Brunch: A Wrathgate Prelude (draft)

[Bricu]

My weekend project is to clean this up.

Long post is really. fucking. long.

--


The last brunch ended much as the first one: No one at brunch got to try any of Threnn's breakfast muffins. This was the first dish she attempted to make for the regular family brunch, an idea that Bricu suggested shortly after his "con" the Temple of Elune. At first Threnn thought he was still suffering from sleep deprivation. A week later, when he ran down the menu for the first brunch -- salmon and capers, corn griddle cakes, fresh breads (sweet and savory), coffee and tea and fresh fruit with cream -- she realized how serious he was.

"All the stops are out for this, aren't they?"

"Aye, they are. I figure since we're at least talkin' now, I can at least try an' get her ta warm up ta me."

Threnn shook her head, "My mother, lovely as she is, can out-stubborn anyone. Even you." She raised her voice ever-so slightly to keep him from interrupting her. "Love, she's not going to change. We meet for tea, she sighs, I sigh, we both walk away before we storm off in huffs. That's as good as it is going to get."

Bricu grinned the same wild grin he used when scheming. "We'll see love. We'll see."

At that first brunch, Bricu made attempts at conversation that were easily parried by Thenia. She was not amused. Threnn watched as her husband became increasingly charming to combat her mother's increasingly polite dismissals.

"More tea, Thenia?" he said, tea pot in hand.

"No thank you," she replied coldly.

"O'course. Padraig, Thenn?"

Threnn and her father assented with slight nods as they watched Thenia and Bricu spar with charm and polite indifference.

Bricu served Thenia first each time. Each plate of food was carefully executed, plated to be as visually pleasing as possible. Thenia ate small, almost ceremonial bites of each entree. Threnn said how wonderful the fish was. Padraig raved about the pancakes.

Thenia, polite as could be, countered Bricu's charm. "I thought it was okay. Not as good as they normally make at the Gilded Rose, but almost good enough for brunch."

Bricu nodded solemnly. "What was wrong with it m'dear?" The hairs on the back of Threnn's neck stood up. His tone had changed ever so slightly. It was similar to the one he would use when talking to Tarquin about working with stubborn alliance generals. Their solutions always revolved around "disappearances" and "scandals."

"Well." Thenia spoke with the same inflection she used when talking to a difficult silk supplier. She ticked off a finger for each point. "The corn cakes were a bit too moist, and the spices in the batter cut into the flavor of the corn. The salmon was dry and you used far too much tarragon. I think you burned the tea as well. The juice had too much pulp in it. It is what I'd expect from something in Old Town: tarted up to hide a complete failure."

Bricu nodded in stride. "I see. I see." He pointed to her barely touched plate. "So bad yeh couldn't take but one bite each?"

"I'm afraid so. It was a valiant effort but your results were rather lacking."

Threnn readjusted her napkin across her lap, then clenched her fists in anger. Her mother was just needling him. She didn't need to see Bricu to know that he was chosing his words carefully. Threnn tried to calm down enough to rebuke her mother, half expecting Bricu to beat her to it. But the first voice she heard wasn't her husband's. It was her father's.

"Well, I for one thought it was delicious. The corn cakes and salmon were perfectly matched, and I didn't find them either runny, dry, or too heavily spiced. My tea wasn't burned nor was my juice too pulpy. By the light Bricu, where did you learn to cook like that?"

Thenia and Threnn both turned to Padraig, mouths agape. He had been quiet for most of the meal, as he was for most meals, but he went beyond simple thanks: he sided with Bricu.

"I learned through my liege, a bloke named Stonewright. I also had me fair share o'KP duty though the army. Yeh liked it then?" Bricu said.

"Liked it?" Padraig paused and assessed the situation. Thenia, her lips drawn in a thin line, stared daggers at him. He turned to Threnn, who stared at him in shock. He turned back to Bricu, grinning wildly.

"I loved it enough to finish what my wife didn't." Padraig took Thenia's barely touched plate and continued eating.

"Padraig," Thenia said softly, "I am quite sure that neither Threnn nor Bricu wants to watch you eat."

"I'm not done yet," Threnn said as she grabbed more bread off the table.

"What kind o'chef would I be if I didn't like watchin' folk eat me food?"

"Honestly, Padraig, Threnody...."

Padraig put his fork down on the plate. "Honestly, Thenia, why would you agree to come if you were going to be a stick-in-the-mud? Mrs. Stone would have loved, LOVED, to have come to brunch. She would have had a brilliant time. Me? I'm enjoying myself. Why don't you loosen up and try to do the same?" Padraig shoveled another forkful of food into his mouth to avoid his wife's withering stare.

"More tea Padraig?" Bricu asked without a hint of smugness. Padraig nodded vigorously.

"Mother, why don't we go to the kitchen for a bit. I'm sure we can find you someth-"

"Excellent idea Threnody. " Thenia stormed away from the table, towards the kitchen. Padraig, still seated, continued to eat.

"How dare they embarrass me like that!" Thenia whispered at Threnn.

Threnn set a kettle on and whispered back. "They embarrassed you? You embarrassed yourself AND ME." Threnn took a breath to keep her voice in check. "Bricu waits on you hand and foot, and you don't even have the decency to try his food. He's actually a damn fine cook--better than Kendor."

"Oh Threnody."

"Ask him. When you leave, which is going to be soon, ask Kendor. Go ahead."

Mother and daughter stared at each other for almost a minute. Threnn broke the silence with a sigh.

"He should never have talked me into going to you or this stupid brunch."

Thenia's face sank, "He did that on his own?"

"Of course he did. He told you as much, didn't he?"

"Well, yes but, he's a liar."

"MOTHER. The key to being a good liar--tell the truth. By the light, if he was BAD liar he would have lied. Both of these attempts were his idea. Talking to you over tea. The brunch. Keeping you in my life is more his idea than mine!"

"And the children?"

Threnn took a deep breath before answering her mother's question.

--

In the other room, Padraig finished the last of his wife's brunch. Bricu sat across from him, waiting for him to say something.

"Well." Padraig finally said, "I'll catch some hell for that."

"Ta be fair, I didn't think yeh had it in yeh."

"Bricu, what you don't know about us could fill Wrynn's library. In thirty-five years of marital bliss, I've confonted her hundreds of times. Of those hundreds, only a dozen weren't planned out. A small tiff between shop keepers is always good for business." Padraig gave his son-in-law a wide smile.

"Clever."

"Clever, yes, but not half as clever as your cooking. I had my doubts, son, but this was fantastic. Why, if I knew you were this good, I would have let you watch the shop more frequently."

"Och, Padraig. Kinder words have never been spoken." Bricu looked back at the kitchen door. Satisfied that neither Thenia nor Threnn were leaving the kitchen, he handed Padraig a small cigar. "I heard yer supposed ta quit. What's life without a vice?"

"Meaningless, as it gives the church less to worry about." Padraig took the cigar with a wink.

In silence the two men prepped and lit their cigars. After a few smoke rings, Padraig spoke up again.

"Don't take this too seriously, but Thenia crossed a line today."

Bricu puffed away on his cigar. "Eh?"

Padraig blew a perfect smoke ring before explaining himself. "It's one thing to be upset with you for being a snakey bastard, but this time you cooked for her. You were our host She should have at least said she wasn't feeling well. Instead, she spat in your face. That's not..."

Bricu interrupted, "Proper?"

"That'd work. Proper."

They each looked towards the kitchen door. They mumbling increased in volume, but they couldn't hear anything specific.

"Do you know why you're such a thorn in her side?"

"I've got a few ideas. It have ta do with me accent then?"

"Oh bloody hell no. It has nothing to do with your slight northern accent. At least we can understand you--some of your folk just do not speak intelligible common."

Bricu nodded as Padraig continued.

"No, it has more to do with the life we tried to create for our daughter. One free of want and worry."

"She didn't want that kinda life Padraig. How many years have yeh lot been fightin' o'er that idea?"

"I gave up when she enlisted. I'm the witty one. Thenia's the stubborn one."

"I've noticed."

"No, you haven't." Padraig ashed off his cigar. "You're far too young to remember this. When Stormwind fell, we were left behind. The Horde didn't care about occupying Stormwind. They headed north. We had to fend for ourselves. It would take two strong men to kill one damn orc--and those weren't even their warriors. There wasn't mail or boiled leather. What we had were shards of swords we turned into spears and bows. Thenia didn't fight at the front or scavenge the ruins. She just kept us all alive. She dressed wounds. Kept up spirits. Everyone pulled their weight--even the refugees with the spears--because they were more afraid of an angry Thenia than an orc ready for battle. Her stubbornness kept us all alive after the war, when we were rebuilding our homes."

"I didn't know..."'

"Bricu, son, that's still not half of it. Thenia had a healer's touch. She could have left it all and become a priestess, but she didn't. Her home was too important to her. Hearth, home and hard work. That is what she lives for."

"Her daughter's kept her safe..."

"And Thenia has kept the hearth fires warm so she has a home to come to. She frets and worries nightly for her. Better to think of her has dead than to worry nightly about both daughters."

"Strewth mate. That's harsh."

"That's what we have to do. If she dies in battle, or Light forbid, in a mishap in a camp? How would we know? How can you be there all the time? What if you died first? What if you were killed at the same time?"

"Everyone's gonna die, Padraig."

"Bricu. That is not the issue. You two tempt death. We don't anymore. Thenia never wanted to again."

Bricu finished his cigar. "I'm done arguin' the point."

"As am I. My girls made their choices..and it's a good thing, too."

"Why's that?"

Padraig turned back to the kitchen door to see if either Thenia or Threnn was leaving. "They can both do sums. They can both sell. They could both manage the shop. But they always got too damned bored with it. Me? I like boring. My girls... we know where they got it."

--

"If you can't accept him, then any child we have, you can't be a part of their life."

Thenia stepped back from her daughter. Threnn pressed her attack.

"It was Bricu's idea to come to you. You almost rebuffed it. It was Bricu's idea to keep you in the loop, except you don't talk to him. It was his idea for him to make brunch. IT WAS HIS idea for me to try my hand at bloody muffins. And all you managed to do was to be a spiteful old witch!"

"How could you talk to me this way?"

"When you talk or treat My Husband this way, you treat Me this way, Mother. You continue to ignore this simple fact. You besmirch and belittle the man I married, and you mourn for the bastard that did horrible things to my friends and family!"

"I do not have to stand here and listen to this." Thenia stepped towards the door.

"If you walk out then don't you dare come back." Threnn said quietly.

Thenia smoothed out the folds of her dress, then turned back to her daughter.

"I, frankly, am tired of this," she said with forced calm. "Since you have been with this Northman bastard, you have become terribly disrespectful and antagnostic. Your father and I did everything we could make sure you would be safe from want and worry."

"To increase my dowry! Which Bricu didn't take!"

"You will let me finish, or I will walk out that door."

Threnn narrowed her eyes and kept her mouth shut.

"When the city fell, I was pregnant with you. You were not an easy baby to carry. Your father thought you were charmed..." Thenia let the thought trail off with her words. Threnn said nothing during her pause.

"Padraig and I had to take care of each other as well as the rest of the neighborhood. Mrs. Stone and the Bells too. Your father didn't rally the troops. He followed John Bell's orders and learned how to wield a spear. I scavenged for broken sword points to make spears, for broken mauls and hammers to repair. I kept the women in line, and I was fit to burst. When the wounded needed healing, I did it. Do you know how many soliders I saved? How many common folk I cared for?"

"No."

"Dozens. How many rich ladies-in-waiting or merchant's daughters I saved?"

"None."

"Exactly. NONE. Not a single one of those regal ladies or noblemen came my way. Some died, of course, but the ones who could afford to get away got away. They left at the first signs of trouble. The rich and powerful left us to rebuild their city. Then they tried to take it from us. I didn't want that to happen to you or to Annalea. I wanted you both to be protected from whatever came next and to be proud of what we did. We rebuilt Stormwind for you. I wanted it to be yours. To see the things that I--that your father and I--would never see. And to turn your back on what we have done for you and tempt death, then marry a Northman... You'll end up like every common solider I guided to the Light. I don't want to bury my either of my daughters!"

"Mother." Threnn held her temper together by grinding her teeth.

"Don't. Don't. I'm sorry about Thomas. I was wrong. There. I was wrong. He..."

"Was a bastard," she said. As she finished her mother's thought, some of the anger began to vanish.

"I know...but at least now do you understand why?" Thenia pleaded with her.

"Mother. I always understood. I still understand. You're the one who doesn't understand. I would have stayed behind and helped the wounded. I learned to rally troops. Bricu would have done more than what dad did, more than TK. No matter what else he has done, or would do, I would be safer with him and the other Riders than I would be with any nobleman or merchant. With them, I could even sleep at night, knowing I did what I could. Taking me away from the front... Why didn't you flee?"

"There was no where to flee to." Thenia said dismissively

"There were caves, places the Defias hold now, but didn't back then."

"Some were held by brigands..."

"But not all of them. You couldn't leave for the same reasons I couldn't leave. You're too stubborn."

"I hated those days. Blessed light, I hated those days. But I did what I could to save who I could..."

"But that's the part that kept you going, isn't it mother?" Threnn said. "Working with your friends and neighbors, help each one of them heal their wounds. If you didn't like it, one word to dad and you would have fled to where the other refugees were. If part of you didn't like what you were doing after the fall, then you wouldn't have done it."

"It was my duty."

"Mother, a pregnant woman's duty is to her family, not her country."

Thenia opened her mouth to argue, but she didn't say anything. Threnn prepared to counter each point she imagined Thenia would throw back at her.

"No. You're right Threnod--Threnn." Threnn couldn't counter that. She listened to her mother.

"You're right. I did like healing. But that life... That is a dangerous life. Your life is even more dangerous than scrounging in Stormwind."

"But when I go into the field, I go with the Light, Bricu and the rest of my other family." Threnn took a careful step towards he rmother, "I'm safer with them than you were with the militia."

"They'll order you to the Front."

"I'm trained for the front."

Thenia looked away from her daughter.

"I can't keep you safe there."


"That is what Bricu and the rest of the Riders are for. I'll take care of them, they will take care of me. Like you took care of dad, Mrs. Stone and the Bells. And how Dad and Mr. Bell kept you safe." Threnn stepped forward and took her mother's wrists in her hands,"Mother, I'm just finishing what you started."

Thenia studied her daughter's face, seeing the same drive that kept her, and her family, alive after the Horde sacked Stormwind. It was as futile to argue with threnn as it was for Padraig to argue with her all those years ago. She wrapped her arms around Threnn and held her as tightly as she could.

"He'll keep you safe?" She whispered in her ear.

"I cooked the muffins--and he didn't let me burn the Rose down. He won't mother." Threnn whispered back.

"Well then." Thenia pulled away from the hug and straighted her dress. "I will ask him to make something else for next month. Your father and i really must be going back to the shop. He hates being away from his work"

"Of course he does."
--

"More tea Padraig?" Bricu asked.

"No, no. I don't think so I will try one of Threnn's muffins though."

Bricu reached forward with the tea pot, and poured the luke-warm tea into Padraig's cup.

"Ey, what's this? I said I'd have a muffin, not more tea."

"I know what yeh said mate. I also know that yer gonna need more tea, especially if yer gonna try one."

Padraig reached for the muffins on the table. He pulled the basket over, surprised by the heaviness of it. He picked one up--it was unusual hefty from a muffin--and looked at it. "What are these, berries?"

"Aye, blueberries from Elwynn."

"Well it looks delicious."

"S'a bit heavier than a muffin."

"Twice a dense as a scone. Twice as hard too.""

Padraig looked at the muffin in horror. "she made this?"

"aye. Go on, try one. I did."

Padraig tapped the muffin with his finger. "Sweet feckin' light. this is solid! What did she do?" He turned the muffin over in his hands, examining the pastry closely.

"I dunno. I'm thinkin' she used the wrong flour an' the bloke upstairs, some sorta Kirin Tor flunky, cast a half-dozen weird spell. S'the only thing I can reckon on why they're so tough. I had one earlier. It was good."

Padraig looked Bricu square in the eye. "Bullshit. You have all your teeth."

"They were softer outta the oven."

Padraig tapped the muffin again while he eyed his son in law. "That the truth then?"

"As true as its gonna get."

Both men chuckled at the joke while the women exited the kitchen. Bricu stood up first.

"Anythin' else Thenia?"

"No, i'm simply not feeling well. I would...appreciate it if next month, you would try those corn cakes again and bring them to the shop? I'm sure I'll be feeling much better by then."

Bricu looked over her shoulder to Threnn, who was shaking her head in agreement

"Aye, we've got nothin' planned. Yeh want anythin' else?"

"No dearie. I'll make most of the breakfast, you just bring the corn cakes." She turned towards Padraig, "We really must be going. We've left Maggie in charge for part of the day. We're a bit worried about her."

"Aye, she's a tad slow." Padraig shook Bricu's hand, "you out did yourself today son. Can't wait for next week."

"Thank yeh Padraig. Thenia, thank yeh for comin' by."

"It was better than i had hoped" She said, looking at Bricu. "And I'm looking forward to next week. Light Bless you both." She lingered at the door for a moment before walking out. Padraig kissed Threnn on the cheek and whispered in her ear before following his wife out the door.

"That, m'dear, went better than I had hoped."

"What did you expect?"

"I expected more shoutin' an a lap full o'food. Yeh clear the air with her inthe Kitchen then?"

"We did. Better than I had hoped."

"Good love. Good. Now then, let's get this shite cleared up so we can try an' make 'em even happier."

Threnn laughed as she finished his thought. "Make them grandparents? Really Mr. Bittertongue, we're married. You dont' need to curry their favor."

"The Key word there, missus, was try."

---

And so they had brunch almost every other week, alternating houses, dishes and invited guests. Thenia would invite John Bell or Mrs. Stone--they would show up infrequently--while Threnn invited her sister and Fingold--who would come regularly. By the third brunch, Padraig, Thenia, Bricu and Threnn were able to enjoy their meals without the threat of offending each other. Thenia would chuckle at Bricu's jokes while Bricu didn't need to stay charming to keep from shouting. Threnn and Padraig were able to relax and enjoy themselves.

It was the fourth brunch, at the Gilded Rose with Annalea and Fingold, where both families were at their brightest. Bricu made a variety of crepes--sweet and savory--while Thenia brought a berry and melon salad. Annalea and Fin arrived early, bringing a tea blend of her own design. The Al'Cair sisters were chatting away, with Bricu and Fingold in the kitchen, when their parents arrived. Thenia gave each a hug as a greeting while Padraig placed Thenia's contribution on the finely set table.

"Threnn, you look..." Thenia looked at her daughter carefully. "Have you been lounging while Bricu's been working? You look bigger."

"Mama!" Annalea started seriously. Threnn sighed, which led to Annalea's fit of giggles. "She is getting bigger. She must be pretty healthy."

"Healthy? Padraig look at your daughter." Thenia said. Padraig, however, joined the men in the kitchen.

"Yes mother, I'm getting bigger. I'm probably going to be too big to fit through the front door at this rate."

"I'm stealing her hammer. No more working the forge for Threnny."

Thenia watched her daughters bicker...

"Oh come now, that'll be weeks from now."

"Fair warning then."

...and it hit her.

"That's not just weight?"

"No mother. It isn't just weight."

Annalea got up from the table and nudged her mother to sit next to Threnn.

"Go ahead mama. Ask her!"

"Anna, I wanted everyone to be here."

"They're already here Threnn. THey're just in another room."

"Threnn." Thenia said as she sat down next to her. "Are you alright."

"Yes mother. We're both fine."

"Both...Was there something wrong with bricu?"

"Threnn, for Elune's sake just tell her out right!"

Threnn glared at her sister--who promptly stuck her tongue out--then sighed.

"By we, mom, I mean me and the baby."

Thenia clenched Threnn's hand tighter. "Baby?"

"y..."

"She's preggers! Mama, Threnny's gonna have a baby!"

"Annalea, I gathered as much." Thenia dismissed her younger daughter with the wave of her hand. "When are you do?"

"Six months from now." THrenn continued over her mother's objections, "Bricu and I--mostly I--thought it would be best to keep it a secret until I passed the first trimester. Today's the day we decided to tell you."

"Threnn, my sweet girl! You're going to have a baby? Oh my. We need to get you a midwife, your father and I will start knitting clothes. Well, tailoring them really, knitting was never our strong suit. Annie, you'll need to start looking into what herbs and plants will be good for her."

"Alread.."

"Hush dear, I'm thinking." Thenia stood up and started to pace around the room. "Now then, you'll also start need to save money for a bigger place."

"Mom." Threnn tried to interrupt.

"The Gilded Rose is fine for now, but you have six months to find a better place."

"MOM." Threnn tried again.

"There is going to be babysitting rotations for when you and Bricu need some time alone. The baby is going to have to have brothers and sisters to play with. You see how those only children turn out. Dreadful little monsters..."

"MOTHER!" Threnn shouted. Thenia stopped, startled at Threnn's outburst, "Mom. All things in due time. Can we just celebrate the fact that I am pregnant?"

"Everything is okay with the baby?"

"Yes mother--and before you ask, we're looking for a midwife. I've been checking on the baby with the Light. So far, the baby's healthy."

"Six months?"

"Six months."

"I'm going to be a grand mother in six months?"

"Yes mother. Six months."

"Oh dear me." Thenia sat down next to Threnn to catch her breath. "Oh Threnn!" From her chair, Thenia wrapped her arms around her daughter and hugged her as tight as she could. "This is brilliant news!" Holding her daughter, Thenia came close to tears. "Now, I should see to your father and help the men bring the food out."

"A tad late for tha--" Padraig said, carrying a plate full of crepes. "Thenia?" he asked, the concern making his voice quake slightly,
"What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong, Pappa Al'Cair!" Annalea shouted. "You're going to be a Grandpa!"

"You're...you're pregnant Anna?" Padraig said, his voice cracking like a schoolboys.

There were more sounds from the kitchen. The voices were easy for the Al'Cair women to work out. "Anna's pregnant?!" Fingold managed to ask in a panicked half-whisper. "Just carry the bloody crepes inta the kitchen Finny," Bricu replied.

"No dad. Not her. Me. You've got six months to make a few years worth of baby clothes."

Fingold's prayer of thanks was nearly drowned out by Padraig Al'Cair.

"Sweet fucking light" he said before fainting away. The crepes spilled out over Padraig and onto the floor.

"Well." Bricu said as he passed his tray off to Fingold, "I take it Padraig heard." He lifted Padraig's limp form off the floor and into the chair.

"Och, he's fine. Fin, yeh get them started on that. I've got more batter in the back..." Bricu said as he disappeared back into the kitchen.

Threnn got up out of her seat and checked on her father. "He's just fainted," she said after a few moments, "he'll be up in a few moments. He'll be hungry too. Anna, fix him a plate. Mom, just sit there. Fin..." Threnn looked at her sister first then back to Fingold, "Just... start pouring juice."

--

Bricu spent the date of the sixth brunch in their room in Valliance Keep. He had a small breakfast of cream of wheat, weak tea and a mealy apple. Today was his vigil with Threnn. She slept soundly under Fedwynn's spell, but Bricu refused to leave her unwatched for a minute. He spent the entire day with her, cutting gems and practicing his tin whistle.

Early next morning, shortly after the first ships from Stormwind arrived in port, there was a knock at Bricu's door. When the knocking didn't stop after five minutes, he dragged himself out of bed and answered the door. Wrapped in thick wools and furs, and carrying a basket, stood Thenia Al'Cair. Behind her, also wrapped in thick furs, was Padraig.

"The Valiant sprung a leak, otherwise we would have been here yesterday." Padraig said.

"How is she?" Thenia said as she pushed Bricu aside. She hovered over Threnn, holding her hand and whispering into her ear.

"She's the same. Sleepin'." Bricu said quietly.

"Bricu," Padraig said as he entered the room, "Get cleaned up, then we'll eat."

Bricu grabbed the cleanest clothes he had and made his way to the noncom officer barracks. He washed his face and combed his beard, making himself as presentable as possible. He started walking back towards their room, but the closer he got,the slower he walked. Halfway there, Bricu turned around and headed back to the barracks in Valgarde.

Bricu found himself at a surprise inspection--bouncing coppers off of beds, drilling recruits on basic sword play, shield positions--before finally walking back to their room.

When he returned, Thenia had set up brunch on the small table near his work bench. Padraig held his daughters hand. When Bricyu walked in the room, he quickly looked to the floor, but not before Bricu could see that his eyes were red and swollen. Thenia was a flurry of activity.

“Oi. Didja need more time…”

“No Bricu. Eat something please.” Thenia said.

The brunch was meager, but more than what Bricu had eaten that week: Fresh apples and pears from Elwynn, sausages, bread and cheeses. Thenia busied her self by making tea with the Bittertongue's small tea set.

"Anna told us how this happened... This, Fedwynn. Is he going to kill her?"

Bricu waited a moment before answering Thenia. He wanted to tell her the best story he could. He stuck with the truth.

"If we do what he asks, he'll keep her alive. If he gets what he wants, he'd give her back; probably unharmed too. If anything goes wrong, or he doesn't like somethin' we've done, he'll hurt her. But once he's got what he wants..."

"and what does this bastard want?" Padraig said.

"He wants ta bring the love o'his life back. A mass murderin' child killer... He wants her."

"And why Threnn?"

"I dunno. No one gets it. We're tryin' ta figure that bit out."


"Was it something you did." Padraig asked calmly.


"He went ta Threnny. We wanted...."

"You wanted what?" Bricu heard the anger in Padraig's voice.

"We wanted ta help. Not him...or her. It's complicated Padraig." Bricu pleaded

"Then make it simple." Padraig said. IT was the same tone Threnn used when when she was losing patience with him. IT didn't bring Bricu an ounce of comfort.

"Yeh can't make shite like this simple!" Bricu said, limiting his sarcasm.
"It involves Night Elves, shadow magic an' shite I don't want t'understand. What yeh need ta know is this: Threnny wanted ta help Indarra, the woman she knew an i 'wanted ta help Ulthanon. So we said we'd help."

"But You said fedwyn wanted to help a horrible..."

"Padraig, that's enough." Thenia said. Padraig clenched his jaw, while Bricu looked on at Thenia.

"This isn't because of some scheme of Bricu's. Anna told me who was involved. This isn't one of his schemes gone wrong. This is our daughter being punished for a good deed."

Padraig gave a slight nod to Thenia then focused his attention on his eldest daughter. "I'm just worried for her." Padraig said in a whisper.

"Padraig, me heart aches every minute she's asleep. Believe me, it does."

"I believe you swe--" Thenia stopped herself, "Bricu. For once, I believe you. You haven't left her expect to find out how to help her. I know that much to be true."

"Aye, it is." Bricu whispered back.

"Now eat something. You do not have to entertain us or even listen to us. We are not here too long. Our girl maggie can only watch the shop for a few days on her own." She poured him a mug of tea while she spoke to him. "We'll stay here with her. you and your riders do what you need to do for her."

"Thank yeh thenia." Bricu replied. For a moment, he was touched by her thoughtfulness. This passed as he saw the look in her eyes. She spoek with calculated compassion, more for Threnn or Padraig than himself. As she set the tea in front of him, she whispered in his ear.

"If you give up on her, or you fail her, Annalea anger and all the bastards from your past will be the least of your worries."

The tea was far too bitter for his taste. "Thank yeh, Thenia" he said, "for yer words. They mean a lot ta me."

He sipped the tea, slowly, all while grinding his teeth.


--
The brunches continued normally after Threnn returned to the land of the living. Tirion, the cat, was the newest regular edition. Thenia had insisted after Threnn told her of the cat's clever bravery. Twelve brunches later, Bricu produced his most difficult brunch yet. The menu consisted of thick slices of a fluffy white bread, soaked in a egg and cinamon mixture, held together by Trias' Cream cheese and almonds, fresh smoked salmon with capers, onions and a savory cream cheese on bagels, diced potatoes with ham and peppers and peach nectar with a sparkling wine from the south of Elwynn. Threnn tried her had at making muffins again, this time under Bricu's supervision. This time, instead of fresh fruit from Elwynn, Threnn tried her hand at cinnamon and raisin muffins. The kitchen of the rose was a flurry of activity. Most of the staff from the Rose had left--all except Kara, who insited on helping the Bittertongues.

"By the Light, how many are you two cooking for?" she asked in her grating voice.

"Just my parents." Threnn replied.

"Two! This is enough for the army."

"Make yeh a deal lass. Yeh leave us be in the kitchen, yeh can have the uneaten leftovers ta yer man an yer baby. Deal?"

"But Mr. Bricu, you could use the help! I'm really good at helping in the kitchen. Why, just the other day, Torval asked me to go help Kendor in the Pig..." AS she spoke, Kara knocked over a bowl of batter. "Oh, I'm so sorry! let me clean that."

"No, no. I'll get it. Yeh just...go on an' see Noy at Galahad..." Kara's eyes went wide with fright, "Oh.. Maybe I'll just get you the broom and go home to <TK>. I told him I would be home earlier than this.."

"Then scoot! Och, the man's been with yer wee one all day! Give 'em a break--but give 'em my best."

"Sure Thank you Mr. Bricu and Mrs. Bittertongue!"

"Yer welcome Kara" Bricu said sweetly as she ran out the door.

"You would really sned her to see Noy Rom?" Threnn asked as she started cleaning up the mess.

"Fuck no. He'd yell at her until she was deaf an' use her tears ta poach eggs. But just a mention o'his name, an' I knew she'd take off runnin'."

"My husband. Using a gnome to get serving girls out of his hair."

"Better than havin' servin' girls ruin our brunch, eh?"

"Fair enough."

They worked in tandem for the next few hours. Threnn focused on the muffins she was making, while Bricu floated between each dish. Bricu started brewing his second pot of coffee as Thenia and Padraig announced their arrival.

"I'll finish the muffins love, yeh just go see ta them. I'll bring their tea out in a moment." He kissed her on the cheek as she passed by. "But love, don't tell them till I'm there wit yeh."

"I wasn't planning on it." Threnn said quietly. She calmed herself, and Naiara, by taking a deep breath before leaving the saftey of the kitchen.

Her mother was carrying a tray of Pistacho and honey cakes from Galahad's. Her father carreid a basket from Elling Trias' cheese shop. "We simpley ran out of time to make anything." thenia said quickly. "That Maggie screwed up so many orders!" She put the tray on the set table, and rushed to her daughter, "Now let me get a good luck at you. Oh sweetling, you're positively glowing! Padraig, isn't she glowing!"

"My Threnny's always glowed, some people were just too blind to see it. Thenia, let the girl be!"

Thenia had placed a hand on the bulge that was Threnn's belly. "I can feel the baby kicking! I think he knows I'm his Grandmother."


"Her name is Naiara, mother. We know its a girl. I told you this last time."

"I know what you told me, but I still think my first grandchild is a boy. What does that friend of Bricu's know about babies anyway? I know this one is a boy."

Threnn looked at her father and rolled her eyes. He simply shrugged. "Thenia, my dear, when you're done patting, pinching and poking our glowing daughter, would you let me see her?"

"You got to see where there house is going to be. I get to dote on my daughter."

"Threnny, did I ever tell you about how your mother called you 'her' daughter when you did something particularly wonderful--but if you made one of the Bells' cry or punched out one of the Trias' brats, she would call you 'my' daughter?"

"You haven't told me this month till now. But you do seem to tell me that often." She said, flashing a grin.

"Hrmmm. Even, 'Your daughter joined the army?'"

"Dad, that one's your favorite."

"Thenia, she's found out all my good stories. You're going to have to let me see her before I repeat myself again."

"Oh fine." Thenia hugged Threnn then moved onto the kitchen. Padraig set the basket down on an empty chair near the set table. He held Threnn as tightly as her belly allowed him. "Can I?" He motioned to her belly. "of course dad." She said.

"The rose is practically empty today. Did you two rent it out for the two of us?" Thenia asked.

"As a matter of fact, yes. Bricu wanted to make sure it was just us today." Threnn said

"You didn't invite Fingold and Annalea?" Padraig asked.

"No."

"Pity, I like Fingold. I think he would make Annalea a fine husband." Thenia stated.

Threnn dodged that comment quickly, "No Bells or Stone either. Bricu and I needed to talk to you about something."

"Did you need something? Money? More clothes?" Thenia asked quickly, "Your father and I can help both of you. You can pay us back with more visits home."

"No mother, Bricu showed me his book keeping last night. We're set for money."

"Then what is it Otter?"

Threnn looked back to the kitchen door, a look of horror on her face. "Dad!"

"Oh you're married now. He knows the story, right?"

"Oi, what story is that then?"

Bricu emerged from the kitchen, carying plates of food on a wide tray. "We've got toast from Stromgarde, Bagels an' salmon, Potatoes ala Bricu an' for me inlaws, Peach nectar an' sparklin' wine. For me an' me lovely wife, orange juice. Now then," he set the food down carefully, "What story?"

"The one where I almost drowned in the Canals."

"Och, that one. Aye, i' know it. It led ta her first real love: Elling Trias."

"He sent you these by the way. Elling asked if you could try to come by more often." Padraig said.

"I will. There's something missing, isn't there Bricu?"


"They're for dessert. They turned out lovely."

"Dessert? By the light son, that's a lot of food then!"

"Believe me mate, they're worth it. Now, enough gabbin'. Make a plate an' eat this 'for it gets cold!"

Bricu poured the drinks while Threnn, Thenia and Padraig helped themselves to the food.

"Did you say this was Stromgarde toast?" Thenia asked, "I didnt think northern cooking could be so..."

"Delicious?" Padraig asked.

"Varied." She replied.

"Well, Stromgarde was a crossroads o'folk. Still is. Fingold told me 'bout this recipe, so I figured I could cook it. It wasn't that hard. The tricky bit was the cheese an' almonds. That took a few tries. Still, I reckon I've managed ta find a Northron recipe worth keepin', eh."

"Something from the north that isn't boiled. Will wonders never cease?"

"Here's hopin' they won't. Cheers." Bricu and Padraig clinked glasses.

"Thick as thieves those two." Threnn said to her mother.

"I dreaded this day. I truly did. Light forbid those two spend too much time together. Your father might even....pick up an accent."

"Perish the thought." Threnn sipped at her juice. Bricu and Padraig continued with their side conversation, virtually oblivious to the conversation being held by their spouses.


"While they chat away, tell me what you were going to tell us." Threnia whispered.

"Its just news about the North."

"I heard John Bell's boys are working overtime for you and Bricu. Is it about the furniture?"

"Oh, I wish it were... Mother, there's word about troops moving to confront Him."

"I see. You're both worried about the friends you will lose?" Thenia chose her words, and tone, carefully as she spoke to Threnn.

"No. The Riders are moving with them. On the Flanks. I'll be in the reserves, at the healer's tent."

"That's preposterous. Threnody, you're as big as a house. You can't go to the front lines."

"They're not the front lines."

"Do not split hairs with your jargon. You know damn well what I mean. Was this his idea?"

"No! It was not his idea. This was our choice."

"Really? Did he swear off going?"

"Yes, he did."

"And you said you were, even though you're nearly ready to give birth?!"

"We made arrangements months ago..."

"MONTHS?! This was planned?" Thenia's shout jarred the men back into the conversation.

"What in Uther's name are you arguing about?" Padraig asked. Bricu sipped at his juice.

"Your daughter and her husband have been planning to get themselves killed for months now."

"That's..what are you talking about?"

"She means, Padraig, that we're goin' with the Riders ta guard the Vanguard's flank. Threnn's holdin' back, by the healer's tent."

"And where are you supposed to be?"

"where the boss puts me."

"And where is that?" Thenia asked Bricu pointedly.

"Don' tknwo yet. Either on the line itself or skirmishin' the front ranks. We'll know in a few days."

"DAYS?!" Thenia shouted. "You're leaving in days for this suicide mission?"

Bricu and Threnn answered at the same time.

"Aye."

"Yes."

"No. I forbid it. You should be staying here, where its safe!"

"Where, a wee bit more than half a year ago, he sent a plague o'zombies t'attack every major city in Azeroth."

"If we do not go, mother, our friends could die."


"They could very well die even if you're there. Threnn, your mother is right. You shouldnt' be doing this." Padraig pointed a finger at Bricu, "And you shouldn't let her."

"I'd be more able ta win a war on the tides themselves then get Threnny ta stop doin' what she's set her mind ta. It ain't changin'."

"Will your fighting there bring back your precious north?!"


"Oh come off that shite. O'course it won't. But will sittin' here, in Stormwind, make our loved ones any safer?"

Thenia stared daggers at her daughter. "A mother's obligation is not to her country, but to her family." Thenia said plainly.

Threnn winced as the words cut her. The room was quiet as she said, barely above a whisper, "And most of my family will be on the field that day, dying at the hands of that bastard in Icecrown. We are going."

"Your armor..." Padraig said

"has been refitted."

"You can't be safe..." He tried again to reason with her.

"Here or there. I'm safer with them than I am alone in Dalaran or Stormwind." Threnn countered.


"Bricu, please. Call this off." Padraig said, pleading with his son in law.

"I'm not sure we can do that Padraig..."

"NOT sure!" THenia screamed. "This is worse than what that horrible druid did to you. You are chosing to risk life, limb and your child!"

Threnn saw Bricu lean over to Padraig and whisper something in his ear. Thenia grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back into the conversation.

"You cannot do this. Not now. Let someone else fight it."

"Mother, this is our fight. It has been since I took my oath. I'll be there to save lives. I'll be safe as I can ever be."

"I will not be a part of this. I will not. Padraig. We're leaving."

"I think...I think that maybe for the best." Padraig said. Thenia walked out of the Rose with out waiting for him to follow. He got up from the table slowly. "You two can do this and be safe... But it isn't necessary. And Bricu, what youre saying doesn't make me feel much better. When this is done, come back to us."

Padraig walked over to his daughter, now standing, and held her as close as he could. "you're in over your head otter. Don't drown."

"I won't." Threnn bit her lip. Bricu watched her as he pulled away from her. Her eyes were welling up, but she willed herself still

Padraig took Bricu's hand in his own. "You both come back to us, you got that, son?"

"Aye. Yeh lot host brunch in two weeks. We'll be flush with victory, but still fuckin' tired an' sore."

"Just bring the crepes. Thenia loves the crepes. Light Bless you Bricu."

"Aye. Fox guide yer path an' may the Light guard an' keep yeh safe."

The door shut behind Padraig, leaving Bricu and Threnn alone in Gilded Rose's dining hall. Bricu looked at the plates of food--some half eaten, some barely touched--on the table. He collected the cups and saucers first, not saying a word to Threnn. She sank into her chair and had one more bite of salmon.

"What did you say to dad?"

"I told him that we're comin' back--that most o'the Riders would do whate'er it takes ta bring us home." Bricu balanced the cups, saucers and empty plates on the tray. "I just told 'im the truth."


Threnn picked up her fork for another bite, then set it down on the plate. She pushed it away.

"When does our ship sail?"
No"

"In the mornin'. We're ta meet with that tosser Galliwick in three days." He stood in front of the kitchen door. "Yer muffin's are still in the kitchen. When I set these ta soak, yeh want me to bring 'em out?"

"No." Threnn said, "leave them for Kara. Set the dishes in the sink then help me up. We have a war to pack for."

"Aye love. I'll be right back."

Threnn placed her hands around her belly to stop Naiara's squirming. "You're as upset as I am, aren't you?" She whispered. "I'll keep you safe, papa will keep me safe, and the three..." Threnn tried to finish the thought, of us will visit nan soon, but she had to bit her lip to keep herself from crying.


Bricu returned a grin on his face. "Love, I heard Naiara from the kitchen."

"You could?"

"Aye. I heard her clear as day. She said that she thinks yer a beautiful an' generous mother, leavin' those muffins for Kara."

"Someone should eat them."

Bricu started helping Threnn stand gently. "She also said how proud she is o'yeh for bein' so truthful when her blackguard father wanted ta lie ta her nan."

"She's young. She'll learn the value of a white lie...or a lie by olmission."

"Och, love, Naiara's me wee one. She already knows the value. She's just amazed at how strong her pretty wee mum is."

Threnn held on to Bricu to regain her balance. "I see. So our daughter is a flatterer as well?"

"She's the smartest wee girl in the world. O'course she does." Bricu supported Threnn by slipping his arm under hers and

"Charming even before she's born."

"She's quite special, our Naiara." Bricu kissed threnn on the cheek, "She's also sayin' that we'll be alright."

"Really?"

Bricu placed his had on Threnn's belly. "Aye. An I agree with her. We'll be fine. Now yeh tell me what yeh want packed an' I'll get it ready."

"And what Am I supposed to do?"

"Just sit there an' glow. Let me take care o'the rest."

"Or, you'll bring me the clothes and the gear, and I'll pack the bags."

"Just keep glowin' while yeh do it."

"For you or for her?"


"Let's just leave it at 'us.'"

Bricu shut the door to the room behind them. Behind their door, the Bittertongues prepared for war.

--

Kara was a half hour early for her shift at the Rose. She had wanted to get back as early as possible, if to just claim a few choice leftovers for herself. The food was an unexpected bonus to cleaning up after brunch.

She frowned as she looked around the Kitchen. It was the picture of military precision. The plates were soaking in cold water. Most of the leftovers were left for the "Dirt farmers." There was a plate of food in the icebox, but it was no where near as much food as she could have had if she had been here earlier.

What caught her eye were the muffins. They were neatly arranged in a basket, with her name written on a ribbon.

Kara picked one up--it was light and fluffy, smelling strongly of cinnamon--and peeled off the wrapper. She bit into one.

"Mr. Bricu surely does make some really good food."

Kara finished her muffin, then turned her attention to the dishes in the sink.