42. String the bow

[moonshadows]

Wooden swords clatter against each other in a staccato rhythm, the combatants moving back and forth in the dance of war. Fierce eyes take their father's measure, a little hand impatiently brushing away golden hair. A final strike and Varian steps back, sword swinging up to salute his offspring.

"Well done! You're getting better." He hands over his practice sword. "Go put these away, and we'll work on your archery for a while."

I watch as my firstborn runs eagerly to the storage closet, smiling as Varian sits next to me on the wooden bench with a groan. "I saw you wince. Do you want me to rub liniment into your muscles tonight?"

He grins and pulls me closer for a kiss. "Anything to get your hands on me, my lady wife." He smiles as the tow-headed child comes back with a practice bow and a quiver. "Somehow, I always thought it would be my son that I'd be teaching the sword to."

"Tammis-"

"Oh, I know." Varian grins at his daughter. "But Tiffin's taking to it like I imagine her uncle did: as though she'd been born with a weapon in her hand. Ready to show me what you can do, pumpkin?"

She nods, wisps of honey-blonde hair sticking to her skin.

"All right. String the bow."

Tongue poking out in concentration, my little girl wrestles the bowstring into place. It doesn't take her more than a few breaths. "I did it, Daddy!" She uses the orcish word.

"Very good! Have you been practicing without me?" At her nod, Varian grins. "Just remember–"

"No shooting or hitting without an adult. I know that, Daddy. But you said that a bow without a string is just a stick, and it's tricky to get the string on, so..."

Gently, he takes the bow from her and effortlessly removes and replaces the string. "You're still little, Tiffin. It will get easier as you get stronger."

She looks wistful at that. "Will I be as strong as you someday?"

The stern expression he gives her looks moderately horrific with the scars, but she's used to that. "Not if you don't practice."

Instead of being discouraged, Tiffin's face fills with joyful determination. "I will! I want to be as strong as you and as beautiful as Mommy!"

Varian smiles at me. "I don't know, pumpkin. I'm not sure anyone could ever be as beautiful to me as your mother is."

I grin back. "Flatterer."

"It's not flattery if it's truth, my lady."

"Da-ddy!"

"Okay, pumpkin," he chuckles. "Let's see if we can get the arrow in the target today, hmm?"

Tiffin bounces with excitement as he leads her back out into the sun. My grin softens into a contented smile. It's a good thing Anduin will be taking the throne soon; in a few years, she'll be terrorizing all the boys and if Varian and I had to arrange a marriage for her, we'd both go mad.

We're so proud of her.