Chapter Text
- “I have to leave.”
Alleria gathered her things. Her heart heavy, but she knew she couldn’t stay in Wyrmrest forever. Duty called and she was needed on the front lines.
She smiled, stopping what she was doing when she felt arms circle her middle and a warm body press against her back. The elf heard a barely audible purring, and the body pressed closer.
“I wish you could stay.” Alexstrasza said, her chin resting on Alleria’s shoulder.
“I know. But I have to leave.” Alleria sighed, turning and cradling the dragon’s face. “I’m being summoned, my Queen. I cannot not answer.”
“Let me dream and be a little selfish for once, my love.”
“I’ll return to you as soon as I possibly can.” Alleria said, leaning her forehead against Alexstrasza's.
“Just return to me with your bow on your back and not on your chest.”
- “Go to bed.”
Jaina's eyes barely stayed open as she continued to try and make sense of the ancient runes before her. She was close to the breakthrough. Just a bit more and she would-
“I knew you’d still be here.” The familiar echo of the Banshee’s voice tore Jaina’s half-conscious mind from the blasted scroll. A moan tore out of her throat next as deft hands started massaging her shoulders. “Go to bed, Jaina. It’s late.”
Jaina just moaned in response, leaning further into the touch. “I’m almost finished.”
“You said the same thing when I brought you dinner.” Sylvanas hummed, moving to rub at the human’s neck. “And that was hours ago. Go to bed.”
Jaina huffed and leaned her head back, looking at Sylvanas. The look she was given said that the Warchief wasn’t in the mood for compromises. So, with a heavy sigh and the most petulant and — she hoped — cutest pout, Jaina said:
“Carry me to bed?”
Jaina mustered all her willpower to not laugh at the indignant look Sylvanas gave her.
She half expected her to huff, tell her how she’s still, in some cases, feared and well respected Warchief of the Horde, The Banshee Queen, Dark Lady of the Forsaken and it was below her to carry someone — even her own wife — through the Keep where people could see.
Instead, Sylvanas sighed, pushed the chair — with Jaina still in it — away from the desk before leaning down and scooping the mage into her arms with ease.
Jaina couldn’t help the delighted noise at being held in the strong arms of her wife as she was carried off into their quarters.
“Not a word about this.”
Jaina smiled, kissing the underside of Sylvanas’ jaw.
“Of course, dear.”
- “I need advice.”
“Lady Sun?” Alleria looked over her shoulder from where she was brushing her horse.
“Ah, Lady Moon.” She smiled, patting her stallion and tossing the brush onto the bench. She walked over to Sylvanas, who stood at the entrance of their home’s stable. “You wanted something?”
“I… need advice.” Sylvanas mumbled, scratching the back of her neck.
Alleria cocked her head to the side, surprised by her sister’s… unsure demeanor.
“What did you do?” Belore, she hopped she didn’t screw up too bad. Because one, why wasn’t she invited and two, mother was going to probably kill her.
“Nothing!” Sylvanas exclaimed, her ears pinned back and her cheeks red. “It’s… um… well… Women related advice…”
Both Alleria's eyebrows and ears shot up in surprise and a wide smile spread on her lips. She pulled Sylvanas into her side, arm around her shoulders.
“My-my, Sylvanas! Have someone picked your interest?”
“Well… I mean… Yes. I just… She’s a good friend and I…” Sylvanas looked up at Alleria, her ears pinned back and her look unsure. “How can I tell that she’s interested in me? As in more than a friend?”
Alleria smiled, pulling Sylvanas closer. “Have you tried asking her?”
Sylvanas huffed. “Well, if it was that easy-”
“It is that easy, Lady Moon.” Alleria put both hands on Sylvanas’ shoulders, turning to face her. “Take this from someone who could have made everything easy earlier on, instead of driving myself crazy with guesses.”
“But what if she rejects me?”
Alleria cupped Sylvanas’ face, smiling at her sister. “I know that it will hurt if that’s the case; but at the very least, you will rest easier, knowing the answer. And who knows. It might be the answer you’re hoping for.”
Sylvanas nodded, pulling Alleria in a hug. “Thank you, Lady Sun.”
“You’re always welcomed.”
Five days later, Alleria was gathering her things, ready to return to Wyrmrest when Sylvanas burst into her room, smiling widely, the tips of her ears twitching in glee.
“Let me guess, you had nothing to worry about.”
Alleria laughed, catching Sylvanas in her arms, as her sister jumped at her, hugging her tightly.
“I shouldn’t have doubt you. You did manage to somehow marry the Life-Binder herself.”
“Alright, you little shit,” Sylvanas laugh as she was dropped onto the pile of pillows and blankets in the corner. “Sisterly bonding is over. Go into the corner of shame.”
- “It’ll be fun.”
“It’ll be fun, she said. Nothing bad will come out of it, she said.”
“Can you not?”
“Why did I listen to you?”
“Because you’re my sister and you love me?”
“Belore, am I stupid then.”
The door opened and both Sylvanas and Vereesa jumped, heads whipping to see who it was. Their ears pinned back in unison and they shrunk in on themselves.
“Minn’da is not pleased.” Alleria said, leaning against the doorframe of Sylvanas’ room, arms crossed over her chest, not looking amused. Both her younger sisters looked down, not daring to meet her eyes. Alleria just stared at them for a moment before a smile broke her stoic expression. “It was funny, though.”
Sylvanas and Vereesa immediately perked up, the youngest of the Windrunners breaking in the fit of giggles and Sylvanas grinned widely.
“You should have seen Kael’thas’ face!”
“I really wish I did.”
- “I don’t want to talk to you.”
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
Was all Jaina told her, before slamming the door into Sylvanas’ face.
The Warchief stared at it in confusion for a second, before trying and entering the room, to figure out what she did that time. Only to find the door locked. And when she tried to use her banshee form to enter through the cracks, she found a ward blocking her off.
So, with a huff, she turned and walked away, deciding that her wife needed to cool off before actually telling her what she did wrong and not behaving like a child.
Did she forget something? She honest to Belore couldn’t remember.
So, resigning to her fate, she went into her study to brood and deal with some documents while she was there.
Which is where Lor’themar found her a couple of hours later.
“Warchief?”
“Regent Lord.”
“What are you doing here?” He walked closer to the desk, peering at the amount of papers there.
“What does it look like I’m doing?”
He frowned, confused. “Is Lady Proudmoore preparing something for you?”
Sylvanas looked up at him, one brow arched. “What?”
“A special evening of sorts?”
“Why would she?”
Lor’themar’s ears shot up and his eye went wide as he stared at Sylvanas with unabashed shock.
“Warchief- Sylvanas, do you remember what day is it today?”
“I’m aware what date today is, Lor’themar, yes.”
“Are you?”
There was a moment of silence as Sylvanas still stared at him with a blank expression.
“Anar’alah Belore, no wonder you’re sitting here working on documents.” He groaned, palm rubbing his face tiredly. “Did you forget that today is the day you and Lady Proudmoore got married? Exactly a year ago?”
Sylvanas quill fell from her fingers as she stared at the piece of parchment before her, her mind whirling wildly, putting everything that happened earlier that day together.
“With all due respect, Warchief, but you’re an absolute idiot.”
- “You need help.”
“You need help, Lady Windrunner.”
Alleria turned, looking at Afrasastrasz as she leaned heavily on her spear, one hand going around her middle. The throbbing of her broken ribs and the cuts and an arrowhead in her thigh were maddening, yet she managed to smile at him.
“I’m alright, Afrasastrasz. I’ll find a healer on my own.”
He smiled at her warmly in return, taking a step closer. “There’s no shame in asking for help, Lady Alleria.”
The ranger looked at him for a moment before sighing heavily and nodding, lifting her arm so she could lean onto him. “Fine.” The man smiled, walking over and pulling Alleria's arm over his shoulders, his other hand settling on her hip for more support. “Just don’t tell Alexstrasza I was difficult about it.”
“I would never.”
- “I’m on my way.”
Sylvanas hissed as Liadrin applied the last of the stitches before bandaging her midriff. “There. Don’t overdo it and you’ll be alright.”
With a nod, the ranger left the healers’ tent, stumbling to the nearest empty fire and sitting heavily on the log.
The battle was won and they were finally going to return home. Those were difficult seven months, but for now, Sylvanas was happy to still be alive and breathing, even if her whole body ached beyond words.
With a smile, she tugged on a simple leather string around her neck, revealing a simple wooden necklace with runes carved into it. She was sure saved her life a few times on the battlefield. Jaina did say that those were protection runes.
She brought the necklace closer, pressing her lips against the warm wood. “I’m on my way, Dalah'surfal. I’m coming home.”
- “You seem upset.”
“You seem upset, mother.” Alexstrasza looked up from the book she was staring at for the past hour or so. A warm smile spread on her lips and she patted a spot next to her, inviting her child to sit.
“’Upset’ isn’t exactly the word I would use.” She said, brushing her fingers through the silky blonde hair of her son. “Today is a day of your mother and I’s anniversary.” Alexstrasza cupped his cheek, eyes skipping of her son’s face. “You look so much like her, Aratostrasz.”
He smiled, leaning into his mother’s touch.
It’d been twenty years and Alleria still haven’t returned from Argus. Alexstrasza was ready to accept the worst, even if her heart would ache for the rest of her days. She tried to console the pain with the fact that Alleria gifted her such a beautiful son. A hope for all dragonflights’ future.
Alleria wanted to name their child Arator if it was going to be a boy. Aratostrasz for his dragon name. And Titans, he was growing into such a fine man. Kind and smart and brave, just like his mother.
Tears pricked at Alexstrasza's eyes. She just wished Alleria had a chance of meeting him, of getting to hold him in her arms.
Both jumped as the door to the library was slammed opened and a panting Xerestrasza stood in the doorway. Alexstrasza frowned, getting up from her seat along with Arator.
“My child, what-”
“They are back.”
“Who?”
“The expedition.” Alexstrasza's heart skipped a whole beat and she felt her hands shaking, her knees going weak. “They’ve won, mother. They are back. And Alleria is among them. Alive.”
- “I’m trying my best.”
Vereesa huffed as she stared at the target and the arrow… that was stuck in a tree behind it.
“I’m trying my best.” She mumbled, eyes lowered to the ground.
Sylvanas smiled, ruffling her hair. “I know, Little Moon, and you’re doing a lot better than most Rangers in the Academy.”
“I just want to be as good as you and Lady Sun.”
“You can.” Sylvanas said, pulling Vereesa into her side. “With hard work and dedication, you can be an amazing archer.”
“As good as you?”
“Better than me.”
“Even better than Lady Sun?”
“No one can be better than her. All her skills are witchcraft and she’d sold her soul to demons to be that good.”
“Hey! I heard that!”
Vereesa couldn’t help but giggle at her sisters’ antics.
- “This doesn’t feel safe.”
“This doesn’t feel safe.” Jaina said, her voice trembling slightly as she held onto the saddle for dear life. The dragonhawk under her moved and she squeaked, fumbling until she felt a strong arm going around her waist and a solid body press against her back.
“Don’t worry, Dalah'surfal,” Sylvanas said, her breath ghosting over Jaina's ear, making the human shudder, this time, with delight. “I’m not going to let you fall.” Jaina nodded, watching as Sylvanas deftly tugged on the reigns, turning the enormous beast. “Are you ready?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Jaina's scream, as they soared into the sky, quickly turned into laughter full of excitement as she watched the ground beneath them disappear as they swept through clouds.
- “I have good news.”
Alleria sat at the sofa in her and Alexstrasza's quarters, sorting through all the mail and reports she’d received that morning.
The fire blazed in the hearth and her stomach was full with dinner.
Her ear twitched when she heard the door open and close. She smiled at her wife’s footsteps approaching her and a moment later she felt warm hands on her shoulders and a kiss pressed to the top of her head.
“I have good news, beloved.” Alexstrasza whispered before walking around and settling next to Alleria on the sofa.
“Do you now?” Alleria smiled, not taking her eyes from the parchment. She wanted to finish everything so she could spend the rest of the evening with Alexstrasza without worrying about anything.
The Life-Binder didn’t say anything, only taking Alleria's hand and guiding it to her stomach, pressing her warm calloused palm against the smooth skin.
Alleria froze, her eyes first looking at her own hand then at her wife’s face. Alexstrasza was smiling, her eyes misted with tears.
“Are y… You… Really?”
“Yes, beloved. Really. I’m with child.”
- “Listen to me.”
Sylvanas panted heavily, pressing her back against the wall of the trench, her hands were shaking as she gripped her bow and an arrow, her eyes wide and unblinking, staring into the space. There were yells and roars and clash of metal on metal.
Gods help them. There was so much death, so much blood.
And what was she doing among all of that?! A ranger fresh out of the Academy, green as one can get. She might have been a promising archer, but being out there, actually killing people? Her mind couldn’t grasp it.
“…Sylvanas!” She jumped, looking up and meeting eyes with Alleria. Sylvanas’ eyes darted over her sister’s face, covered in blood, cuts and bruises. “Hey-hey-hey. Listen to me. Listen to me! Focus on my voice!”
She nodded her head shakily, every fiber of her body focusing on her sister.
“I need you to listen to me and do as I ask, okay?”
Sylvanas nodded dumbly, staring at her sister, at her familiar features, afraid to look anywhere else and see all the blood again.
“Go back and find Liadrin! Tell her to send more shields out front! Can you do that for me?”
“Y-yes… yes.”
“Good. Go! I’ll cover you!”
Alleria watched Sylvanas dart back, where she knew her sister would be safer.
Gripping her bow with ferocity, she turned and started shooting. The council would hear it all from her for sending someone who had no previous experience into the outright slaughter. And all because their mother just gave birth to their little sister and wasn’t there to interject. To tell them that it’s not how they prepare their soldiers. Not like that.
Alleria shot another arrow, landing right into the middle of a troll’s forehead, imagining one of those pompous Counselors.
- “We can do this.”
“We believe in both of you!” Lireesa called as she closed the door.
Alleria and Sylvanas stared at each other, horrified.
Alleria looked down at little Vereesa in her arms, gulping heavily. How were they going to do it? Look after their little sister? It was going to be a disaster.
“Lady Sun?” Sylvanas mumbled, looking at her for some sort of guidance.
They both looked back down at Vereesa, who in turn, looked up at them giggling and reaching up for them.
Alleria chuckled, letting the toddler grab her finger.
“Worry not, Moon. We can do this. I’m sure.”
- “Something’s been bothering me.”
“Can I talk to you?”
Sylvanas rolled onto her stomach on Jaina's tiny twin bed, looking at the human with a warm smile.
“Of course.” The smile on her face disappeared when she saw the look on Jaina’s face. “Dalah'surfal?”
Jaina took in a deep breath, not daring to look at Sylvanas, staring intently at the scrolls and books laying at her desk. “Something… has been bothering me.”
Sylvanas almost tripped over herself, in her haste to get from the bed and over to her lover, kneeling next to Jaina, reaching up and cupping the human’s cheek. “What is it, my heart?”
Jaina sat silently for a moment, not knowing how to word it all properly.
“Why are you with me?” Sylvanas’ ears shot up in surprise.
“What?”
“You heard me.” Jaina said, finally turning and looking at the elf. “Alleria stepped down and now you’re the next in line to become Ranger General and I’m the third child in my family!” Jaina stood up, turning away and trying to hide the burning on tears. “The most prominent thing that I’m going to achieve is becoming an Archmage!” She turned back to Sylvanas, with tears streaming down her cheeks. “What good am I going to be for you?!”
“Jaina! Who planted these thoughts in your mind?!” The elf stood, taking a cautious step closer to Jaina, afraid to scare her off.
“It’s not important! Sylvanas-”
“You know what I haven’t been telling you?” She finally snapped, looking at Jaina right in the eyes. “How my mother and father keep pestering me when I’m going to propose to you!” Jaina just stared at her, mouth hanging open. “Vereesa and Alleria constantly ask when you’re going to visit and they already fight over who’s gonna stand by you at our ceremony!”
“What-”
“Father can’t wait to have you to live with me if only he can constantly ask for your thoughts on one magical matter or the other! And mother already has a selection of names for our supposed future children, for Belore’s sake!”
Jaina just stared at her. “Wha- Why have you never told me that before?”
“And put a burden on you? The expectation of you marrying me?” Sylvanas looked at her. “Jaina, I can care less for your titles. You can abandon everything and become a simple fisherman for all I care! But this feeling of belonging I have when I’m with you? How I yearn to be in your presence? Nothing will change that.”
Jaina's shoulders shook and she failed to muffle the sob as Sylvanas pulled her into her arms and pressed kisses to the top of the human’s head. “Still, Dalah'surfal, who planted those thoughts in your mind?”
“It’s not important.”
“Jaina.”
There was a moment of silence.
“Remember when Kirin Tor visited Silvermoon a few months ago?”
“Yes?”
“And how no one knows that my Thalassian is pretty good?”
“Yes.”
“So… Kael’thas might have been talking to some dignitaries and they were—”
“I’m going to commit treason tomorrow and will have no regrets about it.”
“Sylvanas!”
- “You’re adorable.”
Alleria grinned from ear to ear as she watched Sylvanas say goodbye to that human girl she was infatuated with for the past few months.
She watched as the human pulled her sister down, placing a kiss on her cheek. She had to gather all of her willpower to not laugh out loud as she watched Sylvanas’ ears shot up and the tips of them twitched rapidly, taking on a darker hew.
She was pretty sure that Sylvanas tripped over her words with whatever she was saying, if the human giggling was anything to go by.
The next moment the girl was gone through the portal and Sylvanas was left to stand there with a dreamy expression on her face.
Alleria waltzed over to her sister, a shit-eating grin on her face the whole time.
“You’re adorable!”
Alleria laughed as Sylvanas repeatedly slapped her, her sister’s face as red as their formal uniform.
- “I changed my mind.”
Sylvanas stood at the top of Icecrown Citadel, staring up at the torn-up sky, feeling like the weight had been lifted off of her chest for the first time in a long while.
She felt a shift of magic behind her, but didn’t turn. She knew that trace of arcane rather well.
“I changed my mind.” The voice was accompanied by the sound of boots walking through the snow.
“I can tell that.” Sylvanas turned and looked at Jaina, who stepped next to her, looking up at the sky as well.
“And you’ve actually done it.”
Sylvanas hummed, not taking her eyes away from Jaina. She was mighty curious about what the future was holding for them now.
- “Take your time.”
Sylvanas stared at Jaina, holding her hands and not being able to take her eyes away. Those bright blue eyes, the dazzling smile… that gorgeous dress that made tears sting her eyes.
“Sylvanas?” She blinked, turning and looking at Lor’themar. “Your vows?”
“Right. Of course. I’m sorry. I’m just…”
“Hey,” Jaina squeezed her hands, looking at Sylvanas with so much love and adoration that it left her dizzy. “Take your time, my heart. I’m in no hurry.”
Sylvanas hummed, nodding and taking a deep breath, not even trying to blink back the tears anymore.
“Jaina….”
- “I can’t hear you.”
Lireesa stared Alleria and Sylvanas down, as her daughters avoided her disapproving stare. Little Vereesa was snoozing peacefully against her shoulder.
“So?” Two pairs of ears pinned back and wilted. “What do you have to say for yourselves?”
Alleria and Sylvanas mumbled something under their noses, not daring to meet their mother’s eyes.
“I can’t hear you.”
“We’re sorry, minn’da.”
Lireesa took a deep breath, looking down at the two of them. With another sigh, a smile stretched her lips. She couldn’t stay mad at her girls. Especially when she was just like them.
That being said.
“No sweets for you two tonight.”
“Minn’da!”
- “Don’t be scared.”
Jaina stood, staring. Just… not knowing what to do. How to approach. Tears sting her eyes, her hands shaking.
“Are you scared, Lady Proudmoore?” Jaina thought she would be but she wasn’t. She just… she didn’t know how to react. The human took a few steps forward, towards the woman she thought dead and gone. Her shaking fingers reached up, touching cool, but familiar skin. The voice, echoey and cold, but so warm and close to her heart.
“Don’t be scared, Dalah'surfal.” Sylvanas whispered after a moment, her own voice trembling and ears low as she looked Jaina in the eyes. “I beg of you, of all the things in the world, don’t be afraid of me. ” She sank to her knees and pressed her face against Jaina’s stomach, who held her close, not daring to let go. Not again.
“Never, my heart.” Jaina whispered, tears hot against her cheeks. “Never.”
- “Your secret is safe with me.”
Alleria wanted to scream. She rubbed her face, as her sister and her lover sat on the bed, not daring to look at her.
“Of all people out there,” Alleria groaned in Thalassian, “why did it have to be the only daughter of Lord Admiral?!”
“It’s not like that!” Sylvanas protested, standing up, her ears set back defensively. “I care for her!”
“Does she know that?!” Jaina just sat there, eyes jumping from one elf to another.
“Of course she does!”
“Lady Alleria, please!” She couldn’t be a bystander anymore. And she couldn’t bare the thought of being the reason they were fighting. “I’ve asked Sylvanas to keep this between just the two of us!” She stepped between the two, looking up at the older sister. “My father has been protective ever since what happened with Arthas! And I wish to continue seeing Sylvanas without the rest of the world following our every move!”
Alleria looked between the two. Noticed how Jaina reach behind herself, finding Sylvanas’ hand without even looking.
“How serious are you about this?” She asked her sister in Thalassian again.
“Very serious.”
The way Sylvanas responded, the way she noticed her fingers intertwine with the human’s. Alleria sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“Your secret is safe with me.”
She couldn’t help the smile when she saw how happy the two got, how Sylvanas pulled Jaina into her and held her close.
“But the moment Lord Admiral finds out and tries to kill you, I’ll run.”