He blinked at the living room.
"Darguni?" Lydia whispered.
"Oh, my love! You're back!"
"Thank you."
"Anything." He hugged her tightly.
"Oh, your mother!"
Darguni bolted up. "Mother!" Gently, he lifted her head. "She used up too much energy I HAVE to get her to the training yard."
"I can walk on my own. We have to help her." Lydia climbed off the couch.
Darguni scooped Elunara into his arms. Together, they made their way to the training yard. Standing on the platform, he held up his mother's body. "EVERYONE! ELUNARA JUST USED UP A MASSIVE STORE OF ENERGY TRYING TO SAVE MY WIFE. PLEASE, HELP HER!" He bellowed. Carefully, he laid her down on the platform.
Soon, everyone in the yard took their turns laying their hands on Elunara's body, offering up a piece of themselves.
"It's always so fascinating to watch how many people offer themselves to her." Lydia blinked.
"Where is she?"
Darguni moved out of the way and let Varian through.
Varian stooped down and ran his fingers through Elunara's hair. Jordan and Grogek held their hands on her from below.
Elunara groaned. "Lydia?"
"You've brought her back, Momma." Darguni laid his hands on her leg.
"Thank you for saving me... again."
"Ah, good. I'm going to just sleep here for a bit." She went back out.
"I'll go get her a pillow." Bradly took off running.
"How are you feeling?" Varian asked quietly.
"Tired." Lydia whimpered. "Just so damned tired."
Varian sighed. "You both may as well be my own children."
"What?"
"I don't repeat myself." He ran his hand down Lydia's back and kissed her head. "All I want is for you to be well. If... If you need me for any reason, I'll be there." Varian stood up and nodded to Darguni. "Take care of her." He marched off.
Darguni and Lydia just stared at Varian's retreating form.
"Did you ever want siblings?"
Anduin blinked. "Father?"
Varian sighed and tapped his fingers. "I missed SO much of your childhood. I just wondered if you wanted siblings."
"Sometimes." Anduin said quietly. "But I knew it was impossible. I didn't have many friends, because I was under lock and key, but it is what it is. Why are you asking this now?"
"Because I've come to accept that Elunara's children are as much my own as anything else. It breaks my heart to know what happened to Lydia." He sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face. "I've watched them grow up, in a way that I barely had with you."
Anduin tapped his fingers on the windowsill. "I understand."
"What?"
"I... understand. I mean, I harbored so much resentment and jealousy towards that woman and her kids... But once I got to know all of them, they became a family to me in a way I can't even explain. I guess I can see them as my siblings." Anduin raked his fingers through his hair. "I would have helped her; if only I knew how."
Darguni sat on the platform, his sleeping mother to his side, his wife curled up in his lap. He sighed and ran his hand down Lydia's back. At least now she was sleeping, and not locked in her own head.
"Should we take her home?" Susan ran a hand on Elunara's hair.
"She needs to be out here, where she can absorb all that people are willing to give her."
"Can I hold the baby?" Lydia mumbled.
"Yes, of course." Susan plucked Tilly out of the stroller and passed her to Lydia.
Lydia smiled. "She helps."
"Does she?"
"I can't explain it." Lydia shook her head. "Maybe I should have my own."