making you uncomfortable. That is the furthest thing from my intention. So do forgive me for it?" Jaina reached out and took a sip of her drink.

Fox could have almost kissed the Archmage for that. "I never realized so much went into such frivolous foppery."

Jaina's shoulders jerked, and she admirably kept herself from spitting her drink out. Nodding, she set her glass to the table. "You are not alone. Many think its just picking a pleasing design, and pretty color. I learned early that is not the case."

"The one who would be Queen?" Fox did not have the heart to mention Arthas Menethil by name.

Jaina was not, "Arthas and I had a strong love. I am sure we would have had a very happy union if not for the Scourge." The Archmage sighed and looked away almost wistful. "But he is not gone. He lives in my memories, and my heart will always love my Paladin Prince. I do try to forget the Lich King whenever possible though. Not to say your love story will be so tragic, Lady Lothar. You are lucky, Varian is a fine man."

"I am to have a love story?" Fox pressed down her panic and tried to sound incredulous at Proudmoore's prediction.

"So you intend to play hard to get? Careful with that. Once back in Stormwind there will be a huge outcry of joy at your existence. Then there will be an outcry for something to be done about it." Jaina said cryptically.

Fox really was lost now. "What more could they want then to know I am alive?"

"A continuation of your Arathi blood."

Fox closed her eyes and shook her head. Almost trying to shake the meaning away. "What?"

"Really, Eloise, its the duty of all Noble and Royals. You don't think King Llane betrothed Tiffin the day of her birth because she had the most lovely eyes. Not that I would know, I sadly never met the late Queen." Jaina folded her hands in her lap. "I am the daughter of a Sea Admiral. It was a military position, more then his noble title, so I escaped rather unscathed. Your father mentored mine for a time, so honestly helping you like this honors me."

Fox sat silent. Jaina Proudmoore was offering her service to her? Archmage and the Leader of Dalaran was openly acknowledging Fox's position as a superior one. It was a hard concept to take, because truth be told Fox felt she had done nothing to warrant it, aside being born. Something about that just felt wrong.

"You are very silent." Jaina tried to catch Fox's eyes, but the rogue avoided the contact.

"At times."

Jaina leaned to rest her chin on her hands. "You do have the bearing of a Queen. I wish I had the ability to curb my tongue like that. It has gotten me in so much trouble in the past."

"I would make a poor Queen."

"And why is that?'

"Because its entrapment of the first order. Look at me. I am not a Queen at all. I am a Lady, or so I am being told, and here I sit trapped in green tissue paper." Fox tugged at the bust line of her dress. "If we were beset by Naga or Giblins I would be naked before the fight was over just trying to flee. Because I certainly could not fight in a skirt so tight."

"You do realize you would not encounter them at all. Varian and his forces would kill them off or drive them away before they got close to you. Then claim they did it all to protect your gentle beauty, before accepting your earnest gratitude."

"Oh what fun!" Fox's voice took a very unladylike tone. "What should I do then, toss myself in his arms and scream like a mouse had run it's way across the toe of my slipper?"

"There you go again. Knowing exactly what is expected of you!" Jaina laughed, and agreed entirely with this new Lady Lothar. So much so, Jaina decided she almost adored her. Eloise was not a young woman. She was mature and already well established in her identity. Varian would have his hands full with her. No wonder he had wanted to take advantage of the chink in her armor. Jaina realizing that she had completely ruined that plan with her meddling. To late for anything to be done about it now, she supposed.

"Lady Proudmoore, is there no way that this secret can just die here. The Arathi died with Lothar as far as everyone is concerned. I know we mourn him too. I admired him so even before..." Fox could not call him father. But then she could not call Myles Fulbright that either. All the love she had for the parents who raised her was now tinged with a sense of betrayal.

"The Lion of the Alliance is an understatement to his legacy isn't it." Proudmoore stood up. "Come Lady Lothar, I have kept you from your King long enough."

"I thought it was unacceptable for me to be near him." Fox blinked up. She did want to see Varian. He had the most delicious way of making her see nothing but him.

"Alone in his rooms, yes. But a stroll around deck under the watchful eyes of a respected chaperone like myself isn't just acceptable, it will be expected. After all, Lady Lothar, he will be considered as the prime choice of fathering your children by every married Noble in Stormwind. Changing allegiances can be so very taxing on their time and wallets."

"Fathering my children?" Fox came to her feet. Her hands gripping the table.

Jaina gave a crafty smile, "What do you think he was attempting last night? Varian has never been one to sit still when there is an advantage to be had, and once back in Stormwind there will be many Nobleman seeking your hand for themselves or their sons. Welcome to the life of Royal birth. It doesn't matter which sex you are, children are expected, and sons definitely are preferred."

O0O0O0O0O0

Varian arrived on deck at the summons of Lady Proudmoore. He was in no mood to be congenial. That was until he saw the woman standing next to her.

Gone was the Crimson Fox. This was not the Eloise Fulbright he had met in the blue dress in Stormwind either. This newly emerged butterfly was Lady Lothar as she was meant to be seen by all. She was enough to make a goddess weep with jealousy. "Jaina, in light of certain revelations, I feel the need to forgive your earlier transgressions in my bedroom."

"I thought you might. She is lovely, your majesty. Congratulations." Jaina looked almost triumphant. Not wanting to give away that Fox was waiting to tear into him for his own, how had he put it? Oh yes, Transgressions. "I will be speaking with the Captain by the wheel, should you need me."

Varian frowned. What the Lady Proudmoore had really said was, stay where I can see you. Very well, he could do that. He had waited before for Fox. It would not be much longer before they were in Stormwind, the official bans read, and shortly after a quick wedding. After that no one would be able to part them again. It was with this knowledge, he steeled his resolve to be the most charming he could be. After all he wasn't the only one that had needs. Varian was very certain Fox's met or exceeded his own.

He moved to offer his arm, "Lady Lothar." He looked up at her expectantly.

What he got, he did not expect. A hard slap across his cheek. It was going to leave a mark. "How dare you, Varian! I might have been completely ignorant to the game you were playing. But I, now, have been informed by Lady Proudmoore that there is one going on. You should be ashamed of yourself! So busy moving your pieces around the board and skipping my turn, while I was none the wiser of it."

"And which game is that?" Varian straightened. By the Light! There she was. He had not expected her to expose her true self so swiftly. He had known it was there. Seen it in flashes. Sensed it in off hand comments. Lady Lothar was magnificent in her royal bearing. He should have been displeased with her vicious lecture, but to be honest it just turned him on.

"So there is more then one scheme against me? I should have guessed. It is you, I am pitted against." She swung away to cross her arms under her chest.

Varian smiled and wrapped his arms around her. She struggled to break free, but stopped when he rubbed his cheek against hers. "Of course, Fox, how else am I going to win? I have seen you play chess, and underhanded distractions and cheating moves seem to be all I have in my favor."

"I would have to agree if Lady Proudmoore's suggestion of trying to impregnate me to claim the Arathi bloodline is true." The ice in her voice made him catch his breath.

"Proudmoore has always been a terrifying genius."

Fox elbowed him at that. For all it did. He had plate, and she had fluff for armor. "How can you just admit something like that! It's deviousness borders on pure villainy."

Varian stepped back and took her arm. Wrapping it around his, he forced her to stroll across the deck with him. "Maybe it's because of how I was raised. I see no problem in assigning matches in my head. I have over seen many of the unions in our Kingdom. Not all parties are as blissful as we are. In that you can consider yourself lucky."

"I beg to argue, my King, There is no we, just yet. I do have choices." She hissed back. The dark eyes full of rebellious light.

"Don't be ridiculous. Who else would be a comparable match for you?" Varian chuckled. He was certain she was just complaining for the sake of it.

"I am Adnuin Lothar's daughter, King Wyrnn. Would that not make me to good for you?"

Varian halted.

Fox slowly removed her arm. "I should have my choice. I understand there are not many Kings left to pick from, in Azeroth. So I will be willing to add some of your Nobles to the pool."

"They tried to kill you." Varian watched her in disbelief. She was serious. So furious with him it was almost lunacy.

"Their intentions toward me do not matter. Since it's only their essence I require to see my duty done." She lifted her hand to flutter lightly away, as if her words held no great meaning at all.

Varian had a flash of her in his mind with another man. Praise the Light, he did not see a face, or some innocent would have died a painful death. "My Lady Lothar, I would not go hunting down a donor, when we are not even certain my own effort has not been in vain."

"Oh, I can assure you, my sheer revulsion to the idea of carrying your manipulation to term would end any chance of that." Fox plunged the imaginary dagger of her rage as deep as she could, and twisted.

Varian stepped away from her, "You know, I am seeing a side of you I don't like."

"Really? Good! Because I doubt you ever saw past my duty and my body anyway. The truth is King Wyrnn, you do not know me. I told you this before, and you didn't seem to find it prudent to heed my words."

"Clearly." He wanted his Fox back. This Lady Lothar and her righteous indignation could go right to the nether!

"Something wrong?" Jaina came up to them. A concerned look on her face.

"Yes." Varian said simply and walked away.

Jaina placed a hand to her mouth and then looked to Fox. "What happened?"

Fox watched Varian striding away. She kept her eyes on his angry form. Taking in every move. From the sway of his hair to the clenched fists at his sides. Even the strong footfalls on the deck. Oh by the gods she wanted to chase after him. "Nothing. He doesn't like being told he's wrong. I am sure he will get over it."

Author Note: If you enjoy this half as much as my muse did, you are very welcome.