I have always personally found King Varian very yummy, I was bummed when they killed him off in Legion. However, his death scene was pretty heroic.
I Mary June Larkin, a humble serving girl, had always been instructed not to look up, never to meet his eyes. I was to be unobtrusive at all times, like part of the furniture here. Two nights ago I defied my training, I was unsure why, but I met his eyes. Eyes of the coldest blue, perhaps they could have been warm before his lady's regrettable passing. However, I knew what they all said about him, he was Lo'gash the Wolf, a gladiator, a hard man who didn't compromise. I was, I confess captivated, and he too looked back at me. He didn't smile, nor did he draw attention to the fact, that I a simple servant, held his gaze for long moments as I poured his wine.
Anne, my fellow serving maid, had noticed though, and she chatted me incessantly about it afterward in the scullery, telling me how improper it was. Warning me not to be so inappropriate again in the King's presence, or she would have to inform the housekeeper.
I didn't want to lose my job, to be penniless in the streets of Stormwind, or even worse, to be forced to sell my young body at the Lion's Pride Inn, like many a fallen woman must resort to. I had a roof over my head, and steady employment, even if the days were long, and the pay was meager. I was determined that snitching Anne would not see me the next time our eyes met.
As a castle servant to the King, I had little time to myself. I woke at dawn, and worked hard all day at my duties under the direction of the housekeeper, often late into the night, especially if the King or the young Prince was entertaining.
Then I would don my wool nightgown, climb into my narrow straw-filled bed, and imagine him. My fingers would stray down below, or pinch my raised nipples to distraction. I would bite my lower lip, as I imagined him there, a resolute bull of a man standing over me, in all his Royal grandeur. My fingers would seek my warm slippery wetness, as I imagined him before me, breaking down the walls to my citadel of innocence.
So it was with shock and surprise that I discovered a note pushed beneath my door the next morning. The cream paper was heavy, and it was sealed with a wax seal, the King's lion head seal. My fingers trembled, and my heart raced.
A missive from the King to me, plain Mary a simple serving maid? This must be a ruse to trick me.
I cursed Anne, but I was intrigued.
"Meet me," it said, in beautiful cursive. "In my chambers tonight. The guards will admit you."
Was it really from him, or was it a trick? How can I know unless I accept...
I was at his grand door in the dark, I was in fact sweating under my gray homespun wool cape. The heavy garment was still too warm for this time of year, especially whilst taking exercise, but it kept me dry, for it had rained all day.
The lion-headed door knocker made a great booming sound, his royal guards clad in their blue and argent uniforms stared ahead unseeing.
I guess he had written the note after all.
I stood in the ensuing vacuum of quiet waiting, listening. Butterflies in my stomach, and a hard ball of tension in the back of my throat. Only silence and dark to greet me, nervous breaths.
Oh let him be here.
My eyes scanned beneath the heavy wooden door, for any trace of light. Nothing, just the darkness and quietude.
I knocked again, this time more earnestly using both hands. I stood close to the door pressing my ear to the wood, I still could detect no movement from within. I almost fell inward as the door opened unexpectedly, the interior of this stately castle hall black as a bear's sanctuary.
It was him, his Majesty, he was barefoot, topless, magnificent. His right shoulder was bound in bandages, from a recent injury in the tiltyard, and his right arm in a sling. His deep chocolate hair was loose, cascading in abundance over his broad shoulders, its full length well down his back to his waist.
I had never seen my ruler in such a state of undress, a primal savage, more the Lo'gash the Wolf, than the King of Stormwind. I went to my knees almost, in a deep curtsy, I was shaking. It was one thing to serve at the King's table, but this very private 'audience' was quite another. I still could not believe it was happening.
He smiled at me in the half-dark, his ice-chip eyes didn't smile though, but the laugh lines around them did.
Perhaps he did laugh more once?
I mused.
"Welcome..." He said, as he held out his strong, large, hand, expecting mine.
I then clumsily registered he was searching for me to introduce myself. I replied most awkwardly, looking as stunned as a deer in the torchlight, as I placed my tiny fingers in his.
"Mary... your Majesty, Mary June Larkin."
"Bold Mary," he said, more to himself than I. He sounded amused. I wondered then, did he invite other maids who worked in the castle to his chambers too?
He took my hand and escorted me up the long hallway. His grip was firm. I could see just remotely, the warm light of candles burning somewhere up ahead. Moonlight shone in to bathe the flagstones, and the blue and gold carpet runners in silver, from the smiling face of Elune. Did she smile down on me tonight, I hoped so?
We passed beneath richly colored, oil-painted portraits, and luxuriant tapestries, featuring conquests and proud bejeweled depictions of great family lines. My eyes came to rest on her, Queen Tiffin Ellerian Wrynn, as she sat memorized in paint, looking wistfully down at me. Her gold spun hair coiffured to excellence, and her pretty fingers draped over one another, replete with rings of gold and precious gems. Her pale blue eyes regarded me even from death. It was quite plain to see her only son Prince Anduin was an image of her.
I felt the King's hand on the back of my cape as I gawked at her in my guilt. The lit room now looming ahead of us, the King's private chambers. I had little cause to venture there in my service, it was a place for valets, and the King's closest men and family.
He closed the door behind us and put his arm behind my back. I wondered where the house staff were, but the silence would not be broken by any questions I had. This was not his bed chamber I realized, but rather a quiet sitting room. A carved, lion-clawed, wooden table was laden with a selection of fine cheeses, fruits, nuts, olives, and a blood-red carafe of wine crowned its center.
I felt his hand leave the small of my back, as he made his way confidently toward the table and its offerings.
"You were bold the other evening Mary." He said casually, swaggering toward the table, and poured two goblets of wine.
I may have been, but tonight the boldness had left me.
I found it difficult to meet his piercing eyes.
"It's quite an unusual trait for one of my house staff, and such a young one at that. How old are you, girl."
"Err...Your Majesty, twenty Sir." I struggled to get a grip on my uncooperative voice, so close to the most eligible, and powerful man in the kingdom.
He smiled at my hesitation, as he presented me with the goblet of wine. Turning from me to pick at the spread set before him on the table, and taking up his own goblet. My eyes strayed to the rich, red vintage in the golden cup, its sides encrusted in gems. Any of which would have purchased my family a cozy home.
"To boldness." The King made a toast.
I clumsily complied, immediately raising my glass, and almost spilling my wine in my nervousness.
What had I been thinking that night past? Was I simply here, so he could address me for my impudence. I was really beginning to wonder.
"So, Bold Mary."
It seemed that was now my official nickname.
"Tell me more about this girl who dared to meet the eyes of her King."
Oh he had put me on the spot, what was there to say that would not bore him? I was a nobody, with five younger sisters and an infant brother that we had buried last winter. My Father lost himself in his cups at every opportunity, and my Mother did laundry, often rubbing her poor hands raw with her endless work.
I looked at him and didn't rightly know what to say.
He sighed, and chuckled, a small sardonic laugh. His face creased in mirth as he gazed at me with his captivating stare. I needed to say something anything, he was expecting it.
"Well, your Majesty..."