New Chap...jk. Don't hate me. I just felt so compelled to write this. It's been bugging me for a while so I decided. I just love Caldur and Vendal, so I had to type up a quick, little something about their past :3 Besides, I need a little time and brain power to work on the next actual chap of the story. I'm suffering from that accursed writer's block. Don't worry, it'll come in time.

*Disclaimer is same~

(The first moments)

I was born just like any other child of Elune. I came into this world with a pounding in my chest and a cry ringing out from between my trembling lips. The cooing voices of the forest breathed life into my limbs, painted pictures in my head, and rocked my very being with the gift of sensation. I was fabricated from the love of two people. I was brought into existence by the very emotions that propel me onward to this very day. On that night, under the beautiful, silver glow of a round, mystical moon, I was welcomed into the world by a bell-like laugh and a whisper of 'he's a wild child'. Yes, I was the wild one. I was the trouble-maker. My name would become a grumbled utterance amongst the people of my village. Where I went, disaster was sure to follow. Large hands had cradled me gently against an all-too warm chest. As a newborn, I had nuzzled into it, relishing in the feel of an unmasked adoration being washed over me. That voice, one so unlike the elusive murmurings of the life around us, brushed softly against my ears. I have loved it ever since.

"Vendal."

There it is. My title. My label. My everything. I am Vendal. I am a single soul in this vast universe of constantly-changing circumstances. I am the wild child that's sure to be regarded with awe someday. I'll be a treasure to my people. I really believed that too. The day I was born was the first day I became the biggest fool in existence. The warmth that was shrouding me faltered just the slightest.

"Oh, look, there are twins!"

That's when I realized, 'Vendal' was only a small, insignificant piece of an overwhelming entirety.

"Aren't they precious? What shall this one be called?"

It didn't take very long, only a mere second quicker than it took to present me.

"Caldur."

I hated it the moment it was spoken by her voice. My mother's voice. Our mother's voice. How could she speak with the same amount of love to someone other than myself? I was hers. She loved me.

"He's lovely, so quiet. They say the ones that don't cry at birth are the ones that grow up to be the most productive."

I hated it.

"Yes, the complete opposite of his brother."

I hated him.

"Twins are always a handful. I'm sure they'll straighten each other out one way or another, though. They always do."

I cried then. I wailed. The warmth returned to me in a rush, proving that all of the attention was back on me. As an infant, I had been demanding of other's consideration. Please don't ignore me. Please don't forget that I'm here. I know that he's better than me, but I want to be loved just as much as you love him. I don't want to be the half that's forgotten.

My introduction was a fleeting one.

(10 years old)

"Ven!"

I grumbled unintelligibly and kept my eyes firmly focused on the surface of the rushing water that lapped around my ankles. My toes, a pale lavender, dug into the gritty creek bed. My fingers tightened around the net that I let dangle in the water before me. One simple step to the left would put me at the perfect angle. There was a crevice between two large stones just a little ways away, an unmistakably impeccable place for a well-sized Trout to dwell. Nevertheless, if I so much as budged an inch he would spot me. That was the last thing I wanted.

"Hey, Ven, c'mon! Don't hide from me!"

My eyebrow twitched. Why does his voice have to sound so similar to my own? It's so irritating.

"I promise I won't bother you! I just want to hang around."

He was getting closer. I wore at the inside of my cheek with my lengthy canines until a hint of copper tickled my tongue. He's so persistent, that brother of mine. Should I make my presence known? He was bound to find me one way or another anyway. After a while, I sighed. It doesn't matter. My foot slid to the left. I crouched, arms spread out deftly as I balanced myself on the uneven pebbles, and slowly lifted my other leg. In one swift movement I pressed the bottom of my right foot against one of the large stones and pushed. The current aided me and hefted the heavy rock backwards. However, I didn't let its movements alter my attention. In an instant, a colorful fish about the length of my forearm shot out from the safety of its cover and floundered right into my net. With a wild grin, I hauled the net up by both sides and waded back over to the bank. It wasn't until I lifted my head that I realized that I had an audience. Golden eyes, a mirror of my own, peered down at me cheerfully. A scowl immediately swept away all traces of the pleasure that had previously been shown on my face.

"That was a nice catch."

"I didn't ask for your approval," I muttered.

Caldur watched me carefully as I swung the net over my shoulder and tied the corner strings in place across my front. I could feel the Trout twitching between my shoulder blades.

"Can I help next time? I've never fished before."

"You can fish whenever you want. You don't need me to be there with you holding your hand the whole time."

My twin's brow furrowed a bit. However, he was the kind of person who couldn't remain upset for very long. That's probably why I tried to dishearten him so often. It irked me when my insults never got through to him.

"I would like to spend time with my brother." He actually had the nerve to smile.

My scowl only deepened as my eyes flickered sideways to catch his. He blinked. We stayed like that for about a minute or so, me standing on the edge of the bank, hair and skin dripping with the water from the creek, whilst he crouched on the ground, haunches brushing against long blades of fresh, emerald grass. We probably would've looked really odd to any average passersby, but, then again, we lived in a secluded part of Ashenvale, almost uncomfortably close to one of several Horde encampments. The only visitors we ever got were either the scarce traveler or an unwelcome member of the opposing party. So, generally-speaking, this small confrontation between us was nothing out of the ordinary.

"You spend too much time with me as it is," I said while reaching over to grab my discarded shirt, which was lying across one of the extended roots of a nearby tree.

I flicked my wrists, giving the tattered cloth a good shake in an attempt to clear off any clinging debris. Caldur continued to eye me. I didn't know whether he was finally at a loss for what to say or if he was just trying to unsettle me, but either way, the eerie glaze in his golden orbs caused me to shiver involuntarily. Maybe it's just the cold. I'm still soaked after all. Slightly disturbed, I turned my back to him and slid my shirt up and over my head, shoving my arms through the ragged holes on either side.

"Do you hate me?"

It was a whisper, so quiet that it almost faded into the background chatter of the lively forest surrounding us. The soft breath reached my keen ears nonetheless, and I couldn't help but pause in my actions. Still, I refused to look at him. It wasn't the fact that he had spoken so gently that had caught me off guard. Moreover, it was the question itself. I did, didn't I? I had told myself that I did over and over again. I hate him. I hate him. I hate him. His very existence is a bane to me. Wherever I go, he follows. Wherever he follows, perfection is left in his wake. Everyone loves him. It's always Caldur this and Caldur that… Nobody ever looks at me and says 'good job, Vendal' or 'how are you, Ven?'. It's always 'oh look! It's Caldur and his brother' and 'isn't Caldur just the greatest'. My brother is the only half that people see. I'm just an object, a nuisance. So why should I offer someone like him my affection? Why would I love someone who has taken every possibility away from me? My eyes hardened as I glared at the sandy bank.

"I don't love you." At least I wasn't lying.

The silence that ensued was shorter than I had expected it would be.

"But do you hate me?"

He was begging now, pleading. Though his voice remained even and calm, I could feel the desperation surging beneath. I guess it was because we were twins. He felt what I felt. I knew what he knew. Everything was shared between us…everything but the admiration gained from those around us.

"I…don't."

Why couldn't I just tell it to him straight? Things would be so much easier if I did.

"Then it's alright, isn't it?"

I stifled a grimace and kept my back to him as I hefted the net a little higher on my right shoulder and began walking in the opposite direction.

"Whatever."

"I'll take that as a 'yes'," he called out happily as he leapt to his feet and trotted after me.

For the most part, I ignored him. It wasn't too hard to tune him out. He has one of those voices that my people often say is 'in synch with nature'. It's light and carefree, soft yet cunning…and it's that very cunning nature of his that misleads most everyone into believing in the false perfection that he wears like a mask. I know, though. I know. That's why I'm different. That's why we're different.

"That's a pretty big fish."

I kept my teeth gritted tightly together, refusing to answer. However, his merry chatter didn't cease.

"It's a Trout right? Trout…we've only ever had the fish from the sea that the traders bring."

I couldn't help it.

"I've had Trout."

His eyes fixed firmly onto the back of my head. No, I wasn't looking, I could feel it. There was the tiniest spark of guilt in my chest, but I quickly stamped it out.

"Have you? Is it any good?"

Don't you dare use that stupid, innocent tone with me. I can tell when you're upset, Cal. I decided against voicing this. Instead, I shrugged a shoulder half-heartedly.

"It's really no different than Snapper."

"I don't like Snapper."

"Then you wouldn't like Trout."

To my vast relief, he kept his mouth shut after that.

(19 years old)

"Vendal."

I twisted my head to the left to see him approaching me. My eyes instantly fell upon the new, tough leather vest that he had strapped tightly over the white linen shirt that our mother had given him. It had been a parting gift: a shirt and a peck on the cheek. Of course, I got one too…a shirt, not a kiss. Mom only ever showed her affections to Caldur. Though, I guess that was partly my own fault. I had told her long ago to stop doing embarrassing things like that. Caldur never minded. So, she showered him with her love all the time. I'll admit it burned a little. However, it wouldn't matter much anymore. We had left home about a week ago for Lor'danel, the prospect of going out and fighting for our faction overruling our nearly nonexistent desire to stay huddled in our birthplace, playing safe. It doesn't matter where we go. We'll never truly be out of danger's reach. Therefore, it's only logical that we set off to do something worthwhile. At least this way we could face danger head-on. So, we came to Lor'danel, we applied to become soldiers for the Alliance, and bam, here we are, a pair of Druids out searching for Quests that should hopefully raise our status into something of worthier standards.

"Caldur," I addressed him as I always did, somewhat stiffly but not at all in the formal manner that I did my superiors.

That smile broke out across his face, sparking warmth into his eyes as he clapped a hand on my shoulder, earning nothing more than a grunt from me.

"Why are you hovering? There are plenty of Quest givers milling about. How about we do one tog-"

"I don't need your help…thanks."

I pulled back from his touch, ignoring the quick, almost invisible flash of hurt in his expression. Then I lifted my head, shoved my hands into my pockets, and turned my back to him, just as I always have. Does that make me a coward? Does not being able to face him mean I'm afraid to? Perhaps. Maybe I'm just afraid to express anything other than hatred towards him. After all, that's all I've ever shown him. Mother often scolded me for not being nice, but…mother's not here right now. A heavy sigh forced its way past my lips as I began trudging across a broken-up cobblestone path towards the large bridge that stretched from the center of Lor'danel, connecting it to the rest of Dark Shore.

"Vendal…"

It was that underlying twinge of desperation and uncertainty that had me glancing back. There my twin brother stood by himself, looking more forlorn than I had ever seen him look in my life. It got to me. I'm not prideful enough to lie about that. It really got to me. My heart stuttered a tad. I bit my lip.

"Fine, do whatever you want," I finally grounded out before jerking my head back to glare ahead.

I didn't have to see him to know that my simple command had completely elated him beyond the point of being crushed beneath that uncanny sorrow of his. When people looked at him they saw a cunning, pleasurable Night Elf, but when I laid eyes on him, all I could see was a broken wind-up toy. If I didn't turn that handle on the toy every now and again then it would remain damaged forever. That thought kind of hurt. Maybe it was because we were twins…or maybe it was because I actually might've cared just a little bit. Either way, the notion left an unnatural, fluttery sensation in my chest. I did my best to stifle it as we passed a nearby Sentinel. I couldn't help but eye her, for her face was completely flushed, and her eyes darted around as if she was under the impression that a beast would leap out of the shadows at any given second. I remained silent. My brother didn't.

"Ah, miss, could you perhaps be giving out Quests?"

The woman froze and blinked at us, startled. I could practically see the gears turning in her head as her silver irises jumped between my twin and me. Then she cleared her throat.

"Tell me I'm not going mad."

Caldur laughed. I clicked my tongue disapprovingly and looked away.

"There are two of us. I'm Caldur, and this is my twin brother Vendal. We were hoping you might be able to provide us with a bit of work." It was almost a question, but he said it in that impossible way that slyly made it into a hopeful plea.

Again, the Sentinel looked between us. After a few seconds' hesitation, though, she swallowed and reached back into her satchel. A somewhat crumpled piece of paper was pulled out smoothly by her gloved fingers. She presented it to Caldur, an action that had me grumbling beneath my breath. I mean, why shouldn't I be the one she gave the Quest to? Do I not seem capable enough at handling instructions?

"Ah, Ven! Look here, we get to deal with the infected Thistlebears! Isn't that something? I've never seen a Thistlebear before. You haven't either, right Ven?"

"…Of course not."

"Let's do this one then! Thank you very much," he tossed the Sentinel a quick grin, darkening the color of her cheeks that much more as he ushered me from behind in the direction of the bridge. A low growl began to form in my throat.

"Don't shove me."

His hands left my shoulders in an instant. I relaxed a little. We crossed the bridge in silence. Honestly, I was excited. This wasn't my first Quest, but it was the first Quest that has ever led me out of the comforts of a friendly population. Before, Caldur and I had only been doing those menial tasks that the higher-ups usually give out due to nothing but pure boredom. They do it to amuse themselves, to mock those that are still struggling to find their place while they themselves have everything they could ever need. Things like 'buying cheese' and 'diving for clams' are not activities on my list of 'admirable things to do'. I'm sure I'm not the only one that detests this manner of authority. Then again, what could people like us, mere grunts in training, do to change that. We could only accept and advance. That's how it's always been. That's how it always will be.

A large Sentinel eyed us suspiciously as we strode past her and headed along the left path. I had half a mind to flip her off but just as quickly decided against it. Maybe I'm just having a bad day. It was only when we had veered off the path and headed further into the tree line that we caught sight of our first target. So that's a Thistlebear, huh? I had only ever seen pictures of them. It was a whole different story seeing them close up like this. The creature was larger than I expected, a hulking mass of dirty, brown fur and razor-sharp teeth. In fact, its teeth were so heavy in its mouth that the bear's jaw was kept hanging wide open. I grimaced slightly. Imagine those canines closing around your throat. Subconsciously, I lifted a hand to finger the soft skin of my neck. Yeah, that wouldn't be good.

"Alright, let's go."

My eyes darted sideways to regard my brother incredulously as he shifted into his cat form and began to creep forward. I swiftly followed his example and padded after him hastily. The tip of his tail flicked against my whiskers when I caught up. My voice ground out in a low rumble as I chided him.

"Idiot, we can't just go rushing in. That's too risky."

His cat-like, golden orbs regarded me in an almost entertained fashion.

"Oh, so you do care?"

I hissed.

"What has that got anything to do with-"

"Don't lie to me, Ven. Don't lie anymore."

I stared at him, surprised. Just what was he getting at? I narrowed my eyes, feeling the fur along my haunches begin to bristle.

"What are you talking about?"

For the first time in my life, I saw anger flash across his face. It wasn't just a fleeting spur of irritation. No, it was raw anger. He was totally pissed. My ears flattened themselves against my skull at the same time that my claws instinctively slid out from their sheaths. Caldur snarled and lunged at me, taking me so aback that I didn't so much as twitch as he flipped me back and pinned me down with his heavy paws. I ogled up at him.

"You know what I'm talking about! Why are you always like this? No matter what I do, you just refuse to see me! I'm trying hard to be your brother. I'm trying hard to make you accept me. Why won't you just look at me, Vendal?"

My snout crinkled as my lips peeled back to reveal my sharp teeth.

"Why?!"

Caldur's expression faltered a bit at the furious sarcasm that I spat in his face.

"Why? You really dare to ask such ask thing? Have you any clue what you've put me through? Have you any idea how others treat me because of you?"

His eyes widened a bit as I forced him back and puffed myself up to look down upon him in all the pain and grief that I had suffered through. He ducked his head a little, confusion and hurt warring for domination in the depths his troubled gaze.

"Ven-"

That's when a loud roar tore through the air, causing us to whirl around and stare in horror as the huge Thistlebear from before came lumbering towards us at a frightening speed. My first instinct was to bolt. However, when my eyes locked with the bear's, I could see the unmistakable hunger in them as it shifted the angle of its advance towards my terrified twin. Unfortunately, Caldur just so happened to be the nearer target. Fear, unlike any other I had ever felt before, jolted me to my very core. In my head I could already see the future scene taking place before me. I could see scarlet strings of gore flying through the air and splattering across the azure grass. I could hear the agonizing screams of my brother as he was viciously torn into and ripped apart…calling my name. Begging me to save him. Oh, why didn't I save him? Something struck me then. I'm not sure what it was exactly, but before I had even realized what was happening, I was surging forward. The muscles in my legs convulsed as I propelled myself forward by digging my claws into the hard soil below. Caldur shouted something, but the words were lost on me as my body collided with that of the ravaging beast.

The creature was even coarser than I thought it would be. Nonetheless, the force of our impact caused the Thistlebear to lurch sideways and stumble. We tussled violently as we rolled down the hill, jaws snapping and claws scoring. It raked my side pretty good about part way down, and I returned the gesture with a none-too soft bite on its ear. We snarled and spat, growled and hissed, yet neither of us could fully overpower the other. That is…until we reached the bottom of the hill. In the distance, I heard Caldur cry my name once, and then my world was submerged in an icy-cold rush of relentless water. I attempted to shift at this point, but for some reason, I couldn't muster up enough energy to do so. A heavy weight forced me down, keeping me under. I struggled…hell, I struggled. Yet, the Thistlebear seemed to have the upper hand at this point. Or…so I thought. The harsh current threw us this way and that, crushing us against rocks and dragging us against the gritty bed below. I couldn't breathe! My chest tightened, and my tongue rolled as I fought the urge to inhale. I peered up in the same instant that the Thistlebear rammed into a large stone. There was a loud crack that I could hear even from down below in the water. Then the beast was limp. I should've been grateful, glad that I was so fortunate to not have to deal with the horrid thing anymore. However, I was still in a bit of a pinch.

My claws scrabbled fruitlessly at a mass of soggy fur. I had to get to the surface. That's when my back met brutally with something hard. Pain wracked my spine and my mouth opened in a yowl that was drowned by the fury of the river. Unwelcome liquid flooded my body. My muscles screamed for me to move as panic overwhelmed me. I'm going to die! Elune, I'm going to die!

"Vendal!"

My head broke the surface. I attempted to breathe, but my lungs were already too full. Then, abruptly, I fell back. All the energy that I had built up before went out like the sensitive flame of a candle. I started to sink again.

"VENDAL!"

There was a loud splash and, suddenly, something warm enveloped me. Two strong arms wrapped around me before I could be further pulled away by the rushing current. Then I could feel the heavenly stability of the ground beneath me. It's amazing how much one can come to love earth just by being exposed to a single, perturbing experience with water. The arms left me and were replaced by fretful hands.

"Ven? Hey, c'mon, you're okay, right?"

Like hell. My throat constricted and I began hacking. Liquid trickled out from my slack mouth, but didn't come out in a rush like I thought it would. The hands moved to my chest and pressed lightly once, then a second time, this one being more forceful. There we go. I vomited up more water than I thought could possibly even fit in my body. After that, I lay limply, my body too weak to do anything. My eyes cracked open just the slightest. I looked up. Caldur, in all his petrified glory, was kneeling over me, golden orbs following my every move. The smallest of smiles pulled at my muzzle. What a hopeless bloke. I allowed my tail to whisk over and brush against his knee. He jumped. Then the hands were back. Fingers ran through my fur, caressed the scruff of my neck, and faintly touched my face.

"Vendal?"

A shiver coursed through me. Elune, it's cold. Slowly, ever so slowly, I worked my jaw. I decided to test my voice.

"C…" Ah, no good.

Nevertheless, Caldur's keen ears had picked up on the miniscule utterance. He leaned forward. That's when he noticed that my eyes were open. His reaction after that somewhat shocked me. My brother fell forward the rest of the way and wrapped his arms around me once more. I stiffened just the slightest but then relaxed when I realized he was merely embracing me. Still, that action in itself was foreign to me. Never before had we been so close. I'm proud to say I at least made an effort in responding. I lowered my chin so that it rested against his shoulder. His hold tightened around me. He began to shake. I froze.

"Please, brother…don't ever do something like that again. I thought you died. I thought I was going to lose you. Please, Ven, please…"

I took a deep breath, one that grated against my throat, and mustered up the energy to shift into my natural form. Skin met skin, and I hugged my twin back. I held him until his trembling stopped. I held him until the tears dried from his cheeks, so that he didn't have to be ashamed when he faced me again.

"…I'm a sorry excuse for a brother, you know." I was glad my voice was working properly again.

Caldur's shoulders jerked a bit as he laughed. My heart ached. Had I really missed the sound so much?

"We both are."

We stayed like that for Elune knows how long. It was only when my spine started to ached that I released him and fell back to the ground. At first, Caldur was terrified, probably thinking I had just died on him or something. When he saw the grimace on my face, though, he calmed a little. It wasn't really the most intelligent thing to do, lay by the river that had almost claimed my life while also putting our lives on the line by remaining in the Thistlebears' territory. Here we are, though, a couple of idiots. That's really all we are. A pair of idiots. How could he have been so stupid? How could I have been so stupid.

"I don't hate you, you know."

He continued to watch me, as if he were afraid that I might disappear if he looked away. A soft smile tugged at his lips.

"I know."

"Jerk."