Burden of the Heart

And another Chapter done. This one was hard to write for some reason. Had a bit of a writer's block because I know what happens after this part and how it should connect, but wasn't sure how to handle this part. I am happy though how it eventually turned out. Things are starting to get more apparent...next chapter features the Cataclysm at last! More action then pass chapters and more crabby Darion. Because a crabby Darion is an oh so sexy Darion, yes?

Thank you for all the author./story alerts, favorite story/authors, and of course a special thank you to Alzriel and Mdnight for their reviews. Reviews become the fuel to make Le Pomme's brain tick and write more of this story.

I'm tempted to draw a scene from this particular chapter actually. I can draw fairly well when time permits and some fluffy pictures are always fun, no? Here is the deal. If I get three or more reviews after the posting of this chapter I swear to draw a scene from this chapter. I say it is a fair deal.

Anyways enjoy as always,

Le Pomme

Chapter 5: Patronizing

Undercity was nearly a home away from home to Darion. The place smelt of death and the chill of the tomb was a constant companion. However it lacked the silence of the Ebon Hold or the same sense of order. But then, Ebon Hold was not a bustling city like Undercity was.

Despite being the home of the Forsaken, it was surprisingly full of life. However it was still, at the moment, not a place he was entering in good spirit. The Highlord of the Ebon Blade nearly knocked over the poor guards as he stalked in. Taynia was asleep against him again and he didn't want to wake her. No, she needed her sleep. As he stepped into the central area of Undercity, heads turned towards him. It was odd enough to see the Highlord of all people in Undercity other than announced visits far in advanced, even more rare to see a human being brought in not in chains and not going straight to the dungeons. Coolly, Darion met those stares with a meaningful glare that could have frozen a fire elemental. Quickly gazes were averted.

He then looked down at the sleeping human and sighed. It would do no good to take her into the little "meeting" he planed to have with Sylvanas. The Highlord glanced up and looked about for something that resembled an inn. Darion found it easily. Seemed the Forsaken were short in imagination when naming their inn "The Inn". Carefully he made his way over and fixed the nervous looking Forsaken with an unblinking glare.

"You, Innkeeper. Get a bed ready for my companion," he commanded icily, "She will remain here as I meet with Queen Sylvanas. If I return and she has come to any harm..." He paused as he leaned forward jabbing a finger at the Forsaken man, "I will hold you personally responsible and take great pleasure in showing you how I take failure,"

Innkeeper Norman only gave a quick nod shuffling over to make ready the best bed in his inn, "Of course Highlord. It will be met to your liking and she will sleep like a babe undisturbed,"

"Good. I'll pay you well when I return," Darion said relaxing his tone a bit as he carefully slide off his mount and taking Taynia into his arms. She was light but then she was a small woman as far as humans went. Not the most threatening thing that was for sure. Probably she was a priestess because the priesthood was the only order recruiting lambs to send to war.

He laid her down in the bed and haphazardly threw the covers over her. Taynia only grumbled and rolled over pulling the blankets about her form. He allowed himself a ghost of a smile before turning to mount up again. However he paused just as he was turning his Deathcharger back to the bustle of the city, "Oh...and would you get someone to look after this damn mare? Feed it whatever. I don't care much about its health or survival," he added as an afterthought.

At least he could claim to Taynia he tried to help her damn mare. The stupid horse had followed tenaciously after him and arrived at Undercity a sweating furball. By the Light, if only he could convince Taynia to get something more useful! Yet she seemed to have some bizarre attachment to her mare.

Darion shook his head to clear his mind of that animal ignoring the Innkeeper's nod as the Forsaken took the reigns of the exhausted mare. He had bigger things to think about. Bigger bitches to direct his wrath towards. He could at least take comfort in that.

…...

Taynia was very comfortable although whatever bed she was in smelt faintly of mold. Faintly but nothing too bad. It was warm and comfortable. She yawned and rolled onto her back smiling happily opening her eyes slowly to behold the dank ceiling of what looked like a crypt...and immediately she sat up eyes wide. She had fallen asleep against Darion again. The Death knight had been adamant of making few stops on the way to Undercity and with her riding with him. She didn't mind though. After seeing Southshore...the comfort he was giving was appreciated. These attempts, especially from Darion who seemed stuck in a constant state of irritation, probably were harder for him to do for her. That is what made them even more touching to the priestess.

However she had not expected to wake up alone in the middle of the Horde controlled city. The Forsaken, who was slowly sweeping at the front of the inn, paused and turned to look at her offering a lopsided rotten smile, "Good Afternoon miss and welcome to The Inn. My name is Innkeeper Norman and the Highlord left you in my care and I assure you, I will not let anyone cause you harm,"

Taynia nodded even though she wanted to run screaming to wherever Darion was and hit him hard for leaving her with a Forsaken. One of the same Forsaken who unleashed the horrible plagued on Southshore. She paused her thoughts, closing her eyes. No. That was not true. She doubted very much a simple innkeeper had anything to do with the plague. She sighed and opened her eyes to regard innkeeper Norman and offered a faint smile, "thank you...uh..."she paused, "Do you have anything to eat by chance?"

The Forsaken Innkeeper nodded and moved to a bumbling cauldron, "Yes I do in fact. Travelers from all over Azeroth pay a visit to this inn. Horde of course but I think that fares that an orc or Tauren can eat will be fine on the stomach of a human,"

Taynia gave a slight nod as she mauled over her situation. Darion was going to come back it seemed so she just had to sit tight and hide behind the innkeeper. It seemed that the Highlord had frightened the Forsaken a good bit and she couldn't blame him. Darion could be frightening when he wanted to. All he had to do was give that creepily happy angry smile of his and you could watch abominations running for the hills.

Norman returned handing her a bowl of the soup. Carefully she took it with a smile of thanks lifting the spoon to take a small taste. It wasn't bad...she at least wasn't dying yet. She smiled more, "It tastes very good Innkeeper Norman. My compliments. Tastes like a recipe Lindia uses,"

"Lindia...? Lindia Norman by chance?" The Forsaken asked suddenly.

Taynia blinked lying the spoon against her cheek tapping it lightly," Hmm...actually yes. Her last name is Norman. Why do you ask?"

"Well..."Innkeeper began slowly looking up at Taynia, his eyes glinting a bit, "She is my sister!"

…...

Darion strode pass the guards holding himself erect with all the air his rank of Highlord graced upon him. The Death knight did not pay any head to the trappings of wealth and defense, nor the guards as he entered the throne room of Sylvanas. He only came to a stop in front of her scowling darkly dropping a quick bow although truly he didn't believe the self appointed banshee queen deserved that, "Sylvanas," he said in a slightly sneering tone not using her title on purpose, "I was half expecting to see you dressed like the Lich King in all fairness this evening,"

The corners of Sylvanas's lips turned downwards slightly at Darion's ill-mannered greeting. It wasn't a surprise though. Highlord Darion Mograine was known for his lack of manners and his short biting temper at gatherings. Impatient, impulsive, and a dangerous enemy to have, however, he chose to remain neutral and brood in his lair rather then pick a fight. Usually. Today though he seemed to be baring his teeth for more bite than bark. Sylvanas reclined back slightly, "Why Darion, you seem more elegant then usual today. To what do I own the pleasure of your pleasant company?" She said back with equal disrespect.

The Highlord's eyes narrowed, "How about the plague you are spreading in Hillsbrad?" Darion responded icily, "The one that looks similar to the one the late Lich King was so very fond of using to enslave our respected people with?"

The Banshee Queen's fists tightened slightly at Darion's jibe and her frown increased more becoming blacker, her eyes blazing, "I was entrusted to take a port for the Horde in the Northern Lands. Southshore was one of two areas to obtain,"

"Do I even want to know what other nation and towns you are using to grow your own Scourge with?" Darion drawled crossing his arms, "It makes me want to recall all the knights I have working for the Horde, but I doubt Thrall knows what methods you are using to achieve the will of the Horde,"

"Thrall? My dear Darion, have you not heard? Garrosh is the new warchief of the Horde," She said with a thin smile.

"That moron? By the light..." The Highlord groaned, "He probably even knows less than Thrall concerning your foul nature and tactics of late but I doubt even he would approve even your sickly sweet poisonous words,"

The Banshee Queen scowled again, "And who are you to challenge my nature Darion Mograine? Despite both of us sharing the curse of undeath and having broken free of the Lich king, we have little to agree upon,"

"Even less than that. undeath is not as much as a curse as you make it out to be. It is only a curse if you embrace it," The Highlord found himself saying remembering Taynia and the ways she was reminding him how to live in a way. It still seemed to him like a mockery of life truly but...it comforted him to an extent and made undeath more bearable. What he was saying now was probably something he was spouting more to get under Sylvanas than him actually believing it. At least that is what he made himself believe.

Sylvanas arched an eyebrow, a smirk spreading across her face, "Oh? The Highlord of the Ebon Blade admitting that the undead can live again? That is unlike you. Tell me, who are you to lecture me about living when you wallow in your death and misery more than anyone?"

"Maybe I did..." Darion said closing his eyes briefly, "But I know better now. The valor of the living in Northrend, both Alliance and Horde, the power of the Light, and personal experiences of late, I'm beginning to see there is more to unlife then just jealously hating the living," He opened his eyes fixing her with an accusing stare, "like you, oh Banshee Queen,"

Sylvanas got to her feet, fury burning in her eyes, teeth bared in an open leer but she said no words as the Highlord matched her fire with his cold, expressionless gaze. He only gave a bow as he maintained that eye contact between them, "I've said all I've come to say and have gotten my answers. Enjoy your kingdom of mindless slaves in solitude Banshee Queen,"

Then without another word, Darion turned on his heels and stalked out feeling a mean spirited pride for how deep his words had cut today. Getting one up on the sly tongue of the Banshee Queen was not something many could attest to, let alone the Highlord of the Ebon Blade on a usual day. But this time...this time it had been more personal not just from his own experiences. Taynia had been the fire behind his words or, she was the reason he had fire in his heart at the sight of Southshore's ruins. How did she even get inside to start a fire though was another question.

To say the least, Darion had grown...attached to the human priestess. Probably it was more out of the fact she was already tenaciously clinging to him like a barnacle to a ship. Or perhaps it was more he was clinging to her because she gave him hope again. He scowled shaking his head driving out the thought that there was any sort of way she could help him. He was her guardian and that is what happened when you guarded someone for so long and went through experiences with them. A bond of companionship had developed between them but it was nothing serious. It had to be nothing serious.

Darion let out a sigh as he headed back to the Trade Quarter feeling a sudden weariness descend on his shoulders as the business with Sylvanas, Taynia, the Forsaken Blight, and all the other worries of the world he was involved with returned. He took off his helm and rubbed his right temple with one hand as he looked ahead at the large crowd gathered in front of the inn...crowd?

He groaned having this sinking feeling that somehow, beyond all plausibility, that the damn priestess had somehow caused trouble. As soon as she was awake something was doomed to go wrong. The woman was the eye of a hurricane, there was little doubt of that fact. He pushed through the crowd ignoring the angry jibes and growls sent his way. Frankly if they had and issue he would be sure to show them how foolish it was to pick a fight with the Highlord of the Ebon Blade.

Eventually he got to the front of the crowd, frowning. He arched an eyebrow though at the sight of the priestess putting...letters of all things into a sack. Confusion was his first response but he carefully steeled his face as he moved forward blankly looking at her and at her letters, "Doing a delivery to Father Wintervale, priestess?" He asked casually crossing his arms, giving a frown.

Taynia looked up at him, smiling brightly, "Darion! You are back and uh this? Actually I didn't mean for it to happen but well I guess talk gets around fast in any city!"

He took a seat nearby and turned to shoot a nasty glare at the crowd. The Innkeeper got the vibe of dislike of all the attention and he was quick to start shooing the crowd away with a nervous laugh. The Highlord gave a slight snort and turned back to Taynia, "Uh huh...so what DID happen here?"

"Well...I was talking to Norman and it turns out his sister is alive and well and lives nearby to me in Stormwind. Lovely chef she is by the way, but anyways, I suggest he write a letter and I would deliver it to her. He mentioned it to the shop keeper nearby who wanted to write a letter to deliver to their cousin and then someone else had a grandmother and then an orc wanted to ask how a dwarf he befriended briefly in Stranglethorn was doing...and well..." Taynia shrugged helplessly with a smile, "It lead to this. I don't mind though. I think it is wonderful that their can be friendships between the Horde and Alliance. It is the building blocks for peace at last,"

"...you are so annoying," Darion deadpanned, "Now we have to drag all this with us when we head south to Stormwind,"

Taynia blushed a bit in shame and looked away playing lightly with her hair, "Well...I could have my mare carry it..."

"Then what are you going to ride?" Darion asked eyes narrowing, "You think that I'm going to let you ride with me again?"

"Actually, I was hoping I could. I mean if you don't mind," Taynia said quickly, "I feel safer riding with you, Darion,"

The Highlord just stared at her before letting out a low growl of annoyance reaching a hand up to rub his temples again. The fact was he was going to cave in. He already could feel he was going to give in to her demands. He liked having her riding with him but it was out of a want to protect her. It was just some age old paladin instinct that not even death could destroy. Also she made him feel warm inside and was awakening something that Darion both feared but wanted more and more to feel. It was an addiction to something she was injecting into him with every smile and word...

"Fine. It might be faster this way," Darion relented, frowning, "But don't think I'm going to be offering you free rides after this last one,"

"Of course not..."Taynia said looking down, "I doubt I'll ever see you again once we reach Stormwind,"

Darion tensed up as the statement crashed into his mind evoking a shift of emotions. She was right. He would take her to Stormwind and then they would part ways, most likely never to see each other again...but he would be thinking about her and how quite his life was becoming again when she left. The Highlord found it alarming that it was hard to imagine life without her drama causing ability and mindless chatter. Slowly she was working deeper under his skin...all the more reason to make this journey quickly.

"Of course," he said at length although his voice betrayed a slight hint of dislike of the idea, "We will be moving quick. Back through Hillsbrad, then the Highlands, through the Wetlands and to Ironforge. From their we can take the tram to Stormwind," he explained lightly, "Shouldn't take to long if we make good time,"

"yeah..." She said softly looking down.

He stared at her a bit before reaching out to take one of her hands in his. Truly he didn't know why he did the gesture but he had seen men at the Ashen Verdict often do it to be charming and chivalrous the girls at the Citadel. It was some sort of comfort move and there as no harm in it...or at least he hoped so. She tensed up looking down at her hand within his and then lifted her eyes to his face searching it.

"Taynia," he began slowly, "I'm undead and I've got my obligations to the Knights of the Ebon Blade. Already I'm long over due back at the Ebon Hold. It is not a great loss if we don't see each other again. It is most likely for the best,"

She nodded although she wasn't hearing his words, "yes...it probably is for the best. We can just remain distant friends at least...?"

"Perhaps," he mumbled, 'But honestly, we probably should keep distance between us,"

Vaguely he wondered if he was trying to convince her or himself of this parting to come. His grip on her hand tightened slightly. She was staring at him and it was making him feel uncomfortably warm at the moment. Then she began to lean forward and his entire body when rigid as he watched in almost slow motion Taynia coming closer. She paused a few inches away from his face, eyes closed lips parted expecting something. His mind was screaming at him to move but to move closer or away he couldn't decided. Tentatively he inched forward, eyes closing before he stopped centimeters from committing a sin and action he couldn't take back. He stopped and moved away from her opening his eyes scowling, "Let's go. We leave immediately,"

Taynia's eyes opened and she looked at him in surprise, "What...?" she asked, blinking in confusion. There was a crimson blush across her cheeks and she raised a hand as if she couldn't believe what she had almost did.

He only fixed her with a dark scowl, "Am I speaking gutterspeak? I said we are leaving immediately. This thing is dragging on far to long,"

He watched her face crumble and she looked down and he felt that same guilty feeling he always felt when he hurt her. But it was for the best. She was getting too close and there was a strange trepidation about her being let in. The Highlord stepped outside The Inn, his dark mood radiating about him. There seemed to be a general acknowledgment to keep a wide berth around the glowering death knight. All that was, except another death knight who carefully made his way to the Highlord's side.

"Highlord Mograine...I heard that you were here. Also heard that you made the Banshee Queen bite her own tongue,"

Darion looked askance at the blood elf death knight, Koltira Deathweaver, idly, "Where you aware of the Forsaken Blight?" he said, ignoring the pleasantries bluntly.

Koltira shook his head, "Not until it was used, my Highlord or I would've said so in my report back to Ebon Hold. She has kept me out of her strategy in the South. She is going to post me to the North, in Andorhal against the alliance..." the blood elf trailed off at that.

For a long moment, Darion remained silent. He closed his eyes as he already knew what was going through Koltira's mind. Thassarian would no doubt be a part of the Alliance and with Scourge being involved with the taking of Andorhal, no doubt the Alliance would send Thassarian as the fore runner for taking the city. It would be brother in arm against brother in arm. It was this fact why Darion liked to keep his opinions of both factions at disgusted neutral.

"...Whatever may come to pass Koltira, my orders stand as they always have. Keep true to your principles and not to the ridiculous hatred of the those two factions," Darion said at length, heaving a heavy sigh, "If it gets worse there is always a sanctuary at Ebon Hold for you,"

Koltira gave a humorless chuckle and clapped the Highlord on the shoulder, "And if anything happens I can count on you to charge in and unleash hell, Highlord Mograine,"

"Right now slitting Sylvanas's throat and ripping out her tongue is somewhat appealing," Darion mumbled but he smiled just a fraction, "Considering the Lich King is dead, I need someone new to direct my hate at. But I digress...take care Koltira and good luck in whatever hoops she has you jumping through,"

"Thank you Highlord. The same to you as well,"

The other death knight gave a bow and turned heading back into the crowd just as Taynia stepped out of The Inn, her things packed and ready to go. However she was silent looking down, avoiding eye contact with Darion. Something in him felt a wave of irritation directed half towards her, half towards himself. He sighed and lead the way to their mounts, "You need any supplies before we leave?"

"No. I'm fine," she said softly heading to her mare attaching the sack of letter and some of her heavier supplies to it, "We can head out immediately Highlord,"

The use of his title made him turn to look at her silent, something in his chest suddenly lurching painfully. She always called him by his first name and he had gotten use to his name rolling off her tongue. The sudden urge to reach over and take her hand again in his crept into Darion again. He didn't want her ignoring him...but he couldn't for the un-life of him figure out why her acknowledging him in her own way was so damn important all of a sudden. He only scowled slipping on his helm and mounted his Deathcharger and offered a hand to her, "Fine, milady," he said hollowly.

She took his hand, her face blank. She sat stiffly in front of him. For his part, Darion imitate a glacier. Cold, uncaring and just as formidable as stone. But unlike stone, glaciers could crack and crash into the ocean with the span of a day, much like his own facade. Taynia looked down, "Things seem just like the day we met it seems," she said suddenly.

Darion looked down at her as he kicked his Deathcharger forward to the elevator. It was true. They were treating each other like strangers again when he knew a lot more about her than most of his own knights. He closed his eyes heaving a sigh and lifted a hand putting it onto of her head, roughly ruffling her hair, "You are such a pain in the ass, priestess," he grumbled, "A big pain in the ass,"

She blinked as he combined his affections with insults as he usually did. Taynia couldn't help but smile a bit feeling better that she hadn't ruin what tentative friendship they had established somehow along the road. This was his way of forgiving without really saying it. She looked up to him, "Many pardons, Highlord," she said lightly.

Darion growled, "You aren't allowed to say that either. That is just saying your sorry in another way and I told you that it is forbidden to apologize and make me feel guilty,"

Taynia laughed as the old crabby Darion was coming back from the blistering cold one that had suddenly appeared in the inn. Something about his ill-temper tickled her. Perhaps it was odd to find something very human and alive in his cantankerous attitude at times, "Another one to the slowly growing lists of things I can't say. I guess you prefer silence. Fine, I won't disturb you,"

The Highlord frowned. Half of him wanted that silence, yes, but a larger half wanted her to talk and keep talking about life. He only sighed keeping his eyes straight ahead as the elevator came to a stop and he moved his mount forward towards the exit of the Undercity, "Go ahead and talk. Shutting you up would be like trying to tell Garrosh to say something useful,"

"You know, you are awfully crabby all the time," she commented.

Darion shrugged, "Try having to deal with all the idiot leaders in the world and then tell me how you would be feeling generally all the time,"

Taynia gave a faint chuckle leaning back against him, feeling him tense up slightly, "Maybe you should get more sleep and stop working yourself to death,"

"I'm already dead," he said blankly rolling his eyes.

"I think you just want to be dead...you aren't dead on the inside or you wouldn't be crabby at all," Taynia said back.

Darion sighed shaking his head although he heard those same kind of words resonating in his mind from earlier when he had met with Sylvanas. Taynia truly was starting to get to him with her flower and sunshine talk, "Whatever makes you happy..." he eventually grumbled.

She smiled. Her silly mistake hadn't ruined their friendship. Taynia silently promised herself never to let these forbidden darker feelings within her from growing. She promised herself not to acknowledge the feelings growling slowly for the grim Highlord.