Ch 20 - Epilogue – Shifting Sands

Archbishop Benedictus looked out over the people that had filled the cathedral of Light. Most people held a candle in the room. The King, the Queen, Prince Anduin, and the queen's ladies all held candles as they stood in the front of the church near the altar. Highlord Darion Mograine was notably absent, having been recalled to Northrend to aide in the defense of a key point.

It was Winter Veil and the weather had turned chilled. Snow fell nearly every day and inside the cathedral the cold was like that outside. Braziers were set about the great vaulted nave. The Archbishop of the Light was in his thickest robes to ward off the chill. Near him stood Helene, his protégé, and though he did not care for her choice in husband, the young woman's abilities to use the Light and allow it to be through, around, and in her, were remarkable.

The Queen held the new princess in her arms as the entire assembly, nearly 1500 people lit candles to mourn the dead of all the recent wars. So many had died for the Alliance and still more would die until the Lich King had been killed. Queen Rhenn herself was wearing black, a sign that she was mourning the loss of Thrall, the former Warchief of the Horde. He had lived among the humans and many had known him at least by sight. Her dark dress was a stark contrast to the normally merry time of the year when people celebrated family, friends, and a year gone by. Her somber mood seemed to reflect that of the occasion and it was very moving.

A soft hymn was being sung and a soft light glowed around Helene. The light spread from her to those about her. A feeling of calm and prosperity came over the people and those gathered left with lighter hearts.

There was not a soul in the Alliance that had not been effected by the wars in some way. Everyone had had some family member called to serve and many, too many, had had the same family members die.

ZzZ

The people of Stormwind were buzzing as they stood in the square. Today was a holiday, declared by the king, but the people sat about eating the foods offered and wondering what the occasion was. The frosted cookies and punch made everyone happy and they chattered about what event had caused the treats to be sent out and the pavilion to be erected in the center of town.

The King, the Queen, Prince Anduin, and Ellsa, one of the Queen's ladies, a Gilnean, many knew and thought of her with slight scorn since she was not from Stormwind or the Alliance as it had been. Lord Genn Greymane, his wife and his two daughters also joined the royals of the Alliance.

Varian looked out at the people gathered in the Trade District. A fresh thin coat of powdery snow covered the cobble stones and he looked at his son who was beaming beside the young Gilnean woman. Ellsa was shy, but she would be a good queen. Rhenn had taken her in hand and already the young woman held promise. Not only did she have the love and affection of the heir to the throne of Stormwind, but she had her own merits in diplomacy.

"Good people." Varian started. "I hope you are enjoying the cakes and drinks."

Cheers were heard and Varian wrapped an arm about his wife. "It is with great pleasure that I announce the engagement of Prince Anduin." There was a pause. "He had chosen the beautiful Ellsa Greymane to be his bride. Now come celebrate and enjoy the public holiday!"

The cheer was deafening as Anduin held his future wife's hand in his before he turned her to him and kissed her deeply. She was startled, but the crowd loved it. Finally, the Prince would be married and another generation on its way for the Kingdom of Stormwind.

Genn chuckled and looked at the crowd and then his niece who was flushed with embarrassment, but it was clear Anduin adored her. He then looked at his own silver haired wife and chuckled. He had been that love sick and silly when he had met and become engaged to Mia. It was good to have the united nations and it also pledged Stormwind to aide Gilneas.

The royals stayed among the people for the day enjoying the celebrations and fireworks for the happy new couple.

ZzZ

Highlord Tirion Fordring stood wrapped in a thick cloak on a hill overlooking Stormwind. Beside him, though it was hard to see through all the thick furs she wore, was Aggra, mate of Thrall. The winds whipped about them as the storm started to set in.

"You will see her safe and away from the Horde and especially Garrosh Hellscream?" Aggra asked, her voice nearly carried off by the wind.

Tirion shifted the tiny burden he held beneath his cloak. "Aye. Rhenn and I will see her safe." He looked at her. "You could take her with you to Nagrand."

"No. It is known there that Thrall and I were mated. If I bring a child with me, it will be known who sired it. Thrall wished to keep the baby a secret and so only the Earthen Ring knew of my pregnancy. They will hold their tongues for the sake of Thrall's sacrifice if nothing else."

"You could stay here. Thrall did well among the humans. They accepted him as an ally. With the Queen and I with recommends, no one would do you harm."

"I must return to my people. The babe will do well here. Thrall spoke of Rhenn as a good woman and she would keep his child safe. She swore to him on his death bed."

He nodded. "Then I wish you well." He said looking down at her almost fondly. She nodded to him and walked back to where her wyvern mount who was sitting behind them.

Tirion sighed and pulled his cloak and hold closer about him as he walked down to the main path that led to Stormwind's gates. The baby was still sleeping and was not hungry enough to wake. She looked very much like Thrall with her sky blue eyes and green skin, but her fiery red hair was that of her mother.

He walked toward the main gate. The winter storm had driving snow and it stung his face. He continued down the nearly vacant streets marveling that even the rats had found shelter. He walked briskly making his cold-tired legs work. Once in the keep, he was warmer and he pushed back his cowl. Well it was not warmer, but it was out of the wind. He continued to walk up the stairs. His mind whirled. He, though he would dearly love a grandchild, could not stay within Stormwind to raise this tiny infant. He was bound by honor to avenge his brothers and sisters whom had fallen to the Lich King and his minions.

Tirion walked into the Keep. The guards saluted him as he walked by them. He then walked toward the private areas of the Keep. There he was stopped by a Home Guard. Crispin stepped forward. "What is it that you require, Highlord Fordring?"

"I request an audience with the Queen."

"I will locate her orderly. I am sure they will be able to see you this afternoon." Crispin said sending a guard to find Lady Jonathan.

Tirion shook his head. "I would see the Queen now. I am sure she will not mind having me there. Don't worry I know my way thank you." He said and marched passed the guard who were not sure how or if they could stop him.

"Sir, I must insist you wait for…" Crispin said and the paladin waved him off.

Tirion walked straight to the Queen's audience room and knocked. Ellsa, the young to be wife of Prince Anduin answered the door. Tirion smiled at her.

"It seems an unlikely duty for the future queen to be opening doors for an old man like me." He said smiling cheerily at the Gilnean woman.

"I am in the queen's service until I wed the Prince. What, may I ask, is this about, sir?"

"I am here to see the Queen." Tirion said. "Go on, I know she will see me."

The Gilnean woman looked a touch crestfallen and nodded as she retreated to one of the back rooms. She returned trailing the immaculate Queen of the Alliance. The handmaidens moved about the queen as she walked to Highlord Fordring. The paladin looked at the young woman fondly and then smiled at Helene.

"I would speak to you privately." Tirion said in an undertone. "But Helene I require as well."

Rhenn dropped gracefully into a chair and nodded to her daughter to join her. The handmaidens took the hint about her. Calia was among them, Tirion noted, though recently widowed the young woman seemed steadfast. Her arm was in a sling, but she filed out with the other women.

Tirion listened for the door to close before he turned back to Rhenn who was watching him expectantly. "My honor requires me to return to Northrend to defeat Arthas, the betrayer, but I hope I can ask a favor of you, my queen."

Helene cocked her head. Tirion Fordring was of enough rank to make demands, not request things, but he still had his gentile side it would seem.

Rhenn folded her hands in her lap. "Name it."

"This is why I wished Helene to remain." He drew back his cloak revealing the small green skinned babe with her fiery red hair. "Aggra has depart for her homeland of Nagrand and left this child all, but orphaned." He looked down at the baby who was still too tired from birth to stir. "She has no place in this world, but I had hoped perhaps, you Helene, since you do not have any children and by the look in your eye, dearly wish them, if you could mother this small fondling."

Helene, as Tirion had expected, instantly reached for the baby. He gently eased her into Helene's embrace. Helene had wanted children and married to an undead had made the possibly of procreation impossible, however the Mograine's could adopt.

The blue eyes opened and looked up, but they did not track Helene's fingers. She instead cooed feeling secure for now, not hungry enough to cry out.

Rhenn watched her daughter and then looked up at Tirion. "She is blind, but her eyes, her eyes are Thrall's."

Tirion nodded. "She is to be an orphan and her paternity secret." Tirion tender lifted a hand and light shown about the baby a moment. "Aggra said that blue eyes met a gift in shamanism." He looked at Rhenn. "Perhaps you can teach her the ways."

"I am still learning, I…" Rhenn began, but Tirion lifted a calming hand.

"The best way to master a skill is to teach it to another." He said. "She will be no different and I am sure being raised as the adopted grandchild of the Queen of the Alliance will help her win favor."

"What is her name?" Helene asked letting the tiny thing suckle on her finger a moment.

"Shagara." Tirion said. "Aggra named her after the setting sun."

Helene smiled and rose to her feet. She went to the door and called for a servant to bring her fresh goat's milk and some cloth diapers.

Tirion smiled at Rhenn. "She accepts motherhood so easily. Little she knows of the trials before her. A orc will not always be welcome in the Alliance and a orc raised by humans will find little favor with the Horde."

"Thrall was raised by humans and look what he accomplished." Rhenn said softly. She rose to her feet and smiled at Tirion. "Why should his daughter be any different?" She smiled and embraced the elder paladin. "You have granted my daughter's greatest wish."

"You do not think Highlord Mograine will be too upset do you?" Tirion asked as Helene walked around the room humming to the orcling who was rapidly falling asleep again, lulled by the soft song and tone of the lullaby.

Rhenn chuckled softly. "Hardly. The man will do well with a child of his own. He loves Sheerah and Jamiy's children when he is able to be around them. I am fairly sure the desires for family remain in whatever remains of his heart."

He nodded. "I am forever in your debt for this." He said softly.

Rhenn looked at him. "Hardly, I would do anything for Thrall, and he wished me to help his mate and child. Though we will not speak of such things outside this room, she will be well looked after and have the education of a princess of this land." She smiled. "And between Rehgar and I she will be a shaman to rival her sire's skills."

A squawk made them turn and Helene gently shifted the baby. The blue eyes were wide and she was whimpering. A servant entered the room with a bottle of still warm goat's milk and some clothes. Helene then dropped into chair by the window and began to teach the small being about a bottle. Though it was not well received the warm milk incited the baby to at least try to suck from the nipple. Helene had to burp her several times due to the amount of air she sucked in with the milk, but at least the baby was full, her small tummy sticking outward as she dozed on a blanket near the fireplace heedless of the adults talking about her.

Helene was starting a blanket as she sat in a chair near the small green being.

Tirion smiled at Rhenn. "I will leave you to it. You have my thanks." He said and bowed deeply.

Rhenn bowed back, but not as low. She smiled as he left. Rhenn rose and went to her daughter who was watching the small orcling. The baby was blissfully snoring and shifted slightly in sleep. To Helene, she was perfect, even if her skin was a different color.

"You will be a good mother." She said.

Helene smiled. "She is beautiful. Do you think Darion will be angry?"

Rhenn chuckled. "I doubt he would be at all. He would do anything for you."

zZz

True enough.

The Highlord of Ebon Blade came to see his wife a week later after being told by Highlord Fordring that his wife had a surprise for him. He walked through the maze of corridors that made up the living quarters of Stormwind Keep.

Queen Rhenn was also on her way back from a guild meeting of the SI:7 rogues. Master Shaw held the queen in high respect and often requested her presence in meetings to keep tempers from flaring. No one seemed to wish to shout when the Queen of the Alliance was present.

Highlord Mograine bowed to Rhenn as he saw her. "Greetings, your majesty."

She waved her hand at him. "Please Darion, when we are in private, please dispense with the formality. It really is tiresome to be so formal all day and then have my own family be as well."

He chuckled, his voice metallic sounding as he bent down and kissed her cheek with his cool lips. "Very well, mother." He said.

"What brings you from the icy north?"

"Highlord Fordring informed me my wife had a surprise for me and that I should see it as soon as possible."

Rhenn smiled. "Aye."

He looked and noted his wife was not among the queen's ladies.

Rhenn beckoned him to follow her and he followed to a set of guest rooms near the queen's own chambers. "I have relocated your family here." She said.

"My family?" Darion asked.

Rhenn opened the door to reveal Helene walking about with a small bundle in her arms. She turned a little to see who had come and saw her mother and smiled before turning back to the window. Darion had been in the shadows, but Rhenn nudged him into the room.

He watched his wife a moment and then walked to her. She was holding a bottle and softly humming to the bundle in her arms.

Darion came to her and she looked up. Her face was soft and full of welcoming surprise. "Darion." She whispered.

He looked into the bundle. Icy blue eyes were looking out. The green face was actually not as ugly as he would have thought an orc to be and the shock of red hair caught his interest. He then smiled and looked down at the sightless eyes before kissing his wife softly on the cheek.

"A baby." He breathed. "Whose?"

"She is an orphan." She said. "Tirion asked me to care for her. She is his ward, but she is our daughter."

Darion, who had learned that orcs were just as humanoid as he was, nodded. He had joined The Argent Dawn because he believed that all the races should be able to join the cause of the light, not just humans as the Scarlet Crusade held. He had fought alongside Horde in Naxxramas and had watched them die and bleed as he did.

He smiled and cupped the small head. The baby moved as if trying to see him.

"She is blind." Helene explained softly. "But mother says according to tradition, blue eyes are a mark of power and good. Thrall had such eyes and look what he accomplished."

"Indeed." He smiled.

Rhenn shut the door allowing the new family to get acquainted. She smiled. It was good for Helene to have a baby. Though not of her womb, the child would have two loving parents, which is what she needed.

zZz

Anduin was walking on air.

He walked into the throne room somewhat in a daze. It had been only three months since his marriage to his wife Ellsa. He grinned and could not stop grinning.

Varian noted the change in his son as he walked in. The sometimes brooding man felt his heart lift to see his son so happy. Varian himself was happier these days, spending all the time he could with his wife and new daughter that he could.

The throne room now had the great thrones of Varian and Rhenn and then three smaller chairs. Two were to Rhenn's right for Anduin and his new Princess and the other was for Genn Greymane. His own wife, Mia, had been offered a place, but she had turned it down, preferring to stand when she was in attendance or just not showing.

Varian rose to his feet to greet his son looking up from his conversation with the once-lord of Gilneas. "My son, what has you so elated?"

Anduin bowed and then beamed all the more. "Ellsa is going to make me a father soon."

Varian laughed and clapped his son on the back before taking his hand. "Congratulations, my boy. I see the Wrynn blood is hot in your veins as well." He grinned. Though Rhenn had been a grandmother several times over and Varian regarded these children as his grandchildren as well, this would be the first grandchild of his blood, and there for special to him. Rhenn had spoken how she had felt when Jamiy had first shown her, her first grandchild. It was an experience that though the next children felt special as well, it was not the same as the first.

Genn rose and took the Crown Prince's hand heartily. "Well done." He smiled. "Ellsa has been meeting expectations I see."

Varian looked at the Gilnean with an arched eyebrow. "She is a Princess, not a brood mare."

"Yes, of course, but it is good to have the country secure with an heir coming." Genn said, his voice a little pained. Varian laid a hand on his shoulder knowing that it had been hard on the older man to mourn his son, Liam. Mia and he were too old to try for another son, but should the country be reclaimed, Varian, at least privately, knew that one of the two sisters would rule just as well as the Liam would have.

Anduin seemed not to be phased by the remarks, he was too excited as a first time father. Varian beamed at his son. He had been so when Tiffin had told him she was pregnant as well. It added to the male prowess and to know a wife carried a child made the union that much more tender.

For now, however, the babe growing in Ellsa's womb would be the child uniting Gilneas and Stormwind forever, and that was cause for celebration.