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Chapter Text

She didn't realize she was pregnant until a month later. All it took was a fainting spell in her office. As for her period, well that has left her the moment her stress levels were competing with her blood pressure. 

Jaina hadn't had a period in months so the continued absence of it wasn't anything to worry about. Sure she got sick for a few mornings but at this point, her poor health was just getting worse. Honestly, she had chalked everything up to stress. The tentative peace between the Alliance and the Horde was a thin line, frayed already and beyond its tension point. But it was working. Trade agreements were being made and skirmishes were few and far between. They even had a joint mission together that resolved peacefully and benefitted both factions. 

Now, she was wondering if it did end as quietly and uneventfully as it seemed. 

"I'm pregnant?" Jaina asked quietly, her fingers gripping the linen of the bed tightly. 

"Yes, from what I can tell at least a month." The healer looked at her kindly. "Your body is attempting to grow another being. All the stress must have triggered your fainting spell. My prescription for you is bed rest. You will also need to be taking prenatal potions and you will need to eat three meals a day. If you don't, I fear you may lose the baby. The first few months are the most dangerous, many pregnant women naturally miscarriage without knowing they were ever pregnant." 

At least the healer didn't ask who knocked her up. Jaina couldn't even remember the last time she had sex. This entire situation was throwing her for a loop.  She kept the confusion off her face as she listened to the healer detail exactly what she needed to do. A part of her mind drifted off as she tried to figure out how exactly this happened. Dalaran may have specialized in magic but she had a few sex education classes and she knew where babies came from. 

"Do you want to keep the child?" That brought Jaina out of her head entirely. "It is not too late to terminate." 

"I......" The thought didn't even occur to her. Then again, neither did the idea of being pregnant. "Why did you ask?" 

"You looked surprised." The healer said delicately. "But not horrified." 

The implication filled the room making a tense situation even more awkward. Jaina looked at her hands nervously. "I need some time. Will you please keep this to yourself? Until I am ready to make my decision?" She herself wasn't even sure how to react. "Please." 

"Of course. Patient confidentiality is very important." 

Two hours later, Jaina has nearly read every book on pregnancy, magical or otherwise. There was a surprising amount of books on pregnancy and a lot more about sex. There was a lot of books about sex. With graphic pictures. Educational but not exactly what she needed. What she didn't need was someone who knew her catch her red handed with books of a questionable nature. She didn't need Anduin to find her surrounded by the magical equivalent of sexual positions. She even took out a piece of parchment and began to write down everything she did a month ago to nail down what exactly happened. Most of her life consisted of meetings and some minor adventures. But there was that one joint adventure that ended in a spectacular cave collapse that nearly got some of them killed. 

Something happened. But what? It was a normal dungeon crawl with skeletons and demons and.....

"That stupid crystal." 

It suddenly dawned on Jaina that her inquisitive nature may have gotten her into trouble. She tore through her books until she found what she was looking for. Before the entire temple collapsed on itself, she had made charcoal imprints of the runes for future translation. The waxy paper was neatly flattened and preserved, shoved between a few tomes in the corner of her room. Once she found the right tome, she began to translate. 

It was a beautiful thing sitting atop a pedestal in the middle of the room, runes carved on the stone. She just had to touch it and pick it up which caused the room to collapse. Her magical stores were running low and as the rocks fell before her feet, Jaina wondered if she'd die, crushed to death. Then, Sylvanas Windrunner of all people grabbed her and saved her from plummeting to her doom as the ground fell away. Of course, it was all for naught as the crystal had cracked and shattered. 

The translation was incomplete but the gist of it could be extrapolated. It was a fertility temple dedicated to some God or Goddess. Helpful couples would touch the stone and pray for conception. It would seem that it worked but it had been years. There was no way that the object would hold any power, not without a power source or a deity. After they escaped, Jaina had stored the drawings away, and let the incident fade to distant memory. 

Jaina could still remember the chill of Syvlanas's hand gripping her arm. The Banshee had lost her gauntlet some hours ago. While her skin was softer than she imagined, her grip was like iron as the undead elf pulled Jaina to safety. The moment was over as quickly as it came and when the mission was over, they departed. The Horde went one way and the Alliance the other. 

Most of her interactions with the Forsaken leader had been cordial to a point, polite and diplomatic if not a bit tense. The woman was terrifying in person. But she wasn't the type to kill arbitrarily and for all that Jaina hated the Horde for, she knew that Vereesa's sister would never willingly harm Rhonin. Not when Jaina found an exhausted Vereesa in Sylvanas's lap, tucked close, red eyes flashing with murder. Thrall was a decent guy but it didn't surprise Jaina that Sylvanas was named Warchief. The Horde needed a military leader more so than a spiritual one. 

With that in mind, Jaina sent a missive and hoped, that Sylvanas would hear her out. She deserved a say in this as well. 

"Dark Lady." 

Sylvanas gave a nod of acknowledgment to the death knight as she entered the room, closing it behind her. She sat at her desk methodically going through her messages. It was much the same, letters about troop movements, prayers to the Dark Lady, logistical reports and one that was not as thick as the others. She pulled that one out of the stack and eyed it, flipping the letter over. As much as Nathanos might bitch and moan, Sylvanas enjoyed going through her messages by herself. It helped with making the day past faster. Sure she could have had someone help her but then, what else did she have to do? Peace was boring. 

Sure she was still building her forces and planning for the future and for future conflicts but it wasn't anything like the battle tempo of all-out war. As Ranger General, she was always at the front lines hunting down trolls. She would never sit behind a desk and be buried by paperwork. Yet, here she was, reading messages and thankful for it. 

With a quick cut of her knife, she opened the letter and quickly read the contents. It was very short. 

Can we meet? In private?

There was no name or crest but a very familiar arcane signature. "How fascinating." Like most elves, she could identify arcane and who it came from. Magic was unique to the user. Death may have taken many things from her but at least it didn't rob her of her senses. She would have made a poor Ranger if it did. She held the letter in her hand and sniffed it carefully, taking in more of the arcane signature and the soap that lingered. 

"Anya." 

A patch of darkness separated from the shadows. "My lady." 

"Get me the reports of all movements on Jaina Proudmoore." What was that clever mage thinking of? This would be a poor attempt at an assassination not like someone of Proudmoore's capabilities would need to do something so underhanded. She could just wipe Ogrimmar off the face of the world if she wanted to. It was a lot of power in such a fragile creature who was marching towards her own death at the speed of light. If left to her own devices she might die out of sheer stubbornness. 

"Yes, my lady." 

Sylvanas placed the letter down and looked at it contemplatively. Why would Jaina Proudmoore want to speak to her In private? Has she done anything to her? That she aware of? There were a lot of things going on, some she manufactured and some she did not. If left to their own devices, sometimes things unravel the way she wants and other times, she had to give it a nudge. Prince Kael'thas, may he rest in peace, would be rolling in his grave at the mere notion of Sylvanas Windrunner politicking. 

She drummed her fingers on her desk. Well, if this was a trap, she would have only one chance to kill the archmage. A single shot through the orbital socket, where it is weak, and the arrowhead should penetrate the brain. The only question is, was her fingers faster than thought?  It was something to wonder about. A wise Ranger-General once told her to greet everyone with a smile and a plan on how to kill them. 

Sylvanas penned her response underneath the question and watched, intrigued, as the letter vanished. A great mage indeed. 

Whatever Sylvanas was prepared for, it wasn't this. She had picked a spot that was neutral and out of the way, a place where there wouldn't be any random encounters. Jaina Proudmoore looked ill for a better lack of the word. There were dark circles under her eyes, her cheeks looked hallow and her skin was paler than normal. Despite this, she looked very determined and nervous, she was gripping her staff very tightly. 

"Why have you asked for this meeting?" 

"I wanted to speak to you first as you deserve to know." There was a bright glint in her blue eyes in spite of the exhaustion of her body. "I'm pregnant." 

This was not what she expected. At all. "And this concerns me how?" 

"I think it's yours. Either that or I will be having a very awkward series of conversations." Jaina swallowed. "I won't know until the pregnancy continues. But that is another matter entirely." She shifts on her feet, nervous, questioning. "Do you want to keep it?" 

At a loss for words, she could only parrot it back. "Do you?" 

The clearing was empty save for their words and the heaviness of the subject. Sylvanas wasn't sure what to think or feel. It felt as if her world had been turned inside out and she no longer knew what direction the sun was. 

"I don't know. I used to dream of being married and having children but those were the desires of a child. I don't even know if I'm even capable of raising a baby. I could barely take care of myself." The self-depreciation was thick in her words. "But, perhaps it is a sign of hope?" 

"The child would be of two different factions. If it is mine." The words brought back memories of a happier time. Of her baby brother and her little sister. "It wouldn't be unwanted. We will need to talk about parental rights and visitation." 

"Wait, what do you mean?" 

"We are not lovers. Or even friends. At best we are allies. A child will not magically make me like you Proudmoore." Sylvanas said flatly. "But I would not let a child suffer. I am sure we can negotiate." 

"Of course." For some reason, Jaina looked disappointed. What a strange creature. "I guess that's that then. I am sure we can work this out. Are you going to tell anyone?" 

"Who would I tell?" It wasn't as if she was on speaking terms with her sisters. Apparently sisters can't conduct a murder plan and remain on good terms "And you?" 

"I don't know. It's going to come out sooner or later once I begin to show. And then Anduin will start to ask questions and...." She trailed off with a frown directed at the Banshee Queen. "Why are you not curious as to how this happened?" 

"I am. It just not important right now. You are already looking into it and once you find out how this occurred I am sure you will tell me." It wasn't as if Proudmoore planned this. This was a terrible plan anyways. Nothing would be accomplished. There was literally nothing to be gained. "For now, my only concern is making sure that you will be able to conceive safely." 

"How kind of you." 

Jaina wasn't sure what to make of Sylvanas. She had taken the news rather well and was now focused on visitation rights. Visitation rights! As if this was just another part of the treaty to be negotiated. She was just so emotionless it was grating. She could feel herself getting irritated with each word that came out of the Banshee's mouth. 

She snapped. "Stop treating this like a transaction or some treaty. We are talking about a living person." 

"What would you call it then? How would you deal with it? This isn't a normal pregnancy or a normal child. Unless you decide to join the Horde, there is a very delicate political situation that will arise. It must be handled carefully." The worse thing was that she was making sense. In a terribly practical manner. The worst type. "The last thing either of us wants is a custody battle."

"You are right," Jaina said grudgingly. "But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Let's focus on what will happen now. We will continue as if nothing has happened. I will continue my research and make plans as to where I will live for the rest of the pregnancy. I might go back to Kul Tiras." 

"Kul Tiras?" 

"Our family has always been born by the ocean or on it. It's a bit of a tradition. As well as neutral." It might be the best option. "You are welcome to visit of course. If you want. " 

"I might." Sylvanas cocked her head as if hearing something before focusing on their conversation. "What of the Alliance? They will surely notice if you withdraw." 

"I'm going to take a sabbatical. I deserve it." Jaina couldn't remember the last time she had a vacation. Or had time to sit down and just rest. "As long as the Horde doesn't start a war, we'll be fine." 

"The Horde is as uninterested in a war as much as the Alliance is." Sylvanas said smoothly. "They are more invested in farming and getting ready for the winter than fighting." 

"And after winter and the harvest? What of the Forsaken?" 

The Warchief studied her before speaking. "The Forsaken only ever wanted peace." The shadow of the hood allowed only for the red dots of her eyes to be seen. "The living seem to share that sentiment. For now." 

Jaina's grip on her staff tighten minutely before nodding. "I feel like it might be best to keep our communications secret for now. Here." Jaina took out a stone from her pocket. "It can record messages and send them to my corresponding stone. It projects the message into the air. Just speak to the stone and it will record what you say." 

The Banshee Queen eyed her for a quick second before taking the stone. "Very well." 

The gauntleted hand was quite dexterous for all its sharp points and the stone vanished into a cloak. 

"Until next time." Jaina raised her hand to summon a portal. With a snap, the portal opened and she stepped through leaving the lone figure in the clearing, her burning eyes following her until the portal closed. Jaina found herself back in her private rooms, surrounded by her keepings. She sighed and bodily flopped down on her bed. The weight of her decision pressed against her skin as she stared at the ceiling. 

"Fuck." 

Chapter Text

Sylvanas studied the gem in her hand, toying with it, letting it slide, and wander between her fingers. The purple gem acted as a receiver and transmitter, able to communicate to an identical gem across the world. It would make troop movements much easier if she was able to have near-instant communications with the commanders on the battlefield itself without being there. It was a very nice trick, something that her mages should learn. No doubt someone in the Horde will be able to duplicate this spell. 

Jaina had only sent a few messages, she was keeping Sylvanas in the loop so to speak. Which was rather generous of her. And oddly unsettling. 

It has been a few days and Sylvanas wasn't sure what to feel outside of a vague sense of dismay. A part of her was certain she should be furious or outraged or something. Yet, the only thing she knew was that for the first time in her undeath she couldn't grasp at her unquenchable fury. She had been so used to existing, nurturing the ball of rage inside her, that anything else felt empty. Like a ghost. As if she was no longer grounded. As if she was still a spirit drifting unbound incapable of directing her own destiny. As if the world was spinning underneath her and she could no longer stand on steady ground. She would rather take an all-encompassing burning furor over numbness. 

Thinking about a pregnant Jaina brought up memories of her past, of rangers she knew who got pregnant or was expecting a child. She could clearly remember their faces and hushed whispers, the anxiety that clawed at the couple. There was joy too and pride. Sylvanas had cradled many babies and never once had she ever had the inclination to ever have one. She had pushed it off from century to century until it no longer mattered. Children were a necessity but helping raise Veressa soured her opinion towards the helpless creatures. 

Babies were such needy creatures whose only defense mechanism was being utterly adorable. It took a village to raise a child and Windrunner village had a hand in raising all the Windrunner spawn. Their mother was busy being the Ranger General, Alleria was cavorting with her Farstriders and her father only had two hands. Sylvanas had helped raise Veressa and Lirath in turn. As they got older and lost their father and mother, most of Windrunner village with her brother amongst them the comfort of family dimmed. Years later, Alleria chased after orcs and at the time it felt like an ultimate betrayal and a loss. All she had was Veresea and her duty to her people. It was the only comfort she gave herself as the years stretched on and she became the Ranger General that Alleria was supposed to be.

Then she perished and everything she ever held dear was crushed underneath the Scourage's heels. Then the Alliance proceeded to turn even that into ash, like tiny bones crushed underfoot. 

"My Lady?" 

Anya had materialized in front of her, a set of scrolls in her clasped hand. "The reports." 

"Thank you." She must have been deep in thought for Anya to be able to sneak up on her. Sylvanas tucked the gem into her pocket while her other hand took the reports and placed them on her desk. She used a dagger to cut the seals, flattening the scrolled pieces of parchment. 

When she looked up from the report, Anya was still there. 

"What is it?" 

"Did we do anything wrong?" The ranger looked uneasy and a bit guilty if she would judge the expression on her captain's face. Normally Anya was as readable as stone but right now she had all the telltale signs of someone who was feeling anxious. Her ears were canted back and flat against her skull, there was a nervous energy in her posture and her face was like an open book. Her own red eyes shifted in their sockets as if she couldn't decide where to place her gaze. 

Sylvanas placed the paperwork down and gave Anya her full attention. "Why would you say that?" 

"You returned and shut yourself in your study without a word to anyone," Anya said quietly. "I already told Velonara to put the cat back and to return Nathanos's boots." 

Poor Nathanos. A ranger could tease a new recruit for centuries and in Nathanos's case his entire life and unlife. Give it a century or more and the ribbing would peter out. Usually, a new recruit would come in and all the attention would be shifted onto them. They were a bunch of lynxes the lot of them, preening creatures who considered anything scurrying as prey. They needed an outlet for their energy else it gets put into more unproductive ways. 

"It isn't that but thank you for telling me. I had an illuminating conversation with Jaina Proudmoore." Sylvanas paused for dramatic effect. "We are expecting." 

Anya's response was exactly what she anticipated. Firstly, blank confusion followed by a furrowed brow, and then her ears went straight up. "What?" 

"Perhaps you should get your hearing checked. We are having a baby." 

"What-" 

Far too amused for her own good, Sylvanas continued. "It was very unexpected but I think it will be a good thing to happen. Truly a blessing from Belore." 

"You're having a go at me, aren't you?" Anya asked after a moment, a bit peeved. "It isn't my fault you're bad at cards." 

"Unfortunately I am not. I had planned on speaking to you and the other rangers about this new development. Jaina Proudmoore is expecting a child. She says it may be mine." Sylvanas let the cards comment slide. It wouldn't do for her to be perfect in everything. Besides, she was actually pretty shitty at those games. Boardgames were more her forte especially resource games or as she calls them "starvation games". 

"Is it? Yours? My queen?" 

"Haven't the faintest clue." Syvlanas enjoyed the shocked expression on her ranger's face. "I would hope so. Or else I will be wasting my time for the next few months." 

"Forgive me for saying this, but you're acting...very cavalier and not at all..." Anya let her words trail off as she rummaged for the right word to describe this situation. "Infuriated." 

"No. I suppose not." Her rangers would notice. They were her sisters in arms, after all, the moment they could no longer turn to her for support was the moment she stopped being their leader. They made sure she didn't descend the morality ladder headfirst in her righteous fury. "I suppose it just doesn't feel real to me. I am not the one carrying a baby." 

"What will you do?" 

Now that is a good question. While she may not suspect a very elaborate trap, she hadn't lived this long without learning how to play the game. Besides, why would Proudmoore inflict upon herself a child? Her mother had many pregnancies and had complained, mostly to her, that her pregnancy was the worst and it was because of Sylvanas that Liressa Windrunner had grey hair. Not because she had raised four kids, three of which were all unrepentant rascals, and was the Ranger General of all Quel'Thalas. Of course not. Or that Lireessa Windrunner was several thousands of years old and her old age was finally catching up to her? That got Sylvanas a flicked ear when she made the mistake of mentioning the fact within earshot of her mother. 

"Get a lawyer and draw up parental agreements." The very least she could do is bury Proudmoore in legalities. "If the child is mine, she should know of me and our people." 

"If the child is not yours, my lady?" Anya asked, her ears perked up in curiosity. 

"Then I had needlessly annoyed Proudmoore for nine months. It would be free entertainment." Sylvanas drawled, her hands steepled together. "It would be like the last time someone tried to give me a baby." 

Anya's eyes almost rolled at the mere mention of one of the numerous baby incidents.  "Which one? The one where someone tried to gift wrap you a baby? Or the time we had to shut down an underground market of baby buying in some misguided idea that the Forsaken ate babies? Or the one where you found a baby on the side of the road and it wouldn't let go of your hair?" 

Sylvanas did roll her eyes. "Let's keep this quiet. The last thing I need is a repeat of that mess. I have no idea where anyone got the idea that the Forsaken ate babies." Well, she actually could, when they were all enslaved by the Lich King's will some of the corpses acted the way only nightmares portray them to be. They didn't need to eat but for some of them, it helped repair their bodies. While enthralled, this instinct reared its ugly head and the Scourage had many uses for the bodies that fell in its wake. 

One of the most well-kept secrets was the existence of Forsaken children. Everyone got raised but the elderly and children were overlooked as fodder for Menthil's army. They just popped up, appearing from underground holes or underneath destroyed buildings, small creatures who were just bone, muscle, and sinew. Many didn't have any parents or their living parents would never accept them. All they had were their fellow dead. 

"I suspect baseless rumors, my Queen," Anya said straight-faced. Sometimes the best information is misinformation. She may have added her own tall tales in the mix. "Not one of mine." 

"No, I suspect the vampirism was yours." Said Sylvanas flatly an eyebrow arched. "You always did like the cheesy romance novels." 

Her ranger-captain didn't bother to look up, no doubt her face was flushed a dark purple. "I need you to find answers for me." Anya straightened, her posture ramrod straight. "I need some information on a specific ritual and ritual device. Discretely." 

"Yes, my Queen." 

Jaina walked slowly through her family home, grabbing things she thought she needed and avoiding unnecessary confrontations like being within shouting distance of her mother. Their relationship was still strained. It is hard to forgive one's mother when they exile you and blame you for their husband's death. There was a lot to unpack there and honestly, she wasn't in the right headspace. It had been a whirlwind of a week as Jaina planned the next few months of her life around her growing baby. The healer had given her a list of things she must eat for a healthy pregnancy and a list of things she shouldn't be doing. One of those was complex magics. She had to prepare everything prior to then or else things would get rather difficult. 

She found her old room still set up from when she left as a child to Dalaran. 

The last thing she wanted was to rely on Sylvanas. She hadn't figured out how involved she wanted the Banshee or how involved Sylvanas wanted to be. Would she be content to let Jaina be pregnant and then show up after the birth? Or would she insist on being there every step of the way? Now that she had time to mull over her condition, Jaina realized, belatedly, she wasn't ready for a baby. She could barely take care of herself. While there was an uneasy peace between the Alliance and the Horde what's to say that another war won't rear its ugly head in the near future? She wouldn't and couldn't take a child to a battlefield. Who did she know that could take her of a toddler while her mother went to war?

It was a lot to lose. 

How odd it was to already think of sorrow and heartbreak when the child hadn't even gestated yet. Jaina rubbed her face, falling back onto her old childhood bed. She couldn't even blame her hormones for her irrational line of thinking. 

Her pocket vibrated. 

Jaina plucked her blue gem out and checked her messages. She had three, two that were already read and one that was new. The messages were projected into the air and she carefully selected the new message. There were still a few kinks to work out, mainly the issues with touch recognition. Sometimes she had to wave her hands a few times for it to track her movements.

'Where do you plan on staying whilst pregnant?' - Sylvanas Windrunner

It was still mind-boggling how formal Sylvanas was on paper. As if the written word could not convey the sharpness of her wit or the deepness of her scorn. But then, it was difficult to discern tone and when one is trying to diplomatic, it was best to be careful with one's words. Jaina replied quickly writing her reply in the air. 

'A property by the sea, it used to be a summer lodging'  - Jaina Proudmoore

She sent the message and waited, her ankles crossed. 

'May I speak to you in person? This method of conversation is convenient but this dialogue needs to be done in person' - Sylvanas Windrunner

Jaina considered the request before sending her answer. 

Kul Tiras seemed to have only one season. The rainy season. That or every time she visited, the skies were quite determined to turn her into a drenched rat. The portal her mage made winked and vanished. In front of her was the ocean and she could smell the salt in the air and the smell of rotten seaweed. She could see the ships dotting the horizon. 

"Is there anything I can say to discourage you from this course?" 

Sylvanas didn't even turn her head. Nathanos looked and sounded grumpier than he'd ever been in his life or undeath. If Anya's reaction was amusing, Nathanos looked like someone punched in the sternum and knocked all the air out of him. He didn't even have the decency to look shocked when she announced that soon there would be two of her running around underfoot. 

"Nope." 

Nathanos grumbled but made no further comments. Flanking him were two rangers. If Proudmoore wanted to sit out her pregnancy here, she would make sure that it was safe. Wards could only do so much against a determined assassin. With a flick of her fingers, her three rangers vanished into the shadows of the trees. Sylvanas made the rest of the trip alone save for the watchful eyes in the darkness. There was only one building and like all human domiciles, it was flat with vague attempts at architecture with massive columns and windows that served no purpose. She walked up to the gate and its ineffectual attempts at security, bringing a hand over the waist-high gate unhooking the latch. She stepped across cobblestone and stopped before the door. It would appear that no one has been around for a while judging by the growth of vines and grass poking up through the stones and the valiant attempt of ivy crawling up one wall. 

Sylvanas knocked. 

A moment later the door opened and Jaina Proudmoore stood in the doorway, dressed in plain blue robes. In sharp contrast wore her armor and all her gear ready for a fight. "Come in." 

She slipped inside, scanning the foyer. The house looked and felt as if it wasn't lived in for a long time. Dust and cobwebs clung to the banisters. Frankly, it looked like a crypt. 

"If I had known you enjoyed Forsaken interior decorating, I would have asked you to live in the Undercity with me." 

Jaina looked at her as if trying to discern if she was taunting her or not. Eventually, she shook her head. "Do excuse the mess. We haven't been back here for years." With a gesture, all the wicks caught fire and gave the house an even more foreboding appearance as shadows danced against dusty walls. "I hadn't had time to tidy up. You said you wanted to meet." 

She did. As lovely as the instant message device was, the topic was of a sensitive nature and required face to face interaction. 

"I want to post guards." Might as well be blunt. If she attempted to dance around it, the mage would have figured it out eventually. "My handpicked Rangers." 

To Jaina's credit, she didn't attempt to turn Sylvanas into an elf popsicle. "I'm not an invalid. I can take care of myself and besides, it won't be towards the later months of my pregnancy that I will be experiencing difficulties." Her gaze became shrewd. "Not to mention this would put us both in a difficult political position." 

"Eventually your pregnancy will become public knowledge. You can't hide forever. This is me putting in a preemptive safety measure." 

"Do you really think someone would attempt to kill me? Or the child?" Jaina looked torn between being indignant and horrified. 

"Genn Greyman would do anything to hurt me or the Forsaken." 

"But to hurt a baby?" 

"He had condemned my people to their final deaths without a tear in his eyes," Sylvanas said sharply. "I would not allow him to be anywhere near my daughter." 

Jaina's blue eyes stared into hers unyielding and searching, for what she could not tell. There were many fools who claimed they would know the secret of a person's spirit through a firm handshake and staring deep into their eyes. Sylvanas had found that the ones who smiled the most had the sharpest knives. She found more substance in a person's actions than their words. 

"They have orders to alert you should someone approach. They will only kill if they need to." Sylvanas narrowed her eyes. "And no one will find a trace of them here. There will be no political incident." 

Jaina stepped right in front of her as if thinking she could physically intimidate her. But while her posture was aggressive her words were not. "Let me deal with visitors." It was harder to discern human emotions and even with practice she still found it difficult to interpret what they really felt. Sylvanas's own ears were pinned against her head in response to the body language that was presented to her. 

It would seem even in her undeath her body would betray her still. She let out of a huff of air she didn't need, crossing her arms across her chest. "Very well. I will let you handle it for now." 

Seemingly satisfied by this small concession the human stepped back mirroring her posture. There was an indescribable expression on her face, it made her brows furrow as if in thought. It suited her. "Thank you." Jaina smiled at her. "You know, you're not too bad." 

"Am I not the terrifying Banshee Queen?" 

"Maybe. But I think Sylvanas Windrunner is a good person." 

Her red gaze fixed on Jaina's face. "Is that so?" There was the smallest flicker of want. Let Jaina disillusion herself and draw her own flawed conclusions. People tend to look at her shining armor and not realize that she had calculated the price of sacrifice and choose who would die and who would live. Becoming the Banshee Queen merely sharpened that edge of herself to a fine point. She didn't relish their deaths. They were calculated and measured and perhaps that was the worst. 

"Yes." 

She felt herself flash her fangs in a wide toothy grin in a wordless reply. 

Chapter Text

Jaina had, before she met her first High Elf, thought they were tiny thin boned creatures with huge eyes like fairies. Which made the nighttime tales that her father told her even more fantastical. How could small creatures fight and win? Jaina had met her fair share of dwarfs but they were stout and quite strong. Pictures did them no justice either, blonde hair and long ears with bright blue eyes. Jaina was quite enamored by elves. She had quite an image in her mind of elves. Small. Elegant. Beautiful. Like a blooming flower. It was only when she went to Dalaran did she actually met her first High Elf. They were tall and willowy and blonde and far too pretty for reality. At least the news was correct in some ways. The majority of them were magistrix who spent centuries in their craft and had no time for a young enamored Jaina Proudmoore. For a time, she studied side by side with these breath-taking creatures. 

It was only when she traveled to Silvermoon with her master did she get to see the various shapes that elves appeared in. They were all generally tall but some were well built (spell breakers and archers) while others looked more like the typical Dalaran magistrix. They were like cats, haughty and petty, prone to fits but looking magnificent while doing so. Antonidas bore the brunt of the political nonsense shielding young Jaina. Even when she became friends with Vereesa, her knowledge of elves was more general than detailed. In fact, she knew more about the kaldorei than she did the high elves. She had spent a lot of time with Pained and lobbied a few scientific questions regarding elves and their physical make up. Somehow it felt weird to quiz Vereesa about her species. 

What was very interesting was how Sylvanas was tall even for a High Elf. And prettier than most. Vereesa had confided to her that difficult growing up with surrounded by the stories of her sisters. Nothing she would do would ever pull her out of the shadow that her elder sisters cast. They were titans, legends literally, and she was the youngest of them and not as spectacular. She would always be the Ranger General's baby sister. 

Vereesa was also very tight-lipped after Sylvanas and well, it wasn't like Jaina could teleport to Silvermoon and steal everything she could lay her hands on about Ranger General Sylvanas. 

She couldn't just ask her. That would be unthinkable. What if she ridiculed her? Or worse, ignored her completely? 

Which lead to this. Sneaking about in the Kirin Tor. She had to "borrow" some books from the Dalaran library about elven child development, basic anatomy and physiology, and some older tomes about elven history. It wasn't like she could pop in and ask Vereesa. She wanted to keep this a secret and as much as she loves Veressa, she probably wouldn't approve of this. Although, if Jaina was honest with herself, she didn't know what Vereesa thought of her older sister now that Sylvanas had taken over as Warchief. Working with the Horde was one thing, terrible as it was, but leading them? Despite all the time they had spent together, Slyvanas hadn't mentioned a single word about her sisters and Jaina wasn't going to pry. They all had secrets after all. 

Jaina visited every week or so, stacking books into a basket and taking them with her back to her mansion. She always returned the books, discretely of course. Part of the fun was working around the wards so no one knew she was here. It felt good to exercise her mental muscles so to speak. With the peace, her talents were rarely needed and she was so entrenched in politics, she didn't have any time to do any real magic. Her last outing was the only time she had some fun and look where that got her, pregnant. She could really take advantage of this pregnancy by getting some actual work done like tax law. So entranced by the mere thought of getting herself nose deep into books, she didn't even notice she wasn't alone. 

"Jaina?" 

"Modera!" Jaina squeaked, pressing the book against her chest. She turned slowly, plastering a smile on her face. "I didn't hear you." 

Archmage Modera's eyes went from her face to the stack of books by her side. Jaina wanted no more than to sink into the ground and fade away. "Late night reading? I thought you were on a sabbatical."

"Oh, I am. I just...needed some peace and quiet and it was easier to peruse books when no one else is here." 

 "Clearly." Modera pursed her lips as she read the titles. "About high elves." One eyebrow went up. "And pregnancies." 

Jaina could feel her face turning red. "Um well...you see.." She stared at her feet. Oh gosh. What was she going to say? 

"Congratulations are in order." Modera smiled. "How far along are you?" 

"Just a month or so." Clearly embarrassed at how easily her secret was sussed out, Jaina preferred to hide behind her book like a child instead of a grown woman who was one of the strongest archmages in all the world. But then, Modera was always able to make her feel like a child who just arrived in Dalaran. It couldn't be helped, Modera did help instruct her after all. "I'm sorry that I couldn't stop by to say hello. I've been busy." 

"I understand. You finally get a break. I would have holed myself up with a few good books and some alcohol." Modera took a tome from a nearby desk that was her reject pile and placed it on top of Jaina's already enormous stack. "Good luck." 

"Thank you." She squeaked out loud before fleeing to the safety of her home.

Armed with tomes, she could now move to the next phase of her plan. Interrogate the Dark rangers.

It didn't take much to lure a dark ranger inside. All she had to do was pretend to fall down and hurt herself. One was by her side before she could really get into it. The whole, oh I've fallen down and can't get up ruse was genius. Then she practically latched on her victim, making tea and forcing her to have a seat and then ruthlessly began to cross-examining her. 

What's your name. How long have you known Sylvanas Windrunner? What's your favorite food? Are you able to eat?

Apparently, the other banshees could eat which brought some interesting questions as to how exactly were their bodies being preserved? Did other bodily functions work? How did the dark magic that maintained their physical form support their physical bodies? So many questions. She had to know. If she was a bit braver, she might even ask if she could meet with a few necromancers. Or study the more well preserved Forsaken. But that may be out of grasp for the moment. Something something secrets something. Anyways, she had the dark rangers at her mercy. 

By now, the Dark rangers knew to drop by for her afternoon tea times. Besides, it wasn't as if they were forbidden to talk to her. They were curious about her too. 

The few that were assigned to keep an eye on her were the same rotating group. Kalira, Clea, and Marrah would always pop in with groceries and gifts from the Dark Lady. Being reduced to body guards and deliverygirls didn't seem to reduce their pride. In fact, they seemed to enjoy this. 

"It's a change of pace." Dark Ranger Clea placed the basket down and helped put the bread and cheese away. "Personally, I enjoy being back in the forest. The ocean is also a welcome surprise. Plus less dust and people." 

"I brought a game," Kalira said cheerfully, showing Jaina the clearly loved tome, the leather showing its age. Behind her, Clea sighed, shaking her head as she continued to put the foodstuff away. 

"It's a roleplaying game. This is the rulebook. All you really need is someone willing to be a storyteller." Dark Ranger Kalira explained as she flipped through the heavy tome. "You create your character and then they go on quests. A lot of the NPCs are modeled after real-life heroes." She grinned wickedly. "There is an entire chapter on the Ranger General." 

"Really?" As expected, there was a full portrait of Sylvanas Windrunner as well as pages about her bio. She looked breathtaking in the picture all dressed up in full splendor and then there was the way the light shined down on her stoic face. She looked beautiful and regal, someone a bystander would have thought was the true ruler of Quel'thalas. Jaina may or may not have ogled the page for a minute longer than was fully necessary.

"Oh yeah, she loved the game. We used to run campaigns when we were deployed. " Kalira smirked. "Once I had to TPK the entire party and she sulked for ages." 

"TPK?" 

"Total party kill. Rockfalls and everyone dies." She gestured with a hand. "Sometimes your characters run into bad luck or the dice are against you. Or the team decides to fight someone whose stronger than them." 

"Dice?" 

"Yes. The dice represent the cruelty of the universe against your character." Kalira's straight face barely held as Jaina gaped at her. "Nah, the dice are used to calculate how successful or unsuccessful a person is at an endeavor. You also have base stats to represent how good you are and then we add elements that will assist or hamper your character at their tasks." 

Jaina nodded her head. This she understood. Math was a good friend of hers. 

"You can buy better equipment or loot dead bodies." She counted off her fingers. "Or after completing a quest you get a rare item as a prize." 

It sounded fun if a bit complicated. 

"Isn't it weird? You're playing with yourself." Jaina gestured to the book cover, Farstrdiers & Fate embossed in a fading gold. There was a mixed party depicted on the front, a human, dwarf, and elf all posing in some heroic pose.  

"It let us be...someone else. I can play a gnome or a human. I can create any sort of backstory and then do things I wouldn't normally do. It's fun." She handed the book over. "The lore is pretty much a history book. I think you might like it. We could always use another player. The character sheet is in the back. Now that we're not on rotation, I'm sure we can start a new campaign." 

Clea sweeps over, wrapping her arms around Kalira's neck in a loving way. It was quite eye opening to watch these moments of affection between the dark rangers. The idea that they could be soft was jarring. For the longest time, they were on the opposite side and now she had first hand experience of how...normal they were. 

In the end, she took Kalira up on her offer and made a high elf character with a truly tragic back story that made Kalira laugh herself sick. Honestly, it wasn't that bad. Dead parents and an epic destiny were the basic makeup of any storybook hero. 

Sylvanas half turned, amused despite herself. "You're staring." 

She had noticed the discrete looks that Jaina was giving her as she moved around boxes. Lady Proudmoore had asked for her assistance and she had somehow managed to browbeat her rangers into assisting as well. The house or rather a manor was rather extensive and deceptively massive. It would take a team of cleaners to clear out the clutter, cobwebs, and dust. Due to the secrecy, it wasn't as if she could hire someone and Proudmoore was starting to show. The aches and pains had seemed to arrive with a vengeance. All it took was one look at her swollen ankles and her huffing and puffing for Sylvanas to drop her gear and roll up her sleeves. 

While the Forsaken may not perspire easily, it was cumbersome to move furniture in armor so she had removed her constrictive armor and stacked them carefully in the foyer. Now she was just in a crème tunic and trousers and it was clear that the human had staring like the way a cow would, eyes wide and mouth agape. "You're going to catch flies," Sylvanas said her lips quirked up in a small smile. 

"I never have seen you without your armor." Jaina closed her mouth and the slight red dusting on her face was cute. "Sorry." 

"Not many have." She gently placed the pile of books down carefully brushing dust off her fingers. "Do I look frightening? Is that why you are staring?" 

"Nooo." 

"Hm." She wore her archer gloves having had planned on going hunting. It would be a cold day in hell before she buys meat. She was a hunter after all and while she may not be in a loving relationship with Proudmoore, there was tradition to be observed. Partners show they can provide for their future offspring and spouse, an eons old custom rooted in a time where prey was scarce. There was also her pride. It spoke to her long dead heart to bring in her catch every week, skin and butcher it. Even if she had to learn how to fish which was a completely horrific affair that she never wanted to repeat. Buying seafood was the only concession she was willing to swallow. 

The manor had changed since she has last seen it. Proudmoore had cleaned much of it, organizing things and making it more homely. It was far too large for once person and far too empty. She had also noticed a few trinkets laying around that indicated her rangers had definitely gone against her orders. Not that she told them outright to not bother the mage, more like implied that they should be concerning themselves with the security. Perhaps she should have a talk with them. 

"Are fertility rituals common?" 

Oh, Belore. Is that what she had been stealing up her courage to ask? 

"How long have you been holding onto that?" Sylvanas carefully placed the books in the bookcase. Her fingertips ran down the spine as she spoke. "High elves rarely give birth and when they do, no more than one at a time or one at all. My mother was an exception as was Vereesa." 

Jaina leaned against the wall as if to hold herself from leaping forward, so great was her curiosity. Her eyes practically glimmered. "So they were, then? To keep the population the way it was? Did partners stay together after the ritual was complete?" 

"Yes and no." Sylvanas watches Jaina's face. "There was no expectation for either individual to remain together, often times partners were picked for political reasons or due to an obligation. That is why I am not too concerned about the nature of our relationship. It is quite normal for the couple to part after the ritual is complete but remains involved for the child's upbringing while being bonded to another." 

"But your parents were different." Jaina's face was hard to read. Humans generally were but she seemed to have closed up.

"Yes. My mother managed to birth four of us. Quite unheard of." 

She could hear the quiet contemplation as Jaina chewed over her words. "How are half-elves treated? I don't plan on keeping her in Kul Tiras forever. She should know about Silvermoon and...about Windrunner village." 

Coldness spread in Sylvanas's chest. "If you would, you know, show her." Jaina continued, clearly babbling now. "You said you wanted her to know about her people and even if you are now Forsaken you were a High elf before that-" 

Windrunner Spire had been sealed magically ever since she was able to command a mage to do so, a mausoleum to the family that she used to have. It had no doubt fell to ruin and disrepair. "Did you talk to Vereesa?" 

"Not yet. I have been sending her letters to make sure she knows that I'm okay. She's just been talking about her sons and Arator." Jaina took a deep breath. "Have you seen them? Your nephews?" 

"No." The last thing Sylvanas wanted to do was barge into her sister's life or to scare her nephews. Even if she did want to see them. She hadn't seen Arator since he was a babe. Not since Alleria foolishly decided to abandon her, abandon their duties, her son- Just thinking about it made her absolutely furious. Her elder sister couldn't even look her in the face when they last met. 

"...Do you thi-" Sylvanas held up a hand to stop her prattling. "What do you want, Proudmoore?"  

Jaina huffed at her, cheeks puffed up as if she was insulted before she continued on gamely ignoring the scowl Sylvanas gave her. "She tells them stories about you. I know the twins want to be farstriders." 

"I am sure they will grow out of that." Sylvanas continued, knowing Jaina was curious. "Most do. It is very difficult to become one. Most dreams turn to become a magistrix. It is less dangerous." 

"Do you think she will be the same?" It was easy to figure who Jaina was referring to. 

Sylvanas considers this. Did she want their child to be like her? Or more like Jaina? Would she even dare to imagine a smaller version of herself running around playing with her rangers? A mix of her face and Jaina's looking back at her with brightly glowing blue eyes? At her growing up, leaving to seek her fortunes? At chasing off her first lover? Sylvanas blinked. She had zoned out. Impossibly. "She is half-human, I am sure if she is as half as stubborn as her mother, she'd be able to do anything she set herself to." 

"She's a part of you too. If she's anything like her other mother, she'd be amazing." 

Foolish human. 

I need a wheat sandwich with pickles and peanut butter on it with no crust - Jaina Proudmoore

Sylvanas eyed the message. Nathanos looked up from his reports. Then up at the projected message and then back down. She cut off his retort before he could even voice it. "Where is the nearest bakery?" 

"That is absolutely disgusting and I'm a human." 

"She's pregnant." It had been a few months now and Proudmoore was steadily improving on her impression of a beached whale. 

"How are you going to do it?" 

"Shopping. Discretely as always." 

Nathanos could clearly recall the last time Sylvanas went into the market to buy something for the archmage. There were more stares than usual as the Warchief examined and hem and haw over produce. You would think she was doing a military inspection by the way she was examining the produce. She bought something eventually and after that, Nathanos had a dark ranger go buy something in her steed. It was easier a lot easier than planning a security detail. Somedays, he was pretty sure his general was attempting to put him back into the ground via brain aneurism. It would be like her. Very clean and neat and no one would suspect it. 

"My lady." He began, carefully as she grabbed her things, ready to depart. "Hav-" 

"Stop hovering." She flashed red eyes at him before her gaze softened. "I know what I'm doing. I will be fine." 

Will you, he thought as she left. It was his duty to keep her safe. He couldn't help but feel concerned. Nathanos had always prided himself on his ability to read the ranger general and all he could see was how distracted she was. She was spending more and more time around Proudmoore and less in the Undercity. The Horde could run itself but still, it was the principal. Nanthanos just felt worried. Jaina Proudmoore was dangerous and not in her magical powers, but in the way she could harm Sylvanas in a way she'd never suspect. 

This was a dream. This had to be a dream. 

She was running through the woods, tripping over tree roots, the dappled sun streaming down onto the forest floor. Someone was crying. It sounded like a baby. She couldn't tell where the sound was coming from it seemed to echo from every part of the forest like some mocking bird's call. Jaina kept running out of some innate sense of foreboding and after what seemed like a lifetime the forest fell away and she was standing before a lake. There was a figure standing by the shores. She knew, instantly, that it was Sylvanas. She was wearing a doeskin tunic that had no sleeves showcasing her broad shoulders and arms. The moon hung in the sky giving the scene an eerie feeling. Sylvanas's long blonde hair was dull in the light more silver than anything else, neatly trimmed. Her back was to Jaina, arms close to her body. She was humming.

Jaina approached slowly wondering why she was dreaming of the Banshee Queen. This dream felt far more vivid than it should be. "Sylvanas?" 

"Isn't she beautiful?" In the dream, her voice lacked the dulcet quality that it had in the living world. "My darling little one." 

Jaina's hand flew to her mouth as she fought the urge to not gag as Sylvans turned to look at her. Maggots crawled out of her empty eye socket, the gaps in her cheeks seen clearly. Her other eye was clouded over a dull red glow staring straight through her, skin grey with black veins protruding. "I know you're hungry." She looked down adoringly at the baby in her arms, as small hands reached out to tug on blonde hair. Small grey hands. 

The baby wiggled and turned, pointed ears peering out from blonde wispy hair. Pallid grey skin greeted her eyes. Wriggling worms fell from her mouth as she chewed on two human fingers. The infant looked at her, half of her face rotted away showing her white skull. 

"Soon, she'll need more." Jaina looked down at her own hands and at the missing fingers. She felt more than saw the Banshee Queen hovering over her, long-clawed hands and desiccated skin staring down at her. "Will you give her more, mother?" 

Jaina screamed. 

She shot upright her heart thundering in her chest. Red eyes appeared from the darkness as Sylvanas approached, a hand reaching out. 

She couldn't help but recoil in fear the image of a rotting Sylvanas superimposed over the Banshee. That was all it took. "Wait."  But she was gone through the open window and into the darkness. By the time she was able to summon a magelight, there was nothing there.

All that was left was a basket and underneath the cloth was her pickles and peanut butter sandwiches without the crust.  

Chapter Text

Even without the ability to forest walk, centuries of woodland hunting enabled her to vanish into forests without a sound. Sylvanas found herself perched on a tree limb, alone. No one was chasing her. She half expected Jaina to follow. The years spent around a negotiation table showed how stubborn the human could be and how fearless. Over the past few months, she had thought they had found a sort of understanding, almost amicability. It wouldn't do to co-parent and hate each other's guts. It would be fair to the child. But then, would a child want a corpse as a parent? 

Despite how well preserved she was, her body was dead. The necromantic energy gave her the facsimile of life, a slow thrumming heartbeat that was barely perceptible. Sylvanas clenched her hand. She thought she'd gotten over the looks of revulsion and fear. She still cared about how others perceived her. It was something that had been a weakness in her life, vain as she was. Now it was a question of whether or not the people she allied herself could be trusted. She was used to revulsion now. Fear as well. 

Her pocket vibrated.  

She couldn't fault the mage for reacting the way she did. There was something else going on and it has been like this ever since that mission. Perhaps the ritual took something from her. That or the stress was finally getting too difficult to ignore and she was falling apart at the seams. Either option sounded plausible. The pregnancy was just the last thing to tip the scales over and she was spiraling downward. 

Maybe Nathanos was right and she should leave Jaina alone. Least it adds more complications.

Nothing had changed. Not the fabric of the sedan or the pictures on the walls. Not even the person sitting in the chair looking at her with disapproval. "You could have called ahead." It was after midnight and Sylvanas may or may not have crept into Illaya Cloudspeaker's lodging and stood in the corner like a creep until her target woke up. The throwing knife was new but well, war changes everyone, even a therapist.  

"I had to be discrete," Sylvanas said neutrally, accepting the cup of tea and placing it on the nightstand. "You told me before that if anything happened, I could come to you." 

"For emergencies, Ran-" Illaya Cloudspeaker paused a rueful smile on her face. "Sylvanas. It has been ten years I thought you'd forgotten." 

"Clearly." Despite her emergent need for services, the knee-jerk reaction to being sarcastic was embedded deep into her psyche. "You forgot to latch the windows." 

Illaya placed her cup of tea down and regarded the Banshee Queen quietly for a moment, her blue eyes nonjudgmental. They had known each other for years ever since her mother died and her grief had consumed her to the point where she was put on involuntary leave. She had reduced a recruit to tears for bumping into her and that had been the last straw. Her rangers could take her short temper and sharp tongue but Anya drew the line at collateral damage. She was not 'fine' and if she wasn't going to handle it, Anya would unleash Liradin on her and the last thing Sylvanas wanted was to be under the priestess's tender mercies. Liradin was a great healer but worse of all, she would never take any of Sylvanas's bullshit. 

"How are you?" 

She wanted to deflect maybe even lie but that would defeat the purpose of coming here. "I'm not sure." 

"You look well. Well as in, well." The silver-tongued mind healer stumbled over her words. "You don't look like you want to kill everything in your sight." 

"I always want to kill everyone." Sylvanas jokes, a smirk on her face. "Or at least have a plan on how to kill everyone." 

"Yes yes," Ilaya flapped her hand used to how Sylvanas deflected. "You look...good." 

She did? Well, that was news to her. Sylvanas was fairly certain if she wasn't already dead her blood pressure would be insanely high. Being Ranger-General was stressful but her undeath was in a league of its own. "I am glad that my physicality is to your satisfaction." She drawled, slipping into a familiar conversation of banter. "You never mentioned that you were interested in me." 

"Flattery gets you nowhere." 

Sylvanas shrugged. 

"I am glad to see you, though, truly." Illaya picked up her notebook and flipped through. "Do you want to start from where we last left off? Or start somewhere else?" 

She couldn't recall what they had last talked about. Probably something about wanting something for herself and letting herself be selfish once in a while. It was a long-standing argument between them. Sylvanas's tendency to self-depreciate and her issues with her elder sister's death as well as the realization that she was slowly being consumed by her duties wasn't great for her mental health. "Let's start somewhere else. It is as you said ten years. I've changed." 

"Did you?" 

Sylvanas scoffed," Of course. I am no longer the Ranger-General. I died. I allied with the Horde. I have struck against the Alliance. I have..." Her eyes narrowed. "Traded one kingdom for another." She had ruthlessly done what needed to be done to secure the safety of her new people as she would have done as the Ranger-General. The fact that they were undead was not much of a distinction. 

Illaya waited patiently. 

"Perhaps I have not changed as much as I thought." She conceded. 

"Something did change though?" 

Should she mention Jaina? Could she trust Illaya? How hard would it be to silence her? 

"I'm in a relationship with someone I used to despise...well, no, someone I didn't like. I disagreed with her constantly. Needled her for my own amusement simply because I can." Sylvanas began slowly, it felt like pulling teeth trying to unravel the complicated feelings she had. "She's having my baby for some ridiculous reason." 

"Congratulations. How do you feel about that, the relationship, and becoming a parent."

How did she feel? If she knew, she wouldn't be here. "I don't know. I'm pleased to become a parent and I...find her company to not be too repulsive." There was a calmness when she interacted with Jaina as she doesn't seem to want anything from Sylvanas, no demands or needs. It felt weird to not be wanted. No, that wasn't the right word for it. "She doesn't expect anything out of me aside from the occasional meal." 

"Are you in a romantic relationship with her?" 

"No. She's the mother of my child. Outside of that, we are still strangers. On and off enemies." 

Illaya made a noise of interest.

Sylvanas scowled at Illaya. The mind healer merely smiled at her. "I think this is good. You're stepping out of your comfort zone and you're actually pursuing something for yourself. Something outside of your titles and duties, your responsibilities to your people. You should continue on your path and figure out what you want out of this." 

"You want me to be selfish?" 

"Yes. Please. Do something for yourself. Not because it is expected of you, or it would further your grander goals do it because it makes you happy." 

Happy. Sylvanas echoed wordlessly in her mind. When has that ever mattered? Her happiness? She wanted to keep her little sister and was willing to kill her and raise her just to keep her. That would have made her happy. Did it? Would it? Sometimes she thinks of what would have happened if she had managed to successfully kill Vereesa and raise her. No, it wouldn't have ended well. She would have secured Vereesa but at what cost? 

"Are you sure I am meant to be happy?" 

Illaya leaned forward, concern prominent on her face. "Of course. Everyone deserves happiness." 

Sylvanas shrugged an elegant shoulder. "Perhaps." 

"Well, how long have you been feeling like that? That you didn't deserve happiness?" 

Judging by how Illaya was settling in, this was going to be a long session. "This may take more than you have, Illaya." 

"I have all the time in the world. I can start scheduling you." Illaya paused and looked at her pointedly. "Properly." 

"Hm." 

Sylvanas visited the field where she died her first death. The tulips were in bloom but that could not hide the scar on the earth. The place where she died was a desolated spot, where nothing would grow anymore. Sylvanas placed her hand on the area where her scar sat. If she focused and directed all of her attention inward, she could feel it still. The pain and jarring coldness of steel puncturing her body, the feeling of foreign magic sinking into her flesh like hooks and--- She opened her mouth and began to wail, letting it grow in intensity until her Banshee form slipped from her body, the shell falling back onto the ground limp. 

Sylvanas hovered over her body. In death, she looked so peaceful. It was tempting to just let go. But she had work to do. There were people counting on her and Sylvanas Windrunner had sacrificed too much to give up now.

Sliding back into her body was like trying to fit a tight glove. It was as if she was trying to stuff a doll and the fluff kept flying out. There was a slight metaphysical pop and Sylvanas sat up. When she returned to her office, she spotted Nathanos and Anya speaking furiously to each other and they both shot her a look. Ah, yes she did wander off without an escort. The two were most likely furious with her. Sylvanas ignored their concerns and closed the door to her office.  She quickly penned a message. Two messages. One to Vereesa and the other to Alleria. It has been a while since they have done the Rite of Remembrance. Their mother's grave has gone unattended for far too long. And perhaps, she should speak to them. Maybe even explain herself. Confront Vereesa for leaving her through a letter and not having the strength to say it to her face. Face her void forsaken sister face to face without the vitriol or the blood. 

Sylvanas knocked and waited, yellow tulips in her gauntleted hand. It was not an apology for her own actions but rather, a gift. She always loved the smell of tulips and bright colors. Even after her death and the forest no longer spoke to her, she still kept her love for all green things. The Proudmoore manor was expertly warded and Sylvanas wasn't going to press her luck. While Jaina may have coded the wards to her presence who knows what she had done in the meantime. For all, she knows Jaina could be absolutely furious with her. Or completely despondent. She hadn't looked at the messages. This was more important than letters and written words that could not convey their true meaning.

The door opens and behind it was the most wretched looking creature she had ever faced. Jaina's face was red from scrubbing, her eyes wide and blue. Her hair looked oily and unkept. Another indicator of her negative influence. 

"May I come in?" Sylvanas requested quietly. 

Jaina opened the door wider, stepping aside. Sylvanas entered noting the dreary atmosphere. Did her dark rangers make themselves scarce? Was this her fault as well? She carefully threaded her ears out of the holes, pulling her hood down. "Nathanos told me that apologies for human women involved flowers, chocolate, and groveling. All I have are flowers."

"You don't have to apologize for anything." Jaina looked hesitant and cautious. "I'm sorry about how I reacted. I woke up from a nightmare and you startled me and I didn't mean- " 

"It's fine. I will make sure to knock or make a noise. I have forgotten that humans cannot see in the dark as easily."  Sylvanas remained hesitant, keeping a space between the two of them. Despite how haggard Jaina looked there was an almost imperceptible glow emanating from her skin. "I didn't mean to cause any alarm." 

"I know." Jaina looked up at her, a question in her eyes. "Are you able to stay longer?" 

"Yes." She took a step closer. "Do you need anything from me?" 

"Just your time." 

Sylvanas takes Jaina's hand in hers. "Time is all I have." 

Chapter Text

"I want to say that I'm sorry." Jaina began, her hands clasped over the now visible baby bump. "You caught me at a bad moment, I just woke up from a nightmare." 

She had formatted her apology in her head for some time now. She knew it wasn't her fault but the guilt remained no matter how illogical it was. While the Banshee Queen's facial expression usually ranged from contempt to fury with only a few freezeframes of indifference, the look she gave Jaina that night was haunting. How many times has other people gave Sylvanas that same expression? Despite her mask of placidity, there was still someone under it who was hurt. And that made all the difference. 

"I wasn't scared of you. Not in that way. You gave me a fright lurking in the dark the way you did." They were sitting in the dining room, a mug of hot tea by her arm. She had to quite drinking you see, for the baby. Being sober had given her some illuminating moments. Mainly that she drinks way too much. "Thank you by the way, for the food." 

The former high elf merely nodded. "It has been some time since I've climbed up through someone's window." She smirked. "Usually the father chases me off." 

Jaina's face went red and she snorted, entertaining the idea of a younger Sylvanas being chased by enraged parents. What a curious thought. Could she imagine Sylvanas Windrunner as someone who would woo? "Do you usually do that? Crawl through someone's window in the dead of night?" 

"I used to." Sylvanas had removed her gauntlet and most of her armor leaving her softer and yet emphasizing the broadness of her chest and the muscles in her forearm. "Nothing serious came out of it, they were all dalliances, something to keep my mind off my work. But when I became Ranger-General I had to stop." 

"Did you had many admirers?" 

"Some. Not as many as you think." 

"20?" 

Sylvanas crooked a feathered brow in wonderment. 

"40?" 

Now, Jaina was having fun thinking of a veritable harem of women following Sylvanas around. She couldn't blame them. Even death had not marred her beauty, merely gave it another light to shine under. Her father had told her about the exploits of the Windrunner family. It wasn't hard to no be starry eyed about veritable Alliance heroes.  "Why didn't you have a serious relationship? If I may ask." 

"I thought I had all the time in the world. Then I didn't." Her fingers were long and elegant calloused in places. Jaina tore her gaze up to Sylvanas's face. "I had some relationships but I never married. One lasted decades. We were rangers but were on opposite patrolling parties. We would meet every season. "  

“What happened?" 

"She died. During the second war." Sylvanas's lips twisted. "To the Horde." 

Jaina reached over and placed her hand over Sylvanas's. "I'm sorry." She forgot how complex the history of the elves and the Horde were, and what it must of taken for Sylvanas to ally with the Horde. She also didn't mention her surprise at how open Sylvanas was. Before she wouldn't have been able to get anything out of the Banshee Queen much less a laundry list of her past sexual history. It felt like a new beginning. She liked this open version of Sylvanas one who wasn't an enemy or a threat to be destroyed. 

Her hand was cold as expected. Well, colder than a living hand but it wasn't ice cold. To her surprise, Sylvanas didn't pull away. 

"I hope my departure didn't cause any discordance. It was not my intent to cause harm." The softness was another aspect of Sylvanas that Jaina was finding in unexpected places. "I do not intend to do so without warning you." 

"I missed you. When you were gone. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate you. I appreciate everything you've done." She had to say this before she lost the nerve. "You and your dark rangers. Thank you." 

Cool fingers twitched and they pressed against her warm ones. "It would be poor form to allow you to deal with this alone. Whatever will minn'da think if I were to leave you a single mother?" 

"What would she say?" 

"Give me a good smack on the head." Sylvanas gave a short laugh. It sounded a lot nicer than Jaina thought. Way nicer. "She'd love you. Jaina. I'm sure of it." 

Gosh could her face get any redder? "Well my mother is the absolute opposite. She might challenge you to a fist fight." 

It was criminal how delighted Sylvanas looked. "Oh really?" 

"Please don't." 

Sylvanas pulled the arrow shaft back, sighted her target and let it fly. The arrow sank into the target with nary a sound. Perfect as always. Before, archery practice was a way to empty her mind. The strain of muscles and sweat would calm her but now, she didn't exert at all. Archery practice had become tedious. No wonder her rangers had resorted to convoluted means to practice such as buddy teams and other ridiculous things. Like weird poses and trick arrows that had tiny nets. 

One of her rangers was doing a handstand while attempting to pull a bow with her toes. 

She refrained from facepalming and watched her ranger's valiant attempt at being overly dramatic. It was nothing compared to Anya and her team doing some weird circus game with throwing knives and juggling targets. "Is this an archery range or the back stage of a talent show?" Sylvanas asked archly, arms crossed in front of her chest, eyeing each of rangers and their drooped ears. "I expected better from each and every one of you." 

And then, casually, she spun in a 360, and fired behind her without looking. The soft thunk of an arrow hitting canvas plus the wide eyed expressions of her rangers was all she needed. She walked out casually as if she didn't just upstage them all. 

She returned to her office and began sorting through all her mail. Her thoughts wandered as she worked, she thought of how much food it would take to raise a half-elf and the cost of tutors and the amount of cloth required to clothe a growing child and pretty soon she was writing down a cost to benefit spreadsheet about the difference between leather and cloth. Sylvanas lifted her ink stained hand and contemplated, silently to herself, whether or not she had gone insane. At least she wasn't day dreaming about a certain archmage. Belore have mercy on her. 

But while she's at it, she might as well figure out how to childproof the haunted manor Jaina calls home. Sylvanas was pretty sure there was a ghost or two lingering in the walls. 

Their relationship had gotten better if that was possible. Her dark rangers enjoyed their rotation to Jaina's home and apparently Kalira was running another Farstrider & Fate campaign. They even installed an archery range in the back as well as a sparring space. Jaina was getting plumper which wasn't a bad look for the mage. She'd have to get Nathanos spun up on a few things so that he could run the Horde while she was keeping an eye on Jaina. She wasn't hovering as much as she was handling her investment. 

The secret, the whole truth, came out in pieces. Mainly due to Jaina. One well meaning question snowballed into another and suddenly Anduin had to confront the idea that his aunty was pregnant. And that she was hiding said pregnancy. Plus, if Shaw was to believed, the Banshee Queen's rangers was seen doing weird tasks like buying groceries. Which lead to Anduin sending a missive to his aunt which Sylvanas read, holding the letter above Jaina's head in the kitchen. The undead elf took advantage of her height and arm span, casually holding the piece of paper in the air, ignoring Jaina's vain attempts at snatching it from her. It was quite comical. Even if Jaina stood on her tippy toes her hands were still a handbreadth away from the pieces of parchment. 

"The little lion wishes to see you." Sylvanas drawled, looking down at her flustered....mage. "He wants to do high tea." 

Jaina huffed, face red from jumping, sweating just a tiny bit. The furious jut of her lips just made her look amusing. "And?" 

"He wishes to see if certain rumors were true." Taking pity upon the pregnant woman, Sylvanas handed the letter to Jaina knowing that if the archmage wanted, she could have retrieved the letter easily. The letter was laughable written in plain script without any magical defenses for unwanted eyes. Besides it wasn't as if Anduin knew that Sylvanas spent some of her time at Jaina's manor. The dark rangers were quite good at keeping spies out. They patrolled a few miles around the property itself to keep curious people away. Once Jaina told them about the Drust, the rangers leaned into it and now, if reports were to be believed, the entire area was covered in hand made wooden symbols. 

No one should suspect the Warchief was playing house with an Alliance agent. Warchief was more of a title and as for duties, well, only a shitty leader would try to handle everything. Installing a council had made ruling the Horde much easier. They could handle the day to day issues and the problems and she could actually focus on running the military. Last thing that was currently being discussed was the tax law. The Horde didn't have a tax law until someone wrote it a few years ago. Sylvanas was pretty sure it was a past Lordaeron resident who spent the last few years of her undeath to bring the nobility down. Either way, it wasn't as if the day to day minutia required her physical presence. There was a reason why she was so good at being ranger general, delegation was one of the most coveted skills a leader should posses. Personally, Sylvanas figured Vol'jin picked her because she was the only person to have ran a massive military entity. Aside from Menthill and his army of undead. Probably not as a gigantic fuck you to their long time enemy. Sylvanas had personally put a dent in the troll population and had outlived many who had hated her. Curious that they would be accepting of her as their leader. Something to ponder about later. 

"He wants to meet...in two days?" Jaina swore, looking up from the letter. "You couldn't lead with that?" 

Having being suitably entertained, Sylvanas returned to her vegetable chopping. "What use is a schedule to an elf?" She asked casually. 

"Tell that to Vereesa who once forgot to pick her boys from school." 

Sylvanas huffed, smirking slightly. "If her head wasn't attached to her neck, she'd forget it." 

"How was she?" 

"As a baby? Annoying. As a toddler? Worse than a troll invasion. And then she learned how to talk and everything went downhill from there. Did you know, Vereesa learned how to cry on cue? She'd cry and point at me as if I'm the cause of her tears." 

"Were you?" 

"Well, yes of course." Sylvanas swept the chopped carrots into the pot. "At least Lirath was easier to take care of. He was the calmest baby I've heard had to babysit. Always toddling after me when I returned home after a deployment. He always wanted to greet me and play his latest song." 

Her knife stilled as she spoke, a faraway look in her eyes. "He was going to be a musician. Lirath was terrible with a bow but he could play the lute and he always had a smile on her face." She could still remember the times when Lirath would greet her, the sound of her Ann'da's voice telling her to remove her muddy boots because he just cleaned the floors and the smell of bread wafting from the kitchen. She would do as her Ann'da commands and wander around barefoot, stealing fresh buns from the oven and ruffling her baby brother's hair even if he was no longer a child. Vereesa was just starting her military career and Alleria would be off cavorting with the Farstriders. Minn'da was rarely home but when she was, it was the best feeling in the world. Then her mother died cut down in a skirmish that shouldn't have killed a seasoned ranger such as herself. Alleria leaves next. Lirath and their father murdered. There was no one to greet her anymore. The Windrunner Spire was empty without her family and people. She barely lived there anyways having a suite back in the city in-between patrols and campaigns. She had no one to go back home to. Vereesa was happily married and living in another city and Sylvanas couldn't blame her baby sister for wanting to chase happiness. Really the only person she could blame was Alleria for leaving. Alleria for abandoning her and their family and their people and forcing Sylvanas to become Ranger General--

A warm hand pulled her away from her memories, Jaina's face looking up at her, her eyes watery. Foolish mage. Foolish human. Small stubby human fingers peeled her fingers away from their death grip on the kitchen knife. She pulled Sylvanas to her sit by the kitchen fire and just held her hand. She had been leaking dark shadows, no doubt looking absolutely terrifying. Eventually her form solidified and Sylvanas felt embarrassment for losing control so easily. "I apologize for frightening you." 

"You didn't. Frighten me that is." Her hand was still there, a solid physical warm presence. "I was worried for you." 

There was nothing she could say to that. Instead, Sylvanas sat and listened to the crackle of firewood and flames with Jaina's hand in hers. 

Chapter Text

Perhaps it was the impending motherhood that made Jaina see Anduin in a different light. He was the current leader of the Alliance but he was also a young man who was her nephew. He brought her cookies wrapped in a nice bow and a contrite expression on his face that edged to confusion. It certainly didn't help that Anya was looming in the foreground like a gargoyle. Seeing how the cat was out of the bag, so to speak, Captain Anya had made a point to have a protection detail for Jaina. One that Jaina fiercely shot down as she was an archmage and she didn't need any help. Her argument lost steam when she had to stop and hurl mid discussion. 

Certainly Anduin's sense of calm wasn't helped by Sylvanas intruding on their high tea, having invited herself, and was now seated across from Jaina, holding a tea cup and being generally non threatening. Sylvanas had decided to dress modestly, sporting a magenta shirt with the sleeves pulled to her elbows and brown trousers with polished knee high boots. Even her hair was nicely combed and fell like silk over her shoulders. Which was so out of character, Jaina had to do a double take. She also made Jaina feel like she was dressed in a brown potato sack and twice as lumpy. Which was weird to realize as rationally Jaina knew she wasn't in competition with Sylvanas and not over Anduin. Besides it wasn't as if she cared  if Sylvanas were to dress up and woo a suiter. They weren't together. 

Besides it wasn't as if Jaina didn't have eyes. Sylvanas looked quite dashing and she certainly knew it judging by the slouch and the smirk on her lips. Anduin certainly spent much of his time studying his tea and his aunty than look at the Warchief. 

Jaina drank her tea slowly and enjoyed the dark brew. It was leaf juice but it was the only caffeine she would allow herself to have. "It is good to see you, aunty." Anduin began shyly, "I was concerned when you left. We all were." 

The mage hummed noncommittedly. 

"Then Shaw told me about...." He didn't seem to be able to bring it up. The baby? The semi-abandonment? Jaina becoming a hermit and eschewing from politics? 

"What is your question, little lion?" Sylvanas drawled, her mere presence taking up the room. "Are you asking if your aunty and I had carnal relations?" 

Two things happened all at once. Firstly, Anduin sprayed his tea across the table and jumped up, grabbing napkins to clean the mess, his face redder than the tomatoes. Secondly, Jaina nearly choked on her tea in turn, leading to Sylvanas to gently pat her back so she wouldn't choke. In between the apologies and the coughing, Jaina managed to regain her ability to breathe and she took that opportunity to draw Sylvanas away to a dark corner.

"What is your problem?" She hissed. 

"Whatever do you mean?" 

Jaina narrowed her eyes spotting the mischievous lurking in her red eyes. 

"Behave yourself." Jaina said in a low voice, putting her hand on the magenta shirt in emphasis. 

Slyvanas looked down at the contact and then back up, eyebrows raised. "Are you going to make me?" She just had to make her voice low and sultry and far too flirtatious. 

Jaina's face colored. "N-no." She pulled her hand back as if burnt by hot coils tucking them into her other hand. "Just. Don't make this more difficult than it already is." 

Something flickers in Sylvanas's eyes. "Of course, whatever you like." 

The high tea continued without anymore hiccups. 

Things seem to calm down after Anduin's visit. The mansion was made a bit more livelier, cobwebs removed and spiders gently ushered to the great outdoors. A child's nursery began to grow shape and form and slowly made itself known. Things began to appear, trinkets and drawings and the mansion began to feel like it was lived in and not merely occupied. Jaina's room was off limits but that didn't stop Sylvanas from poking around. It was filled with sentimental items and books. Mainly books. Clothes were strewn about as were parchment paper and ink bottles. Ship things were present as well. Boats. A picture of a boat. More boats than a reasonable person should ever have. 

"It appears we have our work cut out for ourselves." Sylvanas's smooth voice cut through the mess and Jaina stirs from her comfortable nest of blankets. She's nine months into a nine month pregnancy and the baby has yet to come out of her body and she was not in a good mood. "More people wish to visit. How unfortunate." 

"That's good news isn't it?" Despite being the once ruler of Theramore, she was still quite naïve about statehood. "No one thinks you've kidnapped me or tricked me." 

"Oh no, they actually do." The mirth was palatable. "That's why they wish to visit. To check if you were under my spell." 

"By the tides." Jaina groans into her pillow. "Do they really?" 

"All the missives intercepted by our spies say so." Sylvanas didn't even pause her roll. "The little lion actually thinks you're doing fine, it's everyone else who thinks otherwise." 

"Our spies?" 

"....My spies." The elf corrected smoothly. "The dark rangers are mine." 

Jaina hid her smile but she couldn't stifle her laugh. "I don't know, I think Kalira likes me. What if I keep her?" 

Sylvanas glowered. "Oh really?" Perhaps she had been too lax with Kalira and she may need a tour in the frozen wastelands of Northrend for an indeterminate amount of time. 

"Anya likes me too. I was pretty sure she hated me at first but she has a soft center surrounded by a hard chocolaty shell." Jaina said innocently. "Clea has been teaching me how to shoot a bow on her own time." 

Sounds like Kalira may have some companions on her tour. 

"Thank you for sending them. I think I'd go stir crazy if I had to stay in this mansion by myself. It was nice to have people around." Wrapped in her blankets it was difficult to see the grief stricken mage who nearly drowned all of Orgrimmar under a tidal wave of water. Just a human with soft blonde hair and softer skin. Whose blue eyes seem to encompass the world. "Sylvanas?" 

The banshee blinked. "So it seems." She had been lost in thought. How out of character for her. 

"Are you alright?" Fingers appeared in her vision followed by a hand and an arm. Jaina was intruding into her space, hand outreached, fingertips touching her cheek. They stared at each other. Slowly, ever so slowly, Jaina retreated. "Sorry." She said with flushed cheeks. 

"I should go." Sylvanas murmured as she got up. "I will speak to you later. Good night Jaina." 

Chapter Text

It made sense that someone would attempt to kill Sylvanas Windrunner. She had been responsible for some terrible things and depending on who you talk to, some great things as well. Her long tenure as a ranger gave her more enemies than she had summers. But Jaina? Who would dare make a move against one of the strongest archmages that the Alliance possessed?

Sylvanas casually flipped a knife with one hand. It kept her from doing something drastic. She was seated on a tree trunk, one leg on the other, eying the figure bound before her. She didn't need a throne to lounge aggressively. "I won't ask again, who ordered you to kill Jaina Proudmoore?"

The man said something around the gag. Sylvanas didn't care. This was for her. This was to cause pain. She wanted to rend him apart with her bare hands. She wanted to scream so loudly that his brain would drain out of his ears. She wanted to indulge the parts of her that enjoyed spilling blood. This was personal.

He was one of three who were caught in an ill advised attempt to poison Jaina's food. Ever since the outside world found out about where Jaina was residing, there has been some, rumors floating in the wind. Oddly enough, the Horde as a whole didn't seem to really care, in so much there were no word of dissent. Some people did disagree with Jaina's overall presence, her being alive and well given her history with the Horde but that as to be expected. Jaina was entertaining visitors and she couldn't run the mansion herself. Jaina hired a few of the locals to help keep the mansion in order, people her family had employed before and people knew her. It should have been safe. Her rangers vetted those from the Horde side who were allowed to be in the mansion and she acquiesced to Jaina's wisdom. Perhaps she should have just gone behind her back. It wouldn't have led to this, for certain.

It was on a whim to taste a bit of the concoction in Jaina's goblet and the moment her undead tongue touched the liquid, she tasted something odd, metallic. It wasn't in anything of the other liquids in the house, she checked. Following her suspicion, she had her alchemist test the substance. Poison her alchemist reported to her. Something slow. Something that needed to be fed over time. Perhaps it was due to the pregnancy, Jaina didn't detect anything. Her mage certainly had the weirdest of tastes as of late.

Sylvanas watched indifferent to the mix of snot, spit and blood that dribbled from the man's gagged mouth to the dirt. Humans. So many of them and so little time to kill them all. What a disgusting life form who dares grace the same space as Jaina. A pity her mage thought so highly of the people who supported her father.

Clea removed the gag. The man spewed insults. She stuffed the gag back in. 

What to do. What to do. She could kill him that would solve her immediate problem. She could kill him and raise him and interrogate him until he gives up everything he knew. Choices. Choices. "Tell your masters that Jaina Proudmoore is off limits. Any attempts on her are attempts on me and I do not take assassination attempts lightly. Do you understand?" 

The other two killed themselves before they could be apprehended. They made it so they could not be brought back. A pity.

"If I see you again and I will hunt you down. I will destroy you, your name, you bloodline and all that you have ever touched. " Sylvanas tossed the knife in front of the man's nose, the edge cutting into the skin. "Now go."

Sylvanas watched the man run, hobbling quickly on a cracked ankle. Clea's fingers twitched, her ears canted back. "While I'm loathed to let go of prey, he'll lead us to his masters soon enough."

If there was anyone who was going to cause Jaina Proudmoore grief, it would be her.

(And so she does. Unknowingly.)

Valeera withheld her sigh. This was not what she thought it would be. When Anduin asked her to discretely check on his aunty, Valeera wasn't interested, at first. The Warchief was rather firm on her stance on spies and any that Anduin attempted to have placed were found and removed. Jaina had also disagreed about having spies or minders. The two were a united front. Valeera knew she could sneak in but she wasn't sure if it was worth her time. But Anduin had asked her very sincerely with his concern about his pregnant aunt and well, Valeera always had a soft spot for Anduin. It might even be fun to dodge all the dark rangers and any other champions that the Horde had. Peace times meant her missions were more run of the mill and mundane and absolutely dull. So perhaps she dragged her feet just a little bit but ultimately, this mission promised to be exciting. Like, trying to pick pocket the Warchief type of excitement.

To her disappointment, it was a bore fest. She had never seen two people acting like a couple without actually fucking. She checked. Jaina had her own room and slept in her own bed and the closest she'd ever seen as intimacy was them chatting to each other by the fireplace. They would make moon eyes at each other. And Windrunner would do things like help Jaina up, do her hair, smooth out creases etc. Of course they did this out of sight of anyone else. In public, they were as apart as two separate political factions could be without being insulting. They shared meals and when Jaina had meetings, Windrunner was present as well hovering over her like a dark shadow.

It was so disgustingly homely. Absolutely disgusting.

Sylvanas freaking Windrunner peeled carrots and potatoes to make a soup. She butchers meat and cooks it. She steals food from Jaina's plate or cup. Picks flipping flowers and puts them in glass containers to be placed on Jaina's work table. And Proudmoore would accept these items and grace Windrunner with a smile or a hand caress. Valeera just couldn't make head or tails of it. The story was that Proudmoore was pregnant and absconded to her family's mansion by the water to give birth. And at some point, it was really uncertain, the Warchief showed her face. Everyone thinks they're in a relationship. But it was far too messy. There was a baby involved. And why would Jaina even entertain the Warchief? She was an undead abomination and leader of the Horde. Jaina's dating history didn't seem to indicate she liked women at all and, personally, there were probably better matches.

Then again, Liradin mentioned that Sylvanas used to be a real lady killer with charm coming straight out of her ass. Could a banshee have sexual desire? What would that look like? And once again, Valeera found herself speculating about sexual relations with a corpse. The other dark rangers seem to have relationships, from what she could observe, so it wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination that the Banshee Queen should be able to do so as well.

Which brought a really interesting question. Did Liradin and Sylvanas bang? Valeera really should ask the next time she saw the Blood Matriarch. It was a sin to all the gods that someone that hot was single or straight. Even if Liradin may possibly try to purify her. It would be well worth the risk.

And what was life if there was no risk? No gamble?

It would be just that Jaina's birthing pains came at the worst possible time. Firstly, Sylvanas was in Orgrimmar doing her duties as the Warchief which, according to the banshee, was going through a mountain of paperwork and trying to deal with what a goblin considers efficiency. She was only going to be gone for a few hours, nothing more as Jaina was so close to birthing. Yet when she woke, the Warchief was not present. Secondly, it was the middle of the night. Thirdly, her magic was limited to simpler spells as the more complex ones require more concentration and patience than Jaina had. Which meant, her water broke, she was alone and the only spell she could cast at the moment was a wisp.

Jaina breathed in deeply to stop herself from screaming. She looked around the room for something to hit. Or throw.

As Jaina scanned the room for something, her eyes came upon a familiar rock. Oh right. Wow, this pregnancy brain really fucked her up. Jaina sent a quick message through he communication device. The response was immediate. Not even a few seconds later, a dark figured appeared on her window sill. "Clea?" The dark ranger pushed her hood down. "My lady."

She stepped onto the plush carpet and went to Jaina's side. "I have alerted the midwife." Clea announces, her eyes flicking to Jaina's face to the puddle of fluids that has no doubt stained the duvet. "Are you injured?"

Jaina couldn't help but laugh at the very honest and earnest question. "Pregnancy as a whole is a sexual transmitted disease, with a parasite that uses the body for protection and nutrition. And then forcing itself out of a path that may tear during the process." It was easier to ignore the contractions if she were to focus on something else, like finding the civilization of twits who thought it'd be brilliant to leave a fertility idol out for anyone to touch without a set of instructions. "If it were not pleasurable, I'm sure many species would have died out."

Clea raised both eyebrows. "Are you addled?"

"No." Jaina sighed. "Just trying to distract myself."

The dark ranger huffed, a small snort. "Then, tell me more. I do not know how human reproduction cycles work."

And so Jaina did. She talked through her contractions, focusing on breathing, on keeping it all together before the midwife arrived and a panicked looking Sylvanas. It became a series of organized chaos as the room was transformed into a birthing chamber. Jaina let it flow past her. Through her. Until the sun broke across the horizon heralding a new dawn and with it, the cry of a newborn.

"A girl." The baby was placed against her chest, fussing, tiny hands gripping her loose blonde hairs. Jaina knew she was a wreck, covered in blood and sweat and who knows what else. She was at her most vulnerable and yet, she felt safe. A thought made it's way to the forefront of her brain. She remembered being a little girl and seeing her mother and her new baby brother-and all she wanted then, was to have a child of her own. She had wanted that with Arthas. She had wanted her parents by her side. Her father's dead and her mother- oh Tides. Her mother never did respond to any of her missives. She would have hated to miss the birth of her only grandchild.

"You're crying." It was just them and the baby. Sylvanas was seated by her bed. The Banshee Queen looked unkempt, as if she was roused suddenly and rushed. Her hair was pulled up in a quick bun, wearing a light tunic that emphasized her broad shoulders. "Are you still in pain?"

"No. I just-" Jaina wiped her tears away with one hand, still cradling their child. Their perfect half-elven child. "Do you want to hold her?"

Now that she'd been around Sylvanas, she could tell the little hidden body languages that she had, the way her ears twitch and shift. The subtle press back against the fabric of the chair and then the more audible response. "Are you sure?"

"If we're going to co-parent, you should get to hold her at least once." Jaina said half jokingly. "I'm not going to be the only one taking care of her."

Cold fingers gently takes the swaddled infant and she barely makes a peep. Sylvanas began to hum quietly, as she takes the babe and holds her gently with practiced ease. Jaina watches behind half lidded eyes as her exhaustion hits her like a brick to the head. She tracks the shifting movement, the look in Sylvanas's eyes, and the sunlight passing through a window bathing them in the warmth of the rising sun.

Chapter Text

The following hour finds Jaina in bed, exhausted beyond reasonable expectation. Jaina had the distinct memory of her mother running around after Tandred, running the household, as if the birthing was a mild inconvenience. She felt utterly filthy in her sweat soaked clothes. The bloody and soiled sheets were removed promptly but she felt gritty and stick all at the same time. The baby was wrapped in soft blankets, curled up on her chest. Sylvanas had been running around barking orders, in and out of the room, bringing order into chaos. Jaina felt utterly useless despite the healing. 

Jaina held her daughter and inhaled her scent. Thank the Tides for healers but damn did she fell like a wrung out towel. Physically she was healed from the damage of childbirth but mentally and spiritually, she was done. As in, she wanted to pass out but the fear of accidentally crushing the new life by her breasts kept her from nodding off. Her newly born baby was the size of a loaf of bread and just as precious.

Her rescue came in the form of Sylvanas dressed in a loose tunic and pants, looking far prettier than she should Jaina thought indignantly.

"You look like you need a bath." She drawled, coming close to the bed, arms crossed on her chest. It was unfairly showing off her forearms and broad shoulders. "Your stench is filling the room."

If Jaina's eyes could cast a magical death ray, Sylvanas would be a smoking black stain on the ground. The banshee clucked and with ease, swept Jaina off the bed and into her arms in a bridal carry, easily carrying her weight. Jaina yelped, bringing her arms closer to keep her precious cargo safe. Sylvanas carried Jaina into the next room where the porcelain tub was, already filled with hot water and nice smelling salts. Jaina found herself on unsteady feet, stumbling back and finding herself held up by firm hands. "Careful now." The voice by her ear felt like a cool brief of air. It tickled and not in the usual place.

The sleeping babe was gently pried from her grip and then Jaina found herself tipped into the tub, clothes and all. She surfaced sputtering her clothes completely soaked. She surfaced and pulled her night shift off. The bath was nice. The delivery left much to be desired. Jaina ran her hands through her wet locks, letting the bathwater drip down her face. She blinked a few times. 

Jaina was treated with a startling sight. Sylvanas looking at someone with unbridled affection. Unguarded. Something like love. And for a split second she felt a shot of jealousy. Then it was over. Jaina dunked her head in the tub half to soak her hair and the other to wash away the feelings. They were just co-parenting. There was no love between them. Nothing but begrudging respect. 

That didn't stop Jaina from watching Sylvanas cradle the baby. 

The first few weeks was rough to say the least. But once a routine became established, it became manageable. Jaina kept the baby with her during the day during her daily work. Sylvanas would be readily present if Jaina ever needed a break and it was generally known that no one else was allowed within ten feet of the baby. It wasn't that Jaina didn't trust anyone, it was just, Sylvanas didn't trust anymore. The banshee lurked everywhere and generally made a nuisance of herself if anyone gave the baby the side-eye. The only people allowed were the dark rangers and even then, only a few. Anya was a constant gargoyle and Kalira had taken to reading the FnF rules to lull the baby to sleep. Apparently Clea enjoyed making treats and dropped off new recipes for Jaina to try. It almost felt isolating if it weren't for the fact she could portal herself to anywhere she wanted. She just didn't want to. 

And why should she? This was her home and she was by the sea. It wasn't as if she couldn't have friends over for high tea.  

There was nothing she didn't have here. Plus, Sylvanas was not bad company. 

Once there was a time when all the elves had their hair up. Some naturally wore their hair in elaborate braids and others had their hair down. Jaina stumbled across the culprit quite by accident. One day, after a long morning of tax reform, Jaina wandered into the nursey to squish her baby's cheeks. What she found, made her stop in her tracks. Sylvanas was bent over the crib, elbows on the lip, her gaze fixed downward towards the wiggling bundle. That wasn't what made her freeze, but rather, just Sylvanas.

The banshee queen had her hair tied up in a messy knot, revealing her sloped jaw and earlobes. She'd never seen Sylvanas like that. Not her neck or her jawline displayed so. The banshee had taken to wearing casual clothes while squatting in Jaina's home. The armor was rarer to see as the days past, more likely to be found on her armor stand than on her body. 

"I-what?" Jaina asked, lost for words. "Your hair?" She gestured towards her own tied up hair. 

The banshee raised her eyebrow. "Yes? I have hair. Thanks for noticing." 

Knowing Sylvanas enjoyed being obstinate, Jaina waited a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking. "I thought elves favored braids." She said lamely. "It looks good." 

"Hm." 

Jaina tapped her foot on the floor before giving in. "What's with the change? I like it." 

The elf loosened her hair and allowed it to curtain around her face. A small hand reached out, grabbed strands of hair in small pudgy fingers and yanked. As if expecting it, Sylvanas moved only a touch. "That is why." The banshee said dryly, allowing her hair to be gummed on. Jaina covered her mouth politely as she withheld her laughter at the sight of Sylvanas bent over, hands on either side of the bassinet as their daughter pulled and pulled.

A shadowy tendril appeared out of Sylvanas back and it grabbed a baby rattle laying on the side table, gripping it and dangling it over the infant's head. Suitably distracted, she let go and Sylvanas escaped. She tied her hair back up, none the worse for wear. Sylvanas eyebrow rose at Jaina. "Your mouth is open."

Jaina closed it.

"Do you...use your..umm." Jaina tries to figure a way to tactfully describe the tentacles. "I didn't know they could be that tactile." 

"They could do a lot of other things too." Sylvanas said with a great deal of innuendo. It seemed to be like a part of her she could switch on just to get a rise out of Jaina. "Very useful." 

Jaina cleared his throat. "Yes. I can see that."

Sylvanas had thought her sisters would never speak to her again. Her letters of overture were returned without being read. It was a tough thing to swallow but, Sylvanas was prepared to close that chapter in her life. She had died years ago. Her old life was gone now. All she had was what she made of herself now, and the people she surrounded herself with. 

So it was a surprise to be notified of two unexpected arrivals. 

"I see." Sylvanas said, a piece of parchment crumpled in her hand. "And where are they?" 

Velonara stood at parade rest. "Outside the gate." 

"Would it be too much to ask for them to be clapped in chains?" 

"Depends." Velonara said straight faced. "Whether or not Jaina would invite them in first." 

The slight twitch of Sylvanas's eye was the only indication that she was not the only leader present. "Let's not disturb her rest." She stood and dropped the ruined parchment onto the table. "I will deal with them." 

Velonara followed her as Sylvanas made her way to the front door and then the front garden where her two least favorite people stood. Behind the waist high gate was Alleria and Vereesa. It was hard to tell who didn't want to be here. Vereesa who looked like she was two insults away from bursting into tears or Alleria who was one sword stroke away from stabbing her. Sylvanas sneered at her sisters. "What is it that you want?"

"We wish to see Jaina." Vereesa said between watery eyes. "And our niece." 

Alleria said nothing. She seems content to be glaring holes into Sylvanas.

Sylvanas had half of a mind to tell them both off. "And why should I let you anywhere near her?" 

"We're sisters-" 

"When has that mattered? Perhaps only when you needed something?" 

Vereesa stiffened as if slapped. Alleria placed her hand on Vereesa's shoulder. "Enough, Sylvanas. Keep your poisoned tongue to yourself." 

"Oh? I have spoken only the truth." Sylvanas sneered focusing her ire on her eldest sister. She had enough vitriol for a few day's rant and more. "And what do you know? Only what the alliance have told you. Tell me, are you here to see if I have usurped Jaina and imprisoned her in her own home? Created some monstrosity?" 

Alleria's non response was confirmation enough. Sylvanas laughed mockingly. "I knew it. You didn't come here out of concern for Jaina but to see if I was cooking up some scheme to ruin the peace treaty." 

"You're a monster. What else was I supposed to think?" Alleria snapped back, stepping forward in front of Vereesa as if to protect her. "You lead the Horde." 

And it hurt. It hurt what was left of her heart that her sisters held no love for her. She suspected but to have it confirmed? Like a cold sword sliding into her chest. 

"Syl." Vereesa shoved past Alleria, planting her hands on the fence. "Please. I-I just. I want to see Jaina." 

"I'm not holding her against her will if that's what you're implying." She was also not letting them in, so, she was being an obstacle. It probably didn't help that her dark rangers have surrounded the area and were blatant about it, judging by the way Alleria's eyes darted from side to side. 

"Then why are you being such a dick?!" 

Taken about by the sudden outburst, Sylvanas gaped. She couldn't even protest because she was being an absolute dick. 

Vereesa breathed heavily her face turning pink from embarrassment. She sniffed. "You're right. I have been saying terrible things about you. I gave up on you. I didn't even have the guts to say it to your face. There was so much that I messed up on and it just got worse and worse and I didn't know what to do. I was scared of losing you and Alleria. You, the boys, you're all I have left. We're all we have left." 

If there was one thing Sylvanas could not deal with was a weeping woman. Especially if it was her sister. Years of caring for her younger siblings could not be erased so easily. She still loved them. 

Sylvanas heaved a long suffering sigh. "Fine. Come in before you attract the neighbors." 

She could see Alleria's eyes twitch in confusion as she looked around at the vacant land, mouthing, what neighbors? 

Chapter Text

This was a stupid idea. Demanding to see their niece without first requesting an audience? It was stupidity and arrogance of the highest order. However, when has stupidity ever stopped Vereesa Windrunner from doing anything? When has political correctness ever stopped Alleria Windrunner from getting her way? Perhaps minn’da was right about how unsuited Alleria would be as Ranger General. 

Vereesa worked her hands nervously, waiting. Her eldest sister was like carved stone if not for the slight twitches of her ears as if she was listening to someone. A thousand years of war has not changed Alleria for the better. Low emotional intelligence aside she was still the best Farstrider that Silvermoon has ever produced and it showed. They had dismounted a few miles away and made their way through the woods dodging several patrols before making themselves known a few meters away from the property. 

They were dressed for battle which was Alleria’s idea more so than Vereesa’s. Vereesa wanted to bring cakes, which she did, and wear something more comfortable than armor but she has never been able to supersede Alleria in anything. 

After what seemed to be a long time the door opened. Sylvanas Windrunner stepped out dressed in earthy tones looking as if she was in the middle of a meal in sharp contrast to the armor that Vereesa and Alleria wore. 

It has been months since she has seen her sister dressed like a normal person and not decked in skulls and bones. The dark magics that animated her sister's body had given her the fascimile of life. The conversation begins cordially enough and immediately spirals downwards. Years of vitriol came bubbling to the surface and Vereesa retreated behind Alleria, tears streaking down her face unable to handle the lash of Sylvanas’s tongue. She was right though, that was the worst part about it. She should say something, amything, am apology at the very least. 

Then it went all wrong. 

Vereesa opened her big mouth. 

“Then why are you being such a dick!” 

Sylvanas’s ears went up and Vereesa felt hers press close to her skull and down in embarrassment. The hurt that spread across Sylvans’s face was more real than the snippy comments that had been exchanged. Vereesa wanted to die right then and there. What kind of idiot says that? What kind of fool- 

Tears tracked down her face as she apologized. “You’re right. I have been saying terrible things about you. I gave up on you. I didn’t even have the guts to say it to your face. There was so much that I messed up on and it just got worse and worse and I didn’t know what to do. I was scared of losing you and Alleria. You, the boys, you’re all I have left. We’re all we have left.” 

Vereesa fully expected to be expelled by arrows. Sylvanas was in her right to banish them both. To her surprise, Sylvanas sighs. Her indomitable sister caves in and reaches over the waist high fence to unlatch the door.

“Fine. Come in before you attract the neighbors.” 

Vereesa looked at Alleria and then back at Sylvanas. Now that she got what she wanted she couldn’t even take a step forward. A frown began to grow on Sylvanas’s face and before she could take her words back, Vereesa darted forward.  She felt the wards pass over her and she could feel Jaina's magic, the smell of seawater and ozone lingered on the back of her throat. 

She cast her gaze to the rooftops where figures made valiant attempts to hide themselves but were far too interested in spying. Her sister’s rangers. Vereesa knew them all by name and face, having been practically raised by them. Whenever their mother was busy with her duties Vereesa was foisted off to her older sisters. Alleria was always doing something that took her far from Windrunner tower while Sylvanas was at the barracks training or patrolling the woods. 

“No weapons inside.” Sylvanas indicated to the open door. “There’s a weapon’s rack.” 

Vereesa heard Allera’s knuckles crack and to forestall even more fighting, she pulled her bow off her back. “Okay.” 

If that was what was needed, she would do it. She was an intruder and as much as she fucked this up, she didn’t want to make it worse. There was a lot she was willing to give up in order to make Sylvanas more comfortable. At least Alleria was not fighting her and followed her lead as they removed the various weapons on their person. 

Jaina’s home was quite huge and empty if not for the few human servants. The foyer was large as were the massive hallways. Even while living with humans Vereesa was still not used to their architecture. Home was full of knick knacks and warm, filled with the things that she loved. 

“Nice place you got here.” Vereesa offered in an attempt to be cordial. “Very….sea themed.” 

Sylvanas raised an eyebrow before replying. “Surprised by the lack of skulls?” 

“Um…more like the lack of bows? Or hunting trophies?” Vereesa looked around. “This is definitely Jaina’s place.” 

It did not look like Sylvanas lived here. 

When she finally got Jaina’s letter it didn’t really explain what was happening. Jaina seemed to have been taking a vacation and then in their last letter Jaina informed her that she was going to have a child with Sylvanas and that they were currently cohabiting. Then the news exploded and everyone knew about the Warchief and Jaina. 

It didn’t make sense. 

Vereesa spotted the trinkets and the marks that the rangers would leave to denote their passing to others. A nest here and a feather there, placed in such a way that would leave them undisturbed unless you knew where to look and what to do. She glanced to the side to see if Alleria would say anything but her sister was quiet. 

“Captain Anya, if you would.” Sylvanas had remained silent during their long walk through the corridor. “She will show you to the garden.” 

Anya eyed them both suspiciously, not even bothering to pretend to be pleasant. The rangers were not even being sneaky as they followed the trio around. Their loud footfalls were deliberate even as they hide away. Her sister’s squad had remained loyal even past death. Secretly, Vereesa was happy that Sylvanas had someone to watch her back. She was really grateful that someone was supporting her sister when she did not. 

If it were possible their walk to the garden was even chillier. Anya had not changed much after her death. She has always been a stalwart Captain and loyal. She used to be chatty to those she liked and quiet to does she did not. If Sylvanas hated her then her rangers would follow suit. Still. She had to try.  Vereesa flexed her fingers and did a common ranger sign one handed and smiled slightly at Anya’s response. She began to tentatively sign back as they walked.

They descended a short flight of stairs to yet another door that led to a garden and a gazebo. The garden was in full bloom and carefully managed. Tulips grew in abundance. 

“Don’t cause any trouble.” Anya warned flashing a complex set of ranger signs to them both. “Lady Proudmore will be down in a few minutes.” 

You still take your tea with sugar? 

Vereesa signed back. Yes please. And thank you Anya. 

Captain Anya left them in the garden and vanished up the steps. 

“I see no signs of corruption here.” Alleria finally deigned to speak. “Perhaps it is deep within.” 

Vereesa turned to look at Alleria. “Maybe there isn’t anything?” She asked gently. “There is a severe lack of sacrifices or blood rituals.” 

“Why would anyone wish to procreate with a monster if not ensorcelled?” 

She studied her boots and began to realize that maybe, Alleria was operating on another set of information than everyone else. She didn’t come back right after the Dark portal. The sister that she remembered before she left was different from the one that returned. The loving and joyful woman who used to buy her sweets and help her with her hunting skills was gone hidden behind a stranger. Was this to be her fate? To lose everyone she ever loved? 

They were being watched and it kind of confused Vereesa how overt Alleria. She was being very obvious. What happened to the silent footed farstrider who could take out an entire hunting party of orcs without a sound? Perhaps that skill didn’t transfer to speaking. Speaking of hidden nefarious plans would get them both kicked out or killed. A spy Alleria was not. 

“Vereesa.” Jaina made her appearance at the foot of the stairs. She looked good. Her skin was flush and there was a distinct lack of dark bags under her eyes. She was wearing what appeared to be comfortable clothes, a billowy shirt and loose fitting pants. “Alleria.” 

Vereesa shifted in her boots, wanting to hug but also not sure if Jaina was receptive to a hug. Instead she held out her basket. “I made you some cake, the boys helped.” 

Jaina took the basket and went over to the table under the gazebo, putting the wicker basket down and opening it. The smell of sweet cake filled the air and Jaina gently took them out. She sat on one of the benches cradling the cake gently. “Earl Grey, my favorite. Thank you.” 

Vereesa sat on the other bench facing Jaina. 

“I’ll get us some tea and sandwiches. You must be hungry.” Jaina looked up at Alleria. “Unless you don’t want to stay?” 

“No. Please.” Vereesa found herself speaking for both of them as Alleria appeared to have selective mutism. Or Vereesa wanted to see her friend and Alleria had other purposes such as finding dark secrets and hidden plans to take over the world. 

Jaina signaled for a servant and a few minutes later a tea tray was placed on the table. Small talk filled the area. They talked about the boys and school and things that really didn’t matter. 

Vereesa finally broke the ice. “Are you….I’m just…” She fumbled with her words like a child with her first bow. “You look amazing, Jaina.” 

“Thank you. I will admit, childbirth was terrifying. I have no idea how you managed with twins.” Jaina delicately ate her cake and drank her tea with small sips. 

"I nearly didn't. I felt like I would burst when carrying the boys." Vereesa said with a laugh. 

“How- “ Sylvanas appeared, kicking up plenty of noise to signify her arrival. She draped herself onto the bench, one arm behind Jaina’s shoulder and to Vereesa’s immense surprise, Jaina did not move. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Alleria’s ears go up. Sylvanas looked far more relaxed than she has ever been. 

“I have put the little one to bed.” Sylvanas said to Jaina as if there was no one else in the area. “Clea is keeping her company.” 

Vereesa knew better than to bring up the subject of the child. She did. But she couldn’t help but hurt herself. “How is Clea?” 

Sylvanas leveled Vereesa with a flat expression. “You could ask her yourself.” 

An uncomfortable silence fell upon the group. 

Vereesa studied the fine china and hoped her face was not flaming red. She was certain her ears expressed her discomfort  at the dig. Usually Sylvanas would never level barbs at her and in fact, protected her from others. It stung. 

“What Sylvanas meant is that they miss you too.” Jaina cleared her throat with a pointed look at Sylvanas. “If you want, we could arrange for some time so that you can come visit and see everyone.” 

“I would like that.” Her throat felt thick and it was suddenly hard to swallow. “I should have gone sooner to see them and you.” 

Her hands clenched on the table and she stared at her slice of cake. To her horror her vision was blurring and soon enough, tears were falling onto her plate.

“Look what you've done.” Alleria had arisen to the occasion to her horror. “How could you live with yourself?”

The world narrowed and the sound felt muffled. 

“In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t been alive in years.”

Chapter Text

Is this love?

Jaina couldn't tear her eyes away from her precious cargo. She had such cute squishy cheeks, tiny fingers, tiny toes and when she's awake, the greyest eyes she'd ever seen an elf to have. They were starting to accumulate a blue glow associated with the arcane. Sylvanas had once remarked that Jaina could be reclassified as a font of magic. It felt weirdly like a compliment. 

Her ears were longer than a humans but certainly shorter than a full blooded elf. She also had the tiniest little milk teeth fangs that made Jaina coo at how cute they were and simultaneously worry about how sharp they would be on her nipples. Thankfully they were dull. Nursing would have been a nightmare otherwise. Jaina was quite grateful she could nurse, she had done some research and there were some horrifying stories about inverted nipples and bleeding and ugh- it was frankly a bit terrifying how pregnancy changes the body. Did she self inflict a minor panic attack upon herself? Maybe. A tiny bit. 

Anyways, the question about love. Was this love? This feeling of terror and hope and an overwhelming desire to protect her baby? The day dreams of what she could become? What she'd look like when she's grown up? Hearing her laugh and seeing her smile. 

The moment she held her daughter in her arms Jaina knew she would do anything and everything for her. Nothing else mattered. She could tell Sylvanas had the same feeling judging by the bristling dark rangers that stood guard around the clock. She had seen softness that she’d never had imagined and a part of her felt ashamed. She had been one of those people who’d seen nothing but the Scourge in the Forsaken. Had Sylvanas sent envoys to her, would she have turned them down or would she have heard her out? It was foolish to waste her time thinking of what ifs but she couldn’t help and wonder. Without the burdens of the past ten years would she have seen past the dead flesh and recognized a fallen Alliance hero? 

"Will you inherit your mother's stubbornness?" Jaina asked the sleeping baby, wondering if there will be anything of hers the child will have. Due to the nature of the pregnancy, it was hard to say what passed or who she will emulate the most. The bassinet was made of sturdy wood and Jaina had a sneaking suspicion that Sylvanas had built it from hand. It had the beautiful sloping filigree with the ostentatious gold that the Quel'thalas elves favored. She was swaddled in a soft purple blanket. 

"I'm sure she will." Sylvanas's dual tone voice drew Jaina out of her reverie. Jaina pulled her gaze away and up to the door. She looked tense, muscles contracted under her skin, the stiffness of her shoulders. She looked like a taut bow string ready to be fired.

"What's going on?" Jaina asked worriedly, "Is it my mother?" 

Tides help her if her mother decides to show up with sailors and demand- what would her mother want that Jaina hasn't already offered? 

"No it is far worse,  my sisters had deigned to grace our doorsteps." Sylvanas said in a tight tone. "They have decided to demand an audience with you and our child." 

For a moment Jaina was stunned and then appalled. "What?" 

Sylvanas looked far too displeased to sneer or do any of her classic haughty elf facial expressions. She actually looked upset and uncomfortable. And Jaina knew. Tides help her. She noticed the minute changes in Sylvanas’s visage. 

 "They are being quite rude." Jaina said finally, pushing herself up to her full height. “You are a head of state. What was Vereesa thinking?” 

A flicker of surprise passed Sylvanas’s face as quickly as it appeared. “I find that Little Moon rarely does think. She inherited all of the passion and none of the intelligence.” 

Jaina wrinkled her nose at Sylvanas’s attempt at normalcy with half hearted insults. That was how rattled Sylvanas was. “What do you want to do?” 

“I already let them in.” Sylvanas admitted with a grimace. “I didn’t wish to cause a scene.” 

There was something deeper beneath those words, something that Sylvanas didn’t want to mention or didn’t think was relevant. 

“Is that what you want?” 

Sylvanas regarded Jaina with a self-deprecating look and a shrug. “Rarely do I ever get what I want even as a head of state. I am not ready to introduce our child yet. However, if that is your wish…..”

She braces as if ready for a fight. Jaina would have been insulted if she hadn’t been living with Sylvanas for the past year. 

“Okay. They will not see her yet. Not until you’re comfortable. I will speak to them first, if you need time to compose yourself?” 

“That would be preferable.” Sylvanas glanced over at the bassinet. “I will need only a few minutes.” 

“She’s finally asleep. She was a bit fussy but she’s calmed down.” 

“Good.” Sylvanas made her way to the bassinet, resting her elbows on the edge peering at their daughter. 

Before she leaves the room Jaina risks a peek at her daughter’s other parent and in the lightning, she finds an unguarded Sylvanas who looked at their daughter with the utmost devotion.   

Yes. This is love. 

Jaina had attempted to steer the conversation into safe waters but she had not calculated for sheer drama that was the Windrunner sisters. It was like watching a goblin invention combust. You knew it was going to happen but you couldn’t look away. 

Vereesa is an ugly crier and her older sisters didn’t seem to know how to react except to throw blame and vitriol at each other. Jaina knew better than to get in the way feeling like a specter in what seems to be a private moment between the three sisters. 

She did manage to save the cake from being dashed to the ground as Sylvanas leapt over the table to pummel Alleria. 

“Tides.” Jaina breathed raising a hand to cast a spell. A warm hand rested on her wrist and Jaina looked up into Vereesa’s red and wet face. 

“Don’t.” Vereesa said, rubbing her face with a tissue that Jaina offered. “Unless you can stop them from fighting they’ll be at it for a while. Best to let them work it out.” 

“I could freeze them both.” Jaina offered. She scowled as the sisters rolled towards her tulip beds. They better not ruin them, it took her ages to coax them to grow.. “Is this normal?” 

She gestured broadly to the sisters as they scuffled. 

“Honestly? Yes.” Vereesa blew her nose. “They would always get into fights over silly things like who gets the last pastry. At least they haven’t broken out the knives.” 

“Were you ever dragged into this?” 

“No. They didn’t dare drag me into this as I’d just cry  and Minn’da would throw them both out.” Her best friend let out a small laugh. “I think they needed this. They would settle so many arguments with throwing hands. I think that’s half the reason Sylvanas was good at fighting as she did.” 

Jaina nodded sympathetically and for a brief moment they shared a rare calm together as they watched the fight. She was sure Vereesa knew what she was talking about. But she should prepare a spell just in case. 

Sylvanas hooked her foot behind Alleria’s and rolled them away from the flower beds. They were Jaina’s pet project and she didn’t need her mage to be distraught. Jaina already had so many problems to worry about and the last thing she needs is yet one more disappointment. 

Alleria glared up at her but without any of the usual vitriol. For one thing her tattoos were not glowing and nor did she shift into her void form. Sylvanas paused mid straddle, one hand cocked back for a punch. Her elder sister was the uncontested master of fighting. So why was she letting Sylvanas win? 

The world shifted with a sudden yank and Sylvanas shifted to fight the incoming back mount that Alleria favored. It was a doomed attempt as always. 

“It would seem you haven’t learned anything since I’ve been gone.” Alleria said by her ear, having effectively locked down Sylvanas’s arm and leg, immobilizing them with frightening ease. She could turn into smoke and change the entire nature of this fight. Allerica could have gone into her void form. Yet here they were wrestling as if they were children.

“You were not gone that long sister.” Sylvanas growled, taking full advantage that she didn’t need to breathe to talk. 

Essentially pinned and unwilling to use her other abilities, Sylvanas was stuck. 

“Time passes differently on Draenor.” Alleria took a breath. “I…I cannot say that I regret going through the Dark Portal. The only thing I can apologize for is not being with you or our family.”

Sylvanas ceased her struggle in shock. She must have died again because there was no way Alleria would admit to any sort of failing. 

“Who are you and what have you done with my sister?” 

“I could say the same.” Alleria’s grip tightened. “I come back and you are Warchief of the Horde.” 

She couldn’t help but throw the barb. It was just too easy. “That’s what happens when you abandon your family and your people.” 

Perhaps she had truly touched a nerve as Alleria shifted to trying to choke her out. Luckily inhabiting her dead body meant she didn’t need to breathe. It was just uncomfortable and eventually a mess for the priests. Might as well do what she’s famous for, make problems for other people. Sylvanas dislocated her arm and took advantage of the increased mobility to slip out of the hold. She elbowed Alleria in the solar plexus for good measure as well. 

She sprang apart taking a good look at her opponent. Alleria’s tattoos had a slight glow but aside from that she seemed to have a hold of herself. In contrast, Sylvanas was very much in control, she hadn’t started smoking yet. Truly she had progressed in her ability to keep her temper in check. If only Illaya Cloudspeaker could see her now. 

“I thought I was doing the right thing.” Alleria wiped blood away from her face with her less dominant hand. Her dominant one had two broken fingers courtesy of Sylvanas. 

“You ran away. You left us behind. You left your son behind.” She had not escaped unscathed either with black ichor drying on her cheeks and her dislocated arm. “I mourned you for years and yet when you returned you did not seek me out."

Her silence spoke volumes.

“It fell to me to continue our family legacy.” Sylvanas rotated her arm and without much ceremony jammed her arm back into its socket. "As if always does." 

“You worked with the Horde, you became their Warchief. You know what they did to Lirath. What they did to our people." 

Sylvanas didnt need to look at her hands to pull up memories of her claws rending flesh. She would never let herself forget when she became a monster. 

"I was the one to find him." Sylvanas hissed. "I know of what the Horde did. I made the only decision I could. I didn't choose this, much like I didn't want to be Ranger General but I made it work. Unlike you, I could not abandon my responsibilities." 

"Lady Moon..." Alleria could not be brow beaten nor made to submit, her will was too strong but she could sometimes be made to see reason. "Are you still my sister?"

Sylvanas scoffed. "I couldn't deny it even if I tried. Not even death could stop me." 

There was a small cough. Ah yes, they were not alone. Sylvanas turned to her right to look at their audience. Jaina looked unimpressed and perhaps a bit exasperated. Vereesa looked over it but at least she had ceased her weeping. She could never bear to see her sister cry. 

“Vereesa….” It would seem she was not the only one. Alleria was also not one for tears. 

“If you two are done, the tea has gone cold.” Jaina said firmly. 

Sylvanas gracefully made her ascension up the steps to the table. She even accepted Jaina’s fussing, allowing her to wipe the ichor off her face and making her more respectable. Alleria allowed Vereesa to set her fingers without a sound. Neither of them knew healing magic but first aid was something all rangers were taught as well as how to fight through pain. 

“I’m sorry.” Vereesa said again. “I think we have overstayed our welcome. We will take our leave.” 

There was so much she could say. So much pain and suffering she could inflict with her words and Vereesa would take it. She would bear the burden and brunt of Sylvanas’s righteous anger. 

“Your sudden arrival was a surprise but…” Must she be the one who takes the high road? Could she not be cruel and unkind?  “It was needed. We have not spoken in quite some time.” 

“You could always send a letter.” 

At that, Sylvanas blinked slowly, stuffing her anger deep inside. As if she did not reach out-“I did. I sent several.” 

“You did?” While Vereesa was a skilled crier she was not much of a liar. “I did not receive anything. I swear. Had I known, I would have written back!” 

The distress on her baby sister’s face could not be faked. Vereesa was a wretched liar. 

“I know,  Little Moon. It begs the question of who dares to interfere in my affairs.” No one fucks with Sylvanas Windrunner. Not if she could help it. “Someone is moving against me. Someone dares-” 

“Let me help, Sylvanas. You’re not alone in this.”  Jaina’s voice cuts through her swirling thoughts. “You don’t have to act as if you have no allies.” 

“She’s right.” To Sylvanas’s surprise it was Alleria who spoke. “You have us.” 

Her curmudgeon of a sister raised an eyebrow at the no doubt surprised look on Sylvanas’s face. “Don’t mistake me. You have much to answer to.” 

“I’ll check in with my rangers to see if they heard of anyone else missing their mail. It could be a coincidence.” Vereesa placed both hands on the table. “Or a wider conspiracy. Sylvanas could anyone have intercepted your messengers?” 

“No.” 

“Then it must be after the letter has been delivered.” It was a delight to see the other side of her sister, the Ranger captain she had blossomed into. “It’s not much but it’s a starting point.” 

“You have so many enemies, it would be hard to narrow it down.” Alleria drawled. “But I’m sure we could manage.” 

Sylvanas narrowed her eyes but before she could retort, Jaina spoke. “Ah, I see it now. So this is where you got your manners from.” 

Both sisters turned to stare at Jaina. 

“What? You both act the same.” 

“No we don’t!” 

“As if.” 

They glared at each other while Jaina stifled a laugh at their expense. 

“No. She’s right. You are alike.” Vereesa looked just as amused. She gaped at Jaina in false concern. “Oh no, what if the baby turns out just like them? Could you imagine it?” 

 “Oh no, the horror.” Jaina’s fake gasp rounded into a giggle and she let out a laugh that came from the belly. “I would have to hide all the knives.” 

“Don’t even bother. Minn’da tried and it didn’t work.” Vereesa said sagely. “I think she was relieved when Alleria left to command her own squad.” 

Sylvanas and Alleria glanced at each other reaching a conclusion before Sylvanas said in a sing-song voice,” Little Moon, you’re still ticklish are you not?" 

“Ye-ah shit!” Vereesa whirled about as Alleria appeared behind her. She half hearted attempted to skip out of the way before Alleria was upon her pinning her arms behind her back. “No-no-not fair!” 

Sylvanas approached, her hands outstretched. 

“Nooooooo-” 

Chapter Text

If Alelria were ever to regret anything, it would be she was not strong enough to do what needed to be done. All she had ever done was run. As annoying as her sister was, her words rang true. Had she stayed, would her sister’s fate have been averted? Would she have died in her stead? 

They all lie to you. She wants to ruin you. You have to kill her first. 

Alleria knew her sister or she thought she knew. Was it better or worse if it was just some creature that used her sister’s dead body, pretending to be her? Or has her sister become some sort of monster far removed from the Ranger General she used to be? Her sister had always seemed to have shouldered the burden of Ranger General gracefully. 

When she found out about the fate of her people, the only thing she felt was a deep shame. Her duty as a Farstrider should have kept her on this plane of existence. She had wept when she finally found Vereesa and her nephews. When asked of their sister, Vereesa couldn’t look her in the eyes. 

Her sister had become Warchief for the Horde, the very Horde that had killed her sister’s husband. The very Horde that had killed their little brother and mother. The fact that her sister had died hadn’t sunk in. Vereesa spoke of Sylvanas as if she was still alive. 

Now she knew. 

Gone was the golden hair and Belore-blessed skin. Unlike a corpse, her skin was a darker color, darker than the blue-tinged lips of a suffocated victim, her straw-colored hair dull in the light. Her eyes were no longer a bright grey. Death had taken what little fat she had leaving her lean and sharp. 

At least she wasn’t wearing garish clothes decorated with skulls that looked to have been thrifted from a grave. It was tacky and dramatic, very on par with Sylvanas who used a smokescreen to disguise troop moments. 

The words were all Sylvanas,  the sharpness of her tongue and the derision on her face. Her sister had gotten much better at using her tongue than her blade to harm. Death did little to dull her mind. Even if it did murder her manners. But that wasn’t the most curious thing. It was her companion, the one she now lives with. 

The human looked the way all humans do, with rounded ears and teeth, loud and clumsy. But this human smelled like the arcane and her eyes blazed, evident of her power. Even with the void whispering in her ear, she couldn’t miss the wards that were layered on the home or the power that lingered in her wake. 

So this is the woman that her sister had bonded with? Vereesa had only praise to heap onto Jaina Proudmoore. It would seem her sister always had a taste for humans. 

She’ll kill you. Kill you. Kill her first. Danger. Get rid of her. 

The void was a constant that she had long learned to endure. It was a steady chatter that spewed nonsense. The void powers she had were a boon, an advantage that she exercised upon her enemies.  They were scared of her. When they fought they recoiled and Alleria could only feel relief that whatever it was that animated her sister’s body did not cause her pain. Her sister’s fist was as firm as ever. 

“You have always been the best of us,” Alleria said after thoroughly giving Vereesa what she deserved. 

They stood a fair distance away as Vereesa cried to Jaina about how her sisters were ganging up on her and bullying her. 

“Am I?” The dual tone sounded strange to Alleria but she would get used to it. This was a chance to mend what she broke. 

“Yes.” 

They waited in companionable silence as Jaina dried Vereesa’s crocodile tears. Death had tempered her sister or perhaps that was parenthood. 

“When you are ready, Vereesa would love to see our niece. I would like to as well.” 

Sylvanas didn’t say anything her body stock still no longer pretending to be a living thing. 

“Do not blame Little Moon for this intrusion. This was my fault. Do not punish her for my error.” Her sister could also be a vicious creature and vindictive if what she heard about the Warchief was true. 

“It is not up to me,” Sylvanas said finally. “Jaina is an equal partner in this. She gets to have a say.” 

Alleria made a thoughtful noise and that caused Sylvans to turn and look at her, eyebrows narrowed. “What?” 

“Will you introduce me to your partner?” Alleria asked archly falling back on something that would infuriate Sylvanas, the propriety of being Ranger General and of being a Windrunner. Her sister despised the court and the peacocking that occurred. “Now that I am back, am I not the defacto Head of our House given that you’re dead?” 

If looks could kill, Alleria would be in the ground already.  

“You are also dead.” Sylvanas scowled. “Technically. Legally.” 

“That is easily fixed….” Alleria made a small noise. “Oh wait, I’m not allowed back in our ancestral grounds or the courts given that it is Horde territory now.” 

She fixated Sylvanasr with a pointed look. 

“Tch.” Sylvanas heaved a very put-upon sigh. “That was not my decision. You would have to speak to Reagent Lord Theron” 

“But you are the Warchief.” Alleria had very fond memories of Theron and to find him a leader of their people was a strange but welcome thought. 

“Your point being?” 

Alleria shrugged. “I suppose things have changed.” She said simply. “I would like to get to know the human that captured your heart.” 

She legged it before Sylvanas could react, wrapping an arm around Vereesa’s shoulder. Her baby sister shot her a wounded look before addressing the human. 

“A few months then?” 

“Of course. I’ll send you a note.” The mage looked at Alleria and then behind her. Alleria didn’t move, knowing Sylvanas was behind her. “Sylvanas.” 

Her sister swept by and stood by Jaina, looking very much like a devoted spouse. Vereesa was all smiles and even Alleria could feel one on her lips. 

“I had been thinking.” Sylvanas began. “If we are to have a family reunion, we would need a place to hold it. Someplace dear to us and untainted by politics.” 

“Do you mean- “ Vereesa clapped her hands together. “Windrunner Spire?” 

“The work to undo the damage that the Scourge has done is slow but we are steadily rehabilitating the land.” Sylvanas looked at them both. “Would-” 

“YES!” In her haste and her glee, she leaped at Sylvanas as she had done so as a child. Much like in the past, Sylvanas caught her sister and held her. Alleria had spotted the aborted arm gesture to grab a dagger that was concealed in the middle of Sylvanas’s back. 

The human walked over to her as Sylvanas fended off Vereesa. “Are you doing alright?” She asked politely. 

Her fingers would heal albeit without the help of the Light. “I do not believe you need to worry about me Lady Proudmoore.” Alleria said equally polite. “Thank you for being there for my sister when I could not.” 

Both of them knew which sister she was talking about. Curiously the human’s face went red. “It was nothing.” 

“Have you chosen a name?” Even if Sylvanas was Warchief she carried Quel’thalas with her. It was evident in the way she dressed, in the way she kept her rangers, in all the ways that mattered. Was she a fool to not notice? Or was she blinded as everyone was? 

“Oh? Yes. It-” Vereesa came running back, eyes gleaming. There was only mischief in her gaze. She spoke in rapid Thalassian. “Alleria. You have to help me. Sylvanas has not yet given Jaina a token of her regard and they already have a child.” 

Both of Alleria’s brows rose. “ How uncouth. ” She intoned. 

The human glanced between the two of them bewildered. 

“It is a blight upon our house is besmirched by her lack of manners.” Vereesa continued. “Are you not shamed?” 

“Very,” Alleria said, playing along knowing full well that Sylvanas could hear every word. 

“Did you not hunt down a buck and take the skin for your then-husband before taking him to your bed?” Vereesa asked rhetorically. “Carved charms out of the antlers for your future child?”

“Is it not our duty to make sure future sister should be properly welcomed into our House?” By now Vereesa was shouting. 

Alleria pursed her lips, glanced at the stony-faced Sylvanas, and nodded. 

“Then let us make haste!”  With that, Vereesa stomped away leaving a bewildered Jaina standing there looking utterly confused. Alleria fought hard to keep her laughter contained as she gave the human a perfunctory ranger salute as was her right.

“Thank you for your hospitality. We will take our leave.”  Someone had to keep Vereesa’s feet on the ground lest she floats away. 

Her elven ears caught Jaina’s confused questions and the aggrieved Sylvanas telling her to “not worry about it”.

Later,  she would realize that the voices that tormented her every waking moment had been silenced.