Turlock groaned, he moved his arm over his eyes to block out the light that was streaming into the window. He remembered bits and pieces of the conversation after they had left the table, he was a light weight when it came to orcish-well-anything. He normally only drank weaker elfin ales or wines, the orcish brews were in another class by themselves. They tend to kick his butt for days afterwards.

The soft snoring beside him made him still for a moment, until he recognized the breathing as the warrior. He attempted to return to the bliss of sleep, his throbbing head and aching body would have nothing to do with that. He had all but told Milsem that he had feeling for her, fear clung to him for a long while. He was always so picky about women in general, he had this perfect picture of the woman he would fall love with. She had to be slightly shorter than himself. Milsem was taller. Thin and beautiful. Milsem was beautiful in her own way. She was thinner than most orcs, still he wouldn't be able to carry her over a threshold or anything. She would more than likely carry him. Heat rolled over his cheeks.

The woman he thought he would marry would be refined, cultured and well mannered. Milsem was an orc, she defied all those and kicked those idea's to the twisted nether. Why would all his set ideals be removed so easily? Perhaps, he was caught up in the moment? He hadn't felt pressured in anyway, it was his heart that spoke last night. He didn't feel fear or worry about Milsem's character or her feelings to him. Not that they talked in depth. There was really no heart to heart with Milsem, her eyes told him everything. It was strange, he just felt such a connection to the warrior.

So, where was all this hesitation and fear coming from then? He was happy to have her at his side. She had put up with waiting for what must felt like forever to the orc for him to finally see what his heart had been telling him all this time. The mattress shifted and an arm wrapped around him dragging him back to her side of the bed. A huge grin played on his lips as he was tucked against her body. He moved his head so it could rest on her bicep. His eyes closed again, he had no concerns now. This felt right. Even though Milsem was only eighteen now to his near one hundred and sixty. "Milsem," he whispered feeling soft kisses on the back of his neck.

"Yes," she asked.

"I have to get up and pray," he said.

"I know," she said not moving to allow him to do it. "Just a couple more minutes? I have been waiting for this for a long time."

He made no attempt to move, his body seemly stuck in the position he didn't want to break the moment either. He opened his eyes and turned to see her smiling at him around the small tusks that jetted from her lower gums. She looked right as rain, to his not so much.

"You don't look so good," she whispered, her fingers moving through is red hair.

"I don't do well in the morning after drinking that sludge," he sniffed and rolled to see her better. "I am delicate, you know." The movement played havoc to his body and he groaned pressing his face against her neck. "I think I am going to throw up."

"You don't have anything in your stomach," she stated, her hand moving over his back comforting the blood elf.

"I'll eat then throw up," he corrected.

"No, you will go pray, eat then throw up."

"You are right, there is an order that must be maintained," he said forcing himself to move away from her comforting embrace. "Milsem," he whispered his finger slipping over a hoop earrings. All that he wanted to say sort of gummed together in a lump of chaos. "I," he licked his lips and she leaned on the wall in the familiar casual stance. "I am glad you are still with me."

"There is no other place I rather be than by your side," she stated softly. Her brown eyes held such tenderness he never had seen before in an orc. "I love you, Turlock. I have since the first time we met."

Turlock's finger slipped down over the faint scars that laced over her strong jaw. "I love you as well, warrior."

"Good," she countered with a playful edge to her tone. "If not I'll…"

"I know. I know. Break my knees until I do." He stated wiggling out of bed heading to the washroom. Once he reached the door to the bathroom his body started trembling, his mind on one thing. Arcane power. The need overwhelming him to the point he barely could see straight, once he fumbled through the use of the facilities he ran into the bathroom door. Milsem opened it as he rubbed his nose, he grabbed her shirt front breathing hard. "I need," he whispered standing on his toes licking her neck, her body shivered against his. He didn't feel any source in her, she was strong other ways. "I need power." He could sense the needed energy around him in people nearby.

"Oh, crap," she whispered, peeling his fists from her shirt. "Turlock, you need to snap out of it. Turlock," he was not making it easy for her. He wrapped his petite body around her whispering all sorts of favors if she would simply supply it. He lost his shirt somewhere between the bathroom door and the middle of the room. Milsem finally was able to entangle herself from him leaving him on the floor. She dug through his backpack in search for the needed substance, he always had some demon blood to ease the racial addition. She had seen him this way only once in the time she had known Turlock. Cadtal, on the other hand, was always crawling off the walls with need. She brushed that out of her mind. Her heart sank when the vitals were not in their usual place. "You don't have any."

Turlock felt her hands on his face, he blinked at her face as she repeated herself a couple times. "I ran out," he finally whispered, his hands covering hers. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to…I just have."

"It is okay, Turlock. I am here," she whispered easing herself from him, helping him stay focused with words of encouragement. When he assured he was okay, she backed away.

The sin'dorei sat cross legged, eyes closed as he fought against the never ending thirst for arcane power. Drinking always unleashed it ten fold with a sudden wash. Milsem sat on the bed causing the wooden frame to groan, he drew strength to know she was there accepting him. Even this little part of darkness that had been infused upon his people after the explosion of the Sunwell.

He whispered prayers aligning himself again to the Light. It warmed his soul in addition to the feelings he allowed himself to feel for Milsem. Memories of their fleeting moments together between missions for the Horde and cleaning up after Cadtal rambled through his mind. Followed by the vast emptiness he had suffered every time she fell in battle. She deserved more than he gave her, despite everything he thought he wanted in a woman. This orc, this beautiful woman had filled every part of his heart and soul.

After a few more controlled breaths, the paladin opened his illuminate green eyes. He rubbed his calloused hands together, he frowned and turned his palms to his gaze. Thick skin from his use of the sword and shield, even a few stains of red and blue remained on his pinkie and ring finger of his left hand from potions he had used far to frequently in his brothers wake. Rings adorned both middle fingers that enhanced his power, he touched each one with satisfaction. He had much to gain the jewelry, the same went for the dangling earring on his right ear and the dragon cuff hugging his left.

With all his desires under control, he rose to his feet. His fingers ran through his waist long hair before shuffling over and sat beside her. "I feel like an idiot."

"Don't," she whispered. "My fault, I assumed you had fel blood with you. We should go to Shattrah and obtain some more before continuing our missions here in Thrallmar."

He nodded in agreement, then leaned over and fell against her strong shoulder. "Thank you, Milsem. How could I ever survive without you?"

"I have no clue."

Turlock scuffed as she wrapped an arm around him squeezing him with affection. It felt good to be open about how he felt for her. Loving the fact she was not like normal orc who found love and affection from hitting and wrestling. He lucked out or he would be burning through mana to keep himself healed.

They dressed once again their heavy plate armor, bags slung over their shoulders and moved down to the main room of the inn. He really wanted it to be a restful day of just traveling or scouting, he wasn't sure if he could get through a battle without throwing up on the enemies shoes. Not the impression he wanted to leave behind.

"Why don't you get something for us to eat," Milsem suggested heading toward the door. "I'll go talk to the commander and see what else needs to be done."

Turlock didn't fight her on that, he didn't feel up to talking with the Horde commander as his head to continue to throb and eyes ached. He moved to the innkeeper and browsed through the menu real fast before ordering food for both. Turlock sat at a table and ate very slowly.

Cadtal appeared a few moments later taking the piece of breath from his plate. "You look like crap, Tur."

"So do you," he responded shuffling his food with his fork. He didn't feel like eating with his stomach doing cartwheels.

"I've got our assignment," he stated. "We are attacking more of those blasted demons. What happened to you last night? I came down to find you but you were not here."

"I was sleeping," Turlock stated flatly as Cadtal pulled the plate away from his brother and started eating it. He tossed his fork at his brother who started using it instead of the bread. He really didn't believe Cadtal was looking for him unless it was for some money. "I was tired after the long day in the heat."

"You are so pathetic," he snorted tossing his head causing his short hair to dance around his face. "Where is your orc boot licker?"

"Milsem is briefing the commander about yesterday and finding out what we are doing today."

"I just told you," he almost shouted. "Are you deaf or just dumb?"

Turlock's eyes narrowed at his brother.

"Neither," Milsem stated sitting at the table grabbing the plate Cadtal stole and put it in front of Turlock and started eating her own meal.

"Hey, you green menace, I was eating that."

"Go get or own food," she said evenly. "Go on your way, I heard you have a mission."

"Yea," he shot back. "Let's go, I want to get done before…"

"We are not going."

Turlock froze half standing from his chair and plopped down staring at Milsem in shock. "What?"

"What?" Cadtal echoed more forcefully. "Are you disobeying a direct order? I am the squad commander. What I say goes, so lets go."

Milsem freed a badly folded piece of paper. "Turlock and I are on another mission for the Horde for a little while."

Cadtal snagged the paper and quickly read the text, distain masked his elfish features by the time he reached the end of it. "I'm going to go get this straightened out," he said slamming the paper on the table.

Milsem snorted. "Whatever twists your panties."

Turlock snatched the paper to find what the fuss was about as Cadtal left the inn in a huff. The order would take Milsem and Turlock specifically to Shattrath City for two days of rest and repairs to armor before reporting to Terokkar Forest. "I don't understand," he whispered peering at the warrior. "Why send us away from Hellfire? We barely have started working here."

"They have Cadtal and a few others that have passed the Dark Portal," she said with a shrug of her shoulder. "They need help at the Forest, so I said you and I will go." She studied him for a moment. "Or did you want to battle demons with that overhang of yours?"

Turlock folded the paper evenly before handing it to her again. "I rather travel," he said. "I've been wanting to see this city anyway."

"We will take the taxi as soon as we are done eating," she said with a twinkle in her eye.

Turlock frowned. "You don't think Cadtal will be able to get the commander to change his mind do you?"

Milsem grunted. "No, he won't."

"Shattrath, please," Turlock stated handing the orc windrider master a few coins. The beast came over and Turlock strapped his things to the back of the saddle before mounting. He peered over at Milsem who was securing her own things on the wyvern she was using. He was eager to go, but felt guilty for not making things right with Cadtal before they left. His brother hadn't returned to the inn, so he assumed Cadtal was still trying to get things back the way he wanted them.

The wyvern was soon in the sky, his gaze swept over the red lands of Hellfire as fort grew smaller rapidly. The land was and endless of no grass, trees and very little break up of the stretch of flat land. Even at this height, the heat was almost unbearable.

Over the mountains the heat broke like a fever, lush cool air wrapped around him causing him to shiver slightly. He glanced back at Milsem who was flying behind him, she was peering at the thick canopy of Terokkar Forest. The smell of the damp wet forest drafted over him now and again, the strong currents the wings moved them farther away from the mountain range that separated the rich forest from the barren lands of Hellfire.

Shattrath City also known as the City of Light, it was no small potato. It was a round massive city with lights twinkling, the center dome glowed with golden beauty. Their beasts landed and they were quick to remove their bags from the saddles before the tired wyverns were escorted away.

Turlock moved as if in a trance toward the main dome into the sanctuary city populated by ancient heroes, the narru and every other race in Azeroth. The Terrace of Light had such a narru hovering in the middle of the dome, the power he had command was strengthened ten fold. His body shivered with delight at the richness that pressed against him, his green eyes rested upon A'dal. A large being composed of shards of light moving freely about a centered 'heart'. Turlock took a deep breath of the Light infused air of the terrace, he stepped toward the narru in awe. Amusement of the ancient being rippled through his psyche, Turlock felt the blessing of peace from this old creature settle on him, he closed his eyes relishing the silence from doubts and the pressures of the outside world.

In that moment of clarity, he saw a truth that had been nagging at the back of his mind. The fact he would more likely out live Milsem if they didn't die in battle. He would be alone again, that hurt with an impossible sharpness. But to have her not with him was the same droning void of life, he was seriously conflicted. To have her for a while to enjoy her years with her or end this silliness here and now. A touch from Milsem caused him to peer at the orc, every thing dissolved into understanding. "I," he said unsure how to wrap everything he was feeling into clumsy words.

"I think I understand," she said softly. "Let's go find a room."

"We have to do something first," he said boldly taking her hand and to the portals that hummed on the coves of the Terrace. Milsem's protest was silence as they passed through the ring of magic to the Valley of Spirit in Orgrimmar. They sloshed through the water in the place and stepped on the road. He stopped a guard. "I need to speak to a shaman." He was pointed in the correct direction and he marched that way.

"A shaman? What in twisted nether do you need a shaman for?"

Turlock remained silent, afraid if he would talk his courage would wane. She patiently allowed him to take them to the spot they had been pointed. They moved into the hut and the orc peered up at them. "How can I help you?"

"Marry us," Turlock said.

"What?" The shaman and warrior said in unison.

"Something simple if you have time. We can offer you a few coin for your trouble."

"But," the shaman said.

Milsem pulled the sin'dorei around and peered at his face. Her eyes were wide with shock with the edging of breathless wonder. "Are you sure?"

"Never been more sure of anything in my life," he answered. "I love you, Milsem. I want to be with you every second I possibly can. I know our life span…."

A finger on his lips silenced the rest of the words, she said then faced the shaman. "Please, perform the ceremony."

The two were blessed and their union brought into a sacred bond between them. The words were simple and to the point and they gave the shaman a small donation before they were sent on their way. Turlock stood there clutching her hand afraid to move and he would wake up from this crazy dream he was having. "Milsem," he whispered. "I just did that right? I am not dreaming?"

"No, we are married." She answered in the state of her own shock. "I never thought in a thousand years you would be my husband."

"I just made a lot of trouble for us, didn't I?"

"Probably," she answered. "Arrows to their knees, we are adults and we wanted this."

"Right," he answered, with more courage than he felt.

"I think a drink is in order."

"Yes," he said and they went to the Broken Tusk both lost in their thoughts.

She stopped suddenly and he turned to her smiling face. "I have to do something real quick, order some good ale and food." She kissed his cheek before hurrying away.

"Alright," he answered to the air, he turned and walked the rest of the way to the pub. He could phantom what she was up to. His wife. He had a wife. His wife was an orc. He put his hands on his face as he sat down in the pub. His parents were going to flip or have a heart attack. He dropped his pack on the floor beside him and leaned against the back of the chair nearly falling over underestimating the distance to the back of the chair. Orc furniture was so big. He ordered some orcish ale, bread and cheese. The order was delivered when Milsem made an appearance. "Everything alright?"

"Yes," she said grabbing his left hand and slipping on a gold band on his ring finger it magically altered itself to fit him. "There, you are mine."

He peered at the simple band for a moment before his gaze slipped to her hand which had a matching ring on the same finger. "I thought that was a human custom."

"I like it."

He twisted the ring around his finger. "Me, too."

By the time she was finished pouring her ale, the couple was surrounded by a group of orcs which turned out to be her family. They were a little shocked at first but warmed to him as soon as the ale started flowing, he was in the middle of very rich and lively conversation and acceptance. He sat on Milsem's lap listening to the glory days of her father and some brothers. They were stuck in the tavern until the wee hours of the morning celebrating with the rowdy orcs and barely able to walk to the room the family insisted they used while they were in Orgrimmar.

The two flopped on the thick stack of hides staring at the darken ceiling. "Not how I had planned this night to go," Milsem whispered to tired to think straight.

"How did they even find out?" Turlock wondered out loud.

"Word spreads fast when you want to keep a secret."

Turlock rolled on his side with sigh, his arm around her waist. "I guess we will just return to Shattrah tomorrow."

"Yea," she whispered before the two fell asleep.