Burden of the Heart
H Things are getting intense emotionally now and the next chapter is probably going to be shorter then most I believe but who knows? The last one is going to be probably the longest chapter somewhat wrap everything up for the next part. This one? Well...around eighteen pages. Longest chapter to date!
Now to distract you to this, I come bearing a silly gift .com/#/d374kxc Support the inclusion of flaming undead monkeys for Thassarian's sake. This has relevance to the story...if you really stretch it...okay so it doesn't, but you still will laughed hopefully!
The serious picture I owe you all is still being worked on. Darion is being meticulous over his armor and Taynia is being so shy and doesn't want to be colored. It is being finished slowly but surely, don't you worry about that!
I figured you would be more eager to get the story rather then the art. I usually pen ideas for the stories well in advanced. Why I know two more chapters are left... in this story. I have a few ideas of continuing this in a sequel. Since this focuses more on the development of the first part rather then the second part which would be following another path and take in a larger scope and plot.
Anyways, enjoy the drama, the laughs, and Darion being grouchy.
As always,
Le Pomme
Chapter Seven: Administrating
The Deeprun Tram was a blissfully silent area after the sea of people in Ironforge. Getting through the crowd has been like fighting the flood all over again except this time he couldn't simply go over it. He had to endure the crowd and he scowled the entire time.
One could not blame him for being in a cranky mood after last night. His deathcharger was all frisky and pleased with itself this morning, prancing about like a bragging teenager. Renault had done the same thing after he had laid with Whitemane that one time. Darion had never done it. He had died a bloody virgin and it was an undeniably sore spot for the Highlord of the Ebon Blade. Yet it had never been really a concern to have lost it. He had been busy trying to save his father, fighting the Scourge, being taken into the Scourge, and being a mindless undead slave to the Lich King's will. Even afterwords, business in Northrend and his vengeance came first. Now though...
"Takes a while for it to get here. That is normal though," Taynia said from her seat next to him, "I don't think the crowds are going to be any better when we get to Stormwind though but we don't have to go that far to get to my home,"
"Uh-huh..." he mumbled glancing over at her.
It had been a simple mistake really that morning that was making him shy of her. He stepped in to take a bath and then stepped out, towel around his waist, into the room...right on Taynia changing. Women's undergarments had never seemed so fascinating until one saw them on the body. He had gawked, she had gawked back, and then there was a mutual yell and a string of curses from the Highlord. Of course he hadn't apologized for the whole thing. In his mind it was a deliberate move to confuse him more...and now he had to try and not imagine her in nothing but her undergarments the entire day with little success. It was a sight that was burned into his skull.
"You still hung up on...the incident this morning?" Taynia asked, cautiously.
"No. Of course not. Why would I be?" He said in a defensive tone. Why was she so good at reading him?
"It was just a little embarrassing but not too bad. No one's fault. I should have locked the door and you should have knocked," She said with a smile putting a hand on his leg.
He was more aware of her touch now. Even through his armor he swore he could feel the warmth of her hand against his leg. His body was starting to be hijacked by his heart far to often then he wished of late. When she touched him, he didn't tense up as he use to and at times the odd fancy to reach over and run a hand through her hair or just put his hands on her was a more common occurrence.
"...Darion? I have a question for you..." Taynia said at length noting his brooding silence, "Are you...are you going to stay a bit? I mean when we get to the Stormwind. I have a decent place and I'll cook for you while you stay. I can even introduce you to Roland,"
He mulled over the thought giving a slight shrug, "Why not. One night won't hurt...and who is Roland?"
Her face lit up and he fought the urge to just say he was going to live in her house for the rest of her natural life. He could just see it now, Acherus floating above her house just to cut the commute between them. He doubted very much that King Varian would appreciate the Necropolis floating above his city although Darion could see a lot amusement in sending messages to the king by firing an arrow into his office window for the hell of it.
"you won't regret this Darion! Being in the city, I an get all the ingredients I'll need to make you a delicious feast of food," She said excitedly, "I'll spoil you rotten!" she said excitedly, ignoring his question about Roland.
"Am I going to have to worry about getting fat staying with you and who the bloody hell is Roland?" He drawled fighting a smirk.
"Uh, Roland is one of my old friends and well...nevermind," she quickly fixed him with a distracting smile, "As for getting fat? No pun intended, but you are all skin and bones!" Taynia said, "I doubt you have to worry about getting an ounce of fat on you,"
"Skin and bones? I've hardly rotted away that much. Could you even see my ribs last night?" he countered leaning back in the dingy seats of the Deeptram station. He let the topic of Roland slide by although he had questions now burning in his mind about whoever this man was.
Taynia blushed a bit, "Maybe I did," She said softly, "Somewhere under all those muscles..."
"Anyways," Darion began, clearing his throat, "I'll just stay a night or two but then I have to get back to Ebon Hold with all haste,"
"It is a long journey back. I wish you could stay longer," Taynia said looking down at her feet, "I've...become fond of you. As a friend of course,"
He looked at her silently before looking away, "I guess I could stay longer. It isn't like the return trip is going to take anymore then a few seconds..." he said slowly, "I'll be using a deathgate anyways to return,"
"A deathgate?" Taynia asked.
The Highlord gave a nod, "Just a gateway I can open up anywhere and it will take me right back to the Ebon Hold. The journey back is always shorter then the journey away..."
"I see...why didn't you open it up during the flood or fire?" She asked curiously, "Might have been easier then the route you picked,"
"First thing about that is I can't open it during a combat situation, second, I wouldn't be able to ride through it so I would have to dismount and open it before the flood hit us, and lastly, only the dead can use a death gate and you being alive means I would get through and you would've drowned," Darion explained, rolling his eyes, "And I don't want you dead,"
"I didn't think you did," Taynia said with a smile putting a hand on top of his arm lightly, "I'm glad we are both alive and yes, I consider you alive Darion. You live, breath, eat, sleep, complain, and can still feel emotions,"
"Believe what you will," he said with a snort looking up as the clang of the deep tram approaching thundered through the tunnel.
"I will," She said with a smile getting to her feet. That smile made Darion's stomach roll over filled with a horde of ravenous giant flies fluttering about in it, yet he found himself returning the smile with a small one of his own. When had that been his response to anything? As quickly as the spontaneous smile had appeared, it vanished into a frown as he moodily stomped onto the tram pulling his deathcharger along irritably. The mount let out a snort but followed the Highlord. The stupid mare followed along after the stallion like a lost puppy. It seemed all those times out on the trail it had been following not so much its master, but his damn deathcharger! Darion secured the mounts before moving to stand at the railing of the cart. Taynia quietly stepped up next to him and put a hand on his arm again. She was standing closer then usual and he wasn't tensing up or trying to push he away. She didn't say anything. It was an odd silence, awkward yet somehow comfortable.
He closed his eyes as the tram started up again, the cool of the tunnel rushing by as the Deeprun tram moved ahead. He cared for her a great deal and he let his guard down around her more and more. Somehow, despite his wishes, she was under his skin and burrowing herself into his heart like a maggot into ghoul flesh, "Where do you live in Stormwind exactly?"
"Hm? Oh, well it is just a tiny place off one of the canals close to Old Town. It is the house I grew up in and fell to me when my mother passed away. Roland and I share the cost although he lives in his own estate. He knows how important it is to me," Taynia said, "Why do you ask?"
"Just making sure that the higher ups of the Alliance aren't going to be inclined to bang down the door to try and convince me to be entirely pro Alliance when I make it a point that I hate both factions equally," he said with a shrug, "And I'm sorry about the loss of your mother," and the Highlord felt even more contempt growing for this Roland fellow.
Taynia gave a small sad smile and a shrug, "She lived a full life. Old age catches up with everyone eventually. My father ...well I did not know him truly and he … fell a long time ago. I miss mother, but my uncle always said that you have to continue living and to be strong for those gone,"
"Your uncle sounds like a wise man," Darion said glancing to her, "...it is not easy to lose someone close to you," yet here he was trying to force himself to let go and lose Taynia.
"It isn't...sometimes you wish the time with them could have been around more or you could have done something to save them," She responded as the scenery rushed by.
Yet here they were, only two days from a goodbye that would be an enforced parting and only memories would be left. In time even those would fade and only the imprint of those emotions would lay heavy on the heart.
"Nothing last forever...but to enjoy it for how long it lasts..." he didn't finish his thought letting out a sigh and rubbing his temples lightly, "But what can I say about anything? I'm going to live forever now. The undead never age,"
"Well, all the more reason to figure out something to do with yourself. Think of the positives, you'll be there to help guide the future, you'll always be able to get the ladies despite your age. You'll probably be the only man who is still looking good at age three hundred," She said with a chuckle.
"A long life means little if you are destined to suffer it alone..." Darion looked out at the cold walls whizzing by as the tram clattered along.
"You won't be alone unless you decided to become a hermit. What about the other deathknights? You'll be fine Darion. Just stop wallowing about," Taynia said with a smile wrapping her arms about him, "You can treasure the time forever..."
He looked down at her and felt that warmth spread from her embrace. He was tired. So very tired at denying, fighting, and raging about everything. He was tired of being angry, tired of vengeance, tired of being dead...
Darion raises a hand running a gauntlet hand lightly through her hair, "Perhaps..." he mused out loud, "perhaps..."
The tram came to a screeching halt and her mare gave a nervous whicker. She let go of him with a smile, "Well let us get to my home. We can settle in and I'll go shopping for some ingredients after we deal with sleeping arrangements,"
"What are the sleeping arrangements?" He asked leading his deathcharger off the tram after her and her stupid mare.
"Well...I only have one bed. A big king-sized one mind you, another inheritance from my mother that she managed to get from father before he went mad and sold everything, but still just a single bed," She began, "Since you are the guest, you can have the bed and I'll sleep on the sofa,"
"I'll take the sofa. I don't sleep much anyways," Darion immediately said with a frown.
Taynia shook her head, "No," she said adamantly, "Guests get the bed. I can sleep on the sofa for a day or two,"
Darion frowned even more, "But what if I decide to stay for a week or more?"
"Well...I'll still sleep on the couch," She said with a shrug, "But I don't think you are going to stay that long,"
"What if I stay forever?" He asked moving up beside her, keeping his expression guarded.
Taynia was silent for a few minutes, "Then I think we could easily share the bed if you are content to never leave my home," she finally said looking up with a smile, "It is a big bed,"
"then we can share a bed," Darion said with a note of finality. He had said that statement with more calm then what he was feeling inside. He was actually fairly surprised he even managed to say those dire words. Taynia blushed looking at him shyly.
She gave a small cough looking away, "Well, alright. If you are comfortable with that fact but just the other night you were very against the idea..."
"...your presence is calming," He admitted as they stepped out of the Deeprun Tram station and into the waning daylight falling upon Stormwind. Taynia looked at him in surprise before another brilliant smile spread across her face and she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, "I'm glad, Darion. Your presence is something I've grown use to. Like a guardian of sorts. I could never ask for a better friend,"
He couldn't stop himself from smiling fondly at her and ruffing her hair, "heh, alright you pain in the ass, enough sappiness...let's just go home,"
Taynia laughed and it was a sound that Darion wanted to hear more often. She was brilliant in the twilight, brighter then the sun, an eternal beacon of light and he was following her wherever she walked. He was putting his trust in her light. It was a test faith and a hope in its power to lead him out of darkness again.
…...
Taynia was true to her word. She made a feast. An entire meal comprised of delicious aromas, tastes, spices, a roast goose, plenty of greens, and Darion felt very satisfied. For the moment his terrible new found appetite was sated. He was sitting back feet propped on the table, a glass of warm apple cider in hand. The dishes were done, and a comfortable silence surrounded the room.
Across from him, Taynia sat in an overstuffed chair idly knitting, humming to herself. Closing his eyes, Darion could almost picture that he was alive and home with a wife somewhere. It was...too perfect a scene. The reality though was he was dead, she was alive and in two days he was planning on leaving. Yet he did not even want to go because frankly, he didn't want to say goodbye.
Casually he looked about the home she owned. The first floor was the small living room crowded with furniture and a plethora of knick knacks and a large bookshelf tucked into a corner. The kitchen and dinning room were a single room adjoining the living room. A stairwell was on the other side heading to the second floor where there were three rooms. One was the washroom. The other two rooms were the bedroom and an empty office other then a single bookshelf, a large polished oak desk, and a silent grandfather clock.
It was a small place but a bit large for one woman living alone. Just right for a couple...Darion frown moving his feet from on top the table to the floor. There was his mind again trying to put them together in some sort of perfect family setting. Next he would be imagining his father alive, the jolly old grandfather, and Renualt alive and well as the loud-mouth uncle. Might as well through in his mother had somehow miraculously reincarnated from the grave as well. An ache filled his heart at the thought of his family and he scowled even more.
Taynia paused in her knitting noting his sudden darkening mood, "Darion?"
"It is nothing," he said quickly, "I'm going to bed..."
"Oh...well I'll turn in as well...did I do something wrong?" She questioned cautiously.
"No, you didn't do anything. I was just...thinking about my family..." he grumbled admitting for once what was bugging him.
Taynia stepped over to him and wrapped her arms around him in a slight hug, "They would be proud of you," she said confidently, "...have you ever thought about starting a family of your own?"
"Me?" Darion laughed although it was a bitter one, "I'm dead. How would I make kids?"
"You've been proven wrong about a lot of things, Darion. Who is to say even that was taken from you?" Taynia said blushing a bit, stepping away from him, "You are alive, more alive then you want to admit,"
"I think the only reason I'm more alive is because of your light," He mumbled reaching a hand out to stroke her hair lightly. The texture was smooth and formed into simple bobbing waves in her hair. Lightly he twirled a lock about a finger, allowing the tip of his thumb to trail over her cheek lightly.
Darion gave a sigh and stepped away abruptly turning to stalk up the stairs, "Goodnight Taynia..." he growled grouchily.
"Goodnight Darion," she said with a sigh.
"By the light, what are you doing to me...?" He mumbled low.
…...
The next day started with an awkward wake up. Sharing a bed, even if there was a good deal of space between them, seemed so odd to him. As he even thought about the journey, it seemed already a forgone conclusion that if they kept together the would eventually reach this spot...and now his heart wanted more.
He watched her sleep, next to him on the bed. She looked so peaceful and radiant even in her sleep and despite better judgment he reached over to touch her hair. Of course, at that moment she stirred letting out a yawn and the Highlord quickly retracted his hand turning to scowl at the far wall. It was only then he began to notice the pictures of Taynia with a tall good looking, and living, man dressed like a lord. There were a few of the painted pictures...
They had a quite breakfast, the heavy question neither one wanted to ask was if he was leaving today and if it was goodbye at last. She had left to go to the cathedral to catch up on her own work and he was left to brood about her. He didn't want to go back to Acherus. He wanted to stay here for some bizarre reason. The thought of the dreary dark halls of the necropolis and the aching cold weren't appealing as they once were. He liked the light, warmth, and color of the city and of Taynia's home. The company was not bad either. It was at least better then ghouls. Also it wasn't like he couldn't do the paperwork here and handle the affairs of the knight over long distance...
An idea suddenly struck him and he gave a grin heading up the stairs to the office. He doubted Taynia would mind if he...staked out a claim on the place as his impromptu headquarters...
…...
Taynia stepped into her home, humming happily, a basket of fresh vegetables in her arms, "Darion! I'm back!" she called out setting her purchases on the counter, "Sorry I was so long but I stopped by the market to pick up some...Darion?"
She turned not seeing the death knight and wondered if he had gone out. His deathcharger had been in the tiny alley stable she had with her mare so he hadn't left. A sudden bang upstairs followed by a string of curses that had her blushing gave Taynia her answer.
Heading up the stairs she wondered what he was up to when she saw a skeleton wander by with a broom busily sweeping. He couldn't be cleaning house or bringing undead servants in just for that fact. Undead or no, she never had been comfortable with the idea of servants when she could easily do the tasks herself. However that wasn't the sight that greeted her.
Her mother's old study had stood empty mostly because Taynia had had no need of it but never the time to sit back and re-arrange it into a guest room or the like. Now though, it was filled with things, a gate standing open with a pair of slobbering ghouls moving furniture about. Darion sat at the desk, a pile of papers on it, grouchily going over them looking decidedly irked, "I said right, right!" he hollered at the two ghouls, "No! Your other right you damn slobbering maggot bags!"
Eventually the two ghouls managed to get the the cabinet to the right place dropping it down and looked to the death knight for some sort of approval. Taynia cleared her throat lightly, "Uh...Darion? What are you doing...?"
The Highlord looked up and set his quill aside, "Doing paperwork and handling the affairs of the knights, what does it look like?"
"I mean all of this," She gestured to the transformed office.
"...I didn't feel like going back to Ebon Hold. In fact we are going to be doing some... renovations and I decided I wouldn't want to work with all that crazy noise going on," The Highlord said.
It wasn't a lie really. To him, Ebon Hold was a work of scourge design and not fit for what the knights new motives were. Redoing it though hadn't really passed his mind but ordering it done now gave him a good excuse to be here. Knocking in windows in the side of the Necropolis was no doubt going to be a crazy affair. That and he was wondering if letting Amal'Thazad be in charge of the new decoration was a good decision. The crazy lich had nearly squealed in delight when the Highlord had relented to allowing him be chief decorator and the lich had floated off mumbling something about salmon. In truth liches were odd to begin with and often acted more alive then dead. Even Kel'Thuzad, damn him, kept a pet cat of all things and loved that damn animal more then unlife itself.
No doubt it was going to be a fiasco when Lady Alistra found out and would want in on helping. Lord Thorval was going to somehow sneak in his requests for a tap room again most likely and that abomination ,Corpulous, was probably going to want something as well. The abomination would want his "masterpiece" work of literary acclaim published if anything. Darion still wondered how the mess hall had survived with the kind of meals where served and the lack of any sort of manners. He also wonder really if any death knights had tried to eat with a runeblade. He knew there was a game to play with new recruits to get them to try and lick their runeblade after it was covered in frost...it was usually Amal'Thazad who was the culprit of that.
Taynia cleared her throat to bring his attention back from the thoughts of the Ebon Hold and gave a small smile, "So you are staying for a while?"
"More or less," Darion said taking up his quill going back to approving the trainers for the new lessons structures they wanted. He wasn't even reading it just approving it all with his signature.
The priestess smiled brightly and clasped her hands together nearly jumping on her toes in excitement, "Oh that is terrific news, Darion! I'll have to make a big meal tonight and I think I'll break out the brandy even. Should I invite Roland? I'm sure he would love to meet and thank you for keeping me safe,"
"Don't go overboard. I'll end up getting fat," Darion teased slightly looking up from his work. He paused though at her second statement,"No, I can meet this Roland another time, yes?"
"Not my fault you have the appetite of an entire legion of ogres. Makes me wonder were you put it all," Taynia said stepping into the room and around one of the ghouls, "and that is fine. I think Roland is out of the city on a raid anyways,"
"My stomach is a black portal to Outlands," Darion deadpaned as he signed another document putting it in the outbox, "Now excuse me, I'm trying to catch up on work here,"
"I never thought I would see you of all people doing administrative work," She said with a smile moving to open a window letting a gentle breeze waft in.
Darion snorted, "Being a leader of a faction means one part fighting and action, seven parts sitting on your ass making sure everything is going to work according to plan,"
She chuckled and put her hands on his shoulder and leaned in to brush her lips over his cheek slightly causing him to tense up and arch a questioning eyebrow at her. Taynia only grinned cheekily and patted his head, "I'll get started on dinner. Don't work yourself to death, Darion,"
Then with another of her smiles she left and he sat their, stumped into a stupor by the sudden kiss. The two ghouls stared at him and he swore they were laughing at him, "Well?" he snapped fixing them with a glare, "What are you standing around for? Get to work!"
The two ghouls ran off into the deathgate leaving the Highlord to mumble angrily over his work. What a week this was already turning out to be...
…...
And the week quickly turned into two then three weeks. He continued to live with Taynia, the two following into a routine of waking up, going about their business, converging at the dinner table for a meal, loaf about the living room for a bit to talk or take a walk about the city together, then back to bed with personal hygiene thrown in the mix at whatever time was convenient. Also there was a habit of Taynia kissing him on the cheek before bed now. All he did was growl in response and roll over trying to ignore how the kiss had made him feel.
So far the elites of the Alliance had not been too annoying other than the fact they were bragging openly to the Horde about having the Highlord stationed in one of their cities. Darion could care less what they said. He was only there because of Taynia, not because he was pro Alliance. In fact he was half tempted to post a sign outside Taynia's home telling the Alliance to screw off.
Her mailbox was filled with mail for him now and a few letters from secret admirers. Not that he got to read any of them. Taynia seemed to have this jealous streak of burning them all on the fireplace at night. Somehow he felt flattered by her gesture. The feelings between were no doubt mutual on some level. Although at times she would sit back, a letter in hand, a guilty pain on her face that waffled between a smile and her biting her lip. Those letters were also burned quickly after she read them.
Of course, it wasn't anything really beyond very good friends in his mind, or at least that is what Darion had convinced himself. However, it wasn't the general opinion of everyone else.
The Highlord looked up as a loud knock was heard at his door, "Who the hell is it and why are you bothering me?" he said with a frown.
The door opened and Thassarian stepped in with a smile on his face, "Good to see you are still as polite as ever, Highlord," he said with a slight bow of his head, "I heard that you were in Stormwind of late. The Highlady told me you were upstairs,"
"excuse me the high what?" Darion said eyes narrowing.
Thassarian blinked looking honestly confused, "The priestess I met as she was just leaving, is she not your wife? That is what the popular gossip going around the city has been," he explained.
"My what!" Darion was on his feet, hands slammed down on his desk, "We aren't married! We are just friends!"
Thassarian raised his hands, "Whoa, Darion, I'm just reporting what I heard...just people always see you together walking about at dusk and what not. I was just misinformed,"
"...so what is wrong with walking with a woman? Can a man not walk with a woman without someone thinking they have to be married?" Darion growled taking a seat again rubbing his temples.
"So your dating?" Thassarian asked stepping in, closing the door behind him.
"No! We aren't doing anything like that. I just live with her and share a bed and if you so much as ask if we are friends with benefits, Thassarian, so help me, I'll throttle you with your own entrails,"
Thassarian laughed and quirked an eyebrow, "So I won't but it seems clear to me that you have some sort of affection for her. I've never seen you threaten my life over anyone before,"
Darion growled but then let out an irritated sigh, "I'll admit to you that yes, I care about her a great deal because I know you'll keep it to yourself Thassarian," he said, "But I doubt that my personal life is why you came here. I thought you were in Andorhal,"
"I was but I came back for a short break from the battlefield. As you know, Koltira is the commander of the Horde. I don't want to be fighting with him after we clear out the Scourge," Thassarian said with a sigh, "But the Horde is one reason I'm here,"
"I was aware of the issue in Andorhal. I spoke with Koltira earlier this month about his dispatch. Just remember to stay true to yourself. A peace accordance at the earliest convenience will no doubt benefit not only you two but both sides in the long run," Darion said with a frown.
Thassarian nodded giving a faint smile, "Indeed. You have always striven to remain neutral in any conflict between Alliance and Horde. Although we of the Ebon Blade know your opinions remain the same, the Alliance and Horde see it differently no doubt you've heard,"
"Oh yes," Darion growled, "I feel that to make the Alliance think I'm not one of their fanboys I have to go and punch each of their faction leaders in the damn face,"
Thassarian chuckled, "I don't think you have to be so extreme Highlord to achieve that. Perhaps you should spend some time living in a Horde city and split your time between the two,"
"It is a good plan but Thassarian, I'm not here for diplomacy," Darion said with a scowl, "I have...other reasons for being here temporarily,"
The other death knight chuckled giving a mischievous smile, "Things like certain lovely priestesses of the light?" he pried.
"Maybe..." Darion grumbled trying to glare at Thassarian. For his part, Thassarian just grinned wider letting the glare slide right over him causing the Highlord to let out a more irritated growl, "Alright, alright, it is entirely because of her, happy now Thassarian?" he snapped.
Thassarian laughed holding up his hands, "None of my business. Just take her with you. I bet she would like it. Now Orgrimmar is a good choice-"
"Never. I'm not being stuck in a city with Garrosh within walking distance," Darion said with a leer, "And the same with Sylvanas. I don't like blood elf cities at all and I don't want Taynia near those bloody womanizing trolls. I'll go to Thunderbluff. Cain was always a good old bull and I bet he raised his son Bain to be just as honorable,"
"Seems fair to me. Besides, I bet your priestess will get along the best with the tauren. I heard that they have paladins now,"
"By the light she won't shut up now discussing that with them," Darion said with a wry grin, "She will be even more walking on air then usual,"
"Oh so she likes you too or something?" Thassarian said with a grin.
The Highlord felt a hot flush rise into his cheeks, "No she is just...a crazy flighty woman at times. Real touchy feely and she could star a war by tripping over her own feet,"
"Touchy eh? Is she touching you in-"
"You finish that statement Thassarian and I'll shove that runeblade so far up your-" Darion threatened but was interrupted by Thassarian's laugh.
"Highlord Darion Mograine, I've never seen you so lively," he said with a grin.
"And when did you suddenly get so perverted?" Darion countered with a glare.
Thassarian laughed, "Being stuck with young Alliance recruits, you learn a lot listening to the "man" talk as it where and Koltira is no innocent elf himself. Always making comments about the ladies and his runeblade. Besides, I didn't die a virgin like some death knights I can think of,"
Darion's face went crimson, "Don't mention that!" he sputtered trying to save face, "It isn't my fault I had no time for women!"
"Calm down Darion. You are too easy to tease at times," Thassarian said with a good-natured smile, "I said my piece so I'll take my leave but really Darion...if you care about her, maybe you should tell her,"
"Why would I do that?" Darion responded grouchily, "So I can get married to her and have family?"
"Why not? Just because you are a death knight doesn't mean you can't love and get hitched. It is clear to me it would be a good thing. You are in a much better mood then I've ever seen you. More alive," Thassarian said, his expression more serious, "If you let her go now, you'll regret it forever,"
Darion silently glared at his work as Thassarian's words sunk in. The other death knight was right. Damn him, he was right. The Highlord let out an angry growl, "you can go now,"
Thassarian sighed and gave a bow, "I'll take my leave, Highlord. Consider what I've said this day,"
"Of course I will. I never ignore the counsel of my knights, especially those that are known for a level head in battle," Darion said, his dark mood lightening slightly, "take care of yourself Thassarian,"
"You as well Highlord," he said giving one last bow and leaving the room.
Darion tried to focus on his work but was finding it difficult, going over what Thassarian had said. Of all the knights of the Ebon Blade, Thassarian had always been the one most in-tune with his humanity and emotions. He was always the most alive.
He closed his eyes, musing over all that was said. He pushed the thoughts of Taynia and the rumors from his head focusing on the issue of neutrality. Thunderbluffs would work. It would keep things neutral, he could bring Taynia without much trouble if she wished to come, and she would no doubt be busy exploring the city to slowly chip away at his sanity.
Taynia was always in mind and it was growing into a more physical idea of being with her. The embarrassment of that knowledge nearly had him wanting to sleep on the floor just to put distance between them. Things were becoming more confusion.
…...
The move to Thunderbluffs was fairly simple since basic supplies and furniture were supplied in the tent provided to them in Elder Rise. It was still a world apart from his usual set up in Taynia's home. For one, the tent was low and he felt like some sort of wise elder sitting cross-legged doing the paperwork. Another thing was that the bed was smaller and mostly just a thick stacking of furs. Comfortable yes, but he and Taynia were sleeping back to back now rather then having the great barrier of a couple feet between them. It made sleeping a bit of a burden on him of late. It was hard to sleep when the object of certain unwanted desires was nearly on top of you. It was worse when she rolled over in her sleep and began to snuggle against his back. The consideration of building a great barrier of pillows was nearly becoming a reality of late.
In the morning she would spring away from him and beg his pardon before moving off quickly to her chores about the office and getting food cooked. Then she would spend a great deal of writing. Upon asking all she did was blush a bit and smile over at him, "To Roland of course. He is in Northrend at the momment but should be home within a half of month. You'll meet him won't you?"
He had agreed he would but the entire time he felt a growing need to attack this Roland when he met. Taynia spoke with such a light about her when his name came up...
The priestess had hit Thunderbluffs like a hurricane. She was thrilled with learning the tauren culture and the large humanoids had been struggling to keep up with her appetite to learn about them. They had started to call her "Little Sunflower" of late. Of course Taynia couldn't go without dragging him into her whirlwind. She was teasingly calling him "Sullen Log" and somehow the damn nickname had caught on. Just another headache to deal with.
There were other troubles to deal with between him and Taynia other then her nicknames, affections, and rushing about Thunderbluffs thirsty for knowledge. One of them being the annoying refusal of her to use a flying mount of any type. That was something the Highlord had made his personal goal to correct while at Thunderbluffs.
"Darion, I don't like standing on this bridge like this..." the priestess mumbled miserably looking down over the side.
"Get use to it," he replied rolling his eyes, "This is nearly half the height you might be flying at in places, maybe even a third,"
"What do you mean flying? I'm not flying. If we were meant to fly we would've been given wings," Taynia said, looking a bit pale.
Darion snorted, "You are going to learn to ride a flying mount even if I have to tie you to the rump of a gryphon and push it over a cliff. It will make travel easier than always having to rely on weeks and weeks of mount travel," he said giving her a slight glare, "Orgrimmar is a half day flight compared to a week of travel through the barrens and that is if the weather holds,"
"Nothing wrong with the scenic route!" She protested weakly.
The Highlord let out an irritated sigh and raised a hand to rub his temples, "There is when I'm busy. I can't always make a round about trip because you are afraid of heights,"
"Can't you go without me?" She asked glancing at him.
Darion frowned, "No I can't. So get use to heights. So stop complaining and be glad I care enough to do this for you,"
"I think you are trying to kill me personally! Roland never made me do anything I didn't want!" She protest.
He flinched scowling darkly looking away. That statement hurt for some odd reason even if she didn't mean it. He would never hurt her. It was even worse she was comparing him to this Roland. He kept getting this feeling that he was someone very close to her heart more and more... Taynia noticed his reaction and shrunk back guilty, "Sorry...I didn't mean it," she mumbled.
"you better not. I would never want you dead. If I had I would've let you die in the flood or the fire or eaten by the ghouls," he growled, "You are more important..." he paused and looked away, "you are important to your order," he covered up lamely.
She was staring at him now and then she was at his side putting her hand on top of his on the railing of the bridge, "Yes...I can see I'm very important to my order," she said with a happy smile, "I'm glad that I know that my order needs me. Makes me very happy,"
And they both knew they weren't talking about her order. Darion turned to her giving a small smile in response to her own, "More then they really want to admit I bet," he mumbled lifting a hand to run a hand through her hair and cup her face gently.
He could kiss her right now. The entire city be damned if they wanted to gossip about his love life if they saw him. But something held him back. That invisible shade of Roland seemed to be hanging over them now. He let his hand drop from her face and turned back to the drop over the bridge, "Let's get moving. I've got my gryphon roosting with the flight master's beasts,"
"Darion, I don't want to do this. There is no point," Taynia grumbled although she followed him towards the central plateau.
The Highlord gave a faint chuckle looking over his shoulder with a slight smirk, "No point? Maybe if you do this for me I'll give you a special present?"
Taynia looked up at that but remained silent for a few moments. "What kind of present?" She asked hesitantly.
"A special one," he said reaching over to touch her lightly on the forehead with his forefinger, smirking wide, "I bet you would like it..."
She blushed and sheepishly ducked her head. One finger was twirling in her hair as she thought it over, "Are you going to kiss me?"
"Who knows," The Highlord answered mysteriously although a faint blush graced his cheeks, "Would you consider kissing a corpse special really?"
"You aren't a corpse Darion. You are a very dear friend, one I couldn't bare to lose," she replied stubbornly.
"Well it isn't a kiss. Friends don't kiss..." he said with a roll of his eyes climbing the sloping path up to the flight master.
"...yes that is true. Friends don't kiss...maybe I wish we weren't friends?" She said softly looking down.
Her words almost made him come to a dead halt, at most he nearly stumbled. That line was what he was trying to deny but she...she had to make things difficult. She just chose to ignore all the wrongs and reasons that they couldn't be together and didn't have any reasons that said that they could be more then just good friends. He frowned and squared his shoulders choosing to ignore her words. Eventually they would just go away. At least that is what he still stubbornly clung to.
At the top of the tower he gave a slight glance to the flight master before heading to a skeletal gryphon that stood obediently waiting for its master. Taynia curiously approached the undead creature as the Highlord took its reigns and ran a hand over the beak, "First you'll ride with me until you get use to flying, then I'll give you your present," he said, glancing to the priestess as she stepped close enough to run her fingers over the skull of the gryphon.
"...I'm nervous. I'm afraid of flying and more importantly falling," Taynia admitted slightly, "When I was riding my first flying mount, I feel off and broke my leg and that was a short fall when going through Goldshire. After that I never road again. Roland always made sure to get us transport that was either portal or ground,"
"You won't fall. I'll be there," Darion said, "Just trust me and lets get this silly fear over and done with. You can't just back down from something because of a bad experience. If that was true, I would never ride horses,"
"hm?" She looked over at him tilting her head, "Something happen when you were learning to ride?"
"More like Renault and I thought it would be a good idea to borrow my father's warcharger," Darion admitted, "and then was thrown off into a ditch and broke my collar bone. Renault ended up with a broken arm and we both ended up grounded for the rest of the year,"
Taynia laughed, "I can imagine you doing anything so rebellious!"
"My brother and I were always a handful," He paused recalling those fond memories of his brother before the Scourge and before his descent into madness. He still had a small hope that his brother had been mad when committing patricide and in his treatment of himself at the Scarlet Monastery. There had to be something to redeem...he still believed that somewhere deep inside and more so in the passing days.
He jumped slightly as Taynia laid her hand on his again jolting him out of his thoughts. She gave a comforting smile to him, reaching up with her other hand to trail down the side of his face, "You always seem sad when mentioning your family. If you need to talk about it..."
"They died, I did my best to help them, and now they are finally at peace," Darion said gruffly although he didn't pull away from her touch. Something about it was soothing.
"Perhaps but are you at peace Darion? Have you...given time to mourn and just let out all that bottled up emotion?" She asked lightly.
He frowned and turned his head, finally pulling away to mount the gryphon, "I have. Now let us get you in the air. Get on the gryphon,"
He was lying and they both knew it. Damn her, she could read him like he was an open book. At times he wondered if his soul was being worn on his sleeves for how clearly she could see through him. Yet she didn't push the topic and tentatively stepped to get into the saddle with him, "...I'll go with this mad scheme of yours, Highlord, but later, you aren't going to avoid me. You need help too,"
"I'm fine just the way-"
"Darion, I want to help you. I hate seeing you hurting when I can do something. Just promise me this. Please, let me in to help you," She interrupted sitting rigidly in front of him looking down at her hands, clenched on her knees, "Just let me help you..."
The Highlord let out a sigh nudging the gryphon to the edge of the landing platform for take off and put a hand on her head ruffling her hair in his usual way, "Fine...tonight alright?"
"That's a promise right?" she said looking at him seriously.
"Fine fine, a promise," Darion growled and then nudged the gryphon forward into the air.
Then Darion swore his ears were ringing with the shriek of a thousand banshees who were playing cats for violins. It was also a good thing he was dead and didn't have to breath or he would be suffocating due to the grip she now had around his neck. That wasn't to say it wasn't all to comfortable either being strangulated by a screaming woman.
"Let go! We aren't falling out of the bloody sky!" He snarled gripping the reigns tight, "you are making the mount jittery ya damn crazy lady!"
"Well I'm sorry! You didn't give me any warning!" She yelled back stilling holding onto him with her death grip, "I'm afraid of heights I told you!"
"You keep holding onto me like this I will drop you off the side!" To say the least the Highlord was not all that pleased. Yet some part of him was having some twisted kicks from doing this to her. Probably some sort of vengeance for all that she had put him through with that mare.
Taynia's eyes widen and she lessened her grip but still held onto him eyes closed, "You are so mean, Darion Mograine,"
"And yet you still love me," he said. It was more a blurted phrase without much thought. Taynia blushed and looked down to avoid his gaze.
"Yes. I do love you," she said quietly, "like a brother of course,"
That statement nearly had Darion falling off the gryphon or more like jumping off it as she crossed that invisible line that they had been toeing at for a while. Even with the cover up he knew. She loved him. She bloody loved him. She loved him and he felt torn between admitting the same and wanting to commit suicide at how lost and completely out of his element he was.
"Uh..." was the most intelligent sound he managed to utter, "...that's...nice,"
And then he wished he was on the ground so he could bang his head against the nearest building for the unbelievable suave a statement he had just made. Darion Mograine, Highlord of the Ebon Blade, a terror on the battlefield, a death knight who could have generals of the Scourge fleeing in terror...Darion Mograine who went tasked with talking with a woman in a theater outside politics was in full retreat like a cowardly gnoll and was more afraid of love then of a horde of abominations.
"...yeah..." she sounded crestfallen. No doubt she probably expected more from him. By the Burning Legion, he had expected to have something better to say then what he had uttered. He kept his eyes ahead.
"...can we talk about this later?" he finally said, "Not now...I need...some time, alright?"
That was a lie. He knew he loved her, now he knew she loved him. He had already been preparing what he had to say to push her away and yet when it was time to give that monologue, his tongue forgot what to do to form words, his mind went blank, and his heart only spoke of her. In fact his heart was feeling more and more like some sort of weight with each passing day of lies and turning away. There were only two outcomes left...
"Yes. We need to talk. There is things you have to know," Taynia said softly. She was more relaxed now as they flew over Mulgore, "This...this isn't so bad,"
He let out a sigh of relief as the touchy subject was dropped and pushed to a later time to talk about it. For now they could enjoy the last moment of peace before that fiasco, "See? Told you it wasn't bad. Now could you do this alone?"
"Of course not! I would fall out of the saddle!" she protested, "Not like they build mounts with seat belts!"
"Some do," Darion said with a shrug, "Flying Machines for one. The gnomes always have safety protocols,"
"Yeah...I dabbled in engineering hoping I would get the backbone to make a machine of myself. Just always afraid of it failing," she said with a blush, "So I stuck to small gizmos to make a few extra gold on the side while traveling,"
Darion snorted, "I still can't believe you were an adventurer. You seem like you would be bringing trouble like you bring me all the time,"
Taynia chuckled leaning against him, "Oh I do. Roland always said I was a handful and a wild child always running off without looking. But that is why you love me, yes?,"
Before he could even stop himself or even think through her statement, he blurted out that deadly word of agreement he had been running away from, "Yes,so?"
Then the silence between them became as deathly still as the stagnant air in a tomb. He barely even dared to breath wishing he could snatch those words back out of the air. He felt torn, confused, angry, afraid, and a torrent of other feelings he couldn't place. It was out there. He jerked the reigns of his gryphon and head back to Thunderbluffs silently. Neither one of them said a word. It almost felt like they were strangers.
Darion cleared his throat lightly as the gryphon touched down again, "...we are heading back to Stormwind this evening. You have that hearthstone you bought yes? The replacement to the one you lost?"
Taynia nodded numbly, "...yes...shouldn't take long to get things together. Should be around dinner time there,"
"Evening, yes," he said with a nod.
There was so much distance between them now. There was a kodos in the room and they were trying to put a napkin over it in hopes that would hide it. Without another nod or look her way, he moved towards the tent to pack up the few items he had. Most of the paperwork had been transferred already. They had planned to go back tomorrow morning but now...
Taynia paused in the doorway of the tent watching him, biting her lip. He ignore her although he could feel her eyes burning into his back right to his heart. She moved closer until he could nearly feel her behind him, standing there, staring at him, wanting something from him...
"Darion..."
He straightened up and turned to her, trying to summon up that frown, a scowl, something to set the mood back to how it had always been. The look on her face made all of that crumble away. She looked so...exposed. The look she gave him was raw, untempered loved that was killing her and unlike him, she couldn't lie about her emotions, couldn't hold them in.
She closed the distance between them and then her lips were upon his and the entire world was spinning, melting, and then just simply vanishing into a cloud of dust. Taynia held onto him, arms about his neck, a sob barely contained as she finally broke all the invisible boundaries they had built. He only stood there eyes wide. The Highlord couldn't wrap his head around how to act, what to do, what he was feeling. All of it was mixed together rendering him numb. Darion Mograine had never felt so lost in all his life. He stood their. He didn't react and she stepped back biting her lip and turning away from him, "I'm...I'm sorry..." she stuttered whipping at her eyes, "I...I didn't mean too...I should not have..oh light forgive me..."
Then as suddenly as she had broken down, she left, rushing outside. Darion took a seat heavily and buried his face in his hands as he tried to make sense of everything. He loved her. By the light he loved her and yet he was so powerless to express it. He didn't know how, not even in life did he know how. It wasn't the same kind of love he had for his family. It was different...
He loved her...but in the end he was hurting her. She was regretting every action of affection the two of them expressed. There was something she wasn't saying that was making this worse for her and he was the fool not inquiring about it. Darion let out a sigh and let himself slouch back massaging his temples. His heart felt so heavy and it hurt.
"What do I do...what do I bloody do now?"