Hello all!

Another update! This story is very long, eh? If I get any hints of reviews for this chapter by tomorrow, I'll update again =]

Book Eleven, Part One

Reformation

"Grace."

It wasn't my name that awoke me. Zen's arm was draped over my stomach as his lips trailed down my cheekbone and nipped gently at my neck. Sighing, I opened my eyes, nearly afraid I had dreamt of Zen's presence. But there he was, looking me over in amusement.

"Is there something on my face?" I mumbled.

Zen chuckled. "No. It's time. You have five minutes before I leave you here."

I snapped up immediately, my gear on in moments. Zen waited for me, and we headed out and met Fording near where Justice Keep was making progress.

The sun was just peeking over the cliffs, the shadows still looming over scattered jagged portions of Scourgeholme before us.

"Good morning," Fordring began. "As most of you know, we lost a few of our own yesterday. Some of our soldiers may be out there. But this is more than a rescue. Their numbers are still too high. We must destroy them. Lieutenant Ashthorn," Fordring nodded to Zen.

"The Undead have scattered, they're unorganized. The morning light should give us an advantage, but spread out and remain undetected as long as possible. Let's go."

"Spoken like a rogue," I stated with a smile as I followed Zen to the ridge. For a moment I was reliving the tumultuous fall down those same rocks, the nausea wanting to make its way up into my throat. But I pressed onward, focusing on the task at hand.

Many of the men alongside us were paladins, priests, and even warriors. Usually, rogues would be the outcast class around them. But we did have some advantages—we didn't have the Light, but we could hide in the darkness fairly well.

We didn't have to get far into the twisted pathways to find the Undead. Zen and I lurched forward in front of the others to implement our rogue skills. When we came across one lonesome arachnid, its silver legs beginning to glisten in the sunlight, Zen wielded his blades. Mine were out without hesitation, and with two strikes we had the best immobilized with a shuddering hiss. I went to deliver more blows that would end the monster, but Zen was already advancing. A few paladins flashed a spell at the enemy, and it finally sizzled and rested for good.

Our ranks split up from there. Zen and I stayed together, undetectable until the last moment.

Zen finished off another one of our victims, and as he stood, I heard a gurgling sound behind me. Alarmed, I turned quickly, my senses still not fully recovered from my previous battle's trauma.

I should have sensed him!

The Undead soldier growled, the hilt of his blade swinging and striking me in the cheek. As a cry of pain escaped my lips, I landed on the stony ground below as dizziness overcame me.

My assailant pulled his sword back to force the blade through my chest, but Zen was already acting. His two daggers entrapped the considerably larger sword, and for a moment the two were locked in a stalemate.

Blinking, I forced away the pain and tears, my hands locked onto my own blades. Without a pause of thought I was flying to Zen's aid, my dagger lodging into the thing's heart and making a serrated trail down to his abdomen.

Another lifeless body collapsed, and I could recover my bloody dagger from its gaping chest.

"Are you okay?" Zen asked in a low voice.

"Yes."

We pressed onward. Even as an inducted rogue I still admired Zen's outstanding skills. I still longed to someday be as lethal as him.

It didn't take long for me to realize we were killing our own. The raised-from-the-dead soldiers had been defending the living only hours before.

I was sick of this war. Sick of the death toll climbing, and the collateral damage that came with it. But it had to end somehow. It was enough to give me more drive. My frustrations were channeled into a hate I could implement. I took enemies down ruthlessly, focusing more on auras. It helped me familiarize with my ability, since my senses were weakened with my body.

And it seemed like the numbers never dwindled. Zen and I kept pushing through, and it was beginning to wear me out. I panted lightly, my breath visible as I wiped a smudge of blood away from my cheek.

"It won't stop," I whispered.

"Let's head back. This section looks clear." Zen walked ahead, his stride light and brisk as he remained focused ahead.

Something felt darker. Off. I paused a moment, only hesitating in an attempt to detect anything else, when Zen's legs were suddenly pulled out from underneath him, his hands letting go of his blades and instead moving to catch his fall.

"Zen?" I took a step forward to help him back up, but then his arm was flying back toward his legs, his body being dragged off our platform and onto a lower pathway to the left. "Zen!" I screamed, now sprawling toward his disappearing figure.

A curse passed through Zen's lips as he tried writhing out of the invisible force that dragged him. I tore around the boulder, reaching for Zen's hand to try to prevent him from disappearing, but then my eyes caught the cause.

Another Undead spider, but this one was different. Its top half was nearly humanoid, his hands toying with something. And Zen was getting closer to him by the moment.

My eyes caught a shimmer as the sunlight arrived. It was a web.

The monster tittered its insect legs, his hiss a warning of the danger. Zen was still struggling as he slipped down the slope, and I finally came around enough to act. I leapt down, my footing slipping as I reached Zen with my dagger. "I-I can't see it," I whispered.

One sparkle caught my eye as the growl deepened in front of me. The spider was five steps away, but the glisten was right there.

My dagger sliced into thin air, but a resonating snap told me I was partially successful. Just as I exhaled in relief, a slick material was wrapping around my own arm, the string tightening and causing me to gasp as it pulled me in as well. "Zen." I tossed my main hand dagger his way, the metal skittering across stone.

The force of my web's tangle had me struggling to stay on my feet. Almost in a panic I grabbed the dagger from my off-hand and swiped it aimlessly at the nearly invisible thread.

Finally I nicked it away. I didn't have time to think, I just acted. I spun fiercely, adrenaline inhibiting my fear, and tried to slash at the spider.

I severed an arm. The monster didn't seem too disappointed, but it certainly was peeved. A green orb was beginning to grow in his claws, but I reacted and kicked him hard enough to break his concentration. With a hiss of anger the spider rebelled, two of his legs reaching out and effectively knocking me over into the stone below me.

I groaned, but Zen must have been free behind me. The spider was now distracted with him, and as I looked back I could only watch as a new web was spinning and wrapping around Zen's neck. Wincing, I stood back up and slashed again, another limb severed off with my efforts. My fellow rogue choked in surprise, one hand clawing at the string while the dagger in his other hand searched for the release.

An overwhelming urge to help Zen took over. I scrambled closer, my blade finally finding its chest with a crunch. Black blood oozed forth, greasing my gloves as I backed away. Once the monster fell, I turned to find Zen.

He had fallen to his knees, his body slackened as he covered his neck. "Zen," I whispered, "let me see."

"It's fine." Still, Zen lifted his hand that was now tinged in his own blood. It was superficial, only the depth of the thread itself. Still, I grabbed my cloak and patted at the bleeding spots. "That caught me off guard."

I shushed him. "Let's get your daggers."

We made it back without any more complications. Everyone else eventually wandered back as well.

Fordring welcomed us back, his eyes glistening with urgency. "Lieutenant Ashthorn, a word?"

"Yes, Highlord," Zen answered. He squeezed my hand gently before following our general away.

The keep's exterior was already finished, but I didn't have the energy to care much. My cheek was tender and probably bruising. I grabbed a small ration and went to Zen's tent, pulling off all of the top layers and bloody gloves. Sighing, I leaned back and rested.

Zen arrived after a while. He silently took his gear off and nestled his face into my neck. "How's your neck?" I asked.
"It stopped bleeding. Let me see your face." Zen pulled away, his absent warmth enough to get me to turn toward him. Gently his fingers traced my swollen cheekbone. "This is going to drive me crazy," he muttered.

"What is?" I asked, looking over Zen in an attempt to read my own answer from him.

"Every time I see you hurt, it hurts me as well."

"Zen…"

"We are dangerous. Us…together is dangerous. Not being near you drives me absolutely off the wall with worry, and then having you next to me in battle has me constantly looking for you-"

"Zen, we-"

"Just wait," he urged. "You have me caring about life again. I might be worried about your safety, but you also make me stronger. I can't…do this without having you anymore."

"Zen," I breathed.

I couldn't make out any more words. Zen's lips gently enclosed mine, the soft touch catching me off guard.

"What did Fordring want?" I asked once we pulled away. Zen paused, as if debating with himself.

"He's leaving. Northeast."

"Why?"

"Fordring's…holding a…competition. The best get to fight the Lich King."

"Why a competition?"

"He wants the best. More people could be a liability. They could be raised and used as Undead weapons."

"Turned," I acknowledged. "When is it?"

"Couple of weeks or more. He needs time to organize it."

"Where?"

"Grace," Zen warned. "I don't want you going."

I took a moment. "Zen, I have to go. I'm part of this."

"It's going to be hard, Grace. The best of the best will only be allowed to go with Fordring."

"Well, you can't go without me! I have to!"

Zen sighed. "We can figure it out later. I have to leave for Stormwind tomorrow. I have to notify King Wrynn and the soldiers."

At the word leave I sat up, and Zen's hand cradled my cheek. "How long?"
He shrugged. "A week or so."

I wanted to sigh, but I held back. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"I'll just be wasting away here!" I exclaimed in exasperation.

Zen chuckled. "You'll be fine. I'll be back."

I laid back down, turning to drape my arm over Zen's lean abdomen as he kissed my temple. "Everything's so unreal," I mumbled.

"Hmm?"

"Being with you. Like this."

Zen's grip tightened around my waist as his breathing regulated.

I was rustled awake, Zen's blonde hair the first thing I registered as my eyes cracked open grudgingly. "Grace, I'm leaving," he whispered. Yawning, I forced myself to sit up as Zen pulled back to push my hair away. The intimate actions still caught me off guard, because as far as I knew it was unlike Zen.

But I could get used to it.

I got one more kiss before Zen left. The next few hours I stayed in the tent until Fordring sought me out. "You, my dear," he announced. "You're due for an appointment with Gregor!"

Cursing, I tightened my waistbelt. "But I'm fine, Highlord!"

"No, no. No excuses! Be off, Grace!"

Whiplash zipped across he white terrain effortlessly. A pang of guilt shot up my spine as I realized how little Whip had been out running lately.

I arrived quickly. A bit more life had arrived at the base—more people had returned, as promised.

Gregor was probably at the medical tent, so I quickly headed there and found him making rounds. "Well, it's good to see you're alive!" he exclaimed.

"My brother healed my back!" I immediately explained. "Look if you want, but I swear I feel fine now!"

Gregor did take the time to look, too. All of the bandages were removed, and on my back nothing but a reddened scar remained. Still, Gregor checked my arm and below my collarbone. Once he finished, I grabbed some soup and ate at the hospital tent. It didn't take Taellor long to find me. His bruises down his face were still pale silver, giving him an even more magical appearance. "She lives," he exclaimed with a smirk.

I smiled, my feet dangling off the cot. "Taellor. You managed to keep the fort in one piece."

"Managed," he snorted. "Nothing was here to manage!"

"Did Zen mention the competition to you before he hearthed?" I asked.

The Night Elf lounged in the chair beside me. "Yes," he answered simply.

"Well…" I drew, scooting myself up so I sat on the edge of the bed. "You're going…right?"

"I'm not sure yet. And you," he began. "You're set on going?"

"Of course," I answered, slightly puzzled. "Why wouldn't I?"

"I just thought…Zen would want you to stay here. Where you're safe."

"Safe?" I huffed in near disbelief. "Safe. I've trained as a rogue with Undead. I've seen through the Lich King's eyes. I've seen death one too many times, and now everyone's going to be concerned over my safety?"

"Grace, I'm sure he's just afraid of the thought of losing you once again."

"I can't change who I am. I'm a rogue. I have to go."

"Grace."

"Taellor," I breathed, trying not to convey my irritation with Zen through my tone. "You know I belong wherever I'm the most help."

"Zen is placing your safety in my hands!" Taellor's mouth clipped shut, my eyes immediately glaring in suspicion.

"You're not taking Zen's side, are you?"

Of course Taellor was horrified at the thought . The Night Elf visibly flinched, his aura frazzled. "He wants you safe. So do I."

"You're going to just keep me here? You and Zen brainstormed, and agreed to hold me captive here!"

"No." Taellor stood now. "You know I'm not one to hold you back, and I never have. I know better than to try and do that."

My mouth didn't move out of astonishment, but the silence didn't last long. "I need to find Zen in Stormwind. You're not competing, but I am. He's going to take me there."

Taellor breathed in an effort to hold his tongue at bay. "Okay. But if one hair on your head is damaged between your position right here and Zen's over there, he will kill me. And in revenge, I will come back from the dead and kill you for it. Got it?"

"Loud and clear," I answered with a grin. When Taellor sat down in defeat, I bit my lip.

He must have sensed my urge. "What," he groaned.

"I need to borrow your hearthstone."

"I am not supposed to be helping you run off-" Taellor's sentence clipped off in a growl as he stood up and rifled through his cloak. "You do realize there are terribly more dangerous than you give them credit for."

"I've survived thus far," I commented simply. The rough stone was chilling my palm moments later as Taellor found it and set it in my hands.

"Be careful."

"You're a great friend, Taellor. Even if part of you is only doing this to spite Zen." I winked.

"Yeah, great friend. I'll remember you said that when you hearth to Stormwind and leave your left foot here in Northrend."

I chuckled, my fingers grazing the inscribing on the stone. The green symbol began to glow, its lamination warming my fingers. "Thanks, Taellor!" I called before the green light took over my senses.

Hearthing never felt good, and if my left foot would have severed off during the transition, I suppose I wouldn't be surprised. It felt like every body part, every tissue and muscle and bone, hearthed separately and somehow managed to congregate back together in the same place. Pain was searing and throbbing as the stone worked its magic, but I knew what intolerable pain felt like. This was a paper cut in comparison.

Finally the tension stopped, and when I opened my eyes, the familiar old-time auras and sights came upon me. Everything felt lighter and happier here. And the nighttime gave Stormwind a calm presence. Even my headaches had subsided…I suppose I could credit the increased distance between me and the Lich King for that.

Just to be sure, I looked down and confirmed that I still had two feet before I walked down the Cathedral of Light's hallway and into the shadows of the night. Zen's aura didn't take any effort to sense. Silently I strode through the darkness, my footsteps not making a sound as I moved.

He seemed on the move as well, and since his house was tucked away in the corner of the city he was moving toward, I assumed that was his destination. My extra layers were terribly hot, even as Stormwind approached its own chill of winter time, but I kept onward. Constantly I kept my temper in check—Zen was going to leave me at the base! Let me miss the opportunity to kill the Lich King myself!

With my angry thoughts rolling by, it didn't seem long before I was at Zen's house. It was dark, even inside, but I felt Zen present within it anyway. Sleeping or not, it didn't matter—this conversation couldn't wait until the morning. With a tinge of irritation I brought my hand up, ready to pound on the door and growl Zen's name.

My lips hadn't even parted yet before a warm hand was covering them, and suddenly a body was blocking my exit behind me, another arm braced around my waist. "What are you doing here?" growled Zen into my ear. My panic sizzled into a mix of annoyance and relief as Zen leaned forward to look me over. "Don't say a word," he warned. Eloquently Zen's hand that was gripping my side moved to push open the front door, and Zen quickly guided me inside.

When the door was shut, I was freed, and I took the opportunity to face Zen and give him my best glare. "Where were you?" I demanded.

He pointed up. "Roof. Felt you coming. You thought you could outwit your master?"

"You're not my master anymore. And I'm not here for games!"

"Clearly your aura concurs with you."

My lips pursed. Zen's wit was on full power tonight, but I was determined not to let him flabbergast me. "You ditched me," I growled. "You weren't going to come back, you were going to go the competition alone and let me miss it!"

"Ditched you?" he repeated, his chin leaning forward in disbelief. "Did Taellor tell you that?"

"He told me enough."

"I'm going to kill him!" Zen announced firmly.

"He only told me the truth!"

"No, he didn't. He omitted the truth part. The part where I said I was returning to the base after my duties were fulfilled here."

"He said you-"

"Taellor didn't tell you the last part. Because he wants you angry at me. And clearly it's working."

"Zen!" I clipped, but the surprising statement from him wasn't as flooring as I thought it'd be. "He wouldn't…" But even s the words fell out of my mouth I remembered what I had told Taellor. Thanks…even if part of you is only doing it in spite of Zen. My shoulders fell the slightest, my anger fizzling. "You were going to come back. I believe you," I whispered calmly. "I came so you would be forced to take me with you to the competition. I thought you weren't…"

"Talk about acting on a whim," Zen muttered, though the comment didn't withhold any animosity or irritation. There was a brief silence before Zen stepped further into the house and exhaled. "Well, you're stuck here now. Let's get some rest."

"Right."

"Your things are upstairs in the chest. But I'm going to lie and say your bed is broken, infested with bugs, and unfit so that you might sleep with me tonight."

"Well, I can't sleep in a broken, infested bed!" I announced lightly. Zen smirked, patted me on the shoulder, and moved into his room.

I got a chance to brush my hair, and when I washed my face with cold water I felt a tinge of pain on my cheek where the Undead had gotten me. In the mirror it was now a light purple.

Part of me couldn't resist peeling off my battle-worn outfit and instead choosing to wear a nightgown. With the change of scenery and change of clothes, it was almost as if everything was okay on our continent again.

I brought my brown tresses forward to cover up my crescent scar. Some reminders couldn't be removed, after all.

Carefully I slipped into Zen's covers, his body heat immediately warming me up. "How's your arm?" Zen whispered.

My eyebrows creased and I looked down. My stitches were still present there, covered in white bandages that were impossible to miss now that my long sleeves were gone. "Good. Gregor's going to kill me for leaving before he could remove the stitches."

"No big deal," Zen whispered as he laid back. "Brae could take them out. We'll have to be secretive. I don't want all of SI:7 knowing you're back."

I rested my head, eyes mulling over the wooden beams above. "Why not?"

"You're supposed to be on mission in Northrend."

My lips pulled into a grimace. "Everyone thinks I left on assignment."

"You did. Unofficially."

I sighed. "You don't have to protect me."

"I don't. I will anyway."

I turned my cheek toward Zen so it rested on his shoulder, giving his profile a good look before picking my head up and placing a kiss on Zen's temple. "Goodnight," I whispered before settling into the warmth of the satin and drifting to sleep.

I awoke disappointed when Zen's warmth was missing. The rogue was finishing his ritual of dressing into his intimidating gear, his daggers slinking into their sheaths, handles shimmering in the streak of light that peered through the curtains. "I didn't mean to wake you."

Yawning, I sat up. "You're leaving? It's still early."

"I have to reach Ironforge today. Get the word out about Fordring's championship."

"Will you be back tonight?"

Zen grabbed a dagger and slipped it into his boot. For a trip to Ironforge, Zen was maybe a bit overdressed. But Zen without his weapon of choice just didn't look the same. "Perhaps. Maybe in the morning."

"Okay."

"Stay out of trouble."

I tried not to roll my eyes. "Don't worry. I'll stay away from SI:7. Even though my aura just may give it away that I'm here…"

"Jared can handle an excuse. Just avoid direct contact."

"Stay here, I got it," I grumbled.

"Visit your family," Zen suggested.

My heart did a flip before it sank into my stomach. "I want to see mom and Matthew. But Lucas…I can't lie to her face about how he is. And I can't tell her the truth…not yet."

Zen nodded thoughtfully "Okay, I understand. But there is something else…" He fiddled in his side drawer, then pulled out a folded piece of paper and held it out.

I took it hesitantly and opened it. "544 Waterfront?"

"That's Aurelia's address. She stopped by a couple more times after you left. Finally I told her you were gone. She just gave me that and told me if I heard anything to contact her."

"I don't know if I can…"

"She's extremely worried. She would want to hear the truth. And from you. She knows of the war, she may take the information better than citizens."

"This isn't in the paladin barracks," I commented. "It's a citizen address."

"Maybe she's on leave?"

I shrugged. "I'll try. I just hope she takes it well."

"You know what it's like, Grace. You understand this war better than anyone here, and the reality of loss still doesn't cut you a break. You're brave, Grace."

I scoffed. "That's an opinion. I'm human like everyone else."

"And I'm grateful for that. Every day."

Zen's hand grazed my cheek and his lips placed a firm kiss on my smile. Every kiss Zen and I shared was like a small promise of a future. Of what things could be. But it was bittersweet. Death was always so close, and rogues in love sounded like a romantic novel that a clueless non-rogue would write.

I was scared of losing Zen and the way he kissed me; like it was the last intimate moment we would share—and for all we knew, each moment together could very well be the last.

Holding back my urge for another kiss, I instead held Zen's hand and squeezed. "Please come back soon."

"I'll do my best." With another smile and a peck on my forehead Zen was gone.

For a few moments I sat there, debating with myself. I could visit Aurelia. Or I could rest some more—rest was hard to come by nowadays.

Exhaling, I took another moment and then begrudgingly pulled off the satin sheets and kicked my legs out of bed.

Right. To Aurelia, then.

I got to actually get ready to go out. I brushed through my hair (which now was shockingly mid-back when down) and chose a laced blue dress to wear around town. A little eye make up and I was nearly unrecognizable. Any guy from SI:7 would see a girl, not a rogue. After grabbing my boots, as well as hiding my daggers beneath my cloak, I left.

I hustled through the streets, my hood up not just to keep out the cold, but to hide me a bit more. My fingers clutched the parchment, the address embedded into my memory but I still found myself looking back at the cursive scrawling.

When I found the right house, it was like the weight of responsibility had landed on my shoulders. Dread had me nearly turning back around, but I didn't. With a shaky breath I raised my fist and knocked gently.

Maybe she wasn't home. Maybe she was visiting old friends, shopping at the square to avoid the crowd…

The door popped open abruptly, the noise embarrassing my rogue instincts and making me jump. Aurelia appeared behind the door, her blonde hair loosely pulled back as her curls brushed over her shoulder. Her eyes widened immediately in realization and she gasped, a small hand moving to cover her mouth. "Grace," she breathed.

"Aurelia," I began. "I-can I come in?"

"Of course." Aurelia hesitated a moment, eyes trying to read me as her aura shifted in confusion. I focused on one step at a time as I entered and distractingly observed my surroundings. The foyer was well designed; a lit fireplace to the left and the seating around it glowing in warmth. A small segment behind the fireplace housed the eating table, complete with a red cotton tablecloth and an arrangement of pretty fall flowers. "Please sit," Aurelia insisted, her hand moving to the couch at the fire. With a numb smile of thanks I sat down, my back too straight in unease to slouch into the comfort of the cushioning. "You came back so quickly," the other female said earnestly, her ruffled dress bunching up as she sat down as well. "You must have uncovered something…"

Aurelia's aura was warming. It was a different sensation than when an aura heated in desire. It tingled, and I realized what she was emitting was hope. "Aurelia," I began weakly, my hands were wringing, and that act of nervousness alarmed me. As a rogue I shouldn't be outwardly showing anxiety. "I know you have more knowledge…about the happenings in Northrend. About the dangers…"

"Of course…"

I sighed, then wetting my lips as I locked eyes with the blonde. "You were right about the officers…the high ranked soldiers were being taken alive. Lucas was taken. Tracked his base down and then had no leads…and I didn't know where to go from there. I was lost. Then I had…a vision. Of Light's Hope. And I followed my heart like Lucas always said…" At this, Aurelia smiled, a pain of understanding in her eyes. "I had to go. I went to the Plaguelands, where hundreds of death knights had attacked…"

I took this time to breathe. The scenes with Lucas were still alive, still too vivid. How blank he was, how broken…

Aurelia's hand reached over, and now moisture was making her eyes glisten. My hand squeezed, the throb of her heartbeat pulsating under my palm, and I realized Aurelia was reliving the moment with me.

"And Lucas was there." The other girl drew in a breath of surprise, the movement causing a tear to slip down her cheek and around her gasping lips. "Wait," I urged. "Lucas was different…"

"He's alive?" she whispered.

My eyes shut an instant so I could control my breathing. "Lucas is a death knight, he was serving under the Lich King until-"

"They killed him," Aurelia squeaked.

"No," I whispered. "Mograine and the others broke free from the Lich King's control. He's still in Northrend. Fighting against the Lich King."

"Death knight." The words were so foreign coming from Aurelia's mouth. "Lucas is…Undead…"

"I—that…I'm not sure."

"But you said the Lich King…"

"He could be Undead if they killed him and raised him. But Lucas…he feels. He feels so much regret, and I'm afraid they did far worse things to him than killing him."

Tears were slipping down Aurelia's eyes freely now, and the outward display had my eyes starting to swell as well. "Lucas," she groaned.

"He's stuck on what happened. He relives every dark memory. I fear they truly tortured him. That they broke him in alive. And deep down…it's like he feels hate and grief. His soul may not be gone, but its broken and shattered, to say the least." I brushed my own tears away. "But there's moments…I see him. Not a death knight. I think there's hope," I finished.

Aurelia was silent a moment, her breathing shallow. "It's not the worst of news, I suppose," she reflected quietly.

"He's hell-bent on revenge, but after he fulfills his purpose and the Lich King falls…he thinks he'll have nothing. We're going to have to help him…feel," I thought out loud.

The girl sighed, wiping her eyes as she composed herself. "Grace," she began firmly. "There's something I need to tell you."

Aurelia's shift and tone of voice caused me to freeze in place, my hands stopping their fidgeting as they rested in my lap. "What is it?"

"Lucas…Lucas and I were—are more than friends. We're husband and wife." For effect Aurelia held up her hand, a simple golden band gracing her fourth digit.

Shock now had me lurching back into the couch, my hand clutching my chest as I momentarily forgot to breathe. "What? No—how—when?"

"It happened so fast; Lucas was reassigned and we had been courting and—Grace, we couldn't wait, if Lucas had left me and-" Aurelia exhaled as if to compose herself. "We couldn't part wondering what if. So we married the night before, in secret."

I felt a pang of jealousy as I glanced down at my own ring that Lucas and Dennis had both given to me. "Lucas never told me…never mentioned you or anything…"

"It wasn't supposed to evolve so fast. We were courting and training, we were afraid that if anyone knew it would effect our assignments…"

"But I'm his sister," I defended.

"He wanted to tell you," Aurelia explained confidently. "He loved…he loves you so much. And I wanted to tell you as well…that day we met. But I couldn't. 'Hi, your bother was kidnapped and by the way, I'm his wife'…? It was obscene…"

Deep breaths. "Wow," I whispered. "I'm…I'm just shocked. Welcome to the family."

I couldn't be mad at Aurelia for how everything turned out. She grimaced, her silence and receding aura signifying she wasn't done. "There's more." Mouth agape, I could only watch as Aurelia's hand moved to her ruffle of dress fabric in her lap. "The night we wed…we also consummated the marriage…"

At such strongly private information my cheeks flared with heat, and now my world was churning as my mind tried to dissect the new piece of information.

"Grace, I'm pregnant. I'm four months pregnant."

The spinning stopped. "P-pregnant!" I gasped.

Now Aurelia was glowing, and I realized that the dress wasn't actually that ruffled at all—the bunched up material was meant to hide the bump forming.

"I know it's a lot to take in…"

"Lucas is going to be a father."

"I want the child to know him, and now with the news-"

"I'll tell him. I'm sure it'll work out. He needs to know there's a baby before…" I stopped the thought in fear of bringing up the possibility of Lucas dying. "I'll tell him."

"Grace." Her hand rested on mine, giving me assurance as I tried clearing my thoughts. "If you do see him…tell him I love him. And that we're waiting for his return."

"Of course," I managed to choke out.

We hugged briefly, the relief of knowing someone else understood my grief and fears giving me enough strength to stand. "Congratulations," I said, smiling.

"I'm so thankful. He's like…a little miracle gift." Aurelia rubbed her rounded belly affectionately.

"He?"

"I think it's a boy," she hummed. "Strong willed like his father."

"Stay safe and healthy," I bade as I stepped outside.

"Do the same, Grace. And keep in touch!"

"Of course."

The door clipped shut softly, and I didn't hesitate to walk away immediately. My mind was running in four thousand separate directions.

I tell Aurelia that Lucas is a death knight, and in return I get a sister-in-law and a nephew. And yet I was somehow jealous. The romantic story of Aurelia and Lucas, of the marriage and gift of life even in the midst of so much death and war. And of the safety and security that a husband and child brought…the aspect of a family and a home within the secure gates of Stormwind.

It was the opposite spectrum of my current predicament. Lucas had to learn how lucky he was…how fortunate…

A family sounded comforting. And Lucas deserved that.

Jealousy. The word didn't cover enough feelings I had at the moment. So far from Northrend, it was easy to dream of such a future for me. But my reality was waiting for me across those icy seas.

I wanted to visit mother and Matthew, but the pressures of Lucas' condition, a well as newly acquired family members had me discouraged. It could wait. The news could very well give my mother a heart attack.

It was still early. With nothing else urgent to do, I returned to Zen's. Sighing, I locked the door behind me, the darkness comforting as I stepped through and collapsed into the bed.

With strained eyes I looked in my hand and found Aurelia's address still in it. The paper was crinkled and worn by now, but I still folded it in half after smoothing the wrinkles out. Thoughtlessly I pulled open Zen's drawer from where he had recovered the address, and inside was only a few books and a note tucked into the side. I recognized it immediately. As if I needed confirmation, I tossed the address back in and picked up the new note.

The memo to Zen when I left. I'm so sorry. Guilt made me grimace and I tossed it back in as if it had burnt me. He had kept it. Zen…

What was I supposed to do now. I couldn't go see anyone, so I was just supposed to sit here?

Well, I could at least go to the square. Maybe to the market so I could pretend to be normal. Besides, it had gotten to quiet around here for my taste.

I brought a small basket with me, just in case I did decide to purchase anything. With a sigh I mused over the different little shops and booths along the cobblestone streets. After so much chaos and excitement of being a rogue, shopping during free time just seemed so mundane.

I looked over some jewelry shops, clothing stores—I really wanted to walk in to the weapons store, but with how I dressed it would draw more attention than I needed. So I looked through some pretty bouquets and even bought some pink and orange roses.

Afterwards I bought a loaf of bread and some jam, as well as some vegetables for a small lunch. Finally I began to head back to Zen's house. It was a bit after noon by then and I was looking forward to—

Someone's shoulder collided into my own rather roughly, the contact startling me and causing me to lose my basket. The contents slipped out, leaving me to gasp and look accusingly at the person who caused the accident.

"Oh, sorry," the boy apologized quickly. His eyes didn't meet mine because he was already bending over to pick up my things; but I immediately recognized him. It may have been months and months ago, but I knew his face from my first days with Aradar in SI:7. It was the boy who had strongly verbalized his disapproval of having a female rogue.

His aura was darker than before. When he realized I hadn't spoken a word, the boy stood with my basket and held it out for me to take. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah," I answered. "You should have watched more carefully."

The guy glanced back quickly as if replaying what had happened, his cloak momentarily shifting and revealing the hilts of two daggers. "Sorry, I was in a hurry. You…look familiar. Have we…?"

"No," I answered almost too quickly. "I don't think so."

"Oh." He looked me up and down once more. "Again, I'm sorry. Next time I will pay more attention," he said with a wink.

"You do that," I muttered, walking away dismissively. It took all of my strength not to smack him a good one right there in the street.

I walked to Zen's anyway, my shoulder just a little sore. When I finally got inside I set my basket down and took my cloak off. I reached into my side pocket to put my money bag onto my dresser, but to my surprise it wasn't there. Confused, I patted myself down and even checked my cloak and basket. It was no use—the gold was gone.

At first I thought I had forgotten or even dropped it. And then I remembered that collision I had just had with that boy rogue. I growled, my fist slamming down onto the heavy wood of the dining table. How could I be so stupid. Of course he had been up to no good!

My first instinct was to go after him immediately. But my rogue instincts then took over. I could wait until nightfall. The hours following I was a good girl. Zen would be proud of how well I did absolutely nothing. I ate my little meal and took a nap. I sharpened my daggers. I remade Zen's bed and even organized his bookshelf.

And then nightfall came. I wore the same thing I had been wearing all day and kept my newly-sharpened daggers close. For effect, I even grabbed a snuff of Zen's good old vanishing powder.

It wouldn't be hard to detect his aura. It was too different and memorable. With some luck I could detect it—and I hoped the little thief was still roaming the streets like the cockroach he was.

[end]

Awkward ending? Yes. But the next chapter is coming!

Please review i LOVE reviews!

Britti