Oh the wonders that I find
In the playground in my mind
In a world that used to be
Close your eyes and follow me
Where the children laugh and the children play
And we sing a song all day
~Playground In My Mind-Clint Holmes~
Khadgar looked at Cordana, his hands on her shoulders. "I think it will be a lot of fun, my dear!" he said.
"Not for me!" she exclaimed. "You know I do not enjoy being around children!"
"Lady Toriona thinks this will be a good thing for the garrison children. It has been hard on them coming to this strange place, having to endure that terrible attack, and a carnival will lighten everyone's hearts."
Cordana sighed and ducked out of his hold. "You know I will be there, guarding you as always, but do not expect me to...to...play with them or otherwise entertain them."
Khadgar laughed. "It will be at the garrison, and you need not concern yourself with hiding in the shadows. You are entitled to have a bit of fun just as much as everyone else does."
"I would have more fun being alone somewhere with you, Archmage," she said.
He reached out for her, eyes hooded. "I will make you a deal, beautiful Cordana," he said in a low voice. "You help us out with this little event, and I will take you somewhere unforgettable, just the two of us. Do you agree?"
She grunted miserably. "I am truly not good at these sort of things, Khadgar. As your protector, all I am required to do is guard you. I am not a babysitter nor an entertainer of any kind."
He smiled at her. "As my beloved, I wish you to participate in the gentler aspects of my life. I will even provide a pretty dress for you to wear."
Cordana looked horrified. "Khadgar! I must draw the line at that. It is one thing for you to insist I accompany you to this...carnival thing, but another entirely to dictate how I should dress! I wish to be dressed in accordance with my duties, but since you have insisted otherwise, you will have to settle for my shirt and breeches. I am not comfortable in public wearing...dresses."
Khadgar tucked her hair behind her ears, and gave her a little kiss on her forehead. "You could dress in the miller's sackcloth Cordana, and even that would not diminish your beauty. You continually try and hide what you are, and it is not working."
She shook her head. "You are a crazed and blind old man."
"Perhaps I am," he responded, tilting her chin up. "But I am happy in my insanity loving you and being loved by you."
"You talk too much," she said, putting her arms around his neck, and kissing him deeply.
The garrison was all decked out with streamers, ribbons and balloons. Citizens dressed as harlequins walked around doing acrobatics, wandering minstrels played happy songs, and a gnomish entourage had set up some mechanical rides. There was a carousel, a small ferris wheel, and a little train that went around the town square. The stable master had brought out his gentlest animals to offer rides, and the smaller creatures were penned up to be cuddled and fussed over. For the older children a small area had been fenced off, where they could put on armor and fight some practice statues. The wading pool had been completed and filled with water.
"I had no idea that there were so many families in this garrison," said Cordana.
"Indeed," replied Khadgar. "Jaaral allowed many of them to take up residence here, because it was unfathomable to him to break them up simply to gain a soldier or a craftsman. It is why I agree with the Orcs. They keep their mates and children close by them even in times of war. We are all stronger, together."
Lady Toriona saw them and waved. "Archmage! Cordana! I am so happy to see you both! The garrison looks lovely, and everyone is happy today."
Khadgar bowed to her with a smile. "This was a good idea. We all need a bit of playtime."
"Cordana," said the Commander's wife. "You look absolutely beautiful! I do hope you enjoy yourself today!"
The Warden smiled politely. She felt ill at ease outside of her comfort zone and wanted the day to be over with as quickly as possible.
Children flocked to Khadgar. He didn't even need to do anything. They all knew him and begged him to shoot off a light show, or turn into a raven, or conjure up sweets and coins for them. One little boy climbed up into his lap.
"You saved my life Mister Mage!" he said, and put his little arms around Khadgar's neck. The archmage was positively glowing with joy as he hugged the little fellow back.
"He sure loves the little ones," said Lady Toriona, linking her arm with Cordana's. "He must have raised some impressive sons and daughters!"
Cordana looked down at her and shook her head slightly. "No, he has no children."
"How unfortunate for him! Well perhaps he has just been waiting for the perfect lady. Half elven children are exceptionally beautiful you know!" She was smiling kindly, her words meant in a loving fashion but Cordana's entire body tightened up.
"By Elune, no!" she said, a bit more forcefully than she meant to. "I find the entire notion very unappealing! Things are fine just as they are!"
"Oh, Cordana!" said Lady Toriona giving the Warden's arm a gentle squeeze. "I used to feel the same way myself. My career was everything to me!"
"And what changed?"
The auburn haired diplomat gave a little laugh. "I met Jaaral, lost him, then found him again. It seems only natural to want to raise a family with someone you love, at least it is for us humans. Are the Kaldorei that much different?"
Cordana wanted to stealth away to a quiet corner. She had never felt comfortable with small talk, and was even less adept at conversations of a personal nature. Lady Toriona was a diplomat and knew how to speak, there were no topics off limits to one such as her, which was the complete and total opposite of Cordana.
"My people are not...comfortable...with mixed offspring in most cases," she said quietly. "Those of us who have mates of other races often live outside of the elven nation. Children born of such unions are never accepted by either side, and have difficult and trying lives."
Lady Toriona made a sad little sound. "You make it sound as though it is a rare thing. These days, mixed marriages are fairly normal. Especially here in Draenor. I am excited for the day that Jaaral and I will start a family. The Draenei are so long lived that they have very few children. He wishes to wait until things have settled down here."
All the more reason to complete this mission, so people can get on with their lives, thought Cordana.
"It is not something I plan on doing," she said.
Lady Toriona gave her a small smile. "That is very unfortunate. Khadgar would have made a truly wonderful father."
Cordana sat down, watching Khadgar and Jaaral make kites with the children. The day had grown hot, and she wished for the solitude and coolness of a forest, or even Khadgar's chambers at the Tower. She did not do well with social situations and often wondered how the Archmage tolerated it so well and so easily. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine herself anywhere else.
"Cordana," she heard Khadgar say. "Look what I found!"
She opened her eyes and looked up at him. He was holding a tiny baby in his arms. "This is the garrison's newest resident!"
He held the little bundle close so she could see. It was a Kaldorei child, sleeping peacefully.
"Where are it's parents?" she asked. "You must return it at once, Khadgar. It is not a pet."
The Archmage laughed softly. "It is a she, Cordana. Here, hold her a moment."
He looked surprised when she sidled out of her chair and backed away. "I most certainly will not. It will start to scream and I will accidentally drop it. Take it back to its parents please."
He held the baby out to her in such a way that she could not possibly escape, and reflexively took it awkwardly.
"Sit down with her, my dear. She will not scream or bite. She is Kaldorei, you must be aware how amiable your elflings are!"
She glared at him unhappily, her lips set in a hard line, and sat down. Khadgar turned to leave and Cordana yelped. "What...Khadgar...where are you going?"
"I will return in a moment. You will be fine, both of you."
He walked away, leaving her staring after him. When he turned back, she had her head down and was peering at the tiny little face. Seeing the woman he loved so deeply, holding a fragile new life, Khadgar felt his throat tighten and he swallowed hard. Set your focus elsewhere old man. Such things are not to be.
Cordana studied the baby carefully. It was interesting to her that she herself had once been so tiny. She did not remember her mother, only her cruel brother and broken father. Why anyone would want to procreate in such a harsh and warlike world was beyond her. It was hardly fair to bring new life into such circumstances. People could be so selfish. Hurry up and get back here, Khadgar. This is interminable to me and this child will start screaming soon. That would be just my luck.
He did return momentarily and she gladly handed the still sleeping Kaldorei back to him.
"You see? Nothing to fear. Sweet, are they not?"
She gave him a hooded look. "No," was all she said.
With a chuckle, he walked away.
Two little girls, one human and one Draenei, no older than 6 or 7, carrying a basket of tiny flowers, came over to Cordana.
"You look like a princess!" said the human child.
"Like a warrior!" said the Draenei.
"We learned about night elves at school," said the human, who had blonde hair in two little braids.
"Kaldorei," corrected Cordana.
"It means children of the stars!" said blondie proudly. "We haven't got any stars but Nishkaa and I collected lots of flowers. Can we put them in your hair?"
Before Cordana could object to the request or make good her escape, the little Draenei came close and stroked her hair. "Mairi, hand me the flowers and I will braid them in!"
The human child grabbed a handful and held them out.
"What on earth makes you think I wish to have dead flower heads in my hair?" questioned Cordana.
The little girls looked at each other.
"He said she would say that," said blonde Mairi.
"Yes," answered Nishkaa. "Well we know he is very smart." She resumed playing with Cordana's hair.
"Who are you speaking of?" asked the Warden.
"Your mate of course!" giggled Nishkaa.
"Yep," said Mairi. "Him." She turned and pointed straight at Khadgar, who looked up and waved with a grin.
"I suppose he gave you coins to torment me," said Cordana.
"Nope," responded Mairi. "He made it rain all these little flowers, and me and Nishkaa collected them. He said you would look even more beautiful when we put them in your hair."
"Oh he did, did he?" asked Cordana, giving Khadgar a truly evil eye.
"Yep," said Mairi.
Nishkaa was hard at work when she gasped and grabbed her friend's hand. "Mairi! Look!"
Cordana couldn't tell what they were gaping at, but the Draenei child was holding a strand of her hair.
"It's magical!" she breathed.
"Oh yes," said Mairi with a very solemn nod, her eyes wide. "He's a Archmage! That's why!"
Nishkaa nodded, equally solemn and impressed.
"What are the two of you going on about? Show me at once!" commanded Cordana.
Nishkaa held out a small braided strand of her hair for her to see. The tiny flower had grown sparkling tendrils and had wound itself into the braid.
The Warden studied it for a moment then looked back at Khadgar who was having a swordfight with a little boy, using bullrushes as swords. "Carry on," she said to the girls.
Khadgar looked Cordana over with delight. "You did a beautiful job!" he said to the girls. They had each taken one of her hands and dragged her from her seat over to where he was.
"But there is something missing, don't you think?" he asked. They looked at Cordana, then back at him, nodding. Khadgar conjured a glowing violet wand, that looked very much like an item a little child would imagine. He handed it to Nishkaa.
"You must think really hard, and then touch Cordana with the magic wand while speaking the secret word," he instructed. He whispered something in her ear. Nishkaa giggled and quivered with excitement.
"You are NOT going to turn me into a sheep again," said Cordana through gritted teeth.
Nishkaa squeezed her eyes shut, then touched the wand to Cordana's arm and spoke a strange word. The warden was instantly clothed in a pale cream dress with the same tiny flowers scattered on the bottom of the skirt. There was no doubt it was a very beautiful dress, and Cordana felt very uncomfortable. Mairi took the wand and put satin slippers on her feet, then a gossamer cloak. The girls squealed with delight while Khadgar looked on, smiling.
"I feel like a life sized dress up doll," said the Warden unhappily.
"You are indescribably beautiful Cordana," said the Archmage, cupping her chin. "This is not a terrible thing, to have fun this way. You missed a lot in your childhood. Perhaps you can recapture some of that now."
She shook her head. "I highly doubt it, Archmage."
He offered her his arm. "Let us walk about. You are too lovely not to show off."
With a sigh she took it, the little girls running off towards the stable. The day was dragging unbearably and she had already had to put up with holding babies and letting little girls treat her like a doll. She hoped Khadgar's reward for her would be incredible and worth it.
He bought her a snack from one of the vendors, a strange Draenei dish that she had never tried before but liked. People who had never seen her without her encounter suit didn't know who she was. Usually the Archmage had his bodyguard with him, and now he had this stunningly beautiful Kaldorei at his side. There were a lot of whispers and stares, and Cordana felt insecure.
"Khadgar, I am drawing too much attention. It is not right for me to be dressed this way. Please return me to my former outfit."
He patted her hand. "Now why is it not right for a beautiful woman to be dressed in beautiful clothing? You draw attention because you are unlike anyone they have seen before."
"Please, Khadgar, everyone here has seen my people before."
He smiled. "Not like you, they haven't, Cordana."
The Warden could not understand him. Why did he think she was so glamorous? If anything she was just a common Kaldorei, smaller than most with nothing remarkable about her other than perhaps her cunning in battle.
They stopped at the wading pool where Lady Toriona was playing with some of the children. Jaaral was nearby, making sure the older ones didn't run over the younger ones. The little train went past and blew its horn and he waved.
Khadgar and Cordana sat beneath a tree and rested away the major heat of the day, and as dusk fell, the firepits were lit and food was roasted and served. They sat together by one of the fires, and the Archmage created colorful sparkles to shoot from the center every now and then, delighting everyone. He reached into the air and conjured a rose, giving it to Cordana. She couldn't help but smile. Such silly romantic gestures, that would never have given her pause before, now pleased her very much.
Khadgar gathered her to him as they listened to the stories by the fire, and children grew tired and fell asleep in parents' arms. With her head resting on his chest, Cordana didn't notice the two little girls, Mairi and Nishkaa crawl over near her and sit down. She only became aware of them when little Nishkaa fell asleep, her head on Cordana's leg, the tiny horn buds digging into her.
"Khadgar!" she whispered. "There is a child on me!"
He looked over with a smile. "So there is! Nishkaa, I believe. The little Draenei."
Cordana pursed her lips. "Yes. A Draenei. With horns digging into my leg! Why does she not victimize Jaaral or any other of her own people!"
Khadgar shook his head. "You know, you can move her to a more comfortable position. Children sleep like the dead."
As he said that, Mairi stood up and promptly sank down in the space between Khadgar and Cordana, wrapping an arm around his knee and leaning heavily on him.
"By Elune!" she said. "Do these two not have parents?"
Khadgar looked at her sadly. "No, Cordana, they do not. Nishkaa is from the orphanage in Embaari Village, and Mairi lost her only parent in the shadow council attack. Her father was one of Jaaral's brightest soldiers. He died saving his daughter. Mairi and Nishkaa have only been friends a short while, they met this morning and have become inseparable. The Matron will be taking Mairi along with the others to the orphanage, as the garrison is ill equipped to see to the orphan's needs appropriately."
Mairi looked up into Khadgar's face and took his hand, then did the same to Cordana. The Warden's lips twitched in the suggestion of a smile.
"War is evil," was all she said, but she understood what it was like to be an orphan and hoped that the girls never met a fate as unhappy as her childhood had been. By the grace of Elune she had met Khadgar, who loved her as much as she loved him. Not everyone was that fortunate She looked gratefully up at Khadgar, who gave her a kind, loving smile.
I love you, she mouthed. I love you too, he gestured back.