How about 7 & 12 for Maiev :)
7. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you like?
Most often, she’s shipped with Illidan. In those fics, she’s usually portrayed as really pushy and snarky, often fighting against her own feelings for him. He, on the other hand, comes off as proud, a bit theatrical, and just as sharp-tongued (with a mischievous streak — including of the sexual kind). Both can be pretty arrogant at times, even toward the people around them. But overall, a lot of authors go for something you could call a “love-hate” relationship. Sometimes there’s actual romance between them (but rarely). Most stories are set around the WoW: Legion, with characters like Khadgar, Velen, and so on showing up.
In general, the fandom tends to see her as somewhat cranky — but still fighting against the forces of evil. It’s also a common view that she’s unfriendly toward Tyrande and Malfurion — and honestly, toward most people outside her Wardens.
Personally, I think most authors manage to keep a perfect balance: Maiev’s dynamic with Illidan doesn’t tip into pure hatred, but it doesn’t go all-in on romance either.
Anyway, it’s a tricky question for me — I’ve mostly read the fanfics I liked, so I can’t say I know the “mainstream” fandom opinion all that well.
I just know she’s not as popular and well received in-game or on Reddit compared to Tyrande, Illidan, Sylvanas, etc. But I don’t really complain about that — everyone’s entitled to their own view, as long as we respect each other’s opinions (agreement isn’t necessary).
Sorry for the long answer :)
12. What's a headcanon you have for this character?
My personal headcanon isn’t all that original. I’ll just outline the differences (or the things that aren’t really stated but that I like to imagine) compared to canon.
Childhood, mother, Elune:
Maiev and her brother were born into an ordinary family. She truly loved her parents, especially her mother, and spent a lot of time with her. Even though her mother wasn’t a priestess of Elune, she often spoke about the goddess — what she was really like, how to pray to her properly, and so on — honestly, even more than what you’d normally hear in the Sisterhood. This helped Maiev rise far within the Sisterhood of Elune and gave her real chances of one day becoming High Priestess.
Relationship with her brother and Illidan:
Maiev loves her brother — but in her own way. She’s not someone who openly expresses feelings or emotions (she’s all about action). During the War of the Ancients she helped him however she could, looked after him, gave him space to let off steam — so that when he was alone with her, he could stop pretending to be strong all the time. She was truly shaken when he disappeared without leaving her a single clue or letter. She searched for centuries across all of Azeroth but never managed to find him. Deep down she blamed herself for his disappearance, but at the same time took out her anger on Illidan — usually through biting remarks (though when she was in a particularly bad mood, it could go as far as torture). When Jarod eventually returned, she was at first quite distant — since she had already mourned him long ago, and there was even a hint of resentment toward him. Eventually (during WoW: Legion), when Jarod saved her from imprisonment, they finally talked about all of it and decided to reconcile and move forward.
Wolfheart:
I don’t like how Maiev was turned into a criminal — not because I see her as inherently “good” and incapable of crimes, but because I find it odd that, after her long hunt for Illidan, she’d suddenly start hunting others. Given that she needed to rebuild her Warden's Order, I don’t think she would’ve had time for those killings. In my opinion, the most ideal take on what I’d have wanted to see in Wolfheart is described in these fanfics:
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
It doesn’t have to be Maiev/Naisha (though I’d really love for Naisha to have survived), but I agree with so many of the author’s points.
WoW: Legion and beyond:
This is where my headcanon basically ends. Or rather — let me not have a firm opinion here and just keep reading and rereading fanfics about her. Of course, the version that appeals to me the most is one where Maiev and Illidan eventually reconcile — and even marry (not in a flashy way, just following simple kaldorei traditions, binding themselves under Elune’s blessing). And eventually Maiev becomes pregnant, and their children are sweet little elves who carry traits of both Maiev and Illidan. And so on, and so forth.
Honestly though, I’m fine with her current state too. And if people ship her with other Azeroth characters, I’m okay with that as long as it has some logic and reasoning behind it. All I really want is for Maiev to be happy — because she’s earned that happiness
