At long last, Galen could catch his breath.
This Northrend campaign had stretched on for nearly a year, from the liberation of Lordaeron to the resolution of the Ulduar and Icecrown crises. Galen felt as though he had lived a lifetime in a single year!
He established Dalaran as a permanent fixture in the heart of Crystalsong Forest. The forest pulsed with arcane energy, and the Sky City could draw upon this power, reducing its reliance on the dwindling reserves of the Well of Eternity!
Of course, with Dalaran's two flasks of well water, their consumption during the war had been negligible. If Galen hadn't been so cautious about revealing his full power, Dalaran could have obliterated the Scourge's floating citadels single-handedly. Jaina's risky assault on Naxxramas would have been unnecessary.
Galen was eager to reach the central core of Dalaran, his personal sanctuary, the five-tiered imperial capital he had built upon the foundations of the old Town Hall. His beloved Alleria and Sylvanas awaited his return.
He found them in the grand hall, and embraced them both, his heart overflowing with love.
"Alleria, Sylvanas," he said, his voice warm with affection, "the crisis in Northrend is largely over. I can finally spend some time with you."
Alleria returned his embrace, her delicate features radiant. "We understand, Galen. We know you are safeguarding Azeroth. Only when our world is safe can we truly be together."
Sylvanas stretched languidly, her movements as graceful as a dancer's. She, too, embraced Galen, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. Then, her expression turned playfully serious. "I heard that when you left Icecrown Citadel, that little mage, Jaina, was practically clinging to you?"
Damn it!
Who is spreading these rumors? Who is spying on me?
I swear, I did nothing inappropriate with Jaina! A little comfort, a few kind words, that's all!
But one look at the mischievous glint in Sylvanas's eyes told Galen that this was the Windrunner's idea of a joke.
Galen adopted a solemn expression, gently stroking Sylvanas'sSilken hair. "Sylvanas, Alleria, I want you to marry me."
Sylvanas's eyes sparkled. "Then you had better start planning, my love. My sister and I may not be able to conceal our...condition much longer."
"What?!"
Galen's mind went blank.
The Windrunner sisters...pregnant?
One shot, one soul?
One shot, two souls?
Am I, Galen Trollbane, going to be a father?
He had assumed that with his demigod physiology, and the Windrunner sisters being at the peak of elven legend, that their combined fertility would be...limited. And considering the biological differences between humans and high elves...
"A month! I swear, within a month, we will have the grandest wedding Azeroth has ever seen!"
The gravity of the situation was clear. Even if Galen was reeling from shock, he knew how to respond. Survival instincts kicked in.
His declaration brought smiles to Alleria and Sylvanas. They embraced him again, their kisses filled with warmth and love.
Alleria chuckled softly. "Don't be too hasty, my love. High elves have a...somewhat longer gestation period than humans. And even though our children will be half-elves, they won't be born any time soon."
Galen reached out, his hand resting gently on Alleria's abdomen. He could almost...feel it. A silly grin spread across his face.