I wonder how we can survive
This romance
But in the end if I'm with you
I'll take the chance

~Right Here Waiting-Richard Marx~

Cordana was sitting quietly by a moonwell, interacting with her son who was kicking and rolling about inside her quite happily. She could sense his joy, and would touch his little hands and feet as he stuck them out at odd angles. She spoke to him as well, and read to him from Kaldorei elfling books. It still amazed her how she could love someone so much, someone she knew nothing about.

Cordana had lived at Sanctuary for a full month and was glowing with health and vitality, as every expectant Kaldorei should. Their long lives made it necessary to have very few births, and when one did occur, it was a happy occasion. While it initially had not been that way, at this point, Cordana was pleased and excited about meeting little Khadgar soon. She was at the point that a human female would complete a pregnancy and part of her wished her son would be born soon, but another part of her enjoyed the experience of carrying him, of knowing she had a part of the man she loved with her all the time.

"Cordana?"

The Warden looked up, and was surprised to see Jaina Proudmoore standing a few feet away.

"Khadgar told us that you were here, and I came to see how you were doing."

"I am doing well, thank you," she said. The first and last time she had met Jaina was at the World Tree ceremony. They were not friends, and this wasn't a social visit. Cordana sat up straighter and stretched her back, then reached for a plate of fruit, offering some to her guest. Jaina politely refused, and sat down beside her.

"I am glad to hear that. I know you realize this is not purely a social visit."

"I had gathered that," said Cordana. "We do not know each other. What can I do for you?"

Jaina sighed. "We are concerned about the situation at the Tower. I know that it is partly to blame for your needing to live away from your mate. I imagine that must be very difficult for you. Does he come to see you daily?"

Khadgar had told her that his relationship with the Council was not always a smooth ride, and since her loyalty was to him first and foremost, Cordana was instantly suspicious.

"Has something happened that you require such personal information from me?"

Jaina knew the stories of the Wardens, the Kaldorei jailers and bounty hunters, with their aloof, reclusive nature and cold demeanor. The Cordana she now faced was different than the one she had met at the World Tree. This one was on guard. She decided to be as forthright as possible. There was no sense alienating the Archmage's wife. Cordana could be instrumental in smoothing over any ripples between the Council and Khadgar if required.

"Khadgar came to us, asking for assistance. He explained the situation with the assassin, with the Orb of Dominion, and with you. All of us believe that your needing to be away from him is due to that situation and not a product of regular stressors. He is dabbling in dark magic, and we do not condone this. Have you seen him recently?"

Cordana rubbed her belly gingerly. She felt that Jaina was sincere in her queries and meant her no malice.

"No, I have not," she said sadly. "When he brought me here, he asked Jarrod to look in on me, and I have seen Jarrod daily, but Khadgar has only come to see me twice despite his promises to the contrary. I miss him terribly but I understand that the war effort is stressful and he has only Commander Jaaral to take my place. The Commander's wife has taken on most of her mate's responsibilities because of it. It cannot be this way for too long. I must return to my duties as soon as possible."

Something in her expression changed and she said quietly "If Khadgar wants me back that is..."

"Cordana!" exclaimed Jaina. "Why would you say such a thing?"

"It is quite obvious is it not? I am of no use to him in present circumstances, and once our child is born the baby will need all of my attention. Khadgar might decide he no longer needs me, as he may have found someone else to take my place as his protector. I have many sisters in the Enclave. It is a reality I must face that perhaps I will remain here in Azeroth with our son."

Cordana looked away. Even considering someone else in her place at his side rankled her terribly. That would represent a failure in her assignment, putting her on the same level as Maiev.

Jaina noticed her expression darken. "I am sure that Khadgar would want you back at his side as soon as possible. As long as I have known him, having a family was the one dream he truly believed he would never have. It is the most important thing in the world to him, keeping you and your child safe. You know, Cordana, when his involved friends used to squabble and fight, he would get so irate with them! He would tell them that in each other they have the greatest strength and loyalty, not to mention the bond of love and he would remind them that it was something he would never get to experience."

Cordana nodded. "Yes, he told me that he believed no female his true age at the time could possibly ever want a grizzled old man like him. But he has never seemed grizzled or old, and truly even if I were a young elf I could have loved him. Khadgar is very easy to love."

Jaina grinned. "I always thought he was very handsome too. It's those eyes! But I do admit that I could never think of him as a young man. It is a human failing sometimes that we cannot get past what our eyes see. I am glad that he has you. You have changed his life for the better, and made his dreams come true. We are old friends, even though he may not see me in that light, and we do not see eye to eye on most things."

Cordana nibbled on the fruit, quiet for awhile, trying to swallow the sadness that seemed to reside within her whenever she thought of her mate. She missed him beyond words, and wondered if he thought of her at all or if his work had enveloped him to the point of oblivion.

"Lady Proudmoore," she said softly. "Since this entire affair with the assassin, Khadgar has seemed...different...somehow."

"Oh? In what way?"

Cordana told her how dark and intense he had become, how too easily he seemed to accept cruel and harsh methods to get what he wanted. She made it clear she was concerned that she was no longer at his side to temper that darkness and bring him back to himself.

"Would it be alright if I went and spoke with Commander Jaaral? If he has been with Khadgar this entire time, perhaps he has noticed something also. I hope that the answer will be no. I hate to think there is some form of corruption in play."

Cordana nodded. "Please give the Commander my regards, and his wife also. I am grateful for all they are doing to help Khadgar."

Jaina stood up, her hands glowing with a soft white light. "I will return Cordana, and let you know how things are. You just concentrate on your little one. I do wish I could live here for awhile myself!"

With that, she disappeared in a bright flash of light.

Jaaral happily received his illustrious visitor. Jaina had cleverly lured Khadgar away to speak at the Mage Academy in Dalaran. She made much of it, and he was very pleased to go. Jaina also suggested that perhaps he go and visit Cordana, but the Archmage seemed avoidant of the subject. This bothered Jaina, but she had needed to sneak away and look for the Draenei base commander.

Jaaral was happy to take over for Cordana, although it was stressful for his own relationship as his wife had to manage not only her own duties but the affairs of the garrison also. He told Jaina that he found Khadgar to be a kind and amiable man, generous with his compliments and his time. He still taught novices and advanced arcanists alike, spent time writing his tome, and working on the assassin situation.

There was also the time he spent with the Orb of Dominion, trying various ways to "make it more powerful" as Jaaral put it. The Commander had little to no understanding of magic, he was a sword and steel warrior in every way. During the times the Archmage was working with the Orb, Jaaral admitted he seemed like a different person. As Cordana had described it, so had Jaaral.

"Did you know that he has only been to see Cordana twice in the last month?"

Jaaral frowned. "That cannot be accurate milady," he said, puzzled. "At the end of the day he often goes away, and I do not follow him. I had always assumed that he was going to see his mate as it would be the one place he never asks me to follow."

Jaina shook her head. "I am quite worried about him at this point. Do you know where he keeps that Orb?"

"It is in a mini prison beside the assassin at the Tower. He tells me it is warded, but I get an uneasy feeling around it. However, it keeps the assassin hypnotized. If not for that thing she would be screaming curses and throwing herself at the walls of that bubble and injuring herself."

"That is horrible!" exclaimed Jaina. "Well, I know now that we must do something. I really cannot condone the use of dark magic, but if that will either kill or free that poor creature so we can get rid of the Orb than we must plan to assist Khadgar. But it will take me a bit of time to ensure that we protect ourselves and I am not entirely well versed on Fel magic. I am hoping some of the other Council members may be. I thank you for your candor, Jaaral. Khadgar and Cordana have many friends who care about them."

Jaaral nodded. "When I return to the tower after some time away, I can tell you that it does not feel right. I would be pleased to see things return to normal there. I have been thinking about my friend...how is Cordana? If the Archmage is not visiting her, is she in low spirits then?"

Jaina shook her head. "Sanctuary is a magical place. She is peaceful there, spending her time nurturing her baby. Wardens are notorious for their single minded focus on their missions, and her child is now her only concern. She does not seem overly upset although she does miss him and told me she understands how difficult it might be for him to get away, and she mentioned her gratitude to you and your wife for all the help you are giving her husband."

Jaaral smiled. "It is the least we can do for our friends, and for the war effort. The sooner we can claim our victory, the sooner our lives can return to normal. I thank you for all your concern. We will get this worked out."

Jaina smiled. Jaaral was always so positive. Small wonder his garrison operated smoothly and flawlessly. He worked with his men as an equal, not as an overseer. It worked very well for him. She thanked him, and was gone.

Cordana had moved herself into a little cottage on the fringes of Sanctuary. She had a tiny garden with herbs, two chickens and a goat. The animals cheered her and made her feel less alone. She was aware of the lapse of Khadgar's attention, but she of all people understood the nature of the mission they had undertaken, and its vital importance. However, it was a small comfort at night, when she ached to be held, or the days when she felt painful and cumbersome and just wanted comfort. A Kaldorei gestation was 3 months longer than a human's, but because her son was only half Kaldorei she did not know when he would be born. It was different for everyone, each time. Rashana looked after her and was pleased with how well they were both doing.

Then there was Skylar.

Cordana had been at sanctuary for two months. The gentle, soft spoken sire with the forest colored hair that she had met on her first day, became a rather good friend. Having only experienced Toriona on a friendship level, having one of her own kind was interesting. He knew about Kaldorei society and trends, their history, their potential future...and it was nice to feel a kinship that she could not even get with Khadgar. Skylar was slightly older than she was, and they spent a lot of time discussing the old ways and why they were better or worse.

They lay in her yard, looking up at the stars.

"Why did you take a human mate, Cordana?" he asked. "You are so beautiful, you could have had any Kaldorei sire at your beck and call."

She laughed, and told him how her life had been, how she had been treated for most of it, and how she believed completely that she was quite hideous and unworthy of love.

"That is so far from the truth," said Skylar. " A pox on everyone who ever made you feel less than you truly are."

"I love Khadgar," she said. "I was not looking for, nor expecting to ever fall in love. I was very sure it would not happen for me. Love just happens, Skylar. It just happens and we are powerless against it."

He sighed softly. "What if he never comes back for you? He told me he would return as often as possible, but he never kept his word. Are all humans truly that way? I have heard they are. I have seen they are."

"I am carrying his son. I will bring the child to him if need be. He has wanted to be a father his entire life, I know he will not abandon him."

"Not his son," said Skylar. "But you. What then?"

"That will not happen!" said Cordana a bit too emphatically. Was she trying to convince him or herself? The thoughts had crossed her mind. Suppose Khadgar did decide that a Kaldorei mate was not right for him! What if he realized in their time apart that he truly did not love her as he once thought? She forced those thoughts away. Stop it! She admonished herself. You know Khadgar loves you with all of his heart. It is this damnable war that is causing all of this stress and it will be over soon enough.

Skylar looked over at her. "Cordana? I would have you for my mate."

It was a statement.

Her eyes met his. "I have a mate, Skylar and he loves me very much, as I love him."

"It would not matter to me that your child is half human. Not one bit. I would love you both."

She sat up. "Stop it, Skylar! You must not entertain such thoughts, as they will not come to pass!"

"I...I am sorry," he stammered. "You are magnificent, Cordana. I have never met a maiden like you before and I have been around for a long time."

She felt sorry for him. He was lonely and she knew all too well what that felt like.

"If things were different Skylar, if I had met you in another time and place, I would have been honored to be your mate. You are a fine and proud sire from a good bloodline. Any maiden would be proud to be your mate."

That brought him a measure of comfort. He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"You give me hope, Cordana," he said.

"If you wish a challenge, meet one of my Warden sisters. Some prefer other maidens but some would not turn away a handsome sire like yourself!"

They laughed, and lay there counting the stars well into the night.