News had reached Wintergarde Keep of the final assault before Val and Varian had arrived back, and to say it was buzzing when they eventually did was an understatement.

All week Val had noticed a renewed determination in those she'd been assigned to, and she didn't need to be a scholar to know why. By this time tomorrow, they could all have permission to go home to those that for some, hadn't been seen for nearly two years, and she was just as giddy as they were at the prospect, despite it only being a mere fortnight since she'd last been in the company of her own kin.

She'd spent all night tossing and turning, never quite pinning down a particular reason for It; she didn't know whether it was nerves, excitement or just plain fear. Eventually she'd given up on sleeping, filling the time instead with watching Varian do it, finding it strangely calming with every movement of his bare chest.

It hadn't passed by her that today could easily be the last day they had together; she was nervous enough about splitting up once they got there, but if something went wrong…well, she knew what that entailed, and while Varian himself had avoided the subject at all costs, she couldn't just forget the possibility of only one -or in an even worse scenario, neither-of them going home.

She would take advantage of moments like this, relishing the quiet of their chambers, one that was only broken by the snores that meant Varian was actually managing to sleep at all, making the rather jarring noise more than bearable.

She reached out to move a lock of hair from his face, wondering if she'd imagined that his lips had pressed against her palm as she'd drawn back, like he somehow knew she was there despite his slumber.

His brow creased and she worried that she'd woken him, but his breathing deepened, with a large hand scrabbling across the sheet between them, telling her all it needed to.

"Val…"

While she was glad that his nightmare seemed to be a mild one this time, it didn't stop her heart clenching at the pathetic whisper, and a gentle shush left her lips before her hand cupped his cheek, stroking it with her thumb and leaving a scratching sound as it passed along the whiskers covering it. "I'm here, love."

His eyelids fluttered and eventually she saw the sapphire blue irises she'd fallen in love with all those years ago, slowly clearing from the clutches of what she had initially thought was a good sleep. She repeated her quiet reassurance, and eventually his hand curled around hers and brought it to his lips again.

"Have I overslept?"

Val shook her head, putting her other arm under her pillow to prop her head up. "If anything it's still absurdly early."

He looked rightfully confused. "Then why are you awake already?"

All it took was her lips mashing together to tell him all he needed to know. "None at all?"

She shrugged, shuffling towards him simply to warm herself. "I just couldn't settle, that's all." A small smile graced her features. "I never do before days like this, you know that."

He let his face become swallowed by a yawn, closing his eyes again to merely rest them instead of drift off again and putting an arm across her."You should've woken me."

She ran her nails along his forearm with the gentleness of a feather, making a shiver run straight up his spine. "You say that every time, when you know I won't do it."

She leant over and kissed the point where his two scars met, making his eyes open again. "You needed your rest alot more than I did."

He returned her kiss, pressing his dried lips to her forehead in a manner most would consider 'lazy', but she called 'tender'. "I need my wife to be on top form so she comes home with me, that's what I need."

She had a small, albeit wobbly smile on her face as she looked up at him. "I'll be fine, Varian. I'll probably be overdosing on adrenaline by the time we get there."

He huffed, weaving his other arm underneath her neck so he could curl it around her. "You'll be too busy making sure those idiots don't get themselves killed tripping over their own fucki- ouch! The hells was that for, woman?!"

She released the hair she'd purposely tangled her fingers in, trying not to glare at him. "Varian, those men have worked their arses off to prove to me that they're ready, and I passed every single one as fit for the assault. I'd rather you didn't sit here and slander them to my face."

His face still stayed as hard as stone. "I'm not slandering them, I'm just…damn it, don't make me say it."

Val knew what he was trying not to repeat as he had a million times before this, buy still a smirk graced her features. "Go on, say it. I'll let you this once."

Varian faltered, slumping down onto his pillows with a soft thud. "I'm worried for you, that's all. I don't know any of those going with you, and even worse, I have no idea what's in that Lightforsaken place, so anything could happen."

He held her face just as she had done to him mere minutes ago. "I know I'm bleating on at this point, and I promise, this is the last time I'll say it, but I can't handle even the thoughtof losing you."

Val held his hand with both of hers, giving him such a gentle, reassuring smile that he felt the fool for even opening his mouth again.

He wasn't an idiot, he knew what detrimental effect his incessant worrying was having; she was beginning to think he'd lost faith in her, when really, that was far from the truth. It had led him to try his damnedest not to keep going on about it, and it was proving more difficult than even giving up drinking had been.

He was merely grateful that the phrase 'I don't want you to go' had managed to keep itself in his head this long when really, he wanted to scream it at her. The only thing keeping his tongue bitten had been the surge in confidence that he'd witnessed over the past fortnight from her.

She'd transformed back into his Val, the one he had known before the world had tried to break her down, and he would never forgive himself if his own insecurities ruined that now.

"I have a promise to keep to our son Varian, and I have no intentions on breaking it."

She called him 'ours' again.

Of course he'd noticed it for weeks, but since he'd come home from the Undercity, she'd taken to using the plural whenever she spoke of Anduin, and he wasn't quite sure what to make of it. The boy himself had called her 'Mum' since he pretty much started to talk, so it made sense, but the abrupt change was what concerned him.

It hadn't eluded his notice that it had started right after Elliot had died, and he couldn't help but feel that this was a subtle message she was sending to him that they were never trying for their own again and she'd settled with Anduin being their sole child for life.

He would discuss it at a muchlater date so he didn't upset her, but it was starting to eat away at the back of his mind. He wanted to try again in the future, but if she didn't, he needed to know sooner rather than later so he could make it as easy for her as he possibly could.

"Do you think he's alright?"

Varian was brought back from his overthinking by her quiet musings, and all he could do was shrug, not really knowing the answer. "I gave Gregor the go ahead to announce the battle was today, so Anduin probably knows by now. I'd be shocked if he wasn't as out of sorts as the rest of us."

Val's face shared the same regret that Varian felt about their decision to tell Anduin absolutely everything about the war's conclusion. "I hope he doesn't work himself into a state over it."

Varian let his hand drop from her face and slid it down to her hip, stroking it with his thumb.

"If Light forbid he does, he has plenty of people around him who can help. That was the whole reason we invited your family in the first place."

He managed to plant a smile onto his face. "You honestly think Thomas will let him be sad for more than a minute?"

He kissed her forehead, reluctantly letting go of her to roll onto his back, lamely kicking the furs off of him. "Anduin will be fine, Sweetheart."

She sat up as he left the bed to shamble over to their makeshift latrine, glad that he remembered to pull the screen across before actually going (though it was rather funny that his head still poked over the top, reminding her once again what a giant of a man he was).

"I know he will, but I wouldn't be a very good mum if I didn't worry about him, would I?"

Varian grumbled under his breath, trying his damnedest to concentrate in his sleep fogged state. "You're an excellent mum and you bloody well know it."

She slid from their bed, finding no reason to stay in it now he was up, flinching as the soles of her feet touched the cold stone. "I wouldn't go that far, Varian. I let him get away with shit that would make your hair grey."

He chuckled, pushing down all annoyance at her refusal of rightfully earned praise simply because he didn't want to argue with her. "Oh I don't doubt it."

He dunked his hands into the basin's less than tepid water, shaking them dry and pushing the screen back. "I trust it'll only get worse once we're permanently at home."

Val flashed him a grin, putting last night's tunic on. "Oh I can almost guarantee it. I've already told him that I'm planning a number of day trips for us all, so you need to set aside a few days to take off once we get back."

He seemed glad to hear it, taking the shirt she passed him and slipping it on. "I'm sure I can work something out."

His face lightened and she had a feeling that she knew why. "It sounds rather foreign nowadays, talking about days off and thinking how we'll actually have them."

Val opened the trunk sitting at the end of their bed to hunt for some trousers, almost disappearing into the thing save for her bottom half. "If anything that makes me want to get today started even sooner than planned."

Varian grimaced at the thought, catching the pair she threw at him once her search had proved fruitful. "Val, that wouldn't be possible or practical."

She tried not to laugh at his matter-of-fact response, tying her hair into a sloppy ponytail. "I know that, icebrain, it was just wishful thinking."

She kissed his cheek on her way past him, dumping out the basin he'd just used and refilling it with fresh water from the pitcher. "It means we get a few more hours, so I'm perfectly happy with the arrangement."

Varian didn't look as thrilled. "We'll have time to shove down a quick breakfast, then the ground assault will begin to move out."

Val splashed her face, scrubbing the night's heaviness away with the washcloth. "Then I take it there'll be a feast fit for a king tonight?"

Varian fought a smirk. "Aye, if all goes well, I've authorised a small celebration. I think the men have more than earned it."

Val started laughing, fetching her boots from under the bed. "Then you better have a good supply of ale ready. I think we'll all need a stiff drink more than we will any meal."

Varian gave her gloves to her, somehow guessing that they were leaving their chambers soon. If she'd been up all night, he could completely understand her need to get fresh air in her lungs. "I've already spoken to Magni about that very thing, don't worry. They'll have their wine and women, despite my disapproval at the latter."

She gave him a grin, clipping her gambeson. "Why, when you'll be indulging in the same thing?"

Varian's low chuckle told her all it needed to as an arm curled its way around her waist and rough lips brushed her bottom jaw. "Fancy one last session in the arena before everyone else wakes?"

Val caught those same lips, holding the lapels of his shirt. "Go on then. Whoever wins gets the hot water first."

Three hours later, and the time had finally arrived. The camp had exploded into activity the minute the first bell had rung, and Val could barely hear herself think over the roar of the gunships that were waiting to transport them to Icecrown the second they got the signal.

"The ground assault has already engaged. It turns out the bastard wasexpecting us and had his grunts waiting."

Adil adjusted his breastplate, making sure it sat on his linen shirt properly. "So it's a failure already?"

Varian shook his head, batting Lee's hands away and buckling Val's gauntlet for her when she started cursing at the thing. "Not necessarily. It seems to simply be a tirade of ghouls and abominations, so it shouldn't be too difficult to at least hold them off."

Muradin straightened his helm, lifting his hammers from where they sat next to Val's and rolling his shoulders. "Meanin' the big arseholes are waitin' for us."

Varian's face hardened. "Aye, so ready yourselves. You'll be called up soon."

Adil slicked his short hair back with wax from the jar, putting a fingertip in another of red paint and putting three dots on his face; one on his brow, and the other two on each cheek.

All Samark soldiers had them to represent blessings from the three highest gods of their land, and Val had to wonder if they actually worked or not.

"Good. All this waiting has been driving me insane."

Nizaar clapped his son's shoulder, giving it an affectionate squeeze. "Patience, my boy. Rushing into battle leads to disaster."

Val huffed, tying her hair into a bun tight enough to pull at her forehead. "I think after two years, we're allowed to be a bit antsy."

Varian took both of her hands, kissing each in turn. "Focus, Val. I need you in your best mindset for this."

Val leant up, pecking his cheek and taking Stormfall from the table. "Stop fretting, I'll be fine."

He gave her remaining hand one more squeeze. "You better be. Go on, brief your men and get ready. I'll see you after everything's done."

She gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile, returning the other's wishes of good luck and ducked out of the tent, swallowing hard and forcing her legs to move towards where she'd been getting her men ready for the past week or so.

"Stormwind Regiment six, fall in!"

Val was grateful for the booming voice of her assigned captain, a Night Elf named Voloron Shadowbreeze, and she gave him a thankful nod as she came to the front of the hundred or so people she had to make sure came out of this alive. She tried to remember how Varian had handled the 'rallying speech' part of leading, and raised a hand to simmer the murmurs to mere whispers.

"I've just been informed by King Varian that the ground assault has thus far proved successful, so we'll be going ahead with our own. Now, we have absolutely no idea what awaits us in that citadel, but I'm confident we can face it with the true ferocity that I know the Alliance is famous for. We beat back the Horde, and we'll do so with the Lich King. Take a moment to prepare yourselves; say your prayers and goodbyes, then be at the gunship in two minutes. Dismissed."

She only exhaled once they'd obeyed, and a hand three times larger than hers curled over her shoulder.

"Your voice wasn't shaking this time."

She gave Voloron a wobbly smile. "I think that was just pure luck."

She nudged her head towards the tent she'd just left Varian in. "I'm more than sure I just plagiarised parts of that."

He gave her a wink, falling into step with her as she started towards the gunship stations, wincing at the same time as Val did when they sputtered to life, growing to a thundering roar in a matter of moments. "I doubt His Majesty will mind in the least, Milady."

She was starting to stare at the gunships as much as everyone else; she'd used them so briefly in the last war that she'd rather forgotten the scale of the things, and the fact that they were actually managing to leave the ground was rather fantastical to her.

"Magnificent, aren't they?"

She grunted in agreement, having to plant her feet to keep them there. "Considering that Stormwind didn't even have indoor plumbing until after the Second War, seeing things like this always makes me realise how essential the Alliance has been to us all progressing."

She found her footing again and they carried on in perfect step with each other, which was astounding considering the height difference between them. "I just hope it doesn't peter out once the war's over."

Voloron put his hands behind his back, drawing his long brows in. "Did it do so after the Second War?"

Val grimaced, trying to word this right. "It was different then, we had another goal that wasn't simply 'maintain peace'. We had Stormwind to rebuild, Dun Morogh to repair, people to re house. I don't even know what Varian intends to do up here once everything's done and dusted."

Voloron had the calming look that all of his people had a knack for on his face. "I would not worry about such things until the time is appropriate, Milady. Let us focus on the task before us."

Val knew he was right and that she was thinking too far ahead, but it had been playing on her mind all night while she'd lain awake; what wouldhappen once the war was over?

Would the Alliance just go their merry ways and only converge when the next great threat arrived? Or would they be more connected then ever?

"Val! Get over here lassie!"

Muradin's booming voice somehow caught her attention and she heard the urgency in it, quickening her pace as much as her plate would allow her to until she was next to the dwarf and a less than pleased Adil.

"What is it?"

Muradin passed her what she could only describe as the messiest looking message she'd ever seen, making her wonder just how fast it had been written. "The Horde? Great, that's just what we fecking need."

Adil slowly nodded, folding his arms. "We were fools to think they'd be sitting on their arses during all of this. An artillery zeppelin was spotted about half an hour away from Icecrown, so I don't doubt that we'll meet it at some point."

Her brows drew in. "And what's Varian said for us to do about it?"

Muradin shrugged, lifting the spiked pauldrons he was wearing. "We've only just got tha message, there has nae been time ta ask."

Voloron gently tapped Val's shoulder. "If I may, Milady? We don't have time to speak of this with him now."

Val knew he was right; hells, she could see her troop approaching, so she merely gave the missive back to Muradin. "We'll have to engage. If the Horde gets to Icecrown before we do it throws the whole plan into jeopardy."

Adil appeared to begrudgingly agree with her, but worry was still etched on his face. "It's a risky move, Val."

She knew that, but she was rather put on the spot at the moment, and to say she was panicking would be an understatement. "It's a risk we're going to have to take. We're leaving in under thirty seconds, there's no time to debate about it."

Muradin's thick brows drew in. "Ah suppose tha's the command tha Varian would give us."

Val nodded, lightly pounding her fist against her flattened other hand. "Aye, it is. I think any involvement with the Horde would be the worst idea at this point in the proceedings. Some are still blaming them for Wrathgate, and we need every single one of our men focused right now."

Her voice was starting to shake now, even she noticed it.

"Ah suppose it's one small force. We take tha Zeppelin down, we wonnae have ta worry about them fer the rest of the battle."

Val was glad he was on the same page as her. "What goes on down on the ground and up at the throne can be dealt with by others. Getting to the entrance point in one piece and without outside interference is ourmain concern. So if that means getting one damn Horde ship out of the way then so be it."

Voloron cleared his throat behind her. "With respect, Sers and Madame, it's time to depart."

Val realised he was right by a simple glance; various religious figures had taken their places to bless them all before they left.

There was a priest of the Light, a High Priest of Rani for the Samarks, and a Priestess of Elune for the Night Elves. Val clapped the arms of both Muradin and Adil, saying a quick 'see you soon' before joining her regiment with Voloron.

The Priest of the Light went first, and Val bent on one knee as he recited the same prayer she'd heard a million times before, bathing them all in a soothing glow as they rose.

The Samarks fascinated her once again, first by putting their hands out in front of them with their palms to the sky, then quickly changing positions so they were touching the earth with their noses as they curled into a low bow.

The light, dulcet tones of the High Priest sent shivers down Val's back as he all but sang their prayer, and once it finished the runes dotting each mage's arms were glowing a fierce red as they straightened themselves.

The Priestess of Elune carried a similar, yet more gentle prayer, and all eyes were then on Varian as his throat cleared.

"I don't need to tell any of you of the enormity of today. You leave this camp to face the hardest foe Azeroth has seen for centuries, and it's no secret that some of you may not come back. But let that not hinder the fire in your hearts, for the songs the Alliance will sing of your efforts today, will forever outlive the savagery of the Lich King!"

Val didn't join in with the chorus of 'For the Alliance', she was too busy weaving her way through the few rows of people that had swamped her when the crowds had formed, standing as straight as she could with Adil, Muradin, Voloron and the other two captains.

Varian moved his gaze down towards them and like a stack of dominoes their arms snapped up into a salute, only lowering once he returned it, giving her a small smile. "All of you, onto the gunship. And good luck."

"Captain, how long until we reach the citadel?"

Justin Bartlett, the man given the immense responsibility of getting them there in one piece, never took his hands off the helm but gave Val his attention with a simple turn of the head. "About ten minutes, Ma'am."

She found that both scared and excited her at the same time; while she was rather eager to get this underway after so much preparation, the citadel was so much more intimidating up close compared to the sketches she'd seen of the thing.

If it were possible for a building to simply scream the word 'evil' over and over, she was sure the spire that the Skybreaker was steadily flying towards would do it.

She lightly clapped his shoulder, descending from the quarter deck and weaving her way through the men dotting the top deck until she'd found Muradin and Adil, both watching the battle below them as if it were a spectator sport. "I'm shocked that you can see anythingfrom up here."

Muradin frowned, putting his helm by his feet to give his hands a break from holding it. "We cannae, tha's the thing."

Adil folded his arms, and his amber eyes had a glint in them that Val couldn't place. "It would somewhat comfort me to know definitively if we were winning or not."

Val managed to tear her eyes away from it all, looking straight in front of her instead. "The ground assault was never meant as the be all and end all, Adil. If anything they're the bait on a very large hook."

She noticed his expression. "I don't like it either, but try and tell me I'm wrong."

He couldn't, and it only turned his face stonier.

"We only have about ten minutes before we land, maybe we should bring the men up and get the final briefing done?"

Muradin wasn't listening, and it didn't take her long to notice. "Muradin? You with us?"

He still didn't say anything, merely took his spyglass from his belt and held it to his eye once it was extended. "Muradin?"

Her voice was a touch sterner this time, like she was talking to Anduin when he wouldn't answer her, and apparently it worked, for Muradin passed her the spyglass with a grimace.

"Horde airship at our two o'clock, coming in fast."

Val could already see it; it was merely a dot right now, but she had a horrible feeling it wasn't going to stay that way. "Well, that messenger of yours wasn't lying, it is only one at least."

She gave the instrument to Adil so he could see it as well.

"We stickin' to tha plan?"

Val slowly nodded, trying to gauge just how far away the thing was to them compared to how close theywere to the citadel. "We've not come all this way for the Horde to ruin it now. Get the gunners ready."

Muradin took his spyglass back, turning from the both of them to carry out her order and leaving a rather disapproving looking Adil.

"What's that face for?"

His lips thinned. "I just wish it didn't have to be like this, that's all. It would've been alot more beneficial if we'd been working with the Horde on this assault, not trying to erase them from the board."

Val huffed, unclipping her gun's holster and folding the barrels down to make sure it had bullets. "We tried that before, and look what happened. I think it's best if we just abandon the idea entirely."

Adil experimented with conjuring a fireball in his palm, finding it rather frustrating when it simply sputtered and died. "This won't be easy without magic."

Val disagreed; she and Varian shared the same belief that magic wasn't the be all and end all, and she supposed now was the time to prove herself right. "Voloron! Ready all archers, have them line the perimeter."

The three of them had agreed earlier on that a full scale, hard attack would be the best route to go down. The Horde wasn't their primary target, and they weren't going to waste men and ammo on them in a prolonged skirmish.

"Here it comes. Everybody stand ready."

She had to admit she was rather impressed with how the clunky, sputtering goblin contraption was moving so fast, and within half a minute of her saying it, she had to hold on to the smooth oak underneath her fingers to stop herself blowing backwards.

"They're not attacking…"

Val had a sinking feeling that she knew why. "I swear, if any of them say the word 'parlay', I'll kill them single handedly."

She was almost correct in her assumption; a familiar looking Orc came as parallel to her as their ships, taking the same stand and curling large green hands over the side.

"This is not your battle, Human! Pull back or we'll be forced to destroy your ship!"

Val was actually rather grateful that he'd shouted his threat, for she could hear very little over the engines of both vessels assaulting her ears.

Though that didn't make her any less insulted by the orc's attempt. "Saurfang, you know damn well that this is an Alliance war, and it always has been! The Horde have no place here, so I give you the same warning!"

He shook his large head. "I will not dishonour my Warchief by fleeing at a human's command."

Val stepped back, giving Muradin the nod he'd been anxiously waiting for. "Gunman, fire at will!"

The zeppelin lurched to the left to widen the gap between the two ships at the dwarf's bellow, and already Val could see goblins and orcs scurrying around the deck to load rockets into crude launchers.

"Brace yourselves!"

The guns went off at the same second the rockets left their chambers, and Val was taken off her feet with the impact to their main hull. She scrambled up to see that they'd managed to blow a few holes of their own, and now a mix of orc and troll lined the side of the ship with axes bigger than her head in their hands.

"Archers! Loose at the axethrowers!"

Voloron raised an arm and promptly threw it down for the elves nocking arrows into exquisite bows, sending a shower of them across to the Horde ship. Val ducked to avoid getting her head cleaved off, fumbling like a novice with the scabbard she absolutely knewhow to unclip and taking Stormfall by the handle.

"Adil, cover me!"

He did exactly that, using his own longbow to strike a troll straight in its heart as Val threw the door to the lower deck open and went down the stairwell two at a time.

"What's happening up there, Ma'am?"

She could understand both the confusion and the concern of the men who were herded into the lower decks; the original plan had been to keep them here until they'd landed, but she supposed adaptation was key to success.

"The Horde have decided to engage us with a zeppelin assault. There's only one, so I don't see this going on for long."

She stood on the bottom most step to at least appear taller than she actually was. "I need fifty of you up top to cover the gunners and keep them back. The rest of you, gear up and await the signal, we're only a few minutes away from the citadel."

She was in no way used to people saluting her and shouting 'yes Ma'am' in perfect unison, and she highly doubted she ever would be.

She quickly deducted fifty from the swarms of soldiers and barrelled back up to the top deck, hanging on to the handrail for dear life as another bomb strike shook the gunship. "I want three of you to a gunner, and the rest with Prince Adil and I."

She shoved the door open with a shoulder and was greeted with Horde swarming across the deck.

Two archers and a gunner had been taken out, and Adil seemed relieved to see her as the men she'd brought up immediately got to their duty.

"I left for a minute!"

He plunged his scimitar backwards into the Elf that had been hounding him, letting it drop to the floor. "Grapplers. Saurfang reallydoesn't want us getting to that spire."

Val slid her gun from its holster and fired at the goblin that had barely stepped foot onto the ship, sending him sailing over the edge. "Well I hate to be a spoilsport, buthe'sthe one that won't be getting there. How are the gunners doing?"

Adil wished to the gods he could simply scorch the bastards, but he had to settle for clashing sword and axe as a hulking orc tried to split his head open. Val had no desire to waste what few bullets she had, so putting her gun back she held her hammer's handle with both hands, gritting her teeth as the steel hit the crude iron of a Forsaken sword.

The undead woman viciously hacked at her a few times, even managing to catch her wrist at one point, but Val kicked at the bony leg nearest hers and made it buckle, giving her a window to swing sideways and crack the ribcage that undeath had left exposed.

The Forsaken fell with a wet thump, and Val had to admit, it was rather gut wrenching, bringing her hammer down again and making sure that the poor woman was given her final rest.

"Good shot lads! One more and they're done fer!"

She was glad of Muradin's gleeful shout; they'd spent too long on the Horde already for her liking. "Captain, how long do we have?"

Justin gave her a hard look. "Three minutes until landing, Ma'am!"

She swivelled on her heel, ducking to avoid another axe. "Muradin! Fire now, we need to go!"

The dwarf saluted, turned to the gunners and raised both hands. "Give em all ye got!"

Val grabbed Adil's outstretched arm as she was thrown forwards this time, and the screeching, metallic noise made her teeth rattle in her skull.

"Yes! Ye better run, ya Horde bastards! And donnae come back!"

While Val was just as relieved to see the zeppelin turn around after Varok bellowed the order, she couldn't help but scold him like she did Anduin when he spoke out of turn. "Muradin, that's enough. Focus on the task at hand, eh?"

What Horde soldiers there had been on deck were either dead or had fled the second Saurfang had called the first retreat, so Val was confident in her choice to turn their attention back to where it needed to be.

"Call up the rest of the men, and throw them over the side. We're three minutes away from the Citadel, and we need to be ready in case the Lich King has someone waiting for us."

The adrenaline she'd mentioned to Varian earlier on had indeed started to kick in as the gunship finallylanded at the citadel, and she found it difficult to stand still as she waited for the men to file from the ship.

"Looks like we made it with most of our troop intact. Ah'll give ya this lassie, ye did well."

Val gave Muradin a shy smile. "You two did most of the legwork, but I appreciate the compliment."

Adil clapped her shoulder. "Will you do the honours of starting this assault?"

She knew they were both wildly overcompensating simply because this was her first battle as a 'leader', and while it was flattering, she had to wonder if she was genuinely doing well or whether they were humouring her.

"All troops, fall in and move out! We don't have any time to waste before the upper assault starts, so let's get-"

"For everyHordesoldier that you killed - for everyAlliancedog that fell, theLich King's armies grew. Even now theval'kyrwork to raise your fallen asScourge.Things are about to get much worse."

Val had been expecting a welcoming committee, but a lone Death Knight and a small wave of Scourge seemed almost…insulting, like the Lich King was trying to tell them that he saw them as weak without having to say it himself.

"Val, we'd be insane to put four hundred against him."

She knew that and tried to think, noticing the doors still open behind the undead orc. "You two, stay back until my regiment have engaged, then use the skirmish to get in there and get started."

Muradin nodded once, giving her a small smile. "Good luck lass."

Val cleared her throat, raising an arm. "No chatter this time. Regiment six, charge!"

While her men thundered past her on either side, she made a beeline for the Death Knight, unsheathing the sword Varian had insisted she take and feeling every bone in her body rattle as his runeblade hit it before she could even finish her swing.

The axe was as big as her, and she was trying with every ounce of strength she had to push back when the full weight of the thing threatened to snap her legs in half.

You can't fall at the first hurdle, Val.

She slid sideways, releasing herself but making it necessary to duck as the hefty weapon swung at her again. He raised a hand and she felt her gut start to wrench of it's own accord, and a horrible sweat start to bead on her brow.

"Fight me with honour, you bastard…"

Of course he did no such thing, and she could feel her skin start to prickle with an unnatural heat, one that was starting to eerilyremind her of being set completely aflame again. Her feet had left the ground and she uselessly kicked as if one would actually land, feeling panic start to rise in her throat.

To her utter relief, aid came pretty quickly, making her realise how swiftly her men were taking care of the Scourge and one by one turning their attention to the Death Knight himself.

She was unceremoniously dropped when a brave Draenei swung his hammer upwards and managed to catch the distracted Death Knight in the jaw and knocking off his helm. Voloron's long fingers curled around her shoulder as he hauled her up.

"Are you alright, Ma'am?" Val nodded, not really wanting to speak right now with her throat still on fire like it was.

More of her men were lifted into the air, clutching their throats and struggling for breath, making Val's gut wrench.

It's one Death Knight Val, come on!

It took her a few more seconds of dithering before she remembered everything she'd learnt about the Scourge, how their weakness was…. "The Light permeates everything. We can use the Light."

Her whisper went unheard, so she cleared her throat, turning to the others. "Swordsmen, with me! Voloron, take whatever archers we have left and line the perimeter. Paladins, bless their arrows and await my signal!"

She knew it was a long shot, but she was willing to try anything. Somehow they all heard her, and the orc noticed the change in formation at once.

"Retreat. It's the only way you'll survive."

Val tightened her grip on her hilt. "Not my style, I'm afraid. Swordsmen, forward!"

Three or four were taken out instantly, with their blood exploding from their chest like a burst pipe.

Val did her best to ignore it, she was too busy avoiding the axe that had come around for another chance to take her head off. Apowerful arm knocked two more of her men back and then his attention was focused on Val alone, bringing his axe down over and over again until she was sure her sword was about to snap.

"Archers! Fire!"

She felt her back slam onto the floor once again, but the orc stumbled back, scratching at his neck as a glowing arrow embedded itself in it. She thanked the Light, getting up again and holding an arm out.

"All of you, stay back. We don't know how Death Knights react to the Light."

Rather badly, from what she could see. The orc lifted his axe again and swung wildly, cutting down what men had been stupid enough to stay in range and giving Val a glint of hope. "Archers! One more round!"

A sharp whistle through the air and two more arrows hit, one in his leg and one in his side, making him howl like an injured animal. Val saw her chance as the axe left his grip and clattered to the floor.

Thankfully a dwarf and Draenei moved it away as Val went in for a final charge, using the orc's bent knee to give herself enough height to plunge her blade upwards into his throat, shimmying it for good measure and letting Voloron catch her as she fell backwards.

After a few desperate gasps he finally slumped forward onto the steps of the entranceway, stilling into what she would hope was a final death. Her men dropped and the few Paladins with them sprung to their aid while Val knelt in front of the clammy skinned Death Knight.

"He fought against the Scourge, and they forced him into servitude. Imagine living in such a hell where your mind is not your own. Let him finally rest in peace, and rise in glory."

Even Voloron seemed surprised at her impromptu prayer, and turned his gaze towards the doors. "We should move on, Milady. We do not wish to lag behind."

Val seemed to agree, rising to give the order to do just that when she heard a dull roar behind her.

"Horde ship approaching, Ma'am!"

Inwardly sighing, she turned, sheathing her sword and getting her hammer from the ground. "Stand ready, all of you."

Voloron was at her side once more, and her hand tightened on her hammer's handle. "We were fools to think they wouldn't give it another go."

She beckoned him forward with two bent fingers, breaking away from the rest of them and trying to muster up even a semblance of authority as the same zeppelin they'd engaged with before slowed to a stop. "Highlord, I told you before, this is not your fight. I'll give you one final chance to stand down."

She noticed that he didn't answer straight away, and he wasn't looking ather, he was looking behind her.

"Behind you lies the body of my only son, nothing will keep me from him."

Val stiffened, realising her mistake in his intentions. There was a painful silence as Val fought with her conscience and her common sense; one told her that if it were Anduin, she'd be doing the same, but the other had to wonder if this was merely a distraction, one that would enable the rest of the Horde forces to slip past and potentially ruin everything.

There was another gunship approaching, she could see it behind the Highlord, and all it did was panic her, since it probably carried Varian and the others so they could carry out the last portion of the assault.

"I'm sorry, Highlord, but I can't allow it. Get back on your ship and we'll forget you were ever here."

A crackling, struggling portal broke into the air next to Saurfang, and Val felt the back of her neck grow hot as Varian and Jaina looked between the two of them. "Stand down, Sergeant Glenmore. Let a grieving father pass."

She didn't appreciate the stern tone to his voice, it was too similar to the one he used against Anduin when he'd been naughty, but she had no choice but to step back and bark at her men to let the orc through. "How did you manage a portal? I thought magic wasn't possible here?"

Varian never tore his gaze from Saurfang as he crossed the plateau, folding his large arms. "Magic dampeners don't erase magic, just make it harder. Some mages can handle it."

Apparently that was all the explanation she was entitled to, for he stayed silent afterwards, clearing his throat when Varok returned cradling his son to him.

"I will not forget this kindness. I thank you, Highness."

Varian let his arms drop and he gave Saurfang a respectful nod. "I…I was not at the Wrath Gate."

A quick glance at Val had been wholly expected, but she managed to keep her face passive enough to let him continue. "But the few who survived told me much of what happened there. Your son fought with honour, and died a hero's death. He deserves a hero's burial."

Saurfang inclined his large head. "The assault is yours, Alliance. Ancestors be with you."

Varian gave him a respectful salute, and everyone on the plateau watched in silence until the Zeppelin had taken to the air once again. Varian turned to Val, looking less then pleased. "Give me a brief status report before I go back to my own troop, Sergeant. How goes things down here?"

Val cleared her throat, straightening her back. "Prince Adil and Lord Bronzebeard went on ahead when we were engaged by Saurfang and his troop. Our initial assault is underway and progresses well, Your Majesty."

He noticed her curt tone and matched it ten fold. "Good. There's been too much distraction already. Secure the deck against any other intrusion, then get a move on. Our strike force should be landing in due course."

His face softened. "Should all go well, we'll be back at camp by dawn."

He gave her a quick nod. "Sergeant."

She returned it. "Majesty."

The awkwardness between them was palpable, and even as Jaina gave her a small, encouraging smile, Val couldn't help merely turning away, blinking hard at the noise of broken magic behind her.

"You heard the King, form up and move out, we have work to do."

Varian didn't give himself time to shake off the nausea he always felt when using portals, instead his legs automatically carried him through the lower deck towards the door that led to the upper.

"Varian, wait! What the hells was that about?"

He bit back a sigh, slowing his pace but choosing not to stop for the mage scurrying behind him. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Jaina."

She swung herself around so she was walking backwards, looking him in the eye as well as their height difference allowed; while Jaina was taller than Val, she still only came to Varian's chest, as was the case with most people. "Yes you do. Varian, I've neverseen you be that curt with Val before."

Varian's jaw tightened. "Because I wasn't talking to 'Val', was I? I was talking to 'Sergeant Glenmore'."

He stopped just before he reached the doorway, looking down at his gloved hand, or more specifically, the ring sitting underneath the soft leather. "She and I know that we're two different people when we're in battle. Mixing 'Varian' with 'The High King' will only lead to distraction, which is the last thing either of us need."

He looked up at the sympathetic blonde, not wanting her pity in the slightest. "She knows I harbour no ill will, and no doubt 'Varian' will return the second this is all done."

Jaina's lips tightened. "Is that why you didn't say goodbye?"

Varian's face was as hard as stone. "We've already said our goodbyes, there was no point repeating ourselves. Now leave me be, will you? I'm worried enough as it is, I don't need you making it worse by bleating on about it all."

He didn't give her time to answer, but he did show her a certain amount of courtesy by holding the door open so she could duck under his arm and onto the main deck.

Varian's brow was wrinkled with a seemingly permanent frown all the while he weaved himself through the soldiers packing the place, all watching as he went past.

"Stop gawping and ready yourselves, we'll be landing soon, and I want you all moving quickly, not stumbling about like newborn calves."

His bark seemed to have the desired effect, with loud scuffles and the chinking of armour filling the silent air behind him pretty much instantaneously. He waved the guards standing in front of the Captain's Cabin away, hurrying Jaina in and nearly slamming the door behind him.

"Ah, Varian, you're back. Did you find out what was happening?"

He gave Nizaar a nod, filling the whiskey glass seemingly waiting for him and downing it before he spoke, ignoring a certain mage's look of disapproval."Aye, I did. Saurfang wasn't there to antagonise this time."

He grimaced, abstaining from pouring another even though he really wanted to. "It seems the Lich King didn't just take Bolvar after Wrathgate; he took the High Overlord's son as well."

Nizaar's eyebrows rose. "Dranosh? How unfortunate. What did he do to him?"

Varian grimaced, putting his glass down after making sure every drop had fallen onto his tongue. "Raised him as a Death Knight. But rest assured, Val's troop handled it, and now he's with his father."

Shandris didn't really seem interested in the personal side of it all, and really, Varian couldn't blame her.

She was someone who was concerned with fact and nothing more, something he could relate easily to. "Did the Horde retreat after? Or are they still a threat to the mission?"

Varian shook his head, leaning over the one map they'd managed to scrabble together from the sketches that Knights of the Ebon Blade had given them. "I witnessed him give the assault to the Alliance before I left; they won't be a problem for the internal forces at least."

He looked up. "How long until we land?"

Magni folded his large arms. "About two minutes, accordin' to tha captain."

Nizaar lifted a scroll that had been haphazardly rolled up. "Tirion Fordring's report. He and the Ashen Verdict landed not ten minutes ago with what he refers to as 'reinforcements'. They're waiting for us at the upper plateau."

Varian's eyebrow rose as he took the missive from him. "Reinforcements? Of what kind?"

Nizaar shrugged. "He doesn't say."

Varian was dubious, but once again a voice of reason came in the form of Jaina. "Any extra help will be of great use. It'd be unwise to turn it away."

Varian put the parchment down and his hands on both hips. "We'll simply have to trust Tirion's judgement. He is a Paladin, after all, one would hope he has a keen sense of it."

Although it barely qualified as a joke, he received a small titter for his efforts.

He took a brief moment to make sure he had absolutely everything with him, including one of Anduin's lovingly drawn pictures and the watch that had Val's portrait in it, patting his satchel over and over simply to check that they were there. If Light forbid he did fall today, he'd have some reminder of his family with him, he would make certain of that.

The lurch underneath their feet told Varian they were landing and he straightened, snatching his helm from the table. "I don't think I need to ask if we've all readied ourselves?"

Nizaar's expression matched Varian's steady tone. "We've waited nearly two years for this, I'd be absolutely astounded if we weren't."

Varian left the cabin first, glad to see that his snipe earlier had been heeded and what few soldiers they'd brought with them were waiting in distinct rows. Varian waited until he and the rest of the leaders were in front before putting his hands behind his back.

"I'm not giving a speech on how you have the battle of your lives ahead of you, for you already know that. Your Generals have all gone over the plan with you, but for all of our sakes, you'll be hearing it from me as well; you are to fend off any Scourge that the Lich King has protecting him. It's a simple sounding task, but it won't be easy. That being said, if you trust your fellow soldier and fight with all you have, we will succeed. Light be with you all."

Nizaar of course changed the blessing for his people, as did Shandris, and by the time they were done, the gunship had come to a slow halt, and the gangplank lowered.

"Your Majesty, good to see you got here in one piece."

He clapped arms with Tirion once he was on solid ground again, letting go and stepping back. "It's good to see you at all, Tirion."

The Paladin didn't seem fazed at all by Varian's less than subtle snipe. "We're ready to ascend when you are, Your Majesty. Mograine's men have managed to unearth a transporter that will take us directly to the Frozen Throne."

Magni put his hands behind his back as Shandris, Jaina and Nizaar instructed their troops. "You spoke of 'reinforcements' in yer report, Highlord. Care ta enlighten us as to tha nature of them?"

Tirion gave Varian a stare that went on a little too long for the monarch's liking. "I implore Your Majesties to exact calm before I indulge your curiosities."

Varian was already losing his temper and he'd not said a word yet. "Tirion, we have a limited time to get this done, so for Light sake, take us to your men."

Tirion sighed, extending arm and and falling into echoing step with them, until the sounds of their footfall was drowned out by the din of soldiers gathered.

Varian stopped dead, feeling a rage he hadn't felt for months bubbling in the pit of his stomach. "You cannotbe serious, Tirion."

Garrosh Hellscream stood with other members of the Horde, and the orc shared the same disdain Varian felt. "We will not let the Alliance take the glory of this fight! You insult us by even bringing them here!"

Varian's shoulders squared and not even Magni's large palm on his chest could stop him stomping forward. "We weren't broughtanywhere, Orc, We've fought this campaign from the very beginning, with the goal of ending the Lich King. All the Horde have done these past two years is get in the way of that!"

He shoved an elf out of the way with his pauldron, not taking his eyes from Hellscream. "You've jeopardised our efforts to end this war time and time again. I should still hold you accountable for the Wrathgate, and who we lost because of your treachery!"

Garrosh's axe was already in his hand, and despite the Tauren behind him doing the same thing Magni was doing to Varian, trying to calm them, it wasn't working. "I challenge the human king, to prove himself worthy of such a victory!"

Varian's hand was already flying to Shalamayne's hilt. "I gladly accept! Any opportunity to show the Horde that they're full of hot air is one I would take!"

"Varian stop! This is madness!" Jaina yelled, but it didn't stop the king as he advanced on the snarling orc. Shalamayne was halfway out of it's scabbard when a beam of Light energy shot up from the ground between the two of them, separating orc from human.

"Enough! There has been too much fighting amongst ourselves! Every time Horde and Alliance collide, the Lich King laughs down at us!"

Tirion made his way through the crowds and placed himself in front of Varian, turning to the side so he could raise a hand to both hot blooded warriors. "We need to work as oneto assure victory."

Varian shoved an accusatory finger in Tirion's face. "You insult me with your deception, Highlord. When you told us you had 'reinforcements', I was not anticipating…this."

He waved a hand. "We will never work with the Horde. They cannot be trusted."

Nizaar apparently agreed. "Who's to say once we've dealt with the Lich King that they will not turn on us?"

A loud murmur of agreement sprang from the Alliance troops, who had gathered around their High King like he was involved in a boxing match instead of a battle.

"The Alliance is not so innocent! We've already received word of your bitch shooting down our Zeppelin, Wrynn!"

White hot anger burned in Varian's eyes as he surged forward with Shalamayne's hilt in both hands, only held back by a shield of Light. "I should cleave your head from your shoulders for your foul words, you abhorrent scum!"

Tirion pushed him back once again, but even those around them could hear the soft grunts that meant he couldn't keep it up for much longer.

"Enough! Enough I say! While you two bicker like children, there are soldiers dying below, and their deaths will be in vain if we don't even make it to the Frozen Throne because you were too busy fighting!"

Varian's chest was still heaving with furious breaths, and his face was as hard as stone.

"Please, Varian, listen to him. We all just want to go home."

Varian spun on his heel, giving the same warning finger to Jaina that he had Tirion moments ago. "Don't you dare use that one on me, Jaina. I can't trust the Horde and you know exactly why."

Garrosh scoffed, only making Varian's eye twitch more. "Your Alliance is weak. We cannot afford to have weakness in our warband."

Varian's hand tightened around Shalamayne's hilt. "And I refuse to retreat simply because a bastard like you told me to. So we seem to be at an impasse. Providing you even know what that means."

Tirion glared at the King of Stormwind, then turned his dirty look to Garrosh. "We all have the same goal; to find and end the Lich King so we may live in peace. For just this instance, can we not put petty squabbles aside and work not as Alliance, or Horde, but as Azerothians?"

"They're not Azerothians." Varian spat, but of course, Tirion wasn't having it.

"They have settled here, and the Lich King attacked them, which gives them as much right as we to fight back. Both of you, please, think of the greater good."

Magni ran a large hand down his face, hearing more explosions down below them. "Varian, come on lad. We've gotta get a move on."

The Tauren behind Garrosh put a hand on his shoulder. "If we don't move now, we will never get another chance."

Tirion swallowed, lowering the shields keeping them apart. "Once the battle is over, you may hate each other as you please. But for now, we have a common enemy that needs all of us to worktogether."

Varian took a long, deep breath, inwardly debating in his own head what the right thing to do was. He imagined his Val, fighting Light knows what below him, and how she'd react if she found out that the Lich King had evaded them because his pride got in the way.

With a great reluctance, he extended a hand. Garrosh stared him down for a long, agonising minute before clasping it with his own, squeezing as hard as Varian was and nearly breaking the king's wrist before releasing it.

"Excellent. Now, let's run over the plan and get up there."