Chapter 17

Laying Siege to the Walls

To say Fox was mad was an understatement. Last night had been a perfect disaster. Besides her new friendship with Miss Hawke. That had been the one star of the entire evening.

Varian had been upset with her. Then he had ordered Braelyn, Shaw, and the guards to see her back in her gown. By force if necessary. Yes, he had actually said that. He returned to the ball room and expected his Lady Lothar to be arriving within the next few minutes after him. That she was to be seen and assure everyone that all was well.

Shaw and the guards did not have to help Fox dress. Braelyn managed well enough on her own. Even though Fox was a bit resistant at first. The Hunter having to tackle that troublesome Rogue to keep her from jumping out a window at one point. Never let it be said Fox was always reasonable.

After her grand return, Varian had taken her by the arm around the room. He did not waste time making introductions to many of the male peerage. After the third time she was paraded up to a Noble Gentleman, Fox was mortified to see his idea of greeting had reduced too, "This is my Nobleman Lord Bascomb, Lady Lothar. Do you find him acceptable to your lofty standards?"

Fox's respectable, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Bascomb." was met with a glare from Varian.

"I never asked you to greet him. Is he acceptable?" Varian growled out, "Because I no longer feel like wasting my time with their suits. So answer with Yes or No, and let us move on."

And by the end of the evening Fox had, unfortunately, been forced to alienate over ninety percent of the suitors for her hand. Out of the remaining ten, all knew that their pursuit was pointless when Varian announced that he would not allow any of the chosen to meet with his Lady, unless he was in attendance.

Fox had known that she had pushed him to this extreme with her actions. She was very willing to make it up to him too. That was all for not either. Since he escorted her back to her room, and drew her into his arms. The magic of his touch what she had been longing for from the start. Only to have him leave her trembling with want, and walking away.

One would think after all she had endure that day, sleep would be a welcome release, but no. Turnabout is fair play, and the dreams that had plagued King Wyrnn, in Lion's Landing, were her curse to bear throughout the night. They were unnatural in their intensity and always without fail evaporated before any released was had. Each one a new irresistible torture rolling over her. It was not until much later she was able to pass out into an unconscious blackness.

Awakening late in the morning. She realized she had missed her meeting with Shaw and Wood at the SI-7. Stumbling out of bed and shouting for tea. The sound of her voice shrewish even to her own ears.

It was in this state Varian arrived to her rooms.

Fox looked up from her cold cup to see his fine, sexy, compelling, masculine frame opening her door.

"What are you doing here." Fox leaned back in the chair. She crossed her legs under the long silken night dress. The grouching tone only making him smile.

"Shaw arrived to see how you were fairing. Sleeping in, love? Because the both of us are startled to even imagine such a thing." Varian moved to sit in the chair across from her. He was there for her personal accounting. Fox could see that he would not be moving until he had one. Varian had no idea what he had walked into.

Fox adverted her eyes. "I had a rough night."

"The tea isn't helping?" He motioned to her untouched cup.

"It's cold." She looked at the tiny white china cup on the saucer. Just like your heart, was what she wanted to say. It was unfair, since she had done nothing to ease his suffering back in Lion's Landing. Merely used his need to manipulate her way out of punishment.

Varian looked almost stunned, "Are you well? You do not sound like yourself."

Fox sighed deeply and rose to her feet. Moving to stand before him. The brown eyes full of loathing at his armored body. Damn the armor. If not for that, she was certain she could get around all other barriers. It was the time it took to get rid of the horrid plate, that would give him time to resist her. "I seem to have come down with a terrible case of highly erotic dreams. Since you have suffered with this in the past, perhaps a word on how to ease my plight?"

Varian laughed loudly at her. "Are you mocking me?" The blue eyes twinkling.

She answered by leaning over and attacking him with the full onslaught of her sexual frustrations. The force, tipping the chair back and landing her on top of him.

"Fox!" Varian cried out. Caught up in trying to remove her from his person without injuring her. All doubt that she was fabricating this story dissipating. It was a new experience for him. Never could he remember being so openly accosted by the fairer sex. Moving his hands to lift her away, he admitted to himself, that it was a rather pleasant experience. Should the circumstances be different, he would not slow her course at all. The idea of backing in such ferociousness tantalizing.

Fox staring down at him, her mouth red from their kisses, the large eyes seductive, in the hot panting. "Do you believe me now?"

"Far be it from me to deny the honesty of your actions!" Varian smiled and slowly set her aside. "But I gave you my terms, Lady Lothar. Have you decided to grace Stormwind with a Queen?"

"And If I said yes?" She looked thoughtful.

"Then I would take us post haste to have Genn officiate and seal the papers. You could have your reward before the hour is up."

"How about we make sure we are still compatible before jumping the gun like that?" Fox reached up to part her robe. The large breasts being exposed to his eyes. A slight tilt of her head making her short black hair a perfect frame to the, Argue with these, statement in her eyes.

"You, Lady Lothar, play dirty." Varian rose his forearm over his eyes to block out the sight before he lost all control of this situation. Fox was a tactical genius, Varian realized then and there. Next time he was planning a battle, she would be summoned to give counsel.

"So you are not up to negotiations?" Fox moved to settle a leg between his. She arched over him, braced on her palms, "That's not very civilized of you."

"I love you, Fox." He never removed the arm from his eyes. Knowing the look that would be on her face. The stiffening of her body told him he was right. "I am not going to negotiate. I want complete surrender from you."

He felt her lifting away, and dared a look. Fox had turned and presented him her back.

He wanted to climb to his feet and hold her. To whisper in her ear how he wanted to go to bed with her in his arms, wake up with her at his side, and for her to spend her days where he could just stare at her.

Yes, he wanted children with her. Not for the bloodline alone. He wanted sons that were agile, and swift in combat. The kind of boys that stirred up good hearted mischief throughout Elwynn. The complaints following at their heels to his court. The kind of boys that be like their mother and would support Anduin and have his back when the time came to rule Stormwind.

He wanted daughters, soft and sweet, with a mere touch of Fox's stubbornness. Varian wanted to stroll the Trade District buying pretty ribbons and lace. To over hear the songs and poems dedicated to their beauty that would be written. Dress them as the Princesses they were, so that he could ban all boys from Stormwind, when they came of age. He wanted it so bad, and all he needed was Fox to say one word to make this dream a reality. He waited. Holding his breath and his hope close to his heart.

"If you would excuse me, King Wyrnn. I think I will be getting dressed and taking Seb out for a flight." She never turned around as she added, "I am feeling a bit caged in today."

O0O0O0O0

She had crushed him again. Fox leaned low over Seb, as the gryphon rocketed out of Stormwind. The look on Varian's face rose up to meet her, every time she closed her eyes. She had stood holding the door open waiting for him to leave. The slight lifting of his hand, as if he wanted so badly to touch her had been cut off by her flinching away.

She needed to be gone from the situation. Find some room to think, or even not think. Not thinking was always good too. Everything was Lothar, Lothar, Lothar! She was growing to hate that name. Sure, all her life it meant power, honor, selflessness, and hero. She had not read the journals her father had left for her. Perhaps she should, but right now was not the time. All the emotions were still rocking so badly with in her. She had not come to terms with her gains or her losses. She would go from pure joy to bitter tears in the span of minutes. No, it was not time to dig into what Anduin Lothar had to say to her.

Fox looked down on Goldshire. The village was once again full of people. This time though she passed someone she knew. A few clicks and Seb dove.

Braelyn came to a halt when the largest most glorious armored Gryphon landed before her. She didn't realize if was Lady Lothar, until the other woman had dismounted. Fox moved from behind the large wings

"Lady Hawke! Looks like my luck is turning to find you out and about like this." Fox patted Seb's neck.

"Lady..." Braelyn began, but Fox moved with the speed of a Rogue to press a hand over her mouth.

"Fox, you must call me Fox!" The low whisper was accompanied by a slight glance around.

Braelyn nodded, and the hand was removed. She could not help her self moving to extend a hand to Seb's silvery crown of feathers. "He's so impressive. Does he belong to," Braelyn tossed Fox a smile. Only the two knowing the play on words. "Anyone important?"

"You could say that. I see you are running an errand!" Fox stared at the basket in Braelyn's arms.

Braelyn looking down at her burden. "Yes, for my mother. She liked the food here. So I am bringing her back something to surprise her with a late lunch."

"If you would like, I can take you home on Seb. He's a bit of a show off, and I am sure he would love the attention."

"Really?" As a Hunter, animals were Braelyn's passion.

"I'll even hold the basket and let you handle the reins. What little you have to do, Seb needs mild direction." Fox didn't even get the sentence finished, before she found her arms full with the basket. Braelyn stuffing a foot in Seb's stirrup.

"Oh, This is the finest saddle I have ever seen. Where did you get it?" The Hunter leaned from the left to the right looking at all the straps and hand holds. The grommots expertly placed, but the scroll work was tooled to perfection.

"I made it." Fox puffed up with pride. It was rare anyone even noticed her craft work. It made her want to cheer that she had found someone with enough sense to notice. "Exotic leather from the turtles on Timeless Isles, every little strip was farmed up by me."

You are a leather worker?" Braelyn looked over her shoulder. Fox pulled herself up with one hand. Careful not to swing the basket to hard with the other.

"Since before I was in the SI-7, even."

Braelyn lifted the reins, and Seb took his first mighty flap. The strong force was something she had never experienced before in any mount. "He is so strong!"

"I would hope so. I hear he is the very pride of the Wild Hammer Clan. I call him Seb, because it's short for Super Expensive Bird." Fox called against the wind gusts Seb was creating.

"How fast is he?" Braelyn asked. She just had to know! A mount like this could break the wind currents, she was sure.

Fox liked the way Braelyn thought. In fact, with all her duties compounding Fox had trouble getting out on Seb. If Braelyn was accepted by the Gryphon, maybe she could work him out. Light knew he needed more flight time.

"After we drop off this basket, we can race him to Westfall. It's a small distance for him, but it will give you an idea." They were high enough that no one could hear them now, "King Wyrnn out did himself choosing this mount. He is probably the finest beast in all Azeroth."

"Really? Greater then his Majesty?" The teasing tone was not lost on Fox. Braelyn tossing back a sly wink of her own.

"Okay, Seb is the second finest beast." Fox conceded.

Author Note: I know it's shorter then most, and late. I am sorry. But I will say this. Oh sinus head ache I hate you so much. I promise a better edit later.