The Forged Throne

by MerriForrester

For twenty years, Azeroth enjoyed a peace that Valerica Glenmore took for granted. Now, with war after war ravaging her home city of Stormwind, the only safety she has is the man she's loved for most of her life, Varian Wrynn. He is the King of an Alliance that could bring them from disaster, and she would join countless others in the fight for their home. EXTREMELY AU.

78. Chapter 78

For the next two weeks, it was as if Stormwind was firing on all cylinders.

Now the protests had dispersed, everyone could once again focus on the war effort, or more specifically, the apparent end of it. Rumours were rife that the next battle would be the last, and productivity had doubled because of it, with dockers, smiths and fletchers working flat out from dawn to dusk, and the taverns opening earlier and closing later to keep them going.

The city was fizzing with hopeful excitement and a renewed sense of community spirit, and the Keep was no exception.

Gregor was standing in the middle of the ballroom, conducting the staff much like they were an orchestra, placing flowers, tables, everything necessary to entertain the leaders of the Alliance, who were due to arrive that morning for the all important war meeting.

While Varian had told him it wasn't to be considered a social event, the chamberlain had retorted that they would still need to be fed and entertained at some point, so the king had conceded to one banquet to take place later on tonight, giving him the permission he needed to ready the fortress appropriately.

It was no surprise that Varian had woken far before the sun had even begun to rise, thrown into consciousness by yet another in a long string of fresh nightmares. He should've known the few months without one should've made him wary, but once again he'd been caught off guard, entangled in a world of darkness that he couldn't control or escape.

He knew exactly why they'd raised their ugly heads again; it was the war, there was no doubt about it, or rather, the possible outcome of said war. He'd left their bed with a cold sweat covering him and an anger in his heart, one that wouldn't stop burning no matter what he tried to occupy his mind with.

When he couldn't ignore it anymore he'd kissed Val's head, scrawled her a quick note and changed into the first gambeson he could get his hands on, stomping past every member of staff unfortunate enough to cross his path until he found sanctuary in the Keep armoury, a room he and Val had both become reacquainted with over the past weeks.

By the time Val eventually woke up and came to find him, he'd nearly blunted the training sword he was using and the wooden dummy had lost a leg, with the other hanging on by a splinter.

All thoughts of discipline had been tossed to the wind, with snippets of his dreams coming back to him every time he heard the steel hit its target, infuriating him to the point where he was merely hacking the thing until shavings covered the floor around his feet.

The ringing of his sword had masked all other noise on his left side, making it understandable when he didn't even acknowledge his wife when she closed the door behind her and put the tray she was carrying down.

She knew better than to reach out for him, so she waited patiently until he finally needed to catch his breath, gently clearing her throat when that time came and giving him a small wave. "Morning."

She pointed to the dummy, honestly a little surprised at the awful shape it was in. "What did that poor bastard do?"

Varian's chest started to slow now he was actually managing to breathe like a normal human being, and he swallowed to make his throat work. "I imagined it was the Lich King…it didn't go too well."

He put the sword down, brushing his hands off. "How long have I been down here?"

Val shrugged, passing him the towel that was on the crate next to her. "It's just gone seven."

Varian huffed, wiping his arms down so he could embrace her without leaving her dampened. "Oh good, so I haven't missed anything."

She didn't need to be fully awake to hear his sarcasm, it was practically dripping from his mouth. "I take it you're not as enthused about today as Gregor clearly is?"

Varian grimaced, denied an embrace but sated with the coffee she handed him instead. "Is he still acting like he'sthe fucking king?"

Val scrunched her nose, cradling her teacup in both hands. "He's doing his job, Varian, you can't piss on him for that."

He wiped the corners of his mouth, still tense as a wound up bear. "I can and I damn well will. It's bad enough that he's managed to con another bloody banquet out of me, I won't have him thinking he can just do what he wants when it suits."

He slammed his mug down and snatched his sword up again, needing to give the unfortunate dummy one more round of torture.

"I take it you're not enthusiastic about tonight?"

Varian sneered at the teasing tone to her voice, readying his weight once again. "The Alliance are coming here to discuss a battle that could win or lose us the war. Why in the hells below me would I give a rat's arse about something as stupidly unimportant as a banquet?"

Val pulled a face, putting her cup down and folding her arms. "Because I could swear Gregor said something about a spitted boar?"

Varian paused mid arc just to glare at her, trying not to let her small snorts affect him like they usually did. He was in no mood for smiling and she damn well knew that. "Oh well, why didn't you say so? Sod it, we'll move it to lunchtime instead! Where's my good bib?!"

She only laughed more, finding his temper rather hilarious; if she didn't, this would've been a long morning. "Seems someone's got their sarcastic prick hat on today."

He gave the dummy one more slice to match the others, turning the blade in one hand and hating how light and flimsy it felt compared to Shalamayne.

"No, someone's got their 'if I don't sound like I know what I'm doing today, I'm going to looka colossal prick' hat on."

Val looked sympathetic, which somehow just annoyed him more. "Varian, you can admit you're nervous."

He was apparently insulted by even the notion, driving the point of his sword straight into the head of his wooden victim. "I'm not nervous.I don't get nervous."

Her 'I beg to differ'stare broke his within a millisecond and he tugged his blade back out.

"That was different."

Val watched him put the sword back and swap it for a heavier two hander, securing a fresh dummy to unleash his wrath upon. "Love, if I'm nervous, then you must be shaking in your boots."

Varian tightened his palms around the hilt with a squeak of leather. "Today is rather important, Val."

She managed to find a stool by the lined up shields, pulling it over to where she'd been and sitting down. "I know that."

His stance faltered and she knew she was finally getting through to him…slowly, but surely.

"Everything is depending on whether we can agree on a solid plan. If we can't even do that, there's no hope for anything."

Val was well aware of that as well, but she was determined to inject a little optimism into him. "And knowing the Alliance as well as I do, I'm sure we'll be able to without any problems."

Varian knew she'd highly disapprove of putting the tip of a perfectly serviceable sword on the stone floor, but he did it anyway, resting his bicep on the pommel. "And what if it transpires that they have absolutely zero faith in me anymore? In case it's evaded your notice, I haven't exactly been making the best decisions during this war."

Val crossed one leg over the other, still not shaken by his understandable negativity. "They always started off good ones though. It's not your fault if outside variables threw a wrench in each time."

His face hardened. "And if the same thing happens again? I don't think I need to tell you how horrific it would be should the Lich King win."

Her eyebrow rose and he could tell that he was beginning to irritate her. "We'll have every force at our disposal this time, Varian, I'm sure we'd think of something, we're all adults with half a brain in our heads."

He still wasn't convinced, but she could see his shoulders beginning to drop when they'd practically been sitting at his ears when she'd come in. He picked the sword up, frowning at the state of his reflection in the polished steel. "I suppose it would be considered bad form to turn up like this?"

She was glad to hear a hint of humour in his voice, giving him the nod she was sure he knew was coming. "Aye, it would. In your defence, I probably don't look much better, so neither of us can be called 'regal' right now."

He slipped his large fingers in between hers and let her all but pull him from what had been a rather enjoyable solitude, letting the noise of the Keep hit him once again like a bad smell. "Is Anduin still asleep?"

Val shrugged, quite glad to hear the rumble had left his voice. "I'm presuming so. Varro told me that none of the children had left his chambers yet, so my guess is that they're all still recovering from last night."

Varian didn't have to ask what she was talking about; he wasn't sure whether it had been Anduin's idea or his cousins, but the six of them hadn't stopped making an abundance of noise until well into the night, much to the king's chagrin.

The Prince himself was due to attend the meeting with them, and if he woke up in as bad a mood as his father, they were in for a more taxing morning than he'd already anticipated.

"I swear, he better be ready by ten or I'll-" He noticed Val glaring up at him. "-What?"

Val's eyebrow rose. "You're honestly under the assumption that he won't be standing by the War Room door at least half an hour before the meeting actually starts? Varian, it's all he's been talking about for a fortnight, he wouldn't miss it for anything at this point."

His grimace had been expected. "I never dreamt a child, much less Anduin, would ever be 'excited' for a war meeting."

Val curled her arm around his, hearing someone call her and miming to Lee to give them five minutes before he came up. His small arms were full of flowers, presumably for the ballroom, so he didn't seem put out by her delaying him at all, merely nodding and flashing her that boyish smile of his before he disappeared.

Varian waited patiently until she was done, greeting those who managed to notice and recognise him under three layers of sweat and a mess of dishevelled hair.

"Varian, if I had to really think about it, he's probably more excited to see the leaders than he is about taking in anything the meeting will cover. He's been chirping about seeing Trystane like a hyper little bird."

Varian huffed, trying not to grow angry again at just how much unnecessary decoration was being filed through the Throne Room when he'd told Gregor to keep it simple. "I sincerely hope you're right. I'm still not sure whether this will merely scare the living daylights out of him, or actually help anything."

She shrugged, letting go of him when his clamminess started to become a little too much. "We'll soon find out, I suppose. At least there's plenty of us to cheer him up should it backfire."

Varian's chuckle actually sounded sincere, which she had to admit, was a boon considering his ailing mood was getting worse with every flower arrangement or banner they passed before going up the stairwell to the Residential Wing. "Oh, I should think we'll simply have to rely on Thomas for that."

Val snorted, walking backwards and making his nerves turn more into cat meat with every step. Even though 'concussion from falling down the stairs' would be the perfect excuse not to attend today, he wasn't about to sacrifice his wife's skull for it. "Don't say that, or he'll try something at the ball later and you'll have no one to blame but yourself for it."

Varian had apparently already thought about that very scenario. "I'm having every boy's pockets searched before they even leave Anduin's chambers, so there's no chance of that."

Val's eyebrow cocked in amusement. "Even Anduin himself?"

Varian's grimace returned. "EspeciallyAnduin. He's easily led, and will go along with anything they plant him with."

Val's laugh echoed now they were in a less congested part of the fortress. Varian took a good few seconds to adjust his hearing again, finding nothing but the beating of the raindrops against the floor to ceiling windows and their footsteps.

"Your faith in our family is amazing, Varian."

Varian scoffed, already beginning to pull his gloves off before they even reached the door. "It's becauseI'm family that I'm allowed to say this; but I don't trust those little shits as far as I can throw them. I love them to pieces, but every one of them is as wily as a fox."

He pulled a face, correcting himself. "Except maybe Grace."

Val gave him a small, warm smile, finally walking forwards and by his side again. "You're such a sop for that girl, Varian."

Varian's eyebrow cocked. "She's sweet, everyone knows that, so how is that being a sop?"

Val slowly nodded, clearly not believing him and actually mocking him for it. "Of course, of course. And I'm the greatest mage who ever lived."

Her smile turned into a grin. "You've always spoilt her, just admit it and we'll go about our day."

Varian stiffly shrugged, nodding in a muted greeting to Jon and Varro. "She's been through alot, and still manages to smile every day, I admire her for it, nothing more."

Val rolled her eyes, still not accepting his answer. "Little girls always manage to wrap you around their little fingers Varian."

She leant up to kiss his cheek, not caring about the musk or the whiskers covering it. "Just as I did."

Varian's lips lingered on her knuckles as he brought her hand up, almost forgetting that they'd stopped in the middle of the hallway. "'Did'? I'm more than certain you still do."

Val's refreshing laugh met his ears once again and he wanted do nothing but sigh in contentment as she went on ahead, clapping arms with the two guards standing diligently in front of their chamber door.

"Varro, can you do me a favour? Go to Anduin's chambers and see if any of them are awake yet. It'll make the decision as to whether His Majesty and I have breakfast now or later."

He bowed his head, already stepping away from the wall that had been practically holding him up. Though Varian had to admit, the mere mention of breakfast had made his gut clench, harshly reminding himself that he'd quite forgotten to take any form of sustenance with him down to the armoury in his haste.

Thankfully the place had a water fountain, or he'd probably have needed Val to carry him back, which wouldn't have been fair in the slightest.

He bolted the door once it closed behind him, pulling his boots off one by one and feeling his feet thank him for it. "I suppose I don't have to ask if you want the bath first?"

Varian could feel the smirk creeping onto his face. Maybe it was just being alone with her that was doing it, but he could feel his bad mood start to fade away with each passing minute."I have no idea what you mean, Sweetheart. I smell absolutely beautiful."

She started laughing before he'd even finished, making it difficult to get to the punchline in the first place. "Oh, right, so it must obviously be methat honks like the arse end of a Murloc. My sincerest apologies."

Varian pulled the curtains, using the darkness to strip himself down without fear of accidently exposing himself to anyone further out in the grounds. "Smelt many Murloc backsides, have you ?"

He was glad that she remembered he wouldn't hear her properly once the bathroom taps started to run, feeling her hand on his arm to tell her she was there.

"Oh you have no idea what I've been up to when you're not here."

Varian sniggered, finally shedding his gambeson and looking down to find red lines on his chest caused by the leather sticking to him. "Oh really? Should I be at all worried?"

She purposely kept her head down as she rifled through their drawers, trying not to look at him with the clear knowledge that he knew she was doing it.

Intimacy hadn't even been a subject either of them had gathered the courage to discuss, and after eight weeks, it was starting to become somewhat of a problem.

She wanted to start sleeping with him again, and somewhere deep down she was aware that he knew that and hopefully felt the same, but it was just approaching the whole idea that was the awkward part.

They were doing what the always did; waiting for the other to start, which always ended in long, uncomfortable waiting. "Not at all, it's all in my company."

Varian's eyebrow rose and she realised too late the implications of what she'd said. "Is that so? Sounds intriguing."

Butterflies were starting to beat their little wings against her stomach, and she found herself needing to swallow rather hard to get her throat working. "It was a little underwhelming, actually."

He leant sideways against the bed to tug the leg of his breeches from where they were caught on his foot, trying with every cell in his body to ignore how he was standing at full mast already and all she'd done was speak. "I can imagine."

Could he? Did he feel as weary of just lying next to each other of a night as much as she was? She kept her gaze averted until she heard the splash that meant he was in the bath, ending their little dance before it got started, really.

"Are we sticking with armour for the meeting, finery for dinner?"

His angry huff smashed the tension, but not exactly in the right way. "Aye, as begrudged as I am to comply with the second. I don't see why armour isn't acceptable."

Val couldn't help her small smile as she put two shirts and two pairs of breeches on the bed ready. "Because knowing Gregor as well as I do, there's to be dancing, and you'll be expected to join in."

Varian didn't help himself by glancing through the doorway and finding her shedding her nightclothes, and this time even digging his nails into his palm wouldn't make the ache between his legs go away. "He can go suck a gnoll's cock, I'm not dancing, and he's an idiot for even thinking I would."

Thankfully she wasn't disgusted by his vulgar analogy, in fact she must've found it hilarious by how long she laughed. "And what if I said I wanted to?"

He shifted his hips in the hopes that it would help, and not surprisingly, it did absolutely nothing. "Then Anduin can oblige you. Or Adil."

She put the most childish of pouts on her face just to annoy him. "And here's me telling people that you're a romantic."

Varian was sure sitting here was making it worse, so he groped for the washcloth she'd left on the corner for him. "I'm not making an arse of myself for the entertainment of others Val, I'm not a circus bear."

Val tied her shirt up, pulling her breeches up with a small smile."Well, you'll just have to make it up to me then, won't you?"

She felt her face flush as soon as she said it, and even from here she could hear his heavy breathing.

"A-aye, I suppose I'll have to."

That was jarring, hearing his slight stammer. He'd so rarely done it that she knew he wasn't putting it on, he was indeed as unsure about all of this as she was. "Did you have anything in mind?"

Of course she did, hells, she knew he wanted her to say it, but damn it all if she just couldn't pluck up the courage. "I'll let you know when I do."

He grit his teeth in utter frustration, scrubbing himself down and getting out before he got too comfortable.

To Val's utter relief the door was knocked before she had to watch him come back in, and Varro's warm smile put her at ease instantly. "Just to let your Ladyship know that Prince Anduin is absolutely dead to the world. Johanna wishes to know if you have a set wake up time for her to adhere to so he's not late?"

Val quickly looked back, giving the decision to Varian, who merely waved a hand. "Tell her he's to be up and dressed by half past eight, no later."

Varro bowed his head. "Would you like me to let the kitchens know to bring your meals up here?"

Val nodded with gratitude in her smile. "If you could. And find out where Lee's got to, will you?"

Another salute and he closed the door behind him, leaving them once again alone with each other. She padded over to Varian, holding his forearm and inhaling the sharp scent of sandalwood and orange that she knew so well.

"Better?"

She nodded, letting his arm slip from her grasp and curl around her shoulders instead. "Perfect."

His chuckle vibrated through her head, and while it should've really been unpleasant, all it did was send little tingles down her spine. "You'd actually lynch me if I ever changed colognes, wouldn't you?"

She nodded, making him laugh again. "I'd be most upset."

He lifted her chin, bending to kiss her and holding her up with the other arm when her knees slackened almost immediately. She could still feel the few drops of water left on his chest when he pressed it against hers, it soaked through her clean shirt but she didn't care.

Her breaths were pretty much forcing themselves out of her chest once he pulled back, lingering just in front of her lips, wondering whether he should at least tryto go a little further…but then, if it backfired, that was the whole day ruined when really, he needed her completely on side.

He settled for one more kiss no matter how much everything in him was screaming not to, putting her hair behind her ear and letting her go when that was the exact thing he didn't want to do.

"We should get on. It's probably going to be all hands on deck after breakfast."

Varian made a noise of agreement, and yet he still held onto her hand until the last second, snatching his shirt up with a long held in sigh.

Varian was rather glad he didn't have a wife who spent hours preening in front of the mirror; it had taken them both all of twenty minutes to ready themselves for the meeting, and he was sure half of that had been simply assembling their armour.

He fixed his gauntlet, giving her a smile as Nan finally let her get up from the dressing table and holding his arm out. "You didn't need to go to such effort, Sweetheart."

Val huffed, jabbing a thumb at her head Lady. "I've learned to just sit there and let Nan get on with it, it makes everyone's lives a bit easier."

Varian tried to stifle his laugh, giving the mousy haired woman a wave as he opened their door and turned his gaze down the hall. "Where is that boy? I told him at breakfast to be waiting here."

Val backhanded his shoulder, glad that she had as thick a plate covering her hand as he did covering him. "Stop it Varian, he's probably just making sure he's ready, that's all. He wants to impress…you…"

Her sentence died, but there was no need for Varian to question it, he could see why right in front of him.

Anduin came from his chambers shouting a loud goodbye to the group still inside, bounding down the hallway and already laughing at the looks on their faces.

"See Johanna? I told you they'd be surprised!"

Varian blinked a few times, bending to one knee and giving his son the biggest of smiles. "'Surprised' doesn't cover it son! You look absolutely splendid!"

Val couldn't disagree; she hadn't seen Anduin in the armour she'd made him for Hallow's End two years past, she'd been gone by that point, so to see how much he revelled simply being in it was heart-warming to say the least.

She bent next to Varian, running her gloved fingertip over the engraved Alliance Lion on his chest plate, cupping his chin after. "I'm surprised you liked it that much. I rushed it a little bit."

Anduin took each of their hands after bidding Johanna a fond farewell, swinging their arms with each step. "I love it! I did just keep it to play in, but after Johanna told me you were both wearing yours, I thought I'd look rather silly coming in normal clothes."

Val gave him a warm smile. "We wouldn't have thought you silly at all, Little Lion. Though that being said, I'm glad you're getting some use out of it."

Anduin rubbed the side of his head against his shoulder. "Is it supposed to itch, though?"

Varian chuckled, squeezing his hand. "You get used to that after a while. If not there's an ointment you can use."

Val turned his hand in hers, thoroughly inspecting her handiwork. "And it doesn't feel too heavy?"

Anduin's nose scrunched. "A little bit, but it's okay, it doesn't hurt, it's just achy."

Varian didn't look convinced. "We might have to resume your training if your wanting to wear this to Alliance events, son. Strengthen those scrawny shoulders of yours."

Anduin was clearly considering it, surprising the both of them. "Would it help then?"

Varian nodded, glad that he was even considering it when normally this would start and end as an argument for the both of them. "Oh yes. If we didn't, our armour would be wearing us, instead of the other way around, which wouldn't do at all."

Anduin looked to Val this time. "Is that true, Mum?"

Val understood how he thought a blacksmith would know the exact answer, giving him the same nod his father just had.

"It's true. I used to get people who would come to my shop and complain that I'd made a breastplate too bulky, but looking at them, you'd wonder how they didn't know not to put steel on a beanpole."

That apparently gave him alot to think about, with his low hum accompanying the noise of the doors closing behind them as they descended into the now quiet throne room. "And it'd be you doing it, Father?"

Varian gave him a genuine smile. "I could, or I can have someone brought in, it's entirely up to you."

It was like Val could see the cogs turning in the little blonde's head until he raised it. "I'd like it if it were you doing it. That way you won't make fun when I'm not very good."

Varian's brows drew in. "Nobody would make fun of you, Anduin. The whole point of training is to help you get better."

He could see Gregor waiting for them at the end of the hallway, giving Anduin a reassuring smile. "But if that's what you want, then that's what we'll do."

Anduin looked up at him with an optimism he was glad to see back in his eye. "Can we start when you come back?"

It relieved the both of them to hear how he actually expected them to return, instead of perishing being the only option in his eyes, and it only made Varian's smile wider. "Of course we can. We can probably squeeze a few in beforehand, as well."

Val snorted, raising her eyebrow. "Does that mean I won't have to do mine anymore, seeing as you'll be occupied?"

Anduin tried to bounce, soon realising his plate wouldn't let him. "Train with us, Mum!"

Varian could do nothing but chuckle at how her plan had backfired so easily. "Yes, Mum, train with us! You can show the lad what you've been learning!"

Val hated how much Anduin's enthusiasm always managed to win her over. "Alright, alright, I'm sure we can sort something out."

Varian rather abruptly straightened his face, returning Gregor's low bow with a stiff nod of acknowledgement. "Are all present?"

Gregor pulled a face, stepping to the side. "We're waiting on Highlords Morgraine and Fordring, Sire, but everyone else is present and correct."

Varian huffed in annoyance. "I'm not standing around like an idiot waiting for them. We'll have to catch them up once they decide to show their faces."

He didn't even wait for the usual announcement that came with his arrival to gatherings like this, he simply took Val and Anduin's hands in each of his own and strode in, glad to see that no one was too vexed at the fact that they were technically late.

"Apologies for keeping you all waiting."

Magni waved a large hand, and Val could see the sympathy that she'd been dreading all day in his eyes.

She was harshly reminded that she hadn't seen anyof the Alliance leaders since losing Elliot, so of course this was to be a repeat of what had happened with her family last week, with lingering hugs and 'how are you?'s that she honestly didn't want at this point.

"Ye did nothin' of tha sort, if anythin' we got here early."

Nizaar folded his arms, making the gold thread of his robes shimmer in the dimmed sunlight. "It's a relief to see you well again, Valerica."

She felt quite on the spot, especially when they all made noises of agreement, but to even her surprise she managed to put a smile on her face. "I'm better than I've been in a long while, Malik. I thank you all for your concerns."

Varian gestured to the seats dotted around the table, one Val could swear had gotten bigger since the last meeting, and in fairness, she could understand why. Garside and the other generals bulked their numbers considerably, making the room seem quite small with this many bodies inside it.

"All of you, please, be seated."

Anduin of course made a beeline for the seat next to Trystane, who helped him scramble up onto it and clapped arms with him. Val had to admit, the interaction between the two boys almost made letting Anduin attend worth it, and after having her hand squeezed and kissed by Mekare, she took her place next to Varian, thanking Lee for instantaneously pouring her an ale.

Once drinks were either served or refilled, Varian opened the binder in front of him and cleared his throat. "I don't think I need to remind any of you why we've met today, so I'll simply dive right in, if that's agreeable?"

There was a general murmur of 'yes', so he nodded to Gregor, who put a familiar stand on the map table and stepped back as the three dimensional image sprang to life above their heads.

"Spymaster, what have your scouts concluded?"

Val nearly jumped out of her skin as Mathias stepped forward seemingly out of nowhere, blending in with the shadows he revelled in so much perfectly.

He gave Lee a stack of papers and the groom got to work handing them out. "Icecrown citadel isn't the only structure in the vicinity- really, Icecrown itself is a fully established stronghold, with multiple fortresses."

Tyrande's lip curled, looking quite inelegant on someone as pixie faced as she. "Fantastic. So we have to start with smaller assaults first?"

Varian shook his head. "Not necessarily. Malik, if you would?"

The King of Samarkand nodded appreciatively. "Using the example of the Forsaken, we can ascertain that there is somewhat of a 'link' between the Lich King and his forces."

Val's brow furrowed. "What, as in telepathically?"

Nizaar gave her his charming smile. "Precisely. While conducting our…'tests' to see if a cure could be found, we noticed that somethingwas keeping the Scourge we caught alive. It's safe to assume that it was the Lich King himself."

Tyrande still didn't look convinced. "But how does that help us?"

Varian sat straighter. "There's an old saying; 'chop off the head, and the body will fall'. If we launch a full scale, no holds barred assault on the main citadel and take out the Lich King out cleanly and quickly, there's a chance the rest of the Scourge will die with him."

Magni drummed his large fingers on the table. "Or they'll become dogs with no leash."

Varian pulled a face of begrudged agreement. "That is a risk we'll have to take unfortunately. We simply don't have the men to weave our way through as we've been doing."

Val took his glance as her cue, swallowing to wet her throat. "Which is why we've considered an air assault to be ultimately more beneficial. Gelbin, are the airships any closer to being fixed?"

The High Tinker looked confident, which was promising. "They're practically back to being fully operational. We were planning on test flights some time next week."

Val could feel her hands trembling for no apparent reason. "And how many soldiers can we fit onto one?"

Gelbin quickly scribbled on the parchment in front of him, looking up a few seconds after. "About five hundred if they don't mind close proximity."

Varian stood, coming around the table to the map, pointing at the base of the towering citadel.

"I propose we take a thousand men, and split them. Four hundred at the base leading a ground assault, five hundred here- in the main structure-" He pointed to the centre, "-And an elite strike force taking a hundred straight to the Frozen Throne."

Mekare steepled her long fingers. "Then what will the rest of our soldiers be doing? We have over ten thousand left, do we not?"

Varian gave her a nod, shifting the stand on the map to show the whole area, including Wintergarde. "We don't know what the Lich King has hidden behind those walls, Malika. If we take all of our men at once, we risk losing them in a repeat of the Wrathgate."

Val gave him a look of pure encouragement. "If we leave some of our troops behind and recall the airships once they've dropped us off, it gives us ample reinforcements should things not go our way."

Garside spoke up next, which she'd been rather expecting. "And how will we know if we've been called? There's only so long we can keep a troop's adrenaline going."

Varian turned on his heel to face him. "The Kirin Tor will be sending mages to aid us, so they will get messages through each way."

Adil took a long sip of the wine, smacking his lips and wiping his moustache.

"Speaking of Mages; wouldn't it make more sense and waste less resources if we simply teleported ourselves onto the levels of the citadel that you're suggesting?"

Varian looked to Shaw, who put his hands behind his back. "The Lich King has magic dampening wards across the entire area. It wouldn't be possible to even light a torch, let alone teleport. But with a mage situated just outside and enough flares to send a signal, it should work."

Trystane seemed rather interested by the idea. "So magic won't be possible in the fight at all?"

Adil shushed him, muttering something in their native tongue that even Val could tell was a chide. Varian however, raised a hand to stop the scolding in its tracks."No, please, let him ask. It would be rather a waste of time if we let the boys attend then silenced them."

While he didn't smile at the boy, somehow Val could still see a certain tenderness in his expression. "No lad, magic won't be possible. It seems we'll be doing this the old fashioned way."

Nizaar seemed to be coming around to their line of logic. "Do we have any idea of whom the Lich King has waiting for us? It's no secret that he's recalled his troops, so it's safe to assume he has his own plan."

Varian's grimace didn't fill any of them with hope. "So far, we've only managed to gain information on two major generals that are lurking in the lower levels."

He gestured to Gregor, who gave them yet more parchment, with drawings of monsters she could only conjure in her dreams until this war had started and shown her the horrors that could exist.

"What are these things, Father?"

Val was a second away from snatching the sheet from Anduin's little hands, slightly annoyed that Gregor had even given him one.

"That, son, is Lord Marrowgar. Thanks to the intel given to us by Thassarian, we've managed to learn that he's -if you can call him that- an amalgamation of the poor bastards we couldn't burn in time. He'll be waiting for the force we sent to the lower floors."

Magni ran a hand down his beard. "And who will be leading this force? We'll need our captains and generals down below, so who'll instruct the troops through the interior?"

Adil leant forward, putting his elbows on the table. "I think the easier question to answer would be; Who will be in the strike force for the throne? If we establish that, we can basically see how's left to deal with the rest."

Tyrande couldn't disagree, but she still gave Varian a quizzical gaze. "You believe it should be us, no?"

Varian's face straightened. "I do, but I'm not about to force anyone into anything. I believe that most around this table have personal grudges with the Lich King, and it would show our troops that we're willing to get our hands dirty, instead of merely watch."

Magni looked over the papers in front of him. "We wouldn't be tha first, I'll give you tha. If Anduin were here, he and Turalyon would already be putting warm undergarments on."

Of course, the prince's ears picked up at what he presumed to be his name. "But I'm not going, Uncle Magni!"

Even Varian let out a chuckle at his son's misunderstanding, soon swallowing it down and feeling rather glad that he hadn't been out-rightly argued with yet. "No, my son, we mean Anduin Lothar."

Anduin started bouncing in his seat. "The Lion of Azeroth? The one you named me after?"

Varian gave him a sure nod. "Aye lad, that's the one. And if he were leading this assault, as he did the last, he'd be right at the front lines, as I intend to be."

Nizaar gave his wife a knowing look, turning back to Varian. "I was there, at the finale of the Second War. I intend to do the same with this one. But we must act with caution, Varian. The Lich King is much more a threat than a simple band of Orcs."

Val put her chin on her hands, furrowing her brow. "What if the force striking the interior used it as simply another way to reach the Throne? Surely there's a way to get to it from the inside? It would bolster the final force substantially."

Varian's visage hardened. "Had Highlord Mograine bothered to show his face today, I'm sure he could enlighten us, but for now, we'll have to go in blind on that front and focus of ridding the spire of whatever mongrels the Lich King has."

Tyrande spread her hands on the table. "I cannot leave Teldrassil unattended now Malfurion has started his sleep, but will send Shandris in my place. She has been an asset already in this war."

A stiff nod was Varian's response. "Understandable, High Priestess. Adil? What about you?"

The Crown Prince looked deep enough in thought that Val had to wonder what was running through his head. Eventually he looked over at Varian, mashing his lips together. "I will lead those traversing the bowels of Icecrown. As Magni said, our generals will be on the ground, so I will fill their place."

Mekare's well groomed brows snapped down. "You cannot lead four hundred by yourself, my son. It would be disastrous."

Varian couldn't help but agree. "It would probably prove more efficient if we had two more generals go with you, and split the troop accordingly."

Gelbin clucked his tongue. "Since the gnomes will be on the ground with our tanks and ballistas, it can't be one of us."

Tyrande slowly nodded. "Shandris will be above with you, and what few Draenei there are will be back at camp, getting the wounded back to battle."

Magni waved a hand towards Adil. "Well then, since ye nominated yerself lad, that only leaves Varian and I to put forward our suggestions."

Varian folded his arms. "Magni, did you have anyone in mind?"

There was absolutely no hesitation before the Dwarven King answered. "Muradin. He's been eager ta get involved but ah'm hesitant ta put him back in front o' Arthas. This gives 'im tha opportunity to do just that."

Anduin tilted his head. "So that just leaves you, Father."

Varian grimaced. "Yes, thank you son, I realise that."

He turned around so he could catch Garside's eye. "Adrian, do you have anyone you think capable?"

Val had to admit, something as simple as hearing her commanding officer's first name after all these years was rather jarring.

Garside seemed rather perplexed that Varian was even asking him, straightening in his seat. "Surely Lady Glenmore would be your choice, Your Majesty?"

There was a blanket of silence as Varian's neck started to turn red, meaning combustion was imminent. "It may have evaded your notice, but Lady Glenmore is infantry, not a general."

Garside must've figured now he'd started, he may as well finish. "Aye, Your Majesty, but although she doesn't like using the fact, she is de facto Queen Of Stormwind, which entitles her to a higher rank. And I'm sure you'd rather her be part of a small task force than below with the bulk of the Lich King's own army. She has passion, Your Majesty, and knows leadership from her time here. I don't see why she couldn't handle it."

Val had to admit, even she hadn't thought about it like that. Garside already knew of their marriage, so everything he was saying was based on fact, and to be honest, she was coming around to the idea faster than she would care to admit.

"I've been away from the battlefield so long Varian, wouldn't it make more sense to let me focus my attention instead of throwing me into the deep end?"

Varian wanted to argue, he wanted to bellow at her that it was never going to happen, she could see it in his eyes, but he merely exhaled slowly. "…Do you feel ready to take on such a task?"

Val nodded with a certainty even she wasn't sure about. "I won't let you down."

Finally his face broke into a smile. "I never doubted that for a second."

He sighed, sand she had a funny feeling they would continue this conversation later, which was fine by her. "Alright, so let's lay out the plan as we have it; two airships will drop our troops at two different points of the spire, while a third will land on the ground."

He pointed to the appropriate places.

"A strike team consisting of myself, Tirion, Magni, Nizaar, and Shandris will take a hundred men straight to the frozen throne. While Val, Adil and Muradin split four hundred men between them and clear out the citadel from the inside. Gelbin, Garside and any remaining generals will be on the ground with the remaining soldiers, keeping any more reinforcements the Lich King has from entering the citadel. Are we all clear so far?"

Thankfully he received nothing but nods, even from the two boys. "Excellent. Then let us continue."

After the gruelling hours they spent in the meeting, attending a banquet had been the last thing on Varian's priority list. All the while they were changing for it he'd grumbled about work that needed doing, how this was pure frivolity that wasn't worth the bother…but then he'd gotten downstairs and seen the smile the function had put on his wife's face, and his tongue was immediately bitten.

He realised with a minute of arrival that she had neededfrivolity, that after weeks of misery, a few hours of simple enjoyment was considered a tonic to her.

It had gotten to the point where even he'dstarted getting in the spirit, even going as far as stealing Val from Adil, her usual dance partner, and sweeping her into what was probably the most awkward waltz known to mankind.

She'd laughed the entire time, making it a hundred percent worth the slight embarrassment on his part. They'd both eaten, drank and become merry as they would've before everything life had thrown at them in the past months, and Varian wasn't ashamed to admit it gave him a slither of hope.

It was past midnight before everything started winding down, and the most arduous task of the night was wrangling every child and getting them into their beds. Thankfully the younger ones were already starting to lose the fight, so it took little to no effort to convince them that bedtime was an inevitability.

The older ones, on the other hand… "We're not even tired, Da! And the music's still going!" Varian hated admitting how grateful he was sometimes at how Anduin was considered a 'goody two shoes' , but as he simply carried his son past the arguing pirates, he couldn't help but feel slightly smug.

Of course Cillian eventually won, and a sulking Thomas slumped onto one of the camp beds they'd moved into Anduin's rooms, joining the others in their protestations until they all slowly petered out and were replaced by gentle snores.

Satisfied that there wasn't any pretending going on, Varian and Val bid their own goodnights, declining Cillian's offer of a game of cards in the guest chambers, and instead making their way to theirs. Varian had left her to shed the absurd amount of silver she was wearing, commandeering the washroom first at her behest.

He splashed his face with pleasantly cold water, feeling his beer fogged senses start to clear already, wiping the few drops remaining from his eyes. "You almost done in there?"

He put the towel back on the hook, reaching for the door's handle to let it swing open. "All yours."

He found her pouring them both a goblet from the bottle she'd clearly snuck from the banquet, passing his to him and smiling once more when the rim clinked against hers. He smacked his lips together after the initial sip, raising a curious eyebrow. "I thought you hated wine?"

Val shrugged, taking a mouthful to totally disprove his assumption. "I just hadn't found one I'd liked yet. Turns out Harish's red is ten times better than Dalaran's."

Varian tutted, putting the goblet down so he could untie his doublet, feeling it as restrictive as a woman found a corset. "Mekare's a terrible influence on you."

Even her laugh was lighter, it was truly gratifying for him to hear it not marred with the sadness that had been hanging over their heads. "I'm a Queen, I was bound to become a wine drinker eventually. It's basically in the handbook."

He answered with his own chuckle, slumping in one of the armchairs by the fire and pulling his boots off. "Oh really? In the same chapter as cross stitch and riding side saddle, I presume?"

Val gasped, and by the way her voice echoed, she had taken his offer of the washroom. "You've read it as well?! Why Varian, you over achiever, you."

He swirled his goblet, taking another few sips of the deep ruby beverage, finding that it left a rather sweet after-taste, explaining why Val found it pleasant. "I hate to say this but…we needed tonight."

Val made a noise of agreement, scrubbing at her face with the washcloth to get the paint off. "We did. It's been far too long since we've actually had fun."

Varian took a cashew from the bowl sitting by the wine bottle, throwing it in his mouth. "Do you think the realisation that we're leaving in a week will hit Anduin at some point?"

Val grimaced, putting a fingertip under the flannel and rubbing at her eyelid. "Probably, so prepare yourself as soon as you can. I think going to the banquet so soon after it was decided made him simply forget."

That was exactly what Varian was afraid of. "We'll deal with it when it comes then, I suppose."

Val came back in, reaching behind her and grimacing as her fingers just brushed the ribbons holding her dress together. "Could you undo this for me before I lose my rag with it, please?"

Varian was more than happy to…until he actually started doing it. With every strand of silk that was loosened, more of her skin was exposed, which he knew was the point, but all he wished to do was kiss every little spot of angry red flesh.

"You've irritated the hell out of your back, Sweetheart."

Her wince as he gently touched it told him that she was well aware. "I always do when I wear silk. It rubs like nobody's business."

Varian's brows snapped down. "Then why in the name of the Light do you wear it if it hurts?"

And why are you only just noticing, you imbecile?!

He supposed it was ignorance brought on by Nan helping Val undress nearly everyday, that and the few and far between times Val wore silk…but still, he felt awful. "It takes a while to kick in, and by that point I can't exactly strip off, can I? I'll be fine, I just need to put some ointment on it."

Varian hastily finished his task, giving her entire back room to breathe and Val a chance to leave her top half completely bare. "Where is it? I'll do it."

Val started laughing, pointing to a medium sized jar sitting on her dressing table. "Varian, you kind of have to. My arms don't stretch that far."

He snatched the jar up, letting her sit on the edge of the bed and move her hair out of the way before coating his fingers in the silver hued jelly.

This wasn't the first time he'd treated her scars for her, hells, it had basically become part of their nightly routine when she'd first gotten them, but something felt different this time, and he couldn't quite put his finger on exactly what.

He heard her breath catch when he touched the sore looking skin, and he couldn't help the smile on his face. "Cold?"

She nodded, trying not to move too much as he traced every puckered ridge with a fingertip. "Doesn't help that you slather it on."

Varian chuckled. "Well at least you can't say that I'm not thorough."

She was trying not to laugh, anxious to keep her shoulders still so he didn't become annoyed with her. "It's feeling better already."

Varian's smile widened. "Good."

She let one shiver slip from her military grade concentration, and of course he noticed it, debating whether it was from the cold ointment or not this time. "I bet this is in no way how you expected to end your evening."

Varian took another scoop with two fingers, lifting her hair with his other hand so he could do her neck. "I'm exactly where I want to be, doing what I need to."

She closed her eyes, feeling his thumb knead her aching skin and finding it astonishingly pleasant. "You'd think scars this old wouldn't hurt anymore, wouldn't you?"

Varian's brow wrinkled with concern as to where exactly she was going with this. "Some never stop. But they can be managed."

He replaced the lid, getting up to put it back on her dressing table. "All done."

She gave it an experimental pat to make sure it had dried as quickly as it usually did, putting her hair down and giving him a warm smile. "Thank you."

He bent over her, catching her lips and still tasting the remnants of the wine on them. Her nails didn't make a sound now his cheeks were smooth, but the little pinpricks just the touch of her skin left as she held them felt just as good, if not better. He had to swallow to get his breathing under control, putting his forehead on hers. "Apologies, I just-"

She cut him off with another kiss, and thankfully his instincts kicked in and he caught himself on both palms before he toppled right over. He felt the flame he'd been smothering in the pit of his stomach start to fight for its life again, pushing against his insecurities and begging him to just try.If it failed, that was fine, but he'd never know unless he at least attempted to show her the effect she had on him.

He pulled back, moving his kisses sideways along her cheek, never taking his eyes off her, especially when he started to move down to her jaw, gently nipping the skin. She stiffened, just as he'd expected, but she didn't push him away, so that was a start.

"Tell me if I should stop."

Val shook her head, taking the tie from his hair and running her fingers through it. "Don't stop. Don't ever, ever stop again."

And finally, the bonds he'd put himself in broke, and Varian finally felt aliveagain. "Shall we to bed, Sweetheart?"

Val's nod was almost frantic, and she briefly stood so she could shimmy herself from the skirt that she knew would end up becoming a pain in the arse. Varian yanked back the furs, purposely putting a sheath in plain sight on the bedside.

She noticed it and her shoulders dropped, which was what he'd hoped would happen, and soon enough she was in his arms again, right where she should be. He broke their kiss only when they were both comfortably on the mattress, catching his breath and trying to calm his rapidly beating heart.

He tugged his shirt over his head, finding it rather unfair on her behalf that she was bare already, throwing it to the side and settling himself between her legs once she opened them for him.

She tilted her head back in what he could swear was invitation, and once again he took it, fitting his jaw perfectly in line with the curve of her throat, determined to cover it in as many kisses as it took before his lips started to bleed.

The subject of love making had been such a taboo lately that he'd wondered if she'd ever let him do anything like this to her again, but here she was, mewling softly with every press of his mouth, coming to life with each kiss and starting to move underneath him, just as she had so many times before.

His fingers groped for hers, sliding between them when their palms touched and squeezing hard enough to hurt.

She could feel the caution in his every movement, the hesitation in every kiss, like he was convinced she was about to shove him away at any given second, when that wasn't the case anymore.

He would take some convincing, she knew that, and hoped to high heaven tonight would do exactly that. He came up for air, letting go of her hand and cupping her cheek instead, still not quite believing they were even here. "You're so damn beautiful."

Her laugh sounded more like a sharp exhale, and her long fingers moved her hair behind his ear. "You're drunk."

She could see freedom in his smile, one she would never tire of seeing after everything they'd managed to endure. This had been the final piece of a long, tiring puzzle, and she'd happily let him place it. "I don't need to be drunk to think my wife beautiful, Val."

She didn't answer him, she simply leant up for another kiss, taking advantage of her new found confidence.

He didn't go for her throat when he broke away this time, instead he shimmied himself down, carefully cupping each breast and brushing his lips over her olive skin, expertly adjusting his body weight with every little shift she made.

He was starting to lose his hesitation, and he made that abundantly clear when he all but buried his face in her chest, nuzzling the soft flesh and feeling the best high he'd ever experienced.

Her moans had an almost musical tone to them, making his groin twitch and pulse like it'd been waiting to hear them, as if it were sentient and they were the only thing keeping it alive.

And he supposed that in a strange way, that was true. The knowledge that he could never forget how to pleasure her if he tried ignited the flame still sitting in his stomach, turning it into a roaring fire.

He consciously stopped himself from going anywhere near her nipples, not wanting to ruin what they'd shared so far with what would be a rather stupid move, but he felt no qualms about moving even further down to her belly, pinching it between his teeth every now and then, causing more of those lovely noises to tumble from her mouth.

He curled a hand over her hip and lifted it so he could reach her sensitive spot, barely touching it with dried lips before she started wriggling.

"Fucking hell."

There was a smile on his face all the while he traced the inside of a lifted thigh, holding her ankle while he dotted sweet, loving kisses up and down her calf.

She held her arms out and he all but fell into them, closing her eyes as they merely lay there tangling themselves with each other; her leg curled around his, his arm hooked underneath hers and his fingers twisted around the ends of her hair, their chests pressed against each other like they were desperate for the touch.

She kissed at his neck, he did the same to her cheeks, it was like an explosion of pent up affection, one that had built over the six weeks of purgatory they'd been trapped in.

Varian never broke his gaze at her as he fumbled beside the bed for the sheath, lifting his hips so she could yank his trousers past his backside, using her feet to help him get them off completely.

He grimaced the whole time it took to get it on, with his cock twitching at every brush of the linen and starting to ache with need. One more kiss, and he brushed her hair back with his palm. "Ready?"

Her face didn't move, nor was she trembling anymore, and a sharp nod became his answer.

She rested her head against his shoulder, screwing her eyes shut as finally, Varian ever so gently nudged himself inside her with a long, relieved, skin muffled groan. Her toes were beginning to curl already and she felt pinpricks of tears in her eyes as she held on tighter to him. He stopped despite being barely in, kissing her cheek.

"I love you."

A smile spread like an ink blot onto her face. "I love you too."

He took that as his cue to carry on, bending his legs and lifting her backside to make it easier on her. She only stopped biting her lip when he was snugly inside her, and rather strangely, she relaxed.

She hadn't exactly known what to expect when the time for them to make love again came around, but she had been sure there would be fear, caution, all the things that had hounded her for weeks on end.

But there was only contentment, a strange joy that washed over her like waves, and Varian must've felt her legs go slack, and her nails leave the flesh of his back, for his own muscles loosened and the two of them simply lay there for a minute to savour the sensation of being joined completely once again.

She was starting to think he'd gone to sleep until he pushed himself onto his elbows and brought himself out until his head was the only thing left inside her, judging her reaction and finding it rather in the positive. Her back arched, her lips parted and her eyelids fluttered, just as he thought they would.

A few more experimental thrusts, and Varian finally started to let go, feeling a familiar pressure build in his loins and loving every second of it. Val had forgotten every fear she had with each press of him to her walls, every brush of his thighs against hers…soon enough she was in pure ecstasy, a state which she'd thoroughly missed.