Through the eyes of a young girl, the world seemed boring and no adventure. She had hoped upon becoming 19 she'd finally be able to leave her homeland and venture out, like everyone before her. Her older sibling left recently to attend to matters with the King, but haven't heard from him since. She assumed once you left, there was no turning back and you were to forget about everyone and everything. All she'd overhear in conversations were "Bloody animals", or "Nothing but death can come to those who enter". No idea of what they were talking about. Wanting somewhat of a journey, she'd go out in the local woods daily and practice her targeting. A well-trained rogue, to be, but for what purpose, she wasn't allowed to leave her village. Skills being wasted protecting such a tiny town. Though, there would be strangers every now and then that obviously were not of their kind. Such different kinds of people. But the most she found fascinating was the ones that looked particularily like them, but not so much. Light, peach colored skin and glowing green eyes. She'd hide amongst the bushes and watch them. Once she had attempted to talk to one. They only glanced at her and left, not responding or even acknowledging her.
Some time had past and the villagers thought that she was finally over her obsession of thrills. But, one day, while she out doing her daily practice, the town had been invaded and everything was left in ruin. Making her way to the village, she hid and took a peek at what was going on. Sure enough, the same people from before had just massacred the entire town. Flames were wild among the houses and trees, people half-dead begging for help or mercy, and the murderers laughing at the blood and tears being spilt. The girl didn't know what to think or do. The first thing that came to her mind was run, but at the same time she wanted to reveal herself and avenge the townspeople. Not being able to come up with a decent enough plan she decided to flee. Grabbing the closest mount she could find, she ran out of the town and into the wild.
With no ideas of to where she was going, she stopped at a nearby village to ask for directions. But there too, had been annihilated. Tears welled up in her eyes again. Seeing dead allies everywhere on the ground. Blood splattered all over the place. Why, she wondered.
Finally finding her way to the capital, Darnassus, she made her way to the ship to Stormwind. There she would find new people and hopefully an adventure.
As she boarded the boat, a man, that resembled the strangers boarded as well. He stood on the farthest corner from her and just stared at her. Blushing, she shyly waved to him and said hi. His expression looked confused at first, but smiled and politely said hello back. She had noticed the emblem on his cloak was different from hers. Slowly, she approached him.
"I...hate to be a bother, but I notice that your symbol is different from mine. May I ask where you're from...?" she asked, quietly, yet meek. He smirked and pointed at the emblem, she nodded and had blushed a little brighter.
"You must be well sheltered if you do not know where I'm from. I'm of the Horde, a Blood Elf. You're a Night Elf, I presume?" his voice was very silky and soft. Charming, she thought.
"I-I am. The Horde? You mean our enemies?" her tone became a little shaky and she backed up a little.
"Yes, exactly. Are you afraid of me?" he stepped closer to her.
"...n-no... I'm not."
"BOO!"
She screamed, startled at his sudden action and crouched down, stealthing. Looking up to see his response, he was twirling around trying to find where she'd disappeared to.
"Sorry if I scared you, it was just a harmless joke. It's okay to come out," he didn't look to concerned about her disappearance, but just to make sure she had hid behind a few crates.
"If it's alright with you, I think I'll just remain here. But please, tell me why you're here," she was trying to act brave.
"If it's any consolation, I did not kill any of your people. But, please, come out of hiding it makes me a little nervous."
Moving just a little, she revealed herself and gave him a shy look.
"I apologize, I've never left the village and I've been looking for some adventure for awhile, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon. Are you all as intimidating?" she giggled quietly. His face brightened a little to see that she was now visible and not running or attacking him like most Alliance would do.
"Well, not most of us. Some actually look pretty scary. There are more of us, if you'd like to know more, of course. Don't wish to scare you again." She nodded happily and sat on the edge of the boat near him, listening intently. "Hm, well, there's us. Blood Elves, not the most liked bunch, but still the best looking. Then there's the Orcs, hellish ugly things. Along with Trolls and Taurens. Trolls, I'm sure you've seen in books, but the Taurens, well, let's say they're like cows. Just big and can talk." He let out a small laugh. "And that leaves the Undead, yes, they are pretty much Zombies. I'm sure you've seen some of those kinds of movies. Luckily for you, they won't eat your brain." Her face was covered in complete interest and shock. She finally found out something useful and interesting. Other then the ridiculous children books she was made to read. She had quite a few questions and little time, the boat was almost at Stormwind. He noticed her hesitation and disappointment.
"No worries, there is plenty time for more questions later. I know I won't get a pleasant hello when we reach your city. If you ever want to know more, just come over to the Barrens, near Rachet, I'll be there. I spend most of my time...uh...nevermind. Just come on by," a sincere smile appeared across his face and he patted her on the head. As the boat docked and he had mounted onto his beautiful horse, she quickly called out to him.
"My... My name's Lenoria. What's yours?"
"Rai, and don't worry. I'll be fine, just make sure you stay safe, as well," his smirk was the last she saw as he ran down the dock, guards chasing him out. She smiled and waved goodbye, even though he probably couldn't see her now.
Now that she had left the village, met a Blood Elf and learned more of them, and made it to Stormwind, what was there to do now? Should she try her hand at fighting some monsters here or should she find out some more information about the Horde. In the end, curiousity did get the better of her.
Making her way into the Trade District, she asked around about the Horde and what they were like. Were they nice? What do they like to do? Why were we at war with them? The only answers she recieved were that the Horde were not to be trusted. They were devious and evil. They took pleasure in slaughtering the Alliance. Times they try and enter the cities and attack the Kings. Though, what put her off most of all, was the battle grounds, she didn't like the sound of those. Alliance and Horde up against each other in a secluded area. Fight to the death. Winner takes the honor, the dead are just trash. She was imagining how many lives were lost and why did it mean so much to everyone that they had to kill each other. Rai didn't seem bad at all, if anything he was nice and cared. Others said it was probably trickery, to lure into a false sense of security. In the end, it did sound like it would make sense. But she was stubborn.
Taking it upon herself to enter the battle grounds to try and reason with them, she put on her best equipment and entered.
As the battle started, there were so many Alliance dressed so well geared and hyping everyone up about killing the Horde "scum". Lenoria spoke up and asked them why did they want to kill them so much? What reason do they have for meaningless murder?
Though some of the answers weren't as happy as she thought they'd be. Many of the people here also had their town and family wiped out. Giving up, she left the territory zone and walked out into the open where she could see the people Rai described to her. She started to run up towards them, but something came out of nowhere and she started to run the opposite direction.
"Hey! What the heck? Why can't I control myself?" she yelled, an Undead stood atop a hill and just watched her, laughing. She understood now, that Undead was making her do this. She sighed and stealthed, making her way against a wall. Crouching low against a boulder, a Tauren, as she remembered correctly, ran past her and took a double check at the place she was hiding. Backing up and walking closer to her, he laughed.
"Silly rogue, what're you doing?" she said nothing.
"I know you're there. I can see you." Still no answer.
"Okay, this is getting annoying." He suddenly transformed into a cat-like monster and started to swat at her. Unstealthing and running away, she ended up running right into the Horde's base, where many Horde were in there. Lenoria had no idea what to do. Only thing she could think of was attempting at talking again.
"Sorry, guess this isn't my territory, I...just got lost. But, honestly, I would like to talk to you guys. Why're you guys killing each other?" she exclaimed. They all just stared at her. A Troll walked up to her, towering over her.
"Listen, girly, we're at war, it's what you do. And where did you get this thought in your head that we'd actually listen to you and stop fighting?" the Troll's breath stunk and made Lenoria gag, but she stood tall.
"I met a Blood Elf today. He didn't seem bad at all, if anything he was nice," she felt a sense of achievement, proud of herself for standing up to them. No violence. They all laughed again.
"No idea which Blood Elf you saw, but those Blood Elves are nothing but trouble. No offense to any of you here." Then the Troll leaned down and whispered. "They're nothing but power hungry beasts, no one likes them. They figure they're self-superior and can do anything they want. Advise? Stay away from them, and Horde period. We don't need a child running around trying to be like one of us," her tone made Lenoria unsettled. Standing up properly, the Troll grinned and suddenly threw Lenoria into a wall.
"Now get the hell out of here, weakling," laughing she turned around to high-five her Horde buddies.
But Lenoria didn't move. She just stared at the ground and tears started to well up in her eyes again. She didn't understand what this war was about, no one gave her an answer. All she kept hearing was everyone was scum, trash, not worth anything. Just kill them and get it over with. Shadows appeared all around her, looking up she saw the Tauren, Undead, and Troll smiling down at her.
"Poor little Night Elf, you don't even have decent gear. Is your only reason being here to try and convince us to stop fighting and have tea parties together? Whatever. No one has even came for you, obviously you're not important. So killing you is just another victory for us, and we won't have people chase us down for doing so."
Lenoria's eyes closed and thought of Rai, standing there, waving at her with that smile on his face. For her last minutes, she wanted to remember what she wanted to believe. Horde were not evil, Horde did have a good side. Not the lies the Alliance said, not the filth the Horde said. What she wouldn't give for Rai to show up and prove them all wrong.
Sounds of a cavalry coming in, came up through the tunnel. The Alliance were closing in on the Horde, trying to steal their flag. The three towering over her left to tend to the intruders, knowing they could go back for her later. Lenoria lifted her head and watched the Alliance fight desperately, just to get a piece of cloth. Crying harder, she screamed. No one even turned their heads. A voice whispered in her ears, she didn't even sense anyone close to her. She froze.
"Is all you do is cry? Geez, what have you gotten yourself into, silly." She twisted her head instantly, recognizing that soft, velvety voice. She gasped, clinging onto his arm.
"Rai! Why? Why're you here?" tears were pouring, her voice was shaky and scared. Rai smiled and patted her head again, pulling her to her feet. Releasing a shining light around himself, he carried her out of the Horde base and back out into the battlefield. As the two left, the three Horde that were on Lenoria watched, in shock, as they saw that it was true. Their own ally, a Blood Elf, indeed did help an Alliance.
Leaving the battlefield now, Lenoria was still crying. Rai pulled out a drink and handed it to her.
"Reason I was there... well, guess I was drug along by my friend. I believe you had a nice little interaction with him. The Tauren. But, don't mind the Troll and Undead. They're just plain stupid. Though, some of what they said was a little true. Us Blood Elves have a little ego, and do like our power. Doesn't change your opinion of me, does it? Even though I don't really know what you think of me anyways, heh," a tiny blush flashed across his face. Lenoria wiped her tears and smiled.
"Doesn't change anything. You were friendly to me on the boat, and now you've saved me. If anything, I owe you... But I have nothing..." she scratched the back of her head and blushed. "Friendship okay? Even though I know you're from a different faction, might not be the best friendship."
Rai smiled and tipped his head to the side a little. "Don't matter what they think. You're friends with me, not them. Correct?"
She smiled brightly and covered her face, nodding.
"Oh, come now. You're not crying again are you? We're going to need to work on that," he laughed softly and placed an arm around her shoulders. Lenoria giggled and leaned against him, eventually passing out. "Just fall asleep on me, no, that's fine, heh." He smiled, looking up towards the sky. Wondering what was to come now. He'd be a mock and she'd be an outcast, not that she already wasn't.