Author's note:

To all of you who celebrate it: Happy Easter! I hope that you're all having a wonderful time with your families!

I'm moving on Wednesday. I won't have time to write anything for a bit, and I'm not sure when I'm going to have the internet in my new apartment. Hopefully soon, but you never know. So this might be the last chapter I get to post for at least two weeks – so, take it slowly!

And yes, I could update from work, but to be honest, I'm afraid I'll have something like 250 untreated e-mails when I go back to work on Tuesday, so I won't be able to write then either. But I'll do my best to update as quickly as I can!

Hope you enjoy this part!

Love,

Lunarelle


"Haw!"

"Oof!"

The sounds were comforting. Faith had spent a lot of time around training soldiers, and knew what sparring sounded like. Looking around, she noticed that the pandaren who were training looked young, maybe just out of their adolescence. But they were good nonetheless. Watching them, Faith was reminded of the time she had watched Sylvanas sparring with Lor'themar. Neither of them had known that she had been staring at them, concealed behind a berry bush, although she now suspected that Sylvanas had felt her presence.

She remembered watching the way Sylvanas' muscles coiled like a snake's when she raised her arm to parry one of Lor'themar's blows. The ranger-general had been without equal, and had bested her second-in-command rather quickly, much to Faith's surprise.

"I'm not sure what you're thinking about, but whatever it is, it can't have much to do with these monks."

Faith smiled, looking at the young man beside her.

Prince Anduin Wrynn, someone she should have hated on principle, someone she should have killed on Garrosh's orders, stood there, wearing a thick blue and gold cloak to protect him from the bitter cold that swept the Temple of the White Tiger. Beneath the cloak, he was dressed in traditional Pandaren garb that had been adjusted for his frame. His armor, she knew, was being cleaned, for he did not need it there.

"It does, actually," she told him. "I was thinking of how Sylvanas used to spar with Lor'themar when I was younger. I used to watch her every time I could. Even now, I think that she could put each and every one of these monks to shame."

Anduin chuckled, "I'm sure she could. Is she coming soon?"

"Coming? To Pandaria? No, I don't think so. She has Undercity to look after, and as she always says, the city doesn't run itself."

"Can you go see her?"

"Not without the wrong people finding out. I'm under strict orders to stay in Pandaria until further notice. Even teleporting to Undercity for an hour could get me in trouble."

Anduin pitched his voice low, so as not to be overheard by anybody but Faith, "I find it difficult to believe that you still follow his orders after everything he did to you."

"I have to be careful with the way I behave. One wrong move, and I could get Undercity wiped off the map, and Sylvanas with it. Getting her killed is not on my list of things to do."

"What about killing me?" he asked, looking at her.

Faith pursed her lips, "I have no reason to kill you, Prince Anduin. In point of fact, I am in your debt. I might not have made it out of the Temple of the Red Crane if you hadn't been there to protect me with your shield."

"But you saved me when the Horde captured me. And you also helped me when we were in Ironforge, remember?"

"We helped each other then."

"Well, then, you and I are even, aren't we?"

"Are we? After what happened in Theramore, you think that you and I are even? Your aunt Jaina would thoroughly disagree with that."

"You died because of your actions in Theramore."

Faith shook her head, "It doesn't change what I did."

Anduin put a hand on her arm, "Did you kill anybody? In Theramore, I mean."

"I did, yes. A soldier was already dying, and I killed him." She hadn't wanted him to suffer, but it wouldn't do to tell him that.

"Could he have been saved?"

Thinking about it, she shook her head again, "No. His injuries were too great."

"Then you did nothing wrong. It was a battle, and you were following orders."

"Following orders. If I were to follow my orders right now, Anduin, I would have your head on a spike for Garrosh to parade through the streets of Orgrimmar."

"Why don't you?"

"Because I don't believe in senseless killing. Now, if you tried to kill Sylvanas, I would hunt you down."

"I don't see why I would try to kill Sylvanas, or even how I would go about it. She's in Undercity, and I'm here."

A small smile.

"You would really give your life for her, wouldn't you?"

"She sacrificed her life to save mine. She says it was no big thing, but I still have a hard time believing it." Faith glanced at Anduin, then back at the monks, "Your father would do the same for you, were it required."

"I know that," said Anduin, surprised.

"So why do you keep evading your protection detail? I imagine Stormwind Intelligence is panicked trying to find you right now."

"SI:7 wants to take me back to Stormwind, where I would live behind the walls of the keep. Here, I actually get to do something. I want to make a difference in the world, Faith, not sit there doing nothing."

"You're heir to the throne of Stormwind. I would hardly call that nothing."

"And how am I supposed to rule if I don't see the world?"

"You don't get to travel?"

"Not like you do. I travel with a contingent of people who keep me under tight supervision. I go from the Stormwind keep to Ironforge, and back again. And I went to Theramore. But I never got to do anything like this."

Faith started to laugh, "Hardly surprising if the first thing that happens to you when you're away from your people is get kidnapped by the Horde."

"Do they know that it was me?"

"By now, yes. I haven't been questioned yet, but that'll probably happen. Don't worry, though, I know exactly what I'll say to them."

"What will you say?"

"Mostly that I didn't recognize you. You've grown since I last saw you in Ironforge. That, and I only met you that one time, so I could hardly be expected to recognize you. I mean, why would you be in Pandaria?"

Anduin picked up some snow and began making a snowball, "What about if they ask you about why you and I worked together afterwards?"

"Between killing you, and being eternally corrupted by the sha of despair, I think that the choice is very easy. Even Sylvanas wouldn't fault me for that."

"No. Sylvanas certainly wouldn't fault you," said an otherworldly voice from behind them.

Faith jumped, turning around so fast that her hair whipped Anduin in the face. "What are you doing here?!" she cried. "Sylvanas!" In a leap, she'd crossed the distance between them, and landed squarely in the banshee queen's arms.

Sylvanas smiled, catching her and holding her close, "You wouldn't come to me, so I came to you. I'm not staying long, only half an hour or so." She stroked Faith's hair, "Your hair isn't as black. Why is it turning gray?"

Faith looked at the lock of hair that was in Sylvanas' hand, "I think that might have been the sha. Unless what happened to you is also happening to me."

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you tell me that when you first got your body back, your hair was as dark as night?"

"Yes. It gradually turned lighter."

Faith shrugged, "Maybe the same thing is happening now."

"Maybe. The alternative doesn't make much sense. Not for you. I guess we'll find out soon enough." Her gaze shifted to take in Anduin, who was watching them closely. "Prince Anduin."

"Sylvanas –," began Faith, but Sylvanas put a hand over her lips.

"Hush now. I'm not here to envenom things further with the Alliance."

"Your Majesty," said Anduin. "I don't believe we have ever met."

"We haven't. So as our first official time meeting, allow me to be very unlike myself and thank you for looking after Faith at the Temple of the Red Crane."

"Very unlike yourself?" asked Faith, trying to suppress a laugh.

"He's the prince of Stormwind. Ordinarily, I would kill him. But since he kept you from certain harm, I find myself in a thankful mood."

Anduin gave a short bow, "It was the least I could do after what Faith did for me."

Sylvanas nodded, then put her arm around Faith, "Can you get away for a minute?"

"Maybe for a minute, yes," she said. "Prince Anduin, I will see you later."

Smiling, Anduin watched them leave, not missing the way Sylvanas pulled Faith very close to her body, as though afraid they might be separated.

As soon as they were out of sight, Sylvanas crushed Faith's lips to her own. Faith responded to her, a little surprised by Sylvanas' show of affection.

"Wow… hello."

"Hi," whispered Sylvanas, rubbing their noses together. "I need to go soon."

Faith nodded, "If Garrosh found out you were here…"

"I'm covered. I brought potions from the Royal Apothecary Society, and a few dozen soldiers."

"Oh, so you didn't come to see me," Faith told her, pretending to pout.

"You keep telling yourself that." She pushed Faith's graying hair behind her ears, "You heard about the Zandalari trolls and the mogu?"

"Their alliance? Yeah, we all heard. I know Lor'themar is going to send troops here for that."

"Do you want to join them? The Silver Covenant will also be sending people over."

"How do you know this?" wondered Faith.

"I just know. If you want to join them, you can."

"I don't know, Sylvanas. Things are happening so fast that I don't really know where I stand right now. To be honest, I want to go home."

Sylvanas kissed her, "My love, this is no different than the other things you've faced. Remember in Northrend? There were things happening all over the place, but you weren't everywhere. You couldn't be. The same thing happened when Deathwing hit. You can't be everywhere at once."

"Does that mean I can't come home?"

"I can take you home with me right now if you want to."

A smile, "I wish I could. Kiss me."

Sylvanas did so.

"Again."

"Faith."

"Please? I don't know when I'll see you again."

"Oh, don't say that. Tell you what, come home in a couple of weeks, and we'll have more troops ready for you. Garrosh won't be able to say anything if you bring more troops to Pandaria."

"He'll say something, you know he will."

"Ah, let him talk." Sylvanas kissed her again, "I should go."

"No." Faith locked her arms around Sylvanas' waist and pouted. "You can't leave."

"I'll see you soon. Stay safe."

"I'm always safe. You be safe too, okay? Don't give the Kor'kron any reason to go to the warchief about anything."

"Don't worry about me," said Sylvanas, gently prying Faith's arms away from her.

"It's my job to worry about you."

"No. It's your job to keep yourself alive long enough to make it home to me. Now, come on, the portal is this way."

Faith went with Sylvanas to a secluded area at the base of the temple, where a portal to Undercity stood open.

"How did you do that anyway?"

Sylvanas smiled, "I had a few mages come here and explore the area a little so that they could make their portal."

"You weren't worried about the tigers?"

"If you think I'm worried about a few kittens…"

"You should be worried about Xuen. I don't really know what he'll do when he finds out you've been here." Upon seeing a frown on Sylvanas' face, Faith hastened to explain, "He's one of the August Celestials. This is his temple."

"I see. I'm sure he wouldn't begrudge me some time with you."

"Time with me, no. But bringing Horde forces through here –."

"Hey, who do you think you're talking to?" Sylvanas stepped away from Faith, looking exasperated, "I've been doing this a little longer than you have, and while the Scourge wiped out most of who I used to be, I do remember how to be diplomatic when it serves me right. I had another portal made in the Jade Forest for the troops."

Faith held up her hands, "Okay, okay… I'm sorry." She put her hands down and reached for Sylvanas. "I'm sorry," she said again. "I just… I worry, that's all."

"By the Sunwell, Faith, I know you worry, but give me more credit than that. I'm not completely reckless." She took Faith's hand, squeezing her fingers, "See you soon."

A nod, "Soon. I love you."

Sylvanas pursed her lips, "I love you." After kissing the back of Faith's hand, she released her and stepped through the portal, leaving Faith to go back to the temple.

The wind began to pick up as Faith climbed path back to where she had been with Anduin, but the prince was nowhere to be found. Asking around, she found that he had been admitted into Xuen's chamber, and made her way there.

The guards at the door let her pass, and she walked into the room, finding Anduin there with a tauren emissary and, to Faith's surprise, Taran Zhu. Xuen, the huge white tiger, stood there, watching her with shrewd eyes.

"There she is," said Taran Zhu. "Is it true, Faith, that your lover was just here? One of the leaders of the Horde?"

Faith blinked, "Yes, Sylvanas was here, but she just came to say hello to me, nothing else."

"Did she not bring more of her undead forces here?"

"That is what she told me. But that was only –."

"You see? They are still bringing their forces into our lands! This 'Horde' and this 'Alliance' have no control over what they do! They leave only misery in their wake."

"I will remind you, Taran Zhu, that my friends and I helped cleanse the Shado-Pan Monastery, and that we helped drive the sha from your body," Faith told him quietly.

Taran Zhu glared at her, "And it was precisely your presence that awoke the sha!"

"We are fighters, yes," said Anduin. "But we come from a violent land. We had to fight off demons, death, and even the shattering of the world. We have fought against each other, but there are also times when we worked together to combat a common enemy."

Xuen nodded his great head, "Ten thousand years ago, the last Pandaren Emperor also came seeking my advice. He too was filled with conflict. Let us see if you are right, Taran. Let us see how this Faith deals with turmoil of the soul."

Faith felt something pass through her, a cold wind that actually managed to chill her. Behind her, suddenly, something formed, a spirit that took on her exact appearance.

"You see? She is filled with violence!"

"Perhaps," said the tiger. "But despite that, she is able to love. I think that there is a great deal that can be learned from her and the other people who have come to our shores. Let us see how she can pass the test, and maybe then, we will discuss whether or not we will open the Vale of Eternal Blossoms."

Faith swallowed reflexively. It was why she had come to the Temple of the White Tiger, of course. Garrosh had wanted the Horde to get into the Vale, although she couldn't figure out why. Even more mysterious had been why he had chosen her for this particular task.

But despite her misgivings, she nodded, and suddenly found herself pulled to the opposite end of the room, facing her spiritual form. It was her, exactly as she had been when she had been alive, which threw her for a moment. Her form gave off a black aura of violence, and Faith realized that she was looking at a manifestation of the sha that had been within her.

Her sha form laughed and attacked. Faith barely had time to parry the move with her spellblade. Sparks flew, and she threw out a spell, aware somehow that she wouldn't be able to burn this creature.

"She knows how to fight, I will give her that," said Taran Zhu. "I suppose that a century of killing will hone one's skills."

Faith would have spoken out against that statement, but her sha form attacked again, nearly hitting her. She hit the wall hard, and sent a wall of arcane energy towards the spirit of violence before her.

"She hasn't been killing for a century," said Anduin. "If you knew what she and her people had gone through, you would perhaps understand her actions now."

With a cry, Faith raised her spellblade, cleaving her sha form in half. The spirit of violence exploded into shadowy pieces, nearly blinding her with darkness.

"Oh," said Xuen. "Very good indeed! You see, Taran, she was able to face her own violence quite well."

Taran Zhu snorted, "Let us see what she does with the next test."

The next test, as it turned out, was a spirit of anger. Faith felt it as soon as it manifested in front of her, before it took form.

"What…" Anduin sounded shocked, "Is that Sylvanas?"

Faith couldn't think for a second. She had to face Sylvanas? Why? She wasn't angry with her!

Yes you are, came a voice inside her. The voice was dark, one that didn't often come out. You're furious with her for leaving you, then for committing suicide, and again for raising you into undeath. You're furious with her!

"No…"

Yes.

Sylvanas' form attacked her with surprising swiftness, laughing as her own form had done.

With a sob, Faith erected a barrier around herself, but it was weak. "No… I cannot fight you, Sylvanas."

"Then you will fail," said Taran Zhu. He sounded smug.

She knew his statement to be true. She couldn't allow him to be right and parade her as a weakling to all of Pandaria. She was better than that.

The Sylvanas form shattered her barrier, but Faith had already moved away from her. She sent out spell after spell, which Sylvanas parried time and again, laughing the whole time.

A tear ran down Faith's face. She didn't want to hurt her, even though she knew that this wasn't really Sylvanas.

You left me. How could you leave me and think that I was going to be all right?

Faith sent a pillar of flame towards the form. Sylvanas used her bow to counter it, and it caught alight, causing her to drop it.

You said you loved me, and you raised me into undeath! You… you did to me what Arthas did to you! How could you, Sylvanas?

Sylvanas' form laughed again, sounding quite unlike the Sylvanas Faith knew.

"She's having trouble with this one," commented the tauren emissary. "I guess it was to be expected if the form is her lover."

"Give her time," said Anduin. "She'll get there."

It was easier said than done. Memories coursed through her, sending her back to the last moments she'd spent with Sylvanas when they had both been alive. She could only imagine what her lover would say to her.

Fight! Don't let this illusion of me beat you!

Faith's anger nearly doubled her over. She screamed, piercingly, and launched herself at the Sylvanas form. Her blade crackled with fire as she thrust it into the form's chest.

Sylvanas exploded just as the fragment of anger had done, and Faith, overcome, collapsed to the floor, sobbing.