I do not own nor possess any right over Harry Potter and World of Warcraft, all rights belongs to their rightful owners.
A sort of lighter chapter that gives a bit of the tone about the Alliance's welcome of black dragons.
Please comment/review.
Thank you for your patience and good reading.
I stood silent as all eyes were on me, I watched the King just as he watched me with a feeling that he didn't like me. It wasn't fear, but something akin to distrust or maybe even hatred. A few of the nobles and advisers present started to chatter between them, whispering to each other even if it didn't changed anything for my superior dragon hearing that allowed me to listen to everything they said. And I didn't liked it one bit.
"Did he say black dragonflight?"
"What is a dragon doing here?"
"I thought all of Deathwing's minions died with him."
There were a lot more than that, but I couldn't focus on everyone at the time, and I didn't gave much attention to their complaints, keeping my eyes on the King as he watched me warily.
Anduin Wrynn, King of the Alliance, was a young man with bright yellow hair, light blue eyes and a look in his eyes that spoke of a long and heavy past. Not surprising when you're a king. He was wearing a light set of armour, golden and covering his deep blue and white clothes, gloves, and heavy shoes but no crown. He was every aspect of a warrior king, except for the fact that he didn't had any weapon right now.
Deciding to take the head of the conversation, I stepped forward and bowed down my head slightly in respect.
"Greetings, King Anduin. I am Lady Amaria, ambassador of the black dragonflight." I introduced myself properly.
I could have said 'Daughter of Alexstrasza' or whatnot but I didn't wanted to have to rely on her influence and I told her that the responsibility of the Wyrmrest Accord wouldn't be engaged by my words or actions.
Raising my head, I saw Anduin's gaze hardened for a few seconds and the man beside him wasn't any better, openly glaring at me. Yet it was still Anduin that held the strongest feelings for me, like if I did something personal to him. But his eyes softened a bit and his face relaxed as he stood up, looking every bit like the king he was.
"Welcome to Stormwind, Lady Amaria. Would you mind coming with me? I would like to talk in a more private setting." He greeted me.
"I do not mind, your majesty." I replied.
He walked to the right side of the throne, and I followed him, leaving the chatters of the room slowly die down as we got further away. Behind me was the old man that I supposed to be glaring at my back and I could also make a few other footsteps that I recognized with heavy armours, meaning a couple of guards.
We reached a smaller room that had no other entry than the one we just came through and with a large table at the centre, surrounded with large wooden chairs. One slightly more decorated than others was at the far end of the table, and I watched as Anduin sat on it and motioned me to a chair two meters away from him while the old man sat in front of me.
"Now, are you really an ambassador of the black dragonflight? You don't really look like one." Asked me Anduin directly, banishing all appearances of pleasantness to replace them with a severe and stern expression.
"Have you met one before?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"Not an ambassador but I had two close encounters with black dragons, both ended up costing me a lot." He said with a certain hardness in his voice.
"I'm sorry to hear it, your majesty."
"Don't be. Can you prove your claims?"
"Well beside turning back into a dragon I don't really see how." I replied sarcastically.
"No need to come to that now, something easier perhaps?" He suggested.
I did had an idea. Focusing on my natural magic, I willed it around my right forearm and forced, changing the skin in scales and the fingers in sharp claws. I waved it a bit, slightly enjoying the feeling of not having fake skin, just to show them that I spoke the truth.
"Is this enough?" I asked, looking at them tensing up a bit as the old man grumbled something.
"Yes."
I transfigured my hand back to its normal state, waiting for them to continue.
"Lady Amaria, we were told by the Wyrmrest Accord that they refuse to join us in the war against the Horde. Does your presence here means that they have changed their mind?" Asked me Anduin with something akin to hope.
"I will tell you exactly what Alexstrasza told me. I am merely an ambassador of my flight, and I am not to take any decision for the whole of dragon kind. The Queen made me swear not to do anything that could change their decision, for it has not changed and they still refuse to join your war." I explained calmly.
A sigh of dejection was my response as Anduin brought his right hand to his forehead, looking down a bit before turning back to me.
"My apologies, Lady Amaria, but I was hoping for a different answer. Even though I knew it wouldn't happen."
"Don't worry your majesty, I understand very well."
"If you're not here to bring us any news from the Dragonflights, why are you here?" Bluntly asked me the old man that I still didn't recognised.
"Would you mind telling me who you are? I like to know those to whom I'm talking." I replied curtly, annoyed by this man's presence.
He frowned at me as did Anduin, but I couldn't have stopped myself. I knew it would be hard but being questioned just for being here didn't helped me stay all calm and happy.
"I am Genn Greymane, King of Gilneas." The old man said coldly.
"Ah yes, King of the worgen." I instantly said, recognising the name from a few of the books I read back at the temple. "I remember a bit about you, your majesty."
"Back to our earlier question, would you mind telling us the motives of your presence, Lady Amaria?" Asked Anduin as he gave a short look at his fellow king.
"Of course, your majesty. You see, I only discovered Azeroth a very short time ago and spent the last year in Wyrmrest Temple to learn about all this world's history. While it is a good summary, it doesn't tell me anything about those actually living here and can't be compared to everyday experiences, meaning that I have to see by myself what this world is really about. Stormwind was my first choice because of my human appearance, going into Orgrimmar like this right now wouldn't be the best idea." I explained as I looked at both of them, watching how they drank my worlds.
"That is wise." Noted Genn.
"As of my personal objectives in Stormwind, I wish to spend some time here to meet more people, to see and live new experiences and then I'll go see the rest of the world. I am looking to change how people see my flight, I want to prove that not all black dragons are evil just as much as I'm looking where to fit in this world. A sort of discovery trip if you prefer." I finished a bit excited with a smile.
Yet my good mood did nothing to hide the obvious disappointment on the men's face, as I'm sure they were expecting something more important from a dragon.
"Is that it?" Pressed me Anduin.
"For now, yes." I replied.
"I thought dragons had millennia to explore the world, why are you doing this now?"
"I'm twenty-five years old you know?" I said broadening my smile.
That got them to stop whatever they were thinking, as they both froze for a few seconds and looked at me with a new eye, one that wasn't as bad as before.
"You are very different from the other dragons I've met, Lady Amaria." Told me Anduin.
"Oh, you have no idea how true this is, your majesty. I've never met any other black dragon and what I've heard about most of them isn't spoken in any good terms, and I hope that I won't have to suffer anymore from my predecessors legacy." I said with a bit more seriousness, really wanting to get this point across.
They looked at each other for a few seconds before Anduin stood up, prompting me and Genn to do the same.
"Please wait here for a moment, Lady Amaria, I would like to discuss this with a few more minds."
"Of course, your majesty." I said sitting back down.
I watched them step out, leaving the guards close the door behind them and leaving me alone. That didn't went as poorly as I thought, I could see that while there would be some tensions ahead, going past them shouldn't be too hard with time. While Genn was an old man with experience on his side, Anduin seemed a tad more trustful, and I was thankful for that.
What I didn't expected was for them to stay right behind that door and talking as if I couldn't hear them. Maybe this room was isolated to stop sounds from going in and out but I had absolutely no problem listening to their words.
"Please don't tell me you will welcome her." Started the voice of King Genn.
I groaned as I realised what they were about to say.
"Her arriving now is a bit odd indeed but not impossible." Replied Anduin.
"She could be a spy at best, another Onyxia at worse!" Added Genn.
My anger toward them grew at the thought of being compared to such a horrible dragon, one that had manipulated and killed many before being put down. But Genn talking about her reminded me that Onyxia had once been around Anduin and tried to take over the human kingdom under the face of a fake noble called Katrana Prestor. Lets just say that it was easy to understand why Anduin was distrustful of black dragons but I didn't really know why Genn seemed far more opposed to me than the younger king.
"I know. I'm not saying that we should trust her, that's not a priority right now. I will have guards keeping an eye on her." Said Anduin.
'Great. Babysitters.' I rolled my eyes.
"That's the very least. Were we in Gilneas I would have had her out of here-" Continued to rant Genn as their voice started to die down until I couldn't hear them anymore.
It was frustrating to be treated like that, but after a year of either dealing with it or learning to ignore it, I was becoming calmer and used a great deal of patience to not blow up on anyone. I understood why they were saying such things but being the target of such ludicrous claims as being like Onyxia was insulting.
I started to wait for them but after fifteen minutes I was wondering why it was taking them so long. Sure I was a dragon and one of a particularly hated flight, but I never did anything to antagonise them and I wouldn't do anything that could end like this, at least not purposely. I hoped that they weren't preparing anything like a trap or something, I really had no intention to fight today.
Trying to calm down, I summoned a small flame in my hand and started moving it around my fingers, almost like if it had its own life even if it was just me commanding the fire to have one. But a simple wave of my hand was enough to make it disappear when the door opened again with Anduin, Genn, and a woman of a certain age, dressed in a simple white dress that covered almost all her body except a slight sight of her collarbone. As soon as they entered I stood up, waiting for their conclusion.
"Lady Amaria, after reflection, you are allowed to remain for as long as you like. A chamber will be ready for you in the diplomats quarters, and you are invited to share diner with us tonight." Announced Anduin.
"Thank you for your generosity, your majesty, I'm gladly accepting your invitation." I said bowing slightly, happy that my worries were for nothing. At least so for. I still remembered Alastor Moody's 'Constant Vigilance!' rule. I would have to watch my back for the spies placed on me.
"But..." Continued Anduin.
I probably should have seen that one coming.
"... we would like a proof of good faith from you."
"And how do you expect me to do that?" I asked surprised by the request and already wondering what I could do to prove them that I could be trusted.
"That is your call Lady Amaria. Show me something that proves your worth as an ally and I will be satisfied."
I couldn't say the request was anything impossible but I simply had nothing to offer right now.
"May I have some time for this? You're taking me a little off guard." I asked.
"Certainly." Replied Anduin.
"Mia, if you would." Continued Genn.
The woman with white hairs stepped forward with a smile, looking at me without any of the wariness that most humans had toward me.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Amaria. I am Mia Greymane, Queen of Gilneas and I will be showing you your quarters." She told me kindly.
"Thank you, your majesty." I said again in a short bow, wondering why they thought bringing a queen near a potential enemy was wise.
"Oh no need for that old title when we are not in public. Please, follow me." She assured me before showing the open door.
"King Anduin, King Genn, it was my pleasure to meet you." I said before stepping behind the queen.
As we started to go in another part of the castle, I was starting to wonder why Kings and Queens still surrounded me, even after traveling to another continent. And it also made me think that it was weird that they didn't asked a servant to show me my room, a queen wouldn't have to do that.
"Excuse-me, Queen-" I started.
"Please, just call me Mia." She instantly replied without even turning back.
"Then you can call me Amaria. Mia, excuse my curiosity, but don't you have anything more important that showing me my room? I'm sure a queen must have lots of duties." I said knowing very well how true it was thanks to mother.
She turned around at that, a very shallow frown on her face as her smile vanished a bit.
"Don't say that dear. While I do have duties, it is part of them to welcome the guests of the castle and I am a guest myself after all, this is King Anduin's castle, not mine." She replied. "And I am happy to have another woman to talk to. I hope you don't mind talking about anything else than the war, I can't withstand to hear any more of it until it is ended."
"If that is what you want. You do know that I am a dragon right?" I asked wondering.
"I have been made aware, yes."
"Good, then you know what we think about this war."
"I know what the decision of the Wyrmrest Accord is, but I do not know yours. Please, let's change subject." She asked me.
And I couldn't refuse seeing as this was apparently a sore one. I didn't know why but it wasn't my place to ask so I let it slide and focused on my more immediate future.
"As you want. I came here to see what Stormwind was, who were its people and what was the Alliance in the flesh, for books don't hold all the answers. I want to meet more people, make new friends and perhaps going on adventures once again." I said as I imagined a wish list.
Mia slowly came to a stop as I spoke and she turned to me with a new smile, one that held a bit of sadness though.
"It is good to see young ones wishing for something else, and I hope that you will meet the right friends here. May I ask if you already had human friends before? They are probably very different from dragons." She told me before resuming her walk.
"Well, my first friends were humans, for most of my life actually. It has only been a year since I made new ones among dragons." I replied.
"Really? Now that is a surprise. It seems you have quite a past yourself, Amaria."
"Yes. I come from so very far away, a place that you've never heard of and where I had to lead my own war against darkness. And just like so many heroes here on Azeroth, I have succeeded in mine. But to be honest with you, I am tired of war. I grew up in one and had to stop it myself but seeing so many good friends die for it wasn't worth it, I only wish for your war to end quickly." I spoke.
And only when I stopped did I realised that I had just done the exact opposite of what Mia just asked me and that she had stopped again.
"My apologies, I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine dear, I understand. And just as you, I only pray for it to end. You are like many other on that regard, Anduin only wishes to end this war, but I know that he also has personal reasons to stop Sylvanas. Your heart is in the right place." She finished as she opened a slightly decorated door.
We stepped inside a large bedroom, with a large queen size bed and a vanity on one side of the room, a dresser, and a little table with its chair. The light was provided by two large windows that could be covered with large drapes and an unlit candle posed on a bedside table.
"This will be your room for the duration of your stay. If you have any need just ask one of the servants and they'll see to it. Do you have any question? Or a request perhaps?" Mia asked me.
"No, it's perfect. You have no idea how long I've been wanting to sleep in a proper bed." I replied honestly.
Because the one bed I had back in the Obsidian Sanctum was far from being comfortable. It didn't bothered me much, I had far worse when I was a child, but let's say that sleeping in a cave didn't compared well to a proper room.
"Then I will let you settle in." She smiled at me.
But just as Mia was about to leave, I thought about something.
"Just a thing." I said.
"Yes?"
"Could you show me the rest of the castle? I'd like to see more of it." I asked.
Not that I was afraid of loosing myself, one couldn't get lost after learning how to travel in Hogwarts' ever changing stairways and numerous corridors. But I was genuinely interested into seeing the rest of this castle, it was bringing a few memories even if the walls here were far whiter than at Hogwarts and that the presence of all sorts of magical entities, talking paintings, and moving armours wasn't as noticeable. To me it was like a real trip in time, with the torches on the walls, the guards patrolling and the overall medieval feeling of the place.
"Of course, dear." She assured me as we stepped out.