Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay in the story. I've actually been doing so much lore research. I want to make sure that I make this story as believable as possible and lore accurate. This is mostly a Jaina and Arthas fic, but please take note that her relationship with Kalecgos will be addressed and mentioned in future chapters.

I really hope everyone is enjoying it so far. Again, life I said in chapter 1 I am not a professional writer. There will be grammar and punctuation errors. I ask that you please be forgiving. If anyone is willing to proofread them before I submit chapters I would really appreciate it.

Anyway, please send reviews and let me know what you guys think!

Chapter 2- A King's Grief

The next few days are long and stressful. There is too much going on in Azeroth to be able to have a moments peace. In the past two days I have already traveled back and forth from Stormwind and Dalaran. Most days, I can summon portals with ease to get me to where I am needed, but I am weak and exhausted. I desperately seek a moments rest but know of the memories that will come and plague my memory. Nevertheless, I take the risk and decide to take a walk.

The sun sets along the Stormwind shore. Leaving a beautiful pink sky. I take a moment to feel the oceans breeze run through my hair before I begin my walk. I don't exactly know where I'm going, but I let my feet carry me in whatever direction. I just need time away from the talk of politics and war. It's a heavy burden that I must carry, but I refuse to pity myself. I am Jaina Proudmoore: Leader of the Kirin Tor and Ruler of Theramore. I sigh. There is no more Theramore. My friends are gone, the citizens are gone.. my home is gone.

As I walk, I feel my heart grow heavy with despair. Not realizing where my feet were taking me, I slowly bring myself to a stop and look up. Before me is the memorial of the Queen.

"Tiffin Ellerian Wrynn

Queen of Stormwind

Fair and just. A wit as quick as her

smile.

May the Light inherit your warmth.

For our world grows cold in your

absence."

I read the inscription on her grave several times. Many times, I have passed the Queen's grave not giving much thought. In the past, I have taken a much younger Anduin to place a flower, but I have never come on my own.

There are two guards that stand beside both sides of the grave. They stand motionless and I begin to wonder if they're statues. Just like them, I stand motionless as I look at the grave. I see a yellow flower placed on the ground and smile. It's probably from Anduin.

Beside me stands a bush with delicate purple flowers. I pluck one from the bush and kneel beside the grave. As I place the flower on the ground I begin to think about how I could have lived a life similar to Tiffin's. Although her time as queen was short, she had a taste of the life that I could have had but refused to have. A life of a noble woman. I could have been a queen. I could have had a child of my own, but I refused it. I dedicated my life to my duties.

Constantly, I wonder if I could have stopped him from his dark descent. Maybe if I loved him more, he wouldn't have made the decisions that he did. I promised that I would never deny him and I did. I could have stopped it. And then I could have lived a similar life as Tiffin and lived and ruled with a man that I truly loved.

I'm instantly filled with regret and scold myself. I never will pity myself, but as the days go by it becomes harder and harder.

"Jaina?" says a deep voice.

I immediately jump up out of fright and turn, "King Varian. Wh-what are you doing here?"

Varian laughs slightly at my stupid question, "Well, last time I checked.. Tiffin is still my wife and I am here to visit."

I am shocked to see Varian laugh. The man rarely cracks a smile. I never even thought he was capable of smiling. Although, who wouldn't laugh at a ridiculous question like that?

Varian nods to the guards and they take their leave to give Varian his moment alone. I slowly begin to take my leave as well but stop and turn to him. " Does it ever get easier?" I say as I look to Varian.

Varian is kneeled beside Tiffin's grave with a hand placed on it, "Time never heals the pain. You just learn to hide it as time goes on."

Varian's words hit me like an arrow through the heart. Never once have I seen him as he is now. Most days, Varian and I could never see eye to eye. I saw him as brash, angry, and close-minded while he saw me as stubborn and overbearing. After the fall of Theramore did I begin to understand his feelings towards the Horde. Slowly, Varian and I were beginning to have a mutual understanding of each other. This moment however, is when it dawned on me.

Varian sets a beautiful bouquet of flowers at Tiffin's grave, "I'll always miss her and after the time of her passing I grieved for a long time." Varian pauses for a moment and slowly stands, his eyes still fixed on her grave. "However, I had to be strong for Anduin and Stormwind so I did not allow myself to grieve anymore."

"Your grief is understandable, Varian. She was your queen. You should have given yourself the time you needed."

He looks to me, "And what of you Jaina? Could I not say the same thing for you? Your grief is no less then mine. You loved once too and lost it. Shouldn't you allow yourself to grieve for him?"

I am shocked by Varian's words and slowly I feel the pain bottle up inside me, "I will not become a slave to my sorrow."

"Yet, that is what you have become Jaina as well as I" Varian places a hand on my shoulder before mounting his horse and riding back to the Keep.

I am left standing in the cemetery. The sun is already gone and I look up at a dark sky and begin to make my way back to the Keep. The day is over and my body aches for sleep.

When I finally reach my living quarters I immediately disrobe and put on my evening gowns. As I climb into bed I blow out the candle that lights the room. My only source of light is the fully lit moon.

As I rest my head on the pillow I recall Varian's words. They echo in my head over and over again and I refuse to acknowledge the truth in his words. Part of me knows that he is right, but I don't want to feel. I am Jaina Proudmoore: Leader of the Kirin Tor. I must be strong for the people of Azeroth…

Yet, I ache for his touch so badly. As I drift off into sleep I pray that I do not dream of him, but at the same time I hope for it. And as my eyes slowly shut my dreams take into darkness once again and I am cold. I hear his voice call to me and I desperately try to call his name, "Ar.. Arth-"