AN: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING OF WORLD OF WARCRAFT! IT BELONGS TO BLIZZARD!
AN: This chapter long and is a little more heart wrenching in my opinion. Also, there are hints of a new story I am writing... try to find them. ;)
The large Tauren and the Human sat together comfortably drinking and eating in one of the neutral bars in Dalaran. Whitefeather looked to his companion, but Creed was in her own world.
"You are obviously in love, and yet you look heartbroken," Whitefeather nearly startled the experienced Rogue to death. Creed looked up at the wise Tauren.
"I have seen that look on your face before... my daughter had that same look when she had told me of her feelings for an elf. I too had the same one many years ago with my wife." Nostalgia leaked into his calming words. Creed smiled lightly, but got curious when he referred to his daughter... a tauren and elf?
"I bet your wife was a very lucky woman to have you," Creed whispered back. The Tauren chuckled.
"It was I who was the lucky one, little Rogue. It was I who was given the gifts from the Light above, she was my everything." The words he spoke struck Creed's heart, a man so deeply in love...
"Where is she?" Whitefeather smiled sadly.
"She is resting... she is finally at peace with the gods above, looking over me and our two children." Creed didn't expect his words to cut so deeply with her.
"I'm sorry. I bet she was a very wonderful woman. Your children and you were lucky to have her."
"Yes, we were. You remind me a lot of her and my daughter, head strong and soft hearted to those around you, no matter the race or faction. You would have much in common with my young one." Creed smiled softly at his reminiscent words. Whitefeather leaned forward resting his large head on his folded hands in thought.
"I am honored at the thought. I would love to meet your daughter one day. What is her name?" A sad look over came Whitefeather's face. Soft brown eyes looked a little watery as he gazed at Creed.
"Her name was Echo." Creed froze for a second, the word 'was' immediately caught her.
"Oh... I am sorry. I didn't mean to..."
"That is fine. Echo has been lost to my son and I many years after I lost my wife. Truth be told, since the reign of the Burning Legion in Outlands all those years ago, she has been lost. She was like you in many ways because like you... she was too a human who fell for an elf." Creed froze at hinting words. Her eyes widened in almost horror, it was like looking through a looking glass, but in word form.
"Echo was a mere abandoned babe when my love and I found her... she was strong though. She also chose to become a Rogue in hopes it would block off the hurt that the world had bestowed upon her. She wanted to be strong even if she truly felt she wasn't. Do not think otherwise of me, Ms. Creed, I loved, still do, my daughter regardless of the fact she was human. I was honored to see the side of the Alliance in her, that is why I volunteered for this position, to keep the treaty. It something she taught me about people and I can see you understand it as well. There is love in every which way you look, it wears many faces and forms, but it is never wrong nor blind. I had lost my dear Echo to a High Elf in Dalaran many, many years ago. I forbade her from forming a relation with him and ended up driving her into isolation away from us, from our family." Creed nearly flung herself out of her chair as Whitefeather grabbed her hand gently in his large paws.
"There is something that you must know little Rogue that this world and its generations have forgotten... the ones you love the most should be the ones to who hear it first hand from your lips, they cannot guess and assume they are correct. If this long life has taught me anything, it is do not wait for for you may not get another chance. We live and die so quickly, but it is who we spend it with that makes it worth the journey life presents." Creed felt a burn in her eyes, she hated crying in front of people, but this was a different crying.
"Thank you for telling me all this, your trust is heart touching. It is difficult for me to express my feelings to anyone anymore," Whitefeather nodded.
"You have been hurt..."
"More than I can count," Creed replied.
"Tell this old man before you, who is the lucky man who managed to steal a treasure as valuable as you heart?" Creed looked so hesitant and felt her blush crawling over her face.
"Rommath, but it is not possible for me... us... to be together. He feels nothing for me... I honestly don't even know." The Tauren's eyes twinkled.
"The Grand Magister?" Whitefeather chuckled to himself. Creed nodded.
"Ah, yes that powerful little Blood Elf who looked so protective over you when you both arrived... I remember him very well from many years ago. You do not see what I did then, little Rogue. The look in his eyes as he looked at you as Miss Proudmoore got close to you or as you spoke of the Justice of the young High Elf in the Hold... I saw everything quite well." Creed's hands tightened together at his kind and wondrous words.
"Let me tell you something about love, Miss Creed. Love is beautiful. Love is when two hearts open up for one another even though they had been guarded for so long because they felt the need to protect themselves from being hurt again... it is finding the missing piece of your heart and soul that was taken from you by another so long ago."
"What I see between you and the Magister is unique. I see two people who have guarded their hearts for so long they fear to open up to others, but are willing to be vulnerable to each other. I see that you and he would be willing, if not already, show another side to each other that the world nor your friends have ever seen." Creed felt tears fall off her cheeks at Whitefeather.
"I can see you would do anything for him and his people... regardless of the consequences. That is dedication... THAT is love. Do not do what I made the mistake of doing to my daughter, do not let others or your own heart stop you from being with the one it aches for most." Creed quickly wiped her cheeks and laughed with Whitefeather.
Khadgar walked briskly into the bar, spotting the Ambassadors, he joined them for a quick word.
"Ambassadors, you have made a final verdict, correct?" Both nodded.
"The meeting is set in a week... but as of right now the Horde and Alliance lords are arguing over the placement of the meeting." Khadgar sighed. Creed looked up at him.
"My garrison." Khadgar looked confused at Creed's words.
"Set the meeting to be held at my garrison. I am naturally a neutral person... that way not one lord of the Horde or Alliance can argue or take order over the situation." Whitefeather hummed to himself as Khadgar set it over in his head.
"That is not a bad idea, do you not think so Archmage? It being held in the company of the Ambassador's home..." Khadgar looked between both of the Ambassadors, he knew Creed was a neutral being.
"I will send the final message to the Horde and Alliance lords." Khadgar nodded in agreement at the placement of the meeting in Draenor.
"Let this be done," Creed quietly begged.
**Draenor: Shadowmoon Valley- Lunarfall**
1 Week later...
Creed had stayed in Draenor, catching up on her duties, hoping to get her mind off of Rommath and the upcoming meeting till the day came. She only went back to Silvermoon once to get all her stuff from the inn because she knew when the meeting ended, so did her Ambassadorship to the Silvermoon.
Creed swallowed nervously as her guards and followers were helping prepare the Garrison for the arrival of all the most powerful members of the Horde and Alliance. Creed looked around at her garrison... the damage of the invasion had long been repaired. She still felt a little nauseous.
Town Hall had been prepared to seat all the Council of Six, every leader of the factions, and Ambassador Whitefeather. Thorn was directed to bring them into Town Hall when they ported to the Mage tower near the end of her Garrison next to the fishing hole.
"Are you alright, Commander?" Ahm had come to her left side with Phylarch on her right.
"Nervous I suppose. Meetings like this are nerve racking... I think I would rather be in battle at the Fel Forge," Creed tried to joke but it was lack luster. She ran a nervous hand through her brown hair.
"It will end well, Commander. After all you are the one directing it," Ahm tried to make her feel better, but it made Creed sweat a little at his words.
"Meaning I could possibly screw up and cause more disaster," Phylarch grabbed her shoulder in comfort.
"Mistress, those deaths were not your fault... the one who organized the attack is the blame. You tried as hard as you could to stop it... some things cannot always be stopped though."
Creed let out a large sigh.
"Thank you both for the talk. I would like to be alone before the meeting begins..."
Both nodded at their Commander and left silently with a bow.
Standing at the edge of the garrison that over looked the ocean beyond, Creed zoned out in thought. So much so that she didn't hear the opening of the portals on top of the Mage Tower, nor the multitude of footsteps as they came down the steps.
Lieutenant Thorn nodded and welcomed the arriving leaders.
"Greetings rulers of Orgrimmar, Thunder Bluff, Stormwind, Gilneas, Gnomeregan, and Undercity. Greetings to you too, Ambassador Whitefeather. Commander Creed has directed me to bring you to Town Hall. We have prepared seats for you."
Khadgar nodded at Thorn and interrupted her.
"I think I shall stay behind and direct the rest of our company when they arrive, Lieutenant." Thorn nodded and showed them into Town Hall.
Khadgar looked around the beautiful garrison and saw Ambassador Creed in thought looking over the edge of the ocean. He noticed the change in her from the beginning when he saw her Dalaran... something affected her so deeply over the past year.
He left her alone as she looked in a deep thought. The familiar swirl and arcane static pulled him back as he saw more portal open up.
"Welcome my lords and ladies of Silvermoon, Ironforge, Exodar, and Darnassus. Welcome my fellow Council, please will you all follow me to Town Hall." All the members of the elite races walked down the steps of the Mage Tower and through the pathway. The Ironforge leader whistled in appreciation to the garrison.
Rommath stood silently next to Lor'themar and Halduron as they made way through the large base, but stopped when he spotted Creed in the distance. He saw the Tyrande Whisperwind look in the same direction and stiffen at the familiar Human child who was once in her city.
The group moved forward, Halduron and Lor'themar noticed their friend straying behind and saw out of the corner of their eyes as he moved toward the Ambassador in the distance.
"The eternal sun shines, Ambassador Creed." Rommath softly greeted the woman in his people's language, making her look over to him with sad eyes.
"Hello, Rommath." The soft voice of Creed greeted him back. He knew something was wrong as he saw fear in her eyes.
"What is wrong, Creed?" She continued to stare at the calm ocean.
"What if I mess up again? I won't... no I just can't be the cause of more bloodshed and war between our people. I'm scared, Rommath. I don't want this treaty to end for the sake of an artifact." Creed held her body straight but her shoulders slumped.
"You are a good leader, Creed. A very good leader." Those words rocked Creed's world, especially from the lips of Rommath.
"I pray everyday I do the right thing for everyone..." Rommath gently put his hand under Creed's chin, making her look at his sincere eyes.
"You cannot please the whole world, Nova."
Creed wanted to kiss him again, but new she couldn't especially with all the faction leaders near.
"Commander! It is time!" Thorn ran to her leader and bowed slightly at the two figures.
"Right," Creed sighed out softly and let her head fall on Rommath's chest for a few seconds in thought.
Creed and Rommath walked into the Town Hall, the room was filled with every faction leader and the Council of Six at the long table waiting for her. Creed walked to her seat next to Ambassador Whitefeather at Thorn's mission desk in front of the long table.
Rommath stood beside Lor'themar respectively.
Khadgar stood beside the Ambassadors and present the statement.
"The fight between the Kirin Tor and the Sunreavers in the home of Dalaran has been called upon to banish any involvement of the Horde in Dalaran and the Kirin Tor. Aethas Sunreaver and the Sunreavers have been accused by Jaina Proudmoore for the loss of the Divine Bell. The sentence of Aethas Sunreaver and the full banishment of all Sunreavers from Dalaran is the penalty..." Khadgar continued his speech that was going on and what was to be expected if the verdict was guilty or innocent.
A near hour later, Khadgar finished with his speech and the evidence on both sides of the issue presented from the Ambassadors.
Every leader listened very carefully and the Council of Six grew grim at the evidence. Jaina was anxious.
"After all that has been presented and reviewed over a year, the verdict to the issue between Jaina and the Sunreavers is to be finally decided by Horde Ambassador Whitefeather and Alliance Ambassador Creed." Khadgar spoke in a command as he looked to both of the serious and tired Ambassador.
"We do have a verdict, Archmage. Please sit." Creed spoke firmly and stood in her chair in front of the mission desk, facing every leader and the Council.
"Ambassador Whitefeather and I have studied deeply into the evidence to this confrontation, we have come to a conclusion." Creed left every leader on end, her face was void of emotion and her voice was just as blank.
"With the testimony of a High Elf that was imprisoned in the Violet Hold and the substantial evidence that was documented... I hereby, with the corresponding vote of Ambassador Whitefeather, judge the case against the Sunreavers as innocent. Dalaran shall remain a neutral city." Creed stood tall and imposingly to the leaders.
A sigh of relief came across many of the faction members, but Jaina screamed.
"NO! On what ground do you have the right to say that!?" Jaina screamed and slammed her fist so hard in to the table it cracked the foundation. Creed glared at Jaina.
"You will seat your self back in your seat, Proudmoore. I will not have you causing panic in my home! My word is final!" Creed yelled back as a look of shock came over many of the leaders.
"I have based this case upon what I have seen, heard, and read! The High Elf you so wrongly locked away did see some Sunreavers in fault with the theft of the Divine Bell, but you blatantly ignored the fact that the members who conspired against the Kirin Tor were Kirin Tor members themselves! Yes, both parties and factions are at fault here! But I will not let you stand by and banish a entire people from their home because you lost yours!" Creed's words made Jaina freeze and fire light in her eyes.
"How dare you!" Jaina screamed with fury at Creed, standing tall and ready to pounce.
"This issue from the beginning was never about the Divine Bell, and you know that very well. It was about banishing a race of the Horde from Dalaran; Jaina you cannot put your fury to the races of the opposing faction when one man from it is the one who destroyed Theramore... it will never make anything right nor bring it back." Creed had began to yell but it went softer as she spoke.
"I lost my home and people! You know nothing of loss, Creed!" Creed gritted her teeth hard and her eyes went shadowed.
"I KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT LOSS, PROUDMOORE! Fighting me and bringing up old battles will never change anything! It will not bring your family, people, or home back! Garrosh Hellscream was dealt with, you do not need to blame the rest of the Horde for one madman's actions!" Creed slammed her own hands down and glared at Jaina who was gritting her teeth with fury.
"The Sunreavers are to stay in Dalaran beside the Kirin Tor, and Aethas Sunreaver is to continue being one of the leaders of Dalaran and as well as continuing his duty as one of the Council of Six; our decision is final! Khadgar..." Khadgar looked at Creed in curiosity.
"I would like to hold a vote between all the leaders of Azeroth and the Council of Six..." The room became quiet as Creed requested something that would change Dalaran's ruling.
"Alright, go ahead."
"I would like to vote for the Kirin Tor and Sunreavers to become a neutral organization again. That way Sunreavers that lost their spots among the Kirin Tor to be able to join again... a unity must be made somewhere." Every Council member and leader looked shocked at Creed, behind her Whitefeather nodded in agreement.
"Yes, there must be a healing in the history between the Kirin Tor and Sunreavers." Whitefeather smiled to himself at the proposal.
"N-" Jaina was cut off by Aethas raising his hand. Then followed by a big surprise... King Wrynn and King Genn raising their hands. Then Lady Sylvanas reluctantly raised her hand with Vol'jin, Lor'themar, and every other leader raising their hands.
One by one the Council raised their hands, leaving Jaina the only one with her hand down.
"Jaina, please... for the sake of peace. We have finally attained peace, do not let Garrosh's mission win and poison us from one another. You will let the bastard accomplish what he was trying to do..." Creed begged the angered Mage.
Jaina's demeanor hesitated and she looked around at every leader staring at her.
"Theramore can be rebuilt, but this history... this peace cannot." Creed rose her hand to join the vote.
Slowly, the pale hand of Jaina Proudmoore rose.
"The verdict of this issue is innocent with the addition to a new agreement between Kirin Tor and Sunreavers. This trial is over." Khadgar concluded, sighing in relief at the on going issue.
All the leaders stood and began to slowly but surely chat with one another, some shook hands and were trying to be nice. Creed felt her lips lift in a smile when she saw the leaders of Silvermooon look uncomfortable with the substantially shorter leaders of Ironforge.
Jaina moved towards her and gently shook her hand.
"You were right, if I did continue to fight the Horde... the bastard would have won. Thank you for the reasoning and... I'm sorry. I am sure you know what loss is as well, your friend... all those years ago." Creed smiled a Jaina. Jaina was still in pain, but time can heal.
"It is alright. This is what is suppose to happen." Creed and Jaina looked to the large number of people in the room, talking and almost getting along with one anther. Jaina smiled.
"I almost forgot what it was like to be like this again."
One by one, over the few hours the leaders began to leave. Creed went outside and stood at the edge of her garrison again, taking time to bask in the silence and cool night air. In her hands was her Ambassador tabard, her fingers grazed over the gold and blue lion design.
Looking up at the moon, Creed smiled wider than she had in years.
"I did it, Aurora. There is peace again..."
The soft steps of an approaching figure reached Creed's honed hearing. She didn't need to turn to her side as she knew that towering figure and long midnight colored hair anywhere.
"You did better than I expected," Rommath humored Creed with a small smirk. She saw him smirk at her as his helm was off like hers was.
"You doubted me? I'm hurt, Rommath." Creed joked back, leaving a comfortable silence as they both looked up at the stars and moon.
Rommath opened his mouth to say something, but his Fel eyes widened at the tears falling from large mauve colored eyes.
"What is wrong, Nova?"
"We are two different pieces, stuck in this world..." Rommath's eyes widened at her soft words.
"We're from two different planets who fell in love, out of everyone on earth... at least I did." Creed's voiced wavered as Rommath quietly stood in front of her.
"I did. I do love you, Nova." Rommath whispered to her as he laid his forehead to hers, holding her hands with his as their bodies were firmly against each others.
"But we cannot be together..." Creed knew his answer before he could open his mouth.
"Your duty is to your people as my duty is to mine here in Draenor. Two different sides of the world need us." Creed began to sob into his chest.
"I love you! I love you... I love you." Creed cried and whimpered into his chest clutching her hands on the back of his robes. A gentle hand brushed through her hair.
Rommath bent down and sealed his lips with Creed's. Her cries were silenced as she held him tighter, her heart beat so hard, her skin and lips tingled, and she felt... whole. Rommath pulled her closer and wrapped his arms protectively around her waist.
Pulling away Rommath looked deeply at the flushed face, swollen lips, and watery eyes of Creed, he gently let her go... as did she. Creed gently pulled her arms behind her neck and took off her necklace... the very one she held more dearly to her heart than anything else, the one that was her sisters.
Creed carefully clipped the necklace around Rommath's neck and smiled lightly.
"Go back to your people, Rommath. They need you. Remember me, keep my heart close to yours." Creed whispered and tightened her hand on his only to let go. She walked dejectedly down the walkway, leaving him standing by the Mage Tower.
Lor'themar and Halduron walked out of Town Hall and spotted Creed.
"It was a pleasure to work with you, Creed." Lor'themar bowed his head at the short human and Halduron smirked at her.
"I'll definitely miss you, Creed. You made things so much more interesting back home. It was good to work with you. This place is really beautiful, you need to invite us here more. Try to come back to Silvermoon, I would love to spar with you." Halduron lightly hugged Creed as she gave her farewell to her new found friends.
"It was a good working with you two as well. I hope I can still call you friend?" Lor'themar smiled lightly and Halduron laughed.
"But of course!"
Creed watched the men walk up to the portal. She stared as each one walked through, but not without catching Rommath staring at her and turning away... back home.
An hour later, all the leaders and the Council of Six left to their homes... except for Jaina.
"Thank you again, Creed. For helping me sort out my feelings... but what about yours?" Creed looked shocked at Jaina as a sad smile came to Jaina's face.
"Wha-" Jaina stopped Creed's question.
"I saw you and the Grand Magister over by the back of the tower... I heard the words you two spoke. I cannot say I am not angered, but I am not happy either. It is your choice who you chose to love... I understand that. When heard you two and saw those familiar expressions, I couldn't help but remember Arthas and I; it was like looking through the looking glass. I have seen this situation before long ago with two friends of mine... I do not object against your choices nor your feelings towards him, Commander. But I warn you, do not let the love you hold slip away, you won't get another chance... I know that very well." Jaina didn't expect to be tightly pulled into a hug by the woman in front of her, but she was.
Jaina and Creed smiled gently at one another; an understanding and friendship had began to form.