* I only own Alyondria thanks to Blizzard and the chance they gave me to play World of Warcraft. Hope you enjoy another chapter in Aly's life.

Chapter 2 Friends and Enemies

Aly watched as the ship pulled away from the docks, Two tall trolls chuckling companionably as they approached the stores in Booty Bay. She still had to smile as she watched proof of her husband's 'crazy ideas'. Orik dreamed of peace for all the races of Azeroth, and many opposed him. Those who did caused problems for her husband, the new Ambassador of Humans for Booty Bay, he worked long hours to keep the peace, working on treaties with the many factions here and with the Goblins as well. He was often exhausted but he was happy, and Aly knew that the only thing that could make him happier would be the day she gave birth to their child. Rubbing the large bulge on her side she smiled as she tried to coax the unborn bundle to shift, soon the little foot went back to a more comfortable area and she chuckled, life was good.

Orik however wasn't smiling, his joy at seeing his brother was crushed by the letter he'd brought. Jaina had sent it directly to him in his own brother's hands for a reason, they had spies in his office and they were plotting against the peace. Several attacks had been made on the orcs on the border of Dustwallow Marsh, attacks by humans. Luckily Thrall believed Jaina when she plead innocence and helped investigate the attacks. The two had found many clues to the presence of plots to cause an up scaling of the war. Too many profitted from the continued fighting, not to mention a united Azeroth would put a stop to many small groups who were aligned with noone. If the Horde and Alliance united, these factions would have their full attention, and defeat would be inevitable. Somehow the Defias, the Naga, the Bloodsail Buccaneers seemed more organized. Even the Goblins had complained about the danger their convoys had come up against, the Goblins were remaining neutral and only these factions would have reason to try and sabotage the peace.

"She truly believes we're in that much danger?" Alshak had a temper, anyone who knew him also knew this. Taking a deep breath before his ragged sigh he replied, "Orik we have to get you and Aly the hell outta here. They know killing you will be a big blow, but killing Aly will be a bigger one. How many human men wouldn't be grabbing a weapon to attack Horde if they believe the ones you've worked to help, killed your pregnant wife and unborn child. You've worked hard to show them that Trolls, Orcs and other races are loving parents who want peace as well, but if this happens all of that will be forgotten." Orik nodded his fists crushing the waterproof parchment. Alyondria was his heart, the center of his life, he would die if she were injured, much less killed. He only wanted a peaceful place for his child to grow up in, but he knew he could work toward that anywhere as long as Aly was with him. He scowled, Grayson was right... he never should have brought her here. "Alright let's do this right, no one can know we're leaving. Go find Aly, she's at the market getting things for dinner, she wanted a romantic dinner before we have two a.m. feedings and Fajih, her Troll doula told her the babe is head down, we have at most three weeks. Al ... don't scare her, you know Aly she'll strap on her mace and demand we let her fight those scumbags herself, she loves too many people here. She can't be left alone, I have a few things to gather... we'll leave after dusk." Alshak grinned, what a mental picture, he knew Aly would do just that if she thought her baby or Orik were in danger. Nodding he picked up his shield and heading out the door as he slung it onto his back, this was going to be rough.

Aly almost dropped the bread she had lifted to smell, with a squeal as she waved at Alshak. "Over here Al!" She grinned as her older 'little brother' weaved his way toward her. As she got near his eyes grew big, 'she was ready to pop, this flight just got harder.'. "Wow Aly how much bread did you eat?" With a slug to his arm Aly scowled through her smile, "I am not fat! Don't make me beat you up!" Alshak laughed as he rubbed his arm and then grabbed her against his side. "I know sweety, when are you gonna leave Orik and marry me?" She wiggled free and then with a supportive hand on her back she answered him with a raspberry and then said, "Poo, I'd marry Gali first, at least he knows how to treat a woman." Alshak leaned down and whispered, "Yeah, leave one alone..." Alyondria stood up straight and then with an outrage gasp hissed, "Oh Al, that was low... he just hasn't gotten over the loss of his wife."

Alshak raised his hands palm up, 'he hasn't gotten over losing you... you never even knew girl.' "Peace... I meant nothing, but Galdrios hasn't had a date in over thirty years, he's no ladies man." Aly nodded, "Yes I know, but he's on his way here to be the Godfather of the babe, maybe I can find him someone. He doesn't need to be alone all the time." Alshak then mentally wiped his brow, if Aly was match making he was glad Gali was her victim. Then he thought 'I need to send Gali a message telling him where we've gone, but not from here...'.

Meanwhile...

Orik looked up to see his secretary Sambin enter his office, the secretary looked curiously at the bag full of documents. "Are you going somewhere sir?" Orik trusted Sambin but he knew this needed to be a surprise, "Oh not really... just want to work on some of these things at home now that Aly is getting close to delivering. Could you bring me the trade agreement between the Nesingwary hunter's and the Salty Sailor
Tavern, please, it's due to be renewed." The Troll stiffened and then answered, "Yes, though I don't see why they buy meat from that man." his scowl worried Orik. "Sambin I thought you were on board for the trade between all races?" Orik now knew he really couldn't trust anyone here, watching the man's body language he saw the tensing before his reply, smooth, flawless, and an obvious lie. "Oh of course, it's just the thing we need, I just feel he charges too much." Orik turned to hide his own reaction and then said, "Well thanks for getting those papers, Aly is fixing a special dinner, my brother arrived tonight, so I'll go home early today and may work from home tomorrow as well." Sambin left to retrieve the papers and Orik missed the glint in his eye as he left, the man thinking to himself, 'hmmm... must tell the Boss, Deathbane seems to be preparing to flee.'.

Aly chose bread and turning to Alshak she asked, "Al, could you go to the Salty Sailor and get a bottle of wine while I get some fresh sagefish for dinner, please." Alshak knew he was screwed, if he told Aly he couldn't leave her alone his goose was cooked, then as if the Light chose to have mercy on the warrior he saw a wonderful set of blue ears making their way through the crowd. "Aly we're gonna need more fish darlin'." She wrinkled her brow and then turning to where he was looking she dropped her bag and took off at a full run, jumping up into the arms of the tall nightelf. Galdrios caught her and swung her in his arms, fear making his heart thunder, his Aly was very, very pregnant and she'd just ran around like it was nothing, clutching her close he whispered into her ear, "...just what in the hell beyond the portal do you think you are doing little one?" Aly laughed and pressing a kiss to Gali's own she chuckled, "Gali, I've missed you so much.... but don't you remember... I'm a grown woman now. So you have to treat me like one." Galdrios hid his face in her hair as he gently let her slide down to her feet, 'seeing her as a grown woman had never been the problem... seeing her swelled with the child of another man however...'. "Then little one you will have to act like one so I won't get confused..." Alshak saw the pain in the nightelf's eyes and decided to give him a break, "Woo hoo Aly, I believe he got you on that! 'Grown' woman who are due to deliver soon rarely run around on the docks like twelve year olds, even if they are the same height as one." Aly scowled at her brother-in-law and then stuck her tongue out at him, "That's just because most of them haven't had to grow up with you guys, I blame all the womanly behavior areas I'm lacking in on ya'll." Alshak looked at Galidrios and they both rolled their eyes, it had been a long standing joke whenever Alyondria did something rowdy or rough that it was due to her ubringing in an all male influenced life.

Gali could feel the knot in his chest loosen up a bit, and with a small smile he watched his 'little one', she was indeed ripe with child but she had never looked more beautiful. Her long hair was shiny and full, her breasts fuller too, she had that pregnancy glow about her, he only wished it was his child beneath her heart. With a choked cough he cleared his throat and asked, "So where is Orik, I would have thought the Ambassador would have at least given you a little polish by now, he lets you run around does he?" Aly blushed and then with a hand to cover the small smile she admitted, "Well.... I'm supposed to have Tiburu with me, but she had to help Fajih with a delivery, the Tauren woman is having twins, and that very rarely happens." Galdrios looked at Alshak and the two men nodded at Aly in agreement, "And you two can keep your mouths shut that she's not with me around Orik too. He seems very worried lately... I think there is something he's not telling me about the treaties. He just seems so overprotective lately, he doesn't want me going anywhere alone." Alshak knew exactly why, but he needed to let Orik know Aly was already having suspicions. He also knew when to escape, "Well now that Gali is here I'll go get that wine..." Aly laughed and grabbing the nightelf's arm she sassed back, "Yeah, yeah... fine I didn't want you around any way." Alshak grinned and turning he whistled as he headed to the tavern.

Galdrios patted the tiny hand on his arm and asked, "Aly how have you really been, you look happy?" Alyondria sighed and nuzzled Galdrios' arm with her cheek, then looking up into his face she answered. "We really have been, there have been a few ups and downs, getting used to living together then the move, and working with 'the enemy'. But I have wonderful friends here and Orik has been the best husband, even when I'm achy and moody, we just seem to be happier when we're together. I can't wait for the baby to get here, but in a way I'll miss it being just the two of us." Galdrios stopped walking and then turning to put his large palm on her cheek he bent down and kissed her lightly on the forehead, "That's all I need to know sweetling, as long as you are content then so am I." He was shocked to hear her ask, "Are you Gali? Really content, don't you want someone to grow old with?" He closed his eyes for a moment before he released the breath he had held unknowingly, opening his eyes he answered her honestly. "Alyondria I loved my wife very much, but it was more of a friends love... ours was an arranged marriage. My heart knew no greater joy then when my son was born and though it sounds like forever to you, two hundred years was much too short of a life for my child. He died too young... as did his mother. I never thought I could love again until I heard that your mother died, I went to help your father more out of a need to be useful then any true desire to console him as a widower. You became my pride and joy, I used the joy in my heart watching you grow as my reason to continue in this life, my purpose. I have only been 'in love' once in my life, but due to matters beyond my control I can never have her as wife. So I will be content to watch over you and your children, I may not be immortal any longer but I shall still have lived several of your lifetimes, I am happy with that." Aly true to form grabbed him and hugging him hard she whispered, "Sorry but I think that sucks! Unless she's dead I think you should fight for her." Pulling back he smiled sadly and asked, "Even if she's in love with another.... even if she's happy?" Aly looked into his eyes and with a tear rolling down her cheek she gave him a determined look before saying "...until she's dead, I would never give up hope. You never know what life holds, never give up on love Gali, if it's real then it's worth fighting for."

Alyondria was shocked when he suddenly started to chuckle, "Alyondria Shadowbreaker Deathbane.... you are so much like your father... he too has said such to me. So I guess I will listen to you both and trust in Elune." Aly smiled and as the two went in search for fish, she never knew how Elune would answer one of their prayers and change the other's life literally overnight.