By the time Lord Ravencrest and his squadron were completely out of the Square, Eliana had faced forward again, her tears staining her cheeks. No matter how hard she tried to wipe the evidence away, she knew her eyes were still swollen and red. Without a doubt, there was no way she could hide her appearance from Tyrande and when the other priestess turned to say something to her, she gasped upon seeing her friend's face, just as Eliana suspected she would.
"Eliana! What is wrong?" Tyrande questioned, reaching for her friend's hand.
Eliana let her intertwine their fingers as she shook her head and muttered, "Nothing. I am fine."
Tyrande lowered her eyebrows in consternation. "I know you well enough to recognize when you are not fine. Are you worried about Illidan and Malfurion? From what Illidan said, it seemed as if we have no reason to worry about him anymore…" she trailed off, her expression clouding at the mention of Illidan.
Likewise, Eliana's lips tightened and she pulled her hand out from Tyrande's grasp. She wasn't really angry at her friend for having Illidan's affections; she knew the other priestess hadn't exactly encouraged him in that regard. In fact, Tyrande had all but admitted that she didn't know which brother she truly cared for, though Eliana had more than an inkling of suspicion that the other priestess was leaning towards Malfurion. It was just that Tyrande herself had yet to fully realize it.
Nevertheless, the sound of Illidan's name coming from her friend's lips caused a spike of anger to course through her. He'd finally declared his intentions—directly to Tyrande's face no less—and the priestess hadn't even said anything in return. What Eliana wouldn't give to hear those words from him. Instead, she'd merely observed as he gave his heart to someone who likely had never actually wanted it.
"Things could still go horribly wrong and Lord Ravencrest could somehow find out about Illidan's involvement in Broxigar's escape. Besides that, Malfurion is still yet to be found. Of course we still have reason to worry," Eliana retorted, her words laced with anger.
Tyrande's eyes widened at Eliana's reaction and she hesitated before responding. When she did speak again, her voice was soft. "I am sorry, Eliana. I did not mean to imply that I wasn't worried. It is so unlike you to speak so heatedly. Are you sure that you are not upset about something?"
Eliana turned away and stared intently at a building off in the distance. She'd tried so hard to hide her feelings from her friend, because of the knowledge that both Stormrage brothers were vying for Tyrande's affections. She hadn't wanted to get in the way, and besides, she had been trying to figure things out between her and Cytheas.
Now that they were no longer speaking, and Illidan had revealed his intentions towards Tyrande, Eliana realized that perhaps this was when the truth would come out. She wasn't sure whether she could tell Tyrande how she felt about someone the other priestess had known since they were children, let alone someone who had just confessed to her.
"I admit that I am upset, but I'd rather not say why," Eliana mumbled.
Tyrande reached for Eliana's hand again, grasping it tightly within her own. Quietly, she pressed, "Does this have to do with Illidan?"
Eliana sharply faced Tyrande again and stammered, "W-Why would you think that it did?"
In a tone that was a bit too close to condescension, Tyrande said, "Eliana...I am not blind. I know that you have not confided in me about this, but, I see the way you look at Illidan. Whenever he is around, you...you are different. You were not upset earlier before Illidan arrived, and now, you are. Forgive me if this sounds patronizing but...it does not take much to see why you are upset."
Eliana lowered her gaze to the ground, taking a deep breath before she replied, "I do not wish to speak of this right now."
"But Eliana—"
The sharp sting of tears returning to her eyes made Eliana yank her hand out from Tyrande's again. "I am sorry, Tyrande. I do not—I cannot speak of this now. I...I cannot return to the Temple today. I will see you tomorrow," she said in a rush and pivoted on her heel, hurrying over to her Nightsaber.
Tyrande did not follow and for that, Eliana was grateful. Her friend had always been exceptionally attuned to when and when not to push, and she was thankful that Tyrande had realized that she needed time alone.
Truthfully, as juvenile as it sounded, Eliana simply wanted to curl into a ball and cry, with her father's arms around her. It likely meant that she'd have to admit to her father everything that had happened between her and Cytheas—as well as her feelings for Illidan—but at the moment, she couldn't think of anything that would cheer her up more than her father's reassurance. Especially now that she could no longer confide in Cytheas, sharing everything with her father would likely alleviate the weight upon her shoulders.
When she stood beside her Nightsaber, she absentmindedly stroked its silky, sable strands of fur, taking a few seconds to compose herself. Once the tears in her eyes had dissipated, she climbed atop her mount and nudged it into motion, steering it out of the Main Square and towards her father's house.
It was peaceful...riding in silence through the forest. The motion of her Nightsaber rocking from side to side as it loped along the path was relaxing, and she felt the tension ease from her muscles. It was only a small comfort though, considering the strain on her mind and the fact that her emotions remained.
She tilted her head upwards, admiring the view. The lush, viridian leaves were tinged with a hint of saffron, indicating that the change in seasons was coming—sooner rather than later. There was a slight breeze today and as the cool wind blew past, it pushed the branches upwards, causing the leaves to sway. The rustle that followed was a sound that had calmed Eliana ever since she was a child. It was almost as if nature was whispering to her, reminding her that things would work out in the end.
Or perhaps it was the other way around, and the image she gazed upon was simply an indicator that change was coming, whether they were ready for it or not. Change in the world, change between friends...everything was changing, and Eliana felt like she was no longer in control of the things that happened in her life.
Up ahead, she saw the familiar, pale bark of the tree that formed her home. The trunk rose upwards into the forest's canopy, its branches meshing with the foliage from the other treetops that surrounded her. She pressed her hands into the side of her Nightsaber's neck, and it acquiesced to her silent request, coming to a halt beside the front steps. It lowered its body so that she could dismount and once her feet were back on solid ground, she ran her fingers along the bridge of its snout, eliciting a soft purr from the sabercat.
"I really should find a name for you sometime soon…" she trailed off as she scratched behind its ears.
After she whispered a command to stay, Eliana wandered over to the steps leading up to the front door, ascending with slow steps. She'd never been one prone to suffer from bouts of sadness, but when it did happen, it was potent. Normally, she'd spend a day or two wallowing in misery and by the third day, she was back to her positive self.
Day one was always the hardest.
She reached for the door handle, ready to push the rounded, wooden entrance open when it did so of its own accord, revealing her father in the doorway. Bouncing back onto her heels, her eyes widened in tandem with his. After a second or two had passed and he'd recovered from his shock at seeing her, a smile spread across his face and he said, "Greetings to you, wayward daughter of mine. Decided to finally come home and see me, hm?"
Her father's words might sound harsh to anyone else who didn't know him, but her father had a terrible tendency to guilt-trip others into feeling remorse. He'd never come right out and say that he'd missed her since she'd moved to the Temple, or that he was disappointed that she hadn't visited since. He'd simply tease her and make her feel bad about it. She hated that habit of his but right now, after not having seen him for some time and with her emotions churning like the sea during a storm, her father's predictability was highly comforting.
For some reason, that train of thought caused tears to well up in her eyes again, and when Ardrias noticed his daughter's stricken expression, he pulled her into his embrace. "Eliana, what is the matter?" he murmured, all traces of jest gone from his tone.
She tucked her face into her father's chest, breathing in the familiar, woodsy scent that she'd always loved.
Perhaps that is why nature has always calmed me. Father smells like the pines in the forest, and the clear, refreshing scent of running water. It smells like...he smells like...home.
A tear escaped from the corner of her eye, traveling down her cheek until it collected along her chin. Eventually, it fell onto her father's shirt and that's when she sucked in a shaky breath. "Everything is falling apart," she said, her voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt.
"Oh, Eliana. It always seems that way, but rarely is it the truth," he comforted. "Did something happen to cause these tears of yours?"
"So many things, it feels like. So much has happened."
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders protectively, Ardrias headed back inside, pulling his daughter with him. He shut the door softly and led her over to the stairs, instructing, "Why don't you go on upstairs? I will make us some tea and when I join you, you can tell me what is the cause of your sadness, yes?"
Eliana nodded and trekked up the stairs, dragging her feet as she made her way towards her old room. When she opened the door to step inside, she froze in the doorway. Everything was just as she left it.
She'd taken a few of her belongings to the Temple with her, but the majority of her things had remained at home. Apparently, her father hadn't felt the need to pack anything up and the gesture only added more moisture to her eyes. It was her father's way of telling her that she was always welcome at home, no matter what happened.
Slowly, she traipsed into the room and made her way over to her bed. Reaching out, she ran her fingers through the soft pelt that her father had draped neatly over her mattress and sighed in relief. In a sudden rush, she kicked off her shoes and they thudded against the ground as she crawled into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. She rolled over and faced the window, watching the leaves flutter in the breeze.
Now that she was back in a place she felt comfortable, a place where she knew she could be herself, she let go. The dam broke and all of the tears she'd been trying to hold back, ever since she'd heard those fated words leave Illidan's mouth, rushed forward. They streamed down her cheeks, wetting the pillow beneath her head and she turned into it, trying to block out the world as she allowed her heart to break.
A few minutes later, the sound of a mug being set down close to her head scared her and she quickly rolled over, spotting her father standing at her bedside. He looked down at the tears in her eyes and at her heartbroken expression, and he sighed as he sank down onto the bed behind her.
He reached out and swept her hair away from her face, asking, "What has caused this grief? It breaks my heart to see you like this, Eli. You are normally so positive, so carefree. This is highly unlike you."
Her only response was a sniffle as she turned away from him again, tucking her arm underneath her pillow.
Ardrias tried a different route. "Does it...does it have to do with a boy?"
"I am not a child, father. You make it sound so...so callow," she replied indignantly.
"I know you are not a child, I did not mean it that way. Last I saw you, you were leaving for the Festival with Cytheas. I can only assume that something has happened between the two of you that is now making you upset."
At the mention of Cytheas, Eliana tensed, pulling the covers tighter around her body. Ardrias must have noticed her reaction because next, he said, "It does have to do with a boy, then."
She nodded—though he was only partially right—and Adrias let out another sigh. "What has he done this time?"
"...He kissed me," she murmured as she sat up in bed. Truthfully, she wasn't upset over that day anymore. It seemed as if it was so long ago. However, her father thought her tears were due to Cytheas and for now, she'd follow that vein of conversation.
"Is that bad? You left for the Festival with the intention of allowing him to court you, did you not?" Ardrias asked, handing over her mug of Silverleaf tea.
"Yes, I did. But he kissed me without my permission. In retaliation to something I did, that he did not like," Eliana explained as she wrapped her fingers around the porcelain cup, reveling in the warmth that spread throughout her hand.
Her father remained silent for a minute, before he laid his hand on her arm, prompting her to look at him. "Did you express your displeasure at his actions?"
"Of course I did. He made me so angry that night and I...I told him so, before I walked away."
"I suppose it is safe to assume that you have not spoken since," Ardrias clarified.
To that, Eliana nodded. Ardrias mumbled something under his breath and when Eliana glanced at him in question, he shook his head. With a raised eyebrow, he asked, "That was weeks ago. Why are you crying about it now?"
Eliana dropped her gaze to the mug in her hand, her eyes following the dregs of tea floating to the top of the liquid. Her father had steeped them for too long, as he always did.
"Actually, I...that is not why I am upset," she murmured.
Her father's eyebrows shot up and he questioned, "Then...why?"
She fell silent, not sure if she was ready to admit to her father who she was truly upset about, who she truly had feelings for. Her father liked Malfurion yes, but he'd never made it a secret how he felt about his twin. Illidan had gained quite the reputation among their people. His ambition, his pride, and his slightly offbeat sense of humor had made him a favorite with some, while pushing him farther down the list of likeable males for others. Her father was unfortunately, one of those 'others'. She didn't wish to hear him speak his opinion about Illidan, because she knew it wasn't likely to be positive.
"Do you remember any of the stories I've told you in the past, about your mother?" Ardrias asked softly, changing the subject.
Eliana glanced up at her father and shook her head, confused. "Which story in particular?"
"The one about how we met."
She tilted her head to the side as she replied, "I vaguely remember it. Why?"
Ardrias held her gaze for a moment before he continued. "Well, I suppose it would not hurt to tell you again. Your mother was not the High Priestess yet at this point in time, and she had a very bad habit of sneaking out of the Temple when it got close to sunrise."
"Somehow, I cannot see mother doing something so rash and against the rules," Eliana noted.
He shrugged. "We were young. Anyway, one morning in particular, I was walking back to town from Black Rook. I'd chosen not to ride my mount there that day because he'd been having problems with his front paw. I did not wish to make matters worse by forcing him to put pressure on it."
Eliana took a sip of tea as her father continued. "As I was walking along the dirt path, out of nowhere, I heard the quick sound of paws hitting the ground. By the time I could feel the vibration in the earth and glanced up, your mother and her Frostsaber were nearly upon me."
She raised her eyebrows at the mental image of her mother, racing through the forest atop her mount, her pale green hair streaming behind her.
A smile teased at the corners of her father's lips when he spoke the next portion of the story. "I dove out of the way. She was going so fast, I doubt she could've stopped in time to avoid me. After I hit the ground, I heard her pulling her Frostsaber to a stop. It had rained earlier that night, and the sudden motion of her mount halting caused dirt and mud to fly up everywhere. I was covered in it."
Eliana covered her mouth as she tried to hide a giggle. This was the part she remembered, because it was her favorite. Her father threw his hands up in the air and in a higher pitched voice, imitated Eliana's mother. " 'Are you crazy?! Who stands in the middle of the path when someone is trying to ride past! I should've run you over!' "
He shook his head. "I think it was then that I decided she was the most beautiful female I'd ever seen. Her eyes were lit from within by a fire that I never could quite understand where it came from. Her hair was windswept and she gasping for air. She was so angry with me."
In a soft voice, Eliana said, "She sounds like quite the sight."
Wistfully, he commented, "Your mother was always beautiful." He let out a sigh, before he continued on. "After that day, we couldn't get enough of each other. We met nearly every single day and after a few months, she brought me home to meet her father and mother."
The side of Eliana's nose crinkled up and she stated, "I do not imagine your first meeting with them was very enjoyable."
"Be nice, they are your grandparents," Ardrias reprimanded, though he did so with a half-smile.
Eliana rolled her eyes and her father spoke again. "When we walked through the door, from the second your grandfather saw me, he hated me. I was a soldier, and there are some very common misconceptions about soldiers. He thought I fell into the stereotype and did not give me a chance to prove him wrong. For the first six months of our courtship, he was breathing down my neck at every turn."
"I can't imagine you fit the bill for the stereotypical soldier," Eliana observed.
"Well, I claim that I didn't. Your grandfather thought otherwise."
"Obviously he came around though, did he not? I mean, you married."
Ardrias held his daughter's gaze and in a quiet voice, admitted, "We eloped."
"You what? You have never told me that before!" Eliana exclaimed.
"You were young when I first told you this story," he said with a sigh. "I wanted you to retain that belief that things will always work out, regardless of what the situation may be like. Unfortunately for us, that was not the case. Your grandfather never came around. Even after we were married, he barely tolerated me, and it was at the behest of your mother that he did so."
Eliana fell silent, her mind racing at the tidbit of information that she'd never known about her parents before. It also explained why she rarely saw her grandparents, especially after her mother had passed away.
The room fell silent again and she reached out to set her mug back down on her side table. She was just out of reach though, so Ardrias grabbed the cup and placed it on the wooden surface for her.
She knew her father's retelling of that story was meant to encourage her to confide in him and while she appreciated his effort, part of her was still hesitant to admit it outloud. Cytheas had really been the only person she'd confided in, and it was more so because he'd known since they were in their early adolescent years.
A long, tense sigh left her and her shoulders seemed to sag under some invisible pressure. Quietly, she finally spoke. "Illidan admitted his feelings to Tyrande today. I do not think he meant for me to overhear, but I was standing close enough that I caught it."
Ardrias crossed his arms and replied, "I thought it might be about him."
She let out an irritated sigh and mirrored his posture. "Does everyone know?"
"Cytheas told me," her father replied.
"Of course he did," she mumbled in return.
"I think the better question in this situation would be...does Illidan know?"
She glanced up at her father again and met his gaze, shaking her head in denial. Quietly, she responded, "No, he does not."
"And why not?" Ardrias pressed.
"He just confessed—to Tyrande. Why should I tell him? What good would it do?" she exclaimed, frustrated.
"You will never know the answer to that question if you never tell him, Eliana," Ardrias replied softly.
She closed her mouth with a snap and looked out the window again. When she didn't say anything else after a few minutes, Ardrias rose to his feet and grasped her fingers tightly in his own. "Eliana, I know that you are a strong woman—you are like your mother in that regard. However, you are stubborn in nature, and I suspect you gained that trait from me. While I realize that your stubbornness does not allow you to give in and do something that you do not think will have an effect, the unfortunate truth to that is that it holds you back. You will never know the possible outcome if you never take the leap."
Eliana clenched her jaw and didn't meet her father's eyes again. He sighed and said, "I need to go and meet with Cenarius. Will you be here for the rest of the night?"
"I do not know," she muttered.
"Well, I would love for you to stay, if you do not need to return to the Temple tonight. Eliana, this may seem like the end of the world as you know it, but things will work out," he reassured.
She nodded and heard her father's footsteps trailing away towards the door. It opened and there was a slight pause, in which her father spoke again.
"Eliana...I know that you are angry with him, but you have known Cytheas for nearly your entire life. He deserves a chance to explain himself, don't you think?"
She sighed and nodded again, still avoiding looking at him. There was a lull as her father hesitated in the doorway, and eventually, the door shut with a click that echoed throughout her room.
Meanwhile…
Illidan stared down at the silken, sable strands that were protruding from between his fingers. As if in a trance, he spread his fingers wide, reveling in the softness of the beast's fur. He reached for the leather reins shortly after and grasped them tightly in his hand, his mouth set into a thin line.
The Nightsaber beneath him lumbered through the forest alongside Lord Ravencrest's dignified panther. Behind them, the commander's squadron followed, and the clanking of the metal plates of their armor reverberated back at them from the colossal tree trunks.
They'd ridden straight for Black Rook Hold from Suramar and according to the soldier on Illidan's left, they should be arriving in a half an hour. Since they'd left the city, his mind had been racing and he hadn't been able to think about what might lie ahead, after they reached the Hold. All he could think about was what had just happened over the past hour.
Though he was still riding on the waves of excitement from Lord Ravencrest bringing him into the fold, there were a few thoughts niggling at the back of the young sorcerer's mind that he hadn't expected to find.
Specifically, of a certain female with hair as white as the snow-capped peak of Mount Hyjal.
He'd finally, finally, admitted his feelings to Tyrande. Eliana had been the only person he'd somewhat indirectly told, and while he'd been nervous to tell Tyrande before, the excitement coursing through his body had overridden his reticence to confess.
Granted, Lord Ravencrest hadn't given Tyrande much time to respond. The commander had pulled Illidan away from her almost immediately after the words had left his mouth—it was hard to say whether she'd been receptive or not. When he'd gone to leave, Tyrande had been staring up at him with a neutral expression, and he knew she was likely concerned for his well-being, considering the events with Lord Ravencrest had happened so suddenly.
After all, who was to say whether the commander actually trusted Illidan enough to integrate him into the squadron?
Illidan himself had considered that perhaps the commander was simply playing his cards close to his chest and wanted him nearby, incase Malfurion and Broxigar were found and he was indeed involved. After the events from earlier, where Illidan had managed to help the squad against the demonic creatures they'd come across in the forest, Illidan was inclined to believe that perhaps Lord Ravencrest wasn't suspicious. Perhaps he actually intended on putting Illidan's skill to good use.
Regardless of that fact, it hadn't been Tyrande's face that had stayed with him, that gave him cause to wonder. It had been Eliana's face.
For as long as he had known Eliana—though it was only recently that they'd begun to see each other often—he'd never seen such an expression on her face. She'd looked...crestfallen. Her eyebrows had been drawn low and tight over her eyes; her lips were cast into a deep, intense frown. She had also averted her gaze and hadn't even looked at him to say goodbye, like she had the first time he'd left them behind.
He didn't know what was upsetting him more: the fact that she refused to look at him, or the fact that such an uncharacteristically sorrowful look was on her face. It didn't help that he had no idea when he'd return to Suramar and thus, couldn't ask her for himself.
I hope I didn't upset her somehow. After all, I told them I'd be back and to stay safe in my absence. Perhaps she was upset that I keep reminding her to look out for herself?
Illidan grunted in frustration, his mind reeling from trying to keep up with the constantly changing emotions of the females in his lives. Tyrande had been more than a handful while they'd been growing up. Now, he counted Eliana as a friend and as such, he'd come to care about her well-being, too.
Lord Ravencrest interrupted his thoughts and pointed up ahead, to the high towers of Black Rook Hold. "We are nearly there, Illidan. This is your first time to Black Rook, yes?"
Illidan nodded and replied, "Yes, my lord. It is."
"You seem to have been lost in your thoughts since we left the city. Is there something bothering you? A certain female you left behind, perhaps?" the commander asked, his eyebrow raised.
Illidan knew Ravencrest was likely referring to Tyrande, and since that hadn't been the female at the forefront of his thoughts, he cleared his throat and said, "I am simply thinking about what is to come, my lord."
At that, Lord Ravencrest's expression fell into something more serious and he faced forward again, his eyes fixated on the towers ahead. Quietly, he commented, "Yes. What is to come ahead?"
They rounded the corner and the Hold rose up before them in all of its glory. The facade was intimidating, frightening, and magnificent all at once.
Built into the side of the mountain, Black Rook Hold was comprised completely of the darkest stone Illidan had ever seen. The shade resembled the latest hour of midnight and gave the Hold an eerie appearance, causing the fine hairs on his arms and neck to rise. Directly in front of them, the massive gated entrance to the Hold stood open, awaiting its master's return with eager, but foreboding arms.
Above and beside the entrance, two towers stood with sentries posted at the top. From within the slitted windows, Illidan could see the flickering light of multiple candles. On each side of the towers, the facade of the Hold stretched wide until it returned to the face of the mountain, melding into the craggy surface.
In the center of the hold, high above the tips of the towers, sat Lord Ravencrest's family crest: a single, black raven with beaded red eyes. Its wings were turned upward, seemingly about to take flight. The imagery was both poignant and obvious; Illidan could see where and how the Hold received its name.
Right before they crossed the bridge and headed under the gate, Lord Ravencrest turned over his shoulder to look back at Illidan. The corners of his lips were turned upwards in a proud smirk, as if he'd expected Illidan to be so in awe of his home and his family's legacy. When he next spoke, his words were laced with self-importance and superiority.
"Welcome to Black Rook Hold."
A/N:
Finally, a break from canon! Bit of expository stuff on Eli, as well as a peek into Illidan's head. I wanted to ease into his POV, since the next chapter will follow him :) I know a lot of you expressed interest in seeing into his complicated mind, so I hope you guys enjoyed the small bit at the end! Also, our beloved/not-so-beloved former best friend Cytheas will finally be making a return!
Many, many thanks to crushcommando, mbh040, XxDarknezzXx, angelacm, Khaylie, Juju Bees, qweenashleyfox, KHandFF7fanforever, Bohmzawe, and Zeeya for the reviews! I've also noticed that with the announcement of Legion, I've had a huge influx of favorites and follows — thank you so much to all of you! Don't be shy, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review! I've PMed each and every one of you with a thank you as well :)
Lastly, I apologize if this chapter seemed disoriented or unrefined. My regular beta, Arenoptara, has been out this month because she's working on a challenge submission that's due by the end of the month. My other beta, angelacm, happened to break her ankle on vacation (horrible luck!) and I didn't want to press her to beta, for obvious reasons. Rather than wait past a month to update, I thought I'd get this out there and upload a more polished version later on.
See you guys next time! Thanks for reading :)