I do not own nor possess any right over Harry Potter and World of Warcraft, all rights belongs to their rightful owners.
Had a blast to my cousin's wedding, just family and friends but it was very nice.
Please comment/review.
Thank you for your patience and good reading.
I hoped I hadn't been too rude with these adventurers for leaving them like that but when I understood that this young man had been looking at me with interest, thankfully it appeared to be more romantic than lustful, it had just been too weird for me.
With this in mind, I made my way back to the castle and passed by the drawbridge, saluting the guards with a little nod before entering the gates of the castle. I passed by a few servants who flinched and guards who all stiffened as I passed and I frowned, realising that word of me being a dragon must have spread out quickly. I was hoping to be treated like everyone else, but it might be harder if everyone either outright hated me or cowered in fear.
This made me wonder if I should tell the truth about my nature to more people or try to remain silent about it. It was of no consequence if no one learned about it but if word spread of me being a dragon it might make my stay in Stormwind worst, at least that's what I thought would happen. I couldn't see the opposite happening anytime soon.
As I thought, my feet took me through many corridors of the castle until I reached the royal library, passing by an open area with a few trees that broke a bit the repetitive look of the white walls. It did gave me an idea though: it was probably containing far better or rather more recent books than the ones in Wyrmrest Temple. This library was nothing compared to Hogwarts, there was simply far less books here than at my old school, but it would probably be enough for my needs.
I walked up to a bald man shelving a few thick volumes of a same series.
"Excuse me sir." I interrupted him.
He finished sorting the two books in his hands before turning to me, a welcoming smile on his face.
"Good afternoon mam, is there anything I can help you with?" He asked politely.
"I'm looking for something about Stormwind's history, something recent if possible, and also the general rules that adventurers have to follow." I said the first things that passed in my mind.
"Certainly." He replied before walking past me toward another shelf and took one medium sized book and then changed rows to pick up a smaller purple book. "This has all about Stormwind's history since the rebuilding of the city and this one is a sort of code for adventurers. They have a few rules but since not that many people read they don't bother with making any real sort of book."
"Thank you for the precision." I smiled, taking the two books before walking to a table on the side of the room where some other books had been left.
With these two books to occupy my afternoon, I spent it all to learn about the capital as well as getting a better understanding of adventurers. But it was as the librarian said, there wasn't that many official rules except the very obvious ones like killing, stealing, and all the same sort that would be managed by the regular army. The rest totally depended on the guild master, the only one that word's was final and who ultimately decided the punishment given for every different crime or problem. This meant that the rude jerk from this morning could very well not be punished at all by his guild leader and that just didn't sit well with me, even if there was nothing I could do to change that.
Stretching my arms and my back, I forced myself to get up and shelved the books back in their proper place, remembering where they had been taken. The sun was barely starting to set but I knew that dinner would be soon, there wasn't any electricity here so most people were going to bed as soon as the night started to fall. But I was having dinner with royalty, meaning that staying up later was no problem.
A quick visit in my bedroom, I made sure to be presentable and made my way to the dining room, arriving a bit early to see that queen Mia was already here, moving a few things on the table as the servants finished bringing the silverware.
"Amaria! I trust you had a good day?" She asked me with a wide smile as soon as she took notice of my arrival.
"Yes, a few surprises but welcome ones. Mostly." I replied with the same joviality except for the last word.
"Good. Genn and Anduin won't be long, and I believe they will also bring another guest for tonight." She said, walking around the table as I saw that there was indeed five plates. "I believe they will want your input on a few things, mostly the war obviously."
I looked at her, hearing her dejected tone, understanding how this being the subject on all lips could become annoying or depressing. And I could understand why I would be questioned a bit more, even if I would stay true to my promise with my mother.
"I will gladly answer their questions if they have any." I assured, having nothing to hide.
"That would be most appreciated, Lady Amaria." Came the king's voice from the corridor I came by.
Turning around, I noticed that he was followed by Genn and a stunning high-elf woman wearing a green attire, armours on her legs, forearms and chest, a hood covering her head that was removed as she entered the room, letting her long golden hairs flow for a seconds before they settled down.
"Your majesties." I greeted with a short bow.
"Please, no titles for tonight. It would only lengthen our conversation." Replied Anduin as he took the seat at the end of table, still keeping his eyes on me and not in a favourable way. I kept to myself, barely restraining a sigh as it was obvious that Anduin didn't trusted me, at least not enough to not be wary of me.
Moving on, Genn and Mia sat to Anduin's left side white the high-elf sat to the king's right and I sat down next to her. As soon as we were all seated a flow of servants started bringing food, a salad of tomatoes and lettuce, bread, roasted pork with its potatoes with wine and waters for the drinks.
"Alleria, may I introduce you Lady Amaria, ambassador of the black dragonflight." Introduced me Anduin.
"Charmed. I am Alleria Windrunner, leader of the Void-elves." Replied Alleria straight to the point and without any obvious appreciation for my presence yet there wasn't any usual hatred for black dragons either.
"Nice to meet you too. Excuse my curiosity but in all I read I've never heard of Void-elves." I said.
"It's a recent development, we are high-elves who got attracted by the whispers of the Void but managed not to succumb to them." She replied.
"Right." I said slowly, barely understanding what she was talking about. One of the massive problems with this world seems to be that evil could literally be everywhere, calling to you if you started to fall into madness or slowly corrupting you.
"Now, Amaria, would you mind telling us more about you? We had to be quick this morning because of a few meetings but now we have time." Started Anduin as all eyes turned to me again.
"Well, there's not that much to me. I'm twenty-five years old, was secluded most of my life in a lost hole and only learned a year ago that this world existed, that there was other dragons and that I was of the same flight as the one dragon that almost ended the world. I've just spent an entire year catching up on Azeroth's history and, as I told you this morning, I want to see more of it and its inhabitants." I explained going with the story I came up with a long time ago, avoiding any mention of Earth.
Silence ruled the table for a few seconds before Mia was the first one to speak, a bit to my surprise I must admit.
"So, you knew nothing about us? Not even who you were?" She asked me with a touch of sadness.
"I thought I did, I simply didn't know there was more to the world." I shrugged.
"It's a blissful ignorance that I would like to have." Added Mia.
"I don't think it's a good idea. Being completely unaware of what's really happening around you? That's how you get killed." Said Alleria with absolute certitude.
"That it is." Agreed Genn.
"I never said I liked it." I specified. "When I found out that there was a brand new world for me to explore, places where people of so many races could come together and talk, it blew my mind."
"If only that could be true for all." Groaned Anduin before getting some bone back. "While we're at it, Amaria, have you thought of something that could prove your presence as a friend of the Alliance?"
I smiled as I reached for my pouch.
"I actually did. Here you go." I said as I presented him the bracelet.
Much to my displeasure, he didn't reach for it and instead gave the bracelet a worried and careful look.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked.
"You can't expect me to simply take something that might have been enchanted to harm me. This is exactly how Onyxia took over Stormwind." Anduin replied still not making any move to take the bracelet.
I could see why it was so problematic and maybe I should have thought about it sooner but it was of no concern to me. What angered me was that he didn't even ask what the bracelet was, if it was magical or not, he straight up declared it potentially harmful. Would he say the same thing had it been someone else offering it to him? Most likely.
"Well, for your information, I've enchanted this bracelet this afternoon to protect you from dragon fire. Just wear it and fire will just flow over you." I explained a bit miffed.
"Call for my High Sorcerer Andromath." Anduin said to one of his servants.
A heavy silence fell upon the table as we waited for the mage to arrive. I was quite peeved and annoy to be victim of such suspicion but I couldn't entirely blame Anduin, he had to be careful of gifts in these times of war. Thankfully, a slightly greying man dressed in purple robes soon came in, giving a short bow of his head as he entered.
"You have called for me your Majesty?" He asked.
"Yes Andromath. Could you look at this bracelet? See if there's anything malicious within it." Said Anduin pointing at the bracelet still in my hand.
"Certainly."
I was very happy to give the bracelet to Andromath who didn't touched it at first, much to my annoyance, but scanned it with his magic in a few seconds before taking it in his hands. He turned it around a few times before giving it back to me.
"I cannot see anything wrong with it your Highness. I can't identify the spell either, only that it is linked to fire." Andromath reported.
"Thank you for your good counsel Andromath, you are dismissed." Said Anduin.
With another short bow, Andromath left and I was left with a small smile on my face as I handed the bracelet to Anduin again.
"If what he found and what you said is true, it is indeed a great gift you are doing us." Said the king of the Alliance.
"I thought that something that could protect you from me and any other dragon breathing fire was good enough to show you my good faith." I replied.
Anduin finally grabbed the bracelet and I briefly caught Genn tensing for a second as Anduin put the jewel on. Obviously nothing happened, it wasn't meant to be a visible spell.
"Would you care for a try?" Asked me Anduin.
I was caught off guard by his request but was more than happy to oblige. Before anyone could intervene, I flicked my hand in his direction and a hand sized flame flew through the air, hit Anduin and, luckily for me, died out quickly as the fire was seemingly pushed away from him and vanished in the air.
Silence caught the entire room once more before Anduin broke it.
"I accept your gift Amaria." He said.
"Thank you." I smiled at him.
"You do not have my full trust but this is a great path in the right direction. Tell me Amaria, what is your opinion on the war? Not from the Wyrmrest Accord, your personal view of it."
Even if I was very annoyed with his doubts, I pushed it aside in favour of answering. It was clear that all were expecting a lot from this question, except Mia who I already told a bit of my thoughts this morning.
"If it was me making the decision, I would involve the dragonflights in the war." I stated, causing a few eyebrows to lift especially on the two kings, and continued immediately to avoid any misinterpretation. "Let me be clear, I would not allow any dragon to take part in the fights."
"Then why would you join the war?" Asked Genn with his gruffy voice.
"I share Alexstrasza's opinion that this war is stupid, useless and a massive waste of lives and resources." I continued.
"How can you say that after Teldrassil? How can the Queen of Life not intervene?" Harshly asked Anduin, hardening his tone and almost glaring at me.
"I understand your frustration more than you think, I have lost many dear friends in a war of my own too and I had to leave them all behind one day. I have seen war, just like you, and I believe that it isn't the solution, and it will only create more chaos, violence and hatred. But where Alexstrasza thinks that it isn't our place to join in, I disagree." I explained, staying perfectly calm and neutral. "I'm no fool, I might say that war isn't the solution yet it is currently the only way to hope for a better future. Sylvanas' death looks like the only way to bring it to an end. I would be ready to join your war, not to help you win it but to save lives. If I had to take the decision for all dragons then I would send them both to the Horde and the Alliance in the only aim to recover the wounded and treat them fairly."
I stared at Anduin all along, never stammering or wavering as my convictions on this were harder than steel. I had expected an outrage at the mention of helping the Horde too but there was none as I waited for them to process all I had said.
"That would probably be the best Alexstrasza would do." Finally agreed Anduin even if it seemed a bit hard to do.
"Make no mistake, both me and her absolutely hate what Sylvanas did and she must face justice for this. But the problem is that in her war she is taking along the Horde, bringing to death many who do not seek blood and only end up bathed in theirs. I would probably kill Sylvanas on sight if I could, but I won't be fighting in this war, not if it means killing innocents." I added.
"Not all in the Horde were against the burning of Teldrassil." Curtly said Genn, slamming his fist on the table.
"And those who weren't should be punished accordingly." I agreed which seemed to calm the old worgen.
This seemed to settle down most of their anger at my words, and I was quite pleased with myself for how I managed to get it all straight. This reprieve allowed us to start eating, everyone taking a bit of salad, but it didn't stopped the conversation.
"Your view is most interesting Amaria, I don't think I've heard it a lot." Said Anduin.
"Maybe, but it's because I have an outside perspective. I do not know the Alliance and the Horde well enough to choose a side, they both have their pride and values that I could follow if you don't consider Sylvanas' actions. I wasn't influenced by the burning of Teldrassil like you were, I do not share your pain, but I understand it and do condemn Sylvanas for that." I replied.
"But, what if you were to take a side?" Suggested Alleria.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm fighting against my own sister. I had to make a choice, between fighting for my family or against it. If you had a reason to join the war, to fight for either us or the Horde, would you do it? Even if it meant going against the Wyrmrest Accord?" She pressed me.
That was a good question, could I stop myself from helping people? From saving lives? Probably not. But at the same time, I did promised that I wouldn't involve the Dragonflights into this, that would be going against the vote of all other dragons, and I understood very well their decision not to join in.
"I do not know, you are asking me a lot. Betraying my Flight, the vote of all my kind and the promise I did to Alexstrasza. This is not something that can be decided on a whim." I countered.
"We all have the choice, you can join as a dragon affiliated to no flights. I'm sure the Dragon Queen will forgive you if you explain that it was for the right cause." Said Genn.
I suddenly felt my blood boil at that, and I glared hard at the worgen; everyone around the table picked up on the tension in the air and the fact that it was getting warmer and I didn't noticed it but my eyes gained a red glow.
"Don't presume to know her like I do. I may have spent only a year beside her, but I will not betray her trust nor the love she gave me. And your cause is not the right one, it might carry more justice but seeking war has never been right. You are a poor king if you believe that." I almost snarled as I vented against this one old man.
'Show them what a princess of dragonkind can do.' Suddenly came a whisper in my mind.
This made me freeze and I focused as I understood that I was listening to an Old God. It wasn't the first time I heard one, it happened whenever I gave way to my anger too much but it was often easy enough to ignore them. I only took a deep breath and focused on my righteous anger rather than the fury that boiled inside me.
'Leave. You have no power over me.' I told them.
Everyone was staring at me, with either caution of wariness, and I noticed that even the guards were barely restraining themselves from intervening. Yet Anduin was the one to defuse the situation before it could go wrong.
"Please excuse Genn's words, Amaria, I'm sure he meant no offence." He said to which the old worgen nodded, still staring at me with his eternal frown on his face. "It is also our fault for pressing you onto taking a side when you don't have to and for that I'm sorry."
I took another deep breath, cooling off in both senses of the term as the temperature and my eyes returned to normal, quelling the fury that had blew in me. The presence of the Old Gods, as minuscule as it was, vanished and it let me breath a bit more freely.
"Its… alright. I'm sorry for lashing out on you." I replied still a bit frustrated.
"I understand that there is more to this, but we won't press you."
After this little hot-blooded exchange, we continued our dinner with small talks and pleasantries, which brought back the better ambiance we had at the beginning. Alleria turned out to be of pleasant company, talking with me without much restraint but I wasn't able to see if she shared Anduin and Genn's wariness toward me, she had an excellent poker face and always remained calm and collected through our talks. Genn remained close and wary of me but since I wasn't trying to talk too much with him it went fine. We ended up talking for almost an hour on so many different things, but we did had to put an end to this as the night was firmly settled on Stormwind.
"I think it is time to wish you all a good night. There is much to be done in the next days, resting well now is going to be a luxury we might not have latter." Said Anduin as he stood up.
We all imitated him, and I bid goodnight to Mia and Genn who left together and then Alleria who followed. I was about to leave myself when I was stopped.
"Amaria, may I have a word with you?" Asked me Anduin.
"Certainly." I said seeing no reason to refuse.
We walked out of the dining room back to the little square of green near the library where Anduin just stood up, looking at it and then walking around to the open windows that showed the lake beside the city.
"Before anything else, I would like to apologise again for Genn's conduct. I know he didn't meant it to insult your or Alexstrasza, but he has his reasons." He said arms crossed.
"I know and I can understand his desire to have more allies, but you won't find one in me." I sighed seeing where this was going.
"In truth I do not want you in our forces. Not now at least." Stated Anduin.
"And why is that?" I frowned.
"I don't trust you. I do not need to watch my back on the battlefield more than I already have to." He said very honestly.
I hadn't expected him to be so upfront about it but it was suiting me perfectly well. If he wanted to be open about his reservations then so would I.
"During dinner, you've asked me if I was ready to join you? Why? If you intended to rebuke me then why not then?" I asked.
"To judge where your loyalty lies. I am rather comforted by your opinion on the war but it isn't enough for me to trust you."
'Anduin don't trust you.' Said a whisper in my head as I internally groaned at its presence, feeling the Old Gods coming back.
"And that is because I'm a black dragon right? You don't know me, you can't have heard of me before today yet you judge me." I scowled in an exhausted tone.
"I do not judge you on-" Started Anduin slightly surprised.
"Oh knock it off!" I replied louder than I wanted to. "I've heard the same speech from all the other dragons, from almost every human I've met and will for the rest of my life. Since the day I came in Azeroth everyone has been doing nothing but judging me for the actions of Deathwing, for a legacy that I never knew or wished for."
Anduin had tensed at my slight outburst but didn't do anything else when I kept talking. Today was like being back in Wyrmrest Temple before I had my talk with the red dragonflight, accused and condemned before I could even let out a word. And I had no wish to experience that again.
"Don't deny it King Anduin. You haven't made any effort to conceal the hatred you have for me, you have been polite so far but I wont deal with fake smiles and masquerades ever again. You asked me to prove myself to you and I made you an enchanted bracelet that can protect you from me and yet its not enough. If you're all going to be bigots and racists then I rather leave now, I have had enough of being insulted in my face." I said curtly.
Earlier today I had hoped that not everyone in Stormwind was either a racist, a snob or an idiot and that the King would be different. Seeing that it was ever worse than I thought was a cold shower, a wake up call that I hadn't wished for. I looked at Anduin, seeing his slightly dumbstruck face which only irritated me more. If he couldn't see the problems with his behaviour then there was really no reason to stay here any longer.
"I- you don't hold your tongue do you?" He said.
"Then you won't mind the next part." I nearly growled. "I am extremely disappointed in nearly every person I've met so far in Stormwind. Only queen Mia, a shopkeeper and a kind old mage have shown genuine happiness to meet me, you and everyone else have been either impolite to downright insulting. To think that a merchant is more agreeable than the king is laughable and says quite a lot about your Alliance."
'The boy-king thinks he has power over you. He is but a stone, moved by the greater beings in this world.' Came again the Old Gods.
Anduin looked at me blankly, a frown and a thoughtful look on his face. I thought about rebuking the whispers but focused on Anduin, I wasn't over yet with him.
"I've read about you, you know?" I said as he quirked both eyebrows. "My books and many other dragons told me that you were a man striving for peace, a true exemple of valour and respect, one ready to lend a hand to your worst enemy just like you tried with Garrosh Hellscream. To think that they hold you in such high regards when you are just like Garrosh, a xenophobic, racist and-"
"That will be enough." Anduin interrupted me coldly.
'Will you be a pebble under the stone? Or a mountain that towers in the skies?' Asked the Old Gods.
"Will it?" I challenged him, still having a lot more to say.
"You have made your point Lady Amaria. I will not deny that I haven't been the most welcoming host today, and that my views on black dragons are strongly biased. Yet it is hypocrite of me to be so wary of you when I managed to be good friend with Wrathion not so long ago." He said a bit calmer.
Now it was my turn to raise an eyebrow. I didn't know that him and Wrathion knew each others nor that they had been friends.
"Perhaps the night will grant me the calm and wisdom needed to reflect on your words, Lady Amaria. I apologise for the way I have been treating you, it is, as you said, unfitting of a king. Please, stay tonight and let me make amends tomorrow." Anduin offered with an apologetic expression, without the hatred I had seen today.
I was a bit surprised to hear him accept his mistakes that quickly but it was fitting with the Anduin I heard of from Alexstrasza, not the Anduin I've met earlier today. Should I give him a second chance? I was still considering leaving right now, aware that the rest of the Alliance would probably be as hard to deal with if king Genn's behaviour was of any indication. But what I know was that everyone deserves a second chance.
"Very well. If the night can't help you see how wrong you are then I suppose I will have to leave. Stormwind isn't the only capital I wish to see after all." I said, adding the threat that going to see the Horde in Orgrimmar wasn't impossible. Even if I would probably not do it.
"Thank you. I wish you goodnight Lady Amaria." He nodded.
"Your majesty." I bowed quickly before taking my leave.
The way back to my chambers was done quickly and I looked behind my shoulder more than once, expecting to be attacked or at least to have guards following me. It wasn't unreal since I just chewed out Anduin but perhaps it was only me being slightly paranoid.
But once I reached my bedroom, after tightly closing the door, I let out a sigh of relief. What I did was stupid and quite rude but at least Anduin didn't had me arrested for slandering him. I was just an Ambassador after all, it wasn't my place to remind him of his place and to correct his views but I was hopeful that he wouldn't be mad at me tomorrow. That and I wouldn't apologise for my words. If he truly was incapable to accept that I wasn't like Deathwing or Onyxia then I would leave in the minute.
Would it always be that hard? Just because I belonged in the black dragonflight meant that I was evil and had to be treated with contempt at best and downright hatred at worst?
I exhaled and quickly vanished the dress on me to replace it with a nightgown, slipping under the cover as I thought about what just happened. At best Anduin would take my words in account and accept that I wasn't the evil he was looking for and at worst I would have to flee Stormwind before getting arrested or executed. It was perhaps overthinking it but at that point in my life I was ready for anything.
There was also the problem of the Old Gods' whispers. I usually heard them once in a while, meaning perhaps once every couple of months, but never did it happened that much in a day. Was there a reason for this? Was Anduin close to the Old Gods or were they focusing on him? I couldn't figure why but it was bad nonetheless.
It's quite tensed and weary that I got to sleep, keeping an eye open long after I got into bed in fear of having a group of guards rushing it. Thankfully it was never needed.