But all the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

~All I Want Is You-U2~

"I see no reason to wait any longer," said Khadgar as he sat with Jaaral and Toriona on the terrace. "I wish to take Cordana to the World Tree to say our vows."

"Where is she?" asked Toriona. "I hardly see her anymore these days. And when she left the Prince's party so quickly I thought she might be ill, though I know the Kaldorei do not succumb to such things."

Khadgar smiled. "She is sleeping at the moment. But, there is indeed something going on with her..."

Both of his friends looked alertly at him, concerned. "Is it serious?" asked Toriona.

A huge smile lit up his face and his eyes seemed to glow brilliantly. "Yes, but wonderfully so. Cordana is with child."

Toriona blinked, then she gave a shriek of joy. "Oh I knew she would agree eventually! She loves you so much, Archmage, I am overjoyed for you both!"

Jaaral gave a happy laugh. "What wonderful news! I congratulate you my friend!"

"Thank you both," said Khadgar softly. "It is not something she had planned on, and in truth I never thought it could ever happen but here we are then. Cordana is tired but she is doing very well, and has agreed that we should go to the World Tree. We both would like you to attend, if you could."

Toriona clapped her hands with glee and nodded vehemently. "Of course we will attend, won't we Jaaral? Nothing could keep us away! Oh could I come to the tower and speak with her, Archmage?"

Jaaral gently turned her face to him. "Now my dear, Cordana needs her rest. You can be quite a handful when you are excited!"

Khadgar smiled at them. "I think Cordana would love a visit, Toriona. Why not come by in an hour? She should be awake by then."

Toriona nodded. "I'm so excited for you both!"

"I am pretty delighted by it myself," answered Khadgar, standing. "Although I admit I am still in a state of shock. It was the last thing I would have ever imagined hearing."

The Commander and his wife could not wipe the huge smiles off their faces.

"How could you not have told me!" chided Toriona. "You knew all that time, and never said a word? You made Jaaral worried about you, and the Archmage too, and then me because I kept hearing how odd you were behaving. You could have told me, Cordana!"

The Warden reclined comfortably in Khadgar's favorite plush chair. She loved it as it smelled like him and made her feel that he was nearby. "No, I could not have, Toriona. You would have been unable to contain yourself and at the time it was imperative that my pregnancy was not relayed to Khadgar."

Toriona polished a grape and popped it in her mouth. "You know me too well already! You told me how you felt about children...have your feelings on it changed at all? Or have you just come to accept it for what it is?"

"I was very angry at first. And also disappointed and betrayed."

Toriona raised her eyebrows. "Betrayed? By whom?"

"Khadgar," said Cordana simply.

"But why? Did he somehow trick you into this?"

Cordana shook her head. "Oh no, not at all. He has lived his entire life believing that he was unable to father a child, due to the curse placed on him by his former master. Knowing nothing about such things, I had no reason to doubt him and therefore did not take the precautions I would have ordinarily. The shock of finding out he was rather incorrect on the matter angered me and put me in a rather poor state of mind. I needed time to sort through my feelings, and I would have held back longer if Khadgar had not been so obstinate and difficult about the changes he perceived in me."

Toriona laughed. "You describe him so well. He is definitely obstinate and difficult when he wants his own way. It is very hard to say no to the Archmage!"

Cordana smiled and rested her hands on her belly, momentarily considering her tiny unborn son within her. "Do you know Khadgar well?"

Toriona nodded. "Not too personally no. I studied his work from very early on, I enjoy reading his tomes and scrolls. His insights are incredible and his fearless use of magic is something to emulate. When he requested that I come to Draenor to assist the Commander with the diplomatic situations here, I was honored and brooked no hesitation. We spent some time together going over the mission and he worked with me on my magic, which was terribly underwhelming from years of unuse. He pretty much got me back to full power and then some because he felt that I needed to have all of my skills at the ready. He is an amazing man. You must have remembered seeing me Cordana. I certainly remember you."

Cordana shook her head. "I do not pay attention to Khadgar's lessons. I tend to sleep nearby when he is teaching or studying. I guard him through the night, and his teaching time is my rest time."

"Do you still do that now? Are you always on duty Cordana, or has that changed since you and the Archmage have been in an intimate relationship?"

Cordana nodded. "It has changed. I now sleep when he does. And every other moment of the day it seems. However, should we be required to travel away from the Tower, I would take up my regular duties as before. His safety and well being is my primary concern."

Toriona gave her a lopsided grin. "Oh you might find him obstinate and difficult about that should it occur!"

"I am completely aware that he is going to challenge me on every small detail of my activities. He fails to understand that Kaldorei are not made of glass! It is healthier for me to remain active during this pregnancy."

"I agree completely. Khadgar is going to be such a wonderful father. He is so patient and kind, as I am sure you are aware! He will take such good care of both of you but you have to let him, at least sometimes Cordana! Have you picked out what you will wear to the World Tree?"

Cordana blinked then raised her eyebrows. "Is it a human custom that I should wear something in particular for such an event? We Kaldorei just wear what we feel like. It is a celebration of love, not fashion."

Toriona had to laugh. Cordana's confusion and puzzlement was rather endearing. "Oh Cordana...I should show you what humans do for their weddings. You will probably be quite amused to say the least. Then you will understand why Jaaral and I had a Draenei ceremony!"

"Show me," said Cordana.

"You humans have the weirdest and most nonsensical ideas about fashion!" exclaimed Cordana as she and Khadgar sat down to dinner.

"Oh?" he asked, a bemused expression on his face.

"Yes. Those veil things that maidens wear to the cathedrals, and the ridiculous lengths of fabric trailing along behind them, not to mention the throwing of dead flowers and perfectly good rice. I am glad I am not human."

"Ahh," he said. "You are referring to our wedding customs. Yes, it can be rather fanciful. I take it you will not be wearing a veil and gown with a train?"

Cordana made a face. "By Elune, no! It is almost as though your people have...weddings...to impress others and forget the true meaning of the event."

He smiled. "You are quite correct there, my dear one. Often a wedding is used to display status and impress the guests. As for our wedding, you may show up wearing a sackcloth and you would still be the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on."

Cordana patted her belly. "You have laid more than just your eyes on me, Khadgar."

He burst out laughing. "My dear, dear love," he said when he caught his breath. "How I truly adore you!"

He reached over and squeezed her hand. "Just say your vows with me at your World Tree, nothing else in the world matters to me now but making you my wife."