A/N: If you have any constructive criticism that you want to give me, feel free! This is going to be the first of many chapters, so I would like as much feedback as possible, whether it's positive or negative (Hopefully to improve on the work) and whether or not you would like to read more.

The Hawkstrider Part 1

Quel'Thalas, Ancient kingdom of the Blood Elves, and my home. My name is Athrodar Sunblade. I'm a Lieutenant Ranger of Silvermoon. Like most days, me and the company I'm in patrols Southern Quel'Thalas, now known as the Ghostlands. This day was no different. We go out. Patrol around the same stretch of dense forestry. Most days pass by uneventful, some days we're lucky to have a small skirmish against the Amani Trolls in the area. At least we would be doing something when the trolls attacked. But like most days, this one passed by uneventful.

Some days we'll battle scourge remnants that remained there after the third war. Still as deadly as they were when they first invaded, they were not something to be taken lightly. Although nowadays they were easier to dispatch, due to us knowing how to kill them.

During these days however, I would pass the time by sparring with other rangers at each checkpoint. Honing in my skills every day, as I believe one day without training is a day lost to boredom. My skills with a bow were something to behold. Top of my class during my days at the academy, I was told I would rise up through the ranks and reach captain in no time. My skills with sword and dagger weren't far behind. I would train with these more as I believe them to be the last line of defence in a fight where using a bow wouldn't work. All rangers were good with their weapons, great in fact compared to the humans. Though most preferred bow over sword, they were still as good as they needed to be.

My time with his company was coming to an end. We would soon return home and rotate companies, visiting family and friends for a much needed rest. Returning from the front lines for a month to recuperate and refill our company with the reserve units.

I loved the rides home, as I would get to spend time with the friend I grew up with. Vilandil Dawnstrider was his name. Unlike myself, he was a Blood Knight, versed in the ways of melee combat, infused with light. Exactly like a paladin, except these were blood elf paladins, not human.

We grew up together, friends since birth, and we were inseparable. It was only when Vilandil had noticed his calling to the light, that we didn't spend every waking minute with each other, pulling pranks on his younger sister, Thalina Dawnstrider, and doing general kid stuff. This didn't destroy our friendship however. No, it strengthened it even more.

After our time apart, we would meet up by Elrendar river, hire a fishing boat, and catch up on what we've done in our time apart. Vilandil would ask about Southern Quel'Thalas, how the cleansing of the Scourge was going, and the fight with the Amani Trolls. I would ask about my family, and how Vilandil's family were.

"Thalina is becoming quite the mage," Vilandil said "She's made it up the ranks, and is now and adept."

I was surprised at this bit of news. I have known Thalina all her life, seeing as she was younger than me, but I had rarely seen her use of magic for myself. "Congratulate her for me, old friend."

"Congratulate her yourself, she's coming home today to celebrate with our families." He clapped my shoulder "She's been away from home longer than you have this time, my parents are looking forward to having her back for a couple of weeks."

"I can't wait. As long as your mother is the one cooking, I don't want a repeat of last time when Thalina tried a hand at it." I laughed at the memory "Light that was a disaster."

Vilandil laughed as well "Let's hope she doesn't try to do the cooking tonight. Although seeing as we're celebrating her from Apprentice to Adept, she'll try and act like a queen, telling her 'subjects' what to do."

We both shuddered at the thought of her bossing us about.

"We used to tease her when we were all younger." I said "This is going to be a long night"

"I can almost guarantee she'll make us work harder than the rest. Oh, I almost forgot. Get her something that would say congratulations."

I remembered her wanting a Hawkstrider for the longest time. She would always go on about how it had to be yellow at the beginning, and then orange, followed up by red at the end. The colours of fire.

"Well, lucky for her, I know what she would love." I grinned "This will lighten the load of what she will have me do."

"Whatever it is, split it with me. I don't want her full attention on me. I don't think I can survive two weeks of doing chores for her." His tone was pleading. I almost gave in to it.

"Sorry old friend, but seeing as you sprung this on me at the last minute, you're on your own."

"Fine. What is it you're getting my sister anyway?"

"Ah, that is for you to find out later Vilandil. Let's just say I know a guy who owes me a favour."

We finished our catch up time some minutes later, returned the boat to the docks and set off on our way to get Thalina her present.

"You do know where this path goes, right?"

"That I do, so it should be no surprise to know that I'm going to be getting your sister that Hawkstrider she has always wanted." I glanced over at Vilandil, seeing his face work out what I was talking about.

"Hawkstrider she has..." I could see the moment it clicked in his head "Oh! I can't believe I had forgotten about it! Some brother I am, right?"

I laughed "What you would do without me here to remind you of these things, I do not know. Besides, what did you get her?"

"What I got her, my inquisitive friend, is a robe I have heard is in fashion these days. Seeing as she is learning the arts of a fire mage, I got her an orange and red robe, with patterns of fire on the sleeves. Lucky for me it matches the Hawkstrider she wants."

He wasn't wrong there. Both our presents for her seemed to match rather well. It was almost like we had planned this for months. As we made our way up the road, we made it to the stables that housed several Hawkstriders. The ones on show were the basic one or two colour Hawkstriders. Black, red, yellow, orange, blue or green. But I knew this elf, I saved his daughter years ago from a Troll attack. She was barely starting puberty, her life had just started before they attacked their village. For this, he told me the next time I would need a Hawkstrider, he will discount the price. Half off.

He kept the best Hawkstriders at the back. He has this theory that those who would want the best of the best, had to go past all his other Hawkstriders first. By the time they get halfway, he believed he would have sold one of the plain ones first. He always kept the best Hawkstriders for special visitors.

After some catching up with the keeper, and him thanking me once again for saving his daughter, we made our way back home. The journey back was short, which was great because I couldn't wait to get back. It had been five months since my last trip home. On the road, we spent most of our times camping in the forests, which would have been fine before the scourge invaded. But seeing as they don't sleep. The number of us on night watch had to be doubled since then.

As we returned home, I moved the Hawkstrider to the local stables, out of the way of home for the time being, so Thalina wouldn't see it. Making my way back from the stables, I heard a sudden scream in front of me. It was my mother, and the scream wasn't a scared one, but one of joy to see her boy home.

"Athrodar!" She ran the distance into my arms. "I'm so glad you're home!"

She looked the same as she always had. Her long blonde hair down to the middle of her back. She still looked as young as we did, but with traces of grief lacing her features. She also looked a bit thinner than the last time I had seen her. Was she eating as much as usual?

I picked her up in my embrace and swung her around. "It's good to be back mother. How have you been?"

"Oh you know, coping with it all." My father had died whilst I was on duty. He had been ill for some time now, and we knew it would be soon. Mother had moved in with Vilandil's parents after it happened. She was friends with his mother, so was taken in willingly. "The last few months have been difficult with you being out there. But Driana has been kind to me and helped me along."

"I should have been here... We should have gone through this together."

She smiled at me "Hush now, you had your duty to follow. Silvermoon wont defend its forests without you." She hugged me tightly "Welcome home."

We walked into the home shared between our families. It was a big estate, on the outskirts of Silvermoon City. Our village was destroyed by the Scourge when it attacked, so we had to move in here as refuge. As time passed we moved nearby, the Dawnstrider family staying here. But when father died, mother moved back in, looks like we'll be calling this place our home now.

"Do we know when Thalina is expected to arrive?" I asked Driana, Mother of both Thalina and Vilandil. "Me and Vilandil got her gifts to say congratulations."

"She should be home soon, make yourself at home." She gestured to the couch "It's been a whilst since your were in this place, I hope you still remember where everything is. Telramar won't be making it home until after dark, but he knows you're going to be staying here for a month."

Who she was referring to was none other than Grand Magister Telramar Dawnstrider, her husband. He was part of Regent Lord Lor'themar Theron's council when it came to the magic's in Silvermoon.

"No worries, I'll speak with him tomorrow if he comes back whilst we're asleep." He always worked until late, but you can't blame him. With someone of that role, he was one of the important members of the council, so staying back late to deal with meetings and all things political was of the norm.

As me and Vilandil got settled in, we heard a knock at the door. Thalina was home, and she looked as beautiful as I remembered her. Unlike the rest of her family, she had chestnut red hair, done up into a ponytail, that she made her own. She had always wanted to be unique among others, going to the hair salon in Silvermoon whenever the dye in her hair started to fade. This wasn't often however, as she learned a few spells to keep in that colour as long as possible until it needed to be redone. Her skin was more tanned than the rest of her family, it must be all that time she spent in the sun, studying her school of magic in Silvermoon. She was also shorter than the average blood elf, not by much, but enough to notice the difference in height.

"Minn'da!" She had always liked to use the Thalassian word for Mama and Papa, old habits I suppose. "Where's Ann'da? Is he staying late again?" Even to the untrained ear, you could notice the sadness that lined those words. She rarely got to see her father, seeing as he was busy with the council, and she had to study more often than not recently.

"I'm afraid so, sweetie." Driana stroked a lock of hair behind her daughters ear. "But Vilandil and Athrodar are here, and I believe they have gifts for you."

We made our way downstairs towards the living room where the three women were seated. "Big brother!" She ran into the arms of Vilandil and gave him a long hug. "I've missed you!"

"I've missed you too, little sister," He pat her on the head and told her "I have a gift for you. Come, sit down."

They made their way to the closest empty couch, where she sat down waiting for her gift. Vilandil made his way to the kitchen, and grabbed a present from the top shelf. I couldn't help but smile, as I knew his reasoning for this was that she wouldn't be able to see, let alone reach it, he started to make his way back. I glanced over at her, noticing she was staring at me and not her brother. She saw me look over and quickly averted her eyes as if to show she wasn't looking. It would have worked too, if she wasn't slightly blushing when we locked eyes for the tiniest of moments.

What was that all about? All I did was look at her. I thought nothing else of it.

"Here you go, my baby sister. This is my way of saying congratulations." He handed her the present, and without a second thought to it, she was ripping apart the packaging. We all laughed as she looked like someone possessed. She had always enjoyed presents, being the younger sibling, she was a princess in her parents eyes, and was showered with a lot of gifts.

"It's beautiful! The colours are what I would have chosen myself, and it's soft to the touch." She was beaming. Her smile was contagious as it lit up the room, everyone else was smiling too.

"I'm glad you like it. But this isn't the only gift you'll be getting today. Athrodar has gotten you something as well." I nodded once as she looked over to me. Seeing as my gift was outside, I beckoned everybody to follow. As we made our way outside, I told them all to wait by the house whilst I get the Hawkstrider.

Returning a minute later, Vilandil had blindfolded his sister, which made the excitement in her build up more as I physically saw her bouncing up and down, waiting for the gift. I made my way towards them, telling her to keep her eyes shut whilst I removed the blindfold. I then moved my hands over her eyes and whistled for the Hawkstrider to approach us.

"Be calm, and you'll be fine" I whispered in her ear.

I heard the gasps from both mothers as they knew what I had done. They both knew it was the Hawkstrider of her dreams, and for those few seconds, I could see tears growing in both their eyes whilst they stared at it.

"What did you do?" She whispered back to me, curiosity and excitement lacing her voice.

The Hawkstrider stood directly in front of her, which is when I removed my hands from her eyes. She was shivering with excitement as soon as I removed them. Placing my hands on her shoulders now, I leaned in to her ear and whispered "Open".