HERE WE GO IT'S ROMANCE TIME (Level 20 quests)

4: Love at First Sight

"I wish for Valiant Caoilfhionn to meet my eldest child," the Mother Tree had said when all was said and done with the Quest of the Knight of the Moon. Caoilfhionn had instantly thrilled to the notion; he knew of Trahearne the Firstborn, the oldest even of the Firstborn, the scholar who had spent his entire life studying Orr, and looked up to such a person perhaps even more than Caithe, though she had mentored him so patiently during his first few weeks. She too knew what it was to be a Valiant, and to be an adventurer, someone who actively fought in the defense of others – Caoilfhionn was still clumsy at the actual fighting part, but he watched her and did his best, and she encouraged him.

But Trahearne, the scholar, the necromancer, surely there was so much he could learn from such a one as he! Even if what was rumoured about his Wyld Hunt sounded… so romantically, depressingly hopeless. So it was with great anticipation that he received and responded to a summons from Caithe asking him to come to the common house at the base of the Grove, a month or so later.

A Sylvari brushed past him to leave as he entered; Caithe was in the chamber beyond, speaking with – surely that must be Trahearne – yes, she had said his name. "While we're waiting… Trahearne, it is good to see you once more within the Grove."

"It is hard for me to return," Trahearne said quietly. "Each time I do, I feel more and more distant."

Caithe reached out to rest her hand on his shoulder. "Let the Mother shelter you. It will pass."

Caoilfhionn hovered just outside the door. "Pardon me?"

Caithe looked up and smiled, dropping her hand. "There you are, Valiant Caoilfhionn. Come, meet Trahearne."

"It is an honour, Trahearne," Caoilfhionn said, smiling and bowing deeply to the man.

Bright yellow eyes regarded him solemnly, in a thin face overshadowed with neatly-kept leaves. "I'm glad to meet you, Caoilfhionn, but I'm afraid we have no time for proper welcomes. There is an urgent matter at hand."

By the Pale Tree's leaves, his voice! Many Sylvari had melodious deep voices, his brother Cathaoir for one, but he'd seldom heard one like Trahearne's. And his face, and his leaves, and his bearing – wait a moment.

Caithe took up the tale, which was fortunate, or he might not have heard much of the rest. "Just before you arrived, a messenger brought news of three attacks by the Nightmare Court. None of our knights are in a position to help right now. I can aid one, Trahearne another…" She looked expectantly at Caoilfhionn.

Who needed no further invitation. "I'll take the third. Where do you need me to go?"

Caithe relaxed her body slightly, though her face remained stern. "They're besieging the Warden outpost of Falias Thorp. Make your way there as quickly as possible, Caoilfhionn, and lend a hand."

"At once!" Caoilfhionn bowed again, and Caithe nodded and ran for the door.

Trahearne followed more slowly, at a brisk trot, and Caoilfhionn matched him – they were both magic users, and did not have Caithe's stamina.

He couldn't help casting a few sideways glances at Trahearne as they walked, from curiosity and… and… But Trahearne looked at him full on at the door. Oh no- Oh, he was simply speaking. "I am glad to meet you, Caoilfhionn. Caithe has had few friends since… I think you will be good for her."

What about you? Could I be your friend as well? Could I be good for you as well? Caoilfhionn wanted to ask, but surely two moments after meeting was not the time – even a sapling like him knew that much – so instead he asked: "May I ask a question?"

"Of course. How may I aid you?"

"How well do you know Caithe?" Stupid question, they were both Firstborn, they'd known each other longer than any other Sylvari ever.

But Trahearne smiled patiently. "We are both Firstborn, tasked to face the challenges of Orr. She is a sister to me, in spirit and in purpose."

"Ah! I have two sisters. And two brothers. My elder brother is a Warden. I hope he is at Falias Thorp, they will not fall if he is there."

"I would sooner hope that he is not," Trahearne said to himself, and Caoilfhionn looked at him with some confusion and concern. "Never mind. Here's the waypoint; I will teleport from here. I hope to see you soon."

"Fortune be with you!" Caoilfhionn said, and activated the waypoint himself.

He still had to walk a distance from the destination waypoint, which gave his mind time to churn over his confusion. He'd looked forward to meeting the most magically-inclined of the Firstborn, yes, but that his wits should be overcome like this at hearing his voice… that his sap should flow quickly in his veins at the mere thought of him now… His eyes were so complex and intelligent, an intense yellow stare that contained shades of gentleness, wisdom, patience, humour, melancholy…

It wasn't confusion at all. This was… infatuation, was it not?

He'd fallen in love! The mere realization made his eyes sparkle, and his mouth to laugh; he near jumped for joy. The fact that he'd fallen for a Firstborn upon a minute of conversation mattered little to him. A Firstborn surely had no lack for admirers, but unrequited, unattainable love was as romantic as requited love, so long as it inspired one to great deeds and to be one's best self. And the brief length of their relationship so far… Caoilfhionn was too young to pause at that. He was in love! This was the happiest moment of his life yet.

But this was no time for personal joy, for up ahead the village was aflame…

A lavender-coloured Sylvari stood in his path, eyes flashing, teeth bared, and a pistol pointed at him. "Who are you? Are you another of these murderers?"

"I'm a friend," Caoilfhionn assured him. "My name is Caoilfhionn, and I'm a Valiant sent by Caithe to aid you. Who are you, and what's going on?"

The pistol lowered cautiously. "My name is Malyck. The Wardens said these creatures are called the Nightmare Court. They've set fire to the camp, and cut down everything in their path. We're outnumbered, besieged, and most of the guard has been injured. I'm all that's left of the defense."

"Let me fight with you, Malyck!" Caoilfhionn cried. "My brother is a Warden, is he here? His name is Cathaoir."

"Cathaoir? He was taken by the fiends already. You are close?"

Caoilfhionn gasped, panic surging through him. No, he was a Valiant! He could not falter, just because his brother was in danger! "Yes, we are. I must help you! Please!" Was this what Trahearne had tried to warn him of, to be careful what he wished for? Would that he had been there sooner, to fight for his brother's honour and safety!

"I was about to warn you that I would allow no harm to befall the Wardens, but it seems you have your own reasons to protect them. Very well. Help me drive back the villains still in the camp, and then we'll speak further."

Caoilfhionn brandished his focus and his dagger. "I'm ready. Let's get them!"

This was the most dangerous thing he'd ever done, more dangerous than confronting Ysvelta and her guards with only Tiachren at his side, more dangerous than swimming to the bottom of the krait tower at Slaver's Deeps, more dangerous than lingering in Wegaff's laboratory – yet though there was such danger, he was alight with purpose and daring. He was disguised as one of the Nightmare Court, with Malyck beside him, and the prize for his deception would be his brother and the other Wardens kidnapped from Falias Thorp.

"I sent those fools to bring me the Harbinger, and instead they come back with whimpering Wardens!" The Knight of Embers, the captain of this band of traiterous courtiers, rounded upon him as he approached her, her autumnal garb rustling about her. "You there! You're new. Can you follow orders, courtier?"

It was easy for him to affect ignorant surprise. "Uhm… me? Er… yes, my lady?"

"Then you're in charge," she snapped at him. "Make these wretched wardens talk. Do whatever it takes. Hit them so hard the Pale Tree can feel it. They will tell me where to find the Harbinger, or they will die feeding Nightmare with their agony."

His sap was boiling, but he had to stay calm. "My lady knight? May I ask? What is a harbinger?" If they knew any more than Malyck himself did, he could bring news to Caithe and Trahearne.

The Knight chuckled darkly. "It is the Pale Tree's Doom, and Nightmare's vindication, and my Dark Hunt. When it is found, all will be made clear. Now go!" She strode off, to the upper reaches of the camp at Joy's End; the prisoners were in the middle level and so Caoilfhionn did not hurry, intending that she should be well away before they executed their plan.

There were two guards before the thorny cage that held the captive Wardens. Caoilfhionn nodded to them both as he stepped forward as if to enter… and then stabbed one with his dagger, and Malyck shot the other.

The Wardens jumped up as the gunshot resounded deafeningly from cavern wall to cavern wall. "By the Pale Tree's wisdom – Malyck! What are you doing here!?" The Captain of the group was the first out as the two opened the cage, and she gave Malyck a big hug – never mind his spiky disguise.

"Caoilfhionn!" cried Cathaoir in astonishment, treating him likewise. "You came for us!"

Caoilfhionn grinned up at his taller brother. "Of course! Malyck and I could hardly leave you to languish! He came up with this plan, he's very clever."

But Malyck's gunshot had alerted everyone within Joy's End, and now commotion arose all over. "The Wardens are escaping! Don't let them get away!"

"Time to cut and run!" Malyck cried, ripping off the helm of his disguise and twirling one of his pistols. "Let's go, Caoilfhionn!"

"At your side!" Caoilfhionn exclaimed, brandishing his dagger and his focus. Cathaoir grabbed the sword of one of the fallen Nightmare courtiers and followed him closely.

"Stay behind me, brother. I'll show you how Wardens fight!"

"Haha, no need for me to hang back! I've learned much since we last met!"

Caoilfhionn was the last to arrive at Watchful Source, it seemed, for upon walking into the village, he caught sight of Trahearne by the fountain, talking with one of the Wardens – and heard whispers running around the edge of the clearing. There was a feeling of unease from most of them, and he wondered why. It was disquieting to witness such wide-spread dislike, and of someone he loved, and for no apparent reason, too. The odd one out was a young Sylvari woman who whispered to her companion: "Look! It's Trahearne, one of the Firstborn. I've never met him."

"He spends all his time in Orr," said her friend. "Don't you think he's… strange?"

"Yes, but… in a good way!" The girl had felt Caoilfhionn's curious gaze, it seemed, because she jumped and turned to see him – well, maybe he had been standing a bit close, and he'd stopped upon hearing the exchange… "Oh, hello. Sorry, I didn't see you there."

"It's all right," he said, smiling. "You have a crush on him, don't you?"

She giggled and clasped her hands to her cheeks, a burst of yellow luminescence showing faintly under the shadows of the trees. "I do! I know, how silly of me, right?"

"It's very sweet," he said. Of course, he understood exactly what she felt! Though he wasn't admitting it unless directly asked! "I'm sure he'd appreciate such attention."

Her eyes brightened, and she ran off in Trahearne's direction. She gasped as she drew closer. "Oh, my. You're really him. Trahearne."

Trahearne jumped, looking up in surprise, then recovered himself, making a low, flustered bow. "Um… yes. I suppose I am. Hello."

She skipped away again, smiling fit to burst. "Ooh. That was Trahearne! I dreamed I'd meet him!"

"What was that about?" the Warden asked Trahearne, who shrugged, still flustered.

Caoilfhionn swallowed his own giggles with much effort, eyes dancing merrily. "I think she likes you."

"That is… most unexpected." Trahearne looked away; if it had not been so broad daylight where he stood, Caoilfhionn was sure he would have seen a spray of luminescence flush across his face, leaves, and body. It was adorable! He was twice as in love as he'd been before. "Come, Caoilfhionn, let us collect Malyck and head out."

Perhaps he could gently inquire… "So you… do not… have anyone to…"

"I do not," Trahearne said, a little shortly, and Caoilfhionn decided to drop the topic. He'd learned what he wanted. Not that it changed anything.

Instead he called out to Malyck, who was on the edge of the village, looking out southwest down the Zinder Slope. "Malyck! Hello!" More Sylvari had been watching Malyck even more cautiously and uneasily than they'd been watching Trahearne, and several of them fled at their approach and Caoilfhionn's shout.

Malyck turned, and smiled wryly. "It's good to see a friendly face."

"I'm glad to be here!" Caoilfhionn said. "I'm sorry I'm a bit late, but I'm here now! Where are we going, Trahearne?"

"It's good to see Trahearne once more," Amaranda the Lonesome said to Caoilfhionn when all was said and done at her hermitage. "He so rarely comes back to the Grove…"

"Really?" Caithe had suggested similar, before. "Is there a particular reason he stays away?"

She nodded sadly. "Oh, yes. Most Sylvari simply don't understand his Wyld Hunt. 'Impossible' is a kind word. 'Laughable' is more common…"

His sap was growing heated at the thought. Surely this was what he had witnessed at Watchful Source. "How rude! Don't they have any confidence in the Dream? That must be so hard on him."

She favoured him with a smile. "Well put, young Caoilfhionn. I knew I liked you."

He grinned at the compliment. "Have you foreseen anything about me, then?"

Amaranda's gaze grew distant. "The Dream often whispers of you. Your choices will shape this world. You will know great sorrow… and great victory."

"That's amazing!" Caoilfhionn's eyes were round with wonder. "A more glorious vision I could not ask for. I will accept both this great sorrow, and this great victory. Thank you for telling me."

"I wonder," she said, distantly. "You do not know… well, it is not for me to say."

He bowed. "I apologize if I have offended?"

"No, no. Perhaps it is I who have offended. Go in peace, Caoilfhionn."

"Thank you, Lady Amaranda."

The Knight of Embers had fallen. Caoilfhionn straightened from his battle stance, gasping for breath. It had been a difficult fight, the Knight of Embers with her greatsword and her two subordinates, and the three of them – Malyck with his pistols, Trahearne with his sceptre, and Caoilfhionn with his dagger, none of them heavily armoured – all trying not to get cleaved in two by that fearsome sword. But now all three of the Nightmare courtiers lay dead before them, and sweat trickled into his eyes before he wiped it away.

"Well done," Trahearne said to both of them, breathing nearly as hard. "That was not easy."

"I didn't expect it to be," Malyck said, grinning, sheathing his pistols with a flourish. "But it was necessary, and we did it."

"We fight well together!" Caoilfhionn said, trying not to let on how much of a limp noodle he felt now. "Malyck, you-"

"There you are!" Caithe's voice rang out through the trees, and they turned to see her running up to them. "The Pale Tree told me where to find you. I have to tell you, Malyck's tree…"

"We know," Trahearne assured her. "The Nightmare Court nearly found out as well. We only managed to slay the Knight of Embers in the nick of time."

Malyck's face grew grim. "Still, this is only the beginning. Even if they don't know the reason, the court will keep searching for their 'harbinger'. If I stay here, others will try to convert me to Nightmare. They'll discover my secret."

"Oh," Caoilfhionn said, wilting slightly.

Malyck turned to him. "Sorry. Were you about to ask me to stay?"

"I was," Caoilfhionn said. "You are a good friend, and I… I know it's difficult when the people who don't know you stare at you, but I wish to spend more time with you."

Malyck smiled broadly. "You are too kind, Caoilfhionn. I will certainly miss you, and Captain Banya, and Trahearne. But this is for the best."

"He's right," Caithe said. "Faolain will hunt him, and I promise you: she does not give up."

"Somewhere to the west, at the source of that river, there's another tree." Malyck glanced at the mountain west of them, then to the south, where the river lay. "Maybe even another city, with more Sylvari like me. My family. I'm going to find them. When I do, I'll tell them about the Grove, and I'll return with an army to help fight the dragons."

"That sounds splendid, Malyck," Caoilfhionn said. "Perhaps I should go with you-"

Malyck shook his head, though he seemed touched. "I do not know how long it will take, and you have duties here to your own people. I cannot ask you to spend indefinite time on something so selfish."

"It's hardly selfish, but… I will do as you say," Caoilfhionn said. "I hope you are not lonely on the way, and that you have the best of fortune."

Malyck hugged him, and Caoilfhionn eagerly returned it. "Don't worry. We'll meet again, some day. Caoilfhionn, you've been magnificent. You have truly shown me loyalty and honour, and I shall never forget it. I shall carry those virtues to my people, wherever they are."

"Safe journeys, and may you find your home!" Caoilfhionn said to him. His eyes prickled, but he mostly felt glad for Malyck, and not so sad at this parting – and that surprised him, a little. It was sure they'd meet again, that must have helped. And Malyck knew he had a few good friends in this part of the world! The prospect of people like to their own, more similar than any other race could be, and yet different, was fascinating and intriguing and he dearly hoped to see what it would be like. Someday!

In the evening, Caoilfhionn wandered the Grove slowly, resting from the weary day, looking above him at the lovely branches of the Mother Tree. All about him felt peaceful and easy, and the first stars were coming out between the great leaves.

And he caught sight of Trahearne, alone, high up on a branch and still climbing. Curious, and heeding the desires of his heart, Caoilfhionn began to climb after.

He did not have the physical strength of his brothers or Eithne, and he was still tired from before, so he was rather out of breath by the time he came up even close to Trahearne. The Firstborn was half-way up the Tree, looking comfortable as he sat on a vast leaf, gazing out over the jungle valleys where the fireflies danced, hugging a knee to his chest. His luminescence was a vibrant magenta as it pulsed slowly through his dark green leaves and skin. Caoilfhionn knew his own was shining a lighter shade, the same peachy-pink as his eyes, contrasting with his dark blue skin and violet leaves. Caoilfhionn called out from the edge of the leaf: "Hello! Did you want to be alone, or may I join you?"

"Caoilfhionn?" Trahearne's yellow eyes turned on him sharply, startled, and he looked troubled for a brief instant, and then he smoothed all negative expression away, from his face if not from his spirit. "Since you took the trouble to climb all the way up here, I can hardly turn you away…"

"No, no," Caoilfhionn said easily. "I wanted to be with you, but I don't wish to intrude. Please, as you wish."

Trahearne shook his head with a little smile. "Come sit by me, then. You I don't mind." He turned his gaze up towards the stars again as Caoilfhionn took a spot beside him. "So many of the others… doubt me. I am the eldest, and the strangest, and it is… tiring, to deal with all that negative energy."

"I understand," Caoilfhionn said softly, though even he didn't really follow, and what he did follow he knew he didn't really understand, not the way Trahearne did. He watched his profile, angular and sad, and felt his own heart sigh in sympathy. He wanted to cast away that sadness, to see that dark face smile – Trahearne was beautiful in his lonely melancholy, but everyone was more beautiful when they smiled, and he had the feeling that if Trahearne really, truly smiled before him, he might die of happiness. "I wish Mother could do something about it, but…"

Trahearne nodded. "I would not have her trouble them on my behalf when I can simply go about my business in the rest of the world, where I need to be anyway, out of their sight and mind."

"I wanted to ask, actually," Caoilfhionn said. "Would you tell me more of your Wyld Hunt? I heard a little from Caithe, but you are the one who knows it best, of course."

Trahearne smiled wryly. "I am challenged to cleanse the land of Orr. It is a mountainous isle of ancient history, that rose from the seas but a hundred years ago from its sinking two hundred fifty years ago. It is covered in cities of ruins, towering, beautiful, alien, sad… And they still will be, even when Orr is freed, but at least they will not tower over a black and blasted landscape of oily rot and blight. In my Dream, I saw it green and growing again, no longer a land of death, but of peace."

Caoilfhionn brightened in wonder. That melodious voice rolled through him so… "That would be amazing. Is it even possible?"

"We don't know yet. I've seen nothing to show that… Well, I must not lose hope."

"I will believe in you," Caoilfhionn declared passionately. "If anyone can do it, you can."

"I must," Trahearne said morosely. "And most of Tyria's people take my studies to be something evil, as if my interest suggests that I should wish to enact another Orr rather than save the one we have. As if I became a necromancer to bring death, rather than to learn how to grant life. They do not know…" He trailed off with a face of pain, then shook himself. "But come, let us speak of more cheerful things. Tell me more of your brothers and sisters."

He'd hardly heard enough about Trahearne's quest, but he acquiesced to the request, and chattered on about his wise older brother, his devoted younger brother, and his skilful sisters, until Trahearne's spirit relaxed for real. And that was magical to Caoilfhionn, to know that he'd been a real help to the person he loved, in his own small way. And not even through his mastery of the elements, not through valiant heroics, but simply through talking of light matters.

He'd run out of things to say, and and though to hear Trahearne's soft, even breathing just over the cool, gentle wind made his sap sing in his veins, after a few minutes of silence he began to feel awkward. So he stood and stretched. "I had better turn in. It's been a long day."

"And you are of the Cycle of Dawn, are you not?" Trahearne asked, wry again.

Caoilfhionn laughed. "Aye, I'll be up early again tomorrow. Can't waste an hour of light when there's a whole world to explore!"

Trahearne smiled, beautiful like a fox. "I shall stay here a while longer. I was born during the Dusk, and the calm darkness suits me. But you go on. I'm sure I shall see you again soon. And… Caoilfhionn, thank you."

"Good night," Caoilfhionn said, trying not to let his luminescence blush too strongly as he bowed and headed down.