I hope you like this one, there's quite a bit more of description in this one than the others. Do not own SC or Warcraft characters unfortunately.

888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Chapter 3: A Forest Like No Other

"This is it?" Taki raised an eyebrow at the 'portal entrance' which looked like a stone shrine to her. Long, leafy vines laced themselves along the few steps up to the portal's semi-ruined, black-stoned, pentagonal stage.

The moonlight gleamed through what seemed like the largest opening of treetops within the woods and upon an elevated icon or symbol that was a half-circle with its sharp points pointing to the sky and appeared to be made out of steel by the way it reflected the moonlight upon them. Unlit stone beacons half Taki's height were at each corner of the stage. All had runic symbols running up the front of the beacons while four of the five backs seemed to hold large dark blue gems within them and all had nearly flat bowls filled with what looked like ash upon them.

"Um-hm." Diana nodded. "Normally it's difficult to transport someone from these outer lands to Azeroth, not to mention activating the portal alone, but I as a veteran have a shortcut for that." Diana pulled out what looked like the missing fifth gem from a brown pouch that she kept tied at her side. She walked past Taki and slipped the gem into the beacon, nothing happened...

"'Shortcut' huh?" Taki raised an eyebrow at Diana, who looked up at her with narrowed eyes.

"Taki wait." Sophitia spoke behind her. "Look at the runes on the beacons." Taki turned away from Sophitia's raised eyebrows as she looked at the beacons and turned to look at the runes. Taki's expression became the same as Sophitia's as she noticed that the runes seemed to have a bright blue light emitting from them. Diana's gaze seemed neutral as if it was nothing new to her. The bowls of ash suddenly and strangely burst into tall flames and Sophitia noticed in the corner of her eye that the half-circle icon and gems seemed to glow. It couldn't be because of the moonlight because the glow appeared too intense for any light to cause.

Diana calmly walked over to Taki and stopped next to her placing her hands on her hips and a small smile on her face. "You want to go first human?"

"Go first? What do you mean?" Taki raised an eyebrow.

"Just walk to the crescent moon symbol and you'll find out." Diana explained.

"Erm..." Taki hesitated, not exactly sure if this was some sort of trickery or set-up. "I don't think-"

"Oh just come with me!" Diana spoke impatiently as she grabbed Taki by the shoulder gripping her body suit and nearly making her fall off her feet by Diana's sudden jerk. She was forcefully pulled over to the stage of the shrine and once they reached the half-circle Taki felt an odd sensation. She felt like she was being lifted from the ground, like she had become weightless, and could feel herself floating higher. The only thing she could feel was Diana's grip on her body suit.

The scenery seemed to change in a hazy-like motion. The dry forest she was once in seemed to take on a different appearance; soon she seemed to be in a much fuller forest that seemed more beautiful then the one she was in seconds ago. It had thousands of small creeks and a few large, clear streams that had cascading waterfalls here and there. Acres of the fullest, tallest and greenest trees seemed to cover the hills endlessly.

Taki noticed that she was no longer weightless as she fell what must have been sixteen feet onto the dimmed black-blue colored stage of what looked like the same shrine that she stepped upon. Luckily, she was able to land on her feet feeling a twinge of pain in her knee joints and pads of her feet. She felt Diana land next to her.

"Is... Is this Ashenvale?" Taki asked as she looked at the beautiful mass of trees before her.

"Part of it. Tyrande's base is close. My sisters and I will, of course, escort you there. If you go by yourself you'll be killed on sight. I know Tyrande will be intrigued to hear your... story." Diana explained as she walked down the steps of the shrine. Her hesitation implied her disbelieve in their reasons of why they wanted to come to Ashenvale in the first place.

Taki caught this and was about to speak in defense when she heard a yelp above her. Her eyes widened but before she could even turn around she felt something fall on top of her, driving her to the ground. The force of the stone against her ribs and stomach was a bit painful but still bearable, especially when she recognized the golden hair that fell over her shoulders and the sound of her voice when she fell upon Taki.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know I'd fall on top of you, let alone fall at all." Sophitia spoke in her ear as she tried to slowly lift herself off of Taki's back. Of course to Taki, she figured that she could take as long as she wanted to get off of her; it was just the warm feeling Sophitia had that made her not want to move. Even through the slight twinge of pain in her ribs she could still smile at the comfortable feeling Sophitia gave. She noticed out of the corner of her eye that the elf that had guided Sophitia through the portal stood next to Diana, arms folded and looking at the two still laying upon the stage.

Taki then heard a brief scream above her, making her eyes snap wide open when the realization hit her. Her head snapped up to the forest and tried to move but Sophitia was still on top of her.

"Oh no..." Taki's words were broken of when she felt immense pain and force as she felt, who she knew it would be, Mina fall on top of the both of them. She could feel her chest press against the stage floor and pressure in her back as well as swear that she heard her back crack. She slowly lifted her tensing hands above her head, tightening the muscles in her fingers and laying her forehead upon the stone stage as she groaned trying to recover herself from the pressure.

"Sorry." Mina spoke as she rolled off of Sophitia, who felt the same pain as Taki mostly within her back. Mina slowly raised herself and pulled her Zanbatou out of the stage where it had fallen blade-first.

"Eh heh..." Taki chuckled at Mina's apology and the way they must have looked in front of these elves as she stood up with the help of Sophitia's hands at her sides. Of course as Sophitia helped her up she could feel her hands slowly sliding up her sides, making her gasp slightly. Taki tried her best to maintain her composure in front of Mina and these elves that were watching, but it was rather difficult as she felt Sophitia's hands slide back down.

"You two ready?" Diana spoke as she walked to one of the lit beacons and pulled out one of the gems, making the portal's happenings and glows cease. She raised an eyebrow, wondering what this human named Taki was smirking about while she had walked passed her.

"Ahem, y-yes, whenever you are." Taki tried to maintain her normal voice as she wiggled a bit out of Sophitia's grasp. She watched as they all turned and headed into the thick, green, creek-woven woods. Taki noticed Mina giving her a raised eyebrow as she turned but Taki didn't care about what other people might think at this point. Taki looked over her shoulder to Sophitia, who just had raised eyebrows as if she was wondering why Taki was looking at her like that.

"Something wrong?" Sophitia asked innocently. Taki grinned and narrowed her eyes as if she just figured out Sophitia's naughty ideas.

"You did that on purpose." Taki stated in a low voice with her grin still in tact.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Sophitia let go of the slightly taller woman's sides and walked around her. Taki just looked at her.

'Maybe it was just me.' Taki thought but it was soon changed when she noticed that Sophitia had a grin tugging at her lips when she turned to look back at her. Taki's eyes widened at this but resisted the urge to yell 'Aha!' in triumph, all she could do was grin as she followed the elves, Mina, and her little minx.

8888888888888888

The walk to Ashenvale seemed long and endless but that was because of the thousands of trees they passed by. Although they were still beautiful to look at with the light of the horizon that revealed itself through them and its morning light gleaming into the creaks.

Taki returned the favor to Sophitia by letting her fingertips gently touch and caress her hand and fingertips. Sophitia gasped at the sudden shock of feeling someone's fingers upon her own, but slowly leaned into it. She knew it was Taki teasing her; she didn't even have to turn and look at the wide grin that Taki tried to hold in.

Taki's grin was suddenly taken away when she heard a low growling sound somewhere within the trees. 'Ugh! I've already had enough of these hidden enemies that refuse to reveal themselves.' She thought to herself as she rolled her eyes, unsheathed her Rekki-Maru and started marching over to where she heard the growl.

Sophitia noticed that Taki's fingers where no longer playing with her own. She turned with a look of confusion to find Taki slowly stalking through the trees as if she was a predator on the hunt. "Taki? What is it?"

"Yes, what are you doing human?" Taki was seized by the arm with Diana's grip.

"One of your buddies in these woods?" Taki asked cockily.

"We have thousands of... buddies in these woods." Diana stated with narrowed eyes aimed at Taki's cockiness.

"One that growls?" Taki raised an eyebrow. Diana lowered hers in confusion.

"Growls?-" Diana was interrupted as a bear-like creature jumped out of the woods, causing everyone to jump back in surprise. The brown-black bear growled nastily at Taki, who just smiled as she lifted her Rekki-Maru higher, poised to strike at any moment, just as the bear.

She watched as it ran up on all fours and prepared to pounce upon her when she felt Sophitia push her out of the way, making them both fall on the ground. Taki heard a yelp and looked up in alarm to Sophitia, hoping that the bear hadn't hurt her, but noticed that Diana was standing in front of Sophitia, pointing her blade at its snout while holding her bleeding upper arm.

"Druid! What do you think you're doing?" Diana shouted in a scolding manner as she kept her dagger in place. The bear began to growl again, but it sounded more like it was in pain. It continued and backed away slowly as it stood itself up upon its two back feet. Suddenly it let out a loud roar that, to everyone who was human's surprise, seemed to become more and manlier.

The bear began to change shape; its snout became smaller and the fur around its face began to disappear. Its paws changed into hands, one hand had fingers covered with blood; Taki guessed it was Diana's. Its furry body looked more and more like normal shawls of bear fur wrapped around the body. The roaring of pain finally stopped and the large, beastly man with a lavender-skinned face with a long brown-black beard and hair and blue-tinted starlit eyes turned to look at Diana.

"Don't you think I should be asking that question?" The druid spoke in a deep, rather elderly-sounding voice. "Explain yourself Diana; why do you have these humans at your sides?" He crossed his arms over his chest waiting for the explanation. Diana didn't speak, just looked to the side stubbornly. The druid sighed. "I'm sorry I hit your arm, but you got in the way!" Diana looked up and sighed.

"Well, you shouldn't have tried to attack them! They were behind us, do you think they would do anything without us sensing it?" The druid didn't answer, just looked down. Diana watched him for a moment. "They claimed they were searching for Tyrande." The druid's head shot up in surprise. "They seem to have information concerning Frostmourne." Diana explained calmly.

"Do they now?" The druid sounded intrigued. "Which one told you this?" Diana pointed to Sophitia's direction.

"She did. Why?" Diana asked, but her question remained unanswered as the druid stepped over to Sophitia, who seemed a bit nervous that a half-elf and half-bear was looking at her strangely. He slowly lowered himself over her shoulders and took in several short sniffs of her scent, sniffing along her collarbone. Sophitia let him do what he wished; she didn't want to seem threatening seeing as to how he appears to be another Night Elf.

Taki seemed a bit uneasy at this. "What are you doing?" Taki asked. Her question remained unanswered as the druid ceased and raised himself up to his normal height although continued to stare into Sophitia's eyes.

"I will show you the way to Tyrande. I will lead just so that the other druids who are patrolling the area won't get the wrong idea and attack. He spoke as he walked ahead of them.

"You trust her just like that? Just by smelling her?" Diana asked with a raised eyebrow.

The druid slowly turned to her. "I could smell and sense a strong aura of gentleness and devotion upon her; that gave me all I needed to know about her and the truth she has given you." He spoke kindly, then turned and led them all, leaving Diana with raised eyebrows as she turned to her sister elves.

Taki slowly stepped up to Sophitia from behind, placed her hands on the curve of her shoulders and sniffed her neck and shoulders in curiosity.

"Smell anything?" Mina asked in her own curiosity complete with a raised eyebrow. Sophitia turned her head to hear her answer.

"Not really. Well, besides that wonderful scent of fresh mountain air and freshly fallen snow along with lilacs." Taki stated with a smile as she looked at the small smile she gave Sophitia, who turned to her with a soft gaze.

"I really smell like that?" Sophitia seemed rather touched. Taki nodded, then came close to Sophitia's ear, so close that her lips were almost touching it.

"It's rather hard to miss..." Taki closed her eyes and pressed her lips against Sophitia's ear, making Sophitia coo slightly as she closed her eyes and felt Taki's warm breath caress her ear. Taki jumped as she felt Mina slap the back of her shoulder impatiently.

"Before you two start necking can we please press on so that my eyes and ears can have their mercy!" Taki just looked at her as if she was going to wrap her hands around Mina's neck for her interruption, but for the sake of the task at hand, she reluctantly released Sophitia's shoulders. She heard Sophitia sigh in slight disappointment and she of course didn't blame her.

8888

They hadn't been walking long. Taki would hear a few snaps of twigs here and there but would see nothing, although she could tell that they were being watched with unwavering eyes but figured to not provoke anyone or anything.

"How much further do we have to go... erm... druid?" Sophitia asked hesitantly. She heard the druid chuckle slightly, then turned to her as he walked.

"My name's Berus. And we are not far at all." Berus stopped in front of a wall of leaves and vines, turned towards the three humans with a small smile, and pulled the vines and branches down with one hand.

Their gazes widened as they saw many ziggurats of a golden-brown color and large gems separated evenly around the walls and strips of green that ran along the edges. Surrounding them were many small merchant-like marts and structures that looked like wells, strange through they were.

The inside of the well didn't seem to go into the earth so a bucket wasn't needed and they still had clear water within them. Moss and leaves grew around the edges of the white-stoned wells and they had a symbol much like the one the portal had only this one was smaller and was elevated into the air by to small beams. It kind of reminded Taki of the Shinto shrines she would see in her homelands.

And of course, several Night elves, each with different symmetrical markings on their face and different styles of hair and clothing (mostly battle armor and purple material) carried about their business about the town, making the others that were looking in feel completely oblivious.

The strangest part about this place was the trees; they seemed so large and full and so... alive. Some, Mina noticed, held lanterns upon their limbs.

"Let's get some Moon Well water on that wound Diana." Berus suggested. Taki, Sophitia and Mina looked at each other as he mentioned 'Moon Well water'.

"Theta, would you take these humans to Tyrande while I heal myself?" Diana asked as she turned to the one that still held Aessena in her arms, although Mina had no idea how her strength could last this long.

"Sure. I remember where she is." Theta nodded obediently. She turned to one of her fellow Night elves. "Shalis, take Aessena back to her mother, I'm sure she's worried sick." The elf took Aessena from her arms.

"Of course." Shalis nodded, positioned Aessena comfortably within her arms, then strode off into the city-like town.

She motioned her head for the rest to follow her, while she watched as Berus and Diana made their way to a Moon Well, which appeared to be the same white-stoned wells with elevated symbols.

Taki, Sophitia and Mina became increasingly nervous as they made their way to the largest ziggurat. More and more Night elves noticed their white-tanned skin and black pupils. The three human could most certainly notice their expressions of shocked surprise, scorn, and intrigue in their presence. Most of the Night elves just stopped in their tracks completely and watched the humans with unwavering eyes. The staring just made them even more nervous, they were just waiting for a dagger or arrow to fly into the air and land in one of their backs.

Taki sputtered when she saw another breed of a Night elf; she looked like a centaur, but her body was one of a deer instead of a horse and her skin was a paler lavender than the other night elves. Her hair was long and looked as if it was mostly made out of leaves. She held a spear that had purple feathers attached to the neck of the spear as well as vines wrapped around it. The tint within her starlit eyes was close to a darker blue than the rest. She noticed that she was scorning at her but also noticed a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

Mina stopped gripping her Zanbatou as well as holding it tightly to her chest and sighed with relief as they came to their vine-traced ziggurat. They walked up the many steps and noted that the large double-doors were guarded by two tigers. She remembered seeing the double-doors of the other ziggurats were guarded by owls. They all were about to walk into Tyrande's quarters when they were stopped by a male and female guards.

"What is your business here? Why have you brought humans to Ashenvale?" The male spoke, who had his well-muscled chest exposed and long black-purple hair that was partly tied back behind his ears and out of his eyes, which had tall, oval-like symmetrical marks that extended over his bright eyes, half his forehead and over his cheekbones.

"It is matters that, at this point, Tyrande should only know about. Few know already but we don't want word to spread. It would be in your best interest to let us pass." Theta spoke very honorably as if she was a veteran herself. The two guards looked at each other with a raised eyebrow then looked back at her, nodded, then stood aside for them.

As they walked passed and into Tyrande's quarters, Mina took one quick glance at the male guard, who just seemed to stare at her as she walked in, as if he was still suspicious.

The five that were left of the group entered and looked in awe at the beautiful interior. The upper walls were planks of wood held together with what looked like liquid silver. The rest of the walls were shelves and shelves of books, clothing, armor and weapons.

There were many windows raised high to the flat ceiling and let the light pour in across the soft dirt-covered floor and deep pools of clear water that were along the edges of the room and had pink and white rose petals scattered across the surface of the water. The back of the room had a wooden desk that had sheets of parchment, a quill pen and what looked like rings and vials of liquid substances. Next to that was a large bed of leaves with what looked like a sheet of white fur, although the only humans in the room had no idea why that would be there.

High above all this was what looked like a small shield with sides that curved inwards and had two beautifully carved purple arrows with small purple feathers attached to the necks of the arrows crossing over each other in front of the shield. In front of this decoration were three blades evenly spaced with the hilts touching behind a symbol of a half moon and a smaller plum colored moon within it.

"Who is this Tyrande anyway?" Mina suddenly spoke. All the Night elves that guarded them turned to her. Mina's eyes widened, thinking maybe she was too forward with that question and tried to tone it down. "Erm, if I may ask. I mean she seems like she's in a high rank to have all of this." Mina's face lowered in slight embarrassment.

"I am the High Priestess of the Night elves, and yes, it is indeed a high rank."

They all spun around to find a tall and beautiful woman behind them. She did seem older than all the other elves within the room, but she also appeared to have quite a bit of wisdom, you could tell even by looking at her. The marks upon her face were very different from those that Mina, Sophitia and Taki had seen; they looked like purple wings that went over her eyes and extended down the sides of her cheeks. Her eyes had a powerful blue tint to them in the mist of the white glow within the centers.

Her long, dark aqua hair was pulled back slightly with three ties that were at different parts of her hair. It seemed very long even if it was pulled back with the strands that were to the front fell forward to the sides and almost to the front of her face. She crossed her half-armored arms over her chest making her short, dark purple cape sway a bit as her long eyebrows rose in question. "Is something wrong?" She asked in her deep voice that had a graceful or wistful tone to it.

"Erm..." Mina stammered as she brought her composer back along with Taki and Sophitia after realizing that they were staring. "How did you sneak up behind us?" She suddenly asked, making Taki and Sophitia look at her briefly with a raised eyebrow.

"I was in the far corner behind you; I guess you didn't notice me when you came in." Tyrande answered simply.

"Yeah, she tends to miss a lot of things." Taki added with a smirk. Mina slowly turned her head towards her with a raised eyebrow, as if she was going to whack Taki in the back of her head with the butt of her Zanbatou.

"That's not true!" Mina defended. Sophitia rubbed the palm of her hand against her forehead and closed her eyes, not noticing the smirk that the night elf gave as she stood next to Theta as was trying to regain her composure in front of her priestess.

"Oh ho really?" Taki continued in a sarcastic tone. "Well let me jus-"Taki stopped as she felt Sophitia's hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Sophitia with a look that Taki could clearly read. "Ahem... sorry love." Taki spoke in a small voice as she looked down slightly. She heard Sophitia sigh as she let her go.

"Sorry about that." Sophitia apologized to Tyrande, who held a small smile as she looked at the three.

"Heh, don't worry about it, I see it all the time between some of my archers believe it or not." Tyrande paused for a few seconds. "You wished to speak to me? You are from the outer lands, are you not?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Erm y-yes." Sophitia stammered something as she remembered her task. "I was told by... erm... someone that an alliance has been forged between two evils, one of which you know I believe; Frostmourne?" Tyrande merely blinked, although Sophitia could tell that she was a bit intrigued.

"Hmm, Arthas and the 'Burning Legion' will never cease to amaze me." Tyrande stated simply as she strode to the side rather lost in thought.

"Pardon?" Sophitia raised an eyebrow at how well Tyrande was handling this.

"I never thought that Arthas would go as far as going to your outer lands, let alone make an alliance. I don't know him very well; I haven't run into him very often, I would just find parts of your woods corrupted by his plagues of poison." Tyrande turned to them. "You want my help in defeating him? You're going to need more than just the Night elves' arrows to stand by you in battle, I'm afraid." She looked down to the floor. "So thus I will send one of my runners to another breed of elves to ask for their aid in arms and a second to another human I know and ask for her help as well."

"Thank you." Sophitia bowed her head slightly in relief; she was amazed that Tyrande, a high priestess, would actually trust the three of them and their word.

"What would you like us to do in the meantime?" Taki asked just out of curiosity. Tyrande paused for a minute, then smiled.

"You can do whatever you wish within the walls of Ashenvale. I will give you something to make the other Night elves trust you." Tyrande strode over to one of the many shelves and began to rummage through a shelf full of different kinds of metal guards and plates. Taki, Sophitia and Mina looked at each other briefly as the rummaging sound stopped. They watched as Tyrande came back with three pieces of jewelry in her hand. They were each the same; thin metal bands that had a clasp and in the center of the bands dangled a small, metal crescent moon that tilted slightly to look as if it really was in the sky.

"What are these?" Sophitia ask as she looked up and noticed that Tyrande was wearing the same thing around her forehead, having the moon dangle in front.

"Every Night elf has one, just wear them where they are visible and at least most suspicious Night elves won't pester you." She exclaimed as she handed them to the three. Taki clasped it around her wrist, Mina placed it around her neck and Sophitia clasped hers onto the brown-leather ties of her shirt, although Taki thought that wasn't the best place to but it because there was the possibility of a Night elf staring at that part of her shirt for two reasons instead of one.

"I trust you can handle the rest Tyrande?" Theta asked as she raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, thank you Theta and send my thank you to your leader, Diana Windwood. Oh! And could you do me the favor of sending a runner to Miss Proudmore and Kael' Thalas of the Blood elves for me?" Theta nodded obediently then turned and left with her last Night elf companion. Tyrande turned back to the humans. "Well, you can do what you wish, within reason that is, inside Ashenvale until we hear a reply from the two runners."

Mina and Taki bowed their heads as they smiled at the fact that they no longer had to really focus on anything for the moment. Sophitia smiled warmly as she turned with the two to head out the door. She suddenly stopped as she felt a hand on her shoulder that was slightly pulling her back. "But I want to speak with you if you don't mind." Tyrande spoke in her ear. "Alone."

"Um..." Sophitia wasn't exactly sure of how to answer. She watched as Taki noticed that she wasn't behind her and turned to her with a look of confusion on her face. "I-I'll meet you later Taki, I'm sure I can find you."

Taki blinked twice, then noticed Tyrande's hand on her love's shoulder, making her eyes narrow slightly. 'What is she up to?' Taki thought to herself in suspicion, but decided to let it go seeing as to how generous she's been to them so far. "Al-alright. If you say so." Sophitia heard the uneasiness in Taki's voice.

"I know so." Sophitia spoke with a sweet voice and a smile that gave Taki a new confidence in her as well as a melting heart.

Taki mentally hit herself. 'What am I being so nervous about? Sophitia's perfectly capable of handling herself alone!' Taki smiled as she turned and headed out the door with Mina, who leaned against the doorframe with wandering eyes as she had watched the scene play out before her.

Sophitia turned to Tyrande with a raised eyebrow. "What was it you wanted to speak to me about?" Tyrande grabbed her hand and led her out the door but not before Taki and Mina were out of sight.

"Come with me, I want to make sure that no one can overhear." She turned to Sophitia, who seemed utterly confused.

"I'm sorry?" Sophitia asked as she still felt Tyrande grasping her hand, which she felt uneasy about.

"Just follow me." Tyrande led her down the steps of the tall ziggurat, through the passing elves, who just continued to glance and stare at Sophitia in suspicion, and back into the woods. Sophitia's suspicion rose with every twist and turn Tyrande made, but knowing that she had the highest rank of the Night elf caste system, she kept telling herself that she had nothing to worry about, or so she hoped.

888888888888888888888888888888888888

Well? The background for the Night Elven town I got from the Night elf background used in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. Tyrande's tiger will show up eventually, have a name you'd like me to use for it? I already have an idea, but I want to know if yours might be better :)

I hope the descriptions for the druids and dryads (female deer centaurs) worked out well enough. They will be showing up again and I'll be putting more personas into them. The Orcs will be mentioned as well in the next one.