Variations on a theme of Lireesa pt1
Sylvaina adjacent cos we are in the universe where Jaina has PPD
Lireesa is alive and known as the Commander General and is retired
Silvermoon stands
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To describe the relationship between the Warchief and Windrunner matriarch as ‘complicated’ would be an understatement if there ever was one. Though by and large, Sylvanas held a deep love and respect for her mother; there remained a festering seed of resentment. Still, she gave the once-Ranger General the respect that was due, but when news had spread that she would be wed to the Lord Admiral —
Well. Mothers and daughters and all that.
Lireesa Windrunner was many things, but Sylvanas would know her mother most as the woman who would smother you to death if given the chance.
“Minn’da, really,” she said mildly, when Aeryn had come into the world and the Commander-General had all but commandeered the babe. “She needs to sleep. Don’t jostle her too much or she’ll ruin your clothes.”
Lireesa had simply clicked her tongue, eyes only for her newest grandchild. She cooed and cradled Aeryn close, stroking a finger over the little one’s flushed pink cheeks and wrinkled nose. “Anar’alah Belore, Sylvanas. She’s a beauty.”
Sylvanas’ reply was pinched, though it came with the same drawling wit. “You’ll thank your daughter-in-law for that. Though I can imagine that the Lord Admiral would rather you didn’t.”
The tensions around Jaina’s indifference to their newborn child was certainly a source of contention to all; each council meeting drew into a mass of opinions and suggestions around childcare, and more so the ways Sylvanas had somehow caused the disconnect.
“Turn your face and your ears away from them,” Lireesa said. Lordaeron was fast becoming a second home now. “You’ve lived a lifetime of such simpleminded folk. Leave the rabble to their chatter; your little one is your own concern.”
It seemed endless. Nights of Aeryn’s cries unheeded by her wife, of slipping in on soundless feet to gather their hungry child to feed. Of the hushed, angry words hissed through the walls as Jaina commanded the nurses to collect their daughter whenever possible.
Though she needed no sleep, no rest of the mortal soul, the weight bore down on Sylvanas like stone crumbling beneath the waves.
As she had done many times before; Lireesa came. “You should come home to Silvermoon for a time,” she urged, gathering Aeryn into her arms. She tucked the baby’s face against her neck, swaying in place as she regarded Sylvanas seriously. “You’ve been away too long. Arator and the twins haven’t met their cousin.”
“It is a thought I’ve considered, though it is easier said than done,” Sylvanas sighed. She sat back in her seat, pinching the ridge of her brow wearily. “Proudmoore will hear nothing of it, and the council will froth at the mouth at the chance to accuse me of abducting our child.”
Lireesa made an inelegant snort; the gold of her eyepatch glinting as she turned towards the open balcony door. “I’ve seen greenlings with more hair on their balls than the Wrynn boy and his dog. Greymane will sooner shit himself before he dares to accuse you in my presence.”
“You have no need to coddle me, Minn’da,” Sylvanas growled. “No doubt, they think me spineless already for how much I allow Proudmoore to dictate in our marriage.”
“Then it’s settled,” Lireesa said, brushing her lips gently along Aeryn’s ear. The baby snuffled softly, ears trembling at the sensation before snuggling in closer. “We will leave for Silvermoon today. With or without your wife.”
