Chapter Text
Varian Wrynn had always been a difficult man, he was well aware of the fact and had just accepted it. Since the death of his father, he had been filled with a consuming need for revenge, though his target had changed from the assassin Garona to the entire Horde. He had dedicated himself to his studies, especially those involving combat, his teachers had been impressed by how quickly he learned and the sheer strength behind his blows, and yet it was never enough for the young man. He had reclaimed his fallen Kingdom, had begun to rebuild and at last people finally thought, the man should have been at peace. Yet nothing was farther from the truth, his advisors had pleaded with him that now was the time to consider a Queen, to secure the Wrynn bloodline, but Varian wouldn't hear it. A match had been arranged between him and his childhood friend Tiffin Ellerian, she was beautiful, kind and clever, perfect Queen material and yet the two just didn't seem to see eye to eye. Tiffin didn't want to be bound to a man fuelled only by rage and hate and Varian was well aware that her affections lay elsewhere.
So Varian had stood by, only too happy, to let her wed his best friend Arthas Menethil. For a time everything seemed well, until Arthas decided to choose a ... different path, one that would lead to the fall of his Kingdom and the end of his life. Thankfully Tiffin had followed their mutual friend Jaina, escaping the purge, and helped establish the new city of Theramore, where she gave birth to Arthas's child. A child the man would never know and would only know him as the monster he had become. Varian had mourned his friend, had made sure to let Tiffin know that she and the child could always come to him if they needed help, Stormwind would welcome them without question.
Years had come and gone and Varian wasn't getting any younger, as his most recent ally, Genn Greymane kept reminding him. The man seemed to have taken it upon himself to act as his caretaker, in a way it was comforting but at times it grated at him. Which is how Varian found himself trapped in his office, while Genn brandished a file, no doubt with help from the Spymaster, which just so happened to be filled with ladies suitable for the role of Queen. Varian found himself looking up at the man doing his best not to glare, which maybe lasted all of three seconds.
“Seriously Greymane? Can't you see I'm busy, Hellscream has gone suspiciously quiet after his attack on Ashenvale, I think that takes priority over, this. ” He doesn't bother to hide his distaste as he gestures to the folder in the other King's hand. He turns back to his own paperwork hoping the man will take the hint. Of course equally stubborn Greymane won't back down so easily.
“Come now Varian, you do need to start thinking about heirs.” The worgen takes a seat across from him, and Varian bites back a groan.
Great , this is becoming a lecture, he can already feel the pressure building behind his eyes. He understands where the man is coming from really he does but, the thought of playing happy families, with a noblewoman just there to gain her family more influence, doesn't sit right with him. It leaves a rather bitter taste in his mouth, and he clenches his fists, hard enough that his quill snaps. Genn levels him a sharp look, almost as if he can see into the younger King's mind.
“I think you should at least take a look, you might be surprised. We were very thorough in our selections.”
Ah, so the Spymaster was involved. Realizing he isn't going to leave until Varian actually looks through the file, Varian reaches out for the cursed thing.
“Fine, I will look. But that's all, I don't make any other promises.” He sounds petulant to his own ears, and the Worgen King shakes his head in exasperation, but hands over the files. Varian frowns when he realizes he isn't moving... Ah, so he actually will have to look through the file. Letting out his best put upon sigh, Varian opens the file, internally wincing at the thickness.
He thumbs through the first couple of pages, nothing really catching his eye, he recognizes a few of the ladies from court, but they always seemed so false to him. Hiding behind fake smiles and flowery words... He frowns deeply as he passes a particular entry... a noble from Alterac, really ? He shoots Genn a glare, but the other man is unflinching, he simply shrugs unapologetically. Varian is about half-way through the file, when a name jumps out at him, Anduin Ellerian Menethil. He blinks a few times, isn't Anduin well a man ? He looks up to Genn in confusion.
“Isn't this Tiffin's boy?” Varian brandishes the page, and Genn has to lean back to avoid going cross-eyed. The worgen scowls at him, batting his hand away.
“Yes Varian, that is Tiffin's son.” He sounds as though he's aged significantly in the last few seconds, Varian almost feels guilty, almost , until he remembers that it was Genn who wanted him to read through this.
Varian just stares at the man, squinting his eyes at him, waiting for him to elaborate.
“Genn, this is Tiffin's son . Why is he on this list, I thought you wanted me to have an heir.” Varian leans back, watching the curious expression that works its way on to the older man's face.
“Well.” Genn begins, seeming to choose his words carefully, Varian waits patiently not wanting to interrupt him.
“Anduin is a man, but he can give you children.” The worgen seems satisfied with his reply and just fixes Varian with an appraising stare. Varian blinks at him for a few moments before he actually processes what the other king means, oh ! Well at least that answers that.
“Isn't he a little young, I mean he's just turned nineteen”
Nineteen , is that really how much time has passed? He fixes Genn with a scowl, what is the man thinking trying to have him marry a boy almost half his age! Has he truly become that desperate?
“Now Varian, before you throw that at me, we gave it a lot of thought. He's of royal blood, the true heir of Lordaeron. He's also very mature for his age. I think he'd actually suit you well, he's a little naïve but that's to be expected at his age, and given how Jaina views the Horde”
Varian just blinks at him, it almost sounds as if this is who Genn wants him to choose. He narrows his eyes in suspicion but the other man just shrugs and resumes his relaxed posture. He continues to leaf through the profiles, nothing really jumping out at him. Genn is still staring at him, and Varian can tell he's going to want him to pick out potential... brides, he shudders at the thought .
“You're not going to leave until I have picked some are you?” Varian asks already knowing what the response will be, yet still holding on to that tiny ray of hope.
Genn just tips his head and offers him a knowing smirk. Damn him!
“Oh yes Varian, you are going to pick out at least three of these profiles, and you are going to try and be civil and hopefully get yourself a consort.” Genn crosses his arms, an act of finality, and Varian just grumbles to himself. He's the High King, not Genn, why is he pandering to this!? After a brief stare off, Varian lifts the file and flicks through it again, all the while knowing Genn is smirking that insufferable smirk of his.
“Well I must say I'm surprised, you've got everyone in here, except Lady Prestor.” Varian grumbles out dryly, he doesn't want her included he just wants something to complain about.
Genn fixes him with a withering stare, not impressed with his sarcasm, or complaining.
“Well at this point, I guess I would have to be happy, you're at least showing an interest in something not war related”
The old King has never attempted to hide his dislike for Lady Prestor, though Varian isn't sure why. True, she isn't exactly his favourite person but, she has remained a loyal advisor. She helped him through the rise of the Defias Brotherhood, and had offered support after Bolvar's death. That being said the thought of being married to her, was not one the King was willing to entertain, and was at least glad that on this point Greymane agreed.
“You know who else isn’t here?” Varian asks far too innocently, if Genn is subjecting him to this, then Varian is going to be as difficult as possible. The worgen lets out a sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose. Good , he feels quite pleased with the response.
“OK, who else is missing?” Genn seems resigned, obviously aware that the answer is going to push his buttons. Varian just offers him a shit eating grin, before answering casually.
“I see
your
daughter, Tess is missing”
Greymane tenses and Varian feels rather smug, like he’s hit a nerve, good he could go for a fight right now, that should get the old man off his back. Genn glares at him for a few moments, before letting his posture relax. Varian tries to hide his disappointment, but the other King just smirks and Varian knows he’s lost.
“Ah, I considered but I don’t think you two would get along to put it mildly. It’s as much for your sake as it is hers.” Genn gives him a calm answer, which only irritates Varian more, he has no intention of marrying her, but his means of getting a reaction from Greymane have failed him, and now he will have to choose.
He scrunches his nose, as he lifts the file back up, he flicks through the profiles, feeling bored but feigning interest to stop Genn from nagging. He keeps pausing over the son of Tiffin though, Anduin… he feels compelled somehow to choose this one, if anything he can see how the boy is doing, after all the last time he saw him, must have been at least ten years ago. Varian hands the profile to Genn, whose eyebrows raise in surprise, before a satisfied grin appears on his face. Let him gloat , it will go nowhere. He chooses two more profiles at random, Pierrette Ridgewell, and he grimaces Helene Vanyst. He considers switching Vanyst for someone else but Genn, seeming pleased, is already standing and heading for the door.
“That wasn’t so hard now was it?” He asks somewhat patronisingly, shaking his head at Varian as if he were an errant child.
“I will send out letters, inviting these potential consorts immediately. Just remember, you picked them, so for the love of the Light, please be civil”
He’s already gone before Varian can come up with a witty response, and he lets out the groan he’s been holding in since Genn walked through his door. Just what has he signed himself up for?