Unity - Chapter 14 (original) (raw)

And here is the conclusion to Thrall and Co.'s Magical Adventure In One Of the Most Annoying Instances Ever. More will becoming Soon[tm].

Title: Unity
Part: 14 of 18-21
Word Count: 6101 (of this part)
Warnings: Angst, violence, past death. Snake punching. Traumatic flashbacks (sort of).
Pairings: None in this part, Thrall/Jaina overall and various implied pairings.
Summary: Thrall is asked to investigate a situation involving the mysterious habits of druids and caves.

Previous Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Sidestory: Linguistics
13

"This area is a dead end," Cairne observed, gesturing to the cave walls. "We'll have to retrace our steps." He began to hum again.

Thrall resisted the urge to groan as they picked their way back across the caverns. It was frustrating to retread old corridors, or find new ones that were only to be filled with more plant elementals, and huge, flying, winged serpents that Cairne identified as Wind Serpents. Dealing with the druids had become second-nature, in that Nara had done most of the work, knocking them unconscious and leaving them to sleep. It seemed as if the young, vulnerable druids had gathered near the Serpent Lords, making them targets that were both necessary to incapacitate and in need of a more delicate touch than totem, sword or mace.

"Is it tiring you to do that?" Thrall asked of Nara, and she nodded wearily as she padded along beside him.

"But it must be done to preserve as many lives as possible," she replied stubbornly. "While you, Cairne and Garona can knock out a handful of targets, I can knock them all out together. While they were foolish, and their leader stubborn, they don't deserve to be killed for making a mistake."

"I think you've just described the Kaldorei forever," Garona said. "Are you sure you don't want to be something smaller?"

"No, this is comfortable," Nara said. Thrall watched her for a moment, and very carefully, stroked her head, and then scratched behind her ears. The low, pleased thrum and waving tail allowed Thrall to let out the breath he was holding: the last thing he wanted to do was offend her.

"That's adorable," Garona muttered, and Thrall glared at her. "I'll be scouting ahead now." She moved into the shadows. After a few moments, Nara padded on ahead, leaving Thrall and Cairne to follow.

Thrall shook his head, just slightly, and Cairne patted his shoulder. "They are both formidable, in their own way."

"They are," Thrall agreed as they followed at a slightly slower pace. "I just hope Nara will get the chance to rest. Much of our success here relies on her. I have little desire to fight those who were simply unfortunate rather than actively malicious, as Nara said. I've done enough of that already."

"You're thinking of Grom," Cairne rumbled. "Do not blame yourself for that."

"I shouldn't have sent him to Ashenvale. I shouldn't have left him to the demon." Thrall moved carefully, feeling the growth all around him, and finding it both strange and abundant. "He died for his people, he should have been able to live for--"

"How long has it been?" Cairne asked gently. Thrall bowed his head as he ducked a low-hanging vine.

"Two years. Today, perhaps tomorrow. It's hard to say. I can't honestly claim I remember the exact day very clearly." He shook his head. "Something about trauma, and being thrown into a cave wall."

"It was a difficult day," Cairne agreed. "But not one you should blame yourself for. You did not know that a demon sought out your people still. You did not know that the Kaldorei existed at all, and I was unaware of your plans, so I could not warn you. What you did know is that you had to seek out the Oracle, and that Grom's bloodlust would hamper your efforts. Grom had disobeyed your orders and he needed to be punished. Taking personal responsibility for his actions takes that responsibility away from the Burning Legion, and from Grom himself."

Thrall walked in silence for a moment, letting the press of vibrant plant life distract him. "Cairne?"

"Yes, Thrall?" the tauren chieftain replied.

"You make it very difficult to feel sorry for myself," Thrall said, a touch of dryness to his tone. "Have you been taking lessons from Garona?"

Cairne chuckled. "Guilt is a constant, regardless of race. You will recall that I once was so consumed by guilt and remorse because my son had been captured by centaur that I could do nothing even when my people needed me. It happens to even the oldest and wisest, and I would not have that happen to you."

"I do remember that," Thrall admitted. "I've felt guilt over Sen'jin's death, and over that of Daelin Proudmoore. Garona's guilt over the death of Llane Wrynn was enough to overwhelm even the Lethargy, and Jaina..."

"Arthas Menethil and Kael'thas Sunstrider, and the fate of Lordaeron itself," Cairne finished. "It's more important that you move past your guilt, both of you, and work towards a better future for both of your people."

"I try," Thrall said. "It's not bad most days, just... this one."

"Skum," Garona said, and Thrall and Cairne both turned. Thrall frowned.

"I don't think I'm that bad for feeling guilty over--"

"No, you're just a sap because you still feel guilty about Hellscream being an idiot," Garona replied, having heard enough of the conversation to comment. "But who I'm talking about is Skum. That's the name of the thunder lizard being kept contained by the druids. A strange thing for them to do."

"It is, but we'll have to deal with the thunder lizard when we're contending with the druids, and carefully. It could trample them while they're unconscious." Thrall frowned. "Is Nara strong enough to disable it?"

"She seems to believe so," Garona replied. "On your signal."

Thrall nodded. "Very well then. Now."

Garona made a quick hand gesture. Nara's eyes shimmered as the dim light caught in them. Within a pen was a huge lizard, a series of bony-looking plates in double rows down its back, ending in a tail adorned with sharp spikes. Its great head turned towards the shadows, suspicious. It took a step forward and stumbled. Alarmed, the druids that had been watching it turned into snakes and hissed in anger. Suddenly, they collapsed, crumpling into scaly heaps. The thunder lizard took another step, wavering, and then fell away from the druids and onto its side.

"Nicely done," Thrall remarked. "It didn't even fall on the druids."

"Thank you, Warchief," Nara replied. "But now we--"

"You," hissed a voice. "The intruders."

"Yes, us," Garona said. She fixed a stare on this Serpent Lord, presumably Pythas. "Do you know what we've done to the last two Serpent Lords we've encountered?"

"Yes--"

"Don't interrupt me, that was purely rhetorical. We knocked them out and removed the serpent spirit from them, and we will do the same to you. Vacate your host and you won't have to be punched in the back of the head."

"You're no fun at all," the serpent said, its tone distinctly sulky. Pythas collapsed, his eyes rolling back in his head. Thrall moved to catch him, narrowly avoiding having him crack his head on the stone.

"You intimidated him into surrendering, most impressive," Cairne observed.

"I think they're cowards," Garona said. "They probably didn't have to fight very hard to get these hosts, and they're not really willing to fight to keep them."

"You have a little shaman in you," Thrall said, letting his hand rest over the night elf's forehead. Slowly, the former serpent host's eyes fluttered open.

"I have no such thing," Garona said stiffly. Thrall grinned at her, and then looked down.

"What... you saved me?" the night elf murmured. "You know, there's a formula for what comes after this."

"He's taken," Garona said, before Thrall could open his mouth. "Your friends are out near the front of the caverns. You may wish to join them. Oh, and we'd like the stone."

The night elf nodded, sitting up carefully. "There were others nearby..."

"They're unconscious, you should wake them as well," Nara said. "But perhaps not the thunder lizard."

"Skum," the night elf agreed. "Thank you all." Thrall helped him to stand, and watched as he walked away.

"Who names their minion Skum?" Garona wondered. "And for that matter--"

"Don't say it," Thrall warned, standing. Garona turned to him.

"You know those aren't their real names," she began.

"Yes, we do," Thrall said, interrupting before she could gain her stride in a rant. "They're all possessed by snake spirits. We know how you feel about people with stupid names."

"I bet most of those snakes aren't even from here," Garona complained. "This isn't Stranglethorn. Everything tries to kill you in Stranglethorn."

Thrall shook his head ruefully. "The question is, where do we go now? The path ends here, and if we were finished, we'd have four stones instead of three."

"There is a possibility," Cairne said, and pointed with one large, three-fingered hand. "There appears to be some kind of drop straight down."

Nara padded over and peered over the edge, her whiskers crinkling with distaste. "It's too far to jump, I think."

"Where's your sense of adventure?" Garona asked. She began to unwind coils of rope, and looking for a good place to anchor it.

"I'm afraid I left it in Orgrimmar, along with my wading boots," Nara said. "I can fly down."

"We'll still need to rappel down and get Cairne somewhere safe," Thrall remarked. "Assuming there's dry land down here."

"I hope so," Cairne said. "I'm not fond of wading."

"I'll go first," Garona said. Within moments, she was moving down the narrow opening, legs braced against one side and being lowered carefully with help from Thrall and Cairne. "I don't see a direct opening, but I think I see light in the water. I'm going to have to dive to be sure."

Nara and Cairne both pulled faces. Thrall made a soothing noise. "I don't like it either, we're going to have to strip down and bring our armour and weapons down separately."

"Let me just make sure there's anywhere to go first," Garona said. "Letting go of the rope."

Thrall peered down as Garona slipped into the water, and ducked under its surface. She moved towards the light and disappeared. Meanwhile, Thrall began to shed his armor, and attach it all together in a bundle.

"Once she's certain, I can take the armour bundles down," Nara said. "If I hit the water just right, I can pass into a creature that swims in the water directly from my bird-shape."

"What if you hit the water incorrectly?" Thrall asked, curious. Nara's whiskers twitched.

"Then I'll still change, but it'll be more embarrassing."

Cairne chuckled. "You won't be able to carry my totem down, I fear, but that will not be difficult to transport. It's very strong, I can simply drop it."

Garona's head broke the surface of the water. "I've found the way through. Have I mentioned I hate this place yet?"

"Yes," Thrall, Cairne and Nara chorused. Garona made a face. Thrall lowered the armour down in bundles, and Garona disappeared again. Once Cairne's totem was dropped down, they created a rough harness, and carefully lowered the tauren chieftain down.

"I dislike being wet," Cairne said as his hooves hit the surface of the water, and then he began to sink. Garona undid the harness and guided him out and away towards the surface. Thrall and Nara exchanged a look.

"I'll go, and then you can retrieve the rope," Thrall said. Nara nodded, a little wearily, and returned to her natural form. Thrall put a hand on her shoulder, offering her some of his own strength. She smiled. "We'll all enjoy it when we can sit and rest in a safe place."

Nara nodded again, and Thrall moved to the rope. He climbed down carefully, bracing himself against the wall the way Garona had, though his form was larger and thicker, making the descent a bit more awkward. He hit the water and bit back a curse at the chill, then ducked his head under the surface and began to swim. Like Garona, he could see the light indicating where he should go, and emerged on the other side. This part of the cavern seemed much like what had come before it, though there were no plants, no strange creatures, and no druids, conscious or otherwise. Cairne was squeezing the water from his shirt, and Garona had the armor set on one side to drain.

"Where are we now?" Thrall wondered. "And how are we to get back?"

"That's a good question, one I hope that the elves can answer," Garona replied grimly. "Where is--"

Out of the water came a slick, silky looking brown seal, bearing a coil of rope and the pitons that had been used to fasten it in place. "There she is," Thrall said, moving to take the rope.

"Thank you, Warchief," Nara barked, and shifted into her cat form again, and took a few minutes to wash her paws and ears.

"We were just discussing where we should be going," Thrall began. "I think--"

"Hiss..."

"Do you hear that?" Garona asked with a frown. Thrall nodded.

"Hiss..."

"Someone is saying the word hiss," Cairne observed. "What a foolish thing to do."

"Hiss... hiss..."

"I believe it's this way," Nara said, and padded around a corner. Thrall collected up the pieces of his armour, leaving them tied together. They came across a dark alcove containing a primitive, haphazard nest made of moss, twigs and rocks. Within the nest was a male night elf, dressed similarly to the others they had met.

"Hiss! Hiss!" the night elf insisted. Garona rolled her eyes, walked over to him and slapped him upside the head sharply. "Ow!"

"What do you think you're doing?" Garona demanded. The night elf scowled up at her.

"I'm trying not to get caught by the Serpent Lords, what are you doing? I thought hiding past a sheer drop into water would keep me safe!"

"We're trying to help your companions," Thrall broke in before Garona could say something scathing. "You seem to have avoided being possessed, but why were you... hissing?"

"I fooled the Serpent Lords," the night elf replied. "I made them think I was possessed by one of them, so they wouldn't try it again." He held up a dull, green stone. "I even made myself a nightmare gem, like theirs."

"The spirits would know if you're possessed or not," Thrall pointed out, and the night elf's expression became crestfallen. "And I believe your stone is malachite."

"Oh..." the night elf said, his head bowed. "I even had a good name... Boahn."

"Don't say it," Thrall muttered. "Do you know how to get out of here?"

"Oh, yes, just over there." Boahn pointed to a cave. "It loops around near the mouth of the cave."

"Where..? How?" Garona demanded. "We saw nothing of that kind when we came in."

"The Caverns are deceptive," he replied, shrugging a little. "If you aren't observant, you'll miss things."

"Garona," Thrall said warningly as she raised her fist. "You should get out of here, we've been rescuing your fellows. They're gathering near Naralex."

"Oh, that's a good idea," Boahn remarked, and stood, shedding twigs and moss. "I suppose I will see you again later."

"Oh, you will," Garona said darkly. Nara nosed against her hand, and Garona petted her absently. "So, now that that pointless delay is over and done with, we need to find the last of the Serpent Lords."

"I believe he is not far," Cairne said. "None the least of which is because I can hear actual hissing."

"I hear it too," Thrall said. "Let's move, quickly. My armour can wait, I believe. I don't anticipate a serious conflict."

"You never know, you could get bitten by a snake again," Garona said, smirking. Thrall pulled a face at her.

"My arm is still throbbing, I haven't forgotten," Thrall replied wearily. "I'll try to avoid being bitten again by snakes."

"See that you do," Garona said. She moved towards the sound of hissing snakes, and Thrall followed, with Cairne squelching up behind them. All too close was a huge snake nest. While the lighting was already dim within the Caverns, this cave was dark, with only red, sinister lighting to shimmer off of several massive snakes, each nearly as thick around as Thrall himself.

"You dare... you dare approach me," called the night elf, nestled within the coils of his snake-companions. "I... am Serpentis. I am the Serpent King! I can do anything!"

Thrall paused, waiting for Garona to make a pithy remark about such a proclamation, and was surprised by her silence. He glanced around, and saw nothing but moving shadows. And where is Nara... oh, I see. I suppose I shall have to be the noble, righteous one. Let's see... He straightened, and pointed the Doomhammer at Serpentis. "Spirit, the time has come for you to leave your host. He does not belong here, and he made a mistake. We understand this, but he doesn't deserve to have his freedom... his very life taken away. Let him go."

The red light from the cave flickered in the night elf's eyes, and Serpentis raised an arm. Two huge snakes uncoiled and lunged from the nest. Thrall spun to the side. The snake slammed against the wall. Cairne lifted his totem to swing, and Serpentis opened his mouth, rearing back and spat out a huge glop of green. It missed the tauren chieftain only narrowly, and hissed against the stone.

"Acid!" Thrall called out. Every time I don't think I need my armor, I am wrong, he thought ruefully.

"Burn!" Serpentis cried. "Burn and be--" His voice choked off when Garona emerged from the shadows, her steely gray eyes flickering with a hint of red as her arm tightened around his throat, trapping him within her grip. One of the snakes turned, huge jaws coming to clamp down around her waist. She grunted as she felt the teeth bite into her side, but held Serpentis fast.

In the darkness, Nara sprang, landing on the snake that bit into Garona, clawing and biting. Thrall swung at the snake that was approaching him, bringing the Doomhammer down hard to crush its spine. He felt regret for a moment, but if Nara had not simply subdued them, it was entirely possible that they could not be soothed. Or she's too tired to manage it. If--

Nara snarled as she tore the snake open. Despite the way the snake writhed and thrashed, Garona held her victim fast, and Serpentis was rapidly running out of air. As the snake died, Serpentis collapsed, and with him, Garona fell to her knees, still clinging to him.

"Garona, you can let go now," Cairne said, loping over to her, and reached down, pulling the snake's jaw open and wrenching it away. Garona stared at him blankly for a moment, and then her arms relaxed.

"That could have gone more smoothly," Thrall muttered, shaking scales and gore from the Doomhammer, and moved forward. The shadows coiled and writhed, and the final snake, having hidden in the shadows, lunged out at Cairne. "Cairne!"

With deliberate slowness, Cairne brought his totem up, and then slammed it down, and Thrall felt the earth vibrate under his feet. In mid-lunge, the snake died, its head crushed by the heavy blow. The tauren chieftain smiled, his eyes twinkling. "A fine adventure indeed."

"Indeed," Thrall said, relief tinging his voice. "Let's relieve our friend of his burden."

"I have a name, you know," Garona snapped, her voice tinged with pain. One hand was pressed tightly to her side, and her fingers were already stained with gray blood. "I also hate snakes."

"The next thing you know, you'll be hating perfectly harmless things, like steam," Thrall chided, and went to kneel at her side. He gently moved her fingers, replacing them with his own. "It was strange, not hearing you mock someone's bad name."

"It was hard to resist, particularly when he claimed he could do anything," Garona said, wincing. Thrall called on the spirits, healing the wound in her side. "Don't fuss over me, get the Serpent Lord before he wakes up and he spits acid all over us."

"You imply your headlock was less than effective," Thrall said mildly. "I'm shocked."

Garona snorted, but smiled as he healed her. "I consider myself to be a realist."

"I thought you were a pessimist," Thrall said, moving to bandage her side.

"Pessimists are what optimists call realists, Warchief," Garona replied. Chuckling, Thrall finally moved from her side and to the Serpent Lord. He placed a hand on his forehead, and closed his eyes.

This Serpent Lord was indeed the most powerful, the spirit representing all snakes instead of merely one kind. The recesses of his mind were labyrinthine, no less so than the caverns they had spent so long exploring-- In fact, they are exactly like the Wailing Caverns, Thrall realized as he recognized the exact spot the raptors had hissed at them, and where they'd followed the turtle. Remembering what 'Boahn' had told him, he picked a different direction, and instead of taking a long, circuitous and wet route he came upon Serpentis very quickly, or in this case, the sleeping soul of the druid.

Over the druid loomed a large snake spirit, filling the room. Thrall watched cautiously, never taking his eyes from the huge coils. Instead of scales, each wriggling inch was another, much weaker snake, having been absorbed by the greater force of will of the Serpent Lord.

So... you seek to dislodge me, do you? Serpentis hissed. And what makes you think that you can dethrone the Serpent King? Your friends cannot help you here.

Two reasons, Thrall replied. The first is that I have succeeded with all of the others, and I will succeed against you. The bold, bald statement felt a little odd to Thrall, but it was worth it to hear the spirit hiss in anger. And the second is that you are wrong. I am not alone.

From within himself, Thrall drew upon memories, recollections and feelings. One by one, spirits manifested in a protective circle around him. Each wavered a little and then grew strong as he fed emotion and memory into them. Jaina, bright-eyed and alert, curious. Doomhammer, grave with secrets and heavy burdens, but strong. Garona, cynical and smirking, but fiercely protective. Grom, reckless and brave, sacrificing his all. Thrall raised his hand, and the spirits advanced. Serpentis hissed and lashed out at them, but was limited by his unwillingness to move away from the druid. The night elf stirred, distressed, and it was all Serpentis could do to fight off the assault quietly. Thrall's spiritual allies did nothing to help, as Orgrim bellowed and Grom uttered high warcries.

Garona drove one of her swords deep into the Serpent Lord's side, splitting it open. Dozens of tinier snakes began to flee from it, and he cried out in anger and frustration. Serpentis moved away, trying to consume the spirit-Garona as she mocked him, cocksure but wary. Once Serpentis moved, a young, blonde woman appeared, simply dressed but beautiful in Thrall's eyes. She knelt by the night elf's side, and Thrall enjoyed seeing the spirits take her form, recapturing how vibrant she'd been in life instead of how she'd died.

Wake up, Taretha murmured. Her hands glowed green, demonstrating a power she'd never possessed. Wake up, you must fight now for your freedom.

The night elf stirred and awoke. He sat up a little, confused and disoriented by the battle. "Who...?" He looked between the spirits wearing human and orcish shapes and the enormous snake spirit. "I'm going back to bed." He made to close his eyes, and the spirit-Taretha put a hand on his shoulder and began to shake him lightly.

You have to fight! Taretha urged. This is your life that has been taken away, and you that must defend yourself.

"I will... try." Sitting up, the elf began to concentrate. "Spirit, I am Aurelis Moonshadow. This is my body. I want it back." Drawing on the green energy around him, he struck out at Serpentis. Where Garona's swords had created impressive but ultimately shallow cuts, the magic tore open huge holes, freeing more and more of the accumulated spirits. The Serpent King howled and writhed, undulating until he was nothing more than shed scales.

Nice of you to join us, Garona said, smirking and tucking her weapons away. Did you have a good nap?

Don't pick on him, Jaina chided. She moved over to Thrall and embraced him. As they kissed, Thrall absorbed his sense of curiosity and wonder at the world, a sense that would never die or be slain by cynicism. Garona rolled her eyes. It would be Thrall's turn to initiate a kiss, instead pressing his lips to her forehead, absorbing his sense of both caution and ultimate loyalty. Next, he clasped arms with his sense of duty and his ability to lead his people through hardship, and Doomhammer disappeared. He offered his orcish pride a rough hug before turning to Taretha and the elf.

It's good to see you, Thrall said. Tari...

I will always be a part of you, Taretha whispered. My dear little brother. Though it had been years, Thrall could still feel the last time his sister in spirit, if not blood, had embraced him, and into himself he took in his ability to fight onwards, no matter how difficult things got, and his ability to love despite hardship.

Slowly, Thrall opened his eyes, his needs protesting. Next to him, Aurelis stirred. Despite her injuries, Garona was standing over him protectively, and Nara was curled around Thrall, sleeping. The chamber was no longer dark-red, and was instead merely dark.

"That took a long time, young one," Cairne remarked, chuckling. "But it was good to rest these old bones for a spell. So, we now have four nightmare stones and are without four powerful serpent spirits. We should return to Naralex and wake him."

"First, I'm putting my armour on," Thrall said wearily. Garona offered her hand to him and he took it, standing. Seeming unconcern flickered over worry, and Thrall shook his head.

Whether she is real or a part of myself, she is the same, Thrall thought ruefully. He slipped the pieces of his armour over his damp clothes, and just as he finished, Nara stirred, mewing softly.

"That was the last of them, it's almost time for you to rest," Thrall said kindly. Nara shook her head.

"No, we cannot rest here... I thought it would be safe once the last Serpent Lord was gone, but I sensed... the darkness is only getting stronger. We must--"

A high scream pierced the air. Thrall and Garona exchanged a look and immediately began to run.

~ * ~

Thrall pushed his way through the crowd of night elves around Shakuras and Naralex, and moved to kneel by the elder druid's side. He was fighting against nothing and murmuring.

"We have the stones," Thrall said. Garona, who had slipped next to them remarkably quickly, passed them over. Beneath their clear, green surfaces, smoke moved and writhed, as if it were water coming to a boil. "What's wrong?"

Mutely, Shakuras pointed towards the water. Thrall had seen it before, but had dismissed the lake within the cavern as merely being part of it being exceptionally wet and unpleasant. Now, the water roiled the same way the stones did.

"Excuse me, young ones, please allow us to pass," Cairne said, using his gentle tone to finish what his large, bulky stature could not. Nara bounded behind. "That is... unusual."

"I'm not certain what that is," Thrall said, "or what's causing it, but we must wake Naralex now."

"I will try, Warchief," Nara said. She lay her head against his chest, and began to purr.

"...the... Nightmare..." Naralex murmured, struggling against insubstantial foes. "It... it comes... our fears... manifest..."

"Didn't you say something about Ysera not letting Malfurion go until the Nightmare ends?" Garona asked in an undertone to Thrall. He nodded briefly.

"Malfurion is not the only one trapped in it, then," Thrall replied, his voice a soft growl. "We must--" The water from the lake began to crest against the rocky shore. Without a word, Thrall, Garona and Cairne drew weapons. "Whatever it is, no matter how terrible, we cannot let it pass."

A frill of bright orange broke the surface, and was followed shortly by the rest of a large, scaly head. Two huge, blinking eyes peered out at them malevolently as the creature stepped onto the shore. It raised it's head in a piercing cry, causing the night elves to shriek.

Garona, on the other hand, began to laugh. "That's a murloc. What is everyone so afraid of?"

Thrall growled softly. "I'm aware that's a murloc."

"This is Naralex's great nightmare?" Garona asked in disbelief. "What he fears beyond all else?"

Shakuras glared belligerently. "Well, think about it. Wouldn't a giant murloc scare you?"

The other night elves seemed to agree, but Garona made a noise of disbelief. "No! That's ridiculous. There are a million things in this world more frightening than a giant murloc." To emphasize, she pointed with one of her swords.

Considering everything she would have seen, that's probably not totally uncalled for, Thrall thought ruefully. "Then we should be grateful that we're not getting dreams from your head."

Garona considered. "You have a point."

"Meanwhile, while we may disdain its presence, the murloc remains," Cairne said gravely, stepping up to meet the murloc. It began to writhe with shadows, striking out at all those nearby. Garona ran, ducking and rolling until she stood beneath the murloc, and began to climb it. Distracted from Garona's acrobatic feat by Cairne's more directly presented threat, it battered away at the elder tauren, leaving Garona room to get to the highest point of its back. She drove her swords in deep, and it let loose a blood-curdling cry.

Thrall had not been idle. Drawing on the now-free spirits of the Wailing Caverns, he channeled their power and drove it deep into each of the murloc's wounds, making them worse. Unlike natural murlocs, which had green blood, this creature was made from nightmare and shadow. With each wound, Thrall remembered something, a dark memory. From the expressions on his companions' faces, they too remembered.

I will never lose Tari as long as she has a place in my heart. Blackmoore is dead and rotting. I am not a slave. On Cairne's face, he saw grief and loss as he remembered his son's capture by centaur and his mate's death. And, Garona...

"In my mother's name," she whispered, and drove her swords into the back of the murloc's skull. It exploded into shadow, flinging Garona back into the water, and flattening the rest of them.

"Garona!" Thrall called, running for the lake. He did not so much dive as flop into the water, cutting through it, pulling Garona to the surface while she was still stunned from the impact. He wrapped his arms around her in both an embrace and to hold her firm. "The nightmare is over."

"Now your armour's wet," she murmured. "I hate murlocs."

Thrall laughed softly, and they returned to shore together. Naralex was just sitting up, being tended to by Nara and Shakuras, the former licking his cheeks. "I... have... awakened!"

"It is an honour, Shan'do Naralex," Thrall said gravely, carefully picking out bits of seaweed and murloc scales from his armor. "I was asked by High Priestess Whisperwind to retrieve you and your students."

Naralex looked between the various night elves. "I believe we are quite ready to leave this place. Thank you, all of you."

"You're welcome," Cairne said heavily. "But my old bones would appreciate not being here any longer."

Thrall chuckled, and offered Cairne a wet slap on the shoulder. In reply, his old friend blew gustily at him. It only caused Thrall to laugh all the more.

~ * ~

"A whole flock of druids should be heading back to you now," Thrall said into the communication rune. "Most are none the worse for wear, aside from being tired and cautious. This Nightmare troubles me. I have sent the nightmare stones to Thunder Bluff with Cairne and Nara so that Hamuul can look into them. I understand he has some experts that may be able to unravel their mysteries."

"A circle," Tyrande said absently. "A group of druids is a circle. Thank you, Warchief. I appreciate your assistance in these matters, and I look forward to Archdruid Runetotem's report."

"You're welcome, High Priestess," Thrall said, and let the magic within the rune fade. He stood and went to his armour. It had been finely polished since his return, and he touched over the lines briefly. He remembered the first time he'd seen Orgrim wearing the now-familiar black and gold plate. He'd shed his cloak and surprised Thrall with it, though the younger orc had won their battle nonetheless.

I was so proud of myself, Thrall thought ruefully. And then wondered why everyone else acted like they were in on a big joke. Orgrim was always... tricky. He touched over the dent representing the end of his friend and mentor's life. He would have liked Jaina, I think. He said he had little care for the humans, but... I don't think he was being entirely truthful, not within earshot of those who still hate humans.

"Warchief," he heard from behind him, and turned. Garona stood behind him, dressed in black, as she did when she--

"Garona, what is it?" Thrall asked. "What happened?"

"You said you trusted me to protect your interests, Warchief, is that still true?" Garona replied, and Thrall felt decidedly uneasy.

"Of course I do, but I still want to know what happened," he said. "Tell me."

"You don't want to know," she murmured, almost inaudibly, and a chill ran down his back. "One of my regular routes revealed a small number of dissidents that were making threats against your life. I have eliminated them."

"Threats?" Thrall asked, his eyes widening. "What kind of threats? People complain, Garona, they--"

"I would not have killed men who were morose and drinking, nor fools who will regret their words in the morning, Warchief," she replied, and turned to face him. "They were dangerous, both to you and to Jaina--"

"Jaina," Thrall breathed. "It's because of Jaina, isn't it? The reason why they felt threatened."

"I told you you didn't want to know," Garona said and sighed. "Jaina is an excuse. If it weren't about her, it would be about the fact that we make treaties with the night elves instead of taking what we want, or that the dwarves should know their place, or that the Forsaken, despite being undead, are too human or elven to properly join the Horde. I would not spill blood for philosophical disagreements, but when it comes to the point when people wonder if there might not be a slightly more traditional leader of the Horde, that's when I act."

Thrall felt sick. "Are there that many that feel that way? That believe I'm wrong?"

"No, not many," Garona replied, and walked over to him. With a single, graceful movement, she went to one knee. "You are my Warchief, and I serve you without hesitation. The men I killed were wrong. Those that remember the so-called glory days of the old Horde did not see what Blackhand did. Ask Eitrigg about the fate of his sons. Ask what drives an orc to abandon his people so thoroughly that he would rather call a human, someone who had been his enemy for as many years as he'd been on this world, brother. Ask Drek'thar what drove Durotan to take his people as far from Blackhand as possible." She smiled, bitterly. "And, if you could speak to the dead, you could ask Grizelda Blackhand why she ran from her father and died, or Doomhammer how he earned the nickname 'Backstabber'. You are what we need. There are always those that will prefer violence to peace, and intolerance to understanding. When they endanger you, I will be there, to guard your shadows."

Thrall closed his eyes, letting her words echo. He was not afraid of bloodshed when it was for a purpose, and Garona's speech reminded him that she shared his beliefs. He touched her shoulder lightly. "Rest, you deserve it. Thank you, for protecting me."

"Warchief," Garona replied, and rose. Thrall returned to his room, his heart still heavy.

Is it so terrible for my people that Jaina and I are close? It's not as though I'm required to pass on either of my titles to my children. He touched the jar that he kept the tea in. I thought we were past that, and Jaina... Her name evoked a feeling of warmth. Not just because we are intimate. She is the friendly ear that listens to my troubles, the keen mind that sees solutions I cannot. I need her. He brewed the tea carefully, and took the steaming mug to his bedside. After he set it down on the low table, he removed the communication rune from his clothes and set it next to the mug. He began to undress, simply letting each piece of clothing fall to the ground. He settled into bed, and took a sip of the tea. Ignoring its grassy taste, he activated the rune. "Jaina?"

"Thrall?" Jaina replied, sounding tired. "Is something wrong?"

"I'm sorry to bother you," Thrall said, feeling guilty. "I just wanted to..."

"Talk," Jaina finished gently. "You wanted to talk. So, talk to me. Tell me what's on your mind. I'll listen."

Thrall settled a little more into bed, and with Jaina's voice tucked against his ear, like a ward against the darkness, he began.

[Part 15]

NB. Cairne is humming Paw's Backtrack Song, which, to the tune of Ode to Joy, is: Backtrack, backtrack, fucking backtrack, gotta do this shit again... Because that's about how I felt about having to backtrack in Wailing Caverns approximately a million times. Thanks to the joy of YouTube (and the original writer, Paw Dugan being a wonderful sport), The Song!

Tags: warcraft pairings: thrall/jaina, warcraft*