Chapter Text
The first of many Noblegarden balls rang in the season of spring. With all of the visiting families, equally wealthy and aristocratic alike, the Great Hall once again honored its name by accommodating everybody without causing feelings of claustrophobia.
Among the throngs of people - dancing, drinking and conversing - Anduin had, strangely enough, found a moment of privacy...basically, it was the first five minutes of the evening, where nobody bothered him, but he knew a thing or two about gift horses. So, he allowed his eyes to roam around the room, taking in the scenery.
The royal couple was moving effortlessly across the dancefloor, looking more at ease than in any of the previous weeks since Varian's birthday. Times were dire, yet events such as this offered them small escapes from reality.
Spotting the crown prince among the crowd proved to be more difficult due to his size, nonetheless, Anduin knew that Callan had agreed to shadow his cousin tonight. And what kind of father would he be, if he weren't able to discern the back of his son's head from anybody else's? It was also helpful that Callan, like all men of their line, was a bit taller than average. He eventually caught sight of his son near the far end of the hall, where the sitting area and some board games had been put up.
He chuckled. Of course, Varian would find a poor victim to play chess with him. According to Llane, the boy had gotten much better at it since Khadgar had bestowed the most amazing enchanted chessboard on Varian as a birthday gift on him.
Looking over the sea of heads, Anduin found that Medivh wasn't as easy to spot when he didn't bother bringing his staff along, but he would notice his lover’s laughter anywhere. He would deny it, but seeing Medivh at ease, laughing and bantering with some of their guests did a little stupid something with his heart. He was happy. They were happy. Together. No more loneliness for either of them and it was all thanks to a stubborn, recalcitrant, scraggly bearded teenager who had become an inherent part of Anduin’s life.
Now where is the boy when he’s not with Med?
Khadgar was not too fond of crowds, but he was slowly - aggravatingly slowly - growing accustomed to them. In the beginning of their new living arrangements at Stormwind Keep, the boy had always managed to silently excuse himself from any sort of festivities.
Alas, as weeks had turned into months and months into nearly a year, Khadgar would now at least tolerate the pressure these social events put on him for a little longer than before. And it wasn’t that the boy was stupid or didn’t know how to hold his own in a conversation - he would even argue with the king just to get a certain point across, very entertaining to watch - he was just socially awkward.
The Kirin Tor had not done anything to prepare their students for small talk or striking up a conversation that didn’t concern the chemical composition of mountain crystals and their usage. To this day, Khadgar had not set foot on the dancefloor once and judging by the fact that he threatened to sheep - or worse - anybody daring to force him, it wouldn’t happen anytime soon, either. Anduin wasn’t too keen on finding out what or worse meant, yet he was confident that given time, and perhaps a proper teacher for social graces, things would work out. They had to work out because, even though Khadgar was nervous around people, people weren’t nervous around him. Especially not...
Anduin chuckled lightly when he spotted the boy surrounded by several young ladies, who were probably around Khadgar’s age. He was talking animatedly to them, using his hands to most likely illustrate the function of a spell or the meaning of a rune. The girls were looking eagerly at him. Their spell-chucker was definitely also a spellbinder.
Khadgar was good with girls, Anduin noticed out of the blue, at least better than most boys his age. The kid did not fear the female gender, he was polite and respectful towards the young ladies looking to converse with him...or, judging by the looks of it, more often than not to dally. A visiting lady was literally pushing her cleavage at him, yet the boy did not even seem to notice. He wasn't dense. Khadgar was highly perceptive, he must be noticing, right?
Now, he had to admit, while Khadgar was good with girls, the kid seemed to have no idea about making a move. Anduin was pretty sure that, if the young mage ever were to be physical with one of the ladies at court, or any other lady for that matter, he would know of it within the hour. Word travelled fast and gossip even faster. If the orcish invasion had been of any social relevance, they would have awaited the foreigners with their entire army the moment they stepped onto the soil of Black Morass.
Perhaps the boy just needed a bit of assistance. After all, the Kirin Tor were not known for appreciating romance among their kind. They even forbade it. It wasn't forbidden in Stormwind, though, and Khadgar had renounced his vows.
Contemplating the situation, he didn't strike Anduin as a prude by any means. Yes, the boy showed some discomfort with changing in front of others - the road did not always allow for privacy - but most people outside the military did that as well.
Maybe he should give him some hints as to what to do. The boy just wasn't familiar with the rules of this game, yet. First Dalaran, then Karazhan and now Stormwind? The royal court of Azeroth at that? Anduin should give him a proper introduction, lay out the ground rules, explain the do’s and dont’s. Show him the ropes, so to speak. Perhaps the boy just thought it inappropriate, if he engaged with somebody or perhaps inexperience prohibited him from enjoying himself a little. And the kid deserved some joy in his life. A bit of relaxation at the hands of a woman could be just right for him.
He wasn't hard on the eye, either. Sure, he had indulged a little over the past few months which he had spent at court, but he was 17 and he would outgrow the bit of extra weight soon enough. Of course, Taria would also have to stop sending delectable goodies into the library. Maybe that was it? Khadgar had displayed self-consciousness before, but again, he was merely 17. Thrown into a war, thrown into a royal court, with responsibilities weighing on his shoulders that would break any lesser man. A bit of training and less pastries courtesy of the queen ought to do the trick quickly. Maybe even bring some muscle to show, if that would make him more comfortable.
“Is there a reason for you to be eying my apprentice like that?” Medivh still took great pleasure in appearing out of thin air to simply startle people, it seemed, nonetheless Anduin was used to his mage’s antics by now.
“He's good with girls,” he stated off-handedly while nodding into Khadgar’s direction.
“Of course, he is,” Medivh’s eyes shone fondly, as they tended to do whenever someone noticed his apprentice’s talents, “he possesses a natural charm that attracts other people. He may not have the slightest idea how to use it, but he’s still smart and eloquent. It is not always about brute strength and flashing your achievements at the fairer gender, love. Some people actually appreciate an intelligent conversation. I most certainly do.” He nipped innocently at his drink, while Anduin settled on glaring at him.
“What I meant,” and he knew that his partner was joking, but he still gritted his teeth, “was that he's good with girls, yet he never shows any interest beyond conversation. A conversation they usually strike up.”
“So? The maidens’ mothers don’t find anything wrong with that.”
“Come on, Med,” he exhaled audibly, “he’s young. He has to be curious, right? He has got to have needs like the rest of us.”
Medivh merely rolled his eyes. “Maybe he's just more in control of his needs as you like to put it. The Kirin Tor are strict in their ways.”
“But he renounced his vows.”
Now, Anduin received a look that had surely been meant for a petulant child. “Has it occurred to you that seeking the satisfaction of lesser physical desires may have nothing to do with his decision to leave Dalaran?”
“So, he doesn't want to? I don't believe that. I should talk to him.” Anduin didn’t like to admit how much the boy had grown onto him, but even Callan had joked that he wouldn’t mind him as an official little brother. That had been followed by an argument between the boys because, obviously, Callan was only two years older (Khadgar) while Khadgar hadn’t really realized that two years equalled so much more knowledge and experience (Callan). Callan had ended up as a rooster, since he had been unheeding when having wrestled Khadgar to the ground and forgotten to cover the mage’s mouth. Boys.
“Do as you wish, just don't pressure him into activities he’s not comfortable with,” Medivh sent him a warning look that vanished in a split-second as they were approached by the Earl of Brightwood and his currently favored beau.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hours later, when Anduin was finally able to detach himself from a tiring conversation about some lord’s great skill in basket weaving, he immediately sought out one of the smaller balconies adjacent to the Great Hall. To his surprise, the platform was already occupied by a certain young mage.
“Of course, you would be here,” he smiled at the boy. It was way past midnight and Khadgar had perfected escaping festivities from balconies.
“Just getting some fresh air,” the boy shrugged, casually leaning against the balustrade. He looked worn. The amount of social interaction had obviously been stressful for him. Ah, that reminded Anduin…
“Some fresh air, huh? I guess you need that after the ladies doused you in wafts of their perfumes,” he joked a little to breach the subject. That way Khadgar ought to know that this wasn’t a lecture.
Khadgar frowned at him, wrinkling his nose. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Of course, the kid would pick now to be thick. “Nothing, I just noticed that you had acquired a bit of company earlier.”
“Yeah, some people were talking to me. It’s been awhile since there were mages attending court. A few of them mentioned family members studying in Dalaran,” he made an offhand gesture, “they were curious about me, I guess.”
“Well, yes, the young ladies looked pretty interested,” he took a deep gulp of his wine, allowing the dry liquid to burn on his tongue before throwing subtlety into the wind, “and how about you? Aren't you curious about any of them?” Perhaps he had had one too many drinks already.
He received another frown, but then, he was able to see realization settling into Khadgar’s mind. A pink blush began to spread from the boy’s pale cheeks over his entire face.
Great, Anduin cursed inwardly, he hadn't meant for that to happen. Especially not in a place where they could be disturbed any minute by some clueless guest. He wanted to offer the kid encouragement, not embarrassment.
“That's not really any of your business, Lothar,” Khadgar mumbled awkwardly to the ground, refusing to look up and meet the man’s eye.
“I know, I know,” Anduin jumped at the opportunity to do damage control, “you're old enough to make decisions on your own. Buuuuut,” and while stretching the word, he glanced around to make sure that nobody accidentally overheard their conversation, “if you decided that you wanted to…”
“Lothar!” Khadgar interrupted him, his head now an alarmingly crimson color. “I really don't want your advice on matters that are absolutely not your concern.”
He should have stopped drinking after the fifth glass. Definitely after the sixth. How many glasses of wine had he emptied already? Because he opened his big mouth yet again. “Alright,” he raised his hands placably, “I just wanted to make sure that…”
“Anduin?” The queen stepped onto the landing. “Ah, there you are, I,” upon noticing Khadgar, worry washed over her features, “is everything alright?”
Khadgar appeared ready to melt into the floor. There was certainly enough heat coloring his face to make that happen. Oh, the poor boy. He hadn’t meant for this to happen, he swore.
“Yes, it's all good,” he quickly put himself between her and the boy, shielding him from her view, “we were just talking a bit.”
“About what?” Taria crossed her arms, fixing him with a stern glare only a mother could muster. She was protective of the young mage and his unnatural face color definitely intrigued her.
“The commander was so kind as to enlighten me about proper court etiquette, Your Royal Highness,” Khadgar's voice was steady enough despite his obvious discomfort with the situation, “I’m still not too familiar with all the customs at court, You see.”
Anduin thanked the Light that the boy could think on his feet and fast. Telling his sister about their actual topic wouldn't have been...he didn’t want to dwell too much on that thought. Her son was 10, so she probably had about a year or two left before having to worry about strange new feelings and amorous excursions.
“You explain court etiquette?” Her elegant brows nearly met her hairline.
Pretending offense, Anduin squared his jaw. “I have been a member of this court longer than you,” he countered, hopefully diverting her attention from the boy to himself.
“Brother, you are but a year older than me.”
“That's an entire year of more experience,” he proclaimed, knowing fully well that she would not accept their marginal difference in age as a reasonable argument. Oh, curse their late father for having remarried immediately after Anduin's mother had died in childbed.
Age had never worked as an argument with Taria.
“The king has requested your presence. Several lords wish to learn more about the Dwarven boomsticks,” her tone inclined that this discussion was far from over, yet she could not let the king, let alone potential allies, wait for too long.
Anduin accepted the Light’s grace on his presence.
“I shouldn't let them wait then,” he was aware of the fact that he shouldn't grin, however he still did. His sister had only become queen to torment him, mark his words.
“Come on, spell-chucker,” he put an arm around the kid’s shoulders and pushed him past his sister. His features were a far more normal color now. A bit too pale maybe. Again, they would have to discuss leaving his beloved library at one point in the future to greet the outside world and the sun. “Let's introduce you to some really boring people.”
He ignored the pointed look his sister directed at his back as she followed them with regal composure.
Anduin wouldn't leave the kid to be interrogated by Taria of all people.
Girls were one thing. Sisters, mothers and queens another.