Ch 6 – New Leaders and Old Friends
Atha'ah,
My old friend. I am in need of sanctuary. You of all people can discuss this with your King. I have finally been cast out. If ever a friend needed a friend, now is the time. Come to me. I am in a small home in the forest near a stream. Come to me old friend. I beg you.
Go'el.
Rhenn had been given the letter by a young lad whom without a doubt had been bought. She folded it and pulled on a cloak. Kallin walked in and looked at her mistress.
"I am going for some air." Rhenn said reading the question in her friend's eyes. "I will be back within a couple hours." She said. "I wish to see the stars."
It was common enough for her to do so. Her orderly nodded and set about organizing the papers on her desk. Rhenn walked from the room. She walked down to the stables and quickly saddled Quickbeam, her husband's black stallion. The mount was fearless and would not bolt at a site or smell that was out of place.
She mounted and road out of the stables like a wraith in the night. She moved through the city, the only sound the clopping sound of the horse's shoed feet on the cobbles. Once to the great causeway over the moat that lead to the main gate she nodded to the guards on duty. They offered her a smile and nodded to her.
She was in the forest. She rode west toward Westfall and quickly came upon the small stream she knew was one of two he was talking about. She hoped she was right in her guessing. She had Quickbeam walk along. Ahead she saw a cabin with only a single light on in the trees. She took a breath. Though defias were known to inhabit such places she was going to chance it.
As she approached she saw a great white dog lift its head from where it lay on the porch. As she drew closer Rhenn noted it was no dog at all, but a great white worg, a rare and beautiful color. She knew this beast well having encountered her several times while in Orgrimmar.
The she-wolf was alert, but sniffed the air. She recognized the scent of someone she knew and did not react aggressively. She instead stayed where she was as Rhenn approached. Rhenn tied Quickbeam to a log and then walked on foot to the house.
Snowsong rose to her paws. Standing the great worg was as tall as Rhenn standing. The keen eyes regarded Rhenn a moment as Rhenn offered her hand. Knowing the she-wolf could easily dispatch her should she wish or more importantly, should pact-mate wish. Rhenn swallowed not fearing the wolf as the nose moved forward to sniff the extended hand. Knowing the smell to be friend the she-wolf wagged her tail gently and licked Rhenn's palm once.
"She always did like you, Atha'ah." The deep quiet voice startled her. She looked up from her cowl to see Thrall standing before her in the doorway. "Thank you for coming."
She looked at him. He had several bandages on brow and arm that were stained with his black blood. "Thrall, you are hurt."
"I am alive and that is what matters at the moment." He said.
She stepped forward and touched his arm. He winced. That alone told her how much he was taxed as well as hurting. She gently looked up at him as she pressed back her cowl. "I have missed you." She said softly.
"Will you help me?"
"Do you even have to ask?" She asked him. She smiled. "I will bring you into the city tonight. You will be safe there."
"Is that wise?" He asked. "I know Varian trusts your judgment, but he would not be happy to have me at his doorstep. Of course perhaps he would be, thinking me a prize." He shook his head. "Which I am not." He sighed and shrugged. "Hellscream is leader of the Horde. Gods help them." He said.
"Did he do this?" she asked reaching up to touch his brow lightly. Again he winced and caught her hand.
"No." He said kissing the hand gently and rubbing the back lightly as though he took comfort in knowing she was real and he was touching her. "But he ordered it."
She nodded. "Come." She said. "I will bring you to the King. If the guards stop us call out for asylum. They are bound by law to bring you before the King."
He nodded. He blew out the candles, gathered his few belongings, and pulled a cloak about himself.
"How long have you been in hiding?" She asked.
"A few days. It took me some time to find someone whom I could have deliver the letter and could be bought to keep my presence here a secret."
"You risk much." She said.
"I have to or I would have died." He said. He mounted Snowsong with ease. He then reached down and pulled her up before him. He gripped the worg's reins though Rhenn realized they were mainly for balance not direction. Beast and rider communicated through pressures against the animal's sides and soft words.
He went to the tree where the horse was tethered and pulled the reins. He tied the horse to his saddle and then nodded to his mount to ride to the city. He was careful to avoid the patrols along the road. The two by the gate, however, saw him and called out as they two loped by. The worg mount alone was clue enough that the owner was a Horde.
Rhenn gasped as Thrall came to a stop at the city side of the causeway. General Markus Jonathan was on patrol this night. Thrall pulled his worg to a stop. The she-wolf snarled and bristled as Thrall looked about. Jonathan dismounted calling guards to him. Behind were the two from the gate.
Rhenn threw back her hood. "Stand down. We go to the King on matters of state." She said firmly.
The general seemed surprised. "Are you harmed, Lady Rhenn? Is he using you to get to the King?" Jonathan seemed to be squinting trying to see if the Horde behind her held a blade to her or using something to threaten her.
"No." she said. Well it was a half lie, though Thrall was not holding her captive as Jonathan clearly thought. "He is no harm to you. He is unarmed and injured."
"A ploy, Lady." Jonathan said. "Come to me so we can bind him."
"Not until you promise to bring him to the king as a guest, not a prisoner." Rhenn said as she felt the worg prance under her in agitation.
"Rhenn, it is well. Let them take me." Thrall said softly. "I am an enemy until I prove otherwise. Let them deal with me as they will."
"No." Rhenn said.
Thrall picked her up bodily and set her on the ground. "I will not fight you." He said. "You Marquise is a friend and I would never harm her." He took a breath. "I do, however, claim asylum." He said. "I would see King Varian."
"I am bound by law then to bring you before the King, but you are not trusted here. I will have to bind your hands and make sure you are no threat to his majesty's person or any other citizen of Stormwind." Jonathan said.
"I understand completely and will comply." Thrall said dismounting. He grunted a little in pain. He whispered to his worg and the beast whimpered, but relaxed visibly. Thrall moved and the guards raised their rifles. Rhenn moved before him and the guns lowered not wishing to harm the Marquise. Thrall gently pushed her to the side and behind him shielding her with his own body. The gesture was not lost of the General of Stormwind's defenses. The orc meant that he would not harm her. Thrall lifted his hands to the general together to make it easy to bind them.
The general nodded to one of his men. The man produced a length of leather. Jonathan stepped forward eyeing the she-wolf who was watching him. Rhenn gently rubbed the worg's head to soothe the creature. Again the fact the beast was known to Rhenn was not lost on the General as he wrapped the thong about the former warchief's wrists.
Jonathan reached up and threw back the hood of Thrall's cloak. Thrall regarded him calmly. Jonathan blinked in surprised. "Warchief Thrall." He gasped. "As I live and breathe." He looked at Rhenn. "You bring a sworn enemy into the gates?"
"He is no enemy of mine." She answered boldly. "Come let us go to King Varian before it becomes too late."
"He will be lucky if the King does not mount his head on a spike." Jonathan said to her.
"It is a risk I am willing to take." Thrall said soberly.
Two guards walked behind Thrall, Jonathan before him, and Rhenn flanked him with Snowsong. Rhenn looked at the ground and on a bridge stumbled. Thrall moved quickly catching her against his body, though he could not catch her in his arms. Her hand went to her head and she shook it as it to clear it.
"Rhenny?" He asked softly. "Are you all right?" He asked.
Jonathan looked at Thrall as Rhenn blinked as if confused. "Are you well, my lady? Shall I fetch a litter for you?"
"No, I am…"
"Yes." Thrall said looking up at the man. "She should not be walking about in her condition." He steadied her until she gained her footing.
Jonathan eyed the orc. "And what condition is that?"
Thrall blinked a little. "A delicate one." He said. "For her sake, I beg you."
"No, I am well." The woman said. She straightened and sighed. "I can walk."
Thrall leaned to her. "As stubborn as always. Your mate must have his hands full constantly."
She smiled lightly. "Always."
They arrived at the keep. Jonathan sent an orderly to fetch the King as they walked to the throne room. Snowsong and Quickbeam were put in the first room. Thrall told the worg to stay and Jonathan placed guards to make sure no one set foot in the room and caused the great she-wolf to do harm. As it was she settled with a large cow leg as a reward and seemed to be content…for now.
They continued up the path. Rhenn walked ahead and came to the top of the ramp. She bowed as Varian walked in from the living quarters part of the Keep. He was still armed, but had removed his armor. He looked at Rhenn as she walked to drop into her seat beside his throne wearily.
"What is this all about Rhenny?" He asked softly. "Who demanded and audience with me at this hour?"
The small group arrived and Rhenn nodded to them. "Your highness, may I present, Lord Thrall of the Horde."
Varian whirled and looked at the great orc male before him. Thrall was over seven feet tall and more than twice Varian's breathe in his shoulders. Varian took in his injures and blinked. He threw a questioning look to Rhenn.
The former warchief bowed to the King stiffly. "King Varian. I have come to ask. No, not ask, to ask would imply a friendship as we once shared. No, beg. I have come to beg for your help." He dropped to his knees wincing in pain as he looked up at the large human King. Varian was large for a human in his body and he blinked as the larger orc dropped before him.
"My help?" Varian asked. "Why would you need my help? Isn't that what that pompous upstart Hellscream is for?"
"That pompous upstart has usurped my power over the Horde and tried to have me murdered." Thrall said looking up. "That is why I have come to beg for help. I beg for sanctuary." He took a breath. "I know you do not trust me. I have given you no cause to, but I swear on the honor of my friendship with the Lady Rhenn, I will not harm anyone of the Alliance. I just wish to live out the rest of my days in peace such as can be had in these times."
Varian regarded these words and then turned to Rhenn. "What say you on this matter?" He asked.
"He came to us for aid." Rhenn said. "I do not think he would reach out unless he had to."
Varian folded his arms and regarded her. Then he turned to face Thrall. "The soft hearts of women will not save every wretch at our doorstep." He glared at the orc. "You are wise as always using her to come into the city. She would have my ear on this. Clever." He sighed. "But what am I to do with you. You are an enemy of the state. I should throw you into the Stockades."
"Varian no." Rhenn said rising to her feet a little unsteadily. She caught the King's arm and covered her near stumble with her pleading face. The movement was not lost on Thrall, however, as his eyes shot to her midriff where she had flesh out over the years from her child bearing and becoming older. Oddly her added curves only made her more beautiful. He closed his eyes and felt out. Yes, a tiny life force was there within her. Small enough she might not even know of its existence. Also something was clouding his thoughts about it as if…
"I did not ask for you to treat me as my rank once was. I wish to just be a man whom can live out the end of his days in peace." He sighed. "Rhenn has always been a friend. Please may we discuss this late when she feels better."
Rhenn looked up startled. Varian turned to her. "What is wrong?" He asked stepping closer and looking down at her face. She was pale, but seemed well.
"Nothing." She said. She felt a little tired, but nothing more. She looked down. Varian sighed.
Varian nodded. "Release him."
"But, my lord, he is…" Jonathan started to say, but Varian raised a hand.
"Do as I say."
Jonathan nodded and cut the thong about the orc's hands. Thrall rubbed his wrists. "Thank you." He said looking at Jonathan.
Varian nodded to a side room. "Please wait in there Thrall with Rhenn while I decide what to do with you. He is under your care Rhenn." He said and turned away.
Rhenn nodded and walked into the room with Thrall flanking her. He sat at the table keeping his hand visible. Food and drinks were brought and the door had two guards posted. Rhenn dropped into a chair and sighed.
Thrall was famished and beyond recluse in his normal waiting for someone to try the food. He had not had much but hard tack rations and the warm homemade food made his mouth water almost instantly. He drank the fine Northshire wine and ate the food. Rhenn ate some as well, though she only picked at it. She looked at the wall and seemed miles away in her thoughts.
He reached across the table and touched her hand. "How long have you known?"
"Known what?"
He searched her gaze and noted her look. Did she not know? He took a breath and rose to his feet. "Join me a moment. I wish to make sure."
She rose and he nodded for her to sit on the divan near the window and then lie back. She looked at him curiously. He took a breath. "May I…examine you?"
She arched an eyebrow. "What are you hoping to find?" She asked drawing a sheet over her body.
"I sense a…presence within you. I wish to confirm that it is a child in your womb and not a parasite or something else unseemly like a mostly dormant possessing ghost." He made a face and knelt lifting her skirts.
He gently examined and took a breath. He walked to a basin and washed his hands. He returned to her and met her gaze. "I am unsettled." He said.
"What is wrong?"
"We will find what to do." He patted her leg.
"What?" She took his arm. "Am I pregnant?"
He took a breath. "Yes." He nodded. "But I am concerned. "You are not capped as you should be." He said. When she looked at him quizzically he smiled gently. "Normally, a cap sits to keep the child within you. I could feel it. It is how healers know if a woman carries a child. You do not have one." He took a slow breath. "You will not carry this babe to term."
"Bedrest?"
"Perhaps." He said setting her robes about her.
"What is going on here?" Grekko's voice boomed.
Thrall looked up. "Greetings Grekko. A pleasure to see you again." He said and dipped his head. Grekko came forward and punched Thrall hard. The orc staggered back his hand going to his nose. The human priest had bloodied him. Normally, he would fight for such an insult, but he was well aware how it looked.
Grekko stood crouched before his wife staff at the ready. "Come dog. You would try to seduce her under my very nose?"
"Grekko…" Rhenn rose to her feet and laid a hand on his arm. Grekko pushed her roughly back. "You stay back there, I will deal with you in a moment."
Thrall blinked. Did the man mean to beat her? He wiped his nose as Varian came in. Varian took in the scene and looked to a guard who stood just inside the room. "You soldier. What did you see?"
The woman saluted as she had when he walked in. "The orc had his hand on her leg, under her robes. She was lying there…"
Varian looked to Rhenn for an explanation. "He needed to check something." She said. "Grekko please…he didn't do anything. He was confirming something I suspected…"
"Under your robe?" Varian asked skeptically folding his arms. He was not sure what to make of it all, but he would hear the two out. Rhenn out of friendship and Thrall because the man did have honor. He suspected this was deeper than it appeared.
Rhenn walked forward. Grekko whirled to face her. "I told you to stay back." He growled. His jealous rage over having yet another man know her so well was finally releasing like a gnomish grenade. Varian he could swallow, but this…this Horde with his wife…no. His hand moved from his staff and he back handed her across her face.
Rhenn cried out as blood sprang from her lip and nose. Her hand went to her face as blood gushed from her face. Grekko took no notice in his rage as he turned his fury back to the orc whose eyes widened in horror. "Rhenn. Atha'ah. Gods…you fool. What have you done? She is fragile…" Thrall could not find the words as he watched Rhenn dropped to the floor in shock as she started to sob in pain and fear. Never had Grekko even shaken a finger at her in violence and suddenly this…
Varian watched her moved to the wall and pull her knees up to her chest in a very child like pose. "Grekko!" He had been willing to let the man yell, but to strike his wife so. Varian did not take well to abusing husband and he felt his own seething rage at his best friend suddenly being in such pain.
"Light man, what have you done?" Varian asked dropping to his knees before Rhenn. She tried to become smaller instinctively. His heart felt like it was about to break. Gently, he reached for a cloth and reached to touch her face. She struggled, her eyes wild as if she did not know who was before her.
"What goes on here?" A strong voice said from the door way. Highlord Tirion Fordring had arrived to speak with Thrall from the Dalaran mage portal. He took in the sight of Thrall standing proud with black blood dripping from his nose as he faced Grekko who looked ready for battle. On the floor was a woman curled like a child who had just been traumatized with Varian trying to get her to move her hands to he could press a cloth to her.
"Highlord Fordring." Thrall greeted. "Thank you for coming. I assume you are here about me."
"Yes, but what is amiss." The elder paladin asked.
"I am sorting it out." Varian said. He rose to his feet. "Stand down Grekko."
"But your highness he…"
"Stand down priest." Varian ordered.
Thrall craned his head to look at the quivering sobbing form of Rhenn who seemed to be in shock more than anything. His eyes looked at Grekko. "She is pregnant, you fool. You struck a pregnant woman. It is a sin to strike a woman, let alone a woman. The gods curse men who defile a pregnant woman."
Grekko seemed to at last be hearing words. "Pregnant?" He looked from Thrall to the king.
"I was confirming what I felt. If you wish another opinion, I am sure the paladin can sense it as well." Thrall said in a barely contained snarl.
Tirion nodded and dropped down beside Rhenn. "Rhenn, child. Be easy. I will not harm you." He soothed as he pressed a hand to her abdomen. He shut his eyes and took a breath. Yes, there was life there. "Indeed. She is with child." He looked up. "By the Light." He said seeing the cloth was turning crimson.
Varian looked at the husband as he barked. "Guards. Remove Grekko from this chamber and hold him in a cell until I come to speak with him."
"Majesty." The two guards said. Grekko went willingly his head down as he realized what he had down. The betrayal was his not hers. Oh Light, would she ever forgive him his jealous rage. He had struck her. His mate, his soul, mother of his children, and now with child again, he had struck her…
Varian looked at Thrall. "You are certain?"
Tirion nodded. "Quite. She is more than two months along. It moves within her womb."He said moving his hand gently over the slight hint of a belly on her. He looked at her. "I cannot repay what I owe you child, but I can at least ease your physical pain and some of the mental anguish."
Varian sighed. "I have never known Grekko to lash out so. When he comes to his senses I will see what possessed him to do that." He nodded to Tirion. "Take Thrall and Rhenn to the Argent Crusade home." He said. "I will not allow Rhenn to be so abused and Thrall was just doing his duties as a healer."
"Agreed." Tirion said. He lifted her in his arms as though she weighed nothing. "Come child. Let us go see if you have broken that nose." He said soothingly as he carried her. Thrall followed behind looking at Varian.
He bowed at the door. "I did not mean to cause her pain."
"I am aware of this." Varian said. "Rhenn trusts you. You understand that I cannot fully. Not yet." He said.
Thrall nodded. "I understand." He looked about. "It would be good to live here among your people. Some of my fondest memories took place within these walls." He offered a slight smile revealing more of his tusks. "I will keep her safe and heal her. You have my word on that."
Varian nodded.
The next day the leaders all returned their responses to the question he had asked of them. Should Thrall be allowed to stay in Stormwind and possibly be an ally. The vote was unanimously for him staying and being a guest. Varian knew he well could be an asset. He knew the Horde strategies and the leaders.
Rhenn was in Tirion's care. He had set her nose so it would heal cleanly. He was gentle and Thrall gave her sleeping herbs to relax and soothe her mind. After she slept the two men talked long and hard about the war Hellscream wished and what he was doing. Thrall repeatedly went to Rhenn's side to look her over. Her face would bruise, but her nose seemed intact. He sighed holding her hand gently knowing when she woke she would have to deal with how she felt about Grekko.
Helene and Jamiy were alerted and Helene came. When she saw her battered mother asleep, Tirion knew that a lie would help keep the family strong until this all sorted out. She was hit by a staff in hand-to-hand combat with Grekko, he said, making sure Thrall said nothing. She had misjudged a hit and taken the blow to her face. It pacified the children. Jamiy as a paladin might well try to seek revenge, even against his own sire, and Tirion was not about to see the family break apart so.
Rhenn had misjudged the man as a whole it seemed. Tirion kept watch over her. This gentle angel did not deserve this. Even if she had cheated on him, striking her so violently…was uncalled for, even more so when a babe was in her belly.
Tirion watched her as she sat in his guest house reading books and speaking to her children. The King had ordered she remain in the home and not attend the meetings until she felt well enough to. Tirion tended her and he agreed with Thrall. She would not be able to carry the babe to term. Children were precious. He sought books from the royal library and from the healers to see if anything could be done to keep the child within when it grew. Tirion spoke of the matter to the King and Hartley as well at Rhenn's request. More and more it looked like there was little option than to terminate it now before it grew to a size that the Marquise became attached to it.
Losing the babe would not be easy on the mother. Tirion and Varian had seen her in a depression for weeks after she lost the babe in the aftermath of the earthquake. This would be little different.
Grekko spent three days in jail. The King could see his remorse all over his face. He had hit her out of anger and Grekko was normally very even tempered. The priest then was allowed out and he put himself in self exile from his family by going to Northrend to aid Tirion when the Highlord of the Argent Crusade called for him. It was Tirion's way, he knew, to allow him to bow away from his fearful, untrusting wife, and his family while he sorted himself out.