AN: Ok so due to content, I had to bump this up to M. It's not explicit or anything but it does contain some emotional subject matter that would not be appropriate for a younger audience. I have most of the rest of it written, I'm just fleshing it out. I completely had to re-write one part due to an interesting comment made on a raid wipe. =) Oh Blizz Devs, you certainly have an interesting sense of humor.
FaeMonstre - You changed your name. I tried to make it a bit more subtle then that for that reason. Wouldn't exactly help if those two were obvious.
Zarabethe - What took you so long?! Ok I admit I didn't start reading Scepter until it was like chapter 30, then I was hooked. As for where it's going...well...you'll see. =)
Caeden shifted, his legs tired from sitting. He had found a secluded cave high up on the mountain. The monks at the Temple of the White Tiger must thought him made, walking up the mountain in the storm. Caeden had learned meditation long ago and found solace in The Light. This land was very different from his own Quel'thalas. The solace was different but welcome nevertheless. He closed his eyes, listening to the sound of the howling wind, the fall of the snowflakes and far off into the distance the roar of the waterfalls that cascaded down into Zouchin Village.
He thought of the red haired rogue. Despite their parting, she still wore the armor he purchased for her. Trying to rationalize, he convinced himself it was because she was unable to procure better. But he knew that to be a lie. Through his contacts formed when the Quel'dorei were still Alliance, he knew her to be well off. Not wealthy but living quite comfortably. He had heard how she obtained the wealth and was nearly sickened. He remembered her reaction. She hated herself, hated what she was doing. He had seen cracks in her façade and knew her to be honorable.
He was in love with her and at a loss on what to do about it. The Horde took the Quel'dorei in when the Alliance had forsaken then. He was loyal to them. Or was he? The Horde lead by Hellscream was not the same Horde he knew. There had been others throughout the past, on both sides, that defected. Most became neutral but some, he had heard, joined the other side. He would have to give up everything he had known in Silvermoon and start anew somewhere where he was hated. He wasn't sure yet if he wanted to take that risk. Wasn't sure if Nyte...no...Celine. It had gotten to him that she had given up her "working name" she had used previously as an assassin and returned to her birth name. He wasn't sure if she felt the same as he did.
Snow crunching over boots shook Caeden from his trance. He was on his feet and sword in hand before the traveler came into view.
"Nice view," the newcomer said in Thalassian. He took a seat next to the spot Caeden had vacated. Halduron Brightwing gestured for Caeden to join him.
"For lights sake" Tristen said as he tripped over the naked bodies sprawling in his tent. Two mercenaries, two male mercenaries were out cold, sprawled on the floor. Celine, equally unclad, lay between them. All three reeked of alcohol, vomit and sex. Seeing Celine as she was angered him. Seeing her not care for her life or her reputation angered him. However seeing her allowing herself to be used as a...as a sex toy...infuriated him. She just didn't care anymore.
He had heard the name she whispered. Caeden Dawnblade was a Blood Knight in duty to Lady Liadrin and Lor'themar Theron. He briefly was relieved of duty for personal reasons around the same time Celine escaped from Silvermoon. Through a contact in the Regent Lord's personal guard, he discovered that Celine was allowed to escape, as he thought she was, with the Regent Lord and Ranger General's blessing. Dawnblade was her escort to safety.
He knew Celine very well. Knew her better then she did herself at times. Celine had taken Dawnblade as a lover...no...lover was too crass of a word. She had found another to share her life with. And something prevented them from being together.
"Get up" Tristen snarled as he kicked one of the men in the ribs. The mercenary looked at him with a confused look. "I said on your feet, Private." Tristen growled and had thrown the men, as the other had woken as well, a towel. "You will report to Commander Nightsong tomorrow for latrine duty. Now...get...out." Tristen had enough rank and anger behind him that his order was obeyed at once.
Now he was left with his fellow agent. He looked her over, noting the bruises and swellings. The men were rough on her and she was still unconscious. He knelt beside her, checking her throat for a pulse. It was there, strong and steady. He released a breath. He had long come to terms that his feelings toward Celine was not returned. They had changed into something more familiar. He cared a great deal for her and if her actions led to her death..he would go to the ends of the world to bring her back. But one of her great flaws was her desire to escape her emotions. She, at times, could out drink a dwarf. Her actions in Alterac was another form of escape. He touched her lips and found it. Residue from an herb. He had no idea where she even got it. Shaking his head, he fished in his pouch for one of his restorative potions he purchased. He hoped it would sober her up and reverse the effects of the Bloodthistle.
Many did not know the effects the herb had on non-elves. For most, it did nothing except make them vomit. For the Quel'dorei and Sin'dorei it affected their spell powers, made them stronger. But it had some bad withdrawals. Many High Elves turned to it after the Sunwell. He knew from experience that in some humans at least, it acted as a sedative. Celine wanted to escape her internal pain and found two willing gentlemen to help her with that, but she didn't want to remember it.
Lifting her head, he poured the liquid down her throat. He knelt beside her waiting for it to take affect. Once she started to stir, he stood up and put on what he was hoping was a convincing act.
"On Your Feet. You disgust me." He growled as he threw a shirt and a pair of breeches at her. Celine was groggy and confused as the clothing hit her. "This is not how an Alliance member should act. Get up." He grabbed her arm, roughly pulling her up. He saw her wince and felt a twinge of regret. Marks where his fingers were started to appear.
"Clothe yourself. No one here needs to see your shame," he snapped as he turned his back to her. He listened as he heard a rustle of clothing behind him. "This will stop."
"You are not my father or brother Tristen" she snarled, pulling the shirt on. Her body was sore and her head felt heavy. She refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her regret her decisions.
"Thank the Light for that" he said. He stepped outside the tent and motioned for her to follow him. "No one related to me would be so crass to sell their bodies for alcohol and bloodthistle like a common whor.." His anger was getting the better of him.
Celine screeched in anger. How dare he. How DARE he. She swung the candlestick from the table and brought it across the back of Tristen's head. He fell to his knees at once. She was on him in an instant, swinging her fists wildly. "Don't you dare. He left. I loved him and he left." She yelled, mostly in Thalassian.
Tristen had gotten his hands up to protect himself. She was swinging from frustration and was missing. He grabbed her wrists tightly in his hands. He could see the tears falling freely from her green eyes. "Guards," he yelled, knowing this action may be the end to their friendship.
Celine was pulled off of him roughly. Seeing her gasp and cringe, he knew she suffered a few injuries in the process. The Bloodthistle was leaving her system making her emotional and irrational. She wouldn't have attacked him otherwise. Even his harsh words in Altrac just warranted him being asked to leave.
"Put her in the stocks. By order of Admiral Taylor and Mathias Shaw, I place you Celine Addington under arrest. You are hereby suspended of your duties until further notice." Tristen said emotionless to the guards that held her. He refused to meet her eyes as he walked away.
It had been two days since Tristen arrested Celine for her own good. He knew only a wake up call like this would shake her from the personal demon that had hold of her. He had written to Shaw asking for permission and advice. He received both. The advice was to tread carefully. He had seen her before he left for the Veil. She refused to acknowledge him. Refused to acknowledge anyone. A Dwarf Priestess was getting her to take food and water but only a little. Once he returned from his mission, he would need to speak with her. He wanted to wake her up, not push her further away from life.
He looked down at the remains of the Sha he and the others just slain. The Sha of Pride it was. Pride. Funny thing that. He had faced himself, a prideful version of himself and it was painful to look at.
"So Hellscream's arrogance unleashed the last of the sha. I am not surprised." He heard Jaina's bitter voice say. Jaina and Vereesa. Two women destroyed by grief.
"Look here! He left his weapon behind." Lor'themar Theron said. Tristen looked up, and saw the ax. The markings were distinct it could be no other. Gorehowl.
"This means he's completely unhinged." Lor'themar added speaking to Jaina.
"News to no one, Regent Lord. King Wrynn's fleet is converging on Orgrimmar as we speak."Caeden walked closer to Jaina Proudmoor and the Blood Elf. He noticed a set of eyes on him as he did so. The Blood Elf Paladin...Caeden Dawnblade.
"Likewise. Sylvanas and I have both sent ships to support Vol'jin's revolution." Lor'themar was still engaged in conversation with Jaina. Tristen quietly guested to Caeden to come with him.
"I'm warning you, Lor'themar. The Alliance is besieging the city and we will destroy Hellscream. Your people had best stay out of our way." Lady Proudmore was speaking to his Regent Lord, when Caeden saw the rogue. He recognized him as the one from Dalaran...and the one with Celine. At the guested, he cocked his head to one side, curious. He slipped away from his allies and followed the rogue.
"Celine...Nyte..." the rogue started to say then stopped.
Caeden narrowed his eyes, "What of her?"
"Then you are the one that helped her in Quel'thalas. Dawnblade." Tristen said, looking back at the Horde and Alliance gathered. Lor'themar and Jaina were still trading verbal taunts.
"I am he. What of her?"
"Celine..is not well...emotionally." Tristen took a deep breath, "She's...angry, bitter...lost."
The Blood Knight took a step forward, "If you have hurt her..."
"Never." Tristen snapped with such emotion behind it that it stopped Caeden in his tracks. "She fell in love with a Sin'dorei while in Quel'thalas. A Paladin. And he's lost to her. So she's losing herself."
"She...We're on two different sides. As long as that remains..." Caeden didn't know how to finish it. He wasn't going to admit to this rogue how he felt. But he didn't think he had to. Obviously this rogue knew how Nyte..Celine he called her, felt for him.
"What if you were on the same side?" Tristen had said with a cocky smile.
Caeden was surprised and looked at him, "What do you have in mind?"
Celine felt the great weight lifted from her shoulders. The stock was being removed. She looked up, licking her dry lips. She felt moisture there and tasted the tangy copper of blood. A hand gently wiped it away with a wet cloth. Tristen knelt before her.
"Go away" she croaked.
Tristen shook his head and pressed a small object into her hand. She looked down at the metallic object. It was small, a trinket. But she recognized it as being a Paladin object.
"We need to talk Celine" Tristen said gently, as he helped her to her feet. He gently supported her as they walked to their tent.
"We leave for Orgimmar tomorrow. Lor'themar and Sylvannas Windrunner are sending troops to join with King Varian's fleet. Dawnblade will be there." He lowered her down to her cot, handing her the bowl of warm broth. The healer had laced it heavily with potions and had given Tristen explicit instruction on how best to get Celine's strength up.
Celine's hands shook as he handed her the bowl. "How did you know of him?" she asked, fear in her voice.
Tristen smiled and laughed softly, "You talk in your sleep Celine. Always have. Please relax. Your punishment for striking a ranking officer is over. I needed you free of the Thistle's influence before we had this talk. I am sorry for what I had to do. You always had a hard head and wouldn't listen otherwise."
Celine allowed herself a small smile. Tristen was trying hard to regain her trust. The trinket though...she wondered how he gotten it.
Tristen took a breath. "I spoke to him. He...well he didn't kill me. I think that counts towards Alliance-Horde relationship growth."
Celine finished the broth and felt much better. Tristen could always be counted on being there for her, taking care of her, looking out for her when she wanted nothing to do with herself.
"Do you love him?" Tristen asked pointedly. He was a poor diplomat and rather get to the important truths then wait around with necessities.
"I...He makes me laugh. Like Thalon use to. He has gentle eyes and..." she trailed off blushing.
"Please save me from the rest of that description. I've seen enough naked men to last until eternity." Tristen said with a shudder.
Celine looked down, "I'm sorry. I.."
"You didn't care anymore. Good thing I did." Tristen's voice grew near. "Celine. I know how you feel or don't feel towards me. But I do love you. You are part of me. To see you hurting. To see you hurting yourself. I will find a way for you and Dawnblade to be together. If that is what you want."
Celine looked up, tears in her eyes and hugged Tristen tightly.