Ch 14 - The Hour of the Queen
The Risen/Scourge unholy alliance took its time laying waste to the lands around Stormwind seeming to think that would be where the supplies would come in. They forgot Stormwind was a port and the harbor was heavily protected. Also with the dwarven designed cistern system, Stormwind could survive a siege with over 200,000 souls for months.
The troops that had been recalled back to the capital were anxious to fight. The days were warmer than in many parts of Northrend and many had been fighting for more than a year. Many were disheartened and disease in the temporary camps was everywhere. The healers worked with gnomish engineers to make the camps more sanitary and move the sewage away. Slowly the illnesses lessened, though of the twenty thousand that had returned to fight only fifteen were able to fight.
The King paced in his War Room with his generals at his side. The Risen/Scourge were crossing the river into the Elwynn Forest. They were receiving updates every five minutes from the scouts. Varian had a siege to prepare for and the birth of his child. Rhenn had gained her strength back, but the baby was less than a month off coming and he did not wish it to be born into his capital that might fall. The thought of his wife killed and raised as a mindless undead and the babe with her made him grow icy with fury.
He was planning on how to remove his wife to a safe spot. The Scourge had taken over much of the Stormwind provinces and he knew if he was to send her away, it would have to be further. Gilneas would have her, but the dreary weather could make her ill and many of those able to fight were in Stormwind including Genn Greymane. They were also fighting on two fronts, for the Alliance and for their own homeland, and thus likely could not guarantee the safety of the queen.
Highlords Darion Mograine and Tirion Fordring arrived by portal with Jaina Proudmoore from Dalaran. With Tirion was a middle aged man. Varian recognized him vaguely, but did not know from where. The man removed his hat and bowed to the king.
Varian looked to Tirion and arched an eyebrow.
"This man is Garrett." Tirion said. He nodded to the man. "He was one of Turalyon's officers and was with him when he felled Doomhammer." He watched Garrett straighten.
Garrett was a large man and had been a blacksmith. Now a war hero he had settled into domestic life with three lovely daughters who helped him tend his lands. His wife had been the daughter of the old mayor of Southshore before he had been washed away by a great tidal wave. They lived now near the great wall bordering the Arathi Highlands on the outskirts of the small town of New Southshore. He had come to Stormwind after being recalled to protect the capital, but Tirion had sought him out knowing that he had left his daughters without anyone to watch them and the King needed to place the Queen in the care of a soldier. Though the man had turned a farmer he still was known well for his abilities with a blade.
"Mograine has asked to have his wife removed from the capital. I know the Queen will soon give birth and a siege is no place for a newly born babe." Tirion went on.
General Jonathan nodded. "My wife is also near her time. I would send her away as well. Most of the other women whom are pregnant had been relocated. Our wives are stubborn." He said looking to the King.
Varian nodded slowly. Rhenn had been stubborn. She had sent wives and young children to Theramore to stay with Lady Jaina. The sorceress was there leaning on her staff as she watched the exchange.
"Rhenn, Helene, and Lady Jonathan are all welcome in Theramore, but the pact I have with Warchief Hellscream may not be the best place for the Queen of the Alliance herself." She took a breath. "Dalaran is not either for she is known there."
"Indeed." Varian said. He looked to Tirion. "Garrett looks to be a fine man and with his battle record he would protect my wife well. But how will he keep her identity a secret?"
"My half sister, your majesty, is named Amaya. She is here in Stormwind. My girls have never met her. It would be easy enough to have her as such and she is both younger and a half elf as her majesty is." Garrett said.
Varian sighed. "But only one soldier…"
"No." Darion interjected. "I will be sending two of my men north. The militia in New Southshore is in need of training and discipline before they join our ranks on the battle field." He cocked his head. "They would keep the queen safe."
Varian nodded. "This would seem to be a good plan." He sighed. "Now to convince my wife that she will be leaving." He looked to Darion. "Send your men ahead to avoid suspension."
Mograine nodded. "I will send Thassarian and Abyssion. Thassarian is known to the queen and she will trust his presence."
Varian took a step to Garrett. "I am trusting you with the jewels of this kingdom. Do not disappoint me." He said scowling at the thought of his beloved being apart from him. At the same time he knew that it was the best possible solution to keep her and his coming baby safe and out of danger. And yet it pained him to have thoughts of her leaving his protection and bed.
Garrett looked up at him. "I will guard her with my life, majesty. On my honor, she will be safe."
Varian nodded.
Tirion nodded. "Good. Jaina. You must return to the refugees in Theramore and I to Icecrown. Jamiy is keeping the forces well in hand. The young man is brilliant for stategy." The sorceress opened a portal and they stepped through to Dalaran.
Varian scowled at the maps before him.
ZzZ
The escape routes were diminishing and the Queen watched the fires from her window. The fires were bonfires made by the Risen army not to keep warm or eat, but to mark locations of various groups under certain commanders.
Helene had left with a small group that was heading toward Redridge to escape the Risen. She had hated to leave, but her husband had convinced her to leave the city. They left through the secret passage to Northshire and from there gryphons flew them over the hills to the town of Lakeshire where people were also evacuating. Those who were able were sent to fight and those unable were being sent to various locations including Ironforge and the Wetlands to cross to Theramore.
The Risen had cut off the northern escape route for the refuges and thus trapped them in the valley of Lakeshire with only a small garrison and the militia to guard them. However, the Risen seemed more into cutting them off than actually attacking and so they stayed making ready for a defense.
Varian looked out over the lands beyond the battlements. He heard the soldiers whispering about that this would be where they would die, but at least it was home not on a glacier in Northrend. This battle was for home and keeping all they knew safe.
Beside him Anduin was looking out. "Mother does not wish to leave." The young man said. "I have been trying to convince her, but she refuses. She sends others away and stays."
"She is stubborn." Varian said darkly. "Her safety is my top concern and I have a man who will take her north." He looked at his son. "By force if he has to. I will not have my queen here to die and my child with her." He looked at his son. "Having you here will be hard enough."
"I have proven myself, father." The young man countered. "She has as well. Would you let her stay of she was not carrying a child?"
Varian considered that. He sighed and his scowl deepened. "No." He said flatly. "Her safety would be a distraction and others would be victims."
Anduin nodded. "Yes, you have a point."
"Our army is losing faith in the wars." Varian said looking out again. "We must find a way to bring them back to fight for home and the Alliance. Some have become ill and died, others have lost their homes, and others their families. Even now some of them ready to fight family members who are now scourge and Risen."
A cheer went up behind them and they looked back toward the Trade Square. They could not see the reason for the gathering, but they walked down the stairs to the Valley of Heroes and into the main square.
On the back of a pale grey mare sat Rhenn in her own battle clothing that few had seen. Though part of it was high due to her expanded belly, she looked ready to fight and the people were crowded around her. Soldiers were knelt before her.
The King saw his queen meet his gaze as he pulled himself up onto a porch of a nearby shop. She slid to the earth. One soldier steadied her and she stood before them.
"My people!" She cried. "I was not born to this country nay even to you, but you took me in as one of your own. I have lived among you for most of my life and fought long and hard for peace. However, it would seem the land which is already in strife has other plans. I call upon you brothers and sisters. Will you fight and defend your homeland or will you flee from your own shadows. I came here a child, but I was amazed by the loyalty the people of Stormwind have not only to the King, but to the Alliance itself. If the clans of my family had banded together, perhaps they would not be near extinction. Even now the United Alliance is on the brink. The Undead march on our very heart. Will you let them stab it and rid the would the humans or will you stand and fight. I for one will fight until my dying breath for this land and the kingdom that has made me its queen. I carry the King's child, but I would fight at your side. My husband, the King, will beside you as will my stepson. Will you be brave and fight? I know some of you will fall, but being remembered as a hero of the Alliance is a great honor for the fallen and for the family of the fallen. Uther Lightbringer, himself, is a saint in the Church of the Light and he will always be remembered for his sacrifice to this land and the people. Will you join me and remember him and liberate our home from the undead. The undead will not take our town and the Light burning in our souls. We will defeat them! Who is with me?" She cried. She was calling at the top of her lungs and the soldiers about her were applauding and cheering for the Queen.
She smiled and lifted her hands as soldiers came and lifted her up onto their shoulders and began to sing the Stormwind anthem for the Kingdom. She sat balanced in the shoulders of two men and laughed clapping and cheering the raise of moral in her people.
Anduin and Varian watched as the men and women carried the queen about the square. Anduin grinned at his father who just shook his head and clapped to the beat of the song. Anduin joined in and Varian took a breath. Again his Queen had done it. What he had planned on doing was giving a speech to inspire war heroes, his wife had done to gain the trust with memories of who they were. He looked about him. Soldiers who had been thinking to desert or derelict in some manner were now cheering in support of the cause.
Genn Greymane and his Worgen were in the group and found their own spirits lifted by the queen whom spoke true about the Light and the mettle the men were made of.
All Varian could do was join in the cheering before making his way to his queen's side to kiss her deeply and embrace her. Rhenn, his queen of ages, his rock, the woman he was to send away soon, was now a hero.
ZzZ
Varian looked down at his sleeping wife. He gently played with her thick golden hair in the half light. The day was quickly becoming night and he would send her away in the middle of the night. He was doing it for her safety and for the safety of his people. With her away he would be able to think about the war and how to battle the undead army.
Rhenn shifted in her sleep and he pulled her tighter against him and nuzzled her neck trying to lose himself in her scent at least for now. He needed her, but also needed to become Lo'Gosh, the Ghost Wolf gladiator who won brave battles in the Crimson Ring with the strategy. His wife safe would be the only way to insure the town did not fall.
"My love." He whispered. Her speech had made the soldiers become brave and ready for the undead beyond the walls. He could have given a speech that would have motivated them as well, but the pregnant queen had been among them and called them to defend their homeland.
She woke. She had been tired, but happy when they had returned to the Keep. Varian had pounced dragging her from the public eye and pulling at her clothing as he kissed her walking down the hall. Newer servants were mortified and older servants just chuckled and discreetly followed picking up clothing and armor to place in the King's chambers. Her majesty's rooms were closer to the throne room and the keep center.
Varian had had his wicked way with her there, praising the Light that she was already with child for sending her away in such a way without knowing a babe was in her belly and wondering if the tryst had produced on would have caused his mind to wonder. Even more so if she had returned in the state. His jealous rage may have done something foolish, though as he sobered slightly, he never would strike her as Grekko once had.
Rhenn's eyes opened and she blinked sleep from her eyes. She took a breath. "I know why you woke me." She said softly. "You are going to send me away." She looked toward the fire.
He propped himself on his elbow as he pulled her body against his. She was facing away from him and her body fit to his as he absently brushed a piece of her hair back from her face. He collected his thoughts. Her comment had shot through his guard.
"I need you safe from this." He said lowly.
She sat up slowly and sighed. "I am to be put away while my adopted country is torn apart?" She asked. She rose to her feet. She walked to the fireplace and rubbed her hands together. It offered her little warmth. Varian remained where he was watching her.
"You brought this country together." He said softly. "But you cannot expect me to have my mind fully on the city while you are within the walls laboring to bring forth my child." He sat up his back to her a moment. "You cannot ask me to not think about you, should the city fall, that you could be killed." He turned the firelight dancing on his rugged features. "I lost one wife when I could have kept her safe. Do not ask me to have you in danger." He said. His eyes looked like molten core as he watched her turn to him. Her belly was like a veined white fruit. He could even from across the room see the child moving within her.
"Tiffin still haunts you." She said. "Even now." She took a breath. She then looked up at him. "What if the city falls and you die? Have you ever thought about my own thoughts on such matters? If you are risen as a ghoul and you then killed those you cared for and once loved like countless scourge? Do you think I could handle the pain of not knowing if you and Anduin lived or had been killed?"
"I won't die." He said sternly. He rose to his feet and padded naked to her. She watched him wearily as he came to her and embraced her as she stood stiff and unmoved. He held his warm body to hers. "I will not die and I will not have Anduin die." He nuzzled her hair. "Believe that."
"I do not know what to believe anymore." She said looking back at the fire. "I carry the child of a king and I am being sent away to be a nobody." She slapped her belly. "I mean nothing."
He turned her to him appalled by the nearly vacant look in her look as if she were retreating within herself. He gripped her arms and shook her lightly. "Sweetheart. I wish there was another way. All your ladies are gone, except for Kallin whom I am sending with you."
Her eyes focused on his. She lifted a hand to his face and he pressed it to his cheek watching her. He turned his face and kissed her palm lovingly. "I am afraid." She whispered.
"I am too." He answered his hand rising to her face to brush the soft tear he found there. "I cannot stand to be away from you, but for the good of my kingdom and the people within it, I must have my mind cleared for the battle ahead." He cupped her face between his great hands. "Please, I do this out of love for you and my people. Understand that."
She nodded. "I do. I do understand." She said softly. She looked up at him. "I love you, Varian." She whispered. She pulled him to her to kiss him. He kissed her back. It was not the impassioned kiss they had shared an hour before, but it was gentle, loving, and reaffirming of their bond. "I will go." She said as he pressed his forehead to hers. "By the Light I love you. I do not wish to be parted from you." She told him tears in her eyes.
His hand dropped to her belly as the other tangled in her tousled hair. "Light give me strength." He whispered as he pressed another kiss to her brow and they stood together for several minutes.
ZzZ
The gryphon cooed softly as its dwarven handler placed the heavy metal armor about its body. It would not fly as far as unarmored gryphons, but it would reach a safe place outside the reach of the Scourge so that the queen would be safe to travel on. The first stop would be a long night flight to Loch Modan. The gryphon would arrive there in the early hours of morning and the queen could rest in the inn as a commoner. From there it would be a two day journey to New Southshore where Garrett's farm and daughters were.
Kallin was lifted onto the back of a ready gryphon by her husband, General Jonathan. He pressed a soft kiss to her mouth and pressed a hand to her womb. The young woman was dressed as a commoner and looked the part even down to her hair style and lack of added color to her lips and cheeks.
Garrett was seated on a large male gryphon. Two dwarves from Ironforge would accompany them to Loch Modan. The Mountainers often traveled and would not raise eyebrows riding in with common folk. Most would just guess they were escorting the pregnant common women to a resting place. They were already on their gryphons watching the small crowd.
At the small door Rhenn emerged wearing simple peasant clothing that if anything made her pregnancy more visible. Her thick weather cloak had been her husband's many years ago when he had returned to Stormwind as Lo'Gosh, the Gladiator. It was stained, but would keep her warm on the night flight.
Anduin embraced his mother and whispered to her. She nodded and kissed his cheek before walking to the gryphon. She was helped into the saddle by the human gryphon master. He was a burly man who smiled as he attached her small bag to the saddle and then belted her onto the beast so she could not fall even if she fell asleep.
Varian, dressed in his full armor, came to her side and looked at her. He lifted a small pouch. "To keep you safe." He said. "It has always given me luck." He tried to smile. Instead he stooped and kissed her deeply causing her lips to bruise under the pressure. She stifled a yelp as he devoured her mouth for the final time before he stepped back with a loud smacking noise as their lips parted. "Go!" He barked and slapped the gryphon's lion hindquarters.
It bellowed and launched into the air with a great flapping and looking back angrily at the king who had already turned away. Anduin and General Jonathan watched them go until they were out of sight.
"Light give me strength." Varian repeated as he leaned against the cool stones of the keep. "Light protect my wife, my son, and the unborn." He said.
With that he turned and walked into the castle his head up and ready for war.