The Horde was already there by the time they arrived, and the Alliance army, even with it's great numbers lined along the coast, looked puny compared to the ships (clearly stolen Dwarven and human vessels as well as new constructs) that dotted the sea.

Varian, Arthas, Nizaar, Khadgar and Uther were already waiting for Lothar, with Varian giving him his spyglass."There must be thousands of those bastards out there Anduin, I thought you said Daelin thinned the herd?"

Lothar huffed, looking for himself. "It matters not. We're here, we have to deal with the cards we've been given. Khadgar, throw my voice, so all can hear."

The now white haired mage nodded, muttering a spell and pressing two fingers to Anduin's throat.

"Alliance! They may look many, but we can still hold. All those with shields move forward, make a wall to protect the rest until I call the charge. Lady Windrunner's archers will stay up here to rain hell on them the minute they step foot on that sand! Now move!"

Val was waiting behind the wall with the others when the ships finally made land, standing in line with the other gunners, pointing the blunderbuss she'd had barely a weeks training with (Little Bird was hanging on her belt) through the gaps deliberately made in the shielding, and every inch of her was roaring to engage prematurely even though she knew that would be the worst idea imaginable.

Doomhammer yelled something unintelligible and in an instant, the battle had begun, with thousands of Orcs running straight at them, and Val couldn't help flinching at the gut wrenching noise the bodies hitting the wall made, with the poor bastard she was in front of giving everything he could to push back the snarling green orc in front of them.

More shouting, and they retreated, giving Val time to breathe. She had no idea where the others were apart from Carson, who was at her one o'clock with his shield held firmly up and a grimace of pain on his face.

She would make sure he was alright later, right now she was listening to Lothar shout 'Fire!' as they came again, pulling the trigger and planting her feet as the shot made her stumble, thankfully hitting an orc in the shoulder, which made her start to grin until she realized it did practically nothing to slow it down, and soon enough they were all shoved back with the force of another wave of Orcs.

The shield to her right slumped back, and Val realized the poor wretch was dead the second he hit the floor, leaving a gap in the wall that could prove potentially fatal. She knew she was disobeying orders and had no idea what she was doing, but she discarded her gun, dived for his shield and threw it up, making Carson look at her in horror as the Horde once again retreated, with the only noise being the whistling of arrows at the elven rangers loosed them upon the Horde like a blanket from above.

"What the fucking fuck do you think you're doing?!"

She gave him a pleading look to trust her, and watched as a good number of orcs actually managed to fall, looking rather like pincushions once the elves had finished with their part of the initial assault, it was gratifying to see.

Lothar, Uther, Arthas, Nizaar and Varian had broken the line to engage the orcs directly, and she could see them halfway down the beach in front of her, with Varian looking far older than his actual years as he roared, slicing one orc's chest and turning to take the head of another.

The Horde were charging again, and Val had to brace herself as one came straight where she knelt, making her organs jolt with the impact once it made contact, with the bottom point of the shield hitting her abdomen so hard she was sure it was going to make one hells of a bruise once all this was done.

"They just keep coming" was whispered in fright to her left and she had no choice but to agree, since a never ending slew of Horde warriors were piling from ships that were only just breaking the horizon, with some jumping into the shallow part of the sea in their eager states to get to the battle faster.

"The Light is my grace, the Light shall protect, The Light is my Grace, the Light shall protect"

She would normally snap at those praying within ten foot of her, but felt herselfreallywanting to join in as Doomhammer started barking orders again, pulling the Orcs back, but not calling for them to charge again, making her hands begin to quake.

"Why have they stopped?"

The question on all of their minds were answered before she could even finish the thought, with the floor shaking underneath them as monstrous behemoths came from behind them, catching them off guard and making the line break.

Lothar ordered them all to ready themselves but it was already lost in the noise of it all as feet the size of which Val had never seen came down on groups of them, not caring if they were Elf, Samark, Human or dwarf, whoever was caught underneath died in a horrible crunch and squelch of bone and flesh, making Val want to vomit over her boots.

Then things exploded into chaos, for the giants' arrival had made them all stop focusing on the orcs, who stormed the shore and were picking off Alliance soldiers like they were flies.

"Val, behind!"

She spun on her heel at Carson's call, flinging her shield up and not being able to hold in a loud grunt of pain as a club smashed into the steel, denting it as well as what was most likely her spine when it met the floor.

Not ten minutes into her first battle and she was already on the floor….maybe Varian was right, she wasn't cut out for this. She used the shield as a barrier to dull the hit after hit of the club, buying her enough time to slide her hand down her side, pull Little Bird from it's holster and cock, firing right into its cheek and sending it reeling back.

The momentary pause let her do it again with three more of the bullets she had brought with her, swearing when she ran out, shoving it back in her holster and ripping Stormfallfrom the strap on the other side, jumping to the side to dodge another swing and trying to unscramble her brain enough to remember what she had been taught, swinging upwards and hitting it's wrist, aiming to weaken it enough to drop the club, but knowing it was a very stupid idea.

Once again her shield was her best option and she decided defence would be better than anything right now, especially because absolutely everyone was crammed onto the small patch of shore, so she was forever dodging axes and limbs. Her shield wasn't going to take much more of this, so the Light given answer to her angry plea was Carson spearing the orc with his great-sword and pulling it out of its corpse.

"You alright?" He shouted quickly and she nodded, discarding her shield and grabbing him as a giant foot nearby shook the ground again, landing far too near them for her liking.

Carson made her duck as more arrows came down, but an orc took that as an opportunity and charged them, knocking them both flying. As Val hit the ground she felt two sharp, intense flickers of pain, one in her arm and one in her thigh, not even thinking straight as she snapped the arrows sticking out of them and got up, looking for where Carson landed but not having time to look for long.

An axe sliced the air above her head, only avoiding scalping her by a split second, being blocked by her hammer as it arced round again, showering their feet in sparks as she pushed back, knocking the axe upwards, kicking the Orc back and thinking very much irrationally, swinging at its knee and hearing a sickening crunch as the cap shattered.

It dropped its axe and Val's survival instincts finally kicked in, scooping it up and burying it in the orc's neck, relishing her first kill alot more than she thought she would. She yanked the axe as hard as she could, but it didn't budge, so she used every bit of strength left in her shoulders to swing backwards with a two-handed strike against the orc behind her.

"Dive for cover!"

A garbled order made Val stop, noticing the air above her rush and the tree that was scooping down to barrel through the crowds. She jumped, rolling to a stop and scrambling up once it'd passed her, feeling woozy from the arrows still embedded in her sore flesh.

The giant that had just made a move for them went for another strike, but as the tree arced, the creature exploded in a shower of sparks, which Val could only assume was the mages doing, since it clearly wasn't spontaneous.

She could smell smoke, she knew it anywhere, and looking up she saw that a desperate attempt to stem the Horde's progress had been made, with Turalyon holding the torch that started the wall of orange behind the elven forces.

The ratio of Horde bodies to Alliance was pretty even by the looks of things, and the giants were all but decimated by the newly arrived ballistas and trebuchets, so it left the orcs to fend for themselves.

We might just win this.

She swung at the chest of another orc charging towards her, remembering Varian's trick and arcing her leg upwards, but having her foot caught and painfully twisted wasn't the outcome she had anticipated.

Though then again, neither was Shalamayne slicing down and severing the hand holding her, leaving the limb with its fingers still curled around Val's ankle, so she had to shake it off.

"Are you alright?"

She frantically nodded, shooing Varian away.

"Go! You can't stop!"

He obeyed, looking back at her. "I'll find you after!"

She didn't doubt it, but right now he had more important places to be. With their giants gone, the Horde was letting its full force upon them, and Val felt overwhelmed very quickly. Her left arm was becoming useless from blood loss, and her right was starting to tire quicker than she would've liked, meaning she was becoming her own hindrance.

They had been fighting for hours, and the sun was starting to sink in the horizon, with every single one of those hours bearing down on Val as she slumped, taking a quick second to get her breath back before starting again.

"This is ridiculous, how many are there?" She'd found Carson again by the grace of the Light, and the behemoth of a man was standing back to back with her, his sword covered in blood as much as his head was from a gash above his eye, hunched over with what was probably at least two cracked ribs.

"Far too many, where's Anduin?"

Carson groggily sliced another orc and she shot another with the helpful bag of bullets that a passing dwarf rifleman had thrown her, and looking around they found morale had ebbed to an all time low. The soldiers around them looked as if they were about to drop, and their numbers had dwindled significantly.

Val was exhausted, hurting and almost willing the call to retreat to blare out, but apparently it wasn't. What did finally come was Lothar's voice, ringing as if he were a god among men, clearly using Khadgar's trick again.

"Hold fast, the cavalry will thin their numbers!"

Val wasn't aware that they even had a cavalry with them until Lothar, Varian, Nizaar, Adil and about five hundred (She assumed, there was no way to count them) rode like bats out of hell down the hill next to them, cutting orcs down left and right before she could even blink.

"Sweet fucking Light…"

The new reinforcements had made Val's adrenaline start pumping again, and she gripped the handle of Stormfallall the tighter, joining in with the growing bellows of the Alliance and following the direction of the cavalry as they led the final push, letting them make a path through the orcs at the same time as killing them.

The infantry were finally given a chance to catch any orcs that were left in the open, including Val, who smashed the knee of one and arced upwards to meld its bottom jaw to its nose, dazing it enough for Val to dance to the side and Carson to finish it off with a strike through the chest.

And finally, after Light knew how long…the drums.

The drums that meant the Horde had given up, that they were retreating, it was the most beautiful music to Val as Lothar called for them to fall back at the same time, separating the Horde and Alliance and letting Carson hold Val's shoulders as they watched the Orcs scramble back onto their ships and disappear, with the stragglers being taken care of by the cavalry.

Once they thought it appropriate, cheers of joy and roars of victory sounded and Val threw her arms around Carson, ignoring how much it hurt as he lifted and spun with her. "We did it Car! We only went and fucking did it!"

He kissed her forehead, sweeping her damp, dirty hair back. "Not bad for your first run my girl."

She clearly didn't agree with him. "Are you insane? I was absolutely abhorrent out there. I need more training with an actual blade, that much has become apparent."

Carson waved a hand of dismissal, patting her back as all those who had survived starting gathering into a group, stepping over the plethora of bodies when all the while Val was searching the faces for the others in case they had Light forbid fallen.

She hadn't seen Kay, Hemming or Arin since the battle pretty much started, and would be lying if she said she wasn't extremely worried about them by this point. She knew they could all hold their own, but it only meant that she cared enough to be concerned.

"Don't worry about it right now Val, lets just enjoy our small victory."

She mustered a smile up at him. "Where d'you think the others are?"

Carson's brow furrowed while he watched Lothar stand at the top of the hill above them, looking around and despairing at just how much smaller the army was from a few hours ago. "I don't know, but I'm sure they're fine."

The cautious indifference in his voice did nothing to soothe Val, but she supposed she couldn't really expect any other response; there were thousands of other bodies on the battlefield, there was no way of knowing where three specific people were. It had been different with Varian, he'd been on Argo the whole time, so he was elevated, making him easy to spot.

Khadgar put his fingers back on Anduin's throat, which was just as filthy as the rest of the old man at this point.

"Alliance! Today has won us a great victory, for the Horde now know that we are capable of overpowering them!"

His speech was of course interrupted by more cheers, and even Lothar himself chuckled at them, letting them die down before he carried on.

"But this is only the beginning! The Horde will further their efforts to wear us down, but we must be ready! Take tonight to rest, recover and rejoice! For tomorrow we carry on the effort to rid Azeroth of the Horde!"

The ride back was a painful one; it was as if all of Val's injuries hit her at once, and in an instant everything started tohurt.

Her bones felt like they were about to grind themselves into dust, the two arrow wounds (that still had the damn heads in them) burned like they had a poker stabbed into them, and her chest felt tighter than a miser's purse.

And yet…she wouldn't change her mind about the choices she'd made to bring her here. She had no regrets about joining the army, she was relishing the fact that she'd survived her first battle with only minor injuries and all her limbs intact, it was a wonderful feeling when even her own mind had convinced her she was in way over her head and that she wouldn't make it even this far.

Carson practically carried her to the 'infirmary' and plopped her on a cot ready for one of the many priests and physicians to come over to her once they were done with the other charges.

"Are you not getting looked at?"

Carson looked begrudgingly at the priestess closest to them. "I have to really, I'm sure one got my fucking kidney."

He unbuckled his cuirass and threw it to the floor, showing Val how dented it was now it was lying against the green grass. Looking back up she sucked in air through her teeth at the large, purple bruise covering his right side, gently prodding it with her fingertips and snatching her hand back when he flinched.

"Fucking hell Car."

He gave her his usual cocky grin. "Trust me love, I've had alot worse before now, if anything this is quite tame."

She started taking her own cuirass off, feeling like it was one of Tiffin's damn corsets with how tight her chest was right now. "Why did you leave the navy Car? You've never told us."

His smile faded and he sat next to her, putting his elbows on his knees. "Are you expecting some dramatic tale about a horrific thing happening to me?"

She grinned, stroking the back of his neck. "Would be nice."

Carson chuckled, grimacing at how it irritated his bruised organs. "Well I'm going to utterly disappoint you, sorry. I just had enough one day, that's all. Dealing with pirates all day every day grew quite tedious."

She snorted, putting her gauntlets in his cuirass. "I'm shocked you haven't met Cillian then."

Carson gave her a lopsided grin. "I plan to once we get to Stormwind after all this is done, you haven't shut up about the bastard since we got here."

Val leant back so the Priest that had come over to them could assess her. "Stormwind? I would've thought you'd be going back to Kul Tiras?"

Carson shook his head. "There's no point, I haven't got anything there. And I suppose I can be more useful in Stormwind."

Val looked less than optimistic. "That's providing there's a Stormwind to get back."

Carson tried to look reassuring. "Surely Varian would have told you if there was nothing left by now?"

Val grunted, holding onto his arm as the first arrowhead was taken out. "He's told me that some of it still stands, which is a plus I suppose."

She finally let her face relax. "Means there's less to rebuild."

"Carson! Val!"

They both let out a noise of utter relief when Hemming called them, helping Arin over and letting Kay run forward and hug the hulking Kul Tiran.

"We were wondering what happened to you!"

Hemming sat Arin down, who was told by the same priest tending to Val that he would be seen to as well, which he was more than happy about.

"What happened to you then Holton?"

Arin grimaced, pointing to his knee. "Bloody club to the knee, dislocated it instantly. Add in a few nicks with an axe and my night's looking to be fucking fun."

Kay was covered in blood, and Val had no idea whether it was hers or not. "But you're all alright?"

Hemming gave her a small smile. "As alright as we can be, just grateful that we're alive."

Kay hung her head, letting him put his arm over her shoulders. "There were so many bodies when we came in just now, and they're still bringing some up."

Val made a sad noise of agreement. "I shudder to think how many letters of condolence Varian has to write tonight."

Arin nudged her with his good arm, ignoring her loud curse as finally both arrowheads lay next to her and she could finally be healed. "Have you seen him yet?"

She shook her head, taking a sigh of relief when the warm glow of the Light washed through her wounds and around her heart, making every ache, pain and sting melt away instantly.

She thanked the priest as he moved onto Arin, and rolled her shoulders, feeling much more like herself again. "No, and to be honest, I highly doubt I will tonight. He's going to be busy planning our next move with Anduin and the others. Remember, this wasn't the final battle."

Kay put her head on her shoulder. "At least we're all still here."

Arin chuckled, flexing his leg once it was fixed. "Albeit a little bit battered, but yes, we're all still here."

Carson sniffed, rubbing both palms together. "Anyone else smell food? As in,actualfood?"

Hemming couldn't help his laugh as he used one of the basins dotted around to clean his face. "Typical Carson, we've just come back from our first battle and all he cares about is food."

Val put her hands in her lap, staring off into space. "What the hells were those giant things?"

Arin visibly shuddered. "I don't know but I don't think I've ever been so scared of anything in my entire life."

Kay made a small noise of agreement. "I'm just glad we had the mages to help with them, or I would think the death toll would be even higher."

Carson still looked his cocky self. "We got rid of so many orcs though, you can't not see this as a victory to be deliriously happy about!"

Val couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "I must admit, I wasnotexpecting them to call the retreat first."

Hemming sat down next to Kay, putting himself next in line to be healed. "No, I'll admit I wasn't either. I think any longer and Sir Lothar would've called it himself."

Val patted his leg. "Yes well, let's just thank the Light that we're all here eh?"

The garrison had exploded with celebration by the time they got back to the main quarter, with drinking, dancing, singing, the whole garrison was alive and Val loved it. It was finally time to actually let herself breathe.

Doomhammer would probably be licking his wounds for a small while, so it wouldn't do to be constantly on edge tonight.

Carson had the hardest grip on her shoulders once they'd all stripped down to shirts, tunics and breeches, making her laugh with just how adamantly he was turning her towards the kegs put out for them to help themselves from, despite her protests and insistence that she wasn't thirsty, his reply stayed the same.

"You might not be, but I bloody am and I need someone to keep passing drinks to me!"

She patted Carson's chest, giving him a guilty smile and only earning a playful groan. "Oh go on! Tell Varian we said hello, I'll cover for you!"

Val beckoned him down so she could kiss his cheek, running too fast to be considered subtle with her destination and only skidding to a halt when she found the third tent in the row that had been designated to the leaders of the Alliance.

Taking a deep breath, she ran her fingers through her hair and straightened her tunic, getting the fright of her life when she went to open the flap and it did it of it's own accord, with an equally startled Lee jumping a foot back, joining in with her laughter when they both realised what had happened.

"Miss Glenmore! What a coincidence, I was just coming to get you!"

"She's here already? Then what are you making her stand out there for boy, let her in!"

Val rolled her eyes, patting Lee's shoulder on her way in and giving Varian quite the disapproving look. "Varian, don't become a spoilt brat after winning your first battle."

Varian chuckled, shucking his gauntlet off and gesturing to a dutiful Lee, whose face told them that he wasn't offended by Varian's harsh command at all. "I don't suppose I have anything to drink?"

Lee opened a nearby trunk, pulling out a decanter. "Is wine sufficient Your Majesty?"

The king's grimace said 'no' but nevertheless he nodded. "It'll have to do. Now, come here Sweetheart, I need to speak with you."

Val's eyebrow rose as she approached with more caution than was probably necessary, eyeing the box on the table next to them. "About what?"

Varian swallowed, picking the box up and opening it to reveal a rolled up scroll bearing his seal.

"What's this?"

Varian took a deep breath. "Your birthdaypresent. I have the distinct feeling you're not going to like it, but you're having it regardless."

Val lifted it, breaking the wax with her thumb and not enjoying the silence as she read what looked like Varian's own handwriting. "If anything I'm impressed that you remembered, what with everything else going on."

Varian's brow furrowed. "I resent the notion entirely and am choosing to ignore that."

Val's face dropped as she finished the scroll, rolling it up and shoving it back in the box. "No."

Varian put it on the table and fought his sigh, pointing to a slightly gleeful Lee. "And you can shut your mouth before it even opens. Val, I'm not debating this, just accept it and move on."

Val folded her arms and cocked an eyebrow. "This is a petition to make me a noblewoman."

Varian leant on the table by one hand. "Yes. Nothing major, merely a marchioness, but I am formally bequeathing you a title that isn't bloody 'Mistress'."

She grimaced so deeply she was sure her face would never recover. "I'll be a 'Lady' instead."

Varian was fighting to keep his temper in check, she could see it on his face. "Why does that bother you so much?"

Val pinched the bridge of her nose. "Because it goes against every moral fiber in my body. I don't want to be clumped with the rest of those brown nosing idiots! Everyone knows me as Val, not 'Milady', and I want to keep it that way!"

Varian snatched the petition from the box, clenching it in one fist. "We'll be more accepted if you're not just seen as a commoner Val, don't you understand? A noble mistress is better than a common one, I hate the fact that the world works that way but it's just the way it is, now stop fighting me, sign it and be done with it!"

He put it down, taking her shoulders. "It will make our lives ten times easier and changes nothing, I promise."

Val sighed, knowing he wasn't going to budge on this. "And what exactly does a 'marchioness' do?"

Varian gave her a small smile. "You'll delegate everything that has to do with your designated town, in this case, Lakeshire, but it's mostly sideline work. If they have problems I can fix, you bring them to me, and you attend council as a representative."

She looked absolutely horrified at the thought. "That sounds like torture."

She shifted on both feet, really thinking this through. "I suppose it does mean we can work together on more things to do with the Kingdom."

Varian gave her a small smile. "Yes, and whatever you say will actually be taken into account, not just tossed aside as 'commoner drabble'."

She still looked angry at him, looking up through her eyelashes. "I'm sure I told you I didn't want anything this year."

Varian huffed, stepping closer to her know he was sure she wasn't genuinely furious at him. "Just sign the damn parchment Val so we can get on with our evening."

She sighed, holding out her hand and having to give Lee credit for putting a quill in it in what seemed like two seconds. She let Varian roll out the paper and she scribbled her signature at the bottom, throwing the quill down after.

"There. Happy now?"

He kissed her cheek, making her smile despite herself. "Immensely. But I apologise for this."

She somehow knew what he was going to say and tried to stay calm as he took a small, silver chain of office that thankfully to anyone else would look like a necklace from the second box Lee was holding, one dotted with rubies and pearls that she knew were worth more than anything she owned.

"By my right as King of Stormwind, I dub you Valerica Glenmore, marchionessof New Lakeshire. You'll be henceforth known as Lady Glenmore, and enjoy all the pleasures that come with the role."

He started sputtering at her dirty look. "Stop looking at me like that, it's procedure."

She ran a finger over the chain with a curled lip. "Do I have to wear this all the time?"

Varian shook his head. "No, only for formal occasions."

She visibly relaxed, taking it off instantly and only making him laugh more.

"Alright then, now that's over, come here!"

She couldn't help her yelp as he swept her up into a tight, hearty embrace, squeezing her tight enough to make her more than certain of her ribs hurting in the morning. "Put me down you bloody oaf!"

He did just that, catching her in a kiss and making a dopey smile spread across her face, melting any resentment of her new title away and replacing it with grateful warmth at how they'd both managed to get out of what was by all accounts a fierce battle relatively unscathed.

A cleared throat made them remember that they weren't alone and while her cheeks went an interesting shade of pink, Varian merely stood straighter. "Lee, go and tell the others we'll be there presently, I need to brief Lady Glenmore on the situation as it stands."

Thankfully the squire got the hint and with a quick bow, left them to it, only making Val's nervous laughter louder. "Well then, that was awkward."

Varian didn't look as if he agreed, passing her wine to her and clinking their goblets, getting a good look at her slightly battered form. "I'm sure he won't be scarred by one little kiss Val, don't worry too much about it."

His smile dropped a little. "Apologies for starting off our night a little bitter, but it was the only way I could think of making our lives easier."

Val shrugged, slumping down onto one of his armchairs and putting her feet on his thighs when he joined her. "As much as it was a surprise, I can understand why you did it. I suppose I just never saw myself as a 'Lady'."

She snorted, lifting her foot so he could pull her boots off. "Considering there isn't even a Lakeshire to run yet, I have nothing to worry about for now."

Varian patted the sole of the foot he was holding, putting it back down. "That's my girl. You'll be fine, don't worry about it all. Just look at it this way, would you prefer 'Lady Glenmore' or 'Mistress'?"

Val knew what he meant and couldn't help but agree. "True."

Her brow furrowed as she jabbed a thumb behind her. "Who's waiting for you?"

Varian straightened, taking a long swig of his wine. "I'm to dine with the other leaders to celebrate our victory. You don'thaveto come with me but it would be much appreciated."

Val's nose wrinkled. "Where?"

"Lordaeron Keep. We'll be staying overnight and coming back tomorrow."

He could see she was tempted, tapping her bent knee. "It would be nice to finally sleep in a bed. There's only so much of sleeping on the ground I can take."

Varian's smile began to grow. "So is that a yes?"

She sat up to keep herself awake, giving him the nod he was clearly looking for. "Aye, it is."

Varian rose, lightly clapping her shoulder as he passed her and heaving a package from his trunk.

"What's that?" He swallowed, patting the brown paper. "Call it birthday present number two. It's nothing too over the top, but I think the King's Lady should look the part."

She slid in front of him, smiling at the small kisses on her head that he gladly gave her as she tore it open, pulling the emerald green gown out and giving him quite the look of disapproval. "While I'm very grateful, this is still too much Varian."

His grip on her shoulders was firm enough to tell her that he was being serious, but light enough not to be aggressive about it. "No, it's not. It's just right for a woman like you."

She cocked an eyebrow and turned, folding her arms. "And what is that supposed me mean, 'a woman like me'?"

Varian bent down and once again pulled back from their kiss much to early for her liking. "A woman who deserves the world and more. Think about it Val, after everything, don't you think you're entitled to a little bit of spoiling?"

She shook her head, just as he had expected her to. "Not in the slightest."

She reached back and picked up the dress. "I'll wear this, but only because I don't want it to be a waste of your gold, understand?"

She had no choice but to laugh at his salute, swatting him with the garment and feeling no qualms about stripping off, slinging her clothes over the back of her armchair.

"Sweet Light, how many bloody arrows hit you woman?"

In all honesty she'd forgotten all about her healed wounds, regretting not telling him outright. "Ah, only a couple. Nothing major happened though."

He lifted her arm before she could pull the dress on, kissing it tenderly after inspecting it. "I should've known better than to think you'd come away in one piece."

She got dressed, letting him tie it at the back and fluffing her hair. "You're faith in me is so touching Varian."

He didn't look as amused as she sounded once she turned around. "Considering this was your first battle, you got lucky this time. It'll only get worse from now on, you do realise that don't you?"

Val sighed, fiddling with the cuffs of her sleeves. "Varian…"

He only got angrier, watching her intently as she crossed to inspect herself. "No, no 'Varian'. Doomhammer will only further his assault now we've shown him we can hold our own, and will probably bring more than just a few giants next time. I'd sleep alot better at night if you weren't there when he snaps and send everything he has."

He regretted saying this the second it left his lips yet he did it anyway. "I want you to go home. Tonight."

Val's eyebrow rose and her jaw tightened. "And where exactly would 'home' be? Lordaeron Keep?"

Varian gave her the respect of holding her gaze. "Yes."

She huffed, trying not to get too angry when she knew he was doing this out of worry. "That's not home. Stormwind is home, and that's exactly where I intend to go next, so really, I'll be listening to you."

His shoulders tensed. "Don't get smart with me. I won't be coming to Stormwind, you know that, and I will not sit here like a lost child wondering if I'll ever see you again Val! I won't do it again."

He faltered, realising that he was becoming too overwhelmed by his emotions and that she had guessed in a millisecond why he was so insistent. "I….Ican'tdo that again. Four days was torturous enough, don't make me do it for months."

While she was sympathetic, she wasn't going to bow her head and comply so easily. "I've done it with you enough times Varian, what makes this one any different?"

Varian inhaled slowly. "You're stronger than I am when it comes to emotion Val. Your head's screwed on better, I lose mine too easily."

The only noise was the dew covered grass crunching under his boots, and Val tried not to lose whatever nerve she had left when his hand covered her cheek. "I know I'm wasting my breath."

She nodded with a smile that was so small her lips barely moved. "Aye, you are. I'll be alright Varian, you just have to trust me."

Varian's brows drew in and his hand slid down to her chin, lifting her head. "I never said I didn't. But this battle wasn't exactly smooth sailing, we were caught off guard, and there's no telling what Doomhammer has waiting in Stormwind for you-"

Her kiss cut him off, but that didn't stop his frown once she lowered herself again. "Varian, it's not like I'm the only person going, I'll have the others with me and we have each other's backs. Stop your fussing, get dressed, and come with me to spend one night together without worrying about this damn war."

Varian's eyes narrowed and he tightened his grip on her hand as she stepped back. "You can't just play this off like a jolly jaunt Val."

She screwed her face up for just a moment, squeezing his hand enough to tell him all she needed to. "I can if it helps me forget how bloody scared I am. I keep wondering what the hells we're going to find once we get there, or whether I'll find Lu-"

She stopped, yanking her hand away. "Can we just plead ignorance for one day and accept that we're both terrified?"

He could see utter sorrow in her brown eyes, so against everything he nodded, opening his arms and letting her nestle in them, feeling his cheek on your head. "Just tell me you'll be smart about this and I'll be semi-content."

She closed her eyes, not really wanting to move. "I can do my best, that's all I can promise."

He kissed her forehead, her temples, the crown, every part of her head that he could reach, burying his nose in her hair and trying not to get angry at her when really, she didn't deserve it.

"I'll take that."

He cleared his throat, remembering that they were expected rather promptly. "Come, we shouldn't keep the others waiting much longer."

Val nodded, lingering too long on his forearms as they separated. "No, we shouldn't. Alone time afterwards though, yes?"

Varian's brow furrowed in thought for a minute and eventually his face broke into a grin. "Yes, and I know exactly what to do with it."

"I thought I said I wasn't planning on sleeping in a tent tonight?"

Varian chuckled at her tenth complaint, stoking the small campfire he'd managed to light despite the gentlewind that had picked up around Brightwater Lake, rubbing his hands and finally looking up at her.

"We don't have to stay here Sweetheart, there's a perfectly good Keep waiting for you if you want it."

Val shook her head despite the goosepimples on her arms begging her to say 'yes'. "No, it's quiet out here…I haven't had alot of quiet lately."

She secured the last tie of the tent they'd brought with them and made sure it was stable before unrolling the oversized bedroll inside it.

"I know what you mean. You can hardly hear yourself think in a barracks, can you?"

Val murmured an agreement, opening the satchel sitting by the 'doorway', taking out two goblets with a bottle and sitting next to him. "Especially with Carson snoring and Arin talking in his sleep, it's a miracle If I drift off at all."

His brow furrowed as he let her pour him an ale. "I can arrange for your own quarters if you like?"

Her face answered him better than her mouth ever could and he put both hands up. "Alright, no quarters, understood."

She put her head on his shoulder, watching the fireflies that had started to hover above the water in front of them. "I don't want special treatment, I've told you that from the minute we started courting Varian."

He kissed her head, enjoying the quiet atmosphere as much as she was. "I know, but you can't blame a man for trying."

He kissed her cheek this time. "You'd have to be a fool to not want to spoil you a little."

Val's nose wrinkled as she took another sip of her drink. "You spoil me enough thank you."

Varian's eyebrow rose. "Do I? Since bloody when?"

Val nudged her head towards the water, holding onto his arm. "Well think about it, how many infantryman get this on their birthday? Camping by the lake with the King of Stormwind…not exactly beer by the fire and stuffy bedrolls, is it?"

Varian clearly disagreed with her reasoning. "Yes, but you're not just any 'infantryman', are you? You're the woman I love for Light sake."

There was a comfortable, momentary silence as the two of them took advantage of the peace that they'd quite honestly forgotten had existed for a while.

"We never did get that house by the lake."

Varian tried to ignore the pang of sadness in her voice and mustered up a small smile. "It's probably for the best. If we had it, I doubt we'd ever leave."

Val leant into him, closing her eyes. "Thinking about it now, it sounded a bit fanciful, didn't it?"

Varian slowly slid his arm away and put it over her shoulders instead. "Everyone's allowed to have dreams Val."

She sighed, linking her fingers with his. "I wouldn't know anymore, all I have is nightmares."

She softly chuckled before he could speak, looking at her lap. "Punched poor Hemming in the face when he woke me up the other week, I spent all day apologising."

Varian's squeeze didn't reassure her in the slightest. "You should've come to me."

Val shook her head, straightening her legs. "No, there's nothing you can do so I think I've just got to get on with it."

She unlatched their hands, stood up and started pulling her breeches down, only making him laugh more.

"Bit nippy for that, isn't it?"

She didn't care, she was already halfway down to the water, sucking in a breath when her bare legs touched the less than tepid lake. "It's still better than the muck I've been wading through every day. Are you joining me or what?"

He snorted, leaning back on an elbow and swigging from the bottle this time. "Light, you must be joking. You can catch a cold, I'm perfectly fine here thank you."

She flung her shirt at him, only making him angrier. "Val, you could have at least bought bathers with you. You're going to freeze!"

Val shrugged, finally finding the courage to walk out further, semi- confident that there wasn't anyone else here to see her bare as the day she was born. "I don't have any! Why the fuck would I have 'bathers' Varian? Do I look like someone who would own 'bathers'?"

He laughed too loudly and crudely at her verbal vomit, shaking the bottle and realising too late that it had been practically emptied…and when that was put by how many beers Magni had shoved down their throats during dinner, he was starting to piece together why he was finding it so funny when really, it was anything but.

If there was one thing he took seriously it was Val's health, and he wouldn't risk her going to Stormwind with the flu and handicapping herself, he would never forgive himself for it.

"Come now woman, you've had your fun."

Light blind him, she was lying in it now. He scrambled up, regaining his footing and hopping like a newborn deer on one leg in a vain attempt to pull his boot off.

"Varian, what are you doing?"

Varian managed it, tossing it in front of the tent. "Rescuing you, what's it look like?"

She brought her top half up so she was merely bobbing, showing him how idiotic he'd been in thinking too long and giving her the chance to go out deeper. "I don't need rescuing you idiot, give over."

She slicked her hair back, giggling to herself as she watched him stomp into the water with the grace of a hippo on bloodthistle, forgetting he still had his clothes on and she was more than sure he'd also forgotten to bring spares, making it an unfortunate situation for the King indeed.

"We don't know what the hells is in this lake Val, and I'm not risking your arse getting bitten."

Val chuckled again, catching him as he all but fell next to her, scraping his own wet locks back and hanging onto him. "Varian, if there's any chance of something biting my arse tonight, I can guarantee he's standing right in front of me."

He grunted, reaching under the surprisingly clear water and wrapping her legs around him just so he was sure she wouldn't float away anytime soon. "I've never bitten your backside, stop making shit up."

Val started laughing to herself again, gaining his attention. "What's so funny?"

She took her legs away and pushed back a little, keeping hold of his hands. "Do you remember that game we used to play? The one where I was the siren and you had to find me?"

Varian snorted, pulling her back to him. "We haven't played that in years."

He cupped her cheek, running his thumb over it. "We used to have such fun, didn't we? I'm sorry we don't do that much anymore."

Val's brows drew in. "What, play?"

He frowned, finally letting her free float. "No, have fun. I feel like we've barely had any proper 'free time' since we got back together."

Val let the water push through her fingers as she bobbed, well aware that while she was a goodfloater, she was not a strongswimmer.

She could hold her own, but it made her feel alot better knowing he was within arm's reach in case Light forbid she did need rescuing.

"We'll have plenty of it once the war is over."

His face didn't fill her with optimism. "Will we? I'll have a million and one things to do concerning Stormwind, you'll be-"

She reached out for his hands and he helpfully pulled her to him without prompting. "-I'll be right there with you. Both Tiffin and I are here to help Varian, you know that."

He was determined to keep the mood relatively light despite being the idiot to turn the conversation sour, so holding on to her hands as much as his strength would allow without leaving a mark he swung her in lazy circles, making patterns on the lake top and making her smile, which was all he ever really wanted in life.

"Oh I'm not sure that's a good idea Sweetheart, I have enough on my plate, the last thing I need is you two nagging me left and right."

And there was the offended gasp he had expected and the abrupt separation of the two of them, giving her both hands to fling the top most layer of freezing water onto him, pricking his skin with tiny needles of cold.

"Was it something I said?"

Val hated herself for laughing, splashing him again for good measure. "I don't nag."

Varian started snickering, earning another spray. "You have to admit you do sometimes Sweetheart."

She pouted, paddling around him. "Only when you don't listen to me. You're a stubborn arsehole most of the time Varian, so it takes about five tries to get you to finally take notice."

Varian caught her, feeling the chill on her skin and holding her close in a stupid attempt to warm her despite how sodden he was. "You're just as stubborn as me woman, don't even lie."

Val tilted her head up, strangely enjoying the taste of water and ale on his lips as he of course took the hint and kissed her, holding her tighter and moving onto her cheeks. "I love you."

Val grinned, sloppily attempting to outmatch the amount of kisses he was giving hers by peppering his chin with them. "I love you too."

His fingers travelled over her scars like they were the ribbons of a corset, something beautiful instead of a blemish, it was such a wonderful feeling that she could do nothing but bury her face in his chest and quiver.

"Come, let's get you warm."

She gave him a wobbly smile. "I'm not cold."

He could do nothing but match her smile. "Oh?"

She made a small noise, putting her head back on his chest. "Well, maybe a little bit, but it's mostly because I'm finally content."

Varian stroked her shoulders with both palms, feeling his face completely relax. "Now there's something I didn't expect to hear you say tonight."

Val wrinkled her nose, holding his arms. "Well, I don't regret saying it. Think about Varian, after everything- us separating, losing Dad, Stormwind, Lucian…we're still here, Stormwind is on the brink of being home again…it feels right. I just feel like I know what I'm doing again."

Varian kissed her forehead, putting his forehead on hers. "I amsoglad to hear that. It killed me, seeing you so lost."

Val patted his chest, winding a leg around his as they merely floated in place, content with just holding each other. "I was never reallylost. I had you to be my guiding voice."

Varian chuckled, twisting a slowly curling lock of hair around his fingertips. "Fat load of good I was. I don't remember once telling you to 'join the army, risk your neck and give me grey hairs'."

Val snickered in that wicked way of hers that he loved so much. "Oi, I said you were a guide, I never said I listened, that was all on me."

She reached up, plucking one of his hairs out and ignoring his wince as she did so. "And from the looks of things you haven't got any greys, so you can stop exaggerating anytime you like."

Varian scoffed, finally letting her go so he didn't end up crushing her. "On the contrary, I'm starting to look like Khadgar more by the day."

Val rolled her eyes, as he had half expecting her to do. "Varian, don't make light of what happened to him."

Varian put both hands up in surrender. "I was doing no such thing. If he's allowed to handle it with humour, why can't I?"

She started swimming away from him, which he honestly had no problems with until she swore loudly and stopped, going under for a brief second and sending a shot of raw panic through him.

He bolted forward, catching her arms and bringing her back up, holding her far too tightly but not caring. "What is it, what's happened?"

The urgency was too obvious in his voice, he sounded like he was an annoyed mother more than a concerned partner and somehow he had the feeling Val had noticed at the same time he had.

She gave him a smile despite the sting travelling up her leg, managing to awkwardly bring her ankle to the surface. "Must have hit a rock or something. Honestly Varian, I'm fine."

'Fine' was not the word Varian would have used to describe the rather thick dribble of blood coming from the limb, and with a loud, long, exasperated sigh he swept her up, knowing she was in pain when she didn't object, obediently holding onto him as somehow he carried her to shore, plonking her next to the fire and lifting her foot, patting the sole when he determined that it wasn't about to drop off.

"What the hells am I going to do with you woman?"

Val lightly kicked at him, inspecting the 'damage' herself and merely reaching for her discarded tunic, pressing it against it and only managing to hiss a little. "If I say 'love me' will I get my wish?"

Varian heaved himself up, taking his cloak from one of the horses they'd tied nearby (Argo and Ebony had been left at the camp) and putting it on her shoulders despite her protests, not comfortable at all with how exposed she was in every sense of the word.

Not because he was embarrassed, not at all, quite the opposite in fact, but his sense of dread, the one that followed him like a bad smell nowadays, had made him paranoid enough to wonder if there were those in the trees waiting with bows and guns to take them out at a moment's notice.

He also knew a cloak wouldn't exactly do much to protect her, but it was marginally better than just having one hundred percent of her skin exposed, and that was the story he was sticking with come hells or high water.

"Varian, I'm not even cold."

Varian ignored her, tying the tunic for her when she clearly found it difficult.

"Don't act like you're not listening to me."

He did just that, earning a sharp swat upside the head for his efforts and finally looking back up at her. "Did you really have to hit me?"

Val leant back on both elbows with a grin. "Got your attention, didn't it?"

Varian rubbed both hands together, wanting to shed his dripping clothes but deciding against it, merely hoping they dried out relatively soon and staying by the fire to help them along. "You don't need to resort to violence to get my attention Val."

She knew it was considered rather wanton to do so but she couldn't resist sticking her chest out a little.

"Teasing imp."

She grinned, only widening it with the kiss he planted on her head.

"I'm almost regretting coming here."

Val's eyebrow rose as she accepted his offer and snuggled under his armpit, glad that they'd found a fell tree to use as a seat so she could lean back against it. "How come?"

Varian grimaced, resting his cheek on the crown of her head. "Because it means tomorrow will be more bittersweet."

Val pecked his cheek, getting up and offering both of her hands, draping her arms around his neck once he stood and barely pulling him back, smiling at how he fell into step with her regardless.

"We still have tonight."

Varian kissed her, keeping hold of her hips as she backed herself into the tent. He didn't even need to turn his head as he reached behind him and unlatched the flap, letting it hit the floor with a thump at the same time his cloak did.