Chapter 23
He loves me, He loves me not
"You miscalculated, Sylvanas." Fox whispered softly. She intended this moment from the start. The moment she laid the death knell to any chance of a Forsaken victory. "This has gone to far now, and you can not win."
The blade retreated just a bit, as Sylvanas pondered the meaning of those words. "You're bluffing. Tell me, are you afraid of death? You shouldn't be. It's what comes after, that will leave you cold. Trust me, I know better then everyone else."
"But I am not you Sylvanas. I was pointing out that I understood you. Giving you the chance to understand me in return, but now it's to late." Fox thanked the Light, because just on time the illusion the Mages had cast over Stromgrade faded. The sound of siege weapons so loud the air vibrated with it. The countless Gryphon riders rising into the air above the keep. The ground forces flowing out like bees from a hive.
"What the hell?" Sylvanas dropped her blade, if not her hold on Fox, and stared. How had they come to form such an army right before her without her knowing?
"The full force of the Alliance has come for you. Care to guess as to why?" The brown eyes moving over to see the shock on Sylvanas's face. It was a glorious moment to witness. The moment the situation became clear to the Dark Lady.
"They never came to aid South Shore! Why would Arathi Highlands be so different?" The red eyes burned in confusion
"You think it's the land they want, Dark Lady? No. History repeats it's self, and you my new Orgrim Doomhammer, are about to learn that the hard way. Cut me down, and they will end your reign of terror!" Fox snarled back. Finally allowing her loathing for the Banshee Queen to run free.
Sylvanas gasped looking at the little Human. She shoved Fox away as if she had burned her. Fox was right! There was no winning in this. She could see it now. The moment Lady Lothar had involved herself in this battle it had been lost. Curse the Lion's cub!
Fox turned to face Sylvanas. Knowing that all the cards were in her hands. The worst that could happen would be Sylvanas went ballistic and ended her. Then the Alliance would finish the Forsaken once and for all. There was no losing in it for Fox. "Retreat now,and I will let you live as thanks for lack of blood shed."
"You mean to negotiate with me, little girl?" Sylvanas stared hard at Fox. Seeing her for what she was now. Not some random hit and run Rogue desperately trying to buy a bit more time until an eventual fate.
"No, I don't need to, when it's clear I have already won. I am being benevolent as the superior strategist." Fox could not help rubbing the salt in the Dark Lady's wound. Why not, when South Shore was still a gaping hole in all Human hearts.
"Oh, we are not done here, Lady Lothar. I may not be able to openly kill you, but I will make you suffer. So badly you long for death. You will come to me and ask me to end it. You will beg for the swift end I would have given you today!" Sylvanas spat back. If she were still mortal she would have been red with rage.
"I'll count the days." Fox gave Sylvanas a sloppy salute with her middle finger extended. "I leave you to see your people behind Thoradin's wall. Do not pass back through, or we will crush you here with less sympathy then you gave South Shore."
The Dark Lady watched Lady Lothar of the Alliance depart. She felt the challenge stir her cold heart. Felt the excitement build. Someday, she promised herself, that Lothar would be hers. Until that time, life had new meaning and would be entertaining again.
O0O0O0O0O0O
Fox was so happy she wanted to skip. She had done it. She had won against the Forsaken in Arathi Highlands. A group of war horses broke the ranks rushing forward. Fox waved wildly seeing Varian in the midst of them. He pushed his charger fast. The wind streaming his hair behind him as he bore down on her.
He came off his mount and rushed to her side. Pulling her into his arms the moment he drew close enough. Varian spun her in a circle before everyone as relief filled his heart. His Queen was alive and well. She was back in his arms. He could hope for nothing more then this moment. "Praise the Light you are safe, you head strong fool!"
Fox was crushed against his chest. The hold was exceedingly tight and breathing hurt. She almost longed to be in Sylvanas's clutches again. She flailed her arms, "Air." The word pushed out with effort.
Varian pulled back and looked down at her. Seeing the blood trickling down her neck. A clear memento of her adventure. "What happened to you?"
"I won! That is what happened!" She turned and pointed to the retreating Forsaken army. Then Fox moved to the Alliance flag holder, and motioned him down form his mount. The moment he did, she took his spot, and reached for the Alliance banner.
"This is Sylvanas you are talking about! There is much more to winning then that." Varian spoke from experience. He had dealt with the Forsaken Leader before, and it never turned out well.
"Varian." Fox smiled down at him. The Alliance Flag cradled in her arm as she adjusted her stirrups. "I am still alive, and she is still dead! Let me have my victory."
He watched as she hefted the great banner high for all to see. The Alliance army starting to cheer in one mighty roar. Kicking her heels she rode for Stromgarde. The Pride of the Alliance Lion Flying out in blue and gold glory behind her
The cheers of, "ALL HAIL LADY LOTHAR! HERO OF ARATHI!" As they moved to make way for her victory charge. It became clear that the Lion had finally come home.
Varian stared after her. This had to stop. She could not continue this course right now. The timing was all wrong. Fox was well in her rights to raise Stromgarde under her control, but right now he wanted her safe in Stormwind. He mounted his horse, and kicked it into a canter. Following his wife, fully intent on the next moment he had her in ear shot she, and everyone else, would know that she was pregnant with his child.
Fox was greeted by the jovial Wildhammer brothers. Muradin Bronzebeard was never one to hold back either. They took turns hugging her and passing her to the next dwarf in line. At some point a mug of ale made its way in her hands. Laughing she made sure it was passed along to someone else as well. There would be many drunken revelers in her new strong hold tonight. There were far worse ways to claim a keep, she supposed with a grin. This was going to be the best day of her life. She had retaken Arathi for her ancestors. She had won a battle against a terribly powerful foe, and she had Varian here to share it all with her. It was also perfect, she wanted to weep with joy. Perhaps tonight they could announce their marriage? Maybe have an impromptu ceremony amidst the celebrations. Fox felt her heart flutter in her chest in excitement. The opportunities were endless.
"Ya did it, Gal!" Falstad cheered up at her. The arms raising to the sky, as he hooted with laughter. "Ya drove back the Dark Lady!"
"Good job all the way around, Lady Lothar." Moria walked forward in her battle gear. "You have done a great deed."
"I am sure ya father would have been so proud of ya." Muradin brought her into a tight hug.
"I hate to interrupt the celebrations with my Lady, but I need her attention for just a moment." Varian moved in and took Fox's hand. He pulled her behind him toward the keep.
"You aren't going to turn me over your knee after such a heroic act of bravery, are you Varian?" Fox bit her lip and peeked up at him. Trying to look as tempting as she could.
"I will not be laying a harmful hand upon you, Fox. I just need to inform you of something that has been weighing on my mind. It's my hope that this information will temper you rash behaviors." Varian felt her feet dig in at the entrance. She managed to get him to stop.
"I am not going in there just yet." She winked up before wrapping her arms around him. "Once we get where no one can see us, I want a proper thank you for saving Arathi for you."
"Fox, your pregnant." He could not hold it back another moment. The words out he watched her carefully and waited.
She felt herself go stiff. "This is the second time you have said that Varian. It hasn't been but a few days, and I fail to see how you can be so sure?"
Varian closed his eyes and prayed to the Light for strength, Opening them again, he looked deep into her eyes, willing her to accept the truth of what he was saying. "Because according to Bethesda ,you conceived on the ship back from Orgrimmar."
"Who is Bethesda?" Fox gave him a look of stunned disbelief.
"The Gnome priest that took me out of our room. Bungee was the one who stayed with you." Varian felt a bit more confident. She wasn't going to straight denial. That was good.
Fox felt her world rock. "So, that is what had them so worked up?" All the slight symptoms that had been plaguing her falling into place. Others she had ignored. Blaming it on the stress of being the new Lady Lothar.
"Yes, Fox, promise me you will start taking things easier. I am going to call a priest to look you over now. I fear what this last event might have done to the baby. It's far to precious to the Alliance to lose." He looked down at the group below them wondering how long it would take to summon one.
To the Alliance? Fox blinked. What about to him? Okay. That was stupid to question. It was very important to him. This child locked in the bloodlines of their respective royal houses. It was a royal among royals.
Then something else hit her. "Varian, did you know when you wrote up the marriage documents and sealed it?"
"Yes, why do you think I was so insistent that it had to be done then? I can't allow this child to fall into question with the rest of the Alliance and Stormwind Nobles." Varian stared as she went terribly pale. "Fox are you alright?"
She was not alright. Varian had married her not for the love and want of her, it had been for this child. The living pawn growing inside her. Like a fool ,she had finally given herself over to love for the first time. Considered Varian hers. That pillar of herself was suddenly gone. By the Light, she could not breathe! She worked for air in her constricted chest, but it was blocked with the most painful emotion she had ever felt. Worse then the betrayal of her father even. She had been completely and utterly duped. A stupid love sick fool!
"Fox, breathe." Varian put his hands on her shoulders. Shaking her hard as he watched her struggle to take in air. "You have to breathe!"
Of course she did! Asphyxiation was bad for the baby. She tried to pull her shoulders from his touch. Being so close to him was making her physically ill. "Don't." The word was pushed out as tears spilled over her eyes.
Varian refused to let her go. Worried at just what she might do in this state.
Fox threw her head up and screamed, "Don't touch me!" A hard yank pulled her free and she stumbled back.
The sound of her voice drawing stares from the celebration below. Everyone worried about their new Lady.
"Fox." Varian stepped forward only to be greeted with the sharp tip of her dagger between them. She held it up. The dark eyes almost black as her tears streamed from her eyes.
"Don't speak to me!" Fox shook her head staring at the face she used to love so very much. Now she just wanted to hit it until it was unrecognizable. "Don't even think of me, or I swear, I will KILL YOU!"
Varian reached to try and take the dagger, as his bodyguard broke the stairs rushing Fox.
She reacted on instinct full of pain and regret. The blade twirled, and she dropped it hard on his chest armor. Both hands pressing down with her full strength. The metal crying out as it was rent asunder. The tip of her blade reaching the flesh over his heart!
Varian reached out to clasp his hands on hers. Holding her from going any further. It was clear she was truly trying to kill him.
The guards grabbed hold of her. It took all four of them to pull her back. The dagger so wedged in the armor that it remained there. The threw her down on the ground struggling with her. Their tactics rough.
"Don't harm her!" Varian cried out.
A cry came from the crowd below. The refuges and several Dwarves starting to rush to the Lady Lothar's defense. Theodan pulling his sword and weighing into the Stormwind guards that were forming a wall between the King and the outraged people below them.
"Protect our Lady! Down with Stormwind!" Theodan called. One soldier cuffing the boy, knocking his small body back. More men rising against the guards as all out chaos broke loose in the Alliance ranks.
It was in this state Genn Greymane and his Gilnean soldiers entered Stromgrade. One look at the scene before him he called in a tone of utter anger and pure authority, "What the HELL is happening here!"
Muradin Bronzebeard flanked by the Wildhammer brothers shouted out as well, "Aye! Be putting your hatred away, and let us figure out what is goin on, before we start a war that Lady worked so hard ta avoid!"
The guards stood between Varian and Fox. She rose to her feet. Pointing out at Varian and shouting"Get him out of my keep." A hand going to her stomach as she wavered on her feet. "Get him out before..."
Varian knew Fox well enough to see she was about to faint. He pushed through his guard and caught her up in his arms before she hit the stone platform.
"You release my lady!" Theodan cried from his place behind the guard wall. "She doesn't like you, and neither do I!"
"She may be your Lady, but she is my QUEEN!" Varian shouted to all who could hear. "Ask Greymane for conformation. Now the rest of you stay out of this. I need to get my wife inside. Someone fetch me a priest!"
There was stunned silence as everyone turned to Genn.
"Is it true?" Moria asked in a calm tone. "Had the High King married the Lady Lothar?"
"It is, indeed, true. I put my personal seal next to the Stormwind mark just a few days ago." Greyman said loud enough for all to hear.
"But why the rush? Surely this be joyous news for all of the Alliance." Muradin stood next to his niece. He asked what everyone in attendance was thinking.
Greymane looked away from the people surrounding him. Instead he watched as Varian lifted the unconscious form of Lady Lothar. Moving to carry her into the main keep. "Because the Lady Lothar is already pregnant with King Wyrnn's child. Although it would appear she isn't to please about it herself."
There was nothing any of them could do but wait and see how things played out.
Author Note: I know the chapter was shorter then normal, but there was a lot to taken in.