Chapter 27: The Vote

It was, in a word, tense.

so many different races were gathered around the table in the center of the tent.. Tirion Fordring was there, and he had read out the details of the treaty that they had worked out. There weren't many surprises, the biggesting being the ban of anyone of Lordaerean descent from Hillsbrad. Addy felt a burst of disappointment that she hadn't expected. She hadn't really planned to go north, back to the place of her birth. But the fact that she wouldn't be allowed to hit her a bit harder then she expected.

The voting started with the leaders, all of whom voted in favour of the treaty. That wasn't a surprise, they all knew what was at stake. Anduin didn't get a vote, and instead was standing just behind his father. For a brief moment they made eye contact, before they both flickered their eyes away from each other. It's for the best, Addy thought, not sure how comfortable she was with members of the Horde being privy to her private life.

The votes started with the Steamwheedle Goblins from Tanaris and the Barrens. All four of them voted in favour.

Again, nobody was really surprised by that.

Next were the Azshara group, a Goblin again, this time from the Bilgewater Cartel, those aligned with the Horde, and an Orc woman with large tusks and no hair who looked like she could snap Addy in half should she so chose.

The Orc went first, grunting some in Orcish that Addy didn't understand. Everyone turned to Saurfang, the orcish representative, to translate.

"No." He grunted.

Addy swallowed, trying to ignore the knot in her chest. It was just one 'no'. That's fine.

"No." The Goblin followed, narrowing his beady eyes at the Alliance leaders in mistrust.

That had surprised her. She had thought that the Bilgewater Goblin would vote the same as the others. She swallowed, feeling a bit more nervous.

The Ironforge representatives went next and Addy felt a bit more confident. They had seen the destruction of their home firsthand. They would vote for help, right?

A tiny gnome spoke first, her hair bright pink and she wore a robe that nearly overwhelmed her as she spoke in a high pitched tone. "No."

Addy felt her jaw drop open in shock.

Next was a dwarven man in thick leather and male, his eyes narrowed at Vol'jin with distrust, "Nay." He glowered with a thick accent.

Addy felt her throat closing up. They were tied now. Four yes's and four no's. How could this be? Hadn't they seen the destruction? Hadn't they been there, and seen just how outnumbered and outpowered they were?

Next up was Merek, the undead man who had been so friendly with them before. Addy relaxed a bit, remembering their conversations by the fire.

He gave a deadly grin, before his eyes flared in their yellow colour, "No."

Addy didn't understand. They had spent the evening with him. He had spent hours chatting with his human friend, how could he just...change his mind like that?

His tiny undead friend with green hair and holes in her cheeks was next. She looked like she wasn't entirely present, and Merek had to lean down and whisper in her ear to remind her why they were there.

"Oh!" The tiny woman blinked, before giving a large grin revealing a mouth of missing teeth, "Yes!"

Addy felt her chest leap in relief, but Merek gave the woman an annoyed look. She didn't seem to mind, she hummed to herself mindlessly and moved back to her place beside him.

She felt good. It was just her and Thornton now. The treaty would move forward, this whole thing hadn't been a huge disaster.

Thornton moved forward, and with only a brief moment of pause grunted out a low, "No."

Addy whipped her head to turn and look at him in shock. Her mouth dropped open as she gaped at him. How could he vote 'no'? After everything the Legion had done?

Thornton turned slightly and Addy saw him catch Merek's line of sight. The two glared deeply at each other before Thornton turned and walked back to stand beside her. As he walked he looked at Addy and she was surprised by the sheer amount of hatred in his eyes.

Everyone looked at her. She walked forward nervously, a bit of uncertainty ringing in her gut.

"Yes." She spoke sharply ignoring the way Thornton turned to glare at her or the surprised glint in Merek's eyes. She took her spot next to the older man

"Well." Tirion sighed, "It appears we have something of a tie."

Addy swallowed looking around. She hadn't expected there to be so much aggression here. So much hatred. So much...stupidity.

"We have a tie breaker." Tirion sighed, "We cast a vote within the Argent Crusade, and it will act as the tiebreaker in this case. For the opening of borders within areas affected by the legion, the majority of the Argent Crusade voted in favour."

Addy felt a burst of relief escape her. Of course they would, a neutral organization wouldn't have as many old hatreds to fall back on in voting.

She heard a scoff from Thornton and Addy clenched her fists in frustration, but ignored him. Instead her eyes sought Anduin, who looked relieved, probably just as panicked as she had been a moment before. They had all thought that getting the leaders to agree would be the hard part, she hadn't even considered that the people might not be okay with it.

After all, the Legion was a bigger threat than any of them.

"Very well." The Warchief spoke, his tusks heavy on his jaw, "Starting in three days time da zones will be considered neutral for all people. Be warned, dat the rules listed here will be held to their fullest extent." He paused and turned to give the King a suspicious glance, "On both sides."

Addy could tell nobody was truly pleased with the results. Those who had voted 'no' were mad that the tie hadn't gone in their favor, and those who had voted 'yes' were now glaring at those who had voted against them. Addy tried not to join them, but it took all her little self restraint to not turn to her partner and demand an explanation.

The Horde and Alliance leaders had also picked up on the tension and the groups were quickly disbanded. Addy watched the small forsaken group walk over to Windrunner, who was watching the room with a blank expression. Addy got the sense the banshee queen was amused by the tension more than anything. Merek muttered something to the Banshee and she quickly waved him off with a curt gesture. The small undead woman, Arete, spotted Addy from across the room and waved at her with a smile. Addy gave her a tight smile and a small wave, not really sure how to react.

The dwarf and gnome pair quickly met up with Queen Moira who, despite her height, held an incredibly intimidating stature. The neutral goblin party quickly hurried out, talking quickly in their languages, one of them writing furiously on a scroll of parchment as she struggled to keep up.

The King took a step forward and motioned for them to leave, making a sort of barrier between the Horde and the various Alliance members, who all left through their side of the tent.

Addy rushed out as quickly as was polite and walked to the side, waiting for Anduin to leave. She hoped to grab him for a moment to talk to him.

She waited, looking over heads as people poured out of the tent. There was a tense muttering as they left earshot of the Horde. A few members of the Argent Crusade left as well, but Addy could see Tirion Fordring still in the tent, talking in low voices with Vol'Jin, who was nodding along with whatever he was saying. Addy wondered if they were talking about the trip to Tanaris, and once again her stomach twisted in knots. She needed to talk to Anduin…

A hand grabbed her shoulder. Without thinking she shot her elbow back into someone's gut, kicking her foot back to hook around their knee and pulling it forward. There was a loud grunt and she turned around, her eyes widening at the sight of Thornton laying flat on his back.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Addy spoke quickly, her face bright red. But a moment later she remembered that she was mad and she stiffened, narrowing her eyes at him.

He took a deep breath and slowly pulled himself back to his feet, dusting off his armor. His eyes were just as dark as hers, glaring at her like she had done something wrong.

"What the hell was that back there girl!" He snapped at her. His accent was of Westfall and thickened dramatically as he spoke. "Do you know what you've done?"

Addy saw red, "What I've done?" She spat at him, "What have you done?! You almost ruined everything!"

"You let the Horde into our home!" He hissed the word like it was a curse, "Orcs and Trolls and the light forsaken undead! Don't you think our people have gone through enough?!"

"Our people don't even live in Westfall anymore." Addy yelled back. She was aware that they had something of an audience. The Gnome and Dwarf representatives were watching, as well as a few members of the Argent Crusade, one of which was a rather annoyed looking Tauren. "The Horde didn't destroy our home, the Legion did!"

"Half the people who lived there were refugees from the wars!" He shouted back, "I am here to represent them, and what they would have wanted! They would never have wanted us to allow the Horde onto their lands! Into their homes! What would your grandfather have said?"

Addy resisted the urge to punch him, "My grandfather was a sad old man who couldn't look past his own hatred even for his own granddaughter." She hissed through clenched teeth, her voice barely higher than a whisper.

HIs eyes widened momentarily, probably realizing he had touched a somewhat touchy subject but Addy wasn't finished.

"I don't give a flying fuck what people like my grandfather would have wanted." Addy spat at him, "I don't give a shit about your personal hatred of the Horde because they are nothing compared to the Legion. Were you even there when they attacked?!"

There was something in his eyes. A spark of regret and embarrassment that Adyy clung too, her rage building.

"You weren't, were you?" She spoke softer, but the anger was still there, "Well I was. I was at Sentinel Hill when those things came for us. I watched-" She sobbed, "I watched my friends ripped apart and there was nothing I could do to stop it! I was at Ironforge, I fought against them and even then, even with training…" She shook her head, "They retreated! We have never beaten them! They always fall back! We. Need. Help."

With each word she spoke she slapped him against his plated chest, hard.

He leaned in a bit, his voice a rough whisper, "And I watched my wife get eaten by the scourge. I had to put a sword through her back myself! One of my best friends." He pointed roughly towards the Horde side of camp, "Is a monster now."

Addy frowned in confusion before realizing he was talking about Merek..She scoffed, shaking her head.

"Well you and your 'monster' are both idiots." She spat at him, "Alliance and Horde isn't gonna matter much when we're all dead. So in the meantime I'm going to continue to do my best to make sure that we're all alive in the future to continue fighting. You continue to do what's best for your people."

She straightened and turned to leave.

"I'm going to do what's best for Azeroth."

Anduin was exhausted.

He'd been up nearly twenty-four hours by this point, and he could feel a weariness building in his bones. Thankfully they would be leaving in a few hours and he knew he could sleep then. But now he was catching up with friends he wouldn't see for a long time.

Baine was looking good, almost as large as his father had been. He was decorated in his usual formal chieftain attire which worked to make him look even larger and more fearsome than usual.

His own father had retired to a camp set off a little while from the shore. Anduin wasn't surprised. Now that the Skyfire was parked on the water it was likely to trigger his sea sickness even more than usual. Anduin had suggested that he just take a portal home, but Varian had been adamant about staying with his troops. Anduin had a feeling he just liked getting out of Stormwind every once in a while.

There was a small gathering around the main camp bonfire. Mostly soldiers and others who were making use of the ale and wine brought. A few of the faction leaders had hung around. Vol'jin and Saurfang were chatting, while Moira sat a ways off with a group of Dwarven paladins, all laughing loudly. It was nothing like the parties he had seen in the past. There was something of a tenseness over the group, as if they weren't sure if they should be celebrating at all.

"I must say." Baine spoke with a heavy bartone, "I didn't expect you to be here."

Anduin chuckled, "And leave my father to the sharks? No, negotiations have never really been his strong suit."

Baine nodded, but there was a bit of understanding in his eyes, "And it's nice to be doing something."

Anduin winced, but agreed, "It's what we can do. For now."

Baine raised a single eyebrow, giving him a curious look.

Anduin sighed, looking around, "You didn't hear it from me, not yet anyway, but Khadgar found something on our way here. An old Night Elf temple, heavily veiled in magic. He seems pretty certain that it's where the portal is. He said he'd be working to confirm it but…"

"But if he's right." Baine continued, "Then we have a place to focus our attacks."

Anduin nodded, but he still felt hopeless, "I just wish there was a way to end this for good. We fight, close their beachhead. Then what? Wait another few years for them to attack again? We've been fighting this fight for ten thousand years and it never seems to end."

Baine nodded, his eyes full of sympathy, "Yes. But we do what we can do. We can fight to close the portal now, so future generations have the chance to finish it once and for all."

Anduin sighly, his melancholy sitting heavy in his chest, "I suppose it's too much to wish for peace."

"Perhaps." Baine agreed, "But not too much to wish for hope. The minute we think it's all for nothing is the moment we truly lose."

They were silent for a few moments, taking long draughts of their drinks of choice..

Anduin finally chuckled, "When did you get so wise, old friend?"

"Same time as you, I suppose." Baine shrugged, "We've both been forced to grow faster than we wished too."

Anduin gaufed, shaking his head, "This is far too deep for me. I think we've had too much wine."

"You perhaps." Baine smirked, "But Tauren can hold their drink better."

Anduin scoffed, shaking his head in amusement as Baine laughed deeply.

Baine took a large swig of his tankard of ale, before he paused, his eyes flickering behind Anduin for a moment. His lips curled up into a tiny grin.

Anduin gave him an amused look, glancing behind to see what had caught his friends attention. He could see nothing but a few scattered trees and bushes.

"What is it?" Anduin asked him, turning back to take another sip of his warmed spiced wine.

Baines eyes flickered over again and a deep chuckle shook his entire body, "You have a shadow."

Anduin frowned this time, turning again, somewhat worried. This time however, he saw a flash of blue and red as a figure dashed to hide behind a tree and he grinned. He felt his cheeks warm and he turned back, taking another sip of his wine.

"You know her?" Baine asked, his eyes flickering with suppressed laughter and something that told Anduin that the Tauren wasn't holding his drink as well as he claimed.

Anduin cleared his throat and nodded, "Yeah, that's Addy she's…" He trailed off with a frown. She was his...friend? Paramour? Lover? He wasn't sure he liked any of those terms as they didn't really describe the uniqueness of their relationship.

"A Lady Friend?" Baine finished, with a raised eyebrow.

Anduin gave his friend a glare that was more humorous than anything. He still didn't think the term worked, but it conveyed enough information that he nodded.

Baine laughed, clapping Anduin on the back hard enough to make his cough, "It's about time. You need some peace and kindness in your life."

Anduin wasn't sure if either of those words applied to Addy but he just nodded, his eyes flickering back to the tree. A moment later Addy's face peaked out from behind the tree before her eyes widened and she rushed back once realizing they were watching her.

Baine chuckled again, "Well go on then. Don't leave her waiting."

Anduin paused for a moment, hoping Baine wouldn't be too upset if he cut their conversation short. They didn't see each other often.

Baine seemed to notice and he clasped Anduin on the shoulder again, "We'll see each other again my friend, I'm sure of it."

"Hopefully it isn't on a battlefield." Anduin spoke lightly, but he knew it was more serious then he let on.

"You?" Baine jested, "On a battlefield? That'll be the day."

Anduin swatted him playfully, but he still chuckled. Truthfully Anduin could live the rest of his life without having to see a battlefield.

Anduin gave his friend one more nod, "Good Luck dear friend."

"You too friend."

Anduin moved to walk off before he paused, reality hitting him in the face along with a cold fear in his chest. He turned back to Baine, who was watching him curiously.

"Do you mind, er-" He paused, "Do you mind not mentioning this to...anyone."

There was an awkward pause as they both went over Anduin's words, perhaps remembering that they were on opposite sides of this never ending war between their factions. Anduin wondered if it was too much to ask, for Baine to keep this secret from his Warchief.

But Baine just smiled and nodded, "Your secrets are safe Anduin. Go have fun."

Anduin grinned at him, saying his quick farewells before walking away. As soon as his back was to Baine his smile faded for a moment.

His secrets were safe...for now. But how long could he keep something like this a secret?

He shook his head, trying to clear away the wine induced fog and worry as he made his way over to the small grouping of trees that Addy was unsuccessfully hiding behind.

He looked either way around the tree before she peaked out, squeaking in surprise at finding him so close. She flushed and looked behind him, probably to see if Baine had come with him.

"Hello." He beamed at her. She looked a little worse for wear. Her hair was loose and she had long ago lost her usual white scarf that hid her scars, leaving them on full display. Her cheeks, like his, were probably red from the ale and wine and there was a sheen on their skin from the humid air on the Island.

"Hi." She said shyly, before her eyebrows pinched, "I hope I didn't interrupt anything."

"No, of course not. Baine's an old friend." He answered as they slowly started walking in the direction of the airship.

She laughed at that, and he found himself charmed. She didn't laugh often, more likely to grin or hide a small laugh behind her hands. "Anduin only you could make friends with a Tauren."

He couldn't help smiling, "I'll have you know Taruen are very friendly. Me and Baine met during the Cataclysm of all things. We don't really get to see each other often, for obvious reasons."

"I'm sure your father loves that."

Anduin chuckled, "Yes, I believe the fact that you weren't Horde was a major win in my father's eyes."

He saw her eye twitch and tried to hide his amusement. Would she never get over her fear of his father?

"I tried to talk to you before." Addy confessed, her face growing more nervous as she wrung her hands, "But I was held up by...something." She sounded a bit angered by it.

"Everything okay?"

"Oh yes, "She waved it off, "Just a disagreement."

Anduin supposed it had something to do with the surprise vote from the other Westfall representative. He sighed feeling a heavy sorrow in his chest. He disliked how often he found himself underestimating the hatred between the Horde and Alliance.

"Tirion Foldering asked me to go with him to Tanaris."

Anduin fell short, his heart leaping to his throat. 'Don't go'. The words fought to come out but he pushed them back down and instead turned to look at Addy. She was nervous, still wringing her hands over and her eyes flickering anywhere but at him.

Was she just informing him of her intention to go? Or was she asking his opinion?

"When do you leave?" He asked her, curious.

She blinked in surprise, "I haven't said yes yet."

Now it was his turn to be surprised, "You haven't? Why not?"

She flushed and Anduin had a feeling it had nothing to do with the wine. "I wanted... I thought…" She huffed lightly and crossed her arms, but still didn't look him in the eyes, "It's been a long time since I've had anyone that might...well...miss me, if I went out on my own."

Anduin flushed a little bit now, but hoped she hadn't noticed since she was avoiding his eyes. "I would. Miss you, that is. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't go."

She mumbled something and Anduin frowned, not hearing.

"What was that?" He asked.

"I would miss you too." She muttered, still quiet, but loud enough for him to hear her.

Anduin was sure he had an idiotic smile on his face, but he couldn't help himself. "I'm glad, " he spoke softly, "But that doesn't mean you shouldn't go."

"It is important." Addy mumbled, sounding like she was convincing herself, more than him. She paused and looked up at him, her blue eyes sparkling from the bonfire light in the background. It was a ways away and they were approaching the small ramp that led to the floating skyship. "I had thought that you would ask me to stay."

Anduin frowned, turning to glance at her, "Do you want me to ask you to stay?"

He would. In a heartbeat.

She sighed, "No...not really. But if you did...I would stay."

Anduin reached forward, placing his hands on her upper arms and leaned down a bit, "Addy, with how much effort I spent trying to get you to continue your Paladin training, I would hardly take away the opportunity you have here."

"Even if you'll miss me." She asked, her voice soft but a mischievous light in her eyes.

He nodded leaning in a bit closer, "Even if I'll miss you."

She grinned a little bit and closed the space between them, kissing him and wrapping her arms around his neck. He stood up a bit straighter and placed his hands lightly on her waist, as to not be too forward.

She pulled away, keeping her arms around his neck, "They leave tomorrow. From here...suppose it doesn't make sense to fly back to Stormwind, then make the trek back across the sea."

Anduin frowned in surprise. So soon. He had hoped that he still had a few weeks with her. But he wouldn't hold her back, no matter how selfishly he wanted to.

"I guess we won't have the trip back then." He spoke sadly.

She shook her head, but her eyes half lidded and she leaned in, placing her hands on his chest as she spoke breathily.

"We have tonight."

Anduin had blinked a few times in surprise, before giving her a goofy smile that she mimicked as she took him by the hand, and led him back towards the Skyfire.

A/N: *Large wink towards the camera*

See! I told you guys I wasn't abandoning this fic! I was extremely busy recently with work and aven't really had time to finally get this chapter finished. This chapter is kind of the end of 'Act 2' of this story, and we're now going into the third and final act, which is when things start to get a bit hairy.

I don't really know when I'll update next. Things are still hectic here. I've recently had to cancel a vacation and that's taking up a lot of time and I still work a lot. Hopefully by the end of April I'll have more free time to devote to this fic!

Everyone can feel free to follow me on my tumblr stormwinds where I post wow stuff. Or on my main blog amarysue where I post mainly shit that makes me laugh.

Hopefully I'll see you soon!

Until next time,

Amary