If Elunara thought the townsfolk were nice before, now they were just smothering. She was certain which ones were just being nosey, and the few that wanted confirmation that the kid wasn't theirs. Other times, she eyed their gifts and food with suspicion. Tulani tried to assure her that this was normal, but normal in Elunara's world involved being shunned and mistrusted. She felt that she hid behind Tulani in these situations.
The townsfolk got together and built a nursery room off the back of the Barracks. Tulani sewed an army of stuffed animals. Elunara drew constantly, and had filled the walls with scenery from nursery rhymes. Tulani took over most of the care of the child, as Elunara was completely at a loss. In fact, she felt a little jealous.
"Let's go for a walk, I cannot sit still today."
Tulani laughed as she replaced a diaper. "You haven't sat still since Ina cleared you to move."
"Here, I want him." Elunara picked Darguni up and laid him on her shoulder. "Come with me."
"Alright, alright. Let me just put this in the basket."
Elunara stood outside. She waved at the people who waved at her. She was still a little unsure about it. Tulani stepped out and closed the door. They threaded their fingers together and started to walk.
"Grogek is supposed to get a new shipment of trainees any day now."
"He'll be happy about that." Tulani smiled and waved at someone.
"He's whipping them into shape faster and faster. He's going to have his own personal army soon."
They had a giggle.
"Well, he is picking his favorites out to stay." Tulani cocked her head to the side. "That's an odd crest."
"What are you tal-" Elunara froze. Her eyes grew wide and she backed up a step.
"Lu? What's wrong?"
"It can't be." She whispered. Her grip tightened on Darguni and she turned to run, but Grogek was behind her.
"I was look.... What's wrong?"
Elunara stared at Grogek as if not seeing him. She wrapped her arms around the baby and looked as if she would flee.
Tulani pointed. "That set her off."
He looked up. His eyes narrowed. "That is the banner of her homeland." Grogek scooped Elunara up. She began to struggle, but when Darguni began to cry, she focused on comforting him.
"Why are you taking me there?" She whispered as a tear streamed down her face.
"We have been summoned. I think it's time you faced this."
Tulani ran along behind. "We'll be here for you. Whatever "this" is."
Grogek deposited her at the door to General Renwa's office. "Now, are you going to FIGHT, my little she-wolf, or are you going to cry?"
Tulani ran a hand down Elunara's hair. "I can take him if you want."
Elunara let out a shaky breath. "No. No, I want to keep him. He... he helps."
Grogek shoved the door open and the three of them made their way inside. The woman standing in front of Renwa's desk looked back and her eyes grew wide. She looked back and forth between the three faces and her gaze rested on the child. She turned back to Renwa.
"Is this some kind of JOKE?"
"Commander Grogek is a respected officer of my company. Elunara is a valuable mission specialist and Tulani is a gifted tailor and healer. This is no joke; in fact, I believe you needed to see them as they are; a family." Renwa nodded to Grogek. "This is Tyrande Whisperwind, current leader of the Night Elves."
"And my mother." Elunara added.
Both Grogek and Tulani gawked at Elunara.
"I see she failed to mention that part to any of you." Tyrande glared.
Though she knew she was perfectly still, she could feel the shaking deep in her chest. Darguni began to whimper and she turned her attention to him. "Hush, hush, my sweetness. Don't cry. I'm ok." She rubbed her cheek against the baby's head.
"That thing is YOURS?"
Elunara glared back. "He is not a thing. He is Darguni and he is our baby."
Tyrande covered her face with her hand. "You can't do ANYTHING normal CAN you?"
She handed the baby to Grogek and propped her fists on her hips. "What is normal, mother? Fucking the same Night Elf, until I get bored and find me a second Night Elf? Maybe pop you out a pure blood heir ever so often? That was never my life, mother. I never wanted that."
"No, you just wanted to let any lesser who wanted a touch, have a touch! Then what did you DO? You spit in the face of everything that we are!"
"Says the woman who beds herself with an amalgamation of ANIMALS!"
"He is a noble druid and he is frozen in that form, it is not his fault!"
"Like you care about whose FAULT anything is!"
Renwa came around the desk and put himself in the center. "STOP IT, BOTH OF YOU!" He roared.
"You bed yourself with an Orc." Tyrande scoffed.
"And a Draenei, and a Human, and whatever else agrees."
"I said stop." Renwa growled. "I did not bring you in here to fight like angry cats."
"Why did you bring us here?" Grogek handed Darguni to Tulani.
"Mostly, I wanted to show you as a family. But, Tyrine has apparently been very influential back in Darnassus, and claims Elunara should be tried for treason."
"That worthless bimbo." Elunara smacked her forehead.
"Regardless of what she said, Grogek has been training our troops for well over a year and has helped us make amazing progress here in Draenor. Elunara, much to her regret hasn't been on a mission since she brought Grogek to us. I can even make the argument that Mylune almost ruined the mission that brought Grogek to us. Elunara had the tenuous position of trying to work Grommash to our advantage. Whatever transpired between her and the errant rogue, helped to cement her hold on the fortress, giving us detailed information we otherwise would not have had. If you care to read through the mission reports, I'd be glad to hand them over."
"Oh, and because you didn't ask..." Elunara took Darguni back. "Grogek is my husband; we had a ceremony and everything. Tulani is... somewhere between my wife and my girlfriend?" She shrugged. "We haven't figured that ceremony out yet."
Tyrande's mouth dropped open, and Renwa smacked his forehead. "What is WRONG with you?" He groaned.
"What?" Elunara shrugged. "She should know how MY FAMILY works."
Tulani stiffed a giggle.
Elunara jerked her thumb at Tulani. "See? ONE person is used to me by now."
Grogek dropped a hand on her shoulder and kissed the back of her head. "That's my vicious little she wolf."
"Ok, two." Elunara rubbed her hand on the baby's back.
"What is wrong with you, she asks." Tulani continued to fight giggles. "I contend, what is wrong with everyone else?"
"Well, hell, you were in the ceremony, does that count or should we do a new one?" Elunara cocked her head.