(1) Honeysuckle

Society deemed her undesirable. Her father was determined to prove them wrong.

Morgana sat idle on the blue roofing of the Keep; her usually perch when on guard duty. She kept her gaze focused across the water to the mountainous backside of Stormwind. Guard duty was rather dull on this side but it was what she was charged with for the evening.

Morgana kept a short bow with a quiver on her back. It was easily reachable in a moment of need, however, even in the event of it being needed, it wouldn't do much damage. She was in full hunter gear in the event of an attack and felt comfortable in the attire well suited for her daily needs. Everything was tiger on but not too tight, close enough to feel as a second skin but far enough for flexibility.

She sighed gazing out at the moon's reflection of the water; a peaceful moment. Inside the Keep a gathering was being held for a celebration. A rather dull affair for Morgana as it meant sitting on top of the Keep watching for anything suspicious, but a lively one for anyone attending as a guest. She would never be allowed inside. Even if she was invited, her broken lineage kept her from most things in life.

Morgana peered over her shoulder hearing someone exit the gathering and move onto the grassy terrain below her. Many used the terrace area for a break from the events taking place. She didn't blame them. From what her father spoke of, these gatherings only sounded like ways to gossip or create more drama for those higher up in the world than anything else.

Morgana's visitor sighed heavily beneath her.

Must be exhausting talking to people all night.

Something moved in the water that caught her eye then. She leaned forward and peered down at the ripples seeing a human head bob up and down as it stroked through the water. Morgana stood then and reached for her bow slowly not to disturb her visitor or the bandit trying to sneak in. She let him rise from the water on the island before she pulled back the arrow.

As dull as this perch was for Morgana, there was always one that tried to sneak in. None of the bandits were a real threat, hence why she rarely carried anything that could kill at the Keep, but no one would want a pick-pockets annoyance. The island was as close as she'd ever let them get before reminding them of their place.

"Sorry kid," she spoke softly. "Not tonight."

Morgana's arrow whistled sharply through the air before making contact. Her shoulders dropped as she saw her target grab at the arrow and fall on their backside trying to stay quiet through the pain. Morgana didn't like what she had to do, but it was always down to her life or theirs.

"Who's up there?" Morgana's visitor asked.

Morgana paused for a moment, remembering what she was, "No one you'd need to know of."

"Considering you may have saved me from imminent danger I didn't see," her visitor argued soft heartedly. "I'd say I deserve to know who my attacker was and who my potential savior was."

Morgana sighed rolling her eyes, "You weren't in any real danger. It was just a bandit hoping to sneak in and pick-pocket a few of Stormwind's wealthiest."

"And you?"

"What?" Morgana responded confused.

"You just told me who the attacker was, may as well tell me who you are now," her visitor continued.

Morgana smiled to herself, being so easily out whited. The visitor was a smart one and rather quick too.

His voice was soft and gentle but still commanded a strong presence. A sound deep enough to get a point across but calm enough to ensure trust. Morgana felt compelled to tell him but knew her place and still decided against it.

"I am no one," she stated her voice trailing off as she watched her target get to his feet. "Just a passing shadow."

She peered over her shoulder back to the gathering in the Keep as she heard footsteps quickly moving. Morgana glanced down then seeing her visitor; her eyes went wide for a moment immediately recognizing them. Seemed the Prince of Stormwind himself was at the other end of the conversation. Although the terrace grass wasn't lit to its fullest potential, the light coming from inside the Keep was enough to see his signature blonde locks and traditional royal attire.

The Prince held her gaze for a moment trying to make out any distinct features. There was no lighting on the blue top she perched on but he could make an outline of her curly hair and posture. From what he could tell, she was about his age but a master at her craft. It was slightly bothersome to him that she referred to herself as a shadow.

"Does the shadow have a name?" he asked, still holding her gaze.

Morgana tore herself from him then and knelt down out of his line of sight. She exhaled slowly only now noticing she was holding her breath as he held her attention. Was this the effect royalty had on others? She found her mouth suddenly dry as she attempted to focus again on the lake before her.

What was this hold on her? Fear? Fear of how many rules she'd broken by not only talking to royalty but making eye contact. Intimidation? Thinking of how much power he had with the blood running through his body and the name he was given at birth.

"No," Morgana managed to get out; shaking.

Please, just go away.

"You know," the Prince started slowly moving to stand under the tree between them. "I could order you to-"

"Anduin?" a voice called to the Prince. "Who are you talking to?"

Morgana slowly peered up over the roof only to immediately fall back down as flat as she could behind the pointed blue top. Her heart now pounding in her chest and echoing through her ears. Genn Greymane stood at the entrance to the Keep looking out to his young Prince. Morgana kept extra close to the roof making sure Genn wouldn't be able to catch her scent if the wind carried over to him. All she could do now was hope that he couldn't hear her thundering heartbeat.

There was a pause between the two men that made Morgana's palms start to sweat. Would the Prince call attention to her or would he forget all about her and return to his royal duties? Morgana was now laying on her side hugging her legs as she focused on the moon's reflection on the lake. Pretending she didn't exist in that moment was becoming a frequent pastime.

"I'm…" the Prince started.

I am no one.

"I'm not sure," he finished.

A small wave of relief came over Morgana.

"Maybe someday I'll have an answer," The Prince spoke a moment later before heading back into the Keep.

Her heartbeat spiked for a moment until she realized both men had returned to the Keep.

I'm getting whiplash.

Morgana slowly looked over the roof triple checking that both Greymane and Wrynn had returned to the safety of the Keep. She held out her hand then seeing it shake lightly before her. Her palms were now clammy as she started stretching out her legs.

"I will not be putting that into the report tonight," Morgana spoke to herself now moving her head around in circles trying to unwind.

She glanced back out to the unwanted visitor now seeing them escaping into the dark mountains. Her job was completed but she couldn't leave until the festivities were over. Hopefully no one would come out to visit her again; no one of importance at least.

Morgana's mind started to drift then. She leaned back on her hands and crossed her ankles using the moon as a focal point. She found herself thinking back to her younger days when watching the backend of the Keep was boring to her; only now to find it a good time to relax and think for a moment without someone barking orders at her. Morgana then wondered if the Prince had visited her numerous times without either of them knowing. The terrace was large and he could have stood elsewhere beneath her.

A familiar scent brought her back to reality. Morgana blinked a few times looking around her unable to see anything that wasn't there before. She slowly rose grabbing her bow continuing to look around her at what the scent was coming from. Morgana glanced below her seeing the terrace empty. She took another few sniffs realizing the scent was lingering around her.

It was sweet but with a floral undertone. Morgana recognized it but it wasn't a very popular fragrance she was experiencing currently. Subtle to any normal human but with Morgana's intense hunter training; she'd been expected to use her senses to the fullest possible.

"Honeysuckle," she breathed whirling around hoping to meet whomever it was with that scent.

"I don't know anything with that scent," she continued now slightly concerned for her safety. "Or anyone."

Honeysuckle shrubs were common far to the north; nowhere near Stormwind. And no one in Stormwind used it as a fragrance to wear.

A rogue maybe? But who would send a rogue to spy on her? And why would they make their presence known this way? Or maybe they didn't know her scent of smell was as good as it was.

"Morgana," a deep hoarse voice called out to her.

She nearly stumbled whirling around once more to face her superior, "Yes?"

"We've been dismissed," Morgan Farron spoke.

The man that taught her everything, her own father, Morgan Farron. He was a strict man that expected only the best from his kin. Morgan was a high ranking officer in His Majesty's Guard as the best sniper Stormwind would ever have. His skills as a hunter were nearly unmatched as well.

Morgana quickly nodded as she dropped down from the roof using the tree as she did when she arrived. She followed her father out only to cautiously look behind her in case her invisable visitor made their presence known.