Work Text:
Prompt: defending them against everyone, even when they’re not there to witness it
Author’s Note: Playing with a headcanon I have for after Khadgar returned from Outland.
-o-o-o-o-o-
There was a loud, heavy ‘thud’ that hit Modera’s desk. It pierced the silence like a gunshot. She jumped, her muscles tensed and the arcane crackled at her fingertips. Her eyes shot up and caught sight of Khadgar.
The Archmage had finally moved back to Dalaran. He had to take some time to recover upon returning to Azaroth. Varian was more than happy to have him stay in Stormwind Keep during that time. Things weren’t so simple as crossing over and returning to how things were. Khadgar and those that went with him had years to adapt to Outland’s gravity. Varying amounts of muscle atrophy and having to fight for scraps, leaving many malnourished.
Khadgar was healthier now. He was filling out, and he shaved off that ridiculous beard. Modera suspected it was seeing the statue of himself in Stormwind that might have pushed him into doing so. Khadgar was glaring at her, his jaw set into a grimace. Modera’s eyes flitted down to the book that he had slammed on her table.
It wasn’t all that big. The Kirin Tor did well in guarding their secrets. Modera recognized the cover and the title in a heartbeat. She had a hand in its creation, after all.
“What the hell is this?” Khadgar asked, though he already knew the answer.
“It’s a book.” Modera answered bluntly.
Khadgar’s glare shifted into a look of disappointment. “Modera, really?”
“You walked right into that one--”
“It’s about Medivh, Modera.” Khadgar added, cutting her off. “No, not even that. It’s a strange mockery of him! He wasn’t in league with Sargeras. He was possessed!”
“Khadgar…”
“And him bewitching Garona Halforcen? Hypnotizing her to kill Llane?!” Khadgar paced back and forth. “Him taking advantage of me? That’s only the stuff I can stomach saying right now!”
“Khadgar!” Modera raised her voice. When Khadgar stopped his pacing and looked at her, she continued. “Look, I know things in that book make you angry. I’m sorry. But this is just how it has to be. Medivh was troubled, dangerous--”
“I gave you all a detailed report about what happened!” Khadgar said.
“Which was tainted by your own feelings for him, Khadgar.” Modera pointed out. “It was very obvious that you held very strong 'affections' for him.”
Khadgar’s face grew hot as he flushed a deep red. “That’s...! Yes, I did. I loved him, but--”
“You were too biased. The council couldn’t accept it.” Modera explained.
Khadgar took a moment to recollect himself, taking a breath. “Yes, you’re right, I was biased. But what’s in that book are flat out lies. Whoever wrote that used my report as the bare bones for it and changed things.”
“It’s all for the greater good, Khadgar.” Modera said. “Look, Aegwynn was a loose cannon. She took something that wasn’t hers and wove it into her own child. Medivh wasn’t trained by us like you were, and look what happened.”
“How many times do I have to say this? He was possessed, Modera.” Khadgar ground out.
“How can you be so sure? Just because some deteriorating tower showed you some illusions?” Modera asked. “You have to understand, you might not have been thinking so clearly on matters.”
“Don’t.” Khadgar’s voice was as firm as stone and he pointed an accusing finger at Modera. Until that point, it had been much softer, lighter. Part of it from exhaustion from years of fighting and trying to survive. But Khadgar found that fire once again after reading that damned book. “Don’t you dare try playing that game with me. I’m not that boy from back then. I’ve grown and I can think for myself.” Khadgar took a moment to let the words sink in for Modera. “I knew Medivh, I knew him better and any of you ever could. This has nothing to do with the truth. I know that much. I want to know why this was written. Why drag Medivh’s name through the mud? Hasn’t he suffered enough?”
Modera gave a tired sigh. She leaned back in her chair and broke eye contact as she mulled over what to say. She knew she was being callus, she often had to be. If anyone, given his relationship with the fallen guardian, Khadgar was owed an explanation.
“We needed a villain.” she finally said. “You have to understand about politics, Khadgar. History is written by the winners. Sometimes, you need a villain to help put people at ease. The Council of Tirisfal and the existence of The Guardian are all confidential information.”
“And a system that eventually failed.” Khadgar added, his brow furrowed. There was a feeling in his gut, a growing unease. “So, you made Medivh into a boogieman, is that it?”
“He made for a very good cautionary tale, Khadgar. A hedgemage, someone who flaunted his magic at frivolous things like parties, looking for approval.” Modera said, recalling the meeting held as The Council of Six discussed how to approach the book. “When that wasn’t enough, he was swayed by Sargeras. Using one of his parties as a sacrifice to appease his dark master--”
“That’s enough.” Khadgar growled. “I’ve read it, I don’t need you to repeat it.”
“The point is, Medivh works as a great example for young students on why to follow the rules the Kirin Tor gives them.” Modera said. She could see that Khadgar was not satisfied with that answer. It was all she could give. “Look at it this way. He still serves a purpose, Khadgar. Medivh may be dead, but at least he can make up a little for his failings by providing this final service to us.”
“Modera, that’s disgusting!”
“It’s not that different from how we elevate flawed people into heroes, Khadgar.” Modera countered. “People need examples to live up to or avoid. Anduin Lothar has been mythologized, as were you, after you left through the Dark Portal.”
A chill crawled up Khadgar’s spine. He wasn’t a stranger to people making assumptions about him. He remembered how people used to think he was this incredible, wisened wizard. When in truth, he was really a young man who was way in over his head. Khadgar felt uncomfortable when he saw his own statue in the Valley of Heroes in Stormwind. It felt so wrong. It wasn’t really him; it was the idea of him. A standard that he never could live up to.
“That’s just the nature of heroes and villains, Khadgar.” Modera said. “You just happened to live and see your own legend with your own eyes.”
Khadgar was silent, but Modera knew that look he had on his face. The wheels in his head were turning, trying to work out something.
“Don’t even think about trying to ‘set the record straight’.” she warned him. “Khadgar, you’re a good friend, so I’ll give you this warning: If you try to write anything about this matter, it won’t be published. Dalaran has very strict policies. I need you to let this go.”
Khadgar locked eyes with her, but said nothing. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. In the end, she was right. There was no point in continuing this argument.
“Hold on to your memories of him.” Modera said, there was no malice in her voice. If anything, Khadgar could have sworn he heard a hint of pity. “It’s not a great situation, but take some comfort that at least one person still knows who he really was.”
Khadgar turned around and made his way towards the door and left.
-o-o-o-
Foreword: “Respectfully kiss my staff of power, Modera.”
Khadgar couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at the corner of his mouth. It was petty; he knew that, but he had learned from the best. It was true, there was no chance of this book being published by any printing company in Dalaran. However, if it was one thing that Khadgar had learned from his time with Medivh, it was that there was a much bigger and wider world outside of the city of mages.
Little did Modera know just how many friends Khadgar had made during his lifetime. He knew a few goblins and even some friends in Stormwind that gave him plenty of options.
Khadgar smiled to himself as he wrote. Going over his memories of his time in Karazhan and with Medivh. He recalled how the man was sometimes like a living storm. Other times, he was full of warmth and affection. Khadgar promised himself he would approach his and Medivh’s stories as honestly as possible. Modera was right, Khadgar was here to see his own legend, and he could reject it.
-The End-