I do not own nor possess any right over Harry Potter and World of Warcraft, all rights belongs to their rightful owners.
A bit of spoilers ahead for WOW BFA and Shadowlands, you've been warned.
To reply to InSaNEC comment, no, Blizzard didn't made Horde that one dimensional, with several characters such as Varok Saurfang who defied her and rebelled as well as Carine Bloodhoof if I'm correct. I actually haven't played BFA, Shadowlands nor Dragonflight so the information I give might be inaccurate even if I do try to follow the lore. Sylvanas is another story. We had to wait until mid-Shadowlands to see that she wasn't evil but really trying to save us all, which I personally didn't liked at all.
Her character could have been so much more than this 'I'm doing bad things to save the world, doing a genocide of the night-elves, letting hundred of soldiers die at Undercity, only to break the Shadowlands, reinforce the Jailer's powers and break the cicle of death so that we can live free' thing.
In BFA though, she is way more one dimensional, almost entirely aligned evil and lacking the depth that she used to had. Instead she was just so hard to guess and her actions simply only prompting war that it felt like she had no real plan at all for most of BFA. Shadowlands didn't helped by making her the ally/minion of the Jailer who is working with him and betraying him too in a fit of good consciousness.
All of this is only my opinion, I've seen plenty of people liking her betraying the Horde and her new place in Shadowlands but I personally didn't like it. She simply has almost nothing to do with the Sylvanas from Warcraft 3. She was better in Legion where she acted more as a real Warchief with a bit of honour.
Here I'm portraying her as much if not slightly more evil than she is in BFA/Shadowlands, seeing with Amaria's perspective who has almost only heard bad things about Sylvanas as well as Alexstrasza who gave her a bit of, maybe not hatred, but distaste for Sylvanas. It would be hard to think of someone as a good person when that someone burned alive hundreds if not thousands of people. Amaria may have a bit of pity for Sylvanas, with her having been turned into a banshee and forced to muder her own people, but it is overshadowed with all the things Sylvanas has done.
Please comment/review.
Thank you for your patience and good reading.
Going into the Cathedral Square didn't took long, just the time to cross the canal again and I was there, in front of the small fountain that stood just before the massive cathedral and its spires aimed high toward the sky. I was also quite relieved to see that it was also far quieter, with only a few people going in the cathedral and others passing by.
Gazing higher, I took in the large religious building with a small degree of awe. It was far different from the ones back on earth, it being larger and very white and with large stairs covered with a blue carpet that led inside.
Getting closer, I walked around the fountain and sat on a small bench right next to it, enjoying the fresh air of the morning in the shadow of the cathedral. I took out the box out of my bag and then gazed at the bracelet, observing all the finer details from closer, genuinely impressed that such a beautiful thing had been made in a single day. It even seemed that it would fit Alexstrasza without problem, but I wasn't really concerned about that, just looking at the largest ruby that gleamed softly.
Putting it back in the bag, I watched the water of the fountain fall in a steady rhythm as its noise brought me peace, even if the sound of the market was still largely dominating the background. Standing up, I considered entering the cathedral but ultimately thought otherwise, realising that with my luck I might end up in another annoying situation.
I went to the left of the cathedral, walking alongside the canal as I could hear a few shouts up ahead, nothing alarming, just people talking really loudly. This got my curiosity and I walked toward it, passed beneath an arch and was frozen in place at the sight of a very large harbour with a real army of workers, soldiers and fishermen walking around in all directions.
The closest quays were the ones belonging to the fishermen, a few boats moored and some visible far away in the ocean. The rest of the harbour was taken by carpenters and sailors working on very large ships, loading up dozens of crates as soldiers did the same with weapons and armours in large number. It's only then that I realised that these were the ships that Anduin and all the adventurers called to arms would take to go to Undercity later in the afternoon.
Two warships were standing at the end of the quays, already well prepared, while a third slightly less armed was the one being filled with the equipment. The harbour also had enormous walls right where I stood, high above the water level with a few massive canons aimed toward the sea, indicating that this was a military harbour before anything else. Far away at the right was also a very large, slightly round building with an open roof, with another large number of people working around.
It did damaged a bit my mood, seeing that no matter where I would go in this city I would probably find something linked to the war. I sighed at this, watching with a tinge of sadness at the thought that all these people would be going on a battlefront in barely two days. And it reminded me of Anduin's words, how I could take a sort of passive role and help transfer the wounded safely back to the healers' hands.
Walking closer to the edge of the wall, I fixed my eyes on the many people all down in the harbour as I got deep in thoughts about what I should do. I just stood there, completely immobile like a statue with barely a blink of my eyes as indication that I wasn't a real one, watching the workers and soldier filling the ships and observing the large scale of it all.
Should I join the war or not?
My mind was completely turned toward this one question.
On one hand, I could refuse and stand aside, just like I told Anduin and Genn so many times. Alexstrasza, all the other dragons, they choose to stand aside and I could only respect their decision. I wasn't fully agreeing with them, a part of me knowing that I would regret not helping when I could have, but was it because I used to be human that I was able to think differently than the other dragons? It didn't really mattered in the end. I wouldn't involve the dragonflights in this war.
It wasn't my war, it wasn't concerning me directly and I wasn't forced to take part to it.
But since when was I known as one standing aside?
As I thought earlier, I know I would regret not helping when I had to power to do so.
I could go. Let it be to fight or not was still undecided, I wouldn't be very useful as a medic since I basically knew nothing more than put bandages and gauze but perhaps I could help in other ways. Just like Anduin suggested, I could protect the wounded and bring them back safely in the hands of the healers.
Or I could go to the last option, it being fighting on the front lines and helping the Alliance to take Undercity from the Horde. It would be betraying my mother and the dragonflight's vow of neutrality. It would be more dead people on my consciousness, something that I didn't wanted but might be necessary in order to bring peace between the Horde and the Alliance. And as long as I would be fighting as a mage, the Horde wouldn't know about me being a dragon so maybe I could hope to remain incognito, one mage amongst many other.
Unlikely but possible nonetheless.
The choice was hard. A part of me really didn't wanted to take part to it, tired of all the fights and dead friends and family lost in the war against Voldemort. Another part of me wished to help, knowing the cost of a life and wanting to do anything even to save a single one. The two were fighting in a constant war of suggestions, ideas and debates more or less moral, trying to convince me to the right thing. Even if both seemed to have their own rights and wrongs, it was the second side that had the upper hand. As much as my promise to Mother not to involve dragonkind mattered to me, the possibility to save lives felt far more right and important.
Breaking my promise wasn't something I would be looking forward to.
"Mam?"
I snapped my head upward, confused for a second as my train of thought crashed, suddenly realising that the sun was far higher than it had been when I arrived there.
"Are you alright?"
I turned to my right and looked down to a pair of children staring at me with wide eyes, a boy and a girl of similar age.
"I- yes, yes I am. Do you know what time is it?" I asked them, bringing a short smile to my face.
"You've been here for at least three hours." Replied the little boy.
"Huh. That long." I said slightly baffled.
"We saw you there before noon, it's maybe three now." Added the girl nonchalantly.
"Oh." I simply said as I quickly calculated that I must have been standing there for around five hours.
This did impressed me quite a lot, I didn't know I could get so lost in my thoughts or that I could stand still for so long without feeling sore or anything.
"Yeah, it was fun." Said the boy.
"Until we thought that you were maybe stuck." Said the girl.
"Well I need to thank you for waking me up, I was thinking a bit too hard. What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Our dad leaves this afternoon, he is already on the boat." Answered the girl pointing at one of the warships.
I stopped at that, realising that depending on the battle they may never see their father ever again. Yet they didn't seemed that bothered by this perspective, and I hoped that maybe it was just them being naïve.
"I see. Is it his first battle?" I asked.
"No, dad's the best! He fought with King Varian before!" Cheered the boy.
"That's good, at least he have some experience." I let out a slightly relieved breath.
"Are you going too? You don't look like a soldier." Said the girl.
"Me? I don't know. I have been asked to go because I'm a mage, that I could help saving lives, but I promised someone that I wouldn't go fight. I don't know what to do, even after five hours standing there only thinking about this." I explained.
"Well you should go." Simply said the girl.
"Really?" I asked curious.
"Yeah, dad says that if we have more soldiers then we can win quicker, and that means that he could come back earlier. He told mom that he had a friend to back him up and that they would stick together to make sure that both could come back." Told me the boy.
"That's… it's actually something that I used to do." I said thinking about how me and Ron used to cover each other's back.
It reminded me that, despise the numerous times when we ended up in dangerous situation, we always came back alive. Maybe not unharmed but at least alive. And that's something that I could do here, be someone's safety insurance, there to save them and bring them back alive. I was also sure that mother would approve my choice, and even if she didn't it was what I felt I had to do.
It was the conclusion I was coming to before the two children woke me up. It was the right thing to do.
I looked down at the two children that were looking at me expectantly, a bright smile on my face as I realised what I had to do. It might not be the best choice for me, but it was the right one. And I had never been known as one making the wisest decision.
"Thank you very much for your help, I think I know what to do now." I told them.
"Huh?" They replied.
"I'll be there to watch on your dad's back. And on everyone else's too." I said standing up slightly straighter.
"Wow! Thanks!" Exclaimed the boy.
"Yes, it's very nice." Added the girl.
"I need to go now. Thanks again for your help." I said as I turned away, waving at them for a few seconds as they did the same.
With a quick stride in my footsteps, by no mean running but walking with determination, I made my way back to the castle and passed right between the guards of the drawbridge without a care for them, entering the castle and soon reaching the throne room. I was disappointed to see no sign of Anduin nor any other member of the royalty, only the few guards standing there.
"Do you know where King Anduin is?" I asked the nearest soldier.
"In the war room mam, right this way." She replied while pointing her spear toward the right.
"Thanks."
I went in the indicated direction and in barely twenty seconds I was in front of a closed room, with a pair of guards at the front stopping anyone from entering. Yet I wouldn't be deterred by them nor by anything.
"Halt! The war council is in session." Said the guard on the right.
"I'm aware. Can I go in?" I asked.
"No one can until the council is over." He said stoically.
"Then you won't be able to go in for me? Just to tell the king that Amaria, Ambassador of the black dragonflight wishes to speak with him urgently." I said making use of my title.
"Sorry my lady, no one can." Assured the other guard.
"Oh." I said faking disappointment. "Then you may tell the king that I was ready to accept his proposition to join the war, but had to refuse because his guards wouldn't let me go in." I sighed. "Well, I'm sure he'll only be angry with you for a little while."
I could see it on their face, the doubt and unease of making a mistake. And then I turned away, counting in my head '3…2…1…'
"My lady, please wait!" Called me one of the guards.
'Knew it.' I smirked before turning back toward them.
"Are you sure? I can go if you say that the king must not be disturbed." I said.
"No. Please wait a moment."
The guard knocked on the heavy door and after two seconds went in, closing the door behind him. Me and the other guard shared a short glance at the other, waiting in silence for barely ten seconds before the door was opened again by the very same guard.
"You may come in." He told me.
"Thank you." I said sweetly before stepping past him and entering the war room.
Stepping between the heavy doors, I entered only to have the door closed behind me in a moment, leaving me under the eyes of everyone in here. I recognised Anduin, Genn, Alleria but there was also a few other men standing there, high-ranked soldiers as well as a Night-Elf that towered over most people here.
"Lady Amaria, I didn't expected to see you again so soon." Greeted me Anduin calmly, probably well aware of my joust with Genn this morning.
And I could clearly see that the old worgen was scowling at me, keeping his mouth shut but it was obvious he had to refrain himself to not intervene.
"As did I, but I've reflected on your proposition and came to a conclusion. Just like I said many times already, I won't fight for you-" I started.
"If that's all you have to say then you should leave, dragon." Interrupted me Genn with a snarl.
"Genn." Said Anduin glaring at his fellow king.
"As I was saying before being rudely interrupted, I won't fight for you. This isn't my place and I won't go kill innocents. But, if you're willing to have me, then I'll will stand on the backline and make sure that the wounded can be treated safely. I will protect those in danger, I will be their shield and armour that will be bringing them back home alive." I continued as I gave a short glare toward Genn.
The relief I saw in Anduin's eye was real and it seemed he was a bit surprised by my decision, allowing a small smile to grow on his face as he took a step forward me.
"I would be honoured to have you with us, Lady Amaria." He said extending his right hand.
"And it will be my pleasure." I replied as I shake his hand.
We quickly separated and turned toward the large table in the centre of the room, a large copy of the battlefield already dressed upon it. Anduin directly returned to speak strategy with the other members of the war council as I stood there silently, looking at their plan and forcing myself not to smirk at Genn that was clearly giving me the stink eye without being able to put a word about me.
It took a full hour before their strategy was refined enough and everyone knew what they would be doing for us to leave. I simply followed the flow, exchanging a quick word with Alleria that approved of my presence before we all made our way toward the harbour. Having no personal effects, I was ready to go and we joined in the castle's courtyard where Anduin's horse was waiting. As soon as he was riding, we and a whole garrison of guards stepped through the capital.
People were waiting us at every corner as we crossed the water canals. I watched in slight awe, seeing all the people around us cheering and wishing us good luck in our battle and some even directly calling for the Horde's death. Flowers were thrown in front of Anduin's horse as people prayed for their loved ones safe return, hoping that this war wouldn't take away a member of their family or their friends.
It took a little while but we finally reached the harbour and the last battleship docked, waiting for us as the two others were already prepared to sail. Anduin was the first to embark and we all followed through except for Alleria and a few other soldiers that remained behind, just like it had been decided in the war room. The soldiers were starting to go in the lower deck that I noticed that a few adventurers were on board with us, waiting on the sides and talking together.
I didn't gave it any more attention and made my way up to the quarterdeck, having the opportunity to watch all the people gathered there waving goodbye as the sailors were opening the sails, barking orders left and right as they rushed on the deck to leave the quays. It didn't took long for the ship to start moving, slowly at first and then increasing in speed as it reached the two other warships and started to go up north, staying at safe distance from the coast.
Looking back toward Stormwind, I watched it slowly disappear as we got further away. I knew it would not be too long of a trip, a matter of six or seven hours, which would make us arrive late at night.
"Lady Amaria." Called me a familiar voice behind me.
I turned toward Anduin, who was looking at me near the ship's helm alongside Genn. Holding back a sigh as I had a fair idea of where this was going, I waited for him to continue.
"I'd like to have a word with you. In private." He said frowning slightly.
"Of course, your majesty." I said.
'They still do not trust you. They need you but won't admit it. Take your rightful place over these mortals, be their queen.' Interrupted the Old Gods.
While the voice wasn't wrong on the first part, the rest was complete rubbish. I had no idea how they could have corrupted Deathwing with such words. Perhaps out of annoyance? But it wasn't the time to focus on them.
They went first and walked down to the lower deck, reaching for the door that led to their quarters. I was just about to follow them when I noticed a tall man in armour, part of a group of adventurers that all wore a large green tabard with a black claw mark. I recognised this man, him being the very same jerk that thought of me as a whore, and I saw one of his friends look at me with a knowing expression, pointing at me. The jerk turned toward me and I glared at him for a few seconds before following Anduin and Genn into the ship's quarters, having more pressing matters to deal with.
I didn't got the opportunity to see the other quarters but the luxury in this one was obvious, let it be the large windows or the expertly carved office and bed. Anduin closed the door behind me before walking around the office and sitting in the chair behind it, looking at me with an almost tired expression.
"Amaria I would like to apologise for-" He started.
"Please don't." I cut him off. "I know what you want to say and you are not the one that should be apologising. Isn't it, King Greymane?" I said coldly, emphasising how I felt about his title.
He grumbled for a second before sighing, almost like if it was costing him a lot. Yet when he opened his eyes to look at me I saw genuine, perhaps not remorse, but a small form of regret.
"It is as you said, Lady Amaria. I failed to contain myself against your rebuttal, it isn't the first time that I explode on someone like this and it probably won't be the last, but I would like to apologise for what happened this morning. It was only after that I learned that you and Anduin already had a talk last night that I realised that I pressured you uselessly." He apologised, looking me straight in the eyes all along.
I stared at him, not saying a word for a couple of seconds as I judged his words.
"Let me say that as a king, one with experience I believe, you should be more open minded. If you can accept that not everyone has the same opinion than you, then I can accept your apology." I replied.
"Thank you." He said with a nod.
"I have to say, I didn't expected to hear you two fighting that loudly this morning." Chuckled Anduin. "When Genn told me what happened, I feared that we may have been pushing you too strongly and I made my mind on forgetting your support. I'm glad to have you at our side Amaria, every helping hand matters."
"Do you know what made me change my mind?" I asked both of them, smiling when I got a head shake in answer. "Two children that I met near the harbour." I said as I watched their face lit up in surprise. I chuckled shortly as I realised that two children convinced me where two kings failed. "They talked about their father going to war, maybe he is in this very ship, but the point is that they reminded me of a habit that me and one of my best friend had. Always watch the other's back. I may not fight alongside you, but I'll be there to help bring as many soldiers as possible safely back home."
They stood silent for a couple of seconds before sharing a look and then Anduin laughed lightly, probably realising too who convinced me.
"We'll have to thank them on our way back then." He said as he stood up. "You're free to go wherever you go on board and you may take a nap in the officers quarters. We should reach the shores near Undercity shortly before midnight."
"Thank you, I will probably take one at some point. Your majesties." I said with a short bow before leaving the king's cabin.
I made my way back to the bridge of the ship where the salty wind of the sea was omnipresent, looking around at the many sailors operating the ship as well as the soldiers and adventurers checking their equipment. The jerk and his group weren't in sight, for my greatest pleasure, and I walked to the bow of the ship, taking in the view and the wind as a few other people did as we quickly sailed through the sea.
The shores were passing by fairly quickly but we wouldn't arrive before a few hours. After all it was slightly more than half the continent that we had to cross, even if the ships were propelled by steam-driven paddle wheels and sails.