She was so not used to company.
As she sat there, she found her mind drifting. She was still rattled by her nightmare that morning, not to mention the heavy burden still weighing on her heart from Devrialstrasz's death and the knowledge that she had not been able to save him.
Once again, she felt tears coming on, but this time she just let it all out, knowing no one was watching. She sat there sobbing for who knew how long, until she couldn't cry any longer.
It was impressive how much capacity mortal tear ducts had.
But finally she got ahold of herself, and took a deep, calming breath. She felt a bit better now that was out of her system. She stood up, and noticed Eludian across the stream, looking rather uncomfortable.
"How long have you been there?", Ebonia asked, a dangerous undertone to her voice.
"Not very long, I promise!", quickly replied Eludian. After a moment, he asked, "Are you alright?"
Ebonia answered, "I'm fine..."
Eludian nodded. "I understand, believe it or not. Anyways, um, if you're hungry, the others set out some food from their foraging earlier..."
"Thanks, but I prefer to hunt my own food.", Ebonia replied.
"Better not let the other elves catch you at it.", warned Eludian.
Ebonia rolled her eyes...well, eye. "Of course I won't."
Eludian sighed. "Just be careful, please? It will be VERY hard to explain a black dragon is not going to cause harm in the Emerald Dream, especially after those rumors Faelian is undoubtedly trying to spread."
Ebonia replied, "Yes, yes, I already said I was going to be careful. See you later."
She strode off into the forest, and Eludian once again sighed behind her.*
An hour or so later, Ebonia had yet to find a single animal. Her stomach was growling hungrily, but it was as if all the prey had vanished.
Oh well, at least she was getting to spend some time as a dragon again. Her mortal form was interesting and all, but it was just so small, and weak, and limited. There was no spreading her wings and enjoying the feel of the wind against them, no brutally powerful muscles that allowed her to crush a rock in her grasp, not even a tail she could use to defend herself or make a task easier.
She knew she'd have to don that form again, but she wanted as much time out of it as she could snatch for herself.
She glanced at the rapidly darkening sky, and knew night was coming soon. She'd have to head back before anyone got worried...or suspicious.
But as she turned to head back, she spotted a strange fogbank rolling across the forest. She noticed that the cave she woke up in was in the covered area. Curious, she flapped her wings and sped towards the fog.
As she flew into it, she felt a strange prickle run across her scales. Something was not quite right about this fog, and Ebonia wondered if she was making a mistake here.
She spotted a large tree in the gloom, but to her surprise, it looked very different. Its branches were twisted and distorted. Strange red lumps and mutations were growing across its bark, and the leaves were the same crimson red, a very similar shade to blood.
Ebonia was very disturbed by this, but as she turned to fly away, a red spell emerged from the fog and rammed into her wing, spinning her out of control. She fell and crashed into the ground, pain flaring across her body.
As she tried to stand back up, a strange figure emerged from the fog.
"Take a nice long nap now, little dragon.", they said, "A nice loooong nap..."
He extended a hand, and Ebonia's eyes fell closed, even as she struggled to stay awake. Her consciousness sank into a deep, murky darkness, and the last thing she heard was a soft cackling.*
Her dreams were chaotic and confused, but Ebonia could not escape them. Visions cluttered her mind, vying for supremacy.
Orcs flooding through a gateway. The slaughter of a city. The murder of an old lion by a dreadful apparition. A gaping maw, teeth wrapping around a world. Green fire from the sky. A school of serpents rising from the deep. Mountains crumbling before a dark shadow. The dead bodies of dragons everywhere, many of whom looked like Devrialstrasz as a voice laughed in the distance. So many more visions that Ebonia could not name, her mind barraged by the scenes, whispers intertwining themselves through her head.
Until finally, the visions faded around the image of a strange, tall woman, her expression emotionless and unwavering.
"Do you wish it to be over?", she asked.
Ebonia replied shakily, "Who are you...?"
The woman replied, "For now, you can think of me as Sara. I believe we will work together soon. I can stop these images whenever I desire. Wouldn't you like that?"
"I...I need to wake up.", replied Ebonia.
Sara said, "Of course you do. I can help with that, but I will need you to help me. Assist me with whatever I need you to do, and these dreams never need bother you again. That is the deal I am willing to make."
As much as her recent dreams were bothering her, something about Sara's vague wording bothered Ebonia considerably. "I don't trust you.", she said.
Sara smiled. "Of course you don't. How very wise. You shouldn't trust anyone, or anything. However, I am the only way you have-"
"Ebonia!", came a voice, "Can you hear me?"
Sara hissed, then regained her composure. "I will be seeing you again, you know. Perhaps we can negotiate that deal then."
She vanished, and was quickly replaced by the hazy green image of a familiar dragon.
"Ebonia!", cried Ysera, "Finally, one of us managed to reach you!"
Ebonia said, "Wait, finally? How long have you been trying?"
Ysera answered, "You would not even believe me...it took us forever to even find you, what with the Emerald Nightmare taking hold of the area. I had thought you were dead until Malfurion fought off the darkness and discovered you. Even then, your mind was remarkably shielded from outside influence. It took my personal intervention to finally get through. I am relieved to know that you are still the same mentally, although it is also perplexing."
Ebonia had a bunch of questions now. But first she asked, "Why is it perplexing?"
Ysera replied, "Well, first off, you've been asleep for fifteen years-"
"Wait, WHAT!? That's impossible!", cried Ebonia, "It didn't even feel remotely that long, plus how on Azeroth could I have been asleep for FIFTEEN YEARS!?"
Ysera replied, "The magic that was trying to overwhelm you was very powerful. You could have ended up sleeping for the rest of eternity for all we know. Anyways, as I was explaining, it is odd that after fifteen years you are still completely unchanged. Then of course there's the fact that it was the magic of the Emerald Nightmare that was trying to control you. Most who get afflicted by it have their vision of reality twisted and shattered, driving them insane and forcing them to fight and kill their own friends. The fact that you successfully resisted it for fifteen years is very, very astonishing. I suspect it might have something to do with why you were not corrupted like the rest of Deathwing's brood, but that's a mystery for later."
Ebonia nodded. "I see...no wonder it's a surprise to you, then. But what is this 'Emerald Nightmare' you keep referring to?"
Ysera sighed sadly. "It is my greatest foe, a sinister force that has existed since the War of the Ancients. It seeks to twist the Emerald Dream, and by extension all of nature, into a corrupted mockery of its proper self. Any druids or green dragons who get caught by it are driven mad and serve its chaotic, destructive desires. We can usually keep it under control, but sometimes it mysteriously gains power and spreads rapidly. You got caught in one of those times, unfortunately, but you somehow managed to survive with your health and sanity intact."
"So I can tell.", Ebonia replied, "Okay, so uh, is Eludian still alive?"
Ysera nodded. "Do not fear, Eludian is alive and well. He has also finished his training and become a full druid, and helped repel the Nightmare where we found you. I am sure he will be very happy to hear that you are nearly recovered."
Ebonia smiled slightly. "That's good to know. I don't think I have any more questions, so..."
Ysera said, "Yes, I believe it is time for me to go. I have alerted Malfurion about your status, so when you wake up he will most likely have arrived. May Elune light your path, Ebonia."
Her image faded, and Ebonia's eyes finally opened.*
As she slowly woke up from fifteen years of sleep, Ebonia noticed Faewing perched at the end of her snout. The faerie dragon was bigger now, but still reacted with plenty of enthusiasm at the sight of Ebonia's open eyes.
"Yay! Friend finally awake! Now we can hunt and play and eat! Lots of eat!", cheered Faewing.
Ebonia chuckled softly. "Okay, then."
She spotted Eludian and Malfurion running into the clearing. Malfurion looked much the same, although with possibly a few new wrinkles, but Eludian was definitely different.
His hair was longer now, and he'd been growing out his beard. There were some new scars on his arms and a long thin one across his cheek. He also wore plant-covered leather armor and was holding a tall wooden staff, with a crescent moon-shaped end. He looked older now, more like a true night elf druid than the awkward young man from fifteen years ago.
"Ebonia! You're finally awake! Thank Elune!", Eludian cried, running over. He lightly tapped his staff against her side, and Ebonia felt filled with energy again. She pulled herself to her feet, then morphed into her mortal form so she wouldn't look so intimidating.
Malfurion said, "Ysera told me everything. It is quite impressive that you survived the Nightmare's attack. However, I would not dare risk it trying again. I believe it would be too dangerous for you to stay here."
Ebonia frowned. "Are you saying I should leave?"
Malfurion nodded sadly. "Yes. I think it is finally time for you to return to the material plane, where the Nightmare is unlikely to ever find you again. With your mortal form, you will have plenty of freedom back on Azeroth to do what you wish. Your physical body should have healed by now, so as soon as Ysera decides, you will return there."
Eludian frowned. "So she's leaving? Just like that? Without any knowledge of the world or plans of what she'll do? I can't let that happen!"
"I do not have much choice.", Malfurion replied.
Eludian closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, he said, "Then I will go with her. She needs a guide to the world, and I have always wanted to go on an adventure."
Faewing added, "Faewing will come too! Friends stick together!"
Malfurion sighed. "Your future is in your hands now, so I cannot stop you, only wish you well. I will let Ysera know now. May Elune light your path."
He walked away solemnly, and the three of them glanced at each other. Then they shimmered and dissolved into emerald light, the next chapter of their great story finally beginning.*