Chapter 8 Chapter VII

An hour later, the mourning was over.She didn't want to continue, but as the ceremony progressed, Jaina realized she needed to stay there for the sake of at least two people.One is herself.Halfway through the sermon, she found herself bowing her head in tears, mourning those who had given their all to fight against evil, mourning the once young and upright Arthas Menethil.Despite the tears, she felt a peace she had never experienced before. As for the other guy... She went back to the small room where Varian had received the sentries.The elves had gone, but the King of Stormwind was still there, sitting at a small table with his head in his hands.

Despite her light footsteps, he heard her coming, raised his head and smiled wearily. "I'm sorry for being so gaffe before." "Of course you should." He nodded in agreement with her comment. "Yes. What I said was neither appropriate nor correct." Her attitude softened a little. "Apology accepted. And I'm not the only one who deserves an apology." His face twitched slightly, but he nodded anyway. "I'd rather he didn't know anything, but when it's done it's done." She settled into a chair opposite, ready to listen. "Tell me what happened."

He said it.He has agreed to send a few alchemists to Ashenvale to assist the night elves in investigating the massacre scene, identifying the bloodstains and remaining clothing.Then send an unarmed envoy to Thrall for an explanation. "As far as you're concerned, that's pretty...restrained," Jaina commented. "The actions I take should be based on what I know, not what I guess. If Thrall is found to be behind this atrocity, there is no doubt that I will raid Orgrimmar for his head. Whether or not I have the right to do so." "If that's the case, I'll fight by your side," Jaina said.She was sure Thrall would be as shocked as Varian and Jaina when he heard of the attack.Even if he wasn't Varian's friend, he was always a respectable enemy.He would never order his men to break the peace treaty and launch such an abominable attack.

"I want to talk to Anduin," she said, changing the subject. Varian nodded. "Anduin is a born diplomat. He understands the need for war in Northrend, but he still yearns for peace. I can't seem to get over my desire for war. When I first came back, everything was alright, but……" "Hey, he's puberty," Jaina said softly. "Bolvar's death hurt him very much, very much." Jaina moved uncomfortably at the name. "I know they're very close when I'm not there. Bolvar is like Anduin's father." "So... does he know?" Jaina asked in a low voice.

Varian shook his head, "I hope he never knows." When the Lich King was finally killed, the victory came with terrible news—if there was no Lich King, a natural disaster out of control The Legion will sweep the world.Someone has to wear that helm and become the next Lich King, or everything they've fought for will be wiped out. Bolvar persevered and took on the dreaded task.The flames of the red dragon saved his life, but caused terrible changes to his body.Now he looks like a embers of lava.Now, wearing the crown of the Lich King, Bolvar sits on the roof of the world, destined to be the jailer of the undead forever.Thinking of this, Jaina's blue eyes quickly filled with tears.

"Anduin is very sad about this." Jaina's voice was a little choked, and she cleared her throat and continued, "But Bolvar is not his father after all. You are, and I know he is very happy to have you back. But -" "But he wants his father back, not Rakesh. That's totally understandable. But Jaina, sometimes I'm not sure where the line is between those two personalities. I'll try to figure it out, but the situation Next, I... don't want that child to stay by my side and live with me." "I was thinking the same thing. I have an idea..."

Jaina pulled her cloak over her head as she left the cathedral.It was still raining, actually heavier than before.This didn't bother her much; she was used to the humidity in Theramore. She came to Stormwind using teleportation, so no mounts are available.So she walked down the slippery street toward Stormwind Keep.The walk wasn't too long, but she stepped into a few puddles, and when she finally got there, she was drenched and trembling. The guards recognized Jaina and let her in with a polite nod.Pages came quickly to her, ready to take her cloak and bring warm drinks.And she kindly declined their attentions.It wasn't her first visit, so they didn't ask her much where she was going when she was asking directions in the keep.

Jaina entered the living quarters of the castle through the drawing room and throne room.Arriving at her destination, she brushed her wet hair and knocked on the door of Anduin's room. There was no response at first.She tapped again, calling softly this time, "Anduin? It's me, Jaina." She heard light footsteps approaching, and then the door opened a crack.A pair of stern blue eyes looked at her, then glanced behind her. "Just me," she assured him.He nodded his golden head and stepped back to let her in.She originally thought that Stormwind Keep was gorgeous enough, although it was far inferior to the luxurious and magnificent palace of Lordaeron in the past.When she walked into Anduin's small room, she couldn't help thinking of the palace of Prince Arthas.Anduin was born to be the crown prince of a country, and he also took the throne temporarily when Varian disappeared.But his room was rather shabby.That crib was more suitable for the child of the past than for the teenager now.He'll have to get a bigger bed soon, Jaina thought, and he'll grow as fast as weeds.There were no ornate decorations above the bed, no fine paintings on the walls—except for one, a portrait of Anduin and her mother, Queen Tiffin, and Anduin as a baby.Jaina guessed that the painting was painted shortly before the Queen's death.Queen Tiffin was stoned to death during a Defias riot, which is exactly the accident that Jaina mentioned in order to let Varian understand Thrall's situation.Tiffin's son never saw her in person.

There was a jar of water and a basin on a small table next to the bed.A short distance away is an extinguished brazier, which is used to drive out the cold in the house in winter.There is a small door leading to another room where Anduin's clothes and other royal ceremonies are probably kept, because Jaina didn't see any of them in this room, not even a wardrobe.In the middle of the room was a chair and a small table with books, parchment, ink, and a quill.Anduin politely arranged a chair for her, took off his cloak and hung it up, then stood aside with folded arms.He was clearly still troubled by the conversation he had with his father earlier.

"You're soaking wet." He said flatly, "I'll have someone bring you some hot tea." "Thank you, this is the best." She smiled at him. He smiled back, but not from the heart.Then he pulled a hemp rope at the head of the bed. "I swear, the next time I see you, you'll be as tall as your father." Jaina eased back into her chair.Said jokingly, wanting him to relax. He made a grimace, "Which side of my father is it like?" His voice was calm and calm with a perfect princely demeanor, but the bitterness in the words moved Jaina, who knew him well.

"Your father was upset that you saw that," she said softly. "I believe so," said Anduin in the same tone, "but I've seen a lot at my age." He stood tall and straight, with his hands behind his back.Is he engaged?She found that she didn't know it yet.She hoped not yet.What Anduin said was right, he had experienced too many things in these short ten years, and she was willing to let him spend at least a little longer as a child. "Oh, have pity on me," she waved at him with some distress, "You've been standing there like a flagpole is stuck on your back, it makes me feel uncomfortable. Go sit on the bed and talk , you know I'm an informal person." As if the first ray of light in spring melted the ice and snow, Anduin's mouth curled into a smile.She winked at him.So the smile turned into a real smile, and despite being shy, he smiled anyway. A gray-haired waiter appeared at the door and knocked lightly. "At your service, Your Highness." "Two cups of soothing scented tea. Oh..." He turned to Jaina and asked, "Are you cold? I asked Will to light the brazier for us." Jaina frowned, and raised her hand towards the brazier.The firewood in the basin immediately ignited. "No, thank you." He laughed. "I forgot. Then just tea. Oh, and some more bread and honey. And some Dalaran cheese, and two more apples." Jaina's heart moved, and Anduin still remembered her favorite food Mac and cheese. "thanks." Jaina suppressed her smile.This kid has really grown up.After Will left, Anduin sat comfortably on the bed according to her previous request, and stared at him with those blue eyes that had seen too many adult worlds. "That's much better. I'm not here to lecture you or ask you to apologize to your father," Jaina continued. "I'm here to give you a chance to have some fun, if you want." His blond eyebrows went up. "Huh? Joy?" He said the word in an exaggerated tone. "Please tell me what it is." "Something good for you. Your father was distressed that you had to see it all. He talked to me a while, and we agreed that you should be able to avoid these things from time to time." He looked at her curiously, "What exactly are you trying to say?" "Would you like to come to Theramore to see me?" Anduin had been to Theramore once before, and that time he braved a violent storm to participate in the peace talks with the tribe, but was interrupted by violence.She hoped to give him a better impression of the place. But Anduin obviously had the heart of a teenager, instead of being depressed, his eyes brightened. "Would you like to go to the border again? I would love to! I haven't seen enough last time. Are there any dragons to fight now?" "Not anymore, I'm afraid." Jaina sighed in frustration, "but I'm sure there are some little annoyances for a thirteen-year-old." "It's thirteen and a half years old, soon." Anduin told her seriously. "I accept the correction." "But...it's been a long journey." "Not long for a mage." "Well, yes, it doesn't count, but I'm not talking about you, Aunt Jaina. I'm talking about myself." She smiled at him, "I have a little thing that can make traveling easier." She took out a round crystal engraved with light blue runes from her pocket. "Come on, let's go!" Jaina threw it at Anduin, and he caught it easily. "It's so pretty." He looked at it carefully as he said, gently gesturing on the runes with his fingers. "It's beautiful, and it's very rare. Now hold it gently in your hand, don't hold it with your fingers. Do you recognize the runes on it?" He looked at it, "It's your name and a...'home'." He said. "By the way. It seems that your homework is good. I made this specially for you. Long before... today... I was thinking that you might be willing to come and accompany your old aunt Jaina." He brushed a strand of blond hair down his face and stared at her unhappily. "You're not old at all," he said. "It seems that you have learned how to communicate well." She laughed happily. "Yes, this one is called Hearthstone." "But the rune means 'home.'" "Yes, that's what it says, but 'Housestone' sounds awful. 'Hearthstone' sounds much better." He laughed, fiddling with the hearthstone in his hand, and said in a somewhat haughty tone: "Just trust the girl for this kind of thing." "Since ancient times, there have been many troubles with women," Jaina said. "Indeed," he admitted. "So, how is this hearthstone used?" "Keep it tight in your hands and focus." Anduin complied.Jaina got up and walked towards him, taking his hand.A faint blue light glowed on her hand, and then reached Anduin's hand. "This will bind Hearthstone to you," Jaina said softly, and he nodded knowingly. "Focus. Make this hearthstone yours, make it yours." She felt the change, from her to him, so she smiled softly and let go. "Come on, now it's yours." Anduin looked at Hearthstone again and laughed happily, fascinated by it. "It's all magic, isn't it? It's not some artifact of gnome engineering, is it?" Jaina nodded. "I'm afraid it can only teleport you to Theramore. Once there, we can teleport you back home." "Then I guess it doesn't lay off the dwarves and their griffins," Anduin said in his sometimes pragmatic tone. "Be careful when you use it," she said, standing up. "It will literally send you to my fireplace. So the afternoon is the best time." He continued to stare at Hearthstone with a smile, and Jaina felt a surge of encouragement.This is undoubtedly the right thing to do.She held out her hand to him, and Anduin jumped out of bed and hugged her tightly.He's grown up, she thought to herself, the shoulders her arms wrapped around were wider than she remembered.And he rested his head on her shoulder.The kid knew nothing but challenge, hardship, and loss, and now he could finally laugh, hug his "auntie," and be excited about the chance to go to the frontier. Holy Light, let him spend some more time as a child.Let him at least live a carefree life for a while, before he has to... take on adult responsibilities again. "You'll regret it, Aunt Jaina," he said gravely, pushing her away. His tone made her heart suddenly tense. "Why do you say that, Anduin?" "Because I might come to you any minute now." She breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm not afraid of this trouble." Jaina Proudmoore, the ruler of Theramore and a powerful mage, laughed like a little girl, reaching out to ruffle the Prince of Stormwind's blond hair.