Chapter 35 – Responsibilities

Camnath and Tiene spent the night at Farstrider Enclave after their encounter with Dar'khan. Tiene had insisted that the Magister's head was placed in a sack for her to deliver to Lor'themar the next day. The rest of the body had been dismembered, burned and then scattered to the four corners of Quel'thalas. Tiene felt it was insurance, against the evil that was Dar'khan, from ever rising again.

As the night drew to an end, Camnath tended to her wounded back, gently bathing the cuts earned from her impact on the slaughter house wall when battling with Borgoth the Bloodletter. They were nothing serious, but needed cleaned to prevent infection.

He knew she was exhausted from their day's work, perhaps on a more emotional level than physical, and so he simply held her in his arms as he sat in bed beside her, planting little kisses on her brow. She whispered that she loved him, before slipping into the land of dreams. She snoozed, snuggling against him, her fingers laced in his long ebony hair.

Revisiting the past, his memory drifted. In particular to that fateful night at the Gathering, years ago. Initially of course, he had only seen what Sauren had wanted him to see. The shame he felt, after turning and walking away, leaving her to have to deal with that monster. He had berated himself for that for a very long time indeed. He still did, if he was honest.

His mouth twitched. There was still a residue of bitterness towards Sauren too, even though he was now dead. For all he'd witnessed his death, but he would never admit that to Tiene. She had almost caught him watching from the battlements. He had been informed by Belaen of her plan, and he had to see her putting an end to the beast who had kept them apart for so long. It had been hard to watch as she had paraded about in that...outfit, taunting Sauren, making him think she had a different plan to the one she going to execute. It took all the strength he had not to burst through the window, once she had dealt the final blow.

Yet now, he was the one lying beside her, her soft breath ghosting on his chest. And finally, he felt in harmony with all things. His world, however broken in way of the land and habitat, had never felt so rich and full as it did at this precise moment. She was his life. He would protect her, defend her to the bitter end. He smiled, and a small laugh escaped him as he realised she could probably defend him better than he could her. But, he would do everything in his power to keep her safe and hopefully...make her happy. She so deserved to be happy.

He pondered their future as he watched her sleeping. His beautiful Tiene. So brave, so loving. He smiled as he remembered Belaen's words, "...your paths will cross in the future, when the time is right." Well, here it was, years later, and amid such sorrow and loss. But, from the ashes, phoenix' were born. Now they were Sin'dorei, Blood Elves. Their numbers were few, a small nation now. There was much healing and building to be done . It would take time, but they were strong, and they would grow.

The corners of his mouth curled. Perhaps he and Tiene could have a hand in that too, one day. He visualised them with a family. Sons and daughters, he mused. Maybe two of each? That would be nice, he thought, inadvertently tightening his arm around her shoulders. Her fingers briefly weaved through his hair, then she settled again.

It amazed him how brave she had been after all she had endured and the intolerable loss of her beloved family. It still touched his heart when he remembered her on the beach, watching the boat that carried her father and brothers towards their final horizon. He knew not how he would have handled losing his parents, Faealle, his little sister as he still called her, but he doubted very much that he would have been as dignified as Tiene had been. Merely thinking about it brought a lump to his throat.

She stirred, tightening her arm around him, a small sound of contentment escaping her lips. He smiled. A strand of her hair slipped over her face. Gently he placed it behind her ear.

Her eyes flickered open at his touch and she lifted her chin to meet his gaze. Her mouth curled at the sides. "Were you watching me sleep?"

He stroked her cheek. "Yes. You looked so peaceful." He kissed her brow and slid down the bed, so their faces were near level. He pulled her into his embrace, her arms responding by circling him.

She sighed. "I would give anything to stay like this," she said. "Promise you'll never leave me Camnath."

"I promise. I will be always be here for you, Tiene." He placed her hand on his heart. "This beats only for you."

She smiled. "And you have mine. Guard it well, my love."

"Always and forever. Now sleep, my sweet lady."

"I love you," she murmured.

"I love you too."

"I love you more," she smiled snuggling closer.

"No you don't." He smirked.

"I do so."

"Not a chance."

"Told you I'd be too much for you," she whispered, smugly.

"Women always win when it comes to talking Tiene, that doesn't count." He laughed softly.

She nipped him. He flinched.

"Go to sleep, woman." His face beaming from her mischievousness.

She nipped him again, laughing as she did so.

He rolled her over and pinned her hands either side of her head. "Told you I loved you more." Her eyes glistened, a teasing grin playing on her soft mouth.

Smiling, he said, "You can tell me all you want, my love, but I will show you what it is to be truly loved." His lips brushed her throat as he wrapped her in his arms.

The only sounds that tumbled from her mouth after that, were soft, deep sighs.

Rebuilding Silvermoon City would be an arduous task. As the high elves worked methodically clearing away the rubble and general cleaning up of the city, it was obvious that the effort and time required in resurrecting the one-time jewel of the elven nation would be punishing indeed. Without the Sunwell the people would have to resort to regenerating the city the old fashioned way, without magic. The glory days were over and it saddened Tiene immensely.

All the more so now knowing she had no home to return to, no father waiting to hug her and no Inaris or Duthan to tease her. As the thoughts flooded her mind, her pace slowed. A pain burned in her chest and her eyes brimmed with tears. She had been fine this morning, even when she started out for the journey to the city. Perhaps it hadn't seemed real then. Now with the broken pavements beneath her feet, the burned and tumbled buildings surrounding her and their destination taking her through the area where home had once stood, the grim reality hit hard.

Camnath turned when he realised she had stopped. She stood, head down, trembling. He moved to her side quickly and put his arm around her shoulders pulling her against him. He did not need to ask, he knew, and he felt her pain too.

She put her arm around his waist, her fingers wringing his tunic. She took a few short, deep breaths, then nodded her head in reassurance. He kissed her brow.

"Tiene?" They looked to where the timid voice came from. The two rogues exchanged surprised glances.

"Sedrine," Tiene acknowledged. Here stood the girl, all grown up, who used to look down her nose as if Tiene were nothing more than vermin. Yet here she was, making the first move to speak.

Sedrine made towards the couple, her steps small and dainty as they had always been. She nodded to Camnath, something almost akin to a humble smile on her lips. "I – I wanted to pass on my condolences. I heard about…" Her voice faltered, and Tiene was surprised to see tears in her eyes. Sedrine's shoulders rose and fell as she tried to regain composure. "I am truly sorry, Tiene."

Fighting her own sorrow, she was still able to appreciate the sentiment and especially as it must have been hard for Sedrine to approach her. Mustering some decorum of her own she thanked Sedrine and enquired if her family were alright. They were. Tiene smiled, although it didn't reach her eyes. She turned to leave when Sedrine moved and touched her arm. Tiene focused on the woman in front of her. This was no longer the spoiled, self-assured, arrogant girl from years gone by. This was a woman who now understood the world outside of her own little bubble. A world of harsh reality, sorrow and death. "I also want to apologise for things I said and done … to both of you, in the past." She quickly glanced at Camnath, an uncertain smile flickering on her mouth.

Tiene was overwhelmed. Quite why Sedrine had felt the need to say that, she did not know, but it somehow had a profound effect on her. She hugged the woman gently. "I appreciate that Sedrine. Let us leave the past where it belongs and look ahead now, work towards a brighter tomorrow." She stepped back, lightly patting Sedrine's hand.

Sedrine smiled. "Yes, I hope so, Tiene. Thank you." Then with one last look at Camnath, hoping for some sign of forgiveness for past deeds, she was awarded with a smile and a nod from the ebony haired elf too. She turned and left, in her familiar dainty steps.

Camnath looked at Tiene with raised eyebrows. It had been an odd moment. Tiene's reaction to Sedrine's words however, made him love her all the more. He pulled her close and gave her a soft kiss. She looked at him. "You never cease to amaze me," he said in reply to her unspoken question.

Wrapping her arm round his waist again, they continued towards Sunfury Spire. It was tempting to look through Murder Row to see if any of the Students of Shadow trainers were around, but being realistic, she resisted the urge. It would be too painful to find none had survived. If they had however, she would find out in good time.

The fountain in The Court of the Sun, needless to say, was dry, its statue still in pieces in its , the stairs to the Spire were still broken in places with rubble covering a large area towards the entrance of the building. Ascending the stairs they saw some of the Rangers milling about. There was such melancholy in the seemed to be awaiting orders.

From the entrance to the Spire, Lor'themar emerged, his eye focusing on a scroll in his right hand. His left held many more pieces of parchment. Tiene smiled as she watched him striding towards the Rangers. He was utterly focused on what he was reading and did not notice her or Camnath until he looked up and started to speak with one of the Ranger lieutenants. He smiled broadly at seeing the couple and indicated he would be with them soon. He continued to talk to the Rangers, issuing some of the parchment to three lieutenants, but keeping the scroll. The Rangers turned and signalled for their men to follow, then left the Spire grounds.

Lor'themar came forward and hugged Tiene. "Oh, it is good to see you, Tiene." He then looked at Camnath and held out his hand. The two elves shook their greeting.

Tiene was a little taken aback at the sound of relief in his voice, as if she was a welcome distraction. As she studied his face she realised he was wrought with making decisions which perhaps were not meant, ordinarily, for him to make. Another wave of sadness washed over her as she knew she was witnessing a major change in the man before her. The once driven Ranger who had worked his way up the ranks, earning respect from all fellow Rangers, and who enjoyed a family life with her, her brothers and father, laughing and celebrating great times, was fading before her very eyes. In his place was a man who shouldered responsibilities he did not ask for, nor indeed believe he was capable of executing. Yet, she knew he had the ability to do whatever was required. Lor'themar was not a man to kneel down defeated. But, he did indeed look tired.

She linked arms with him. "We have a gift for you, brother, a little gruesome I admit, but one we were very happy to acquire."

He laughed quietly. "I have heard of your success Tiene, and of your final blows which ended him. I believed in you, my sister, there was no need to evidence it, but thank you. You have both blessed Quel'thalas with a great service."

He signalled to one of the guards that stood at the entrance of the Spire and asked him to dispose of the package Camnath carried. He then led the two rogues into the Spire where he took them through to a private set of rooms, which all things considered were in a fairly liveable condition.

Large cracks ran up the walls, all the way to the domed ceiling, drawing elaborate designs across the plaster, exposing some of the raw brick behind. The once beautiful chandeliers hung on fractured chains minus their candle lights, looking like rusty, iron skeletons rent of their opulence. Dust particles danced and swirled on the sun's rays as they filtered through the remaining stained glass panes, dangerous shards still sitting in place and others scattered on the floor.

The furniture, mostly torn and dusty in places and had not been used since the blast of the Sunwell. The selected few items in use had been cleaned and made presentable and were positioned around the large fireplace.

Lor'themar looked apologetically at the couple, for the surroundings. They smiled and told him not to concern himself with trivial things and besides it was far better than they had expected. He invited them to sit. Placing the scroll he had kept hold of since they'd arrived onto a side table, he then moved to the carved wooden sideboard where an assortment of wines sat. He paused for a few moments, deliberating on the best one to choose, then finally having made his decision he poured a couple of glasses for his guests, handing them over graciously. With a glass for himself he crossed back over the room and flopped down, exhausted, into one of the better chairs.

They raised their glasses to each other and drank. The Ranger Lord drank deeply, Tiene noticed.

"You look tired, brother," she said, cupping her glass in both hands. "When was the last time you slept?"

Lor'themar stared into his glass as he gently swirled the contents, watching it lap and coat the edges. He smiled lop-sidedly. "About three days ago. I think."

Tiene shifted forward on the sofa. "You cannot keep going like that Lor'themar. Is this what Prince Kael'thas asked of you? Why isn't he overseeing his people?"

Lor'themar shifted in his seat. "He has gone to help our people in other ways Tiene. He is fighting with the Alliance…"

"Even though his father had withdrawn from them?"

The Ranger Lord fixed her with his one good eye. "It is our best hope at defeating the scourge, Tiene. Besides, politics is a dirty river which needs bridges built now and again to cross often difficult currents. That is how a nation can prosper."

"And fighting alongside a faction, whose belly that evil snake Arthas, crawled out of, is building a bridge?"

Lor'themar held her gaze. In as gentle a tone as he could muster, he said, "You have fought beside them for years too, Tiene, do not forget that."

She flinched. Camnath took her hand, interlocking his fingers with hers. Lor'themar noticed the gesture. The corner of his mouth twitched. "They are not all like Arthas, Tiene. We have had our fair share of traitors too, one of which you just delivered the head, moments ago."

He was speaking the truth. She took a deep breath and calmed. "I'm sorry. What I'm really concerned about is the fact he left you to mop all this mess up. You are a Ranger, Lor'themar. The Farstriders are your life."

The Ranger Lord stood and moved across to the sideboard again. He topped up his glass and held it up in offer to his guests. They declined with a shake of their heads. Moving back to his seat, he took a deep breath and explained. "I feel those days are numbered. In fact, I know they are. Apart from keeping what remains of the scourge in our lands to a minimum, there is little call for me to be out there now. Kael'thas has made Halduron Brightwing, Ranger-General of Silvermoon, now that Sylvanas is … a banshee." A look of distaste crossed his face.

Tiene knew Halduron had been a good friend to Lor'themar and also Duthan. There had been no bitterness about his promotion in Lor'themar's voice, it was at the Banshee Queen he sneered , but there was something going on which she still did not understand. "So where does that leave you?"

He leaned over to the little table next to his chair and picked up the scroll he had placed there moments ago. "Here, it tells you." He handed the letter to her.

Tiene took the letter. Camnath sat forward and both of them read it.

The couple looked up, in awe of what they had just read. But the man sitting opposite them did not share their enthusiasm. Whilst never afraid of hard work, ruling a nation was not his idea of a career choice.

He had been bestowed a new title. A title which carried tremendous responsibility, in effect, a political career. A title which, he clearly did not favour nor embrace, but one which he would carry out honourably and as conscientiously as he could.

Lor'themar Theron, once Ranger, Ranger Captain and Ranger Lord, was now Regent Lord of Quel'thalas.