„Sammara, can you go with me, please?" Priestess Thalyssae's voice filled the training room of the Temple of Elune in Winterspring.
"Of course. Have I done something wrong recently, priestess?" The girl with snow-white hair asked immediately.
"Not from what I've heard, dear," Thalyssae responded softly.
"Then, what's the reason for you to take me somewhere?"
"Curious, aren't you?" The older woman chuckled.
"Yes, shouldn't I know what's going on?"
"Your mother came to pick you up." The priestess replied.
"What? I thought my parents died during the recent war, I can't believe it that she's there for me," Sammara said completely shocked.
"You've been with us for nearly 20 years, Sammara. I'm guessing that your mother thinks that you're old enough to meet her, and start your propper training." The purple-haired woman explained cooly.
"Who is she?" The white-haired girl wanted to know.
"Your mother is the high priestess of Elune, Tyrande Whisperwind."
"Sister, I don't want to sound impolite, but are you joking right now?"
"No, child. Let's hurry up, she's waiting for you at the courtyard."
"I still can't believe it, I thought that once I reach the age of 30 I will be faced with a narrow choice of what to do in my adult life, in my wildest dreams I didn't foresee that my parent would someday come for me." The young elf whispered.
"I honestly can't say that I understand what you're going through right now, my dear child. But I would suggest taking everything that the Goddess is willing to give you. Put your faith into her, and obey her guidance, she won't leave you, she's the true mother of us all," Thalyssae whispered softly, trying to cheer the girl up.
"I know, but there is still doubt in the bottom of my heart, am I good enough for the high priestess, am I good enough not to make a fool not only from myself but from her?"
"I'm pretty sure, Tyrande will love you for who you are."
"Thank you, sister. I appreciate it."
"You're welcome, child. Let's move on." She commanded.
She followed the steps of the priestess, but honestly, she didn't even pay any attention at all which route was picked by the older woman. Her whole mind was currently absorbed by the fact that her mother came for her. Never, ever in her wildest dream did she foresee that such a day would come true, not to mention that the leader of her people would be her parent as well. Sammara was confused, unsure, both a bit terrified and excited. Her current feeling would be very difficult to describe properly, frankly, she wasn't able to name them herself. After some time, they halted, they reached their destination. The courtyard of the temple was enormously large, it could easily occupy a space of hundreds of square meters. It's built on a square plan, the majority of it's covered with flowers, green areas, benches, fountains, trees leaving only outskirts to be made of stone. In the center, near the largest of the fountains, the lone woman was standing. The construction presented the Goddess of her people, Elune in 3 of her many forms, mother, priestess, and warrior. The elf woman who could only be Tyrande was staring into the darkest incarnation of Elune, Shadow Warrior. She seemed to be lost into her thought to the point that she didn't hear them coming.
"High priestess, your daughter is ready to meet you," Thalyssae said in a formal manner, bowing slightly.
"How many times must I say it to you, Thalyssae?" The high priestess responded with a burst of small laughter. "How many times do I need to remind you, that you should call me by my name, not my title?"
"It's inappropriate, my lady."
"You're one of the few priestesses who knew me before I was ascended into my current position. Please, treat me as a friend, not as a leader of our people."
"If it's what you want, high priestess."
"Ohhh, do as you want, Thalyssae. It seems that my efforts to convince you to be relaxed in my presence are futile," Tyranded summed up. "Hello, dear. It's been a really long time since I've seen you last time." The aqua-green-haired woman spoke to Sammara.
"I …" The girl mumbled.
"Shhh, my child. It's fine, you're just an infant when I was forced to leave you here. I know that you can't call me mother now, but I want us to build a proper relationship with time." The leader of the Night Elf whispered.
"I'm sorry," Sammara instantly responded.
"There is nothing to be sorry about, Sammara." The woman assured her, taking a step toward her. "I know, it's overwhelming, I know, it wasn't easy for you to live without knowing who your parents were, but please, let me change it. Let me take care of you as I should just from the start."
"It's a lot for me to handle, priestess." The white-haired girl replied.
"Not priestess, mother." The high priestess corrected her. "Let us start from the beginning, taking baby steps toward the goal which is a family, that we both need. I know that my decision wasn't the greatest, smartest, but I honestly didn't know what to do," Tyrande smiled at the girl. "I want my baby girl back, I wish you let me try one more time. Will you?"
"Yes…" The girl breathed out.
"I'm so happy, because of that."
"May I take my leave, then?" The purple-haired priestess asked.
"Of course, my the Goddes be with you, friend."
"May she be with you, high priestess," Thalyssae responded coldly.
"What happened?" The girl asked once the priestess left. "I have never seen her in such a mood."
"It's because of me," Tyrande sighed. "It seems that there is still a lot of bad blood between the two of us. It's nothing for you to worry about, though. I'll handle the situation myself."
"Is it me why she is upset?"
"No, she cares for you more than she's showing. She would never be upset about you." The aqua-green-haired woman responded after a minute of silence.
"When are we leaving?"
"As soon as possible," Tyrande answered. "Your clothes and other belongings are already packed and should be transported to Darnassus soon. If you're ready, we can go."
"Can I have a moment for myself?"
"Of course, my daughter."
"I want to say my farewell to Thalyssae and the few other people."
"Take your time, honey. I'll be waiting at the entrance."
"Thank you, mother," Sammara replied with a small smile on her lips.
"You have no idea, how happy you have made me right now." The priestess said after a small pause.
"You have no idea, how happy you made me when you showed up today. I felt like I was alone, left to rot, and suddenly it turned out I have a family, and my mother is no one else than a leader of our people, the war hero." The girl confessed.
"I'm glad you see it that way, dear. Go, bid your farewell and meet me when you're ready."
It took the white-haired girl more than a couple of minutes to locate where the team she's assigned to was currently staying. In the end, it appeared that they decided to occupy the smallest training ground that was located 10 minutes away from the main building of the temple. It's located on the only easily-accessible slope of the mountain. The location was peaceful, surrounded by the aged trees. Usually, the only sounds that could be heard there rarely sound of the animals, but it wasn't the case today. In the middle of the glade, the girl could see four young night elves, two boys and two girls, her team.
"Hey, Sammara!" The green-haired boy shouted as soon as he spotted her.
"Hey, Gildan," Sammara responded shyly.
"What's up? Why are you so out of the blue?" The deep-blue-haired girl asked immediately.
"I need to tell you something." The daughter of Tyrande sighed.
"What's going on?"
"I'm leaving, my mother came for me earlier today." The girl responded.
"It's fantastic!" The green-haired girl exclaimed, clapping her hands.
"Thank you, Melallas."
"Why aren't you happy, Sammara?" Melallas asked.
"Cause I probably won't see you again," Sammara replied in a low tone.
"Don't worry," Gildan said. "We have already got the information that all of us except Lylallath would be assigned to train in Darnassus."
"I'm assigned to Moonglade," Lylallath said before the girl could ask the question. "I'm going to be training to become a druid."
"It's wonderful news, I hope you'll become one soon," Sam said excitedly.
"Jaeashia is going to be a warrior, Gildan is assigned to train as the sentinel, and me, I'll be heading into the temple to become the priestess," Melallas announced.
"Do you know who will be your mentor?"
"I was told that I'll be taught by Isabelle Windmist at least at the beginning, and if I do good, I can even have a chance to be an apprentice of Tyrande Whisperwind." The green-haired girl exclaimed.
"It seems that I may have a chance to meet you, then," Sammara replied with a small smile.
"How so?" Her team asked in a union.
"My mother is Tyrande Whisperwind."
"You're kidding, aren't you?" Jaeashia asked with disbelieve.
"No, but it's still hard for me to process that fact, and to call her a mother," Sammara admitted.
"So, your surname is Whisperwind?" Gildan asked.
"As far as I know, the surname is passed by the father, so I wouldn't count on that," Lylallath said with concern in his voice. "Do you know who is your father?"
"No, I didn't ask about him, and Tyrande didn't say anything either."
"Hmm, it sounds kinda suspicion, but it's fine. I'm glad you have finally found a family and a home." He added quickly.
"Yeah, me too. It'll take me some time to get used to it, though."
"You'll be fine," Melallas stated with a smile. "From our side, we'll do everything to meet you as often as we can."
"Love you guys, I really do," Sammara whispered.
"Come here, let us hug you before you leave," Jaeashia suggested.
To the white-haired girl the small team, she had been assigned to when she's ten, was, in fact, her small family, the one which she could truly put her trust on. In the arms of those four younglings, she felt safe, she felt wanted, she felt needed. Sammara promised to herself that no matter what, she'd always take care of them, and save a very special place in her heart for them. Tomorrow her new life would begin, she'd no longer be an orphan, she'd be a daughter of Tyrande Whisperwind, she'd be put into the spotlight, and her true training would begin. Her destiny awaited her for a long long time, and it seemed that finally, she wouldn't have any other option but to follow it no matter where it'd lead her. At least she met one of her patents, at least she had a true family, maybe the future wouldn't be as dark as she had feared. Maybe there was a turning point in her life, maybe from now on everything would be easier. The young innocent girl wasn't aware of how much mistaken she truly was, but she couldn't have known. That was just the beginning of the adventure that Sammara would have to take part in.
