Atrocities

Part 4: Interlude and Letter Exchange

Summary: An unusually harebrained plot of Garrosh Hellscream's involves Sylvanas in a way she had never expected possible. After all, what could the Horde gain by abducting Jaina Proudmoore? Disclaimer: Characters, settings, etc. are the property of Blizzard Entertainment.

Pairings: Sylvanas/Jaina

Author's Notes: My muses are firmly of the opinion that "everyone wants Sylvanas". If anyone has questions about the believability of this story, I would like to direct you to the winged, plot-bunny-producing bastard that flutters around my head.

This time, when Jaina woke, she was alone. She remembered falling asleep next to Sylvanas, but when she turned over and reached for the other side of the bed, no one was there. "Sylvanas?" she called out groggily, sitting up and opening her eyes. Sylvanas was nowhere to be seen. "Sylvanas?" Jaina shouted again, hoping the Dark Lady was just out of sight, but there was no response.

Well, that was fine, Jaina assured herself as her heart began racing uncomfortably. Sylvanas was immensely busy; Jaina knew what it took to run a city. Surely she would be back soon to help see Jaina back to Theramore.

Jaina realized she was shivering. Undercity was cold, and both naked and without Sylvanas next to her, she was freezing. She wrapped the bedclothes around herself and got up, hoping to find something she could wear, but then she noticed Sylvanas had left a change of clothes for her folded on the bedside table. Jaina reached for the robes gratefully, and when she picked them up, a piece of paper fell to the floor; presumably a note Sylvanas had left for her. Jaina dressed hurriedly (the clothes fit her well, though the skirt was a bit long), picked up the piece of paper, and unfolded it.

Her heart sank; it wasn't a note from Sylvanas explaining her absence. Instead, it was a map of Undercity with a route traced from the royal quarter to the bat handler in the trade quarter. Jaina stared at it for a moment before she realized there were droplets of water falling onto it, and a moment longer before she realized the droplets were her own tears. She crumpled the piece of paper and flung it as far as she could. "Sylvanas…why would you do this?" Jaina whispered, half to herself. She stumbled back onto the bed and laid her head down on the pillow. "I thought you cared about me…"

Jaina was too upset to notice the dreadguard who poked his head into the doorway after hearing her cry, so she didn't see his distressed expression or the way he scurried off to find the Banshee Queen to tell her that her guest was upset. So Jaina was surprised by Sylvanas' arrival a few minutes later.

"Jaina? You're still here?"

Jaina sat up. Sylvanas was standing at the bedside, dressed in her usual decorative armor and cloak. "Yes, apparently it's not as easy to get rid of me as you thought. Is this what you wanted all along? To use me for one night and throw me away? You had me convinced you were surprised I was interested in you. Like you could just kiss me the way you did back in Orgrimmar and it wouldn't affect me at all?" She paused to wipe away her tears with her sleeve. "And that armor makes you look like a cheap whore."

Sylvanas sat down on the bed next to Jaina, apparently completely unfazed by the insult. "I know you're upset…"

"Damn right I'm upset." Jaina wept.

Sylvanas pulled off her gauntlets so she could put her arm around Jaina. "There's been a misunderstanding. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I presumed that you would regret everything that happened last night after you woke, and that you would be more comfortable leaving by yourself."

Jaina leaned on Sylvanas' arm. "Why would I regret anything that happened last night? You were so kind to me."

"I know you enjoyed it. But let me ask you something. Why were you so willing to return to Undercity with me? I truly was surprised."

Jaina sighed. "You're beautiful. And I knew you would treat me well."

"Neph'a, is there any other situation in which you would be interested in me? Literally any other situation other than me rescuing you from the clutches of the other Horde leaders in a way that had to involve me kissing you?"

Jaina was quiet for a moment, grateful that Sylvanas wasn't looking at her face, because her cheeks were flushing again. "No. At least…I can't think of anything."

"Why were you so willing to sleep with me, then?"

Jaina sighed. "I was afraid. I just…I just wanted to be with someone I trusted because I was so afraid of what was about to happen to me."

"So you clung to me."

"Yes, all right? Yes." Jaina wiped her eyes again. "I only wanted you because I was terrified and confused and upset and I didn't want to be alone. I don't even know if I'm actually attracted to you, because I can see that you're beautiful, but I've never been interested in a woman before and all I thought sleeping with you would feel good." She turned her head and kissed Sylvanas' shoulder. "But none of that makes me regret what happened last night. And not just…not just physically either." She wrapped her arms around Sylvanas.

Sylvanas pulled Jaina into her lap—carefully, as she was wearing her armor. "If it means anything, I have no regrets about last night either. As long as I didn't hurt you."

"My wrists are still bruised, but I did ask you not to heal me." Jaina leaned up and pressed a few kisses to Sylvanas' cool neck. "It hurt my feelings that you weren't here when I woke up."

"I apologize. I was trying to make you more comfortable. I really did think you would prefer leaving as soon as possible and forgetting everything that happened with me."

"After what you told me about what Arthas did to you?" Jaina felt their embrace grow closer, but she couldn't tell which one of them (if not both) had tightened their grip. "I could never forget what we talked about last night. Particularly when…when you told me I shouldn't feel guilty about what Arthas—the Lich King—ended up…" Jaina took a deep breath. "…the terrible things the Lich King did."

Sylvanas began stroking Jaina's hair. "Most people choose to believe what they want. I should have expected better from you."

Jaina nestled her face against Sylvanas' throat. "When I return to Theramore…will you write to me?"

"If you wish. I would advise you to be discreet, though. If the wrong people find out about us…" Sylvanas paused. "I could think of few methods of torture more effective than watching you suffer. I would hate for that to happen."

Jaina left a trail of kisses from the base of Sylvanas' neck to her temple. "'If the wrong people find out about us'. What are we, then?"

"What do you mean?" Sylvanas' hand stopped caressing Jaina's hair.

"Are we friends? Are we lovers? What are we?"

Sylvanas let her hand slide down Jaina's back. "I would consider us friends, Neph'a. However…I do not think we can stay lovers, for it is too dangerous for either of us to be traveling in and out of Horde and Alliance territory to see each other. I think exchanging letters is a fine idea."

Jaina sighed. She felt tears begin to well in her eyes again. "I'll miss you. What if I never see you again?"

"We might see each other again. And I promise to write you whenever I can." Sylvanas' voice was low and soothing. "What happened last night was a fluke, but I must confess I am glad you want our relationship to continue in some capacity. Even the Banshee Queen needs a friend, once in a…very great while." Sylvanas also couldn't help but think that without reminders, Jaina might return to idealizing Arthas, but she chose not to voice that thought.

"May I stay here just for a little while longer? Please?" Jaina's voice shook.

"Of course." Sylvanas rocked Jaina back and forth. "I have duties to attend to, but they can wait a few minutes."

Jaina began crying openly. "You must think all I do is weep. I'm sorry."

"It has been a stressful few days for you. Now stop apologizing for your feelings."

For a short while, the room was quiet but for Jaina's light sobs. Eventually, Sylvanas whispered to her: "Would you like me to sing to you?"

"I…I didn't know undead could sing."

"Those of us with intact vocal cords can."

"Please sing to me."

Sylvanas did. Much to Jaina's surprise, she knew the song; it was a folk tune popular among humans, and it was in Common. Eventually she had to stop crying to hear Sylvanas' voice.

The song had twelve verses that Jaina had heard, and she was certain there were many that she didn't know. Sylvanas sang five of the verses, and Jaina was familiar with them all. By the time she was finished, Jaina had regained most of her calm. "I didn't know you knew 'Under the Pear Tree.' It's…it's…"

"I've heard some of my people sing it. Many of them were human."

Jaina managed a smile. "You may be a banshee, but you have a beautiful voice."

Sylvanas kissed the top of Jaina's head. "Thank you."

To Dark Lady Sylvanas Windrunner, Banshee Queen of the Forsaken:

When we last spoke, you requested of me that I find happiness in Theramore. I must admit I have failed at the task you assigned me. I am content here, among my people, able to take a step outside to hear the sea birds and feel the ocean's salt spray on my face whenever I like. But I cannot truthfully call myself happy. I find myself falling into fits of melancholy, particularly at night. As I drift into sleep, I find myself unable to think of anything but now I slept that one night in your arms, my head resting against your beautiful breasts, your body warm from the potion you drank and slowly growing cool as the spell wore off. I can think of nothing but you. I cry myself awake and I cannot fall asleep until the wee hours of the morning.

I have a confession to make: while you slept, I asked one of your Forsaken to bring me a drawing pad and charcoal. I removed the blankets from your sleeping body and made a drawing of you. Looking at it both consoles me and upsets me; it reminds me of you, but I cannot remember how your beautiful callused hands felt on my naked skin, how your lips felt on mine. I want to know those feelings again. I cannot say I have fallen in love with you, not after spending one night with you, but you have broken the last dark link in the chain binding me to Arthas, and in doing so you have bound me to you.

Sylvanas, I long to see you again. My body and soul ache for you. I harbor no delusions regarding a continued relationship between the two of us that involves anything but letter-writing, but I would give anything to spend another night in bed with you. One more night is all I ask. I want more memories of the woman who is responsible for the cessation of the nightmares in which Arthas' terrible bright blue eyes burn me alive with guilt, for when I do achieve a few hours of rest, the only thing I dream of is you.

Please forgive my unbridled honesty in this letter. I know such open displays of feeling are not in your nature, but I beg of you to reply. You showed me more kindness than I ever thought possible from you on the one night we were together, and I think—I pray—you will have the benevolence to respond.

Affectionately,

Lady Jaina Proudmoore, Ruler of Theramore

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To Lady Jaina Proudmoore, Ruler of Theramore

Your kind words flatter me, Neph'a. If this letter seems rushed, forgive me—I penned it as quickly as I could so it could be posted expeditiously.

I feared you would grow so attached to me; when we parted, it was quite apparent that you would miss me. If it puts you at ease at all, I can only agree our time together was exquisitely enjoyable and I would enjoy repeating the experience…and I do wish to put your mind at ease and soothe your pain.

I do not want you traveling through Horde territory; it is too dangerous. I'm certain you have the talents to disguise yourself to make such a journey safer, but I am more accustomed than you to traveling in secret. I will come to Theramore in disguise for you.

I will come to Theramore for you and take to bed with you so as to fulfill your wishes and desires. I have mickle duties to attend to as Queen of the Forsaken, but I can spare one night to stay with you so should the odd nightmare disturb you, I will be beside you when you wake. And I look forward to it. I am glad you understand this can happen only once, but it will lead to treasured memories for both of us.

I will see you soon, my gentle Neph'a.

Sincerely,

Lady Sylvanas Windrunner, Banshee Queen

P.S. I am most interested to see this illustration you made of me. If you wish, I would be willing to pose for more. One of the few advantages of the curse of undeath is the ability to hold utterly still for long periods.

P.P.S. When I meet you in disguise in Theramore, I will introduce myself as Clovenya Scalesand.

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To Lady Jaina Proudmoore, my gentle Neph'a:

I may reach you before this letter does, but in case that does not happen, there is something that might interest you: Thrall has written to me. Somehow he heard of what the other Horde leaders attempted to do to you, and he thanked me for removing you from the situation. He was careful not to reveal what he intends to say (or do) to Garrosh, but he was clearly grateful to me, and I expect something…interesting will come of this. The strange bonds connecting the leaders of the Horde are shifting.

I can only assume Thrall does not know the extent of what passed between us; I hope you agree it is best that it stays that way. He tells me he has written to you, though I expect his letter to me arrived before his letter to you.

I look forward to seeing you in Theramore.

Sincerely,

Lady Sylvanas Windrunner

A/N: "Clovenya Scalesand"…oh, Sylvanas, you and your anagram pseudonyms. (I thought "Lindsay Ravensun" sounded too Forsaken-y for her to use in Theramore.)

Also…I don't even know. One of my favorite people in my life—actually, the person who got me into WoW—requested that I write a Jaina/Sylvanas fic that included hot/adorable explicitness. I ship Jaina/Sylvanas too, so…the muses…the freakin' muses, man…*swats at the area around my head like I think I have Wrackspurts* Trust me, if I had a choice, I would be sticking to my original novel that's meant for a YA audience instead of writing what amounts to a shitty porn flick.