A/N: Hello and welcome. Hope there are still some readers out there. :) Little bit shorter chapter than usual but the next bit is Ulduar and it will need a chapter all its own. Enjoy!

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Torndar: Thank you so much for your continued reviews and your very helpful thoughts. :) Combat sequences have always been my nemesis.

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Locations, major events, many characters are all property of Blizzard. Rae is mine and so are her friends.


Rae wished she could take back every time she'd ever wished for snow. If she never saw any again it would be too soon.

Opening her eyes there was nothing before her except gray. From the scant lightening of the color as she tried to look up she figured she was at least upright though there was no way of telling just how deeply she was buried; it felt like someone had dropped a building on her. Reaching up to wipe at her face she quickly discovered she couldn't move her arms and a wave of panic slammed into her. Closing her eyes again and taking several deep breaths she was able to keep her claustrophobia from taking over; freaking out would not help her in the least. For the first time she wished she was a fire mage; her arcane abilities would not be of much use at the moment. It would have been immensely satisfying to break her way free with a huge pyroblast. As that was not an option she needed to think of a way to free herself before she ran out of breathable air. There was no way of knowing if Gaige, Mila, and Velred had been trapped as well so for now she was on her own. She was also very concerned about Dolgar and his wolf. They had been at her feet when the avalanche hit and she prayed to the Light that they had survived as well.

Knowing her hands needed to be free to help her escape she began moving them back and forth as far as the constricting snow would allow. As she was able to create more and more space around them Rae began forcing them upwards towards her face though she was careful to move slowly. It would do her no good to bring more collapsing down on top of her. Minutes seemed to stretch into hours. Once she thought she heard muffled voices above her but she couldn't be sure. When she was finally able to rub her hands over her face she began working at the snow above her, trying to move at an angle to avoid anything falling back down in the space she'd created. Again she heard something though this time she was sure it was voices. Rae began yelling, cringing a bit as her words echoed in the tiny space, but knowing that was the only way anyone would know where to dig. The voices seemed to get louder and she swore she heard a sizzling sound. A moment later she heard it again then without warning the snow above her vanished and she was blinking up into the bright sunlight, Gaige's face quickly appearing in the new opening.

"Rae! Thank the Light you're alive!" He reached both hands down and she grasped them gratefully. With Velred's help he pulled her free, clasping her to his chest once she was next to him. Mila was quickly by her side, hugging her as well. She gratefully sucked in deep breaths of the cold air and welcomed the slight warmth Gaige's body pressed against hers gave.

"How did you dig through the snow so quickly?" Rae asked.

"Dig?" Mila snorted with amusement. "No need to dig when you have fire at your fingertips." She shook her head with a laugh though it was abruptly cut short when she remembered -

"Dolgar and Gere are still down there!" she cried frantically, pulling free from Gaige.

"What?"

"I was standing over them when we were buried."

Gaige and Velred shared a worried look. Mila, however, stepped back several paces and began letting off firebolt after firebolt, the opening Rae had been pulled from rapidly growing and deepening. After what seemed like hours they were finally able to spot Dolgar laying still in the mud. Pulling him free Velred began checking him over, exclaiming that he still lived, and the dwarf's body began to glow slightly from the draenai's healing spells. Knowing there was nothing she could do for him Rae dug through the remaining snow on the ground searching for Gere. When her hands finally brushed across damp fur a cry caught in her throat and she yanked him towards her. The wolf did not move. Leaning down she pressed an ear against his chest but there was no sound, no heart beat. Mila crouched down next to her, patting the wolf's head.

"He gave his life doing what he loved, protecting his master," she said quietly.

Rae merely nodded, gently running her fingers through Gere's fur. "Do you know what caused the avalanche?" she finally asked.

"Some of the dwarves were sorcerers. There was a group of them in the back near where they emerged from the mountain and they were able to cast something before we managed to take them down." She remembered seeing the group and her thoughts on not being able to get to them at the time; apparently she should have made more of an effort. Before Rae could answer there was a groan from Dolgar and they made their way to where Velred was leaning over the injured dwarf, Gaige watching over his shoulder. When she heard Dol's voice beginning to answer the healer's questions she felt her shoulders relax with relief. She had seen death, expected to see it again, but was very glad it wouldn't be today.

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The air was cool but not uncomfortably so, a welcome change from the frigid environs of the Storm Peaks. Valgarde was fairly quiet now. Attacks from the valkrul had dwindled under the constant push back from Alliance troops until now it was almost possible to forget that their villages hovered on the cliffs above. The activity at the dock was much less than it had been when she had arrived in Northrend months ago. With most of the continent now under control the ships were used mainly to get the injured back to the Eastern Kingdoms. Another large influx of troops probably wouldn't start until the final assault on Icecrown Citadel was ready to be launched as they would need to bolster their numbers after the inevitable losses they were sure to take in Ulduar. Rae stood off to the side as the healers prepared Dolgar for his journey back to Stormwind. A slight breeze brushed by her face, the saltiness of the sea mixed with the subtle stench of rot and illness hanging over the small huts nearest the dock. They may have been outside but the severity of the injuries on many of those waiting to go home caused the air to be anything but fresh smelling. It was not something she would ever be able to forget. When it appeared Dol was secure on his stretcher she came up and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him what she hoped was a genuine smile.

"There you are, lass. Travelled all the way down here just to see me off."

"Yes, here I am. I couldn't let you slip home without saying good-bye."

He gave her a smile. "Are the preparations for Ulduar ready?"

She nodded. "From what I've heard."

"You will be moving in to clear it soon?"

"Within the week I would expect. It appeared that most of those going in were already assembled."

"I am sorry to leave you and the others."

"It's not your fault, Dol. We know you'd stay if you could." Anticipating his next question she continued. "We buried Gere where he would always be able to look out and see the sunset."

"Thank you, Rae. It breaks my heart to leave him here but I know his spirit will enjoy the wilds." He sighed. "Wish I had such a favorable outlook. They say there's probably no chance of saving my arm. It wouldn't bother me so much if I knew what I'd be able to do with myself afterwards. I've had a bow or gun in my hands since I was a wee thing by my father's side. I don't know anything else."

Rae bit her lip wondering how to respond. "What about your family? They will help you surely."

"Aye, they would if they were still alive."

"A close friend then? Maybe a girl you made eyes at before heading off to fight?" She hoped the slightly teasing tone she took would keep him from being offended at the personal nature of her question. To her surprise his cheeks seemed to flush a bit and she smirked.

"Well, now that you mention it ... there was a young lady I walked to the tavern a time or two. Marion was her name. Her father worked in one of the armories and didn't seem to mind much when I came around."

"Why didn't you marry her before you left?"

"Oh, I was young and stupid. I think she was a trifle upset that I didn't ask her but my head was too full of the coming adventures and fantasies of glory."

"Perhaps you should take her to the tavern when you return to Ironforge."

"A lady like that wouldn't remain single. She was a sweet, kind thing but had a fiery streak in her - just the kind of woman a smart dwarf would want to take as his wife. My shot there has long passed."

"You never know. At least promise me you'll look her up when you get home."

"If it'll ease your mind then you have my word."

"Good. I'd hate to think of you sitting all alone with your ale."

He peered up at her, his face tense now with pain. There was almost a vulnerability about him and her heart hurt for his suffering. For a dwarf of his energy and stamina to be put in such a situation, to be left with everything that was familiar taken away, had to inflict wounds that medicine could not heal. She gripped his much larger hand between both of hers. A small smile appeared on his lips.

"Come and see me when you make it up by Ironforge again."

"Consider it done. And I expect to see your lady with you when I do visit," she answered with a grin.

Dol gave her a short nod then pulled her down closer to him. "Don't let that boy push you around. I know he went through some bad stuff but he's gotta learn you can't possess something that ain't yours. You're a good girl, Raegan. There's something about you that I can't quite put my finger on but you deserve the best ... and someone that can go toe to toe with you once in a while."

"What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled by some of his words.

"Like I said I can't put my finger on it but there's just something about you. Not in a bad way, lass, but something that causes a difference between you and them other mages." He squeezed her hand tightly and changed the subject. "When you get there give Arthas a shot in the arse with that magic of yours for me."

"It would be my pleasure."

Evelien stood by the water's edge, arms crossed on her chest. Another woman was by her side and seemed to be pleading with her. As Rae crept a bit closer, careful to stay hidden in the bushes, she was finally able to hear what they were saying.

"Put them away for her. She will need them one day."

"Durrant and I left all that so our children wouldn't have to fight."

"And a wise decision it was ... but even you cannot tell what the future will hold, Evelien. There may come a time when they have to fight. You know what is hiding out there. She will need the power those will give her."

"No. They will not follow in our footsteps. They have no memories of the lives we used to lead. We have built a secure home for them here in Elwynn."

"You know that there is no where on Azeroth they can hide that trouble won't find them. What has happened to cause you to have such fearful thoughts?"

"I have seen war, Diadre. I have seen death. My children deserve so much better."

The other woman placed a hand on her arm. "There is nothing wrong with desiring that but you cannot forget the reality of life. Even if they don't know anything about what you and Durrant used to do, its quite possible they'll decide of their own free will to follow one or both of those paths. If it is written in the Fates that they are to finish what we couldn't there's nothing anyone can do to prevent it. Wouldn't you want Rae prepared?"

Evelien sighed. "She has exhibited no signs but until she passes her fifteenth year the possibility that things will manifest lingers. I have felt the strength inside her." She turned to look her friend in the face. "You know what power is contained in these rings, especially the one gifted to me."

"All the more reason to keep them until she is fully ready to accept the destiny ahead of her."

Evelien fell silent again. After several minutes she placed something in Diadre's hand. "You protect this one. If it is her fate to follow in my steps then you will see her when she is older; do not seek her out."

Rae blinked as the morning sun assaulted her eyes. For a moment she felt rather disoriented. At first she thought she was back at the small house outside Goldshire then as things came into focus she recognized her temporary chambers in the Violet Citadel. The dream had felt so real but she couldn't explain why. She had no recollection of ever witnessing such a scene between her mother and the woman she and Brynn had run into while in Stormwind. Sitting up she rubbed her hands over her face, trying to puzzle through what she'd seen while she slept. Now that she was awake it was beginning to fade though one thing did stand out. Sliding out from under her blanket she knelt beside the small trunk containing her belongings. Most of her things were still in her quarters back in Stormwind but there were a few things she took with her no matter where she traveled. It was occasionally comforting to know there was something familiar with her. Lifting the lid she pushed aside the extra clothes until she found what she sought at the bottom. Taking out the box she'd discovered in her mother's old chest she eyed the two rings laying there - one that had been in there originally and the one Diadre had given her that day in the city.

You know what power is contained in these rings, especially the one gifted to me.

Her mother's words drifted back to her and she picked them up cautiously, turning them over and over in the hopes of seeing something that would signify something special contained within. They looked as they always had, one gold with a red center stone and the other silver with a blue stone, no visible markings to indicate who they had been made for or what they did. Though tempted to put them back - she had never been one for any kind of jewelry - Evelien's words prompted her to slide them on her fingers. If she'd been expecting something to happen she was disappointed. They fit her perfectly though their unfamiliar weight felt a bit odd. As she made herself ready for the day Rae caught herself glancing down at the new adornments, wondering what it was about them that had caused her mother to be hesitant about giving them to her and Diadre adamant that she have them. Perhaps she could ask Rhonin about them ... once they'd put Ulduar and Icecrown behind them.

The thought of where she was returning to before midday almost brought a groan from her lips. It was so blasted cold there! The weather in Dun Morogh had nothing on the Storm Peaks and Icecrown ... but she might have to defer a trip to visit Dolgar for a few months as the thought of willingly walking into that cold, even to see a friend, was almost nauseating. As she threw the last of her scant belongings into her pack she made a mental note to stop by The Threads of Fate and purchase a thicker cloak and gloves. She might also let the Kirin Tor know that they should better inform newcomers of the weather conditions where they're being sent. It wouldn't been nice to have known the kind of frozen hell she was venturing into beforehand. When this was all over she was going to travel down to Booty Bay and enjoy the balmy heat for several days; the questionable activities of the citizens could be ignored for that long. Flinging the bag on her back she gave the room a last look before shutting the door behind her and heading for Krasus Landing for the flight back to the North. There was an Old God to defeat and she had a job to do.