Ch 3 – The Twins of Prophecy (Priestess and Paladin)
Helene stepped off the boat at Stormwind Harbor and found herself wrapped in a large bear hug from a large man who had seemed to materialize out of nowhere. She gasped, but took a breath and recognized his scent and thick curly dark brown hair that was over his shoulder in a point tail almost instantly. Her twin was her opposite in almost every way physically, but Jamiy knew her better than anyone.
While she was beautiful, feminine, lithe, blonde, blue eyed, and quite thin and delicate, he was tall, dark, athletic, masculine, dark haired, and brown eyed. His skin was like bronze from being in the sun while she was pale. His body already had scars from battles and practice training seasons and she was yet to have one.
She felt the person beside him slap his shoulder playfully. "For Light's sake Jamiy give her air." The voice could only belong to one person. Helene was amazed that Alanis had come from Dalaran away from her mage studies to come to Stormwind. The girl's mastery of Arcane power was unlike Kirin Tor had seen in decades and she had been training in the floating city since she was six. Though trained to use Arcane energy thought the element of fire she was a foe to be reckoned with even in her tender years. Her classes were under the direction of Rhonin himself who saw her as a protégé to the dying magical art. The archmage leader himself had given her the jeweled enchanted dagger that rested in its sheath at her side.
He put his twin out at arm's length to look at her. "Are you well, Willow?" He asked searching her eyes.
"The worgen are good people. If you took the time to get to know and understand them, you would see that." She said. She turned and hugged Alanis who was not-so-patiently waiting next to them.
"They did not harm you did they?" Jamiy continued as the two girls embraced. Helene sighed and turned back to him as she rolled her eyes at Alanis. The younger girl snickered softly, but covered it well with a cough.
"No." She said looking up at him. "They are very gentle." She said. "Though I understand why they are leery of us humans when people like you refuse to understand then and just see them as mindless beasts."
He took a breath. "Forgive me." He said. "I lack your ways sister. You must teach me tolerance someday. I am sure they are good people, I just worry about my sister being with a group of people who bear a disease for which there is no cure."
"They are not contagious unlike their brethren who roam nearby. They had free will and free minds." She said. "The prince and princess are very good friends now. I will have to introduce you at some point."
"Indeed." He said turning. "Come I bet you are famished. Mother is still in a guild meeting, but will be coming soon. We have a dinner with the faction leaders at dusk and then a business meeting after." He said. He chuckled seeing her expression. "Welcome back sister." He said smiling.
"And father?"
"He is with the king presently." Jamiy said. He reached out and pulled Alanis under his arm and tousled her hair playfully as she struggled to get free. "Come on little bit."
She put her foot behind his ankle and shoved him backwards as she ducked down. She crouched as he fell backwards onto the planks and stared up at her in wonder, shock, and pride. He sat up looking at the much smaller girl. "What?" She asked. "You taught me that."
"I didn't realize you actually took your nose out of your books long enough to even hear me." He said brushing himself off. He took her offered hand and rolled up onto his feet. "Well done by the way. I did not see that coming from you." He chuckled and looked at her. She like him was dark, but she was more nymph-like at least now. She was only two years away from becoming a woman of the world, though she would always be his little sister to him.
The three laughed and walked up the stairs and ramps that lead to the city proper. Jamiy kept and arm around both his sisters having a comfort at having the three siblings together again. They had not actually been in the same city at the same time for nearly half a decade. It felt good for all three to be home, together, and to talk about anything they wished without the threat of judgment.
The three siblings entered the Keep of Stormwind and walked up the stairs. All three bowed to the King who was standing before his throne. Beside him in a small bowl chair was Rhenn, their timeless mother. Standing behind her was Grekko standing in his battle robes. His wife, however, was dressed in court clothing of light green with gold trim that surrounded her in yards of fabric. On her head sat a hood of the same fabric as her dress. It surrounded her face and had fabric that hung down with her long hair behind her. She looked almost like a queen seated there and they three children of her body well knew that she was all, but in name only. She did all their queen duties except sleep with the King of Stormwind and even some whispered about that since Alanis looked little like Grekko and even less like Rhenn, but she did look like her paternal grandmother.
Rhenn , for her part seemed to have adapted well into the part the King had asked her to play in his Kingdom. She was a diplomat, attended the guild meetings, and she was there to offer he quiet advice to meetings. A young woman came to her side dipping to whisper something. The three knew her instantly. She was Kallin, the maid whom had helped raise them all and now served as Rhenn's orderly. It was rumored the King and Rhenn had a plot to marry her off to one of the single men of rank to give her titles for all her hard work. She was an orphan and of no important family, but as the King's ward and no doubt with a good dowry someone would take the baited hook when it was put out there soon enough.
The three bowed to the King and Rhenn rose to her feet. Grekko took her hand. He raised it to his lips and then smiled as she did in pride at how beautiful his daughters were becoming and how handsome a lad he had sired.
"Welcome Helene and Alanis. Welcome to you as well Jamiy. How goes your paladin training?"
"Nearly complete, your majesty." Jamiy answered. Though he trained in Stormwind it was only on the weekends he was allowed to go be social with his family and friends outside the group he was training with.
"Glad to hear it." Varian said. "We need more like you in the army." He said clasping the younger man's arm.
"I cannot agree with you more father." Came a deep voice to the side. Both Jamiy and Varian turned to see a tall handsome broad-shouldered man of thirty coming to them. He removed his helm and dipped his head to the King before taking Jamiy's arm before embracing him. "Good to see you brother."
"And I you, your highness." Jamiy said bowing, a mocking smile on his face. Anduin chuckled and playfully pushed him backwards as they both chuckled.
"Boys." Rhenn's voice said. All three men turned and blushed as they looked at Rhenn. Her dancing eye full of mirth belayed her harsh tone. Varian stepped to one side as the Marquise embraced her son, then her daughter, and then Anduin. Last she embraced Alanis whom she had missed terribly. "How is Dalaran and your studies?"
"Good. The Magic Library is full of good books." Alanis said.
Grekko smiled at the children he had sired and embraced them all in turn. "It does me well to see you. It is also good to see your mother smile again." He said.
"Are you well mother?" Helene asked.
"Yes." Rhenn said. "I just have much to do."
"When is the meeting?" Jamiy asked.
"Tonight after the dinner." Anduin told him. "Intelligence of the Lady Rhenn: to feed the leaders so they will be more amenable to discussion."
All chuckled.
Rhenn sighed as she dressed in her dress of red velvet with the help of Kallin and another handmaiden she had chosen named, Alice. She placed the circlet in her hair and allowed Alice to pull her hair into a severe court style.
When the young woman was completed Rhenn looked at herself in the mirror. She looked like a queen. Varian had made sure she had the best tailors make her clothing. She was to be a cut above anyone in Stormwind in her look. She would be on his arm this evening once again as the Marquise whom he trusted with her quiet opinions.
Last was a neckpiece made of semi precious jewels that drew attention to her ample bust line. Her body had filled out since she had first come to Stormwind because of the four children she had born, only three surviving. She remembered the day Grekko and Varian had allowed her to go visit the small grave that they had made for the tiny stillborn. The day the world was torn asunder was forever imprinted in their hearts. The King had made the day a public day of mourning where people did not have to work and could visit the graves of the people lost. Thousands had lost their lives. One infant hardly seemed like a loss when some people lost their entire families, but the pain was still there even years later.
Kallin smiled at her mistress. "You look beautiful." She said.
"I look like a doll to be put on parade." Rhenn said shaking her head. "Yards of fabric and I still feel naked under these."
"You being beside the king not only helps him, but helps the kingdom." Kallin said. Rhenn looked up. Her orderly was dressed for the party as well. Rhenn smiled a little. She knew her friend was right.
"General Jonathan will be there." Rhenn said with a smile.
Kallin looked up and flushed. "He will?" She squeaked.
Rhenn well knew the general favored her orderly since the first time they had met more than year ago at the Christmas Ball. She chuckled. "He likes you, you know. You should allow him to court you."
"But I have duties to you…" Kallin said.
"You can still do them married." Rhenn smiled. "Come now, you deserve some happiness of your own." She said.
Kallin turned away and started to weep.
Rhenn went to her. "Oh I didn't mean to make you cry." She gasped wrapping her friend in a hug.
"No." Kallin said. "These are not sad tears." She said. She looked at her mistress softly and smiled despite the tears running down her cheeks. "You were always so good to me." She said. "I can never repay that." She took a breath. "Marcus and I have been seeing each other for dinner and walks. I had hoped to seek your permission to accept if he offered me marriage, but I am a penniless orphan. I have no dowry."
"I am fairly sure that will not matter in his eyes, but to save you face, you are a lady of my household. I will provide you one." She said. Rhenn looked at the woman and smiled. "You know that will make you a courtier as well and you will have your own household."
"But I do not want it. I want to continue to serve you."
Rhenn chuckled. "So you shall." She nodded to the girl. "Come. We must go to the dinner, lest the guests think we do not care."
The great table was set and the guests each had place cards where to sit. Rhenn had made the arrangements and had placed Kallin next to the general. She really hoped for a relationship there. The General of Stormwind's defenses needed a wife and Kallin needed a husband. Both were well beyond the time of a first marriage, but Rhenn watched from the dais where she sat with the King to her left and Grekko to her right, as the general bowed to the orderly and pulled back her chair for her.
Varian saw Rhenn's private smile and looked where she was looking and chuckled. "Not only do you run my kingdom under me, but you are a matchmaker as well." He said softly.
Rhenn jumped. "I do not run your kingdom."
"Oh yes you do." He said. "I plan battles with my generals and you keep the guilds and the citizens happy." He took her hand and raised it to his lips. "You have my eternal thanks for it." He released her hand after giving it a quick squeeze. "He likes her you know. He has a smile whenever you are in the council room because she is attending you. I do not think you have missed their secret smiles."
She smiled and shook her head. "Do they have your blessing then?"
Varian sat back eyeing her. "Do you have to even ask?" He asked. "Look at them." He said nodding as Marcus leaned close to whisper something in Kallin's ear. The young woman giggled softly in response. Rhenn smiled and nodded to the king. "Thank you. To see her happy would make me happy."
"Your happiness if on the top of my list of concerns." He said. "When he comes to me I will tell you."
She smiled before turning to her husband. He was watching his children at a table nearby. She leaned close to them. "Can you believe we have such children? A paladin, a priest, and a mage."
He took her hand and leaned to kiss her cheek softly. "I never thought I would be so proud again and now I have three to divide my attention." He chuckled. He took and held her hand in his. "I am glad I was there at least for Alanis's birth. I was starting to feel left out."
She shook her head. "Left out? The last died."
"And I was not there to help you. Can you ever forgive me for that? I missed the twins and you nearly died both times." He said.
"How did you…"
"Varian told me everything." He said. "I have not been a great husband to you."
"You have been more a husband to me than most. You have let me have my wings, not tried to clip them."
He pulled her to him and kissed her lips softly. "The next child I hope you birth in Stormwind like Alanis. I would have you safe at least even if I am away at war."
"Alanis's birth was boring." Rhenn said making a face.
"I will take boring any day when I do not have to worry about you." He said.
She kissed him and turned away as more of the guests arrived. Rhonin and Vereesa Windrunner were in attendance as well as the Alliance leaders. The newest member of the group was King Genn Greymane whom sat with his son and daughter at the far end of a table. They were watchful, but Helene sat with them and introduced them to those about them. The three were expecting to be treated as animals as they had been, but to their surprise the people of Stormwind seemed more open than they had been.
Jamiy sat beside Vereesa's second in command and was having a lively discussion with her. It did not go unnoticed by his mother. Rhenn smiled. Though her son was a young man, he had the ability to be a husband if he chose. The young high elf was named Sheerah and Rhenn had met her a couple times before. The young ranger was quiet, but had a good feel about her. She would be a good mate for her son should he pursue the feeling that were all too readable on his face.
After the meal Varian rose to his feet and took the hand of Rhenn and walked toward the council room. The other leaders, Grekko, and Varian's generals followed. General Jonathan escorted Kallin into the room and to her mistress's side before going to his own seat. He had kissed her cheek lightly and Rhenn saw her friend blush.
The men stood until Rhenn, Jaina Proudmoore, Tyrande Whisperwind, Moira Bronzebeard, Alas Reddragon, and Vereesa had all taken their seats before they sat down.
Varian acknowledged every one of the Alliance leaders in turn. "Lady Tyrande Whisperwind of Darnasses. Welcome. Lady Jaina Proudmoore or Theramore, glad you have come. Queen Moira Bronzebeard, an honor to have you with us, and our condolences on the death of your father." The young dwarven queen dipped her head in a quiet thank you. "Prophet Velen of Exodar. Alas of Wyrmrest, I am pleased you made it." He dipped his head to the Prophet. "Vereesa Winderunner and Rhonin of Dalaran have brought news of the north.
Rhonin nodded and rose to his feet. "The scourge seemed to have been held at bay have broken through the gate between Icecrown and Crystalsong. We fight to protect the Great Tree and the port key, lest they come into Dalaran itself."
"What should be done?" Moira asked. "From Dalaran we could have scourge taking the portals into our capitals."
"You see the urgency my queen of Ironforge." Rhonin said nodding. "Both the Alliance and Horde will have Scourge at their doorstep is measures are not taken."
She nodded.
Alas lifted her hand. "They march into Dragonblight as well. The Wrath Gate has been restored and opened. We fight for our Temple against the Blue Dragonflight and scourge as well as trying to protect the village of the tuskarr as we promised Emberblaze." She said looking at Rhenn. "And the Cult of the Damned grows ever stronger."
Varian dipped his head to the dragon woman. She had come when summoned as well as seemingly of her own curiosity about Rhenn's family and how they were fairing. The dragon was handmaiden to the Dragon Queen herself, Alexstrasza.
Varian took a breath. "We must fight the Lich King on his own ground."
"Icecrown?" Vereesa asked.
"Yes." Varian said. "We must beat him back. Too long have sat on the defensive. We must strike back to his lands. Icecrown is where it will be finished soon." Varian said. He looked to Rhenn beside him who was remaining quiet.
Moira eyed her as well. "What say you Lady Rhenn?" The young dwarf asked.
Rhenn looked about and found all eyes on her. "I do not condone war." She said slowly. The room listened intently. "But the Lich King must defeated for the good of us all." She took a breath. "He will destroy all we know and love." She then looked at Varian. "But we must look to our own borders as well. Long have we been surveying the cause of the great rifts in the land." She looked down seeing him flinch and the memories of her nearly bleeding to death in his arms. "This deep seeded evil worries me and the fact it has not shown itself for twenty years."
Everyone in the room nodded.
Varian looked about. "Armies will be sent to Northrend as well as a detachment left here. I will send explorers to the lands most affected by the earthquakes to find what stirs." He nodded to one of his generals.
Genn Greymane stood. "We are willing to aide you in whatever we can King Varian. We have few enough in numbers, but we would put ourselves to use."
Rhenn smiled feeling Varian stiffen slightly. The king did not trust them as much as she and her daughter did. Helene had won their trust and she was not about to shatter it. "Helping in the times in Azeroth would be a great service." She said.
Genn nodded. "I would send some of my people with you to Northrend. No one has seen it and we must know what we are getting into."
"Of course." Rhenn bowed.
The meeting was dismissed and the dignitaries went to their beds around the city that had been provided for them. Varian watched Rhenn walked down the hall to walk to the Cathedral of Light where her home was. Varian caught her arm.
She gasped in surprise being deep in her own thoughts. "Varian…you surprised me."
"You trust those…people…far more than you should."
"The Gilneans are not the enemy Varian."
"They betrayed us once. Why do you not think they would not do it again for their own good?" He asked.
"Because I know they wish to help. They wish to undo what was done." She looked up at them. "A little faith in them would go a long way."
He sighed. "They need to earn my trust."
"Which is exactly what they are trying to do." She said. She dipped her head slightly. "Good night Varian. Sleep well."
He watched her go again feeling a tightening in his groin has he often did. He knew he should not have such thoughts for another man's wife, but she was so pure and gentle. They shared an intimacy and candor few people had. She served him in a Queen position. She was very good at it and he was all too aware of the rumors spread about the two of them and even after publically standing with Grekko and the two denouncing the rumors still it was whispered. Part of him wished it was true, but he knew he would never betray her trust like that.
Sighing, he walked to his own bed chamber and dropped onto his bed.
Alone.