A sharp kick was what awoke Val on a cold December morning, but it wasn't anything new to the exhausted mama-to-be. Every morning at about eight, her son would begin to pummel her abdomen as a way to make sure that she actually left her bed, when really, that was the last thing she wanted to do nowadays.

Not that she slept once she was back in the sodding thing. Between finding a comfortable position, listening to Varian's snores and putting up with the baby's acrobatics, a decent slumber had become a distant dream. She had made up for it by napping as much as Anduin had when he was still in napkins, and Varian would find her doing it in the oddest of places.

She'd woken up to find that he'd moved her to their bed numerous times, with the king informing her that she'd started off on armchairs, or slumped over at her desk. He'd become concerned with just howtired she was despite being over the first trimester, and had the phsycians come and carry out a series of what Val had deemed to be unnecessary investigations.

To her chagrin, his worrying had been warranted, and Val had been diagnosed with anaemia- an iron deficiency of the blood.

She'd been started on pills for it, and was beginning to feel their effects, but that didn't make waking so early, or so abruptly, any easier.

Then there was the sickness- sweet Light, the sickness. Val hadn't ever heard of women having it past the three month mark, but lo and behold, every hour after any meal, be it toast, fish, or vegetables, she'd be sitting with her head in the privvy.

It had practically ruined any plans that she and Varian had been making for Winter Veil, so on top of everything, she felt incredibly guilty on behalf of her stepson.

But even with all those gripes, all those annoying, draining things that made her head hurt and each day a chore…she wouldn't change her situation for the world.

"Alright, little one, I'm up," she grumbled, rolling onto her back and reaching underneath to remove the pillow she had to put there of a night. She must've accidently hit Varian with it during the process, for his snoring begun to jar, and he too turned over with bleary, half open eyes.

"Val? Whaz goin on?" he slurred, almost automatically reaching out and spreading a palm across her belly. "He alright?"

Val gave him a warm smile, and gently moved some of his loose hair back.

"He's fine, love. Just going for a morning run, that's all," she told him, feeling her eyes moisten again with just how sincerely concerned he was. He felt another strong kick against his palm, and his brows drew together.

"I'd say he was more practising his football skills in there," Varian said, hearing Val's light chuckle.

"You are desperatefor him to be sporting, aren't you?" she teased, and Varian's brow furrowed.

"I wouldn't exactly be disappointed if he wasn't, but yes, it would be nice if I had at least one son who took an interest in such things," Varian admitted, taking his hand away.

"How long have you been awake?" he asked her, sitting up and helping her do the same by arranging her pillows for her- despite her protests.

"About as long as Elliot. 'Cushion placenta' my arsehole, I've felt every little movement he's made," Val replied, loving the beaming smile that just saying their son's name brought to her husband's face.

It had taken a long while to decide on a moniker. They'd sat for hours, with list after list of both traditional and working class names…eventually, they'd come to 'Elliot', and almost instantly loved it.

Varian leant over and kissed the swell of her bump.

"Now you listen here, young man; you let your mama sleep, alright? Or you'll be in time out the second you're born," he said, keeping his lips pressed against her skin and feeling it vibrate with her quiet laughter.

"Careful, or he'll kick you straight in the face," Val warned, running her fingers through Varian's thick locks.

"Ah, I'd like to see him try," Varian challenged, replacing his lips with his forehead. "I still can't come to terms with the fact that we're actually here, you know."

"Where? In bed?" Val joked, finding his annoyed look rather amusing.

"You know damn well that's not what I meant," Varian said, propping himself on an elbow beside her.

"We're married, with two beautiful boys…five years ago I would've thought you mad if you'd told me that's where we'd be by this point." Val reached up and cupped his cheek.

"Happy?" she asked, happily accepting his kiss.

"The happiest I've been for a very long time," he replied, thinning his lips.

"Happy enough that I don't have any desire to return to the battlefield. That's never happened to me before." Val fought the sigh coming up her throat.

"Varian, we've already discussed this," she said, and he held a hand up.

"I know we have, and I'll do my duty as every other man would- but it doesn't stop me feeling guilty about leaving you two again, especially now," he confessed, gazing at her belly like he was in a trance.

"You know there's a chance I'm going to miss it, don't you?"

Val knew that, of course she did. But it didn't make it any easier.

"I know," she practically whispered.

"If I do, send me word the minute he arrives, alright?" Varian asked, bringing her smile back.

"You honestly think I wouldn't? You'll be receiving a blow by blow account from the second my waters break," she said, glad to see him chuckling.

"Good. And I promise to get back as quickly as possible to meet him."

Val surprised him by shaking her head, poking his bare chest. "You focus on bringing the Lich King down for good. If there's one thing that we can give this boy, it's a world that's safe. And since I'll be busy here, that makes it your job."

Varian chuckled despite her essentially telling him he wouldn't meet his son straight away. "Oh well, I suppose I've been given my orders then eh?"

Val was starting to notice spittle collecting in her mouth, which was never a good sign, so she sat up, wondering if lying there for so long wasn't helping her nausea.

Varian mimicked her, pulling her pillows up and helping her shuffle back. "Need the basin?"

She shook her head so he reached over to the flagon on his bedside, pouring a cup of water and passing it to her. "Is everything prepared for when you leave?"

Varian couldn't blame her for changing the subject back, heeding the old saying 'nothing makes sickness worse than the empty bowl' and not mentioning how her lips had paled. "Almost. I have a few more confirmations to go over with Thrall, but Gregor's poised to act as reagent the minute I leave this Keep."

His smirk told her exactly what he was about to say. "And he is under strict orders to make sure you don't over-exert yourself."

Val had to laugh since his intentions were good, bending her legs to relive some of the pressure on them.

She couldn't help but smile as he wedged his hand behind her and started kneading the small of her back without prompt, untying some of the knots that a heavy sleep brought.

"Why am I not surprised? Any other orders for me, Your Majesty?"

He narrowed his eyes. "Val, stop mocking my attempts to look after you, it's getting old."

Val reached back for his hand, holding it instead and shuffling closer to him, putting her head on his arm. "I'm not mocking anything Varian, I just think that this level of concern is unnecessary. I'll be too big to do anything strenuous by the time you go, so I don't exactly know what mischief you're expecting me to be involved in."

Varian nudged her with a small smile. "When it's you? Allthe mischief. Every single little bit." He kissed her cheek, starting to push the furs back. "Little Pixie."

She stuck her tongue out at him, watching him leave the bed and come around to her side, hooking his arm under hers and helping her up, holding her when she had to take a second to steady herself.

"Your pills are on your vanity. Think you can handle some breakfast?"

Val nodded, stretching up to kiss him and smiling as he bent down to meet her instead. "Give me about ten minutes and I'll be able to tell you for sure."

He took her robe from the chair he'd purposely moved next to her side of the bed, glad that she didn't object to him putting it on and feeling her cheeks afterwards. "You're still a little hot."

Val gave him a grin, pulling him forward by his forearms. "That'll come in handy when we go to get the tree later."

Varian grimaced and she started tugging at his hands, fighting the urge to pout. "Varian, it's tradition. Big tree in the ballroom, little in ours and Anduin's."

Varian set his jaw, trying to fight his inner voice, one that was telling him to absolutely forbid her going out in what one glance out the window told him was another snowy day. "Fine, but we come straight back, understand? No 'popping to a shop quickly' or 'I'm just nipping in here'."

Val looked so happy to hear it he had no choice but to share her smile, scraping her hair back. "But you have to wrap up as much as I see fit."

Val nodded, letting go of him and taking her water from the bedside. "I'll take that. Anduin and Sofia have been making so many decorations for it, it would be cruel not to get one."

Varian started to light the fire, not really wanting to wait for Nan, letting Val go to the washroom and enjoy some privacy to ready herself for the day.

While he wasn't 'put off' by any of the more unsavoury parts of pregnancy, he respected that she didn't exactly want spectators in regards to certain…functionsof a mother-to-be's body.

He winced as once again she started vomiting, straightening himself and leaning on the wall just by the doorway. "Do you need me Sweetheart?"

There was a beat or two of silence, then a weak 'no' was his answer, which he wasn't entirely satisfied with. "I'm still not happy with how much you're bringing up."

Val wiped her mouth with a spare washcloth, taking a deep breath and getting up, scraping her hair back. "Sister Gertrude said it was 'uncommon', not 'impossible' Varian. She doesn't seem to be too concerned with it, so neither should we."

She flashed him a smile, spying him at the door. "It just means he's moving alot, that's all. If anything you should be glad of it."

Varian huffed. "I'll never be glad of my wife being ill Val, don't insult me so."

Val padded past him, swishing some of her water around her mouth and spitting it into the basin sitting on the chair. "I'm not 'ill' Varian, it's just something that comes with being pregnant, that's all. It's not as if I'm just being sick all day every day."

She spread her arms, showing him that the colour was coming back to her skin already. "See? I'm fine once I've actually done it."

She held a hand out and he begrudgingly took it, squeezing her fingers as hard as she did his. "Stop worrying so much, alright?"

Varian avoided kissing her lips, which he was sure she appreciated, instead doing it to both of her cheeks and her forehead. "I'll worry all I damn well want Val. I have to be the one sitting here watching you be sick and not being able to sleep in your own bed while I eat and rest without a care. It's not an easy thing to do."

She couldn't be angry at him, how could she? He was telling her the truth about how he felt, which was all she ever wanted from him.

She ran her hands up his chest, not even trying to fight her smile. "You're sweet."

His face softened and he put her hair behind her ear. "And you're pregnant. That's something I'll always be thankful for."

He finally sighed in defeat, holding her hands again. "I'll make a deal with you. You tell me the minute something feels off and actually tryto rest at some point in the day…and I'll back off a little bit. Not alot mind you, but I won't be completely up your backside."

She held up a pinky, and while he tried not to sigh at the invitation to do something that they hadn't since they were children, he hooked his around it, squeezing it and giving a light pull.

"You have a deal Your Majesty."

Varian held her shoulders, straightening his face. "Good, I'm glad we managed to settle this once and for all."

He kissed her forehead, glad to feel that it had cooled somewhat. "Now, one final bout of nagging, I'm afraid. Go take your pill, freshen up and I'll get your clothes ready so we can go downstairs and have you try and eat something. How does that sound?"

Val gave him a grin, patting his pectoral. "That sounds like a bloody good plan."

"Can we get a silver tree this year Father? Jorah has a silver tree at his house!"

Varian grimaced at the very thought, holding on tighter to Anduin's hand and stopping in front of the stall that looked more like a mini forest than a normal market pitch; Winter Veil trees of every size, colour and scent stood in front of them, and he realised just how short his wife was as she was taken through the pine maze by the stall holder.

"What? No. We'll be getting a spruce the same as we always have. Silver trees would look ridiculous in the Keep."

Anduin stood on his toes, clearly enthralled by the foliage in front of him. "Can we get one as tall as you?"

Varian chuckled this time, shaking his head to Val when she pointed to one that looked like it was about to shed where it stood. "Anduin, you'd need a three foot stool to decorate the thing if we did. No, you'll get one the same size as you, that's our family's tradition remember?"

Anduin's little brow creased. "What's a 'tradition'?"

Varian was more than certain he'd explained it before but he couldn't resist indulging childish curiosity when it presented itself. "It's an act or ceremony that someone does consecutively every year, and it's passed down through families, kingdoms, any group of people really."

Anduin still looked confused. "What's con-sect-ivaly mean?"

Varian patted his head, rather impressed that a five year old had even attempted such a word. "Consecutively Anduin. It means without fail."

Anduin put his hand flat on his head, trying to look up at it. "And how tall am I then? I don't want a tree that's too small father."

Varian wasn't exactly sure what Anduin's approximate height was, but that did give him an idea. "Well, I can only guess for now, but later on we'll measure you against the doorway, how's that sound?"

Anduin's head tilted. "The doorway? Why would we measure me there? Grammy has her tape!"

Varian started laughing again, giving Val a nod at one that looked round about Anduin's size. "Because that's another tradition your mum and I used to have. When your Grammy came to visit and I'd come to the shop, she'd measure us children against the doorway and make little notches to show us how big we'd gotten."

Anduin seemed to come around to the idea almost instantly. "That would be fun! Mum always says I've grown bigger but I just can't see it!"

Varian grinned down at him, glad that he hadn't dismissed the notion as 'old fashioned' or plain 'stupid'.

Too many times he'd heard from disgruntled parents that their children didn't share the same enthusiasm as them about things from what seemed to the youngsters to be a lifetime ago, so to have Anduin agree at all was quite the victory really.

"Good, because I certainly can't keep up with it."

He squeezed Anduin's hand, realising why Val had told them to stay here and not participate as much as he had expected to. "Anduin…you understand why I'm going away again, don't you?"

Anduin's smile straightened but he didn't look too upset, which Varian supposed was a start. "I do. It's your duty."

The King bent down, not even caring that his knee hit fresh snow and putting a hand firmly on his son's shoulder. "I'm doing it for you and your brother, Anduin, and for every child in Stormwind and beyond. You all deserve to have a world that's safe, and that means-"

Anduin's smile returned. "-that means defeating the Lich King. I know Father."

Varian had to admit he hadn't really been expecting the abrupt embrace that the boy gave him, but that didn't mean he would reject it, quite the opposite, he held his son's head and kissed his ruddy cheek. "Promise to be a good boy while I'm gone?"

Anduin's smile turned into a grin. "If you promise that we'll go to the lake when you get back."

Varian ruffled his hair, straightening once his knee had started to go numb and brushing it down. "That sounds like an absolutely wonderful idea son."

Anduin sighed, taking his hand again. "I wish the family could've come for Winter Veil. I'm sad that they're sick, but more sad that they're not here."

Varian knew it was in no way his fault, but he couldn't help feeling rather guilty about how the Glenmores weren't spending Winter Veil in Stormwind this year as arranged.

Val had received a letter from Minnie about a week past telling her that every child had come down with the flu, making it a rather bad idea to have them potentially infect both Varian and Val when one had a battlefield to go to and one had a unborn babe to think of.

Anduin was of course disappointed but understood that it couldn't be helped, finding it rather fun helping his stepmother wrap their presents early and give them to the courier to relay to 'Greatfather Winter' in Northrend.

To compensate for it they had let Sofia attend the Keep alot more, and so far, it was working. "As soon as they're well I'm sure your mum will arrange their visit."

He gave him a small smile, swinging his arm. "Until then you're stuck with us, I'm afraid."

Anduin tapped his chin with a look of pure, deep thought. "Copper for them son?"

Anduin squinted one eye, finally straightening his look. "I was just thinking, if it's just us three for Winter Veil, does that mean we can do whatever we want?"

Varian tried not to laugh at what was apparently quite the serious question but a snort or two broke through. "Well, yes,I suppose…why? What were you thinking?"

Anduin swung his arm, rocking on the balls of his feet. "The Keep's too big for just three of us Father."

Varian couldn't argue with that. "Indeed. But that still doesn't explain why you've got a thinking face on."

Anduin scrunched his nose, watching Val as she paid the stallholder. "Can we go and see Greatfather Winter?! Oh please, please Father!"

Varian's brows snapped down in confusion. "What? Anduin, he's in Northrend!"

Anduin stood in front of him and shook his head, bouncing on his toes. "No he isn't! Tommo told me he's in Ironforge! We have to tell him what I want before he goes back! Please Father?!"

Varian bent to his level again, still not quite on the same page. "Ironforg- Anduin, that's very short notice to tell your Uncle Magni we're coming."

Anduin had apparently been planning this for a while. "Fia said a mage could get there in two seconds and tell him today! Then we can go tomorrow and tell Greatfather Winter what I want just in time! Otherwise we won't get our presents! Please Father, I've been really good, and I want him to know it!"

Val had apparently heard Anduin's voice getting louder, letting Varro and Jon deal with the trees and putting her hand on Anduin's shoulder.

"What's the matter Little Lion?"

Anduin took her hand with both of his own. "Mum! Greatfather Winter's in Ironforge and I need to tell him what's on my list before Winter Veil!"

Val's eyebrow rose and she looked to Varian for answers he couldn't give. "Anduin, you've already sent your list…"

Anduin looked like he was about to cry. "But I need to make sure he got it!"

Varian was suspicious of how adamant his son was getting. "Anduin, what aren't you telling us?"

Anduin hung his head, meaning Varian had guessed right. "…I just want to know he's real."

Val had to smile at such a heartfelt request, bending down and giving him a tight embrace. "Who told you he wasn't, baby?"

Anduin shrugged, trying not to meet their eyes. "A couple of people. I know he's real, I do, but I just need to make sure."

Varian looked up at Val, who gave him a nod, letting him help her up and reach back down to cup his son's chin. "I suppose your mum and I just saying it won't placate you?"

Anduin shook his head, leaving Varian to give him a smile. "Well, if your mum promises me that she'll have the midwife quickly look at her before we go, I'll see about having a missive sent to Uncle Magni, telling him to make sure Greatfather Winter stays where he is until we get there tomorrow."

Anduin's eyes lit up as it sank in, and soon he was vibrating with excitement. "Really?! We're going to see him?!"

Varian lifted him to save bending again, holding Val's hand with his spare. "If that's truly what you want, I don't see why not. We'll take the train so your mum doesn't have to sail, and stay for the day."

Val tickled Anduin's stomach, making him laugh again, which was all she ever wanted him to do. "We'll have to hurry and get the trees decorated for when we get back! We won't want to do it on Winter Veil!"

Anduin looked rather coy, half burying his face in Varian's neck. "And you don't think I'm being silly?"

Val brushed his hair from his face, giving him the warmest look she could. "Not at all, Little Lion. But you have to learn to not listen to those who try and dissuade what you believe from now on, understand?"

Anduin saluted just to make her laugh, succeeding instantly and climbing down from her grasp, pulling on her hand instead. "I want to get a tree for Elliot!"

Val let him go to a waiting Varro, feeling Varian's kiss on her forehead. "So we're going on a spontaneous excursion then, are we?"

Varian grunted an affirmation, putting his arm around her waist. "It seems we are. Just be glad the Deeprun Tram is running, or it wouldn't be possible at all."

He started chuckling, leaning down to her. "Though I feel like we should just tell him at this point that Greatfather Winter doesn't exist."

Val sharply shushed him, slapping his shoulder with a scowl. "Don't you dare. Let him be a child for a little bit longer Varian, he deserves that much."

She patted her belly, letting her face relax. "Besides, we don't want to spoil Winter Veil for him than make him watch us lie to his brother, it wouldn't be fair."

Varian could see her point, running a thumb over the swell encasing his youngest son. "Two boys for Winter Veil next year. It sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it?"

Val murmured an agreement, looking up at him. "Is it tempting fate to get him his own tree?"

Varian thought about it for a few seconds, letting a smirk creep onto his face. "Not in the slightest."

He pushed her forward, taking her hand. "But then you and I have alot to do. Get ready for a good night sleep tonight Sweetheart."

"I do beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but you're travelling to Ironforge tomorrow?"

Varian was trying not to find it highly amusing how such a simple notion would vex his chamberlain so, and he was only just managing it, taking his cloak off and giving it to a waiting Nan.

They'd only just gotten back to the Keep after admittedly getting distracted by the Winter Veil Market, even after Varian had given Val her orders not to.

There was a box of brand new decorations on the bed, with the old ones being packed away and taken down to Stormwind Orphanage at Varian's behest, which of course raised no objections from his son at all.

He pulled his gloves off next, giving an excited Alice a few affectionate pats on the neck. "Yes Gregor, tomorrow. My son has a task of the utmost importance to fulfill, and it can only be done in Ironforge."

Anduin looked up and grinned at no one in particular; he just wanted everyone to see how happy he was with the way his request had been taken. "We're seeing Greatfather Winter!"

Gregor didn't share the gentle amusement with the rest of them. "And just how do you plan to get there by tomorrow Your Majesty?"

Varian chose to ignore the annoyance in his voice, choosing instead to feel Val's cheeks and determine whether she needed to sit in front of the fire for a while. "We'll be taking the Deeprun Tram first thing in the morning, and coming back the day after Winter Veil the same way."

He caught the groom's eye, understanding why he was irked at the suddenness of it all but not appreciating the borderline impertinence lining his voice. "We've sent word to King Magni already, so he's been given plenty of notice. This isn't a diplomatic visit, so I've asked him for the simplest of lodgings and will be taking minimal staff."

Gregor was glad he'd brought that up first. "And who exactly willyou be taking, Your Majesty?"

Varian jabbed a thumb towards the ladies behind him. "Lady Nancy, Lady Catherine and Ser Leighton. I've told Ser Macleòid to spend the time with his son, and Wyll doesn't do well in the cold."

Anduin gently tugged at Cathy's skirt, letting his grin fade and be replaced with the sweetest of smiles. "Do you think that Sofia would be able to come, Cathy?"

Cathy thought about it for a minute or so, quickly glancing at Varian and of course getting a nod of permission, turning back to the Prince. "I don't see why not. I'll have to collect her from her Uncle tonight, but it shouldn't be a problem."

Val snorted, conceding with Varian and putting one of her woollen shawls around her shoulders. "From what we hear, Sofia was instrumental to the whole idea."

Cathy chuckled, pouring the tea while Nan did Varian's coffee. "Why doesn't that surprise me in the slightest?"

Gregor cleared his throat, clearly not finished discussing the finer points of the trip with Varian. "Your Majesty, am I right to assume that you won't be present for midnight congregation tomorrow?"

Varian knew it was the older man's job to get every single detail under his belt, but all this conversation was doing was reminding him how he couldn't ever do something spontaneous with his family, which vexed him greatly. "No, we won't, but I highly doubt that will bring the wrath of the Light down upon us."

More furious scribbling and finally the binder closed. "There's the subject of a Regent, Your Majesty."

Varian waved a hand, taking the lid off of the box of decorations for Anduin, who was eager to get started on the bare tree now sitting by Varian and Val's window. "I'm sure you'll manage to do the job for two days Gregor. I only wish to be contacted if it's about the war or a dire emergency, understood?"

Of course a nod was his answer, and it seemed to placate the groom a little, which he had to admit was rather a relief. "Will you require a visit from the Sister before you depart, Your Majesty?"

Varian gave him an appreciative nod. "Aye, though any of them will do if Gertrude isn't immediately available. I just want Lady Glenmore checked over and cleared to travel."

Gregor came closer to Varian, apparently wanting to keep the next question quiet. "Shall I have His Highnesses' presents sent on ahead if you're to stay for Winter Veil, Your Majesty?"

Varian was glad of the tact shown, clapping his shoulder. "If you could. Take the rest of them while you're at it."

Gregor bowed, apparently going over everything he needed to. "I'll see it all attended to, Your Majesty, and notify the Deeprun to keep a train clear tomorrow morning."

Varian grunted in response, giving him his leave and finally letting himself relax, flopping into his armchair and letting Alice put her head on his lap. "Light, you'd think we were going to a different planet."

Varian wasn't exactly pleased with Val staying on her feet just to decorate a tree, but the look in her eye while she pulled a tasselled garland from the box made him bite his tongue…for now. "Ah, I can't be that annoyed with him Val, he's efficient, which is a trait sorely lacking in most people nowadays."

She carefully wound the wool around the branches, looking down and finding Anduin watching her with great interest. "He didn't sound too happy about us going."

Varian scratched Alice behind the ears, much preferring her to the cat that was curled up on Val's chair. "I don't care, he has no reason to be vexed. I'm entitled to one damn day where I'm not the leader of the Alliance, or King of Stormwind. A day where I'm merely your husband and Anduin's father has been longoverdue."

He didn't have to add the fact that he would be leaving again soon and that had influenced his decision, he could see on her face and had no wish to cause her further distress. "Besides, It gives me a chance to try the Deeprun for myself, to see what all the fuss is about."

Val snickered, putting the next garland on. "I suppose we should start packing up then if we're to leave so early tomorrow."

Varian knew exactly why she had said it in the tone she did, sitting up and putting a low growl to his voice. "You'll do nothing of the sort. Youwill get some rest while Nan and Cathy do it."

Val fought the urge to ball up the garland and throw it at him, choosing instead to stick her tongue out like a child, making the little boy by her feet start to laugh. "Varian, I can put clothes in a trunk, don't make it sound like I asked to go down a mineshaft."

Varian broke a biscuit in half and gave one to Alice, holding the other one for her to have once she was finished. "Knowing you, that's next on your list. I swear woman, I'm going to have to glue you to that bed before long."

Val rolled her eyes, finishing the garland and letting Anduin start passing decorations to her. "You're impossible."

Varian huffed, choosing to get up and start the job before even the ladies could do it in an attempt to stop her from overexerting herself. "And you're infuriating."

Val flashed him a smile, making every ounce of his anger start to fizzle away. "But you love me."

Damn it, and there was the smile he'd been fighting against. "I do. Light help me for doing it, but I do."

He bent to kiss her, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "And I can only hope you feel the same."

Val pressed her sweetened lips against his palm. "You know damn well I do Varian."

They tried to ignore the loud 'yuck' coming from the boy sitting at Val's feet but couldn't manage it, quietly laughing and separating from each other, with Varian bending to ruffle his son's hair on his way to the closet.

"Don't be so quick to dismiss it son, one day you'll be like this with a woman you care about."

Anduin's nose scrunched and he passed Val another decoration. "No I won't!"

Val snorted, hooking the ballerina on and making sure her feet rested on the branch below. "Funny, your father said that exact thing when he was your age."

Varian chuckled, putting the largest of their trunks on the bed once he'd found it. "And what I would give to smack that idiot boy to his senses."

He pecked her cheek again, brushing his hands off. "Maybe I would've grown a pair and made my feelings known earlier."

Val cocked her eyebrow with a smile, taking a small silver shield from Anduin and hooking it on. "We did things at just the right pace Varian, and I wouldn't have it any different."

Anduin's brow furrowed and he thanked Cathy for the cooled tea she put next to him. "How long have you two known each other then?"

Varian smirked, taking the undergarments that Nan had already started collecting from her and putting them in. "Oh, hundreds of years. We're wearing a disguise Anduin, didn't you know? Underneath all that, your mum's a horrid old crone with a hump."

The slap to his head that followed Val's offended gasp was easily avoided, so Val tugged on his hair instead. It didn't hurt him, he would be utterly shocked if it did, but that wasn't to say it wasn't annoying. Val was more annoyed, huffing angrily as she swivelled back to the tree.

"Old crone…bloody cheek of it."

Anduin tugged at her skirt, giving her a gentle smile. "It's alright Mum, I know father's lying."

Val put the next decoration on and chose to take a small break, sipping the tea that Cathy handed her. "It's alright Anduin, he can make it up to me by getting me some fudge on the way to the theatre later."

And there was the loud 'Damn it all!' she'd been expecting with a smug grin.

"I take it Father forgot we're going to the ballet?"

Varian's distaste was clear as he came back in, throwing a tunic and doublet in the trunk. "I was hoping you two would as well."

Val shrugged innocently, taking another mouthful. "Varian, you gave me your word that it would be a Winter Veil tradition. Do you want to be known as a man who goes against his word?"

Varian sighed, putting the pair of breeches in his hand in the trunk. "Fine, fine, but I swear to the Light, you are bothgoing straight to bed when we get back, do you hear me?"

Anduin nodded from where he sat, giving Varian the same smile as his mum. Varian lifted the boy to his feet, brushing him off. "I suppose we better start getting ready then. Our night just got even busier."

Val couldn't keep the smile from her face as the usher held the door leading from the theatre back into the chilly night air, waiting patiently for Varian to join her and stroking the cheek of the sleeping boy in his arms, sliding hers around his elbow when he stuck it out for her. "Bless him. He managed to get to the second act, I'll give him that."

Varian kept his laugh quiet, fixing the flat cap on Anduin's head so it shielded his eyes from the torchlight, not really wanting him to wake up just yet and become cranky for the rest of the walk home.

"I bet he still understood more of what was going on then his old man did. Light, how you watch all of that and get any sort of story out of it is beyond my reckoning."

Val leant her head against his shoulder, happy to just take a slow stroll with him, matching his footsteps and watching the clear sky overhead. "You don't have to understand it Varian, just appreciate the dancing for what it is."

Varian looked down at her, still seeing those same dancers spinning in her head. "Maybe I was just distracted, who knows?"

She noticed his look and swatted his arm, wrinkling his nose. "Shut up Varian."

There was a tiny wrinkle in her brow a second later, and all it did was make him curious. "Copper for them? Or has the rate gone up?"

The wrinkle disappeared and her smile returned. "Oh indeed it has. Two silvers and cheese on toast. I'm bloody starving, I don't know about you."

Varian made a noise of agreement, rolling his shoulders as Anduin moved his head. "I'll have some sent up with hot chocolates when we get back, how's that sound?"

Val grinned at the thought, folding the collar of Anduin's cloak down away from his face. "That sounds perfect."

She remembered how they'd gotten onto the subject of food in the first place, patting his arm. "We still need to pack."

Varian shook his head, inclining his head to the few people still out that recognised and greeted them. "No we don't. That was the one plus of being dragged to the theatre, I had Nan and Cathy do it while we were gone."

Val looked impressed rather than offended that he'd essentially gone behind her back, which he'd take. "Oh? And I suppose you remembered to tell them to pack Merlin?"

Varian gave her a confident 'mhm', kicking a twig from his path. "I did indeed, so you can drop the sarcasm whenever you want."

Val kissed his arm, stroking her belly with the other hand. "Do you think we should put any of Elliot's things in with ours? Just in case?"

She could swear she saw Varian's lips go white and his face harden. "Val, you're only six months, it's a bit early. Let's not tempt fate, eh?"

Val leant up to kiss his cheek, glad to see it soften. "Hard to believe it's been six months already, isn't it?"

Varian huffed, but she could see he wasn't angry. "I think that had something to do with my not noticing you were with child, when looking back it was abundantly obvious."

Val's nose scrunched. "In your defence Varian, I didn't notice either and I was the one carrying the child."

She started to laugh, reaching up and poking his cheek instead of kissing it. "I will say this though; thank you for not just telling me that I was getting fat."

Varian rolled his eyes and it took everything in her not to laugh again. "You weren't even that big Val, and really, compared to some mothers I've seen, you're not now. You look perfect, you areperfect, can we not just bloody leave it there?"

She started tittering and he wasn't that impressed by it. "What's so funny?"

Val shook her head, starting to grin. "You can't half be a big soppy teddy bear when you want to be Varian."

He scoffed, glancing at the station they'd be using in the morning and feeling his chest swell once again with the anticipation of freedom, no matter how brief it was to be.

"Only to people who absolutely deserve it, and I can only name three in the world. One's in my arms, one's onmy arm and the other is snugly nestled in her belly. Everyone else can get the jaded king they all assume me to be."

Val squeezed his arm with a reassuring smile. "Varian, it's just unfortunate that you were crowned during a war, and even worse luck that another's started up so soon. Once this one is all over and done with, you can show people the real you."

He sighed, hearing the cathedral bells ringing in the distance. "I'm not sure that I can lead this battle Val. It was different with the Horde, I'd been able to take other peoples advice, learn from their experiences… every battle I've had against the Scourge has thrown something at us that we've survived with only luck to thank."

Val stopped them, reaching up to cup his cheek with nothing but sympathy and care in her eyes, and while he could say truthfully that he only wanted one of those things, he would take the other right now.

"Varian, you've led the Alliance this far, there's no reason to doubt yourself now. I would want no other man to head the charge, and If any of the other leaders doubted you, they would've spoken up long before this, and they haven't. Have some faith in yourself Varian, everyone else does."

Varian's brows drew together and he held her gaze. "Val…do youhave faith in me? Really? A man that might miss the birth of our first child to lead an army instead?"

Val beckoned him down for a rather awkward but needed kiss, bumping her nose against his before he straightened. "Varian, it's for that very reason that I have faith in you."

Varian let a smile break through his stony façade, holding his arm out again with the intention of getting her out of the cold. "Thank you. I needed to hear that."

He watched Anduin shift again, moving his arms accordingly. "I think we all need to get some rest. We have a very important mission tomorrow."

Val's grin only made him more certain that she didn't resent him for anything. "We do indeed. Then we can say goodbye for the last time and have you home properly once this is all done."