40. Twins

[moonshadows]

In the privacy of the Queen’s Garden, I say the words and throw the herbs into the brazier. The smoke washes over me and I breathe deeply, feeling the world waver and go pale. When I close my eyes, the fire dances in white flame and Draka grins at me.

Well met, honor-daughter. I see you have been busy.

One hand goes to my distended abdomen. That’s one way of putting it.

Before I can say anything else, I am thoroughly sidetracked by the appearance of a human woman who wanders up to peer at me. Although I have never seen her image, I know immediately who it is. The nose, the cheekbones, the chin – and the corn-yellow hair – all speak eloquently.

Oh, that’s so wonderful! A baby named after me!

Draka grins. She can see you, you know.

The human woman starts and looks at me guiltily. Well, no need for this to be any more awkward than it is already. Hello, I’m Tiffin. I want you to know that I’m happy he found someone else – I didn’t want him to be that sad over me.

It’s an honor to meet you. Your son is an amazing boy.

Her spectral face lights up. My Anduin! I’m so glad you get along so well with him. And I’m honored that you’re naming one of your children after me.

One of my… I shoot Draka a look, and she grins.

Well, you did pick out two names. Make sure their parents’ blood is the first food they taste so that they share your strength and that of your mate. Tiffin has offered to watch over your daughter, but your son… The grin gets wider. When the time comes, send him to his clan and he’ll get the training he needs.

Taretha? Tiffin looks wistfully at me. Don’t tell Varian about me if it will make him unhappy. He’s a sweet man, and he’s been hurt so much already. Just hold him for me.

I will, I promise, blinking back tears. Do you want me to tell Anduin?

She smiles, and suddenly I can see where Anduin gets it. I’ll tell him myself, through the Light.

You can tell my son that I approve of his choice, Draka interjects. Although he needs to try harder if he’s going to give me any grandchildren. Tell his mate to drink three cups of dreaming-glory tea a day, and they’ll need to- hand gesture –every night before she sleeps. And yes, both his children and yours will be Frostwolves.

Farewell, Taretha! Tiffin calls as the spirit world fades out.

Go with honor, Taretha.

I open my eyes. The grass is green, the sky is blue, the fire is orange, and I am carrying twins. As though they know the subject of my thoughts, two little feet lash out and kick me in the ribs. Yes, they will be fierce and strong. I’m sure I will be as proud as any Frostwolf could be of their children, but I’m equally sure that they’re going to test my sanity and endurance. Awkwardly, I climb to my feet and wonder how much bigger I’m going to get before they’re born.

 

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Golthak opens the door at my knock and closes it behind me so that I don't have to struggle with it. "Got your answer?"

"That and more. What's the current consensus?"

"Even split, girl to boy."

"What are the odds on twins?"

His green face splits into a predatory grin. "Very long. Should I put money on it?"

For the second time, two little feet lash out, and I wince. "Yes. One boy, one girl."

"I'll tell Clara to do it."

As I make my way to Varian's sitting room, I smother a grin. My faithful shadow and the older of my two Alterac handmaids have been getting along quite well, it seems. Broll and Valeera are chatting with my husband as I enter, but all eyes turn to me as I make my awkward way over to the couch. Varian tenses, wanting to help but knowing that he can't, and extends one hand as I near him. I take it, but place it against my abdomen. His son or daughter kicks obligingly, and I am treated to my husband beaming in incandescent joy as he feels his offspring move for the first time.

"Oh, Tari-!" He stands and I grab his other hand, placing it where I can feel the other child thrashing. The joyous moment warps into confusion, then wide-eyed wonder.

"Alert the staff to prepare the royal nursery, my lord husband." Despite my unborn children waging war on me, I smile. "Your son and daughter are going to be fierce and strong indeed."

"Son and...?" Broll's eyebrows climb towards his antlers. "Varian, are you aware of how heavily destiny weighs on twins in Kal'dorei lore?"

"It's the same among blood elves," Valeera says in her high, childlike voice.

Varian beams at me. "I married the sister of the Warchief of the Horde, possibly the most extraordinary woman on Azeroth. I would not be surprised in the slightest if our children were as extraordinary as their mother."

I can't help but grin back. "I'm not taking all the blame for this, my lord wolf. How do we know this isn't a side effect of your being twice the man anyone else is?"

He looks startled at that. "Do you think that's it?"

"It was certainly a unique event," Broll purrs. Beside him, Valeera gets a dreamy look on her face. I can't blame her; the idea of two of my husband is quite thrilling. "Regardless of the reason, I do believe that your children will do great things."

Gingerly, I sit on the couch and Varian fusses minutely over me before resuming his place by my side. "Just as long as they don't follow the example of the brothers Stormrage."

Broll looks troubled. "Ah, yes. I'd forgotten that destiny is not always pleasant."

"What do you mean?" Varian asks warily.

"Malfurion Stormrage is the greatest of all the druids. It was he that first learned at the feet of Cenarius." Broll pauses, glowering off to the side. "He is wise and noble, and it was he that thought of the tactic that won us victory over Archimonde and the Burning Legion. His brother..."

"Illidan Stormrage was a mage," I take up the narration. "In the War of the Ancients he became partially infused with demonic essence and was imprisoned underground until Tyrande freed him to fight the Burning Legion once again. He destroyed the Skull of Gul'dan, which was corrupting the forests of what is now Felwood, but in doing so..." I shudder. "He became nearly a demon himself. He was exiled, but he roused the naga from their underwater slumber for reasons unknown. He attacked Dalaran and was banished from Azeroth to the ruins of Draenor, where he claimed lordship and set about killing or conquering all who opposed him. When his Black Temple was finally brought down through a combination of betrayal and raw power, he abandoned his domain and fled into the Twisting Nether before death could claim him. Once his power no longer choked the land, it began crumbling again. The things he did were no less amazing than his brother's acts, but..."

Broll frowns. "I had not heard about the fall of the Betrayer. He was keeping Draenor stable through his own power?"

"The shamans of both the Mag'har and the Kurenai agreed on that point. He was a cruel overlord, but in his own twisted way, he was caring for the land he'd claimed."

"Well, my son and daughter will not be following that path," Varian says confidently, sliding an arm around my shoulders. "...Tari will terrify them into good behavior if I somehow fail to instill the proper values in them."