regentlord

[regentlord]

i think a lot about the fact lor'themar, while loyal and unwilling to forget those who offered him and his people friendship, isn't at all aligned with the concept of 'honor' part of the horde defends. ultimately, he is willing to fight dirty and disloyally if it's what it takes, or purely if it benefits the sin'dorei more or ensures they stand to lose less. and i think that's blatantly obvious in some of his interactions, like with sylvanas during the siege of orgrimmar, when he's ready to throw hands at the suggestion of the sin'dorei being raised as undead, but the moment she asks what about the alliance dead tho he's like i'm looking away, you do you girl while other horde members (and i think of the tauren and the orcs) would likely disapprove based on their notions of honor.

i don't think that was always the standard among the elves, but it certainly became the standard after their collective tragedy. honor got them nothing. fighting honorably and dying honorably made no difference at all. i really don't think they hold on to right and wrong as unyieldingly as some of their peers.

[regentlord]

lor'themar would be the best uncle to salandria... liadrin is one of his best friends since forever they've been through everything together, and he'd love her daughter and help look after her and be the coolest uncle actually

[regentlord]

lor'themar was always a bit too dedicated to his work, but pre-fall and post-fall it's very obvious there is a change and he makes his job his life, even after silvermoon is alright

what I'm getting at here is that before, he strikes me as the type to go on dates and be with people intimately even outside of a relationship. after, though, i think the emotional connection would be a lot more necessary for him to be willing to sleep with someone. he became a lot more closed off in every sense, which includes romantic interactions of course. there'd had to be a lot of trust for him to be interested in anything romantic.

which isn't to say he doesn't feel attracted to people without that, only that he's unlikely to ever act on it. and, speaking of attraction, he is bisexual and leans heavily towards men.

[regentlord]

friends and I were talking about a shitty boss and I expressed my surprise to learn he had another job and one of them said 'well it's obviously just bc he has a name bc he doesn't do a good job' with a critique of something he had written and another friend was like 'I'm surprised you actually went through the trouble of reading it' and he replied 'I like to know well what I'm criticizing so i can speak with authority' and honestly lor'themar core

[regentlord]

given the fact that he hates paper work, i bet lor'themar has to be bribed with recesses so any work gets done

[regentlord]

“ 𝐲𝐚 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧' 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧' 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐢𝐧' 𝐲𝐚. ” it was an astute observation, but not without empathy. vol'jin's time in silvermoon had been relatively peaceful; it was a beautiful city. rich hues of crimson, silver, and gold went as far as the eye could see. lor'themar's hospitality had not been thankless, it was the first time in a long while that the warchief had no need to look over his shoulder ― as doubtless, there would be countless elves that had taken their places behind him.

a notion that was both charming and infuriating; charming in its compassion for him and infuriating in that he had to acknowledge his present weakness.

be that as it may, he was in no real rush to return to orgrimmar and the echo isles, regardless of how greatly he loved his home and sanctuary. but he had not yet returned to full strength and it would take some time before it would. it did, however, give him an intimate look at the regent lord's personal affairs and the burden that went along with it. lor'themar appeared deeply unhappy for someone whose city was flourishing and it was not lost on vol'jin as to why that was.

after all, lor'themar never asked for any of this.

“ why don't ya have a seat wit'me, huh? all da fancy stuff can't wait a few minutes, ya people seem to have a good handle on dis place, y'know? ” he meant it, but to comfort him was more than intentional. “ i be a good listener, lor'themar ... why don't ya tell ya ole' friend here what's got'ya so tense? ”

he knew, of course he did. it was one thing to be certain and another to ask. he had spent countless hours in the company of the elf, in caring for him. he paid greater mind to him than he would care to admit. even to himself. vol'jin wanted to help. the bindings of leadership were suffocating and even more so if they were to let them be ... lor'themar more than earned his right to peace and he deserves to know that he does.

— @throned

He does not resent his position, not anymore. There had been a time, when Kael'thas' betrayal was still fresh, that he would often curse the prince for choosing him as regent, for placing upon his shoulders a burden he himself had struggled with. Before that, Lor'themar had ofttimes judged himself unfit for the job. He was not nobility, unprepared to govern, a ranger and not a politician. The simplest reasoning, nevertheless, was the one he held locked tight within his heart: he was, if not the, certainly one of the reasons for all that befell his people. They would not have suffered so if not for his blind trust in one who didn't deserve it. How could he ever be fit to lead?

How could he ever reject that duty, when their prince appointed him as regent? He had accepted it, in no small part as much punishment as it was duty. He subject himself to it, despite his unwillingness, because it was but small suffering in comparison to all he had allowed to happen because of his affection for Dar'khan Drathir. And, with time, he learned to bear the mantle well — even if its weight remained the same throughout the years. It is not as much a punishment now, perhaps, but neither is it easy to bear. He was not made for paperwork and politics; he was made for the forest, for battle, for bleeding in defense of Quel'thalas rather than struggling with all that was required from its leader.

Looking upon his fair city, one may struggle to ascertain what troubles the Regent Lord enough for him to seldom allow himself a moment of rest. His people not only endure but finally, after years of sorrow, start to bloom and thrive. But the work is far from over; there are parts of Quel'thalas still overwhelmed by remnants of the Scourge, patches of land that won't heal. It is the people who are the hardest part, as was constantly the case.

The tension on his shoulders eases slightly at the commentary, expression relaxing in an almost smile. Vol'jin seems capable of seeing through him more easily than most others; or perhaps he is simply more willing to call out the elf for the singleminded focus on his duties, often to detriment of himself. Despite the circumstances that brought him here, Lor'themar is content with his friend's presence, much as he is glad to see him stronger every day. He has no wish to impose, on Vol'jin or any other, used to bearing his burden alone; there is no big reveal to make, no peculiar strenuous circumstance to speak of. Leading has a weight all its own.

"We will see," he says, even as he takes the offered invitation, sitting beside the other. "I'm uncertain Halduron and Rommath are capable of spending five minutes without needing me to look into some issue or another." It is jest, sharp as it may sound; he would trust them both with his life, and indeed with Quel'thalas herself, if need be. Lor'themar leans back against his seat, incapable of containing a sigh. "It is not their fault, truly. It is the nature of our works — a job that is never done."

And that wears on him greatly, though yet he would not seek respite on his own. Someone needs to do it. A tilt of the head, as golden eyes meet the troll; it is the first time in likely days that he allows himself to feel the tiredness that washes over him, in mind more so than body. "Perhaps I am simply as unfit for the role as I always believed was the case. In a single people there is so much to contend with, always..." and how can I rest if even one amongst my own cannot find rest just as easily?

That he does not say, though the thought might be more evident than Lor'themar would have desired. He does not refuse comfort out of unwillingness to receive it from the one who offers it (that there is a pull to accept it is attributed to the ease he feels in Vol'jin's presence; the way the other man is comforting by virtue of his presence alone); yet that, too, is an issue long contended with. No friend had yet convinced him he deserved rest. He thinks of the high elves in Quel'lithien, of the struggle of the Blood Knights in the Dead Scar, of the rangers spread thin to keep their land safe, of those who fell on hard times and sought shelter behind Silvermoon's walls, even without a place to stay; he doubts his peace will ever feel deserved.

"I do not know how you can make it seem so easy, Vol'jin." The admiration in his eyes is all sincere; his lips curl into a half smile. "Even when we at the Horde certainly never make anything easy."

[regentlord]

lor'themar absolutely despises nathanos but he's been doing it since before nathanos died 💛 it has nothing to do with sylvanas (though, as a friend, he thinks she could do better) and everything with nathanos being made a farstrider. and while part of that is prejudice bc nathanos is human (listen....... he hadn't been through his character growth to overcome his prejudices just yet), i think he just absolutely hates someone who is not from quel'thalas at all being made a high ranking farstrider. he doesn't care how skilled nathanos is, he cares he's a lordaeronian and his place isn't with the farstriders

after nathanos dies they just continue being nasty to each other bc they're both too bitchy to let it go

[regentlord]

*switches language to talk shit about you*

[regentlord]

me, being reminded of lor's wedding in canon: bites my hand not to write 10 paragraphs talking about everything i hate about it

[regentlord]

also because i mentioned it in the last post:

i do think he'd establish quel'thalas' leadership to be a council. a representative from each main 'faction' - the farstriders, the blood knights, the mages, a regent elected by the people, common and nobility, who are not part of those other spheres of power

an initial version of this, to put the system into place, would probably have him as regent, halduron, rommath and liadrin as the other leaders. but once it was working as intended, i can see him eventually wanting to step down. they are all in the right positions for that, are already significant part of the sin'dorei leadership, and most of all, they are some of the few people lor'themar trusts entirely which is essential for that, and for him eventually stepping down, because he knows they'll ensure whoever comes next will have the right support and be kept in line

with all quel'thalas suffered as monarchy, i really can't see it going back to that, especially with how adamantly lor doesn't want to be king. a council seems fairer, all the more so if everyone can have a say in their representatives, and it's a means to keep each other in check. there would probably be rules and background checks and bureaucracy to ensure not just anyone would get to a position of power for greed or fucking up the sin'dorei in general, but i don't wanna think about what those would be rn <3

in case he does step down and someone new is elected as regent he'd 100% stick around to help and offer council if the new regent sought it. i honestly think distrustful as he is after suffering so much loss with betrayal, the hardest part of stepping down is letting go and trusting someone else will care just as much for quel'thalas and her people

[regentlord]

"It is the symbol of state," Halduron called after him. "You are the head of state. You should look the part." "I am the regent lord," Lor'themar said, continuing to walk away. "Not the king." "That is not the point, Lor'themar. You look like a Farstrider."

"i'm the regent lord, not the king" and how in this context (pre wotlk) yeah, sure, it hasn't been that long since there was some hope kael'thas would find his way back eventually but now he's dead and the sunstrider line died with him. there is no one to be king. the obvious choice is the appointed regent, but he refuses. lor'themar didn't want to be king. he didn't even want to lead the sin'dorei. and he's both unable to refuse that leadership and to take the step that would make him king. it could be said he's in denial but he also simply doesn't think he's king material. the fall wouldn't have happened if not for his mistakes.

i think he's in such an interesting (to me, terrible to him) position where... kael'thas just showed how badly things could go even under someone who originally had good intentions (and lor'themar never doubts kael did start out meaning well; that, and understanding his burden, are probably the main reasons why he never shows as much anger and resentment towards him as other blood elves) and he feels so unfit to lead politically. give him the military and he'd fulfill the role with ease but this is something else entirely. he hates it. he feels he owes it to his people to endure it, too.

but when i started writing it what i really meant to talk about is: i don't think lor'themar ever wants to be king, and that he never sits easily having that power, but i do think he? comes to embrace it, in a way. he loves his people and he loves his homeland, and he is glad to serve, even if it's not the life he would've chosen. he's certainly more at ease with his role later, even if he still yearns to be in the frontlines more so than what he's tasked with.

and the outfit would be a good way to signal that progress. i do think initially he'd dress more as a farstrider than like the leader of the sin'dorei. it's what he is, how he describes himself — a ranger at heart. the change would be slow, imo. wear red and gold instead of the colors of his former order, since those are the colors of quel'thalas. set the armor and leather aside in occasions that demand it, where he will present himself as the leader of his people. eventually accepting to wear something more akin to what his new model wears, if only in public settings where he is standing as regent lord.

lor'themar will never call himself king. he still doesn't want power, he doesn't want a dynasty of his own, he will probably set up a council to rule quel'thalas rather than picking a successor to his own position. but as years go by i think he comes to accept leadership is a burden, but one he bears gladly, because he loves the things he's standing for - and because he reckons with his guilt, even if he doesn't rid himself of it entirely.

[regentlord]

tell lor'themar that i love him and we deserved more of him roasting garrosh, thank u mel

— @throned

he appreciates the thought but he'd not want to be around garrosh for one single minute more than what's strictly necessary

[regentlord]

with all due respect, which is none,

[regentlord]

Sir ....... did you ....... and Dar'Khan, did you ...... sIR DID YOU AND .... DID YOU??? DID YOU. YOU KNOW. :(

always accepting meta asks !

— @acherys

we will neither confirm nor deny those allegations at this time, the regent lord is taking no more questions today

...

ok let me answer this for real because i have had this thought for years and was always too much of a coward to properly elaborate.

in blood of the highborne, we're introduced to liadrin, gallel and dar'khan having been captured by trolls. lor'themar, also captured, arrives later - and immediately promises he'll find a way to get them all out of there. no one will be left behind. it's all or none. ultimately they escape by uniting forces, and become a group of close friends. liadrin's narration makes it clear though they met in struggle, they went on to share in each other's growth and victories - as well as that, being the only one not advancing professionally, dar'khan started to grow envious and bitter.

my point, though, is that while she notices this, she seems like the only one who does - and not really without reason, I think, because to me lor'themar always read as closer to dar'khan than she was. it makes sense, too - despite their eventual friendship, dar'khan shows disdain for the priests. he is proud, arrogant and constantly placing himself above others from the start, but I suppose that wouldn't be so easy to see to one he may have treated as an equal. and I imagine he did because the farstriders are important, they're quel'thalas' main and nearly only significant military force they have. lor'themar is not only one of them but suggested to be high-ranking. I think dar'khan would've treated lor'themar very differently from the disdain and arrogance he shows to others.

and, well, if he was arrogant and a bitch on occasion, lor'themar can't quite criticize when so is he. they're young when they meet, and certainly more foolish; he'd let a lot slide.

anyway. back to the point: I think between the group itself, there are different dynamics at play. lor and lia are best friends, but he isn't as close to gallel as he is to her. he is most definitely close to dar'khan, though, I just think it's. a different type of close.

I don't think they were ever deeply romantically involved, though I do think the tension existed, maybe even some initial feelings. idk about dar'khan really, idk how much of what he showed all this time would have been real and what would've been fake (and not knowing even after is one of the things that plagues lor'themar the most. some moments are easy, he can remember and think himself foolish for not seeing through him before. but others... others he'll replay over and over in his head, turn around inside out, analyze every pause and each breath and be unable to say whether it was true or false and it'll torment him long after dar'khan is finally gone for good). but I do think lor'themar cared for him deeply, and that there was a romantic interest as well, but he never acted on it, at least not in the sense of truly being in a relationship. they were good friends and he didn't want to threaten to ruin that (lol), and they were also both seemingly very focused on their jobs to bother with serious relationships back then. doesn't mean they never explored each other's bodies carnally but I'm not saying they did either.

the tldr is: I think they were really close, in a way that was particular to them and not about belonging to a friend group. I think the tension existed and lor'themar at one point did have an interest in him as more than friends. I don't think they were ever in an actual relationship in that sense, not in any way either of them would consider it a relationship. and I think their even closer bond is also part of why lor'themar would never in a million years distrust him. they had been close friends for ages. he thought he knew dar'khan, flaws included, and treachery wasn't one of them. he definitely saw more good in him than dar'khan proved to have, be it out of it being what he wanted to see, dar'khan faking it, the homoerotic tension clouding his vision or all previous options.

[regentlord]

this_is_fine.jpg

[regentlord]

[regentlord]

still on that topic, i don't think they ever were friends. lor'themar respected kael'thas as their leader, obviously, and he clearly does not resent him even after all the shit he did (in part, i think, because he understands better than most the struggle they were facing and the desperation in seeking solutions that would allow them to survive. it's not like he doesn't acknowledge kael fucked up bc he was as pissed off as everyone else but, after everything, he doesn't resent him and shows more respect than most would tbh)

halduron and liadrin have been his friends since forever but he wasn't always friends with rommath - that came with time, the more they worked together, but nowadays rommath is one of the few people he trusts completely too.