I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you

~Hanging By A Moment-Lifehouse~

Cordana's pregnancy advanced with little issue. She was healthy and so was the baby. Khadgar was extremely protective of her, and although it did cause some agitation on occasion, and some friction between them, for the most part she allowed him to fuss over her. Neither of them knew when their son would decide to make his appearance. The gestation period of humans was shorter than that of Kaldorei and just which would assert itself was unknown. It was a waiting game no different than that of any other mother, but the range was a bit longer. Both Khadgar and Cordana were eager to meet their little boy and often discussed the future and what they hoped it would entail. It never included war and strife and both of them wanted the situation on Draenor to be resolved quickly.

There was no further sighting of Maiev, which both relieved and worried them. What was she planning, where, and how? Was she planning anything at all or just wandering the world surviving? Why was she even on Draenor to begin with? It was that fact that had everyone on edge. She must have had a reason to cross the Dark Portal, Maiev always had a reason for everything she did. Cordana was sure she had not heard the last of her former sister of the Enclave.

"You know, Khadgar," she said as they sat on the stairs of the Tower one night, looking at the stars. "I will have to hunt Maiev once our son is born. She cannot be allowed to continue to wander in either world in her madness. If in our time here she does not make known her plans, I will need to free her from whatever has possessed her. She is no longer the Maiev Shadowsong that we all knew and loved."

Khadgar nodded. "I suspected as much, Cordana. However, do you think that she will remain in the Vaults for long, with the dissent shown by those who revere her? They will easily be swayed into helping her escape. I do not wish you to think that I would be alright with you being her permanent guard. We will have a child to raise, and our son will need his mother."

Cordana looked over at him, his handsome face bathed in Elune's moonlight. "I would never accept nor request that assignment," she said softly. "No, if she cannot be brought to her senses, Maiev is not headed for the Vaults."

"You mean to kill her." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes."

"I am sorry, Cordana," said Khadgar softly. He knew that such an act would weigh heavy on his wife's heart. The Enclave was a family, and even when one moved on or died, those ties remained in place. Having to kill one of their own would be a terrible burden. He did not go into the details with her, but knew that eventually that day would come when his wife would need to tie up that loose end. When it did, they would make a proper plan. He did not intend for her to go it alone.

Cordana rested her head on his shoulder and held his hand, and they were both silent for a long time. Finally Khadgar spoke.

"We really must step up our efforts to capture the assassin. Nothing I, nor Jaaral, has tried has worked out. Even the tomes that the mission specialists brought back have not enticed Gul'Dan. He seems to be laying low, no doubt continuing with his plans and hoping to carry them off with little resistance. This cannot be allowed to happen."

"I am not much help to you anymore Khadgar," she said sadly. "I am 8 months pregnant, awkward and ungainly and assuredly not battle savvy."

He smiled at her. "I do not plan for there to be any fighting at all. I mean to trap her, as one would a wild animal."

"We still have the same issue. Getting her to reveal herself."

"I was trying to use Gul'Dan to draw her out, " said Khadgar. "Repeating the scrying spell and hoping he would appear and send her to us once more, but that might not be necessary. She knows that Gul'Dan wants me dead. If an opportunity presented itself, I believe that the assassin would take the bait and act on her own."

Cordana didn't like the idea much. "So you would essentially bait her with yourself? Why does that sound like a horrible idea, especially with me unable to protect you! No, Khadgar, I will not agree to that."

He smiled. "Dear one, it will not be truly me...but my image!"

Cordana blinked. "Your image, like the one you used to assist Jaaral at Starfall Outpost! Now that is a wonderful plan! So this trap will be magical in nature I trust?"

"Yes!" answered Khadgar enthusiastically.

"How will you make this known to her? How will you draw her out?"

"I will reveal my plan tomorrow, at the Garrison."

He stood and helped Cordana to her feet. "Let us retire for the evening my love."

Khadgar watched her as she brushed out her wonderful hair, standing without a stitch of clothing on. Desire flared inside him and he lay back, unashamedly allowing her to see. She smiled.

The first few months of her pregnancy, she had not allowed him to touch her intimately. She was frightened and avoidant and he backed off, letting her be. She had gone to Sanctuary numerous times, and although she never told him, he suspected that she had broached the question of making love during pregnancy.

It had been in her 7th month that she came to him and told him that she was ready to try. He had been extremely gentle and tender in readying her, going slowly and allowing her to tell him how she felt every step of the way. Cordana decided when she was ready enough and took the dominant position, as her belly was growing to accommodate their child and he could not lie on her anymore. She enjoyed it, being able to control every part of their love making. It had been wonderful and expressive, and both of them realized they had missed it terribly, but the most positive aspect was that Cordana had no pain during or afterwards. She was thrilled, and unquestionably so was he.

Cordana put her brush down and wandered over, kissing him deeply, then planting tiny kisses down his body. She had discovered a new way to please him with those firey kisses, taking him to the very edge of release, then straddling him, taking him inside her. The Archmage had learned what the word control meant all over again. It was always his way to please her first, and held himself back until she had released, or until she was ready to do so and they could release together. He loved the sounds she made, Cordana was sensuous and passionate and that alone sometimes drove him to the edge.

As he lost himself in her rapturous attentions, he was reminded again of why he was so deeply in love with this woman.

Afterwards, as she remained happily sitting on him, he placed his hands on her belly. Occasionally he had been fortunate enough to feel their son moving about. The first time had brought tears to his eyes, when his tiny boy had responded to the sound of his voice by stretching out and giving a little kick. It amazed him how much love he could have for someone he had never even met, and the fact that his beautiful wife was willing to go through all of this for him, brought him to a level of emotion he could never have guessed could possess him.

He saw how uncomfortable she was at times, how her body was tired and hurting due to the changes, but she never complained. Sometimes he heard her softly speaking to their child, Kaldorei words of love and tenderness and he could scarcely believe that this was the same woman who at first had adamantly refused to even be around a child much less consider bearing one.

"He is asleep," said Khadgar with a smile.

"Oh no, he is most certainly not," said Cordana. "We woke him up. Now he wants to play."

She laughed softly and as if on cue the baby gave her a good swift kick. They both felt it. For a little while they were entertained by the kicks and rolls and punches, then Cordana lay down beside Khadgar, and the baby settled himself into a comfortable position and went to sleep.

"Kaldorei babies are quiet and amiable," said Cordana. "It seems our son is very much of my people. If I lie down he goes to sleep! If I walk around, he is awake a lot of the time."

"Is that unusual? Are not all babies this way?"

Cordana shook her head. "I have spoken to several human females. They are not as complimentary towards their unborn. Your people have children who seen to live in reverse. When the mother rests they want to play. I am glad that our son is more like the Kaldorei."

Khadgar tilted her chin up and looked at her. "He is part of both of us," he said softly. "You will not be disappointed if he favors me instead?"

"Of course not. Are you concerned that I will not love our child if he is more human than Kaldorei? How about if he is more like me, will you be displeased?"

She was sensitive about the issue, her old fears were still there, lying just below the surface. She could be defensive about the issue of their son's half blood.

"Cordana, I know this issue upsets you, and that you are not completely comfortable with it. I will love this child, and truly I already do, regardless of who he favors more. It does not matter what race an arcanist is, it matters how well they use their power."

Cordana stared at him, aghast. "Arcanist? Our son will most definitely not be an arcanist! He will learn to draw the essence of life and practice the skills of the Wardens, although he cannot be one, being male. He will have my abilities and be a great warrior!"

Khadgar started laughing. She realized then that he was teasing her. "Oh my dear one," he said when he had gotten over the look on her face. "Our child must be allowed to choose his path in life. As long as he is a healthy and happy child, I could ask for no more. But remember you and I are both able to practice magic, and it stands to reason that our son will have this ability also, although to what extent remains unknown. I am eager to find out!"

Cordana sighed. "You tease me too much, Khadgar," she said, plucking at his chest hair.

"Oh, you can be quite a little vixen when it comes to teasing me also!" He kissed her head.

"Now go to sleep my love. Tomorrow will be a full day for us."

She settled in as comfortably as she could, her belly against his side, and closed her eyes.