Splitting Up

Victoria looked around the forest they were travelling in from the cart she was bound to, smiling at how dark and yet warm and welcoming it felt. "Did you say we'll be going to the druids?" She asked, looking over to Tehd who nodded his head at her. "Great. I've always found druids to be very helpful. My brother loves them and had to have his dreams crushed early on when he was told he couldn't become one."

Tanadia smiled and looked down at her sister. "Tahnir wanted to be a druid?"

"Oh yes, he loved them when my parents were living in Stormwind." Victoria smiled when she remembered watching Tahnir sleep amongst the druids on one of the many times they visited the Park District. "They would always welcome him and make sure he was safe. One time I caught him sleeping in the middle of four druids who had shape shifted into giant cats, holding onto one of them whilst the other three kept him warm and safe like he was one of their own." She let out a small laugh, making Tanadia tilt her head a little at her. "We later found out he managed to sleep in between four female druids. Dad was proud of him whilst Sylvanas was... well, let's say she wasn't too happy about it."

Tanadia smiled warmly at the story, looking ahead of them. "When we find a way to get back to our families, I think I want to live in Windrunner Village with my mom. It's closer to the Sunwell and my father. As well as the rest of our family."

"I know Athrodar would love that. Dad has always wanted you to be close by, but you're studying to be a priestess in Stormwind, so it's not gone to plan." Victoria looked up at her sister who continued to look forward, but her smile had gone and was replaced with a look of sadness. "I'm sure your mother wouldn't mind moving to Windrunner Village. It's closer to her parents and since you want to go there to be closer to your dad, she would gladly move if you just asked her."

Tanadia began to smile again, watching Marius lead them further into the forests of Val'sharah. "I hope so. She's happy some days, but most of the time, I can see that she misses her family, being near the Sunwell and just the forests of Eversong in general."

Approaching a crossroads, Marius stopped just before they were out in the open and narrowed his eyes, sensing something was off and scanning the forests. "Tehd. Can you feel what I'm feeling?" He asked, looking back at the warlock.

"No." The Forsaken said, stepping forward and standing beside the Demon Hunter. "What do you feel?"

"Something dark... If it's not demons, then what?" Marius looked back to Victoria and Tanadia, catching a glimpse of Snow who had his ears perked back. "The Nightsaber can feel it too."

Victoria began to look around the forest, trying to find what it was they were talking about and coming up dry. "So if it's not demons, then what is it?"

"I don't know..." Marius muttered, taking a couple steps forward. "Let's find these druids before whatever it is comes out to greet us."

Victoria watched as Snow began to follow the Demon Hunter further in to the forest, looking around for any signs of this looming darkness Marius was talking about. "Do you see anything?" She asked Tanadia who shook her head. "Keep an eye out for anything." She then told her sister.

"I will." Tanadia said, holding onto her staff tightly with both hands and stepping a little closer to her sister for both comfort and security.

"How is she doing?"

Athrodar looked back to Elaria who was standing beside Thalina and Luna, both Magister and Priestess having a conversation of their own whilst the Night Elf remained silent. "She's coping. If we weren't all here, she might have lost her control and possibly died trying to fight the demons herself." He looked back to his wife who was looking over to the three women. "But like I said, we're here with her and will keep her mind on the task at hand."

"Finding our daughters." Sylvanas said, looking up at Athrodar. "They're near, I can feel it."

"So can I." Athrodar muttered, placing a hand under Sylvanas' chin and brushing his thumb across her bottom lip. "We will have our family back soon, my Queen. Then we can go home."

"About that..." Sylvanas whispered, looking away from him when he frowned at her. "I want to stay here in Dalaran and help Vereesa look for our sister. Once we find our family of course."

Athrodar tilted his head a little now. "What about our children? We can't leave them in Windrunner Village whilst we stay here in Dalaran."

"We move them down here, to live in the city with us... Until we find my sister." Sylvanas gazed into his eyes and saw he was thinking about it, placing a hand on his arm to get his attention. "They will be safe here. Rhonin and Vereesa will make sure it's safe for them here, as well us the two of us helping out. I know it."

"I... I don't know." Athrodar told her, moving his hand up to her cheek and brushing his thumb across it. "You know I will follow you anywhere, my love. But to move our family into a city floating above the enemy? I don't want to take that risk."

"I know, baby." Sylvanas whispered to him softly, stepping forward and pressing her ear against his chest and wrapping her arms around his waist. "I don't ask you for much, you always shower me in love without having to, but I know we are close to finding my sister." She looked up at him with pleading eyes. "I want us to find her, I want my sister back." Sylvanas moved her hands up to his face, placing them on both cheeks. "Please..." She begged, a rarity in itself for her. But this was her sister she was talking about, a sister she hadn't seen in decades.

Athrodar let out a small sigh, leaning into one of her hands and making Sylvanas smile at the action. "Fine." He whispered, closing his eyes when she hugged him. "But the second they are put in danger, I'm taking them back home and I'm going with them."

"Deal." Sylvanas muttered, holding onto her husband tightly. "For now, we have to focus on getting our daughter back. We are two days behind them so we have a lot of catching up to do."

Thalina looked over to Athrodar who was planting a long kiss on the top of Sylvanas' head, sighing a little and looking down at the floor. "This is why I've stayed in Stormwind all these years." She told Luna, looking up at the Draenei. "I'm away from that torture and I get to be with my daughter and Liadrin."

The Draenei smiled a little at the Magister. "You will never move on from him if you keep hiding away from the truth. Athrodar is happy now, he has the family they have both wanted and you are a part of it, whether you like it or not. You're just not in the position you were hoping you would be in."

"I know..." Thalina muttered, rubbing her own arm. "I just want what they have. Someone to hold, to love someone who loves me back unconditionally." The Magister let out a small sigh, lowering her head again. "Someone I can start a family with."

"You'll find the right person." Luna told her, kissing the saddened Magister on the temple. "Right now, your daughter needs you to be strong and to give it your all to find her."

"And you know, if you still need someone to give you some love, Luna and I will gladly show you some of our love." Elaria said with a grin, getting punched in the arm by Luna and rubbing it. "Ow, okay.. I was just trying to help."

"Ready to go?" Athrodar asked, having his arms wrapped around his wife when he spoke to them.

"We are." Elaria said, walking forward and leading them all to Krasus' Landing.

"Let's go find our daughter." Thalina said with a smile, looking up at Athrodar and then down to Sylvanas. "And yours too."

"We're near them." Marius told both Queen and Princess, looking back to them. "This is as far as I will go. Like I said, the druids don't like my kind."

Tanadia smiled and looked down at Victoria who closed her eyes and leaned back in the cart, relieved they were finally close to some friendly faces. "Thank you for this." The Queen said, looking over to Tehd who smiled at her the best he could, considering he was a Forsaken. "I will make sure my mother knows of your actions. You helped us get to safety and she will be eternally grateful for that."

Tehd bowed his head to the Queen. "I hope to see you up on your feet, fighting demons and saving lives, my Lady."

"Me too." Victoria said with a smile, looking over to Tanadia who was waiting beside Snow. "So where is the village exactly?"

"Just keep heading down this road and take the first left. I'd question everything if you miss it." Marius watched them begin to walk off, raising an eyebrow at Tanadia who stopped beside him. "Yes?"

The Priestess smiled at the Demon Hunter and hugged him, getting several mutterings of words she didn't understand but figured they were demonic curses. "THank you for this. I'll make sure you're repayed for your kindness."

Marius groaned and pulled Tanadia off him. "Don't mention it. Just go now before they find me."

Victoria grinned at her sister who had a little hop in her step as they followed the road. "You just couldn't help yourself, could you? You had to hug him."

"He looked like he could use one." Tanadia told her, smiling down at her sister. "He didn't apprectiate it, but the thought was there."

Victoria chuckled and nodded down the road. "Come on, let's go find those druids."

Both Queen and Princess, along with Snow who was pulling the cart Victoria had remained in, travelled down the road for a few minutes before turning left as instructed and now both smiling as they saw the druid village they were just about to walk in. "We're here..." Tanadia muttered, looking back to Victoria who smiled brightly.

"Yes we are." Victoria agreed, being pulled towards a group of nearby druids.

"Hello. How may we -" The Druids all bowed their heads to Victoria when they saw her, recognising her from the few times they had visited Stormwind. "Queen Victoria, we thought you were killed on the Broken Shore."

"Almost." Victoria told them with a smile. "I just need your help. My leg is broken and my sister has done all she can to fix it, but I just need someone with more experience." She looked over to her sister who looked down at the floor, a little embarrassed. "She tried her best, but she is still very young. I am thankful for what she has managed to do though."

"Come, follow us." One of the druids said, placing a hand on Snow's head and walking beside the nightsaber whilst they took the Queen to a nearby moonwell. "We will rest you in the well and heal you. Give it a couple days and you should be back in working order, your Grace."

Tanadia watched one of the druids leave the group and run off with haste further into the town. "Where is she going?" She asked, looking back at the druids helping Victoria into the moonwell.

"She is getting Archdruid Malfurion." One of the druids told her, lowering Victoria into the moonwell and casting a nature spell on her leg, watching as the green spell wrapped around her leg. "This should soothe whatever pain you are feeling. Once the Archdruid arrives, you will be put into his care so he can properly heal you." The druid looked down at the splint on Victoria's leg and smiled at it. "Your sister done a good job with helping your leg heal, without this splint, it may have been difficult to get it to repair properly. Especially since it's been over three days since your leg broke."

"Like I said." Victoria began, looking over to her sister and holding her hand out for her to take. "She has done everything in her power to make sure I recovered. She just couldn't get me across that line and that's okay." She smiled at her brightly when Tanadia took hold of her hand. "I am proud of her."

"Queen Victoria." Malfurion said, interrupting them. "When my druid said you were here, I almost didn't believe her. But to see you are safe with us is great news." He made his way towards her, looking down at her leg that still had the splints around it. "Do your parents know you are alive? I can't imagine what they must be going through."

"I... I don't know." Victoria told him, looking down at the water around her. "I haven't had contact with anybody since I woke up in that fiery wreckage. If it weren't for my sister and her quick thinking, we wouldn't be here." She looked over to Snow who was taken to the stables and fed almost instantly. "And neither would he..."

Malfurion looked over to Snow and smiled warmly. "We will take care of him now, don't worry. You just have to rest and recover. May Elune's light help you along the way as well as me and my druids." He placed a hand on her leg and lifted it out of the water so he could inspect it properly, nodding his head slowly when he had finished his examination that took only a couple minutes. "You will need to rest for a couple days, stay off the leg and have around the clock care from some of my druids. You will be able to stand on it if you follow my instructions."

Victoria nodded her head at the Archdruid. "I will listen to them, don't worry. I just want to get back home to my family and let them know I am okay."

"Good." Malfurion said with a smile, looking over to one of his druids. "Send word to Athrodar and Sylvanas, tell them that we have their daughter safe and secure."

"I will, Shando." The druid said, bowing their head to the Archdruid but not taking off right away. "Where will they be?" They asked, looking down at Victoria who wanted to say Windrunner Village, but she knew they would already be on the move to find her.

"I couldn't say. If I know my parents, they are already looking for me." Victoria looked up at Malfurion with an apologetic stare. "I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."

"That's fine." Malfurion smiled at her, looking back to the messenger. "Go to Dalaran. Start there and inform those in charge that we have the Queen of Stormwind in our care if her parents aren't present."

The druid bowed his head to the Archdruid again. "I'll leave right away, Shando."

Sylvanas pulled her blade out of the back of the Fel Guard she had just slain, rolling it over with her foot to make sure it was killed and wiping the demon blood on its chest. "The fourth patrol today." She said, looking around at the five other demons they had slain. "If our daughters went through here, they must have timed it perfectly, or the Legions presence weren't as strong as it is now."

"Either way, we have to find a way to stay off the radar." Athrodar told her, looking back at the rest of their group. "The trail has also gone cold. We have no idea where they have gone from here, we just know that they camped in the cave that we passed before heading off somewhere else."

Sylvanas let out a frustrated scream, throwing her sword onto the ground and collapsing to her knees, gripping onto her hair as she hated this feeling of helplessness but knowing her husband to be correct. The trail was cold, they had no idea where Victoria and Tanadia could have gone and it was becoming difficult to find out the truth. "Just give us a break!" She yelled, looking up at the sky. "Every time we think we get close, we are further away than when we started!"

Athrodar made his way over to his wife, crouching down in front of her and waiting to see her eyes look up at him. "Hey.." He whispered, getting her attention when she didn't look up at him. "I have an idea, it's risky but we could catch on to their trail quicker if we do it."

"What is it?" She asked quietly, closing her eyes when he placed a hand on her cheek.

"We split up. Elaria and I go west, you, Thalina and Luna all go north. We're the best trackers so if we take a group each and stay hidden, we can move faster, cover more ground and hopefully pick up on their trail again." Athrodar pressed his head against his wife's, hearing her sigh to his plan. "I know it's going to suck, being away from each other, but it's the best chance we have at finding them."

Sylvanas sighed again but nodded her head against his. "Okay." She whispered, leaning forward a little more and kissing him. "We split up. You take Elaria and I take Thal and Luna." She smiled a little at him. "Should be fun, having your ex with me."

Athrodar chuckled, brushing his thumb across her cheek. "Better with you than with me. We both know she still has feelings for me and who knows what will happen if we're alone." He heard his wife gasp, chuckling some more. "Relax, I'm kidding. Besides, it means I get to spend more time with Elaria and make sure she doesn't do anything, well, Elaria-like."

Sylvanas smiled and stood up, pulling her husband up with her. "Good point."

"So what's happening?" Elaria asked, sitting on the body of a fel guard she had slain and picking her teeth with her knife. "Where are we going next?"

"We're splitting up." Athrodar said, pointing at Elaria. "You're with me, Thal and Luna are going with Sylvanas." He saw Elaria nod and caught a glimpse of Thalina's less than enthusiastic expression at the opportunity to be alone with Sylvanas. "We will cover more ground this way and hopefully find out where they are going."

"How will we know if the other group has found their trail?" Luna asked, looking at Athrodar and then Sylvanas.

"Oh!" Thalina suddenly perked up, reaching into her magically enhanced bag that was able to carry a lot more items than normal. "I have these." She said, pulling out two discs. "They allow us to communicate with one another from great distances. They only come in pairs so if you lose yours, a different communication disc won't be able to connect to this one and vice versa." She handed Athrodar one, giving the other to Sylvanas. "Keep them safe, they're the only ones I have after I picked them up in Dalaran."

Athrodar smiled at the Magister who smiled back at him. "Thank you, Thal." He looked back to Sylvanas who was inspecting the disc. "I guess this is it."

Sylvanas nodded her head slowly, fighting herself to not hug him and make a big scene but eventually caving into those desires and throwing herself at him. "Turn it on every night and tell me what you've been up to." She whispered in his ear. "I will do the same."

"Of course." Athrodar said with a smile, kissing her on the cheek as he hugged her back. "This will make it easier to find her, I promise. We will pick up her trail in no time."

"I know." Sylvanas whispered, pulling back just enough to kiss him hard on the lips, both of them parting their lips and involving their tongues in the kiss, making the other three look away when Sylvanas moaned into Athrodar's mouth. "I wished we could do more." She whispered to him, the pair of them laughing a little and pressing their heads together. "I love you."

"I love you too." Athrodar whispered back to her, wrapping his arms around her back whilst Sylvanas' went around his neck, keeping the pair of them together for as long as possible before they had to leave.

"Like the good ol' days." Elaria said when they got going, hooking an arm around Athrodar's neck and pulling him in close. "Both of us, out in the wilds again, looking for a target."

"Except these targets are my daughters and we're not killing them. Though we will kill anyone who tries to stop us." Athrodar glanced over to Elaria who grinned at what he just said. "Unless they mean to help us. I don't want a repeat of Uldum."

"Oh please... Those Wastewanders had it coming. I mean, who tries to stop two assassins from doing their jobs by offering to sleep with me?"

Athrodar rolled his eyes. "Elaria... They weren't offering to sleep with you. They wanted to give us refuge because we were going to kill one of their enemies."

"Hey, I strongly remember one of them coming onto me hard. I had had to drag him off my leg before sinking my dagger in his neck."

"He was making sure you had enough water. We were in the desert for fuck sakes." Athrodar closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, remembering that day like it was yesterday. "We had a new enemy after that, as well as the Southsea Pirates we were sent to kill."

Elaria chuckled and nodded her head. "Who thought it would be a good idea to keep us on as assassins after that?"

Athrodar nodded his head in agreement. "I had to talk to Ravenholdt alone for several hours to get him to keep us both on." He muttered, hearing Elaria laugh when she remembered that night. "He almost put a hit out on you because of that day."

"An honest mistake now that I look back at it." Elaria muttered.

"An honest mist-" Athrodar shook his head. "Pray we don't have the same circumstances whilst we're out here... I don't know if I can convince whomever we come across to keep you alive."