Heart of Ice

The dawn's light was just beginning to trickle through her window when she awoke. Cer was still with her, but was awake and watchful, as if preparing himself to get out of the bed and leave her. He smiled when she opened an eye and looked up at him.



“I didun know whetter to wake ya or not.”



“Of course,” she said, draping an arm over his chest, “I would've been hurt if I missed you.”



“Yah, but ya looked so peaceful der,” he answered, stroking her hair. He sighed after another moment and then heaved himself out of the bed.



She sat up, wrapped in the sheets, watching him put his gear back on. From the way he had thrown it off last night, it would be odd to see the care he put into it now, if she didn't know him. Because she did, it was one of the things she admired about him, his ability to live in such duality. In battle he was a vicious opponent, disciplined and deadly. In lovemaking he could be wild or even amazingly tender.



“I spose,” he said, futzing with his belt buckle, “it'd be pointless to ask ya ta stay put till I get back.”



She smiled, “Yes, I will probably be in Icecrown.”



“Yah need anoder hobby Lyeald,” he said grinning.



“Well I've tried but he keeps wandering off. To kill things no less. Rather rich of you to comment on it.”



“Dat's not what I meant,” he said quietly, putting on his gloves and picking up his sword. He then looked at her in all seriously, “dis obsession you have, wit de Scourge. It be worryin me.”



She raised an eyebrow at him, “Oh?”



He looked uncomfortable, as if he was choosing his words carefully. “Is just...I do wat I do for de money, and for fun. You do it because of revenge. I worry dat you will lose yourself in dat. Dat you will do something ya shouldn't, and it will get ya killed, or worse.”



She wanted to be angry at this, but looking into his eyes and seeing the real care there, she just couldn't. In fact she felt moved by it. She knelt up in the bed and wrapped her arms around his neck. He pulled her into the hug and seemed to be holding onto her as if she could easily slip away from him.



“Come to Zul'drak wit me,” he whispered, “or Outland, just not back to dat place.”



She almost said yes. It was so tempting to get away while she could, to be happy and cared for. But then she remembered her city, and what the Scourge did to it, and she knew she couldn't. Running away would just prolongue the inevitable. The Scourge had to be stopped here, and if she could help, she would.



She sank back down onto the bed and shook her head. He nodded in understanding and kissed her on the forehead.



“Den I'll be coming up dere soon as I can, okies?”



Lyeald nodded and smiled, “Be careful.”



“Jah. You too.”



A few hours later, she sat in the bar, quietly drinking. A couple of times she was propositioned, but she turned it down politely and went back to her thoughts. Was this why she had been going soft? Because of him? Because he had managed to break her icy veneer all those months ago?



She began thinking for the first time in years, what she would do with her life if and when the Lich King was destroyed, and the Scourge no longer posed a threat. There would always be room for traveling and adventure she supposed. And with another person. Thoughts drifted into the long term of being with Cer for more than just a passionate night. It was a pleasant day dream that she lost herself in quickly.



“Excuse me?”



She snapped out of it and looked at the young man who was standing in front of her. He was a page, she could tell by his colors and was holding a letter.



“I have a message for you,” he said, “its from-”



“No, I know exactly who that is from.”





Two Days Ago



“Koltira Deathweave, what brings you out here?”



Tirion Fordring. The Fordring, with the Ashbringer. The legend himself. He was nodding at her with a familiar smile, but still eyeing her companion, the Blood Elf, with an air of uncertainty. It wasn't that he didn't like or trust the Death Knight, it was that he knew whatever the reason for his visit, it could not have been good.



“Lyeald has discovered something that should interest you,” Koltira answered, and waved for her to speak.



And so, against the freezing wind that ripped across the Crusader Pinnacle, she recounted what had happened to her in the pit, about the heart, the boy and what he had told her. Other people watched, curious, but far too respectful of Fordring to try and listen in.



He listened to her with great care, making barely a reaction until she had finished her tale.



“That is most interesting,” he said when she had finished and looked deep in thought.



“There's more,” Koltira said, “we spent the last couple of days watching the Cult of the Damned, they've been moving around very quickly, as if something came up recently. If this...boy or whatever he was is to be believed, then Arthas knows his heart has been discovered. We believe that he has arranged for it to be taken to the Cathedral to be destroyed, lest it be used against him. Something is going to happen there, something big, in two days.”



“I'm surprised you are telling me about this. I would think the Ebon Blade would love a chance like this.”



Koltira sneered, “yes, but I cannot trust all my people with this information yet. Its too valuable. The Alliance and Horde factions are too busy snarling at each other to care. The Argent Crusade I feel are the only ones who can carry this task out with the best judgment and care.”



“Thank you for your faith,” Tirion said, kindly, even though it was lost on someone like Koltira. He turned to Lyeald then and said, “We have worked together before, and you have never let me down. Therefore I want you to come with us on this task. I have a plan, and will get started on my end right away. Are you willing to lend your aid?”



“Yes,” she said without a seconds hesitation. This could, after all, be it. This could be the thing that brings Arthas down, and she could not miss her change to help.



“Good,” he answered, “be at the Cathedral in two days.”