Chapter One

"Do you see any Silverleaf growing anywhere?"

"How am I supposed to know what Silverleaf looks like?" asked Thylfrae, throwing an exasperated look in Eaenna's direction.

"It's a small, silver coloured leaf. You usually get it near trees," responded Eaenna. "Ah, found it."

She reached down to the tiny plant, taking the bright leaves in her fingers. Snipping off the stem, she carefully placed the flower into her basket.

"Why do you even need this plant, again?" inquired Thylfrae, once more, stretching her back as she watched Eaenna. They had been walking for hours now.

"It'll look nice in the living room, don't you think?" she responded, presenting Thylfrae with the basket.

"What was wrong with the Earthroot that I picked out for you last week?"

"Oh, um," suddenly Eaenna looked away. "It, um, died."

Before Thylfrae could question any further, however, Eaenna continued on with her list.

"Silverleaf, done. We just need some Mageroyal, then we'll be finished."

"Thank Elune," murmured Thylfrae.

"What was that?" Eaenna asked, already walking away.

"Nothing," said Thylfrae, hiding a smile.

Eaenna led them to a small clearing. The dark, green trees suddenly faded to bright oranges and yellows. It was strange how every part of the forest looked so different. As Eaenna busied herself with a small, purple-coloured plant, Thylfrae felt herself watching the edge of the clearing. She could have sworn she saw a shadow there only a few seconds ago.

"Eaenna, maybe we should get back to the path," whispered Thylfrae, grasping her bow from behind her head.

"Relax, Thylfrae. We're far from Gnarlpine Hold."

"It's not gnarlpines I'm worried about."

"Stay there, I'm almost done," Eaenna responded.

"Eaenna, I really don't think-"

Suddenly, from the edge of the clearing, a group of duskstalkers sprang towards them, claws and fangs bared.

"Shit," mumbled Thylfrae, already readying an arrow into the bow's shaft. She hit one in the eye and another in the leg, before turning towards Eaenna. She had her arms raised, blue sparks flying from her fingers. Her face had a look of panic.

Thylfrae ran towards her, shooting another arrow into a duskstalker's mouth.

"What are duskstalkers doing here?" Thylfrae muttered questioningly to herself.

"I can't fight them," cried Eaenna, her voice now shaking. Her face was already dripping with sweat.

"Come on," said Thylfrae, grabbing Eaenna by the arm. "We need to go. Now."

Eaenna stumbled before she fully anticipated what was being asked of her. The tug on her arm cut her off from her hesitation and she followed after Thylfrae, abandoning all hope of succeeding in her magic.

Northbound they headed, past Lake Al'Ameth, in hope of outrunning the approaching duskstalkers. Two of the felines pursued them from behind, another - smaller yet faster than the others - raced ahead, closing in on them from the side.

They raced, hope and determination coursing through Thylfrae's veins, fear and panic in Eaenna's. As the small town of Dolanaar came into sight, Thylfrae braced herself and turned to face the wild beasts. As one pounced towards her, she released her grip on Eaenna, let out a cry and shot an arrow at it's stomach. Dismissing a rain of blood falling down on her face, she released another arrow, and another, and another, until there was all but one duskstalker left. It was the small one that had diverged from the others earlier.

"Eaenna," panted Thylfrae, lowering her bow, coming to a stop. "You've got this."

"No, I haven't, Thyl-"

"You have," cut off Thylfrae.

Eaenna stood still and raised her hands again. The duskstalker glared at her, teeth bared as if in a smirk. She tried to focus. A bright blue spark burst from her fingers, making her jump. The feline was closing in on her, growling. Snarling. Challenging her to fight it.

She attempted once more to perform a spell. The yellow eyes of the advancing predator caused chills to run through her body, disrupting her thinking thoughts and causing her spell to once again fail. An arrow whizzing past and into the cat's face caused Eaenna to cry out in shock, before Thylfrae once more grabbed her by the hand and pulled her along.

"I can't believe you made us go back just to skin these cats," moaned Eaenna.

"I take my leatherworking as seriously as you take your herbalism. Which is very."

"But it's… unpleasant," muttered Eaenna.

"And you think hiking around the whole of Teldrassil for some stupid flower is extremely pleasant?" Thylfrae snapped.

Hurt appeared on Eaenna's face, and Thylfrae felt a pang of guilt.

"Look, I'm sorry. I know you're trying. But Eaenna…" She trailed off, before returning to skinning the cat.

"But what?"

"Nothing."

"Thylfrae, I know I'm… struggling… to advance in my magic, but-"

"You're getting better every day, Eaenna. Just… keep practising."

Eaenna scoffed. "Yeah, like that'll help. It's hopeless. We might as well face it now: I'm never going to be a good mage."

"Don't talk like that. Come on, I think that's the last of them," Thylfrae stated as she got up. Her hands were covered in blood, and she held them up to Eaenna, smiling like a child. Eaenna gave her a look of disgust, and began to back away cautiously from the night elf.

"Don't you dare."

Laughing, Thylfrae ran towards her, hands outstretched.

"Come give me a hug, Eaenny," Thylfrae chirruped, ignoring Eaenna's retorts. "Please. I need a hug."

Enveloping Eaenna in a hug, she laughed childishly.

"Get off me, you idiot," cried Eaenna, but Thylfrae could see her laughing as well. She let her go nonetheless.

"Come on, we need to get back," Eaenna sighed, defeated.

They began following the road northwest, back to Darnassus. It was a familiar road. Thylfrae and Eaenna would follow it almost every day. If it were not for Eaenna's herbalism needs, then it was for Thylfrae's desire to go out hunting and skinning. Other times they would merely be out for a stroll. Often, they would go for a trip to Dolanaar - to improve their professions - or to Shadowglen, where Eaenna would admire the great tree Aldrassil, whilst Thylfrae would take the opportunity to sharpen up her hunting skills with the local wildlife.

They came across a deep ravine beside the road, a sight Thylfrae was well acquainted with - Ban'ethil Hollow. It was wise to keep an eye out when passing by here. Ambush by the hostile furbolgs living within the hollow was a common thing. Thylfrae kept a close eye on Eaenna, assuring that she kept on the opposite side of the road from the ravine.

She recalled the one time when she had not been so precarious, which resulted in Eaenna having to be taken to the Dolanaar inn to rest.

Eaenna's lack in magic didn't as much bother Thylfrae as it did make her worry. She cared for her friend deeply, even if she was a bit harsh on her at time, yet if a time came for them to be separated, she could only hope that she had enough skills to handle herself in any issue.

"Be careful, Eaenna," urged Thylfrae as they walked by Ban'ethil Hollow.

"I swear to Mother Moon, Thylfrae… stop being so protective!" snapped Eaenna, as she shrugged off the hand Thylfrae had, out of instinct, placed on her shoulder.

"Sorry," responded Thylfrae, whilst a smirk appeared on her lips. Eaenna saw her, and slapped her on the shoulder.

"Ow," she mumbled, a pout appearing on her lips. They had by now passed furbolg territory and were approaching the entrance to Darnassus.

Thylfrae sighed as she took out her bow, checking it for any fractures. Her feet ached, but her pride would never allow her to admit it. As they drew nearer to the tall, stone steps, they each nodded respectively to the Ancient of War standing by. Regarding both Thylfrae and Eaenna, the large, tree-like creature grunted in response. Thylfrae was filled with a sense of curiosity whenever she passed the nature elementals, as if they always knew something she didn't.

As they walked past the steps and south, onto a small path winding through to the Tradesmen's Terrace, a feeling of home filled Thylfrae. The last nine years of living here caused her to form a strong love for Darnassus, as if she had lived there all her life. It was always nice returning after a long day.

As always, the city was in full spring. Sentinels prowling around on their sabres, wisps flying around trees, the distant chatter amongst night elves - friends gossiping and chatting, merchants selling their finest goods - and the occasional hippogryph passing by overhead.

Their house was but a small walk away from the city's entrance.

"Here we are," said Thylfrae, pushing open the door and letting Eaenna pass through before walking inside. Their home wasn't big, but it was enough for the both of them. A small table, along with two wooden stools stood to the left side of the main room. A single mirror hung over a wooden dresser just on the opposite side of the room from the table.

Eaenna placed her basket of flowers onto the table, reaching into it and setting the collection of flowers into a delicate vase. Thylfrae walked to the dresser, setting her bow on top. Looking at herself in the mirror, she let out a groan. Her hair had come out of her usual half up-half down hairstyle, leaving her hair a mess. She let out the the clasp that had hardly served it's purpose and began to tie her green locks into a tighter half updo at the back of her head. Her mother had always worn her hair like this. In a way, it was tradition - a way to remember her.

She had her mother's hair, and the bright, silver eyes were hers too. The pale skin and bold lips, however, were just like her father's. Her face was splattered with dry blood, and yet her green facial markings still shone through effortlessly.

Through the mirror, she could see Eaenna attempting to make her flower arrangement perfect in the clear vase. Eaenna's features were far more elegant compared to her own. The few scars on her face contrasted against Eaenna's flawless skin. Her aquamarine curls differed immensely from Thylfrae's straight, almost emerald-coloured hair. Their skin colours were almost alike, except that Eaenna's was just a slightly more lavender colour than Thylfrae's.

But Thylfrae wasn't jealous of Eaenna. She simply admired her for her beauty. Just as Eaenna admired Thylfrae for her skills in hunting.

"Perfect," whispered Eaenna, her eyes glazing over as she admired her handy work. Thylfrae sighed, and turned around to look at her.

"What's the point of flowers in the house, anyway?"

"They're beautiful. They make the house seem more alive."

"Maybe for a week or so. They'll be dead by then."

"It is the beauty and quality of life that matters, not the length."

Thylfrae rolled her eyes.

"I'm going to my room. Efedris should be awake by now."

"Why don't you let that owl go outside more?" asked Eaenna, still not looking away from her flowers.

"He's resting," responded Thylfrae, "from yesterday's hunt." Her eyes lit up as she recalled the victory of the day before. The bounty had been glorious.

"Does he have enough to eat?"

"I think so-"

Thylfrae was interrupted by a knock on the front door. Eaenna looked up at Thylfrae questionly, who only returned the look.