Hello readers! This chapter is a bit long, but I'm so ready to get the meat of the story going...which will be the next chapter sadly, BUT! I want to thank Aidan Fireheart for his gracious review! I was beginning to become disheartened with the lack of opinions from the readers of this story, which is why I convinced myself to post it here in the first place! Thank you again!

The human's body craved a drink, any at all, and it seemed nowhere in Darnassus was a bit of rum to be had. She sighed to herself, irritated that she would desire such things with how her life had changed over the past few days. Zydien still did not have the courage to speak to Trianna about all that had occurred in the past month of her life, all the events that had led her to escape of Stormwind. However, the duo's bond was as strong as it had been when Zydien was a child. In carelessness, they had encountered far more adventures than they intended. Often times they were picking a fight with more than they could handle, leaving Zydien with the task of shielding them both in protection as they ran. And of course, Trianna could never find a challenge or dire situation she could not laugh away. Zydien understood why her uncle loved the elf so; her infectious spirit could soar far higher than any being she had ever met.

Although her uncle was not so by blood, he was still the closest relative she had since her mother's passing. Her parents had befriended the night elf on their many adventures across Outland together. One such occasion, Saenorin had defended her mother and father when a batch of felorcs had assembled around them. When Trianna and her mother were introduced to one another, it seemed inevitable that they were to be friends, which is why Zydien must find Trianna so exhilarating. From that moment on the two couples had been dearest friends, matching themselves against one another's foes, quick to aid their friends. But often Zydien's parents would leave to battle in a distant land, leaving her in the charge of their two elven friends. However, this gave the very young Zydien a chance to explore and love the forest as she does now, and she always looked forward to seeing her uncle and aunt as a child.

As Zydien frolicked in the Darnassian forests, her mother and father fought against many evils in her lifetime. Her father had been a Paladin of Stormwind, born to protect those who required his aid, and her mother had been an arcane mage to fear. As noble as he was, her father perished in the beginning of the orc war, and her mother died of a lonely, broken heart months after. It was something to be written about in tragic tales, however, none were made. As were with most heroes who were laid to rest each day, their stories forever remain untold.

"So, no rum is to be found, ey?" Zydien asked, downtrodden, fiddling with her sweet bread on her uncle's table.

"If you so desire some, I might be able to scrounge up some mead," Trianna replied, a little shocked, "Is something troubling you, child?"

"No..Nothing of importance," she lied; a shadow in her nightmares had clouded her mind for days now, "Simply bad dreams."

Zydien stared into the darkness; the rain slammed the ground, thunder rolling in the distance. She sighed; such nights like this remind her of the draenei she encountered so many weeks ago. A figure walked in the darkness, and she stood, straining her eyes to identify it.

"Well, that is never good, Zydien, your dreams hold so much more than you may realize," Trianna whispered, in a worried tone, then noticed Zydiens tense pose," ...What? What is it?"

Trianna turned around and a tall figure stood at the entrance of her home. A brown, large brimmed hat dripped with rain, wise eyes were alight beneath its shadow. A white fur draped over the figures shoulder, recently tanned. The man was dressed in full leather armor, and knives hung from his belt.

"Saenorin!" Trianna called with happiness, running to him.

The brim raised and a long smile graced the features of the nightelf, and he tossed the fur to the ground. Her arms flew into the air and grasped around his neck. He held her tightly with a content sigh. He laid a kiss to her cheek, and buried his face into her neck.

"I have some dire news for yo-" He attempted to speak, only to be interrupted by the exuberant elf.

"Stop being so rude! Attend your visitor who has come to see you, she has been waiting for days," Trianna snapped excitedly, releasing him, and turning toward Zydien.

The elderly night elf's brow furrowed as he gazed at his mate, unsure of whom the stranger could be, and he cast his glance in the human's direction. His lips parted in an expression of shock. His eyes were void of anything but horror.

"Zydien!" He gasped, jerking his arm toward the darkness, his long fingers pointing to the dreary night, "Do you not have an idea of what is waiting for you in those woods, my child!"

Trianna backed away from him, her hand quickly moving to her lips in surprise. Zydien felt dread enter her bones, set deep within her soul.

"What are you saying, beloved?" The blue haired night elf gasped.

"The Shadow," He said, pacing toward Zydien, "I received news from a few dark strangers that you could soon find yourself in danger. I came here to fetch Trianna before I visited Stormwind to warn you to not enter Darnassus under any circumstance."

"Warn me?" Zydien asked, standing," From what?"

"A rogue night elf is after some friend of yours," he said hastily, taking her shoulders into his hands," I fear for your safety, Zydien."

"I have no friends that could interest those of some vile thief," Zydien snorted, un-phased," I know only night elves and humans, mostly priests and the family I have here in Darnassus."

"I see..." He stood, his eyes downcast, his mind racing with thoughts, "Perhaps ...the two were mistaken?"

"But who would say such things, dearest?" Trianna asked with concern wound tight in her voice."

"I was returning home and visited a shifty camp with a few rogues and druids," He said absently, "I had only a desire to sell my wares, but I overheard a conversation between a dwarf and gnome by the campfire. There was mention of Zydien's name and the price on her head."

Trianna peered at Saenorin, worry showing in the lines on her forehead. Zydien took a last bite of her bread and glared at nothing. Something like this was bound to happen, and it was even more inevitable since she had found happiness here in her real home.

"I'm not leaving." Zydien stated boldly.

Trianna turned to face her, moments from retaliating but Zydien continued. The human's hands slapped down upon the table in frustration as she cried out.

"No! I refuse to run from my home!" She snapped, "I will not fear some lowly scoundrel."

"Such stubbornness is all well and good Zydien," Saenorin stated roughly, "but it will not protect your life."

"I need no protection," She growled, snatching her satchel from the table, "I also need not your doubt!"

"Zydien, child," Trianna pleaded, "Do not act such a way."

"I will act as I may!" She called as her body broke into the wall of rain, the down pour left soaked her robe.

Her figure disappeared in the darkness, and Saenorin moved his hand over his countenance. He covered his eyes, weariness obvious in his demeanor. Trianna was torn between Zydien and her mate. Knowing that Zydien was young in her mindset she would be fine stewing somewhere in the city far away from her uncle. The night elf sighed and walked gracefully toward Saenorin.

"That was hardly a proper greeting, dearest," She laughed bitterly, no humor in it, her hand took his wrist and he watched as she kissed the back of his hand.

"I was in such panic the entire venture home," He sighed, "It got the best of me when I saw her standing there, in plain danger."

"I can understand," she answered, "But Zydien has not seen you for years, and you greet her with orders to leave your home?"

"By Elune," He growled, "I had no desire to toss her out on her arse."

Her hand went to his cheek and her lips dance over his. Her eyes were enticing and warm. Her love for him was brighter than any star in the sky. A strong hand went to the back of Trianna's delicate neck, her breasts pressed against his leather clad form.

"Calm yourself," She whispered and smiled, "Apologize to her, you big ol' bear."

"Damn him," she growled, riding into Teldrassil forest, "I can defend myself just fine."

The forest seemed to twist and turn around her, trees whipping in the storm's wind; the darkness was so deep that she could hardly see before her horse. She rode along the only path farther into the wood. Sounds of fierce animals were all around her, the forest was alive, from the bark on the trees to the crickets in the darkness. Hooves beat heavily on the hard packed ground of the path, and wood slammed beneath them as she crossed a bridge. Her frustration consumed her, and her mind wandered. The horse raced on the path as the thick hollow of trees rushed by her body. The rain was painful as it hit her cheeks, and her eyes were forced almost shut.

Lightning struck a tree ahead leaving it in ember and flames. She screamed as the forest was alight around her. Her horse reared up in shock and shot off the path and onto some rarely traveled road. She ducked under huge roots that had long ago erupted from the earth as the path led upward. Her horse rounded a sharp curve, her hands rushed to grab the saddle to stay on. A dark cave became visible just ahead and her mare quickly halted. She was somewhat hesitant to enter this ominous cave, but more lightning changed her mind as her horse neighed nervously. Zydien tossed her leg over her saddle, her feet landing in mud. Her lips mouthed a sacred chant as a shield flowed around her body and she ran in, ready for anything.

The shadows engulfed her and she drew her wand, it gave little light in the darkness. She heard the sound of a bottle hitting the ground from inside.

"Hello?" She asked, the rumble of the weather outside nearly silencing her voice.

"Ey?" The sound of a male voice pondered, "Who is 'at?"

"A friend." She said, walking deeper into the cave, immediately wondering if she had made another mistake.

"Hah, a friend?" He laughed, "Co 'mere"

"Who are you?" Her voice wavered, as she noticed the outline of an elf who sat upon a tall rock in the cave.

"A lowly leather apprentice," he huffed," Who else could be sit'n alone in an aband'ned cave?"

"You work with my uncle then," She sighed, relieved, "Saenorin."

"Aye," The bottle overturned against his lips, "I 'member when you first arrived in Darnassus."

"So you're the rude elf I met the first day," She snorted, "Humans are known to have perfect manners, unlike some of your kind."

"I beg to differ," he laughed and held out the bottle in his hand.

She hesitated but took it, and the long swig burned her throat all the way down.

"Quite strong," she coughed, handing it back to him, "but good."

"I took a visit to Ironforge a few weeks ago," he snickered, "Dwarves are the best brewers."

"That is the only truth that I know of, elf," her laugh was whimsical in the night.

"What has brought you out to this dreary hole?" He asked, taking another drink.

"Frustration," she sighed, "And you?"

"Valeria has decided that she was never meant for a low worker such as myself," he sneered, gritting his teeth.

"I see," Zydien said softly, taking a seat across from his tall rock atop soft ferns, "Maybe Valeria doesn't know a good man is not always a high ranked officer."

His vibrant eyes quickly shot to her and seemed to question Zydien. The bottle was handed to the human again and she took a long drink.

"Maybe..." his voice was low, "What has led you to frustration then, girl?"

"Life," she laughed ironically, "Feeling at home is a hard thing to come by. Especially with a price on my head."

"A price?" his eyebrows raised, "How much is this price?"

Zydien glared hard, but it was met with laughter. He jumped down from his perch and stood at the opening of the cave. His arm lay upon the cave wall as he took another sip. And another.

"Worry not, human," he sighed, "I don't desire the dirty gold off'erd fer yer death."

"How comforting," her voice dreary, and she leaned back, the cave wall damp against her back.

Silence took over the cave as the rain slowed, thunder still rolling in the background. Zydien's mind quickly became hazy, just as it had during her nights in Stormwind. Her legs were lazy as she walked toward the male form near the entrance. At that moment the moon peaked through the clouds and she could clearly see the man before her. His hair was in long, dark navy braids, and his beard was thick on his chin. The night elf's skin was nearly cobalt in the light, and his eyes were nearly as bright as the moon above. His gaze left the world outside to look upon Zydien's face. She took the bottle from his hand and finished it off. The moon escaped to the heavens behind the clouds.

"You shouldn't feel unwelcome 'ere," He said softly, gesturing to the foliage outside, "The forest is home to all cre'tures."

Zydien nodded to agree and sighed as she stared into the clouds. She folded her arms at her chest, and she felt a hand touch her shoulder. Her eyes shifted to his face, and his lips were parted. Her heart beat a little faster, aware of his obvious thoughts. He turned toward her, the hand gliding down and around her back.

"And what be o' yer mind there elf?" Zydien slurred, absently biting her lip as his face grew closer to hers.

"Happiness.." he sighed and his lips were warm on hers.

The kiss was slow and languid; she could barely feel his tongue gliding over hers. He suckled on her bottom lip and she moaned wistfully, fully desiring any comfort in this attractive elf's arms. His hands wrapped around her back, then clutched her arse. Her body lazily moved to the wall, and he pulled her up high, her thighs snuggly fit around his hips. The kiss became heated, and hands pulled at Zydien's robes. Her breasts were quickly revealed, the cloth of her robe falling around them. The elf kissed down her supple neck, her breath quick, and her nipples were hard beneath his eager tongue. Her delicate hands glided over the back of his head as she bit her lip; her core was wet and begging to be touched. His movements stopped and he buried his face into her neck and he bit her as he released the belt that held up his breeches. They slid to the ground and his manhood pressed against her body, he let her stand long enough to jerk up the bottom of her robe. His arms were taught around her as he slid inside her wetness. Her moans erupted and she gasped as his thrusts were already wild and rough. He grunted each time he slid inside, his lips parted, his eyes closed, and his expression that of euphoria.

"Yes!" Zydien gasped, her nails digging into his back as rain still poured, cool mist dancing against her skin.

"So...good, "he moaned, as he thrust harder, her back slamming against the stone wall of the cave.

She bit his shoulder hard as the sound of their bodies writhing together continued, the thunder rolling outside. Fingers dug into her hips, and he groaned loud, his climax ravaging his senses. His head leaned back as he continued to thrust into her, Zydien rode out his climax and played with her clit.

"Don't s'op," she gasped, grabbing onto him, forcing his body to continue the primal movements.

He growled as he continued to thrust, her finger dancing over her clit as she got closer and closer. She grabbed his jaw and kissed him hard just as she came. Her orgasm sent shivers down her body and her womanhood pulsed around the elf. His gasps rocked both of their bodies as he leaned against her, breathless. Thunder continued to erupt far into the distance outside the cave. His muscular arms tensed beside her body as he held them both up, his head bowed as he gasped for breath.

His manhood slid out of her and he helped her stand; only she collapsed to the ground. He sat beside her and glided a hand inside her robe and around her side, pulling her to him.

"I...thin' i'm ..dreunk," Zydien laughed, leaning heavily on the elf.

"We both are," he chortled, "you more than I, I th'nk, but we be'ter not go back to th' city 'er we will make a mock'ry of ourselves."

"So, I sleep o' tha groun' den?" she grunted, frustrated in her drunken stupor.

"Be it so." he said, pulling her to the soft ferns farther into the cave, and laying her down.

Zydien's eyes slowly closed, the elf's figure fading in the darkness.

Review, damn it!..Please..*smile*