Chapter 1: A Budding Rose is a Love Story Unfolding
"Belethe!" Thonianion called.
"Yes father?" She replied.
"I would like you to meet Warren Solarion, you're betrothed." Thonianion said motioning towards the young paladin. "He is of noble blood and is perfect for a suitable heir after I am long gone."
"Nice to meet you." Belethe said being courteous..
"The pleasure is mine, I'm sure. In all of Azeroth I have never met such a beautiful woman until now."
She smiled but didn't reply.
There was an awkward silence and when Thonianion was about to say something when someone called for Belethe.
She quickly left.
"It seems as though she doesn't like me."The paladin said.
"Oh it's not that dear boy...I think you'll find it more difficult to capture her heart when using simple flattery." Thonianion said.
"You're right. In the name of the Sunwell I promise I will capture your daughter's heart and cherish it for the rest of my days." The paladin stated.
"You're a good man Warren." He replied.
"Thank you sir."
"Yes?" Belethe asked as she quickly walked to her her friend, Goldana.
"I want you to meet a friend of mine. I met him as I was training to get my huntress rank in Darnassus." She said motioning towards a Night Elf.
"Ishnu-alah my friend, I am Azzeron."
"Well met, Azzeron. I am Belethe Sunstrider." She replied.
There was a silence but not an awkward one like earlier.
Goldana noticed something as she watched her two friends stare at each other intensely.
"I think I hear someone calling me...way over there." Goldana said as she quickly left.
It was as if she didn't even say anything because they continued to stare.
Breaking the silence, Azzeron asked, "Would you like to accompany me on a walk through the forests?"
"Of course!" Belethe said quickly.
They began walking on the trail into one of the many surrounding forests.
"So tell me about yourself." Belethe requested.
"Well, I was an orphan when I was six and one of the priestesses took pity on me and cared for me until I was old enough to go into warrior training. After a while they found out that I was a druid and then switched me to druid training under my mentor and leader Fandral Staghelm. He is very hard-headed and doesn't like me as much as his other students. What about you?" He replied.
"Hmm. Where to start? My family is descendants from Lor'themar Theron and that's how my father came into power. I'm in training to become a hunter because I have no magical ability other than attracting animals. It's actually unusual for a Blood Elf to have no magical connection so that's why my father is trying to pick out a husband for so that the heir will have the magical ability suitable for the throne."
"Huh. Interesting. Do you like the man your father has picked out?" Azzeron asked.
"He's alright but I don't want to marry him. I don't even want to have the throne. I never did but whenever my father hears this from me he gets upset and says that I'm just stressed. Sometimes I wish I could just run away from it all." She answered.
"That's understandable. My people are allowed to just go if need be. See, we have a deep connection with nature and all it's creatures, so naturally we are allowed to spread our wings and fly away, like a raven." Azzeron responded.
"Really? That's beautiful." Belethe said.
They stopped at a large tree that had small pink flowers on it.
"Belethe! Belethe it's almost nightfall and the traditional Sunwell feast is going to begin!" Thonianion called.
"You should go, it's rude to keep traditions at bay." Azzeron said smiling.
"Aren't you going?" She asked.
"I can't I have other matters to attend to."
"Oh...well do you mind meeting me here tomorrow if you're not busy?" Belethe shyly asked.
"It would be my greatest honor fair Belethe." He said.
He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "Ande'thoras-ethil, Belethe."
She blushed as she started to slowly walk away.
"Where have you been? I was just about to send the guards." Her father said.
"Oh, I was just taking a walk with a friend." Belethe replied.
"Well, at least you're alright. Now let the feast begin!" He yelled.
Belethe caught a whiff of wine on his breath.
At the table, Thonianion officially announced Warren and Belethe's marriage to the public.
Everyone cheered, toasted, and congratulated them but Belethe just quietly sat there. She couldn't help but think about Azzeron's words.
After the feast Belethe rushed to her room before Warren or her father decided to talk to her.
As she laid in bed, she found herself unable to stop thinking about Azzeron.
She tried her best to think about different topics but it all came back Azzeron.
Finally after an hour she finally fell asleep only to dream about him.
When she woke up the sun had barely risen.
She quickly got up and changed into her favorite sun dress.
"I wasn't specific on when we should meet!" She said remembering the events of the previous day.
She rushed out of the tower and into the forest.
When she arrived at the tree Azzeron was sitting down waiting patiently.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting. I wasn't specific on when we should meet." Belethe apologized.
"It's alright. I just got here myself. How did you sleep?" Azzeron asked.
"Not so well." Belethe said.
"I couldn't sleep much either." Azzeron replied.
Belethe took a seat next to him. "As a druid, can you uh... change shape?" She asked.
"Yes. What you heard is correct many druids can take other forms." He said.
"Really? How do you do that?" Belethe asked intrigued.
"When a young druid is ready, they go out on a quest in a certain animals' habitat and gathers as much information about that animal as possible. They learn how they hunt, how to avoid predators, and ways they communicate with other animals. When they are completely finished the druid will have to encounter the spirit of that animal and only then will the animal decide if the druid is worthy of learning the form." Azzeron explained.
Belethe was amazed. "That's wondrous!"
"You sound as if you've never heard of this before." Azzeron said.
"I have, but I've never heard of what really happens until today. Before I only heard theories and assumptions."
"Really? How unusual. Tell me, why do you want to be free of your royal birthright?" He asked curiously.
"Because as an heiress I am not allowed to go anywhere unless accompanied by guards, my father is forcing a marriage on me that I can't go through with. He constantly makes sure I'm under super-vision as much as possible, he treats me like a caged bird. He doesn't even care for me he cares that I'm around long enough to have an heir to the throne and keep our family still in ruling. Sometimes I wish I could just run away from it all but I don't know anyone outside this palace let alone outside this continent. I can dream right?" Belethe sighed.
"Belethe, dreams have the power to become something great, greater than you imagine. With just a little luck and belief in yourself anything can happen."
She smiled at him, thinking he was trying to reassure her but when she looked at him, he was completely serious.
"Do you really think so?" She asked.
"I know it to be true, fairest Belethe." They leaned in closer to each other, as if they were going to kiss.
"Belethe! My fair maiden, Belethe! Where are you?" Warren called not far from where they were now.
"Urgh! It's Warren. I need to hide!" She said. She quickly got up and ran into some bushes.
"You there! Night Elf! Have you seen a beautiful maiden named Belethe?"
" Yes, I have seen her but, I've only seen her in the dream realm." Azzeron answered with a grin.
"Of course. Well, if you see her in real life tell her I was looking for her and send her my way."
"Alright." Azzeron replied.
Warren took one last look at Azzeron and then left.
"Phew! That was close." Belethe said coming out of the bushes and sitting back down next to Azzeron. "Thank you for covering for me."
"You're welcome." Azzeron responded.
"Well, I better go before Warren gets the guards. Will you meet me here tomorrow afternoon?" Belethe asked getting up once more.
"Of course fair maiden." He replied with a smile.
Belethe blushed and left.
