Braelyn sighed with happiness as she exited the portal into Stormwind's Mage Tower. She'd been to Darnassus to help Odariah settle in to her new home with Andorien and their baby, a little boy named Osynix.
Thinking of the half-elf child, Braelyn grinned. She loved the child dearly, but was missing her own family. She wondered how Varian had coped in her absence.
Just as she stepped of the tower's ramp, Braelyn heard a bashful giggle, and was surprised to see Chelinka sitting on the stone steps leading to one of the merchant's shops. The mage was actually blushing, and Braelyn couldn't help smirking a little smugly when she saw the reason why.
Dominic, her husband's chief steward, was sitting next to her, holding out a rose for Chelinka to take.
Braelyn had decided to introduce the two as a reward for Dominic, her way of thanking him for his support when they thought that Varian had been killed by the Defias Brotherhood. She thought that the pedantic man could do with a little romance in his life, especially with someone who could help get the stick out of his arse.
Although... Chelinka being the shy one in the relationship was quite a surprise. Braelyn mad a mental note to tease the fire mage mercilessly the next time she visited the Keep.
The throne room was relatively empty when Braelyn entered, with neither Varian or Genn in attendance. She greeted the few petitioners and guards with a warm smile, before continuing on to the Courtyard, knowing that's where the missing men would be.
But she only found Genn, deep in conversation with Anduin.
"Mother!" Anduin cried, rushing over to give Braelyn a hug. "You're home. Father will be pleased."
"Really?" she replied, kissing Anduin's cheek, before doing the same to Genn.
"Yes, my dear," Genn said, chuckling. "I'm afraid Varian's been complaining about the 'legendary Hawke stubbornness' quite a lot since you've been gone."
"Oh, dear," Braelyn said, laughing. "I best go and rescue him then. Where is he?"
"In your chambers," Anduin answered.
"I'll go now, but we'll all dine together this evening, all right?"
"Of course," Genn said. "I look forward to hearing how your dear cousin is doing."
Braelyn gave the two men a last smile before heading for her chambers. There were two guards standing outside the door, but she knew that Fox and Learen were around somewhere, too.
"Everyone still alive in there, Fox?" she asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty," replied the rogue, her voice coming from somewhere further down the hall. "Though the was a lot of squealing going on earlier."
"Oho, this I have to see," Braelyn said. Nodding to the two guards, she opened her bedroom door and stepped inside, closing it behind her.
The curtains were drawn, and she had to wait a few minutes for her eyes to adjust to the low light. When she did, she turned her gaze to the bed, from where a soft snoring emanated. A smile lit up her face.
Varian was fast asleep, and he was not alone. Draped over his chest, her little fists grasping his hair, their eighteen-month-old daughter, Evangeline, lay sleeping. Her twin brother, Liam, was curled around his father's head, one hand resting on Varian's cheek, the other held to his own face as he sucked his thumb.
Braelyn stood and stared at them, her precious little family, with a loving smile on her face. The children had Varian's dark hair, but her ocean blue eyes. Evangeline's temperament was much like her father's, complete with the adorable little scowl that Braelyn had wished for. Liam was all Braelyn though, from his gorgeous smile to his love of animals.
Neither of them were inclined to frolic, though Genn said there was still time for them to develope the habit.
Braelyn went and carefully lifted Evangeline off of Varian's chest. She kissed the little girl's cheek when she began to grizzle, crooning to her softly as she transferred her to the crib in the small nursery leading off the main chamber. She repeated the process with her son, smoothing the boy's hair as she watched her children settle back down into sleep. She prayed for the Light to watch over them as they slept.
When she was sure the children were resting comfortably, Braelyn returned to her room and quietly removed her armor. Removing her trousers, she climbed into the bed and lay beside Varian, snuggling into her husband's side.
"Welcome home, little star," Varian murmured sleepily, wrapping an arm around her. "We've missed you."
"So I heard," Braelyn said, placing a soft kiss on Varian's shoulder. "I hope they weren't too much of a handful for you."
"Our son has learnt how to sic Bitey on people," Varian said, kissing her forehead.
"He's a smart boy, like his mother," Braelyn laughed, though she hoped that no one had been too badly injured.
"That he is," her husband replied with a yawn, clearly wanting to fall back to sleep.
"Go back to sleep, my love," Braelyn said, running her hand over his chest. "We can talk over dinner."
"All right," Varian replied, eyelids fluttering closed. "It's good that you are home."
As Braelyn rest her head on Varian's shoulder, she thought that what he said was true. It was good to be home.
It was always a joy to return to the Keep.
AN - and there we have it. This is the final multi-chapter Braelyn story, though she will be making an appearance in a one-or-two shot about how she came to meet Jack. I am currently in the planning stages of another story, with a different heroine, but I do not know when I will be starting to write it. Probably not for at least a week, depending on how well my surgery goes. It is tentatively titles 'Shadows and Light'.
I would like to thank my readers and reviewers, especially Amcm74 and Chelinka. Your kind words and encouragement have meant a lot, and been great motivation to keep writing on a daily basis. Knowing that you have people waiting for you to update your story is a wonderful feeling. Plus, friends to play with!