Gravitation
Arcadia-Sama
Summary
- Never mind. You'll see.
Disclaimer- Shayl's copyright me, as is plot. Everything else, copyright Blizzard. (But I would love to have Illidan.)
Suggested BGM"The Trial"- Pink Floyd

"You have won...Maiev. But the huntress...is nothing without the hunt. You are nothing...without me..." - Illidan

And thank you guys, for the reviews!

Rogue Paladin - xD Well, thanks for the review anyways, hun. It's much appreciated. And don't beat too hard! How else will I get to chapter 12?

Scorpinette - Well, thank yew, thank yew very much! (ceases her mutilation of Elvis) Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Yusari - That whole Malfurion/Maiev idea's about to go flying out the window by the end of this chapter. But hey. The daemon in Illy has to be slightly nympho. xD Just a bit.

SemiSane - Awwww! You have no idea how good that makes me feel knowing I helped you feel better hun. I'm glad I could do so in my own small way.

Draknal - (salutes) Next chapter up for your reading pleasure, sir! And edge of the seat, eh? I'll have to keep that in mind!

Felhunter - Oh, no, no chest beating here between those two. xD I had enough of their fighting in the games. And the books. But it is cute. Well, there's none at the moment anyways.

Akasha Dark Riddle - Eh? What about Arthas?

ALF - Well, hopefully this answers some of your questions. ;) And hopefully, it'll spawn even more questions then it answers. I am cruel.

Dazia- (salutes again) You're quite welcome!

Nixsend - Well, you might not be so happy with what happens to Maiev by the end of this chapter. (whistles innocently) And Shay's going to.. Well, you're gonna have to read it now, aren't you?

Baka Ecchi Kon - (steps back as Illidan beats on you for thinking such sacrilegious thoughts) Wow. I didn't expect that. And Maiev smut of any kind is usually enough to make me stare blankly at the screen. xD But it can be useful! (just stays out of Illidan's way)

Kikuta- COOKIES! I likes the cookies! D And no worries. Illidan will stay with Shayl, m'dear. (chuckles) Otherwise, there'd be no more story, right? Right, guys? Right!

Tlad - o.o Goodness! I certainly hadn't expected such an enthusiastic review! Well, here's the chapter. Hope you enjoy!

Zukassi - Of couse! It's so much fun making you people squirm.

A pen name that no one has - Well, here's the answer to your wonderings, my dear!

Crimson Lotus - (noms on the treats and grins about a cookie) Well, as per your request, here is more indeed! And does seem to do that to reviews, half the time, or so I think.

Lady Kaliska - I have done my honest best not to make Shayl a Mary Sue. She's not perfect, not by any means, and while she's powerful as a druid, she's not god-like in her powers. She has a personality and her own feelins and dreams and hopes. And she still hasn't admitted to being in lurve with Illidan, after all. Doesn't that count for something? And you anticipated this chapter more then the Deathly Hallows? Wow. I am flattered.

Ryu-Sama - Yes, Malfurion did have to come and ruin their fun. Bad Furion. Bad. No treats for you.

Diminia - (stares back at Avar calmly) Darling, if I can face down the four Chaos Gods and come away without being scared by THEM, you have no chance. (smirks at him) Besides.. Your glaring only makes me want to tie you up in my closet. Anyways, here's the next chapter. I do hope you enjoy it, my dear. (chuckles)

Author Notes - You know the drill with the words in Darnassian and whatnot. Check previous chapters. X3

Now, on with the show:D


Silence pulsed in the cavern, deafening Shayl with its thunderous crackle of tension. Heat flamed high in her cheeks, black shadows underlining each opalescent eye of sun-yellow, eyes that matched Illidan's long-lost gaze of similar appearance. The powers she felt from this new arrival made her breath hitch, but not in the pleasant way that Illidan did to her. No, with this new arrival, she felt a sense of oneself, of the earth and of ancient emotions that were still raw and angry, despite their age. Lower lip was worried with sharp white teeth, the young woman just remaining behind Illidan as he crouched before her, flaring wings and broad body structure providing her with a sense of modesty that would vanish as soon as he moved.

At the entrance of the cave, Malfurion kept his distance from his brother, silver eyes sweeping past him to the girl huddled against the back of the cave. Glowing eyes narrowing, he studied the unknown woman for she was familiar to him in a strange, subtle way. Perhaps he had known her parents. Yet the way she stared at him and past him indicated a lack of sight. Her hair too was most unusual, in the fact that it was two-toned, going from dark green at the roots to bright green at the tips. Fingers would tighten about his staff as Illidan began to rumble deep in his throat, a warning snarl that Malfurion recognized only all too well. How his brother had changed! Gaze studied the wings and horns before taking in the slow-healing wound across Illidan's torso, a dark blue-black blemish against his otherwise unmarked torso exposed for the bandages that had covered it had been shredded by sharp claws, not counting the raw gashes that Shayl's claws had inflicted. But the arch druid didn't know that yet.

"What do you mean, take her home with you?!" Illidan snarled. "She is mine, not yours, and there is no argument over that! Besides that.." Lips curled into a slow smirk. "It is not your choice to make, brother. Let my darling healer decide for herself."

Illidan heard a gasp behind him, of surprise, and wings would spread wide before he would turn and gather the druid in his arms, wings folding about her nude body to preserve the girl's inane sense of modesty. Feeling her quiver (and ignoring the strangled gasp from his brother as Shayl would visibly snuggle closer into Illidan's chest, cheek tucked to his shoulder), the sorcerous half-breed would hide his smile the best he could against her hair, stroking it gently. True, this gentle druid had been abducted by Kael and his men and brought to their master so she could heal Illidan, but Illidan would let her make the choice, his own machinations and thoughts figuring that if he let her decide, it would endear him to her even more. Not to mention the fact that it shocked his brother was an additional bonus.

"Her choice?"

Malfurion's words broke the spell that had started weaving about the pair, causing Shayl to jump slightly while the man holding her didn't bother to suppress his snarl of irritation at the words of his brother. How Malfurion could be so utterly and completely thick was beyond Illidan; but then his brother had always been foolish. Yet Illidan's attention was dragged back to the woman he held, fingers stroking across her hair with a gentleness that was not noticed by the sorcerer. But different eyes were watching and the righteous fury that had swelled up in the chest of his brother at the thoughts of the daemonic twin defiling this girl began to melt away like so much fog in the morning sun.

However, Illidan had deceived too many times, had betrayed the kaldorei race ten thousand years ago, had broken with his blood ties when he had consumed the Skull of Gul'dan. Yes, his brother had betrayed too many times for Malfurion to trust him, even if his brother was that better part of him at times. He just couldn't be forgiven so easily and especially not with what Illidan had done after he'd been freed by Tyrande; perhaps that had been the biggest kick to Malfurion's pride. His own bond mate, his love, his companion for over ten thousand years, the woman that both brothers had fallen in love with and still loved, had been the one to free his brother even knowing what he had done. Staff was pulled closer, dark green brows drawing tightly together above the lines of his nose.

The pair of lovers (or so Malfurion assumed, though the wounds on his brother's face and chest screamed otherwise or perhaps of a spat) were too intent upon one another to pay him much attention until he had spoken. But the arch druid saw the gentle, if firm, way that his twin was handling this girl who was one of Malfurion's people. Like a high-spirited mare, the girl seemed, tamed only by gentle soothing and soft touches that his brother applied. It made for a stunning display and while he studied the girl, Malfurion was struck again by the sense that he knew her, that he had seen her somewhere before. True, he had emerged from the Emerald Dream every few thousand years to check upon things, but never had he heard of a girl druid who was blind with two-toned hair. Or at least, Malfurion thought that he hadn't. Then, he spoke again and watched as both his brother and the girl jumped. Had they truly forgotten that he was there?

"Her choice?" he repeated, voice full of censure and anger. "How do I know that you haven't trained her to answer the questions for the answers that you want her to say? How do I know that she will speak truly?! You have corrupted her! She needs to be returned to her people, so that sh-"

The tall male was cut off by an angry cry as Shayl wrenched herself out of Illidan's arms, ignoring his grab at her, spitting and snarling like an angry mother night saber at the arch druid, her hands clenched into fists while bosom heaved with angered pants of sound. Quivering in furious rage that was almost never seen in the normally placid and reserved girl, Shayl spoke in such a venomous tone of voice that even Illidan reeled back, so as not to draw her ire even as his eyes were drawn to her bottom, staring at the lusciously full orbs that were set above sleek thighs.

"Returned to your people?! The same ones that drove me out when I was a child, drove me away for being different? I don't know who you are, sir, but I refuse to return to those people who hated me for being so odd! My own father didn't want me! Why should I go back to a place where I will be unaccepted, unwanted, forever shunned by everyone?! I refuse to go back!"

Panting, she fell silent and then allowed herself to be pulled back by Illidan, but Malfurion spoke up, his voice quivering with his own silent rage.

"Tell me, child. Who was your father? I shall speak with him about this when we return to Darnassus."

Illidan spoke up then, his own rumble deep in his throat as he pulled his healer close. The thought of her father, despite being unknown and faceless raising his anger, abandoning his daughter to the not so tender mercies of the kaldorei race was more then a little disturbing. How long had she suffered before fleeing? Hadn't she told him about that? Yes, Illidan remember. Yes, she had. What was it she had said..? A stir of memory of a conversation that had been held as she bathed him once, bathed him under duress and because he had not been able to bear his own stench any longer.

- "Tell me, girl. What was a young kaldorei druidess doing on her own in such a remote area, away from the rest of the Kalimdor homeland?"

Shayl's hand paused and she looked down at him, her eyes, those unseeing pools of amber gold, the same gold that his eyes had once been colored as, watering with tears. She didn't know how to answer at first and so, silence remained in the hut. But Illidan remained silent and watching, staring up at this odd woman of a kaldorei female. Finally, wetting her lips, Shayl began to speak in reply.

"I.. I came to live there.. because I was.. shunned, more or less, out of kaldorei society. I have been alone there for several centuries, my lord. I'm not that young.. But, when I left kaldorei society, I was very young indeed, no more then twenty-one or twenty-two. I had never been very openly accepted, partially because of my eyes and partially because I was blind, despite having such eyes. My mother died soon after giving birth to me and my father rarely interacted with me. I grew up outside of society, never truly part of it. And when it became obvious that I had druidic talents.. I was.. harassed. So, finally, I simply left, more or less to save them the trouble of telling me to leave. I wandered for many long years before finally reaching what is now my home. And I have been there since then." -

Shaking the memories off, he would speak at last, voice full of a deepening snarl.

"See, brother? She will not have you or your people! Your people treated her poorly for being a druid when she should have been accepted! Your people refused her for her eyes when they should have embraced her! Were my eyes not once called a mark of destiny?! Well, what of her?! No destiny for this girl who has accepted a place with me. After all.." A horrid grimace that passed as his smile, a terrible show of teeth that were sharper then the average kaldorei's and a sign of the daemon blood that flowed in his veins now. "We are all outcasts here. Besides.. what happened to our setting aside our anger for one another, brother, after I saved Tyrande for you? Or did you lie through your teeth as you say that I've done so many times?"

Malfurion was silent, his scowl deepening as he looked at them both, hands flexing around his staff. Illidan rumbled in return, the two brothers reading each other's moods with considerable ease, while Shayl sat in silent shock. Brother..? This druid was Illidan's brother? She had never thought to ask who the mysterious brother he'd ranted about in his fever dreams had been. She had not known him well enough back then to ask such a personal question. But the druid was quite aware of the growing hostility these two shared towards each other and then Malfurion spoke again, directing a new question at her.

"Tell me, child.. Who was your father? I wish to know his name for perhaps I knew him."

Thick silence in the cavern, before Shayl turned her face into Illidan's shoulder and spoke into his skin, her words muffled but still able to be heard as she dragged the name of her father up from the depths of her memory. She remembered a stern, cold voice and an uncaring nature towards her, though he had always treated her with a grudging distant affection, only for the sake of her mother. All that Shayl could remember of her was a gentle voice and warm arms and a sense of love. But Nahlia had died when Shayl was quite young, not knowing what consequences her death would cause for the young girl.

"… Axta. Axta Hawkeye. That was my father's name."

A thick inhale filled the air as Malfurion seemed to recognize the name. Yes.. Yes, he did recognize the name indeed. Fingers now were squeezing his staff so tightly that it was a wonder the wooden pole hadn't broken in his hands. It wouldn't ever break, that much Malfurion knew, but it was creaking in protest as his hands tightened even more. Casting his memory back a year and more, the arch druid remembered the man; A coldly remorseful fellow and a Druid of the Claw back in the days when there had been a distinction who had confided the loss of his wife and daughter years ago, the loss of his daughter having cut the man deeply who seemed guilty over the whole ordeal. Axta had never said that his daughter had been strong in the druidic ways or that she was blind! But Malfurion remembered the man pressing something into his hands, a carved night saber as he'd lain dying and had grabbed Malfurion as he bent over him, making the arch druid swear to find his daughter and give the carving to her, as well as his regrets that he had not been a better father.

"Your father.. is.. dead, my dear. He fell at the Battle of Mount Hyjal against Archimonde and his forces. He.. asked me to give this to you." He approached slowly and pressed the night saber into Shayl's hands, the blind girl running her fingers over it as a soft gasping murmur as a stricken look touched her face. "Your father also asked me to convey his regrets to you that he had not been a better father to you. He realized that he loved you, but only too late. You were all that he had left of your mother and his wife. Your name was on his lips as his last breath passed from his lips. He loved you and missed you, little one. I am sorry for your loss."

Pity swelled in Malfurion's breast as he watched Shayl clutch the carved animal close, tears running down her plain cheeks before harsh sobs suddenly tore out of her throat, a wailing scream coming with it. The cries of "Daddy! Daddy!" broke his heart and he bowed his head quietly, wishing that he had come to her with good tidings, of news that would have been pleasant, of her father wishing for her to come home, to make peace with his estranged daughter. Illidan was glaring at him now, he knew, even as he held the young druid close, rocking her in his arms before the glare was softened as he looked down at the near hysterical woman. The arch druid watched with shock and awe as Shayl turned in his arms, sobbing into his chest while his twin rocked her more, making soothing sounds and murmurs to her under his breath while stroking her hair, nuzzling his cheek to her crown of green. And how much more Malfurion felt sorry for the girl as he saw her clinging to Illidan; he was the only thing she had left now since she refused to return to her people with him and his brother was entirely too untrustworthy. But, at last, Shayl calmed down, shaking from shock and Illidan spoke again, his voice thick with sound.

"Brother.. I have a favor to ask of you that you might not enjoy. But.." A deep inhale as he pulled Shayl even closer. "I have a problem here. I have been pursued here by Maiev. While I had thought she was dead, the Warden turned up as a prisoner of my lieutenants. Now, I would not have had a problem with this normally, but she and Shayl had a fight and she stabbed Shayl. I am going to kill her, very slowly, but I was wondering if you would wish to preside over her trial."

Cold chills pulsed up and down Malfurion's back and he would purse his lips tightly, staring at his brother who stared back from over Shayl's head before he rose slowly to his feet. Illidan held Shayl in his arms, the girl staring listlessly into the air in front of her eyes, blindness not mattering when one was in a state of deep shock such as this. The druid himself stood, antlers scraping across the roof of the cave while Illidan's horns connected with the top harshly before he bent down to accommodate the roof, hunching down to keep from banging his head on the rock. Shuffling towards the entrance, he was followed mutely by his twin and together, the pair set out for the Black Temple, Shayl being wrapped in Illidan's wings tightly, the siblings walking along in mute silence.

"How is Tyrande doing, brother?"

Jumping in surprise at the question, Malfurion's green-maned head swiveled about as he stared at his larger twin in mute shock. Then, his gaze dropped to Shayl and Malfurion fought the urge to tear her away from Illidan and run for it. Then, he looked forward again, frowning in thought as he wondered on how to answer the question. At last, the antlered twin decided to answer truthfully.

"Busy with her fighting. She.. never has time for me, these days, it seems." A rueful chuckle that was tinged with the barest hint of sadness and regret as Malfurion spoke again. "Tyrande is dedicated to defending the realm, if nothing else."

Illidan grunted softly in reply and just kept striding along. He could have flown and had little doubt his brother could have kept up, but he wanted to walk so he could better assess his brother. How odd it was that his brother would turn up after all this time, blustering and blowing about how "the land had said it'd lost a daughter" or something along those lines. There was more to this then Malfurion had revealed and Illidan made his mind up to keep an eye on his twin. Oh, he wouldn't do anything unless he had to, but perhaps he and Illidan could work over their enmity towards one another. Malfurion was still of the mind that Shayl needed to be taken away, he could tell, but Illidan would let her go only if she wanted to.. Even if the idea of her leaving felt like an Eredar had put a fist through his chest. If the girl did indeed change her mind on going with Malfurion, Illidan would let her go. Fingers would tighten, however, on Shayl's form as he carried her and only a squeak of protest made him realize how strong his grip had become. Relaxing his fingers, he would work his jaw slightly before nodding his horned head towards the building looming in the distance.

"There it is, brother. You will be welcome to stay as long as you wish to. My men will not bother you for you are under my protection now. But do not provoke them for their hatred of your kind is strong, brother, and I've little wish to see you brought back from the dead by a priest you insulted moments earlier. So keep your tongue restrained and you will be fine."

Malfurion would normally have objected to such harsh words, but he knew the wisdom of his brother. The massive gates, made out of massive stone slabs that were thick as Illidan's body and three times his size creaked open, carved faces leering across the surface, fanged mouths and protruding tongues dominating while symbols twisted across the stone about each edge. Kael came rushing up at Illidan's bellow of sound and he looked down at him and Vashj before nodding once and then he would speak again, his voice carrying in a bellow over the courtyard.

"Listen, my people, and listen well for I shall say these words for only this one time! My brother, Malfurion Stormrage, has decided to accompany myself to my home here! He is to be given the same respect that you give me and he is not to be harmed, even under provocation, which will be returned in same! If there are any problems with him that cannot be resolved with words, you are to find me!"

A roar of assurances answered Illidan's voice and he looked grimly satisfied, before turning his great horned head downwards to the grieving bundle in his arms. Illidan ached for he could not take this pain from Shayl, even as he tried his best to understand it. The sorcerer could not remember his parents very well, nor could he truly return the manner in which his parents had died to memory. Such things were long since lost to the insanity that he had suffered under Maiev's care, for some memories were still his and others had come to him with the consumption of the Skull of Gul'dan, memories that did not belong together. Yet, both the daemon within his soul and the man he had once been, the sorcerer who had drawn the attention of Lord Ravencrest, agreed upon one thing; Shayl was.. precious.. to each part of him. The daemon felt drawn to her because of her power, those staggering abilities that she had no idea of, while Illidan had to admit he enjoyed the verbal sparring with her, the way she'd huff and glare towards him despite her blindness when he'd irritated her, the way she curled against him so trustingly at night when he held her while she slept, taking his own rest later when she awoke.

At his side, Malfurion only watched his brother and listened to the roar of affirmation from the naga and blood elves that he commanded. Such respect, such power, his brother held, as he had held ten thousand years back, a hundred centuries ago. Then, he followed as Illidan turned and beckoned for him to follow, which the arch druid did, staring at the flag of green hair that hung over Illidan's arm. Then, they entered Illidan's chambers and seeing a chair, Malfurion went to sit in it before he took a good, hard look at his brother, just in time to see the sorcerer fussing over Shayl as he laid her on the bed (spreading his wings to protect her modesty), covering her with blankets and bending down to kiss her head, stroking her cheek. Malfurion fell into his chair, staring in shock at his twin as his mind comprehended his actions. Illidan was besotted with the woman! And if his brother was besotted, then she must be a very special woman indeed to gain his brother's love. And no matter how much Malfurion tried to find deception in the actions of his twin, he could not. His brother was in love, and Malfurion doubted he knew it. Fingers would lay his staff across his lap as he sighed before speaking.

"This… trial, brother. When is it to take place?"

"As soon as Shayl's ready to speak against her," came the growled answer from Illidan's lips.

A preface to an execution, Malfurion knew; he had also known that his brother and Maiev had shared a hatred of one another that was too deep to be called love and not warm enough to be called hate. He had known for a long time that Maiev had loved his brother, for he'd seen it once, long ago when he'd reawakened briefly from the Emerald Dream. The arch druid had gone to visit the cage where he kept his brother imprisoned and he'd watched Maiev speak of his brother. How easy it had been to pick out the affection that Maiev held for his twin, as well as the hatred. His hands rose and he began to massage his temples before looking up as Illidan collapsed heavily into a chair nearby before glancing over at Shayl's prone form under the thick blankets.

"She will not be disturbed, brother. Believe me when I say that she could sleep through a hurricane." A grim smile, Illidan's lips twisting upwards. "She did on the voyage that took us to northern Lordaeron. Of course, it occurred after one of her healing spells upon me, so perhaps it wasn't so odd after all."

"Healing spells?" Malfurion echoed softly. "What are you talking about, brother?"

And so, Illidan explained Shayl's power in a quiet voice to Malfurion, ignoring the grumbling gasp of surprise from his twin, even if he knew that such power in a woman was to astonish his brother who seemed quite interested in learning where she got this power. Illidan did not know and even if he had, he would not have told his brother, for Shayl's power was hers alone to discover. He knew that if this girl was pushed into guidance, that she would loose this power of hers. How the man knew, how the knowledge came to him, he could only look to the guidance of Elune, with whom Illidan had found a slightly new sense of faith in for she had answered his prayer that night in the ship. Perhaps Shayl was her daughter, perhaps she had Elune's blessing, perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. The answers would elude him until such time came that he need know who she truly was.

At last, the pair set in brooding silence, brother finally in a forced peace with brother, the presence of the woman on the bed keeping them from fighting. Yet, for once, what was there to fight over. Malfurion was reflecting on all he'd been told, about Shayl and about what had happened to cause her to be wounded by Maiev. He knew his brother had never truly cared for the Warden, but then Maiev had never done much to incur Illidan's affections. She had abused his brother, that much he knew now, and had treated him as naught more then a beast who was dangerous, crushing feeling and thoughts beneath an iron-clad heel. Then there had been the matter with Tyrande once his beloved had freed his twin. Maiev had led Malfurion to believe his mate was dead and the fury he'd felt when he'd learned that Tyrande was still alive had burned in him as hotly as the molten fires of the earth and his temper had exploded in a manner similar to his brother's.

As he reflected on not only the past, Malfurion observed his brother as he studied Shayl once more as well, lifting a hand to his mouth, one finger curling across his compressed lips while the others pressed into his palm and silver eyes would narrow gently as Malfurion once again reflected on how dissimilar he and Illidan were. Where his brother had been bathed with navy hair and golden eyes, Malfurion himself had dark green hair and silver pools. Yet they had shared the same features, the same hopes and dreams, once, in those myriad and peaceful days of old. Then had come the times of chaos and they'd fallen apart. But now, his brother's chaotic, wild ways seemed to be receding, due to the influence of this unknown girl and Malfurion finally resigned himself to perhaps seeing how they interacted further. Perhaps she would be a good influence on Illidan and return him to the ways of old as Malfurion tried to remain in touch with.

Shayl finally began to stir from her languid state and Illidan was at her side in a moment, helping her sit up and he would even go so far as to bring her a fresh dress of soft white fur, helping her into it as if the woman were a child before he took her aloft in his arms once more. She merely clung to him, trusting Illidan not to displace her or drop her, and the druid seemed to be well aware of what was about to happen.

It was in grim silence that the forces occupying the Citadel assembled in the largest courtyard, Maiev being bound with her hands behind her back and tied to a post, the woman's glaring silver eyes fixated on Illidan. At his brother's side, Malfurion was frowning down at the Warden, his stern visage matching his twin's in grimness. Once more, the brothers were united in something, a way of life that had been lost to them long ago. And in between the pair, wrapped in a thick fur for she was still lacking in spirit and there was a chill wind in the air, was Shayl, the long strands of her hair blowing freely about her face and shoulders, golden eyes staring down at the former jailor with a sense of being able to see her, yet the unnerving blank stare was quiet evidence to her blindness.

"Maiev Shadowsong. You are formally charged with assault upon my healer, with intention to kill. You are also charged with imprisonment and rape, as well as physical abuse," Illidan intoned, his deep voice carrying across the courtyard. "How do you plead, Warden?"

"Rape? Imprisonment?! I was merely doing my job, Illidan! Nothing more! And.." A sneer broke its way across Maiev's lovely features, twisting them, making them, and making her ugly as she stared up at Shayl, tongue wetting her lips slowly. "She deserved it. I will freely admit to stabbing her. I'd hoped that I'd killed her with the wound. Obviously I'll have to aim for her heart next time."

The druid recoiled, feeling Malfurion's hand grip her arm gently while Illidan let loose with a snarl before he stepped forward, glaives appearing in his hands with a flash of green fire. For a moment, Illidan merely stood there, staring down at Maiev. In return, she kept her eyes on his face, seeming well aware of what was coming. For a moment, the two knew that in another life, another time, they may have had something more then a hateful lust towards one another. In that moment, the love, twisted and dark as it was, touched Maiev's face and Illidan nodded in return before he spoke, hands remaining at his sides for the moment.

"Then, in such words.. I find you guilty of attempted murder. Good-bye, Maiev Shadowsong. Your captive is free. At long last."

And then, with a hiss of sound, one glaive snapped across the area of Maiev's throat. A spill of dark purple hair fell upon the ground first before her head tipped forward and rolled onto the ground, coming to halt by Vashj's position before the body itself hit the ground and he turned away from it, growling in his throat. One hand would lift and a gesture was made, an arcane gesture that left a trace of power pulsing in the air. With a roar of sound, flames suddenly erupted about Maiev's body, Vashj tossing her head into the inferno. Illidan stared quietly at the flames as they consumed Maiev and when the last shreds of her body were burned away, he released a shuddering breath, suddenly aware of her absence and reveling in the freedom that came with her death. Turning, he stared over at his druid and suddenly, oh so suddenly, he wanted to be near her, alone with her, touching her.

Glaives vanishing, he went and caught Shayl up, striding into the building and the citadel, climbing the stairs and returning to his chambers. Then, he returned to the door and shut it tightly before locking it as well, turning to face the druid on the bed. She seemed to feel his gaze for one hand would lift and she smiled wanly. Illidan moved over to her and laid on the bed beside her, their mouths touching, kissing, caressing, breaths mingling together as she gave herself over to his embrace. Fingers clutched at clothing, nails dragging across skin and the two parted, returned, parted again, kisses meshing together. Shayl sensed his need for comfort, for physical contact in this moment and while it made her heart ache, she would not deny him this. Never would she deny him what he wanted. Then, at last, words that had been waiting months to come out emerged at last and she breathed them into the air as he kissed her throat.

"Illidan.. Make me yours."


And done. Wow. Holy crap. My longest chapter yet, people. Yes, the next chapter will finally, FINALLY be the smut scene. I swear to god. XD I think y'all will be happy about that. laughs And the ending to this chapter was inspired by the end of the raid result on the Black Temple. ) Only fitting that Maiev should get beheaded instead. (Yes, I don't like her. At all.)

Illidan- At last!
Shayl- (buries her face in her hands and blushes furiously)