I actually got quite a bit of this one written. Hopefully, I can post a few extra chapters over the next few days. Enjoy.
An hour after her conversation with Clara, Kenya stepped through the portal into Darnassus. Since her arrival had been totally unplanned and unannounced, there was no one to greet her except a single night elf sentinel tasked with guarding the portal.
"Your Majesty." The night elf said with a bow. "We didn't know you'd be coming to Darnassus tonight. I'll have the archdruid and the high priestess summoned."
Kenya raised a hand. "No need. I'm actually here to speak with King Anduin. No need to disturb either the archdruid or the high priestess. I'll be staying at home tonight. My lady's maid knows the way. I'm assuming the king is being lodged in the usual place?"
"Indeed, Your Majesty. If there is nothing additional you require, I'll leave you to your affairs." The night elf said with a nod, then returned to her silent vigil of the portal room.
Kenya turned to Clara. "Get to my house and get yourself to bed. There's no reason for you to stay up. I shouldn't be long."
"Of course, Your Majesty. Should I have tea prepared for your return?"
"Thank you, but unnecessary. I think after I speak with the king, I'll be ready to get some rest."
Clara nodded and headed towards Kenya's tree house on the far eastern side of Darnassus. They had stayed in the night elf city a dozen times since Kenya had returned to Kalimdor for the peace talks, so her maid knew her way around, even at night. Kenya turned, shifting into a stormcrow and headed towards one of the highest places in Darnassus. It was the usual overnight location for visiting leaders or royalty.
At the entrance of the room stood two of Anduin's guards. Kenya shifted several feet from them, so as not to startle anyone. She'd learned early in her druid training with Malfurion that it was rude to shift from one form into another too close to a person.
The soldiers took up defensive stances for a few moments, until they recognized their queen in the low light.
"Your Majesty." They both said with a bow.
"I'm assuming the king is here."
"You are correct." One guard confirmed.
"Good." Kenya said, then knocked on the door. She was betting Anduin was just as restless as she and would still be awake.
Only a few seconds later, Anduin opened the door. "Kenya?" He said, stepping to the side so she could enter. "What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't sleep and I realized the only way I'll get any rest was if I talked to you. I think our previous conversation was left too unfinished for either of us."
Kenya walked in and headed to the back of the room, where it was unlikely anyone would overhear anything. "Can't sleep either?" She asked. Anduin was dressed for bed, but had obviously not been sleeping.
"No." He said, taking a seat in a chair by the back window. "I keep running our conversation through my head. I keep thinking I've made a mistake which will cost me your friendship."
"Nothing you can do will ever ruin our friendship, Anduin. You are my best friend, my family, and I don't think that will ever change."
Kenya took a seat, resting her elbows on her knees. She wasn't sure if telling Anduin everything which was going through her mind was going to help or hurt matters, but she figured there was no reason to keep her thoughts to herself, particularly if those thoughts would help sort out their current situation.
"Do you know why I've been working so hard to find you a wife?"
"Sure. You know I don't have an heir. You might not be a Wyrnn by blood, but you care about what happens to our line. You loved Father too much not to."
Kenya smiled up at him. "That's part of it. Another part is a bit more selfish, I guess. I also figured once you got married, there would be another queen and I could distance myself from the title."
"Distance yourself?"
Kenya sighed. "You know I never wanted to be a queen. I'm not of noble birth and I was never raised to be royal. If you married a noble woman, then Stormwind would get a proper queen."
Anduin sat next to Kenya, taking her hands. "You've been an amazing queen, noble birth or not. All the residents of Stormwind love you."
"Perhaps, but then, I was married to Varian. No one, and I do mean no one, was going to complain about any woman married to your father. I had no way of knowing if I really was doing a good job as queen or if everyone was simply pretending so as not to spark Varian's temper."
"You can't honestly believe that."
Kenya chuckled. "We all have our insecurities, Anduin. But I managed to get an honest opinion from a very wise older woman a few hours ago."
Anduin laughed out loud. "Clara is very wise."
"She is. Did you know she was willing to give you a tongue lashing for upsetting me, until I told her my doubts weren't your fault?"
"Really?" Anduin asked, though he didn't truly sound surprised. "I do love that woman, but I'm thankful you set her straight."
"You and I both. Anyway, since she was able to convince me I was indeed a good queen, one of my biggest reasons to reject the idea of us together is gone. I just need to ask you, do you honestly think something between us could actually work? I mean, we were stepmother and stepson to each other for years."
Anduin sighed, returning to his own chair by the wall, leaning back. He sat quietly for several minutes and Kenya let the silence linger.
"I don't know." He finally said. "I mean, you're in my life and I want you to remain in my life. I know you wouldn't be going anywhere, even after I found the right woman and got married, but part of me is wondering, am I rejecting all of the women you're finding for me, simply because I already have a woman in my life that I love. Maybe not in a romantic way, but I still love you. I don't know if I would truly be able to find a wife, if I didn't try with you first. Does that sound crazy?"
"No, not at all. I just don't know how we'd be able to make it work. I was married to your father for three years. Anything between us is bound to be extremely awkward. Do you have any idea how we can get past something like that? I know friendship can turn to romantic love, but we have quite a bit to surpass to get to that point, I think."
"I don't know, Kenya, but I'm willing to try."
Kenya paused for a few moments, but then nodded.
"I agree. We need to try. But, for the life of me, I have no idea where to start."
Anduin stood. "Give me some time, I'll think of something. I honestly didn't think you'd go along with the idea, so I really haven't focused on the how, just on getting the agreement to try."
Kenya nodded. "I'll wrap things up here and return to Stormwind in a few days. By then, maybe you'll have come up with an idea."
"I'm sorry, Kenya. I'm sorry I brought all this up. I've made an awful mess."
Kenya stood, standing in front of Anduin. "Don't be. Varian wanted us to look out for each other. Probably not like this, but still. We need to know if something between us is even remotely possible before we can move forward. I promise you, if things are too awkward between us to be a couple, I will do nothing else until we find the perfect woman for you."
Anduin stood. "Then we have a path forward." He pulled Kenya into a hug. "I'm glad you came to see me tonight. I think I might be able to get some sleep now. As you said, this conversation was left too unfinished to allow any kind of rest."
Kenya chuckled into Anduin's chest, then stepped back. They said their good nights and Kenya flew to her house. A light was still on inside and Kenya found Clara sipping a cup of tea at the small table in the kitchen. She wasn't surprised to see her Lady's maid had ignored her orders.
"I thought I told you to get some rest." Kenya said, crossing her arms over her chest and doing her best to act angry. Clara just chuckled, which broke Kenya's efforts to be imposing.
"I'm assuming all is well?" She asked, standing.
"Not perfect, but better, yes. I should be able to sleep now."
"Then I'll get you settled, then head to bed myself."
Kenya let Clara get her settled. With any luck, everyone would now be able to get some sleep.
To Be Continued...