Footsteps

By: Cid

Disclamer/A/N:

Avenn and ideas belong to yours truly. All ideas about druids and night elves and everything Blizzard owns is…Blizzards. Like I could think up that stuff on my own, you people give me far too much credit. Kenni and Dannell belong to NeJ Kazuki.

This story is an attempt to explain the past and history of everyone's favorite Arch-druid, Avenn, also referred to as Av, or just "that weird dude who looks like a tree". Go easy with the flames he is resto tree spec sometimes, and this is written for fun or at least so I can keep it straight in my head. Have fun enjoy the ride and hang on tight.

"You filthy scum! You good-for-nothing moron!" A dish shatters on the wall next to me, a flash of fire and pain licking my cheek playfully as blood begins to well.

"I bring you into my house, feed you, give you shelter, and all I ask for in return is you do your chores. And yet you can't even do that much…You are worthless boy…worthless". His words sting like a whip, but I bow my head, long green hair hiding my face.

"What a pitiful excuse for a boy you are," Lord Melanthos sneered. At one time he must have been a good elf, but now, he was the most corrupted and evil elf I will ever meet. Greasy navy blue hair hung down freely, framing a gaunt hard face, more use to sneering or frowning then laughing and smiling.

With my head bent down, hair a wall between us I did not see Melanthos rise and swiftly approach until he had me by the throat, four feet off the ground and gasping for breath. "And why boy, should I not punish you for being such a pathetic waste of my time?" he snarled next to my ear, feeling his hot breath on my neck. I struggled to answer him but could not find my voice. His grip on my throat tightened and the room swam before my vision. I'm dying aren't I…odd, shouldn't I be scared? Kenni is going to kill me for leaving her…oh well I'll wait for her on the other side.

"Avenn…Avenn wake up already! Come on Av, I'm bored and you said you would come fishing today!"

Eyes open halfway to see silver eyes peering at him. "Ugh Kenni, where am I? I feel like I got hit by the Great Bear Spirit himself," I complain, struggling to sit up.

"You're outside the orphanage of course" Kenni replied, rolling her eyes. "I'm guessing our wonderful Lord Melanthos dumped you out here after you passed out."

I get to my feet and steal a glance at Kenni. Long pure white hair framed silver eyes with a unique blue hue to them, making her eyes seem to shimmer and dance. Yes, she had to be the prettiest girl I will ever meet, but more than that, she was my friend. Only one who risked being nice to Lord Melanthos' whipping boy. "Avvvv come on! All the fish are gonna be gone by the time we get there! What are you staring at? Is there something on my face?" Kenni startled me out of my musing, peering at me oddly.

"No you look great, I mean there's nothing on you," I stutter, blushing slightly. "I'm ready, you your rod? Then let's go!" I say taking off running. "Last one there gets to clean out and cook the fish!" I yell over my shoulder grinning.

"Av you little cheat!" Kenni yells furiously. She puts on an extra burst of speed, and we disappear from view of the orphanage, into the safety of the trees.

From the darkened temple, she watched the two run off into the forest, laughing and playing like any children their age would. Sighing she watched Avenn until he was out of sight. "Play while you can, for you have many trials before you," she whispered, before turning on her heel and disappearing into her room.