Ch 4 - Marriage and Hope of Man

The Argent Crusade Crusader's Pinnacle

Attention Highlord Tirion Fordring,

I hope you are well Tirion and you are making advances on the front in Icecrown. I know you will be receiving a formal invitation soon and you likely will not be able to come so I wished to write you a note personally. I know the matters press on, but if there is a lull, I would dearly appreciate you attending the coronation on my behalf. You have always been good to me and a dear friend, though I would never ask you to leave your duties, I do make one small request. If at all possible could you come to Stormwind and give me away at the great state wedding? I am hardly a blushing bride, but you have been a friend and a father to me as no other human has been. With my adopted father passed on, you seem to be the logical choice. Thank you so much for being there, regardless of what you decide Tirion. Light be with you.

Rhenn Wrynn

Queen Consort of Stormwind

Dowager Marquise of Westfall and Redridge

Tirion chuckled as he set the letter down. It was no small request for him to leave the battle front, but it also was no small honor to give away the young woman he had always had a fondness for. Though he regarded both her children and her as his own children these days, since his son had passed and his wife had not spoken to him in years, he felt his eyes mist slightly. He had delivered children, been present for the weddings of several of his men, and even married two of them. The honor this sweet lady was giving him stirred him deeply and he was again in her debt for making him feel so proud of a child, a child not of his loins, but a child he had taken under his wing. He felt his pride swell as it had when his goddaughter asked him to marry her with her brother escorting her down the aisle after her father had passed.

He looked up at Jamiy as his orderly was organizing some maps that Tirion had let fall to the floor after the night meeting. "So a little bird has told me you are now a Prince." He said, as usual without preamble. One got used to his directness or one did not. Those that did not take to the directness soon found other places to fight and not under the Highlord of the Argent Crusade.

Jamiy froze. He turned to face the man he regarded as a second father and mentor. "What little bird is that, my lord?"

"Your mother." Tirion said. He watched the young boy. "She apparently has married King Varian and wishes me to give her away at the state marriage and coronation ceremony."

Jamiy's handsome face twisted. "She has done what? Without consulting me?" He places his hands on the table with a slap. "How dare she. Our father has not been in the ground a year yet, and she already married the King of Stormwind?"

Tirion lifted his hand. "Peace, Jamiy. She is an adult and is allowed to make her own decisions. As I recall you did not wait for her opinion on your marriage."

"How is that…that is not the same…"

Tirion smiled. "Of course it is." He walked to the younger man he regarded as his second son. "If it bothers you so much go in the morning to Stormwind. I am sure our mage can portal you there. I will join you in a few days."

"But who will be with the men…they…" Jamiy looked at the elder paladin.

"They have officers enough here. We will have them ready for defensive action. That at least any one of the men and women here can handle. They hold ground well. We will not be missed for the feasting days." He straightened Jamiy's tabard. "You will need to be dressed in your finest armor. The gift from Varian will be perfect for this event."

"How can you be so calm about this?"

"Varian has loved her for some time. He treated her as a sister while your father was alive because he refused to dishonor your mother or himself with the scandal of an affair." Tirion lifted Jamiy's chin as he looked down to look into his eyes. "It is a good match for them both. It will heal them." He said evenly. "And it is for the Kingdom and the Alliance. Her words of wisdom have solved many conflicts without bloodshed."

Jamiy sighed and nodded.

Jamiy asked Archmage Rhydian to portal him to Stormwind at first light. He brought with him his mount carrying two saddlebags of loot, gear, and his gifted armor. He looked about the Wizard's Sanctum before he walked down the ramp into the city itself. He led his mount to the ground and mounted the stallion.

It did not take him long to ride to the Keep of Stormwind. Not many people were about yet and the sun was just touching the city walls from the East. There looked to be clouds building. Perhaps rain would fall later. For now he would see his sister and his mother.

He walked straight into the courtyard and into the private chamber area that was on the second floor surrounding the courtyard. The Queen's apartments were to the back and a small path led into a garden that was only accessible from the Queen's chamber. High mountains surrounded the Keep and the Garden was also a secret because of the great trees blocking the view of it from the room and ivy tendrils that hung down making a curtain.

The Queen's chamber was at the end of the hall from the King's chamber. She had her office/study, library, private meeting area, private bedroom, and chambers for all her maids behind secret doors from her chamber. The Queen's chamber had been built so that someone could remove the queen should there be action in the city. It was rumored a passage was hidden there that led to Northshire underground and immerged in the Abbey.

Jamiy strolled to the Queen's chamber door and two guards crossed their ceremonial pike axes before him. He looked at them. "I am General Jamiy Ambrose, let me pass. I wish to see my mother."

"She is not to be disturbed." Said one gruffly.

"I am her son."

The door opened behind the guards. They saluted when they saw Helene. She was dressed in a white sleeping dress with bare feet and a shawl about her. "What is all this noise?" She asked.

"Helene." Jamiy said.

"Jamiy! You are here. Mother will be pleased. Come in." She said.

The guards allowed him to pass as Helene led him in and shut the door behind her.

"Forgive the Home Guard. They are rather uptight now that there is a Queen again. Varian seems to think someone will off her like they did Tiffin." She said as she walked into the library. "Why are you here at such a Gods early time?"

"I was up. I took a portal here. Where is our mother? I would speak to her. And it is not early. It is two hours past sunrise."

She gave him a look. "It is still only eight in the morning, brother." She then went to the window and looked out at the dwarven district below. "She sleeps."

"So we can wake her. I have not seen her in three months. It will do me good to…"

Helene laid a hand on his arm and stopped him. "She sleeps, but not here, brother." She said.

"Where is she then?"

"With the King." She said as if that was the most natural thing in the world.

Jamiy looked ready to spit. "She is with him? They are not wedded and yet he beds her making her his…" He said his voice raising a little.

Helene clapped a hand over his mouth hushing him. "No. She is hardly that. They are married brother, just not officially for the country. Stormwind has rules about the King marrying and that will happen soon."

Jamiy looked at her. "I cannot believe you are okay with this."

"What? They are in love. I could hardly stop them."

"Did you try to talk sense into Momma?"

"What sense? She is happy and so is he. Why is this a problem for you?"

"Because our father's body is hardly cold and she is sleeping with another man."

Helene laughed. "She did not need your permission."

"On this, yes, I think she did require it."

Helene rolled her eyes. "Just like you asked her permission to wed Sheerah."

He took a breath and glared at her. "That was different."

"How?"

"I…It…I…It was…"

She rolled her eyes. "Convincing."

"The King and Queen!" A man called from the hall.

The doors opened revealing first the Home Guard who saluted and then went still on either side of the door, then Varian dressed in the loose robes of a courtier with his sword strapped to his side. He wore his crown on his head. The Elven blade glowed softly in the morning lit room. He normally would have noticed his guests, but he had eyes only for Rhenn at his side. Rhenn was dressed in a dress of mint green with long false sleeves. Her hair was loose about her shoulders and a small silver circlet rested on her brow. She looked every bit a queen as she walked into the room her hand resting on the hand of her husband. Two women followed them in. They were dressed in cream colored dresses. They moved like puffs of smoke about the room setting the room to rights.

Helene bowed slightly and Jamiy followed suit as was customary.

Rhenn smiled as she saw Jamiy. "Jamiy! You came. I did not dare to hope that Tirion would allow you to come." She came to him and embraced him. Behind her the King smiled seeing his bride happy.

"You are my mother." He said tightly. More than he intended. Rhenn pulled back to arm's length to look at him.

"Are you well, my son?" She asked.

"I would speak to you." He looked at the others in the room. "In private."

She nodded. Jamiy had an edge to his voice that he had inherited from his father. Something was amiss and Rhenn suspected he was not pleased she had married. She looked about. "Helene, would you kindly go to the Slaughtered Lamb and see if they have found their missing sorceress yet? Remy could you fetch some tea. Take Calia with you. The cooks can be a bit…off putting this time in the morning. Ellsa could you see if Emily is awake so she does not miss her classes." She said to another woman who entered the room. Her dress was far stricter than the others, but she smiled and did as the Queen bid.

Rhenn then turned to Varian who was standing with his arms folded on his chest regarding her. "Would you excuse us for a few moments? I will join you presently for breakfast. Perhaps our battle hardened warrior will join us." She said looking back at her son.

The women left as if they had never been.

Varian nodded and stepped forward. She pressed a kiss to his mouth, a quick, soft peck, but he was not satisfied with it. He cupped her face gently and kissed her deeply in quiet possession.

"Varian…" Rhenn said gasping as she shifted away. She playfully swatted him away. "Away with you, my lord."

"You have fifteen minutes." He grinned at her.

She rolled her eyes and turned back to her son. She jumped as he playfully swatted her bottom before turning to leave. She glared at him and he just grinned at her as he bowed and walked out. She shook her head and turned back to her son.

Alone now, the young man glared at his mother. "A little warning would have been nice." He said.

She looked at him her hands going on her hips. "I was nearly killed in a bombing. We talked and he told me his feelings. I cannot say I did not share them. Your father always wanted Varian to take care of me. He told me that as he was dying." She moved to sit in a chair. She dropped into it moving a little hesitantly still.

"Marrying Varian was father's dying wish?"

"One of them." She said. "The other was to forgive him for all the wrong doing he did in our marriage. I forgave him, but he never forgave himself." She said. She looked at and nodded to Remy returned with the tea tray. She set it on the table and then curtsied a little before leaving again as if she were a puff of smoke.

Rhenn leaned forward to pour the tea. Jamiy looked about. "Your women are very discreet in their ways of moving about."

"They are picked for that reason." She said. "All handpicked by Varian himself to be my handmaidens."

"Helene too?"

"Yes." She nodded. "Though she may have requested it and he granted it." She poured the steaming water into his cup over the tea leaves in the small strainer that balanced in the lip.

He sighed. "I know Varian has always cared for you, but you married him so quickly…" He said. "It is like you are…dishonoring father's memory."

"You do not think I thought I was doing just that when I accepted. I had to do a lot of soul searching, Jamiy. It was not easy, but this is the right choice for me, for our family, and for Stormwind." She lifted her hand. "I have been being a queen for years in my duties, just without the title." She smiled. "Besides, now that I am queen, your sister is now Marquise and she can marry someone who can love and support her who is worthy of her station and her intelligence." She smiled. "Though I am not sure who would fit the bill currently." She smiled a little. She then lifted her tea cup and blew on it. "Can you not just be happy that I am happy and content with this marriage?"

"It seems more about convenience than love."

"There is love, my son. There always have been. The love has just been allowed to bloom." She said.

"You are truly happy? He did not pressure you into this? I will not have you forced into anything you do not wish to…"

Her free hand lifted and she pressed her finger to his lips. "I am truly happy, my son." He looked at her. Her smile was radiant again as were her eyes. He was starting to believe her.

He sighed and lifted his tea. "Then I am as well." He smiled at her. "You make a beautiful queen mother." He said. "Varian will be a good husband." He sipped his tea. He smiled. "This is very good." He said. "He always has been there for you."

"Yes." She said. She smiled. "It was either marry Varian or wait for Tirion to ask me, which I felt might have been even more awkward at least for you."

"He is an old man. A fit old man, but an old man."

"Older. He is not old, Jamiy."

"Do you really think Tirion would have asked you to marry him?" He asked.

"He might have. I know he had the courts pronounce his wife missing, presumed dead since she has not surfaced in more than five years. He is a free man now." She said.

"How do you know that?"

"I am the Queen." She smiled. "It does have its perks, though it does have its burdens as well." She said.

A knock came at the door and it opened. "My lady. A message has come from Highlord Fordring and the King is asking how much longer."

"We will be with him presently." She said. "Give me the letter."

He bowed and gave her the letter. She rose to her feet finishing her tea. Jamiy likewise finished his and rose to his feet. He extended his arm. "Will you allow me to escort you, your majesty?"

She smiled up at him. "Don't push it. I gave you life, I can take it away if I need to."

He shook his head. "That threat lost its power as soon as I learned to be a paladin, mother."

"It was worth a try." She shrugged and they walked out of the room and down the hall to the courtyard where Varian was waiting at a table that had been brought with high back chairs surrounding it.

He rose to his feet and bowed to his queen. "Sweetheart." He said smiling as she sat across from him.

Jamiy took a seat between them at the end of the table. Before he did he leaned toward Varian. "I am happy to call you father, but if you ever harm her I will kill you myself." He said and smiled for his mother who could not hear the whisper.

Varian turned slightly and spoke out of the side of his mouth. "I respect that, son." He whispered back. "I would never harm her. If I ever give you cause to even think to defend her honor, I expect you to make good on that threat General."

"You have my word, your highness."

He smiled and clapped Jamiy on his back. "Good." He said loud enough for Rhenn to hear. She looked up from her smoke cured whitefish and fruits.

"Pardon?" Rhenn asked.

"Nothing, my love. He was just complimenting me on my choice of bride." Varian said fluidly with a smile. "How are the figs, my sweet?"

She lifted half and leaned forward. He caught her wrist ever so gently and took the half with his teeth from her playfully. She giggled and withdrew her hand and licked the juice off her finger watching the King.

Jamiy smirked. The two were like young lovers being playful about everything and not afraid to display their love to others. It was actually amusing for the paladin and it made his heart happy that she was so happy with her new husband. She had not smiled since Grekko had passed and if Varian could light up her face as it used to, he was hardly the one to stand in the way.

To Helene it was amazing to see her mother happy again. The royal pair were like two young lovers together, not really their age. As the meal ended Varian rose and offered his hand to his wife. "Come, dear one. We will have guests shortly for your coronation."

Rhenn nodded and rose to her feet. She looked at her children and smiled. "We will see you in the meeting later I assume." She said.

"Of course." Jamiy said.

She nodded and allowed Varian to lead her from the place toward his chambers. He would dress in his armor and weapon and she would dress for court. Jamiy watched them go as they smiled and talked softly to each other.

"They really do love each other, don't they?"

"Yes." Helene said. "He will likely take her to bed before the meeting as well."

Jamiy glanced at his twin. "I do not need to know about their love lives. It is not my concern."

"It is mine." She said. She smiled ruefully. She rose as servants came to clear the rest of the meal away. "Since I am a handmaiden." She giggled as she saw he was red near his collar. "Oh come brother, you are married and seek your wife as often as you can as well."

"Newlyweds seem to have more stamina." He muttered and walked out. She chuckled and followed him.

Varian pulled on his breastplate and looked at his wife as she lounged in his bed for a few more moments. He would send Remy in soon enough to do her hair and Calia to dress her properly. She smiled at him as he watched her. He took a step toward the bed as he pulled on a bracer and she lifted a foot and touched his thigh lightly.

He reached down and enclosed the offending foot gently. "Keep that up Madam and we shall never make the meeting on time." He said. He bent and kissed her ankle bone lightly as he gazed down her barely covered form. Her body had somehow retained her excellent shape though she had borne several children.

"Do you think they would notice?" She asked playfully.

He chuckled. "Perhaps not me, but you certainly." He smiled affectionately at her as he let her foot drop to the bed. She sighed and rose to her feet reaching for a robe to wrap about her body. He watched as he pulled on his leg armor and smiled as she turned to him. He walked to the door and opened it finding Calia, Remy, Kallin, and Helene all in their handmaiden gowns and all waiting to dress the queen.

He bowed his head to them. "She is ready for you now, as much as I hate you stealing her from me."

Kallin laughed as she walked passed him. Married to the general of Stormwind's defenses had made her bolder and the King liked the change in her. He remembered her still as the phantom mouse-like orderly that always appeared when Rhenn needed her. She had been very young, but Jonathon had shown her, as no doubt had her mistress, that she could express herself when she wished.

Varian stood back and sipped Northshire wine as he watched Rhenn transform from his beautiful lover to his beautiful stoic queen. She dressed in a dress of silver with two thick petticoats beneath giving volume to the full skirt. Over the brocaded dress was placed and over dress of dark blue. The long false sleeves were held back and pinned with a large broach, a wedding present from Thrall. Remy pulled her hair back severely into a high formed headdress made of wicker. Helene placed a chocker of carved wood at her throat, a gift from the Oracles. A small circlet sat on her brow as Calia fitted her small feet into soft slippers.

"Thank you Calia." Rhenn smiled at the young woman. She reached and cupped the young woman's chin. "Now that we have him alone, do you think we may discuss your secret now?" She asked.

Varian blinked. "Secret Madam?"

Rhenn nodded.

He rose to his feet. "She is Calia Hastings, wife of Bruce Hastings, one of my best SI:7 agents in Theramore. I brought her here to serve you because she would be good protection."

"There is more than meets the eye." Rhenn said.

The young woman did not look at Varian. She seemed terribly interested in the floor. Varian lifted her chin with his finger so she would look at him. "Suddenly shy Lady Hastings? I do expect people to look at me when I speak to them."

She swallowed. "I…"

Rhenn smiled. "Varian treat her nicely, she is a princess in her own right."

"What?" He turned to his wife.

"A cleaver disguise unless I was in the library admitting the tapestries." She chuckled. "She has a very uncanny resemblance to a princess. Imagine my surprise when I found the missing princess had just married and hidden herself."

"Calia? Calia Menethil?" Varian said suddenly putting the clues together. "Sister to Arthas, Princess of Lordaeron."

Rhenn nodded. Varian looked at the young woman and then nodded. "A secret we will keep and not speak of." He gently lifted her hand to his lips. "It is good to know you are safe." He said, his voice suddenly gentle.

She nodded stiffly and stepped away. "I prefer to remain Calia Hastings." She said.

"And so you shall be." Varian said.

The attendants themselves were dressed in regal grey clothing that complemented the queen. Varian noticed how quickly Calia blended into the ranks and nodded. He walked to Rhenn and offered his hand. "Shall we, my lady?" He asked

She rose and bowed to her husband as did her women.

They walked together and entered the council chamber where the Alliance faction leaders and several guests waited. Varian made sure his Queen had seated herself before he turned to the crowd. "My thanks for joining us on this happy day of my wife's coronation and our state wedding."

Moira Thaurissan rose to her feet nearby. The Dark Iron representative to the Council of Three Hammers smiled. "It is a wonderful day that my good friend finally takes her place as a Queen among our ranks as she long as served without the title." She looked about the room. "We, however, propose another title be added to her growing list." She beckoned to a dwarf who stepped forward with a box. She opened it and lifted a forged crown with jewels adorning it and long chains of white gold hanging from it. "The rest of the Alliance has spoken. You, Queen Rhenn, and you King Varian," She lifted a thick crown of white gold and several placed gems forming the lion symbol of Stormwind. "Are to become the two leaders of the new Alliance of Stormwind."

Varian sat back stunned.

There was banging on the tables of congratulations from all present. Varian rose to his feet. "I thank you for this high honor."

"You have served as the military head of the Alliance for years." Lady Whisperwind of Darnassus said. "We feel that together you will serve the Alliance the best at the head as we once supported Lordaeron."

Rhenn bowed.

Several days later it was evening the King and Queen wed in the great Cathedral of Light. The Queen wore a dress of white with a long white veil to match her lengthy train. The King also wore white and after they stood together on the dais looking out over the people of the Alliance whom had fit into the great church.

Varian was crowned "King of the Alliance of Stormwind" and the two female faction leaders crowned him. He then nodded to his wife whom was crowned, at her request, by Tirion Fordring, whom had also given her away at the wedding. The Highlord and Highlord Morgaine both had seats and places of honor this day. Thrall, whom had returned for this occasion, held her seal of state and he also was a man of honor. The queenly crown of state was in the shape of a butterfly stretching its wings and it wrapped about her head gracefully. The chains of gems and metal glittered in the candle light. As Tirion stepped back the Cathedral erupted into cheers of happiness and hope.

The rest of the day was a public holiday of feasting, dancing, and making merry. The king and queen sat in a canopy in the middle of the park as the people of Stormwind and the Alliance danced about and feasted. After an hour Varian rose and bowed to his queen. They then joined the clapping crowd and danced to the folk music being played by various musicians.

Thrall, Tirion, Darion, Jamiy, Marcus Jonathan, Hartley, and Thassarian all demanded and were granted a dance with the queen. It was well in the night when she could take no more and had resorted to sitting with her feet propped on a pillow. Well wishers came to see them and she thanked each and presented all with a small gift of chocolates wrapped in decorative paper.

It was passed midnight when Varian looked over from where he was talking to Tirion to see his wife nodding off. It had been a very long day.

Tirion smiled following his gaze. "You may wish to round her up now before you have to wait on your rights, Varian."

Varian chuckled. "Yes. Will you excuse me gentlemen?" He said as he rose to his feet and walked to the queen. He dipped down. "My lady shall we retire?"

She looked up at him sleepily. "Very well, Varian."

He took her hand and led her back to the keep with a small group of the home guard following them. The city would be feasting well into the next day as was customary. The King, however, by law had to bed his wife to seal the contract between the parties. It was a silly tradition and one that was for a virginal bride coming to her new kingdom, but it still was law and Varian intended to uphold it.

He took her to her chamber. The chamber was decorated in candles and the sheets had been turned down. He smiled and turned to his wife as he kissed her gently. He brushed her hair back from her head. "My beautiful Queen." He said and began to remove her dress with ruthless efficiency. He was very careful not to harm the dress since much of it had been taken from his mother and grandmother's gowns that had been found in storage, but he wanted her now.

She shivered slightly and he looked down at her. "Are you afraid?" He asked as the chemise fell to the floor leaving her bare to him in the candlelight. His finger tip traced one of her tattoos along her side as he looked down into her eyes.

"Never of you." She said and reached up to kiss him even as he worked to free himself from the confines of his own clothing. When they both were bare and wanting he pressed her backwards to the bed and they fell back onto it, kissing, whispering, and nuzzling, until words were no longer required.