Fanfiction: World of Warcraft (R)
For header info, read Part One
Lifetime of Memories
Part Two
Genn was grateful the Healers had agreed to allow Darius three visitors maximum at a time. Ivar had requested a meeting with father and daughter before he made his final decision about swearing an oath of loyalty and the king was not about to leave the Packleader alone in the room with them. Lorna looked up with a smile when he entered, only for it to turn into a scowl when Ivar followed him inside. Almost bristling, she demanded, "What's he doing here, Father Genn?"
"Packleader Bloodfang requested the opportunity to talk with you both," Genn told them, keeping his words and tone formal. "I myself saw no reason why he shouldn't."
It didn't escape Genn's notice that Darius covered Lorna's hand with his, squeezing gently. "It's all right, Lorna. You know the king wouldn't have agreed if he didn't think it would be beneficial to us."
"Quite right, Lord Crowley," he assured his old friend, part of him wishing he was in Lorna's place. Pushing that wish aside, he addressed the worgen beside him. "Packleader?"
Ivar stepped forward, looking humble and contrite. "Lord Crowley, I sincerely regret and apologise for my reaction after you surrendered to Sylvanas." The Banshee Queen's name came out as more of a growl, but Genn didn't blame the younger worgen in the slightest. "I've since had a chance to reconsider my words and look at it from your perspective." Ivar glanced at Lorna, who stared back at him stonily. "I understand now why you would have yielded so quickly and I realise I was unnecessarily harsh."
"You've been a husband and a father for some years now, Ivar," Darius answered, his voice calm, if a little weak. "Why have you waited until now to say this?"
Shifting restlessly under the keen gaze, the worgen leader explained, "I heard what happened to you and realised I'd put it off for too many years and didn't want to wait until it was too late."
"It's not going to be 'too late' for a long time, Ivar!" Lorna told him hotly, rising and advancing on the worgen with a fierce look on her face, though Genn could see fear buried underneath it all.
The king gently caught hold of her shoulders, hoping to keep her from doing something rash. "Calm yourself, Lorna. He's being realistic. You've heard the Healers' reports, you see your father every day. You know what he's saying is true."
"No!" Pulling away from Genn, she turned and flung herself into her father's arms. "I can't lose you, Father! Not now!"
Darius held his daughter as she sobbed into his neck, surprised by her sudden mood swings. Stroking her back gently, he murmured, "Lorna, no one lives forever. You'll lose me in time, but I will never leave you. You'll carry me in your heart, just as we do your mother and brother."
"That's it?" She pulled away from him, scrubbing angrily at her face. "You're giving up?"
His eye narrowed at the accusation. "I never said that. I just want you to understand that you'll have to say good-bye one day."
"Noooo!" The word ended on a howl, the three men watching in astonishment as the young woman transformed before their eyes into a worgen. Without giving them a chance to comment, she dashed from the room.
Genn looked at his old friend, "Did you know she was a worgen now?"
"I gave her a vial of my blood before I left on this last campaign," Darius admitted sheepishly, sitting back against the headboard with a wince. "Why is she so upset by the thought of losing me? It can't just be because I'm her father."
Before he answered the question, Genn looked at Ivar and gestured to the door. The Packleader nodded and withdrew. Darius missed his departure because he'd closed his eye. Genn closed the door behind Ivar and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Pregnant women tend to have pretty dramatic mood swings."
"Pregnant?" Darius opened his eye and stared at Genn in astonishment. "How is she pregnant? I thought she couldn't have more children because Liam was a death knight?"
The king shrugged, taking Darius' hand in both of his and stroking it gently. "They've been researching the idea extensively and apparently decided to take advantage of the plethora of healers and spellworkers in Stormwind to see if they could manage. Obviously, they succeeded."
"Obviously," Darius agreed with wry smile. "Are they sure? There were times when we thought Mia and Elaine were pregnant when they weren't."
He nodded, meeting Darius' gaze calmly and steadily. "Sister Almyra and Celestine have both examined Lorna, as well as a paladin King Varian recommended named Mariannae. They all confirmed that she's with child."
* * *
They didn't stay in the city for long. Darius' increasingly wolfish heart longed for prey to hunt, trees to mark, and a den to sleep in. The worgens retreated into what his human side called the Blackwald. A pack structure developed as they hunted and ran through the wood with Darius, easily the largest and strongest of them, as the undisputed Alpha. Tobias and Maniel skirmished endlessly for the position of Beta. Tobias wasn't as large as the warrior, but he was very wily and clever. Once Maniel was captured by the humans, Tobias became the Beta. Atheniana, as the largest of the females, was the female Alpha. Darius was the only male she allowed near her, growling and snapping at any males who dared to approach her. Regine, Excalibus, and Guinevera tended to stick together, especially after Maniel's capture.
One day, Excalibus, who'd begun disappearing for days at a time, returned to where their pack slept with an unfamiliar druid. Unlike the three worgen druids, whose cat forms resembled a lion, this one looked more like a lynx, her fur a beautiful blue-violet. Then the druid shapeshifted into an unfamiliar female humanoid and Darius growled. With green hair, pink skin, and long, pointed ears, she definitely wasn't Gilnean! She held up her hands, "I mean you no harm, Lord Crowley. My name is Vassandra Stormclaw, a druid like your friends." She gestured to where Excalibus now sat with Guinevera and Regine. "He has communicated your situation to my people and we have found a way to help you overcome the beast inside you. Will you allow me and my people to help you?"
Darius listened intently to her speech, forcing himself to focus when noises and scents from the forest around them kept distracting him. After a few moments' consideration, he nodded, growling softly. She smiled and gestured towards the large tree in the middle of the Blackwald that they tended to circle, but not go into, though it made an ideal den for all of them. "Come with me. Everything is prepared." After some hesitation, Darius rose to all fours and loped after her. Nearby, the two female druids chose to switch to their cat forms, one black with a grey mane, the other tan with a dark brown mane, as they followed the kaldorei. Excalibus, on the other hand, chose to use his spotted travel form, dashing ahead, and then doubling back to leap over Guinevera. When he did this, she growled and swatted playfully at him.
They reached the tree and Darius balked at entering it at first. Vassandra turned to him, sensing his unease. "It is all right, Lord Crowley. Those you scent are here to assist you with regaining your rational mind. You will no longer be a slave to your feral side."
Growling a little in his throat, he followed her inside. Two more kaldorei waited, each standing beside a well. Vassandra led Darius to a third one as the rest of the pack drifted into the tree and found somewhere to sit and watch. "Drink from the Well of Tranquility, Lord Crowley, and let Tal'doren soothe you just as Daral'nir soothes the cursed druids who gave into the beast and abandoned balance."
Wondering what her words referred to, Darius lapped at the water, his wolf side calming the moment the water slid down his throat. At a gesture from Vassandra, he moved to the next well. The druid waiting there spoke when he approached, "Just as Goldrinn's spirit once blessed our druids, let Lord Crowley be blessed with the wisdom of his race and the ferocity of the wolf god."
He drank again, his memories beginning to come back now that the wolf no longer dominated his mind and his memory. Almost eagerly, he trotted over to the last well. The druid who stood there held up an artefact when Darius approached. "Let the Scythe unbind that which was not meant to be bound! Let the soul master the beast, lest the beast master the soul!"
As he drank from the last well, Darius felt his mind clear fully and he looked around with new understanding. He remembered what each of his people once looked like and he mourned the time they'd lost as they'd slowly turned feral. Returning his attention to the three druids, he bowed, "Thank you. I doubt we can ever fully repay you for your kindness."
"It is not simply kindness, Lord Crowley," Vassandra informed him, her voice sad. "It is also redemption for us."
He frowned in puzzlement at that. "What do you mean?"
"Have your people begin drinking from the wells and I will explain," she replied, gesturing to a corner of the tree where a young female druid in cat form suddenly appeared from the shadows. She changed and took Vassandra's place at the first well.
He turned to the others and gave a soft growl, indicating for them to drink from the wells. As they did, Vassandra explained to him where worgens had come from and the role that not only had her people played in their creation, but also the one Genn had played in bringing worgens to Gilneas in the first place. Once they'd all drunk from the wells, Vassandra had them all sit in front of her. "You should now be able to switch between your human and worgen forms. It is not unlike how we druids switch forms: picture what you'd once looked like and focus on that, willing yourself to become human again."
Darius did as she suggested and he could see the others frowning with concentration, some with their eyes closed. Not surprisingly, the three druids were the first to change forms. Atheniana, her expression almost fierce, was the next to change forms. Each of the others changed as well, one by one, but he still was unable to change. The others looked at him expectantly and he tried as hard as he could, but he still remained worgen. "Do not fret, Lord Crowley. In time, it will come to you."
The next few months passed in a blur as Darius sent out trackers regularly to find feral worgens who could be brought to Tal'doren. The kaldorei helped as well and one of them sent a familiar worgen to them. The moment he entered the tree, Regine, who'd taken to spending time with Cassiope, leapt to her feet and dashed across to him with a glad cry, "Maniel!"
"Regine!" He caught her when she leapt at him and held her close, nosing her mane with a smile. "I hoped you'd be all right."
"Lord Crowley has taken good care of us," she told him, more animated now than she'd been since his capture. "He's even made it possible for us to regain our free will."
"How is that you are not feral?" Darius asked as he approached the couple, unwilling to disturb their reunion, but too curious to contain himself.
"Krennan Aranas has developed a potion that helps a feral worgen regain their free will," Maniel explained, keeping one arm around Regine's waist. "Godfrey wanted to kill me because I'd been feral so long, but the king refused to do that. He insisted that Krennan keep giving me the potion and it finally worked."
"Of course Godfrey would have wanted you killed," Darius growled, his hands balling into fists. "Worgens are just animals to him."
"Thankfully, the king and prince don't agree with him." Maniel smiled, his gaze turning distant as he remembered something.
"They're both alive?" Darius asked, wishing his heart didn't leap in his chest at the mere thought of the king. "What about my children?"
"The entire Royal Family is alive and so are your children," the warrior's smile became reassuring. "In fact, Lorna was the one who sent me into the Blackwald to find any hints about the worgen presence here."
"It is truly great to see you, friend," Darius told him, feeling as if a weight had lifted from his shoulders now that he knew everyone he cared about was alive. "I'll send for them at once. They're all I have now."
"I'll go, my Lord," Avalonea, a mage, volunteered. She looked at Maniel. "Should I approach openly?"
He shook his head sadly in response to her question. "No, unfortunately, most human Gilneans still distrust strange worgens."
"Take Matrilla and exercise caution," Darius instructed her. He had no wish to risk their lives simply because he wished to see his children!
Nodding, they changed forms before the mage teleported them away. Maniel stared at the spot where they'd stood in shock. "They can change forms?"
"Yes, they can, and so will you once you've performed a small service for us," Darius told him. "The night elves have taught us much during this time, Maniel. They've taught us who we are and where we come from. Thanks to them... thanks to this place... we're no longer mere beasts. We have regained free will. The Forsaken aren't here for our land alone. They're looking for something we possess: an artefact capable of uncontrollably spreading the Curse to all humanity. We cannot let them find it. Sylvanas's banshees have come very close. Help my trackers take them out."
Maniel came to attention and saluted. "Yes, my Lord."
"Be careful, Maniel," Regine murmured to him, stroking his muzzle tenderly.
He rubbed his cheek against hers and turned to leave. Before he could, however, Vassandra drew him aside and spoke with him in a quiet voice. Then he left and a buzz of conversation filled the tree. Guinevera, Cassiope, and--surprisingly--Atheniana surrounded Regine, the three women whispering and giggling together. Excalibus looked a little lost with Guinevera distracted, but Pontius and Artemia, his sister and a fellow hunter, seemed to notice and engaged the druid in conversation. Maniel returned shortly and handed a bundle of herbs to Vassandra before reporting to Darius. "I did as you asked, my Lord, and killed as many of the banshees as I could."
"Thank you, friend," Darius told him, hiding a smile when Regine slipped up next to the warrior and cast a healing spell on him.
Before he could continue, Tobias appeared and, his ears going back at the sight of Maniel, reported, "Darius! The Dark Rangers have the Scythe! They got to it before we were able to reach it."
"Get our men in position immediately, Tobias. We cannot let this fall into the hands of the Forsaken!" He knew they had only minutes to act. The last thing he wanted was for every human to face the same fate as himself and the others.
Saluting, Tobias told him, "It will be done!"
"Ever since the Forsaken invaded Gilneas, we've tried to keep the location of the Scythe of Elune secret. We moved it at night to one of many safe locations. The Dark Rangers got close, but never found it... until now," he explained to Maniel as Tobias left to give orders to the trackers under his command. "They were last spotted at the Woods' End Cabin, west of here. Blow this horn--" he handed the warrior the Horn of Tal'doren "--when you find them and Tobias and his trackers will engage the Dark Rangers. Only then will it be safe for you to venture inside the cabin and take back the scythe. Hurry, Maniel. It must not reach Sylvanas."
Maniel saluted Darius and embraced Regine briefly before he ran out of the tree. This time, a tense silence fell after his departure. Guinevera, Cassiope, and Atheniana huddled supportively around Regine as they waited. Everyone gasped when they heard the horn and no one seemed able to draw breath except the kaldorei, who'd busied themselves with preparations once Maniel gave Vassandra the herbs he'd gathered. They released their collective breath only when the warrior returned with Tobias, a familiar artefact in hand. "I have the Scythe, my Lord."
"It is time for you to join us, Maniel," he told the warrior, taking the Scythe and handing it to Talran of the Wild, who accepted it with a bow. "This... alchemy that has kept the beast inside you at bay will not last for long. The first cursed worgens were night elf druids much like our new allies. They, however, abandoned the balance that the rest of their kind embraced and allowed the beast to take over their minds. It is only fitting that their brethren be the ones that deliver us from the Curse. Go, warrior. Drink from the waters of Tal'doren and make peace with yourself."
He watched as Maniel did as he bid him, drinking from each of the wells as they all had done. When the warrior finished, Regine stepped up to him, changing forms as she did. He stared at her in surprise. Stretching up on tiptoes, she whispered something to him. He nodded and closed his eyes. After a few moments of concentration, he changed forms. Opening his eyes with a delighted grin, he swept Regine into a warm embrace, their mouths meeting in a hungry kiss. Darius turned away to give them their privacy and smiled when he saw two familiar figures enter the tree together. "Father!"
"Lorna! Robert!" he greeted his children with delight, grateful to see with his own eyes that they were well. His daughter didn't hesitate to run forward and embrace him. His son, on the other hand, stared at him in shock for several minutes before stepping forward to shake his hand.
Before any of them could speak, however, a less-welcome voice intruded: Godfrey's voice. "Crowley! You and your elven allies are hereby ordered to serve along the king's army. Cursed or not, you are still bound by Gilnean law!"
A familiar scent reached Darius' nose, though richer and deeper than he remembered. Looking up, he saw that Genn had followed Godfrey into the tree. Not sure of what to make of Godfrey's words, he asked, "Does this toad speak for you, Genn? Do you come to our dwelling as a friend? Or do you come as a tyrant?"
"No, old friend. I've come to you as an equal." With that, the king transformed into a worgen, even larger than Darius! Around them, the other worgens reacted with surprise and shock. Even Robert and Lorna were surprised by the king's transformation.
Godfrey's shock and surprise seemed almost overwhelming to him, leaving the normally-suave and well-spoken noble unable to say more than one word: "Impossible!"
"Aye, Genn. It is not law that binds us. It is something far stronger." Though he wondered just how long the king had been worgen, Darius knew that this was not the time to ask. He'd always intended to follow his king, but as the leader of the worgens, he'd had a duty to ensure that they would be treated well by the humans they would be working alongside. "My men are ready to give their lives under your command."
Genn nodded his shaggy head, kindled hope in his voice, "It is decided, then. We will unite all Gilneans and drive the Forsaken from our lands."
* * *
"Gumpagenn, why isn't Gumpadar getting better?" Gehenna asked as he took a break from his duties to spend time with his grandchildren. "You kissed him, after all."
Alex responded before his grandfather could, his voice as full of disdain as a five-year-old could manage. "I told you, Gehnnie, he has to kiss Gumpadar where he hurted. He wasn't hurted on his lips." He looked up at Genn with sombre green eyes. "Was he, Gumpagenn?"
"No, he wasn't, Alex," the king replied, his lips twitching with the effort to suppress his laughter. "In fact, I don't know where he was hurt."
Her grey-green eyes just as somber, Gehenna suggested, "Maybe you should find out and kiss Gumpadar there so he will get better."
"Gumpadar is getting better, Gehnnie," Liam responded from the doorway. "Just not very fast and it's upsetting Mummy."
Squealing, the little girl got to her feet and ran over to Liam. "Daddy!"
"That's my little girl." Smiling, he scooped her up and swung her high in the air. "How would you like to be a gryphon?"
Instead of making the screeching sound of a gryphon, though, Gehenna made an engine sound. "I'm an airplane today, Daddy!"
"My mistake." Liam grinned and helped Gehenna 'fly' around the room. "Coming in for a landing with Gumpagenn!"
Smiling fondly at his son's antics, Genn reached up and took Gehenna when Liam brought her over. Alex, who'd been waiting patiently, held up his arms. "My turn, Daddy!"
"And what are you, Alex? Gryphon or airplane?" Liam asked, scooping his son up with a smile.
Alex shook his head. "Neither, Daddy: I'm a hippogryff!"
"All right, hippogryff it is!" Liam proceeded to 'fly' Alex around the room as well.
Genn watched them with pleasure, grateful that his son had this chance to be part of his children's lives and watch them grow up.
* * *
"Enough!" Sylvanas' shout had a physical power behind it, knocking Darius and all the other Gilneans attacking her back, including the king. When he tried to get up and rush back at her, the noble was astonished to realise that he couldn't move! He could only watch helplessly as the Banshee Queen lifted her bow and aimed it right at Genn's heart. For his part, the king glared at her, not giving any hint that he feared the death he was facing. Am I going to lose him just as we're finally reconciling our differences? "Let's see how brave Gilneas gets on without its stubborn leader!"
Just as she pulled the trigger on her crossbow, Liam, who must not have been knocked back like his father and the rest of them, rushed in front of his father in time to be hit by the arrow intended for the king: "FATHER!!!"
"LIAM!! NO!!!" Genn watched helplessly as his son crumpled to the ground.
Sylvanas merely curled her lip in a moue of displeasure. "Such a waste. That arrow's poison was not meant to be wasted on your whelp. We'll meet again, Genn!"
With that, she turned her horse and galloped off. Whatever spell she'd cast that had kept them in place broke then and Genn rushed over to Liam, cradling him in his arms. With his keen hearing, Darius barely heard Liam's last words. "We did it, Father... We took back our city... we took back..."
"NOOOO!!!" Genn's cry of denial became a howl of anguish as his son died in his arms.
"Tobias, Maniel," Darius spotted the two worgens as they approached, both of them looking bloodied, but largely unhurt. "We don't have the luxury of grieving just yet. We need to know what that bitch is planning. Find her and quickly!"
Saluting, they rushed off, Tobias in the lead. Darius turned back in time to see Lorna walking towards Genn and Liam, her face pale under the soot and dirt that now streaked it. "Your Majesty? Is he...? Is Liam really...?"
"Sylvanas killed him, Lorna," he told his daughter when the king remained unresponsive, apparently still in shock over his son dying in his arms.
She gasped, swaying on her feet as tears filled her eyes. "No..."
"I'm sorry, Lorna," he murmured gruffly, pulling her into a comforting hug. She and Liam had always been close. There'd even been a time when he'd hoped to see them married.
As his daughter clung to him, Darius watched Genn straighten up and carry Liam into a nearby building. He gently guided Lorna to follow. When they entered, they found that Liam's body had been laid down on a pallet on the floor. The king knelt beside the dead prince's body, now in human form, and looked up when father and daughter entered, tears glittering in his eyes. "Why did he do it? Why did he sacrifice his life for mine?"
"Because he felt it was the right thing to do, Uncle Genn," Lorna replied, pulling away from her father so she could kneel beside her adopted uncle. "For whatever reason, he thought you should continue leading our people."
As Lorna and Genn embraced, a noise at the door attracted Darius' attention. Turning, his blood ran cold at the sight that greeted his eyes: Excalibus stood there, Robert's body in his arms. Guinevera stood beside him, tear tracks on her cheeks. "I tried to save him, my Lord, but he was too badly injured."
"Robert..." he whispered, taking his son's body into his arms. He slowly turned to face Genn, feeling as if Sylvanas had just knocked him off his feet again.
Lorna was there, looking horrified as she took in her younger brother's body. "Not Robert, too!"
"I'm sorry, Darius, Lorna," Genn had followed Lorna over and he wrapped an arm around each of them, offering what comfort he could.
Blinking back tears, the noble moved over to another pallet near Liam's, carefully arranging his body. "I've always been proud of you, Robert, even when we disagreed. I know that you loved Gilneas as much as I did, even if we showed it in different ways. I hope you may rest in peace, my son."
"Lord Crowley!" Tobias' voice announced his and Maniel's return. Both hesitated on the threshold when they realised that their leader wasn't alone.
Bowing to the king, Tobias glanced questioningly at Darius. "Make your report to his Majesty, Tobias." Looking at the older man, whose face showed his puzzlement, the younger man explained, "I sent Tobias and Maniel after Sylvanas to find out her next move."
"Ah, a wise precaution, Darius." Genn nodded, and turned to the two men. "What did you find out, my friends?" Tobias spoke for them, describing the conversation they'd overheard, ending with the fact that Sylvanas planned to deploy the Plague. His voice heavy, Genn told them, "Thank you for bringing me this information. The way I see it, our choice is to either go after Sylvanas while she lingers in Gilneas or stall the Forsaken long enough to allow us to evacuate the city and keep our people safe."
Darius saw Lorna, Tobias, and Maniel exchange uncertain looks, probably wondering if they should offer their opinions. The noble rested a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Our sons gave their lives for Gilneas, Genn. What do you think they would want us to do?"
"You're right, Darius." Genn nodded, the indecision clearing from his face. "We must evacuate the city, but we need to distract the Forsaken while we do it."
Clearing her throat, Lorna spoke up, "We captured one of their Bombing Bats, Sire. Perhaps we can use that?"
"Excellent idea, Lorna." The king nodded, turning to Maniel next. "Do you think you could fly one and bomb the Forsaken so our people can be evacuated?"
Maniel nodded, saluting. "Absolutely, Sire."
"Go to it, and kill as many of the undead bastards as you can," Genn told him. The warrior saluted again and ran out the door. The king turned to Lorna next. "Coordinate the evacuation. Give priority to those who need Healers." Lorna saluted and hurried out. Genn turned to Tobias. "Help move our dead. I'll not leave their bodies for the Forsaken to defile."
Saluting, Tobias left. Alone with his king, Darius raised his eyebrow. "What would you have me do, Genn?"
"Stay with me?" Genn requested, his normally-gruff voice even gruffer than usual."I'd rather not be alone right now."
Nodding, Darius spotted a bench against one wall and dragged it closer to their sons' bodies. He sat down and Genn joined him a few moments later. They sat together in silence, everything they needed to discuss on Darius' mind, but he knew this was not the right time to discuss it. Once everything has settled down, we can talk...
* * *
"Yes, it's a new poison the Forsaken alchemists were working on before Thassarian got me out of there," Koltira informed Genn and the others after he'd examined both the sample of the poison and Darius himself. "They must have continued refining it after I was incarcerated, however. This is far more potent than what I recall."
Genn frowned, not liking the last part of what Koltira had said. "Is there any way we can combat it? Did they develop an antidote?"
"The Forsaken don't believe in antidotes, your Majesty," the death knight replied, sounding sympathetic. "However, the goblins heard about the Forsaken's experiments and began working on an antidote. I have no idea if they were successful at all."
Genn nodded, glad that there was still a chance for Darius to survive. He didn't want to lose his friend to death just yet. "I'll send someone to speak with the goblins as soon as possible. Thank you very much for your assistance."
"Not at all, your Majesty." Koltira bowed, waiting until the others had left the room. Once they were alone, he turned back to Genn, "I sympathise with your need to save the man you love from death."
He stared at the death knight in surprise. They'd never said the actual words to each other, though they understood how they felt about each other. To have this stranger barely meet them and put the correct label to their feelings...! "What makes you think I love him?"
"You would not work so hard to save one you do not love so much," Koltira replied, bowing again. "Good day, your Majesty, and I wish you luck."
With that, the death knight withdrew, leaving the king alone with his thoughts.
* * *
By unspoken agreement, Genn and Darius met outside Darnassus the night before the former would leave for Stormwind and the latter would go to Silverpine. Both were in worgen form, dressed only in trousers, and set off at an easy lope among the trees. At first, they simply ran together and Darius revelled in the chance to share this with his king. Then Genn bumped into Darius, knocking him off-balance. The younger man recovered quickly enough and eyed the older man suspiciously. The worgen face was harder to read, but he was sure he saw a gleam in the king's eyes that suggested the bump hadn't been accidental. After a few minutes, Darius saw his chance and 'bumped' Genn a little harder than he'd been bumped, knocking the king over onto his side.
Taking a few more strides, the noble stopped and turned to watch as the king shook off his surprise and got to his feet. He was completely unprepared for his friend to pounce on him, knocking him over. Without waiting for the younger man's reaction, the older man took off into the forest. Grinning, Darius scrambled up and chased after Genn. When he was in range, he pounced on his friend, though it was more of a tackle, sending them both rolling across the grass. When they finally came to a stop, it was more by sheer chance than design that the king was sprawled on top of the noble.
They stayed like that for a few moments, laughing at themselves. His laughter fading, Darius caught Genn's gaze with his own and slowly tilted his head back. This left him open and vulnerable: a bite of the king's jaws or a swipe of one clawed hand and the noble could be dead. It was a sign of trust, but also of submission. "Darius..."
"You have my loyalty, Genn," he replied, his voice just as gruff as his friend's. "Both as a noble of Gilneas and as a member of your pack."
"Are you certain of this?" Genn asked, spreading his hand at the base of Darius' throat, claws just pricking the skin through his fur.
"Absolutely," Darius assured him, arching his neck to press his Adam's apple against Genn's hand, emphasizing how much he trusted the king. Even when he'd been captured and held in jail, he'd known the king wouldn't--couldn't kill him.
The older man slid his hand from the younger man's throat, down his chest to his stomach, his one finger tantalisingly close to Darius' trousers. "My Darius."
"Yes, only yours." Darius's words ended on a whine because Genn's hand slid down to cup him through his trousers, feeling him grow hard through the fabric. "Genn!"
It was the work of only moments for them to shed their trousers and become one again as they had done so many years ago. They howled together when the pleasure overwhelmed them. After they'd reluctantly parted and cleaned themselves up, they dressed and returned to Darnassus, trotting rather than running. Very little had been said, but Darius had realised by now that not everything needed to be said. Sometimes, it was simply understood.
* * *
Before he had the footman to open the door, Genn could hear the buzz of conversation through it. He glanced at the being beside him. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"I'm quite sure, your Majesty." A nod of the shaggy head accompanied the answer.
Nodding in return, Genn gestured to the footman. The door opened and silence fell as they entered the room. Ignoring the stares, the king led his companion to the front of the room. Once there, he turned to address the nobles. "Noble Council, I received a petition from Ivar Bloodfang for him and his pack to rejoin Gilneas and swear allegiance to Her and the Royal House of Greymane. Does anyone wish to question him before he takes the Oath?"
"Why does the Bloodfang Pack wish to swear loyalty to Gilneas?" This question came from Lord Alan Godrey, Vincent's son and heir. Not as set in his ways as his father, Genn still kept a wary eye on him, as well as Lord Walden and Baron Ashbury's sons. The memory of their fathers' betrayal still lingered. "Gilneas turned Her back on them when She built the Wall."
Ivar had refused to change forms, insisting that this was what his people were used to and the other lords would simply have to get used to it. He'd at least been prevailed upon to bathe and dress in clothes that were more elegant than the leather trousers and vest and he typically wore. Now, he met Alan's eyes and replied, "And we turned our back on Her, but in the end, we are still Gilneans. We wish to be reunited with those we thought lost to us forever."
"What if none of us want anything to do with you?" This came from James Ashbury, his voice cool as he studied the packleader. His father's betrayal in particular had been painful for Genn because he'd counted the previous Baron Ashbury as one of his closest friends, after Darius.
The king stepped forward at this point, shifting forms as he did so. "Have you forgotten that most Gilneans are worgens now, Baron? If you do not wish to deal with worgens, your title can be stripped from you and given to someone else."
"That was not what I meant, Sire," the young man quickly backpedaled, panic showing briefly in his eyes. Though he maintained his steady, serious gaze, part of his heart went out to the man. His younger brother, Michael, had been killed by worgens, so he held little love for them. "I have learned from my father's mistakes, but not everyone has learned the same lesson."
Returning to his previous place, but retaining his worgen form for the moment, the king kept his response calm yet stern, "They will have to, Baron. It is a fact of life for us now and the sooner our people understand this, the better."
"Yes, your Majesty." The baron nodded and subsided.
Lorna was only present because her father was too ill to leave the Infirmary. Her face had remained expressionless and she now stood up. "Lord Crowley endorses Packleader Bloodfang's petition. He feels that all Gilneans need to be united for whatever crisis will come next."
"Please convey my thanks to Lord Crowley," Ivar told her, his voice sounding gruffer than was typical of him for a moment.
Genn wasn't surprised to hear such a message come from his old friend. Darius had always been able to see beyond Gilneas. Pushing his thoughts away, Genn looked around the room. "Any further questions or statements?" No one moved or spoke. The king nodded, pleased, and drew his sword, holding it before him. "Very well. Packleader?" Ivar went to one knee before the king and laid one hand over Genn's on the blade of the sword, the Greymane signet ring centred under the palm. "Do you, Packleader Ivar Bloodfang, swear to be loyal and faithful to the Royal House of Greymane? Do you give your word that you will respond quickly and without delay when We call upon you for money, food, or troops?"
"I do so swear, your Majesty," Ivar responded, his gaze solemn. "Whatever is requested of the Pack of Bloodfang, it will be done." Then, tilting his muzzle up, he took the king's hand and rested it against his throat, the claws dangerously close to his jugular vein. "As the Alpha of my pack, I submit to you, King Genn Greymane, the Alpha of the pack of Gilneas."
It took a moment for Genn to respond to this unexpected addition because the gesture brought to mind the night before he'd left Darnassus for Stormwind. "Your oath and submission are both accepted Packleader." He withdrew his hand. "You and your people may call yourselves Gilneans once again."
* * *
The evening after Liam returned as a death knight, Genn and Darius sat together in the king's sitting room, allowing their children to have some time alone together. The silence would have been companionable, but Darius was uneasy, almost constantly fidgeting, casting furtive glances at the king. Finally, Genn rested a hand on his friend's broad shoulder. "Whatever's on your mind, Darius, say it."
Shrugging off the friendly hand, Darius stood up and began to pace, unable to contain his agitation. "I failed you, Genn. I swore I would fight to the bitter end, only to surrender unconditionally to Sylvanas."
"She threatened your daughter, Darius," the king reminded him, gentle but firm. Of course his friend would know better than most what had flashed through Darius' mind when the Banshee Queen made her threat against Lorna Crowley: if she carried through with her threat, not only would his daughter be gone forever, but his grandchildren and the future monarch of Gilneas would be gone completely. "And, indirectly, our grandchildren. By surrendering, you saved them all. I can't hold that against you. Besides, Gilneas is out of Forsaken hands."
"But Ivar--" Darius began, still pacing. If he'd been in his worgen form, he'd have been growling in his chest, clenching his clawed hands into fists until he drew blood.
Standing up, Genn intercepted Darius, gripping the broad shoulders firmly. "You said yourself that Ivar Bloodfang can't understand your position until he has a wife and children of his own. Everyone has forgiven you, now you need to forgive yourself."
"I don't know if I can." Darius remained quite still under his king's grip, red head bowed with shame. "I wanted to win Gilneas back for you, Genn--for us. And I failed."
Gently tilting Darius' head up with one hand on his chin, Genn smiled encouragingly at the younger man, "You did not fail, Darius, even though it's not safe for civilian occupation. We will run together through Gilneas' forests. It just won't be as soon as we'd hoped or planned."
"You're right, Genn." A fresh flame of determination sparked inside Darius, fanned into being by his friend's confidence and assurance. He had to believe that it would happen. "We will."
Squeezing his friend's shoulders firmly, Genn gazed at him with fierce expression in his eyes. "It's good to have my Darius back. You've not been yourself today."
"I suppose I took Ivar's words too much to heart," Darius conceded ruefully as they resumed their seats by the fire, with the king pouring more wine for the both of them.
Shaking his head as he sat back on the settee beside his friend, Genn told him, "No matter what he says, you're one of the bravest men I know, Darius. Never doubt that."
"I'll try not to, but we all have our moments of self-doubt," the redhead replied, sipping his wine appreciatively.
They lapsed into a comfortable silence after that, soothed by the wine and many years of close friendship that didn't need words anymore. When the bottle stood empty, Genn rose to his feet and offered his hand to Darius. The noble took it without hesitation and followed the king to the bedroom. Liam and Lorna weren't the only ones who felt the need to make up for a long absence.
* * *
Two goblins answered the king's request: a male shaman named Origno and a female hunter named Mynxie. Watching them work seamlessly together as they subjected the provided sample of poison to a battery of tests, Genn wondered if they were siblings or spouses. After several minutes, the two exchanged glances and nods. As Mynxie walked over to where her sleek black panther, Onyxie, lay dozing and rummaged through one of the bags strapped to the cat's back, Origno addressed the king. "The death knight was correct. We had heard about this poison and began developing an antidote for it. The Forsaken might not care if one of their allies get poisoned by it, but we certainly do."
"Began?" Genn repeated, glancing from one goblin to the other as he felt his heart sink in his chest. Is there no antidote, then?
Mynxie had finished rummaging and closed the pack, pausing to stroke her pet's head before rejoining Origno. "What my dear brother forgot to mention was that we're pretty sure we have the antidote developed, but we had no way of testing whether it would work or not." She held up a vial with an innocuous-looking liquid. "This is what our best alchemists and enchanters could come up with, your Majesty. It should do the trick, but we won't know unless it's tried."
"Thank you both," Genn told them sincerely. "If you'll come with me, we can ask Darius if he'd like to try it."
They nodded and Mynxie whistled. The panther got to its feet, stretched luxuriously, and then padded over. With a practiced step, the hunter climbed onto the panther then held out her hand to the shaman. He climbed on behind her and the two goblins looked expectantly up at the king. A little bemused, Genn led them to the noble's private room. Lorna was sitting with her father when they entered and jumped to her feet when she saw the king. She stared the next moment at the two goblins. Ignoring her stare, they slid from the cat's back and it padded over to curl up in a corner of the room. "Father Genn?"
"Mynxie and Origno think they may have the antidote to the Forsaken rogue's poison," Genn explained as the two in question scrambled up onto the bed.
Darius eyed the goblins with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "You think? You don't know?"
"We haven't tested it yet, my Lord," Origno replied with a casual shrug. "If you'd rather wait, we can find someone else to test it on."
Lorna caught her father's hand in both of hers, pleading. "Father, you heard what Regine said this morning. If there's any chance--"
"What did Regine say this morning?" Genn asked sharply, looking between father and daughter with narrowed eyes.
Darius one eye gazed back at the king's levelly. "Nothing is working anymore: healing spells, totems, healthstones, none of them are effective."
"You're oversaturated with healing energy, Lord Crowley," Mynxie informed him crisply, having reached up to tap the goggles she was wearing as she stared at the noble. "The poison is designed to resist magical healing, so that doesn't help." She tapped her goggles again. "The antidote is two-fold, just like the poison, with a spell to neutralize the magical component combined with a potion to neutralize the poison."
The redhead remained quiet for several moments, contemplating the two goblins. Then he looked at his daughter and finally his king. "I'll take it."
* * *
"Lord Crowley, behind you!" Avalonea's warning came too late. Just as he turned to face this new threat, he felt the blade sink into his side. Yelping at the stabbing pain, he lashed out with his hand, only vaguely aware that the rogue hit the wall. That seemed to be a signal to the other Forsaken, because they began swarming the noble, hacking and slashing at him with their swords. He fought them off as well as he could, but there were so many of them and his limbs suddenly seemed to be made of lead.
He blinked and stared in stupid surprise when a spell seemed to knock the Forsaken soldiers back. A familiar worgen figure in mage's robes reached his side, a grim set to her jaw. "Hello, Avalonea."
"Now is not the time for pleasantries, my Lord," she retorted, using her staff to create several arcane blasts in succession that pushed back the Forsaken that were approaching. "Take my hand and I'll get us back to Stormwind."
Lifting his hand took every ounce of effort he had, but he eventually managed to place it in the one the mage held out to him. Grasping it firmly, she quickly teleported them out of there, just in time. He vaguely heard an exclamation of surprise in the background when they arrived in the Infirmary, but everything was hazy. "What have we told you about teleporting directly here?"
Avalonea didn't sound the least bit sorry as she answered, "Only to do it in the case of a very extreme emergency and I'd say this counts as one."
"Lord Crowley!" A third voice exclaimed this and Darius felt as if he was floating in midair. "What happened to him?"
Spells began washing over him, taking away the pain spreading out from the wound in his side and leaving lethargy in its wake. "The Forsaken tried to overwhelm him with sheer numbers. I barely got to him in time. If it'd taken me just a little longer--"
"Go get the king," the voice he finally identified as Sister Almyra's ordered briskly. "If you can catch Myriam, ask her to get the prince and princess."
A hand touched the back of Darius' neck and numb darkness overwhelmed him.
* * *
Darius' long illness had left him severely weakened, his health fragile. Even walking through the gardens of Stormwind Keep left him breathless and Genn suggested they sit down in the gazebo for a bit. After a few moments of comfortable silence, the noble asked, "Who will you send in my place?"
"Liam," the king answered promptly. "He's not so easily killed and it may unsettle the Forsaken to see him fighting once again."
The younger man nodded thoughtfully. "He's a good leader, too. The soldiers will respect him and it will do the worgens good to see one of their own leading them."
"Exactly." Genn smiled, finding Darius' hand with his and giving it a squeeze. He was pleased when Darius squeezed his hand back.
They sat in silence for several moments, the breeze blowing the smells of the city to them. Finally, Darius spoke, his voice quiet, "I failed you again."
"You've done many things, but failing me has never been one of them," Genn answered firmly, not surprised that his friend had lost confidence in himself again.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Darius look at him in surprise. "But Sylvanas--"
"That wasn't a failure, Darius," he interrupted firmly. "That was a tactical retreat. The future of Gilneas was at stake, whether she knew it or not, and you made the right choice. Or do you wish that Gehnnie and Alex hadn't been born?"
The reply came as quickly and vehemently as he'd expected: "No!" Shooting the king a dirty look, the noble continued, "What about my recent illness?"
"A lucky shot for that rogue, who, I understand, died thanks to the injuries you gave him in return, so perhaps he wasn't so lucky after all." Genn smiled as he remembered the reports he'd received of the battle. "You're not the first to be badly injured and it wasn't even the first time you were injured so badly."
A rueful smile on his lips, Darius murmured, "You're bound and determined to believe the best of me, aren't you?"
"Only because you seem bound and determined to paint yourself in the worst light possible," Genn retorted lightly, twining their fingers together.
The younger man looked down at their hands in surprise. The older man rarely indulged in such gestures except with his wife. He looked up at the king. "Genn?"
"It's time I told you something I realised years ago," he answered softly, rubbing his thumb over the back of Darius' hand as he meet the grey gaze steadily with his own. "I love you, Darius Crowley. I've loved you for years, even when you were arguing and fighting with me, I still loved you."
Darius gazed back, his eye wide with surprise. Slowly, a smile spread across the other man's face. "I love you, too, Genn. That's why I argued and fought with you: I loved you so much that I had to do everything in my power to tell you what you didn't want to hear."
"I know." Genn nodded, smiling himself now.
A large, warm hand, sword-callused by years of fighting, cupped the king's cheek as they leaned in to share a soft kiss. It remained sweet and tender, expressing the emotions both men found difficult to put into words. They pulled apart when a familiar young voice intruded on the moment: "Gumpagenn, you don't need to kiss Gumpadar now that he's getting better."
"Maybe he's kissing Gumpadar so he continues to get better?" Another familiar voice returned, sounding thoughtful.
Turning, the two men smiled when they saw Liam and Lorna approaching with Gehenna and Alexander. The little boy reached over to shove the girl. "Don't be silly, Gehnnie. It only takes one kiss for Mommy to make us better."
"But Gumpadar was sick for a loooong time," Gehenna replied, elongating the 'o' sound as she shoved her brother back. "Maybe it takes more than one kiss to make him all better."
With a practiced move, their parents pulled the twins apart. "That's enough, you two. We came out here to visit with your grandpas, not fight."
"Yes, Daddy," they chorused as they reached the gazebo.
With some help, Alex was soon seated next to Genn while Gehenna cuddled up to Darius. Liam and Lorna sat together on one of the other benches. Peering up at her grandfather, she asked, "Gumpadar, are you feeling better now?"
"Yes, Gehnnie, Gumpagenn's kiss made me feel a lot better," he replied with a twinkle in his eye as he glanced slyly at the king.
Leaning forward to smile smugly at her brother, Gehenna told him, "See, Alex?"
"No more arguing," Genn told them sternly, covering Alex's mouth with his free hand before he could make a retort to his sister. "Why don't you tell us about what you did today instead?"
He smiled as the twins immediately launched into a rambling account of the day's activities, happy to hold Darius' hand in his as they enjoyed the company of their family.
End
Lifetime of Memories
Part Two
Genn was grateful the Healers had agreed to allow Darius three visitors maximum at a time. Ivar had requested a meeting with father and daughter before he made his final decision about swearing an oath of loyalty and the king was not about to leave the Packleader alone in the room with them. Lorna looked up with a smile when he entered, only for it to turn into a scowl when Ivar followed him inside. Almost bristling, she demanded, "What's he doing here, Father Genn?"
"Packleader Bloodfang requested the opportunity to talk with you both," Genn told them, keeping his words and tone formal. "I myself saw no reason why he shouldn't."
It didn't escape Genn's notice that Darius covered Lorna's hand with his, squeezing gently. "It's all right, Lorna. You know the king wouldn't have agreed if he didn't think it would be beneficial to us."
"Quite right, Lord Crowley," he assured his old friend, part of him wishing he was in Lorna's place. Pushing that wish aside, he addressed the worgen beside him. "Packleader?"
Ivar stepped forward, looking humble and contrite. "Lord Crowley, I sincerely regret and apologise for my reaction after you surrendered to Sylvanas." The Banshee Queen's name came out as more of a growl, but Genn didn't blame the younger worgen in the slightest. "I've since had a chance to reconsider my words and look at it from your perspective." Ivar glanced at Lorna, who stared back at him stonily. "I understand now why you would have yielded so quickly and I realise I was unnecessarily harsh."
"You've been a husband and a father for some years now, Ivar," Darius answered, his voice calm, if a little weak. "Why have you waited until now to say this?"
Shifting restlessly under the keen gaze, the worgen leader explained, "I heard what happened to you and realised I'd put it off for too many years and didn't want to wait until it was too late."
"It's not going to be 'too late' for a long time, Ivar!" Lorna told him hotly, rising and advancing on the worgen with a fierce look on her face, though Genn could see fear buried underneath it all.
The king gently caught hold of her shoulders, hoping to keep her from doing something rash. "Calm yourself, Lorna. He's being realistic. You've heard the Healers' reports, you see your father every day. You know what he's saying is true."
"No!" Pulling away from Genn, she turned and flung herself into her father's arms. "I can't lose you, Father! Not now!"
Darius held his daughter as she sobbed into his neck, surprised by her sudden mood swings. Stroking her back gently, he murmured, "Lorna, no one lives forever. You'll lose me in time, but I will never leave you. You'll carry me in your heart, just as we do your mother and brother."
"That's it?" She pulled away from him, scrubbing angrily at her face. "You're giving up?"
His eye narrowed at the accusation. "I never said that. I just want you to understand that you'll have to say good-bye one day."
"Noooo!" The word ended on a howl, the three men watching in astonishment as the young woman transformed before their eyes into a worgen. Without giving them a chance to comment, she dashed from the room.
Genn looked at his old friend, "Did you know she was a worgen now?"
"I gave her a vial of my blood before I left on this last campaign," Darius admitted sheepishly, sitting back against the headboard with a wince. "Why is she so upset by the thought of losing me? It can't just be because I'm her father."
Before he answered the question, Genn looked at Ivar and gestured to the door. The Packleader nodded and withdrew. Darius missed his departure because he'd closed his eye. Genn closed the door behind Ivar and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Pregnant women tend to have pretty dramatic mood swings."
"Pregnant?" Darius opened his eye and stared at Genn in astonishment. "How is she pregnant? I thought she couldn't have more children because Liam was a death knight?"
The king shrugged, taking Darius' hand in both of his and stroking it gently. "They've been researching the idea extensively and apparently decided to take advantage of the plethora of healers and spellworkers in Stormwind to see if they could manage. Obviously, they succeeded."
"Obviously," Darius agreed with wry smile. "Are they sure? There were times when we thought Mia and Elaine were pregnant when they weren't."
He nodded, meeting Darius' gaze calmly and steadily. "Sister Almyra and Celestine have both examined Lorna, as well as a paladin King Varian recommended named Mariannae. They all confirmed that she's with child."
* * *
They didn't stay in the city for long. Darius' increasingly wolfish heart longed for prey to hunt, trees to mark, and a den to sleep in. The worgens retreated into what his human side called the Blackwald. A pack structure developed as they hunted and ran through the wood with Darius, easily the largest and strongest of them, as the undisputed Alpha. Tobias and Maniel skirmished endlessly for the position of Beta. Tobias wasn't as large as the warrior, but he was very wily and clever. Once Maniel was captured by the humans, Tobias became the Beta. Atheniana, as the largest of the females, was the female Alpha. Darius was the only male she allowed near her, growling and snapping at any males who dared to approach her. Regine, Excalibus, and Guinevera tended to stick together, especially after Maniel's capture.
One day, Excalibus, who'd begun disappearing for days at a time, returned to where their pack slept with an unfamiliar druid. Unlike the three worgen druids, whose cat forms resembled a lion, this one looked more like a lynx, her fur a beautiful blue-violet. Then the druid shapeshifted into an unfamiliar female humanoid and Darius growled. With green hair, pink skin, and long, pointed ears, she definitely wasn't Gilnean! She held up her hands, "I mean you no harm, Lord Crowley. My name is Vassandra Stormclaw, a druid like your friends." She gestured to where Excalibus now sat with Guinevera and Regine. "He has communicated your situation to my people and we have found a way to help you overcome the beast inside you. Will you allow me and my people to help you?"
Darius listened intently to her speech, forcing himself to focus when noises and scents from the forest around them kept distracting him. After a few moments' consideration, he nodded, growling softly. She smiled and gestured towards the large tree in the middle of the Blackwald that they tended to circle, but not go into, though it made an ideal den for all of them. "Come with me. Everything is prepared." After some hesitation, Darius rose to all fours and loped after her. Nearby, the two female druids chose to switch to their cat forms, one black with a grey mane, the other tan with a dark brown mane, as they followed the kaldorei. Excalibus, on the other hand, chose to use his spotted travel form, dashing ahead, and then doubling back to leap over Guinevera. When he did this, she growled and swatted playfully at him.
They reached the tree and Darius balked at entering it at first. Vassandra turned to him, sensing his unease. "It is all right, Lord Crowley. Those you scent are here to assist you with regaining your rational mind. You will no longer be a slave to your feral side."
Growling a little in his throat, he followed her inside. Two more kaldorei waited, each standing beside a well. Vassandra led Darius to a third one as the rest of the pack drifted into the tree and found somewhere to sit and watch. "Drink from the Well of Tranquility, Lord Crowley, and let Tal'doren soothe you just as Daral'nir soothes the cursed druids who gave into the beast and abandoned balance."
Wondering what her words referred to, Darius lapped at the water, his wolf side calming the moment the water slid down his throat. At a gesture from Vassandra, he moved to the next well. The druid waiting there spoke when he approached, "Just as Goldrinn's spirit once blessed our druids, let Lord Crowley be blessed with the wisdom of his race and the ferocity of the wolf god."
He drank again, his memories beginning to come back now that the wolf no longer dominated his mind and his memory. Almost eagerly, he trotted over to the last well. The druid who stood there held up an artefact when Darius approached. "Let the Scythe unbind that which was not meant to be bound! Let the soul master the beast, lest the beast master the soul!"
As he drank from the last well, Darius felt his mind clear fully and he looked around with new understanding. He remembered what each of his people once looked like and he mourned the time they'd lost as they'd slowly turned feral. Returning his attention to the three druids, he bowed, "Thank you. I doubt we can ever fully repay you for your kindness."
"It is not simply kindness, Lord Crowley," Vassandra informed him, her voice sad. "It is also redemption for us."
He frowned in puzzlement at that. "What do you mean?"
"Have your people begin drinking from the wells and I will explain," she replied, gesturing to a corner of the tree where a young female druid in cat form suddenly appeared from the shadows. She changed and took Vassandra's place at the first well.
He turned to the others and gave a soft growl, indicating for them to drink from the wells. As they did, Vassandra explained to him where worgens had come from and the role that not only had her people played in their creation, but also the one Genn had played in bringing worgens to Gilneas in the first place. Once they'd all drunk from the wells, Vassandra had them all sit in front of her. "You should now be able to switch between your human and worgen forms. It is not unlike how we druids switch forms: picture what you'd once looked like and focus on that, willing yourself to become human again."
Darius did as she suggested and he could see the others frowning with concentration, some with their eyes closed. Not surprisingly, the three druids were the first to change forms. Atheniana, her expression almost fierce, was the next to change forms. Each of the others changed as well, one by one, but he still was unable to change. The others looked at him expectantly and he tried as hard as he could, but he still remained worgen. "Do not fret, Lord Crowley. In time, it will come to you."
The next few months passed in a blur as Darius sent out trackers regularly to find feral worgens who could be brought to Tal'doren. The kaldorei helped as well and one of them sent a familiar worgen to them. The moment he entered the tree, Regine, who'd taken to spending time with Cassiope, leapt to her feet and dashed across to him with a glad cry, "Maniel!"
"Regine!" He caught her when she leapt at him and held her close, nosing her mane with a smile. "I hoped you'd be all right."
"Lord Crowley has taken good care of us," she told him, more animated now than she'd been since his capture. "He's even made it possible for us to regain our free will."
"How is that you are not feral?" Darius asked as he approached the couple, unwilling to disturb their reunion, but too curious to contain himself.
"Krennan Aranas has developed a potion that helps a feral worgen regain their free will," Maniel explained, keeping one arm around Regine's waist. "Godfrey wanted to kill me because I'd been feral so long, but the king refused to do that. He insisted that Krennan keep giving me the potion and it finally worked."
"Of course Godfrey would have wanted you killed," Darius growled, his hands balling into fists. "Worgens are just animals to him."
"Thankfully, the king and prince don't agree with him." Maniel smiled, his gaze turning distant as he remembered something.
"They're both alive?" Darius asked, wishing his heart didn't leap in his chest at the mere thought of the king. "What about my children?"
"The entire Royal Family is alive and so are your children," the warrior's smile became reassuring. "In fact, Lorna was the one who sent me into the Blackwald to find any hints about the worgen presence here."
"It is truly great to see you, friend," Darius told him, feeling as if a weight had lifted from his shoulders now that he knew everyone he cared about was alive. "I'll send for them at once. They're all I have now."
"I'll go, my Lord," Avalonea, a mage, volunteered. She looked at Maniel. "Should I approach openly?"
He shook his head sadly in response to her question. "No, unfortunately, most human Gilneans still distrust strange worgens."
"Take Matrilla and exercise caution," Darius instructed her. He had no wish to risk their lives simply because he wished to see his children!
Nodding, they changed forms before the mage teleported them away. Maniel stared at the spot where they'd stood in shock. "They can change forms?"
"Yes, they can, and so will you once you've performed a small service for us," Darius told him. "The night elves have taught us much during this time, Maniel. They've taught us who we are and where we come from. Thanks to them... thanks to this place... we're no longer mere beasts. We have regained free will. The Forsaken aren't here for our land alone. They're looking for something we possess: an artefact capable of uncontrollably spreading the Curse to all humanity. We cannot let them find it. Sylvanas's banshees have come very close. Help my trackers take them out."
Maniel came to attention and saluted. "Yes, my Lord."
"Be careful, Maniel," Regine murmured to him, stroking his muzzle tenderly.
He rubbed his cheek against hers and turned to leave. Before he could, however, Vassandra drew him aside and spoke with him in a quiet voice. Then he left and a buzz of conversation filled the tree. Guinevera, Cassiope, and--surprisingly--Atheniana surrounded Regine, the three women whispering and giggling together. Excalibus looked a little lost with Guinevera distracted, but Pontius and Artemia, his sister and a fellow hunter, seemed to notice and engaged the druid in conversation. Maniel returned shortly and handed a bundle of herbs to Vassandra before reporting to Darius. "I did as you asked, my Lord, and killed as many of the banshees as I could."
"Thank you, friend," Darius told him, hiding a smile when Regine slipped up next to the warrior and cast a healing spell on him.
Before he could continue, Tobias appeared and, his ears going back at the sight of Maniel, reported, "Darius! The Dark Rangers have the Scythe! They got to it before we were able to reach it."
"Get our men in position immediately, Tobias. We cannot let this fall into the hands of the Forsaken!" He knew they had only minutes to act. The last thing he wanted was for every human to face the same fate as himself and the others.
Saluting, Tobias told him, "It will be done!"
"Ever since the Forsaken invaded Gilneas, we've tried to keep the location of the Scythe of Elune secret. We moved it at night to one of many safe locations. The Dark Rangers got close, but never found it... until now," he explained to Maniel as Tobias left to give orders to the trackers under his command. "They were last spotted at the Woods' End Cabin, west of here. Blow this horn--" he handed the warrior the Horn of Tal'doren "--when you find them and Tobias and his trackers will engage the Dark Rangers. Only then will it be safe for you to venture inside the cabin and take back the scythe. Hurry, Maniel. It must not reach Sylvanas."
Maniel saluted Darius and embraced Regine briefly before he ran out of the tree. This time, a tense silence fell after his departure. Guinevera, Cassiope, and Atheniana huddled supportively around Regine as they waited. Everyone gasped when they heard the horn and no one seemed able to draw breath except the kaldorei, who'd busied themselves with preparations once Maniel gave Vassandra the herbs he'd gathered. They released their collective breath only when the warrior returned with Tobias, a familiar artefact in hand. "I have the Scythe, my Lord."
"It is time for you to join us, Maniel," he told the warrior, taking the Scythe and handing it to Talran of the Wild, who accepted it with a bow. "This... alchemy that has kept the beast inside you at bay will not last for long. The first cursed worgens were night elf druids much like our new allies. They, however, abandoned the balance that the rest of their kind embraced and allowed the beast to take over their minds. It is only fitting that their brethren be the ones that deliver us from the Curse. Go, warrior. Drink from the waters of Tal'doren and make peace with yourself."
He watched as Maniel did as he bid him, drinking from each of the wells as they all had done. When the warrior finished, Regine stepped up to him, changing forms as she did. He stared at her in surprise. Stretching up on tiptoes, she whispered something to him. He nodded and closed his eyes. After a few moments of concentration, he changed forms. Opening his eyes with a delighted grin, he swept Regine into a warm embrace, their mouths meeting in a hungry kiss. Darius turned away to give them their privacy and smiled when he saw two familiar figures enter the tree together. "Father!"
"Lorna! Robert!" he greeted his children with delight, grateful to see with his own eyes that they were well. His daughter didn't hesitate to run forward and embrace him. His son, on the other hand, stared at him in shock for several minutes before stepping forward to shake his hand.
Before any of them could speak, however, a less-welcome voice intruded: Godfrey's voice. "Crowley! You and your elven allies are hereby ordered to serve along the king's army. Cursed or not, you are still bound by Gilnean law!"
A familiar scent reached Darius' nose, though richer and deeper than he remembered. Looking up, he saw that Genn had followed Godfrey into the tree. Not sure of what to make of Godfrey's words, he asked, "Does this toad speak for you, Genn? Do you come to our dwelling as a friend? Or do you come as a tyrant?"
"No, old friend. I've come to you as an equal." With that, the king transformed into a worgen, even larger than Darius! Around them, the other worgens reacted with surprise and shock. Even Robert and Lorna were surprised by the king's transformation.
Godfrey's shock and surprise seemed almost overwhelming to him, leaving the normally-suave and well-spoken noble unable to say more than one word: "Impossible!"
"Aye, Genn. It is not law that binds us. It is something far stronger." Though he wondered just how long the king had been worgen, Darius knew that this was not the time to ask. He'd always intended to follow his king, but as the leader of the worgens, he'd had a duty to ensure that they would be treated well by the humans they would be working alongside. "My men are ready to give their lives under your command."
Genn nodded his shaggy head, kindled hope in his voice, "It is decided, then. We will unite all Gilneans and drive the Forsaken from our lands."
* * *
"Gumpagenn, why isn't Gumpadar getting better?" Gehenna asked as he took a break from his duties to spend time with his grandchildren. "You kissed him, after all."
Alex responded before his grandfather could, his voice as full of disdain as a five-year-old could manage. "I told you, Gehnnie, he has to kiss Gumpadar where he hurted. He wasn't hurted on his lips." He looked up at Genn with sombre green eyes. "Was he, Gumpagenn?"
"No, he wasn't, Alex," the king replied, his lips twitching with the effort to suppress his laughter. "In fact, I don't know where he was hurt."
Her grey-green eyes just as somber, Gehenna suggested, "Maybe you should find out and kiss Gumpadar there so he will get better."
"Gumpadar is getting better, Gehnnie," Liam responded from the doorway. "Just not very fast and it's upsetting Mummy."
Squealing, the little girl got to her feet and ran over to Liam. "Daddy!"
"That's my little girl." Smiling, he scooped her up and swung her high in the air. "How would you like to be a gryphon?"
Instead of making the screeching sound of a gryphon, though, Gehenna made an engine sound. "I'm an airplane today, Daddy!"
"My mistake." Liam grinned and helped Gehenna 'fly' around the room. "Coming in for a landing with Gumpagenn!"
Smiling fondly at his son's antics, Genn reached up and took Gehenna when Liam brought her over. Alex, who'd been waiting patiently, held up his arms. "My turn, Daddy!"
"And what are you, Alex? Gryphon or airplane?" Liam asked, scooping his son up with a smile.
Alex shook his head. "Neither, Daddy: I'm a hippogryff!"
"All right, hippogryff it is!" Liam proceeded to 'fly' Alex around the room as well.
Genn watched them with pleasure, grateful that his son had this chance to be part of his children's lives and watch them grow up.
* * *
"Enough!" Sylvanas' shout had a physical power behind it, knocking Darius and all the other Gilneans attacking her back, including the king. When he tried to get up and rush back at her, the noble was astonished to realise that he couldn't move! He could only watch helplessly as the Banshee Queen lifted her bow and aimed it right at Genn's heart. For his part, the king glared at her, not giving any hint that he feared the death he was facing. Am I going to lose him just as we're finally reconciling our differences? "Let's see how brave Gilneas gets on without its stubborn leader!"
Just as she pulled the trigger on her crossbow, Liam, who must not have been knocked back like his father and the rest of them, rushed in front of his father in time to be hit by the arrow intended for the king: "FATHER!!!"
"LIAM!! NO!!!" Genn watched helplessly as his son crumpled to the ground.
Sylvanas merely curled her lip in a moue of displeasure. "Such a waste. That arrow's poison was not meant to be wasted on your whelp. We'll meet again, Genn!"
With that, she turned her horse and galloped off. Whatever spell she'd cast that had kept them in place broke then and Genn rushed over to Liam, cradling him in his arms. With his keen hearing, Darius barely heard Liam's last words. "We did it, Father... We took back our city... we took back..."
"NOOOO!!!" Genn's cry of denial became a howl of anguish as his son died in his arms.
"Tobias, Maniel," Darius spotted the two worgens as they approached, both of them looking bloodied, but largely unhurt. "We don't have the luxury of grieving just yet. We need to know what that bitch is planning. Find her and quickly!"
Saluting, they rushed off, Tobias in the lead. Darius turned back in time to see Lorna walking towards Genn and Liam, her face pale under the soot and dirt that now streaked it. "Your Majesty? Is he...? Is Liam really...?"
"Sylvanas killed him, Lorna," he told his daughter when the king remained unresponsive, apparently still in shock over his son dying in his arms.
She gasped, swaying on her feet as tears filled her eyes. "No..."
"I'm sorry, Lorna," he murmured gruffly, pulling her into a comforting hug. She and Liam had always been close. There'd even been a time when he'd hoped to see them married.
As his daughter clung to him, Darius watched Genn straighten up and carry Liam into a nearby building. He gently guided Lorna to follow. When they entered, they found that Liam's body had been laid down on a pallet on the floor. The king knelt beside the dead prince's body, now in human form, and looked up when father and daughter entered, tears glittering in his eyes. "Why did he do it? Why did he sacrifice his life for mine?"
"Because he felt it was the right thing to do, Uncle Genn," Lorna replied, pulling away from her father so she could kneel beside her adopted uncle. "For whatever reason, he thought you should continue leading our people."
As Lorna and Genn embraced, a noise at the door attracted Darius' attention. Turning, his blood ran cold at the sight that greeted his eyes: Excalibus stood there, Robert's body in his arms. Guinevera stood beside him, tear tracks on her cheeks. "I tried to save him, my Lord, but he was too badly injured."
"Robert..." he whispered, taking his son's body into his arms. He slowly turned to face Genn, feeling as if Sylvanas had just knocked him off his feet again.
Lorna was there, looking horrified as she took in her younger brother's body. "Not Robert, too!"
"I'm sorry, Darius, Lorna," Genn had followed Lorna over and he wrapped an arm around each of them, offering what comfort he could.
Blinking back tears, the noble moved over to another pallet near Liam's, carefully arranging his body. "I've always been proud of you, Robert, even when we disagreed. I know that you loved Gilneas as much as I did, even if we showed it in different ways. I hope you may rest in peace, my son."
"Lord Crowley!" Tobias' voice announced his and Maniel's return. Both hesitated on the threshold when they realised that their leader wasn't alone.
Bowing to the king, Tobias glanced questioningly at Darius. "Make your report to his Majesty, Tobias." Looking at the older man, whose face showed his puzzlement, the younger man explained, "I sent Tobias and Maniel after Sylvanas to find out her next move."
"Ah, a wise precaution, Darius." Genn nodded, and turned to the two men. "What did you find out, my friends?" Tobias spoke for them, describing the conversation they'd overheard, ending with the fact that Sylvanas planned to deploy the Plague. His voice heavy, Genn told them, "Thank you for bringing me this information. The way I see it, our choice is to either go after Sylvanas while she lingers in Gilneas or stall the Forsaken long enough to allow us to evacuate the city and keep our people safe."
Darius saw Lorna, Tobias, and Maniel exchange uncertain looks, probably wondering if they should offer their opinions. The noble rested a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Our sons gave their lives for Gilneas, Genn. What do you think they would want us to do?"
"You're right, Darius." Genn nodded, the indecision clearing from his face. "We must evacuate the city, but we need to distract the Forsaken while we do it."
Clearing her throat, Lorna spoke up, "We captured one of their Bombing Bats, Sire. Perhaps we can use that?"
"Excellent idea, Lorna." The king nodded, turning to Maniel next. "Do you think you could fly one and bomb the Forsaken so our people can be evacuated?"
Maniel nodded, saluting. "Absolutely, Sire."
"Go to it, and kill as many of the undead bastards as you can," Genn told him. The warrior saluted again and ran out the door. The king turned to Lorna next. "Coordinate the evacuation. Give priority to those who need Healers." Lorna saluted and hurried out. Genn turned to Tobias. "Help move our dead. I'll not leave their bodies for the Forsaken to defile."
Saluting, Tobias left. Alone with his king, Darius raised his eyebrow. "What would you have me do, Genn?"
"Stay with me?" Genn requested, his normally-gruff voice even gruffer than usual."I'd rather not be alone right now."
Nodding, Darius spotted a bench against one wall and dragged it closer to their sons' bodies. He sat down and Genn joined him a few moments later. They sat together in silence, everything they needed to discuss on Darius' mind, but he knew this was not the right time to discuss it. Once everything has settled down, we can talk...
* * *
"Yes, it's a new poison the Forsaken alchemists were working on before Thassarian got me out of there," Koltira informed Genn and the others after he'd examined both the sample of the poison and Darius himself. "They must have continued refining it after I was incarcerated, however. This is far more potent than what I recall."
Genn frowned, not liking the last part of what Koltira had said. "Is there any way we can combat it? Did they develop an antidote?"
"The Forsaken don't believe in antidotes, your Majesty," the death knight replied, sounding sympathetic. "However, the goblins heard about the Forsaken's experiments and began working on an antidote. I have no idea if they were successful at all."
Genn nodded, glad that there was still a chance for Darius to survive. He didn't want to lose his friend to death just yet. "I'll send someone to speak with the goblins as soon as possible. Thank you very much for your assistance."
"Not at all, your Majesty." Koltira bowed, waiting until the others had left the room. Once they were alone, he turned back to Genn, "I sympathise with your need to save the man you love from death."
He stared at the death knight in surprise. They'd never said the actual words to each other, though they understood how they felt about each other. To have this stranger barely meet them and put the correct label to their feelings...! "What makes you think I love him?"
"You would not work so hard to save one you do not love so much," Koltira replied, bowing again. "Good day, your Majesty, and I wish you luck."
With that, the death knight withdrew, leaving the king alone with his thoughts.
* * *
By unspoken agreement, Genn and Darius met outside Darnassus the night before the former would leave for Stormwind and the latter would go to Silverpine. Both were in worgen form, dressed only in trousers, and set off at an easy lope among the trees. At first, they simply ran together and Darius revelled in the chance to share this with his king. Then Genn bumped into Darius, knocking him off-balance. The younger man recovered quickly enough and eyed the older man suspiciously. The worgen face was harder to read, but he was sure he saw a gleam in the king's eyes that suggested the bump hadn't been accidental. After a few minutes, Darius saw his chance and 'bumped' Genn a little harder than he'd been bumped, knocking the king over onto his side.
Taking a few more strides, the noble stopped and turned to watch as the king shook off his surprise and got to his feet. He was completely unprepared for his friend to pounce on him, knocking him over. Without waiting for the younger man's reaction, the older man took off into the forest. Grinning, Darius scrambled up and chased after Genn. When he was in range, he pounced on his friend, though it was more of a tackle, sending them both rolling across the grass. When they finally came to a stop, it was more by sheer chance than design that the king was sprawled on top of the noble.
They stayed like that for a few moments, laughing at themselves. His laughter fading, Darius caught Genn's gaze with his own and slowly tilted his head back. This left him open and vulnerable: a bite of the king's jaws or a swipe of one clawed hand and the noble could be dead. It was a sign of trust, but also of submission. "Darius..."
"You have my loyalty, Genn," he replied, his voice just as gruff as his friend's. "Both as a noble of Gilneas and as a member of your pack."
"Are you certain of this?" Genn asked, spreading his hand at the base of Darius' throat, claws just pricking the skin through his fur.
"Absolutely," Darius assured him, arching his neck to press his Adam's apple against Genn's hand, emphasizing how much he trusted the king. Even when he'd been captured and held in jail, he'd known the king wouldn't--couldn't kill him.
The older man slid his hand from the younger man's throat, down his chest to his stomach, his one finger tantalisingly close to Darius' trousers. "My Darius."
"Yes, only yours." Darius's words ended on a whine because Genn's hand slid down to cup him through his trousers, feeling him grow hard through the fabric. "Genn!"
It was the work of only moments for them to shed their trousers and become one again as they had done so many years ago. They howled together when the pleasure overwhelmed them. After they'd reluctantly parted and cleaned themselves up, they dressed and returned to Darnassus, trotting rather than running. Very little had been said, but Darius had realised by now that not everything needed to be said. Sometimes, it was simply understood.
* * *
Before he had the footman to open the door, Genn could hear the buzz of conversation through it. He glanced at the being beside him. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"I'm quite sure, your Majesty." A nod of the shaggy head accompanied the answer.
Nodding in return, Genn gestured to the footman. The door opened and silence fell as they entered the room. Ignoring the stares, the king led his companion to the front of the room. Once there, he turned to address the nobles. "Noble Council, I received a petition from Ivar Bloodfang for him and his pack to rejoin Gilneas and swear allegiance to Her and the Royal House of Greymane. Does anyone wish to question him before he takes the Oath?"
"Why does the Bloodfang Pack wish to swear loyalty to Gilneas?" This question came from Lord Alan Godrey, Vincent's son and heir. Not as set in his ways as his father, Genn still kept a wary eye on him, as well as Lord Walden and Baron Ashbury's sons. The memory of their fathers' betrayal still lingered. "Gilneas turned Her back on them when She built the Wall."
Ivar had refused to change forms, insisting that this was what his people were used to and the other lords would simply have to get used to it. He'd at least been prevailed upon to bathe and dress in clothes that were more elegant than the leather trousers and vest and he typically wore. Now, he met Alan's eyes and replied, "And we turned our back on Her, but in the end, we are still Gilneans. We wish to be reunited with those we thought lost to us forever."
"What if none of us want anything to do with you?" This came from James Ashbury, his voice cool as he studied the packleader. His father's betrayal in particular had been painful for Genn because he'd counted the previous Baron Ashbury as one of his closest friends, after Darius.
The king stepped forward at this point, shifting forms as he did so. "Have you forgotten that most Gilneans are worgens now, Baron? If you do not wish to deal with worgens, your title can be stripped from you and given to someone else."
"That was not what I meant, Sire," the young man quickly backpedaled, panic showing briefly in his eyes. Though he maintained his steady, serious gaze, part of his heart went out to the man. His younger brother, Michael, had been killed by worgens, so he held little love for them. "I have learned from my father's mistakes, but not everyone has learned the same lesson."
Returning to his previous place, but retaining his worgen form for the moment, the king kept his response calm yet stern, "They will have to, Baron. It is a fact of life for us now and the sooner our people understand this, the better."
"Yes, your Majesty." The baron nodded and subsided.
Lorna was only present because her father was too ill to leave the Infirmary. Her face had remained expressionless and she now stood up. "Lord Crowley endorses Packleader Bloodfang's petition. He feels that all Gilneans need to be united for whatever crisis will come next."
"Please convey my thanks to Lord Crowley," Ivar told her, his voice sounding gruffer than was typical of him for a moment.
Genn wasn't surprised to hear such a message come from his old friend. Darius had always been able to see beyond Gilneas. Pushing his thoughts away, Genn looked around the room. "Any further questions or statements?" No one moved or spoke. The king nodded, pleased, and drew his sword, holding it before him. "Very well. Packleader?" Ivar went to one knee before the king and laid one hand over Genn's on the blade of the sword, the Greymane signet ring centred under the palm. "Do you, Packleader Ivar Bloodfang, swear to be loyal and faithful to the Royal House of Greymane? Do you give your word that you will respond quickly and without delay when We call upon you for money, food, or troops?"
"I do so swear, your Majesty," Ivar responded, his gaze solemn. "Whatever is requested of the Pack of Bloodfang, it will be done." Then, tilting his muzzle up, he took the king's hand and rested it against his throat, the claws dangerously close to his jugular vein. "As the Alpha of my pack, I submit to you, King Genn Greymane, the Alpha of the pack of Gilneas."
It took a moment for Genn to respond to this unexpected addition because the gesture brought to mind the night before he'd left Darnassus for Stormwind. "Your oath and submission are both accepted Packleader." He withdrew his hand. "You and your people may call yourselves Gilneans once again."
* * *
The evening after Liam returned as a death knight, Genn and Darius sat together in the king's sitting room, allowing their children to have some time alone together. The silence would have been companionable, but Darius was uneasy, almost constantly fidgeting, casting furtive glances at the king. Finally, Genn rested a hand on his friend's broad shoulder. "Whatever's on your mind, Darius, say it."
Shrugging off the friendly hand, Darius stood up and began to pace, unable to contain his agitation. "I failed you, Genn. I swore I would fight to the bitter end, only to surrender unconditionally to Sylvanas."
"She threatened your daughter, Darius," the king reminded him, gentle but firm. Of course his friend would know better than most what had flashed through Darius' mind when the Banshee Queen made her threat against Lorna Crowley: if she carried through with her threat, not only would his daughter be gone forever, but his grandchildren and the future monarch of Gilneas would be gone completely. "And, indirectly, our grandchildren. By surrendering, you saved them all. I can't hold that against you. Besides, Gilneas is out of Forsaken hands."
"But Ivar--" Darius began, still pacing. If he'd been in his worgen form, he'd have been growling in his chest, clenching his clawed hands into fists until he drew blood.
Standing up, Genn intercepted Darius, gripping the broad shoulders firmly. "You said yourself that Ivar Bloodfang can't understand your position until he has a wife and children of his own. Everyone has forgiven you, now you need to forgive yourself."
"I don't know if I can." Darius remained quite still under his king's grip, red head bowed with shame. "I wanted to win Gilneas back for you, Genn--for us. And I failed."
Gently tilting Darius' head up with one hand on his chin, Genn smiled encouragingly at the younger man, "You did not fail, Darius, even though it's not safe for civilian occupation. We will run together through Gilneas' forests. It just won't be as soon as we'd hoped or planned."
"You're right, Genn." A fresh flame of determination sparked inside Darius, fanned into being by his friend's confidence and assurance. He had to believe that it would happen. "We will."
Squeezing his friend's shoulders firmly, Genn gazed at him with fierce expression in his eyes. "It's good to have my Darius back. You've not been yourself today."
"I suppose I took Ivar's words too much to heart," Darius conceded ruefully as they resumed their seats by the fire, with the king pouring more wine for the both of them.
Shaking his head as he sat back on the settee beside his friend, Genn told him, "No matter what he says, you're one of the bravest men I know, Darius. Never doubt that."
"I'll try not to, but we all have our moments of self-doubt," the redhead replied, sipping his wine appreciatively.
They lapsed into a comfortable silence after that, soothed by the wine and many years of close friendship that didn't need words anymore. When the bottle stood empty, Genn rose to his feet and offered his hand to Darius. The noble took it without hesitation and followed the king to the bedroom. Liam and Lorna weren't the only ones who felt the need to make up for a long absence.
* * *
Two goblins answered the king's request: a male shaman named Origno and a female hunter named Mynxie. Watching them work seamlessly together as they subjected the provided sample of poison to a battery of tests, Genn wondered if they were siblings or spouses. After several minutes, the two exchanged glances and nods. As Mynxie walked over to where her sleek black panther, Onyxie, lay dozing and rummaged through one of the bags strapped to the cat's back, Origno addressed the king. "The death knight was correct. We had heard about this poison and began developing an antidote for it. The Forsaken might not care if one of their allies get poisoned by it, but we certainly do."
"Began?" Genn repeated, glancing from one goblin to the other as he felt his heart sink in his chest. Is there no antidote, then?
Mynxie had finished rummaging and closed the pack, pausing to stroke her pet's head before rejoining Origno. "What my dear brother forgot to mention was that we're pretty sure we have the antidote developed, but we had no way of testing whether it would work or not." She held up a vial with an innocuous-looking liquid. "This is what our best alchemists and enchanters could come up with, your Majesty. It should do the trick, but we won't know unless it's tried."
"Thank you both," Genn told them sincerely. "If you'll come with me, we can ask Darius if he'd like to try it."
They nodded and Mynxie whistled. The panther got to its feet, stretched luxuriously, and then padded over. With a practiced step, the hunter climbed onto the panther then held out her hand to the shaman. He climbed on behind her and the two goblins looked expectantly up at the king. A little bemused, Genn led them to the noble's private room. Lorna was sitting with her father when they entered and jumped to her feet when she saw the king. She stared the next moment at the two goblins. Ignoring her stare, they slid from the cat's back and it padded over to curl up in a corner of the room. "Father Genn?"
"Mynxie and Origno think they may have the antidote to the Forsaken rogue's poison," Genn explained as the two in question scrambled up onto the bed.
Darius eyed the goblins with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "You think? You don't know?"
"We haven't tested it yet, my Lord," Origno replied with a casual shrug. "If you'd rather wait, we can find someone else to test it on."
Lorna caught her father's hand in both of hers, pleading. "Father, you heard what Regine said this morning. If there's any chance--"
"What did Regine say this morning?" Genn asked sharply, looking between father and daughter with narrowed eyes.
Darius one eye gazed back at the king's levelly. "Nothing is working anymore: healing spells, totems, healthstones, none of them are effective."
"You're oversaturated with healing energy, Lord Crowley," Mynxie informed him crisply, having reached up to tap the goggles she was wearing as she stared at the noble. "The poison is designed to resist magical healing, so that doesn't help." She tapped her goggles again. "The antidote is two-fold, just like the poison, with a spell to neutralize the magical component combined with a potion to neutralize the poison."
The redhead remained quiet for several moments, contemplating the two goblins. Then he looked at his daughter and finally his king. "I'll take it."
* * *
"Lord Crowley, behind you!" Avalonea's warning came too late. Just as he turned to face this new threat, he felt the blade sink into his side. Yelping at the stabbing pain, he lashed out with his hand, only vaguely aware that the rogue hit the wall. That seemed to be a signal to the other Forsaken, because they began swarming the noble, hacking and slashing at him with their swords. He fought them off as well as he could, but there were so many of them and his limbs suddenly seemed to be made of lead.
He blinked and stared in stupid surprise when a spell seemed to knock the Forsaken soldiers back. A familiar worgen figure in mage's robes reached his side, a grim set to her jaw. "Hello, Avalonea."
"Now is not the time for pleasantries, my Lord," she retorted, using her staff to create several arcane blasts in succession that pushed back the Forsaken that were approaching. "Take my hand and I'll get us back to Stormwind."
Lifting his hand took every ounce of effort he had, but he eventually managed to place it in the one the mage held out to him. Grasping it firmly, she quickly teleported them out of there, just in time. He vaguely heard an exclamation of surprise in the background when they arrived in the Infirmary, but everything was hazy. "What have we told you about teleporting directly here?"
Avalonea didn't sound the least bit sorry as she answered, "Only to do it in the case of a very extreme emergency and I'd say this counts as one."
"Lord Crowley!" A third voice exclaimed this and Darius felt as if he was floating in midair. "What happened to him?"
Spells began washing over him, taking away the pain spreading out from the wound in his side and leaving lethargy in its wake. "The Forsaken tried to overwhelm him with sheer numbers. I barely got to him in time. If it'd taken me just a little longer--"
"Go get the king," the voice he finally identified as Sister Almyra's ordered briskly. "If you can catch Myriam, ask her to get the prince and princess."
A hand touched the back of Darius' neck and numb darkness overwhelmed him.
* * *
Darius' long illness had left him severely weakened, his health fragile. Even walking through the gardens of Stormwind Keep left him breathless and Genn suggested they sit down in the gazebo for a bit. After a few moments of comfortable silence, the noble asked, "Who will you send in my place?"
"Liam," the king answered promptly. "He's not so easily killed and it may unsettle the Forsaken to see him fighting once again."
The younger man nodded thoughtfully. "He's a good leader, too. The soldiers will respect him and it will do the worgens good to see one of their own leading them."
"Exactly." Genn smiled, finding Darius' hand with his and giving it a squeeze. He was pleased when Darius squeezed his hand back.
They sat in silence for several moments, the breeze blowing the smells of the city to them. Finally, Darius spoke, his voice quiet, "I failed you again."
"You've done many things, but failing me has never been one of them," Genn answered firmly, not surprised that his friend had lost confidence in himself again.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Darius look at him in surprise. "But Sylvanas--"
"That wasn't a failure, Darius," he interrupted firmly. "That was a tactical retreat. The future of Gilneas was at stake, whether she knew it or not, and you made the right choice. Or do you wish that Gehnnie and Alex hadn't been born?"
The reply came as quickly and vehemently as he'd expected: "No!" Shooting the king a dirty look, the noble continued, "What about my recent illness?"
"A lucky shot for that rogue, who, I understand, died thanks to the injuries you gave him in return, so perhaps he wasn't so lucky after all." Genn smiled as he remembered the reports he'd received of the battle. "You're not the first to be badly injured and it wasn't even the first time you were injured so badly."
A rueful smile on his lips, Darius murmured, "You're bound and determined to believe the best of me, aren't you?"
"Only because you seem bound and determined to paint yourself in the worst light possible," Genn retorted lightly, twining their fingers together.
The younger man looked down at their hands in surprise. The older man rarely indulged in such gestures except with his wife. He looked up at the king. "Genn?"
"It's time I told you something I realised years ago," he answered softly, rubbing his thumb over the back of Darius' hand as he meet the grey gaze steadily with his own. "I love you, Darius Crowley. I've loved you for years, even when you were arguing and fighting with me, I still loved you."
Darius gazed back, his eye wide with surprise. Slowly, a smile spread across the other man's face. "I love you, too, Genn. That's why I argued and fought with you: I loved you so much that I had to do everything in my power to tell you what you didn't want to hear."
"I know." Genn nodded, smiling himself now.
A large, warm hand, sword-callused by years of fighting, cupped the king's cheek as they leaned in to share a soft kiss. It remained sweet and tender, expressing the emotions both men found difficult to put into words. They pulled apart when a familiar young voice intruded on the moment: "Gumpagenn, you don't need to kiss Gumpadar now that he's getting better."
"Maybe he's kissing Gumpadar so he continues to get better?" Another familiar voice returned, sounding thoughtful.
Turning, the two men smiled when they saw Liam and Lorna approaching with Gehenna and Alexander. The little boy reached over to shove the girl. "Don't be silly, Gehnnie. It only takes one kiss for Mommy to make us better."
"But Gumpadar was sick for a loooong time," Gehenna replied, elongating the 'o' sound as she shoved her brother back. "Maybe it takes more than one kiss to make him all better."
With a practiced move, their parents pulled the twins apart. "That's enough, you two. We came out here to visit with your grandpas, not fight."
"Yes, Daddy," they chorused as they reached the gazebo.
With some help, Alex was soon seated next to Genn while Gehenna cuddled up to Darius. Liam and Lorna sat together on one of the other benches. Peering up at her grandfather, she asked, "Gumpadar, are you feeling better now?"
"Yes, Gehnnie, Gumpagenn's kiss made me feel a lot better," he replied with a twinkle in his eye as he glanced slyly at the king.
Leaning forward to smile smugly at her brother, Gehenna told him, "See, Alex?"
"No more arguing," Genn told them sternly, covering Alex's mouth with his free hand before he could make a retort to his sister. "Why don't you tell us about what you did today instead?"
He smiled as the twins immediately launched into a rambling account of the day's activities, happy to hold Darius' hand in his as they enjoyed the company of their family.
End