The first sign of Braelyn's impending doom came a week after the raid on Goldshire. She'd returned home from an overnight trip to Darkshire to find her mother in unusually high spirits and her father polishing his ceremonial sword. The gigantic one he liked to intimidate people with. Tommy Stonefield still had nightmares about it.
At the same time, a bevy of maids and hired hands were undertaking a thorough clean of the house and maintenance of the grounds. When Braelyn asked what was going on, her mother replied that it was just a spot of spring cleaning.
Spring cleaning. In Autumn.
"Don't take things so literally, sweetie," Ellysan had told her daughter when Braelyn pointed the seasonal anomaly out. The mage had then urged her daughter to take a trip to Stormwind to have her hair cut. "Seriously, Braelyn, I've seen hedges neater than your hair."
"They're up to something," Braelyn told Odariah later that night over drinks at the Lion's Pride. "I just know it."
She spent the next few days on edge, waiting for her worst fears to be realised. After a week, enough time had passed that Braelyn calmed down, believing her suspicion about her parents' odd behaviour to be without merit. She threw herself into her job, taking great delight in being able to share her knowledge and experience.
"Nicely done, Cameron!" Braelyn said, smiling at the young village boy who'd expressed an interest in becoming a hunter. His widowed father was a farm labourer with four other children to take care of, all of them older than Cameron. Money was tight for the family, and, being the youngest, Cameron often missed out on everything, including attention. For several hours a week, Braelyn gave the child her undivided attention, and taught him some skills she hoped would help him earn some money, which he knew he would give to his elder sister, Missy. She wanted to become a paladin, but with so little money, there was no way she could afford the training.
This morning, Braelyn was teaching Cameron how to re-string his bow. His was a cheap little thing that his father had bought for him last Winter's Veil, and the boy was so proud of it. It made Braelyn extra determined to see him succeed.
"Tighten that knot at the base... that's it," she said. "Now, we need to wax the bowstring and oil the wood, so it doesn't rot or crack." Braelyn watched as her student did as was instructed, surprised when Missy came running into her training area.
"Miss Hawke! Miss Hawke!" the girl cried, panting as she came to a halt in front of the hunter. "Your mother says you have to go back home immediately!"
"Did she say what for?" Braelyn asked, concerned by Missy's frantic expression. Missy shook her head, blonde curls flying.
"No, Miss, she just said to get you home as quickly as possible!"
"All right, I'll head back soon, but first, I need to give this to Cameron," Braelyn said, walking over to a training dummy, and pulling out a large box she'd hidden behind it. It was wrapped in red paper and tied with a gold ribbon.
"Happy birthday, Cameron," she said, handing the gift to the boy, smiling when his eyes widened in disbelief.
"For me? Really?"
"Yes, really. Now open it."
Cameron did as he was told, ripping into the paper with great enthusiasm and tearing open the box. The boy stared at the presents lying within; a pair of high quality leather boots and matching gloves; a warm winter cloak; and a scarf Braelyn had knitted herself. All practical things, but she knew that if she gave him money or toys, he'd just end up sharing them with his siblings.
Cameron hugged Braelyn so tightly, she felt like she was being squeezed to death. "Thank you, Miss Hawke! Thank you!" he said. "I have to go show the others!" he added, before running off.
"Now, Missy, before I leave I have a message I want you to deliver to your father."
"Yes, Miss Hawke?" The young girl said, eyes shining with happiness on her brother's behalf.
"Tell him that I have booked a table at the inn for you all tonight, for a birthday party that's been paid for already. It starts at eight. If he looks like he wants to refuse or not show up, tell him I said he can either swallow his pride for one day for Cameron's sake, or he can spend the rest of his days with my lynx attached to his ankles."
Missy stared at Braelyn like she was bravest woman on the face of Azeroth, before bobbing her head. "Yes, Miss Hake!" she said. "I'll tell him right now."
Braelyn watched the girl go with a smile on her face, turning when she heard a soft chuckle from behind her. The local weaponsmiths, Kurran and Corina Steele, stood looking at her with grins on her faces. "What?" she asked.
"You'll make an excellent mother one day, Braelyn," Corina said.
"And some man the luckiest in the Eastern Kingdoms," Kurran added, "after myself of course."
Braelyn just laughed and gave a dismissive wave of her hand. But as she began to walk back to her house, she couldn't help thinking that at the same time last year, she'd been hoping that 'lucky man' was Rommath.
The moment Braelyn stepped inside the house she was grabbed by her mother and practically thrown into her bedroom. "By the Light, girl, what took you so long?" Ellysan Hawke demanded as she started unhooking her daughter's bow and quiver.
"I was training with Cameron," Braelyn said, yelping when her hair got caught up in her bow as her mother threw it into the corner. "What the hell are you doing?!"
"We have a special guest coming for dinner tonight," her mother replied. "He'll be here shortly so you need to get washed up and dressed. He'll be here shortly, so you'll need to hurry."
"Mum!" Braelyn squeaked as Ellysan started unbuckling her armor. "I can undress myself!" She stepped away from her mother. "I am not involving myself in your matchmaking schemes."
"Who said anything about matchmaking?"
"You did," Braelyn said as she removed her gauntlets, "as soon as soon as you mentioned a 'special guest' who's male."
"Hmmph, well, regardless... into the bath with you," Ellysan said firmly. "No arguments, Braelyn Hawke!" she added when Braelyn began to protest. "Your father and I are sick of you moping around after that blood elf. It's time to find you a more suitable man." With that, Ellysan gave her daughter one last imperious look before stalking out the door, locking it for good measure.
"Damn it!" Braelyn cursed. She was tempted to stay dressed as she was, but knew that her mother's reaction would be terrifying beyond all reason. Far worse than a dinner with whatever dandy they'd pulled off the streets of Stormwind this time. She sighed in defeat and started removing her armor and clothing with more petulance than someone her age should be capable of.
Stalking into the bathroom, Braelyn found that the metal tub had already been filled with hot water. She climbed in, wincing as her skin came into contact with the too-hot water. She tried not to think about the luxurious bath she had access to in Silvermoon City, or the indulgent soaps and oils.
Upset at her parents' interference, and by being reminded of Rommath twice in one day, Braelyn did not linger in the hot water, even though she normally found baths relaxing. She washed quickly, taking care to get her hair extra clean. She got out while the water was still warm and dried herself off before the cold could set in.
Returning to her bedroom, Braelyn discovered that her mother had even set out an outfit for Braelyn to wear that evening. Lying on the bed was a pale pink dress made out of the finest windwool cloth. Gold embroidery lined the hem, long-sleeves, and neckline in an intricate floral pattern. A pair of matching velvet slippers completed the ensemble. The colour of the dress was the perfect shade to compliment Braelyn's light brown hair and tanned skin, and her mother had also left a pair of simple diamond earrings for her to wear with it.
Braelyn dressed quickly, twisting her long hair into a simple braid. She'd just finished tying the embroidered ribbon when she heard the tell-tale clicking of her door being unlocked. She took that to mean that the 'special guest' had arrived, so slipped her shoes on and headed down to the living area.
She heard her parent's voices welcoming their guest with warmth, though her father was sounding slighty aloof, as if to try and intimidate the poor man. A third voice spoke, and although she could not hear what he said, Braelyn could comprehend the charm and good manners of a nobleman.
A merchant, or an officer in the Alliance army, she could work with, but a nobleman? Light have mercy on her.
Then the man laughed. Braelyn froze at the bottom of the staircase as something tugged at her memory. No... it couldn't be. Not him. Surely fate would not be so cruel. With trepidation, she walked forward until she stood in the doorway.
Fate was indeed a cruel mistress.
Standing in front of her parents, dressed in the finest of suits, was a man Braelyn would have sacrificed everything she had to never see again.
Jack.
When she entered the room, her mother turned to her with a huge smile on her face. "Braelyn, you're here. Let me introduce you two," she said, taking her daughter's hand and guiding her over to their guest. "My lord, this is my daughter, Braelyn. Braelyn, this is Lord Jonathan Devereaux."
As Braelyn extended her hand for Jack to take, she wanted to tell her parents that she already knew who this man was, knew who he really was, but she held her tongue. If they found out about how she knew him they would hit the roof. So she held her tongue, and allowed herself to pretend that this was their first meeting.
"It's a pleasure to meet to you, Braelyn," Jack said, kissing the back of her hand. She felt her skin crawl, and couldn't believe she had ever been foolish enough to let this man into her bed, let alone her heart.
"The pleasure is mine, Lord Jonathan," Braelyn replied, pleased, and a little surprised, that the statement didn't come out sounding like a death threat. Jack smiled, then tucked her arm under his to escort her to the dining room. She had forgotten just how charming and well-mannered he was.
As she followed her parents, Braelyn risked glancing at Jack. He had aged well, hardly looking any different to the last time she'd seen him almost seven years ago. He had golden hair that was the envy of women (and blood elves) everywhere, honey coloured skin, and brown eyes that were as keen as a hawk's. His lips were twisted into a smirk, well aware of Braelyn's evaluation of him.
Braelyn held back a sigh. It was going to be a long night.
Anyone who needed a lesson on why rogues were so dangerous needed to be at Braelyn's house. By the end of their dinner, Jack had managed to convince the elder Hawkes that he had seen their daughter on one of her trips to Stormwind and had become possessed by the need to find out who she was so that he could make her acquaintance. He did it with such charm, warmth, and sincerity, that Braelyn almost believed it herself.
Her parents were completely fooled, so much so that it broke her heart. Her father had even put away his Sword of Intimidation. The only way they would see through Jack's charm was if she told them the truth about how they really met, and Braelyn couldn't do that. Not only was she still ashamed of her past actions, but she feared her parents' reaction.
So even though she knew that Jack was up to no good, Braelyn decided to play along with it until she found a way to extricate herself from the situation. Knowing Jack, he probably just needed her help for a get rich quick scheme.
"It's been such pleasure having you with us this evening, Jonathan," Jasper Hawke said as he poured whisky for Jack and himself. Braelyn desperately wanted some, but she and her mother were drinking moonwine.
Ladies don't drink whisky.
"Oh, the pleasure was all mine, I assure you," Jack replied, smiling at Braelyn. Braelyn barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes. She could hear her mother writing out the wedding invitations already. "In fact, I'm hoping that Braelyn would do me the honour of joining me for dinner in Stormwind this weekend."
"Oh, she'd be delighted to!" Ellysan said happily, before Braelyn could even formulate a response. "Won't you, Sweetie?"
Braelyn wanted to say that she'd rather die, but her mother, seeing her daughter's hesitance, was giving her the Ellysan Hawke Death Glare. Her father was beaming, proud that his little girl had managed to capture the attention of a nobleman. He would die happy knowing that his daughter was safe and cared for. Which left Braelyn with only one option...
"I'd be happy to," she said, trying to look happy, or coy, or whatever the hell a woman was supposed to look when she was being courted.
"Excellent," Jack said, reaching over to take Braelyn's hand in his once more. As he kissed it, he looked at Braelyn with an expression she was all too familiar with, a bright twinkle in his eyes that promised nothing but trouble.
I won't let you win this time, Jack, Braelyn swore. I swear it.
AN - poor Braelyn's parents mean well, and are good people, I swear.
Next chapter: Braelyn heads to Stormwind for her 'date', but makes a detour to the Keep to see King Varian first. But things don't go the way she was expecting.