Chapter 8 : Live Together, Die Alone

With this ring I declare my undying love, but whatever you decide is up to you I'm the happiest I've ever been, will you let me make you feel the same way too?

"Lina, are you all right?" spoke a comforting familiar voice.

She continued to stare up at the sky, and seemed to ignore her.

"Lina?" questioned the Elven lady.

Lina neither blinked, nor showed the slightest sign of movement. She continued to stare at the starry dark sky, shivering furiously.

Luna could see that Lina was quite troubled, but even though she wanted to help her she knew that it was best to leave her alone for now. She simply walked away from her towards the casket in front. All eyes were on Lina in the back row. Everyone continued to stare and gawk at her, like scavengers gathering around a dead hyena. Everyone knew how devastated she must be, and though a compassionate race the Night Elves were like every other mortal race they were cursed with curiosity.

Luna slowly walked past the emerald colored velvet carpets, and past the numerous aisles of wooden seats.

He was a great man, and he will surely be missed

All of the Night Elven leaders were here to honor the passing of their beloved General. He was one of the few Humans that all races alike looked up to in the battlefield. His courage and vigor boosted their own morale and uplifted their spirits. He was a great warrior, and an excellent leader.

As she continued down the path, Luna's mind was constantly flooded with the images of Lina, and the combined look of shock and horror on her face when she saw Purist. She became hysterical, and began to scream. She screamed at him to wake up, to not leave her. Tears had flowed down her cheeks as it slowly dawned onto her, that Purist was gone. She shrieked louder and louder, and then suddenly grew quiet. She grew silent and just stared at him peculiarly. Like a playful child exploring her world for the first time, she just looked at Purist with awe. She looked at the massive gash in his chest, and then looked at her hand. Even though the wound had begun to close itself, the flesh wound was still quite visible around her wrist. What she did next was unbelievable. She slowly dragged herself to a nearby tree. She knelt down and inspected the trunk. Wit great care, she steadily ran her fingers from the bottom of the trunk and slowly made her way to a nearby branch. As she ran her fingers up the tree she began to rise. Her hand soon reached the tip of the branch. She examined it, and touched the tip with her right index finger. Then, she rammed her wrist into the ends of the branch.

Luna shuddered as the thought kept eating at her mind.

She didn't even wince...she nearly killed herself... but didn't even show the slightest pain...

Luna reached the casket, and peered at the Omniknight. His eyes were peacefully closed and strange as it may seem, he lay with a smile on his face. Whether it was a smile of hope, or a smile holding back a secret she did not know.

She silently whispered to him, "Hello there stranger. I couldn't help but notice that you were smiling. A smile of innocence, or a smile saying something more? Perhaps I'll never know. You told me once that even during sorrowful times of war, a smile gives hope to those who have lost sight of it. Today, your smile brings me hope. It gives me a reason to continue fighting. Your sacrifice will always be remembered, and our memories of you will never fade from our hearts. May Elune shine her light upon you. My comrade...my friend... you shall be missed."

She rose to her feet, and began to walk down the aisle. She made her way towards the lonely back row. Dozens of eyes around her seem to bore into her, but it did not matter. Her choices were her own, and what anyone else thought was immaterial. She felt as if thought her judgments were clouded, but Purist was a symbol of strength for her. When she heard that he had passed away, she felt as if though a part of her own soul had died. He was not only an inspiration, but also a shining beacon for her which lit her path in times of darkness. A part of her confidence had shattered, but the spirit of the Omniknight would forever be there like a guardian angel to protect her.

As she strode down the pathway, she quickly searched through the rows of people for Furion. Even though he had said that he needed some time alone to mourn for Tyrande, he also clearly stated that he would come to give his respects to Purist. He seemed to be nowhere in sight though.

Pity...

She took each step gracefully, and elegantly. Her conviction had been tested, but now had never been stronger. She had stared into the eye of death, and had managed to survive. Even though she had lost a close mentor and an even closer friend, she was coping with the situation rather well. She wondered how Furion was handling the death of his beloved, yet was more concerned over Lina. Whether she was losing her mind or just shocked over her loss, Luna did not know. She knew that she did love Purist, it's just that she never really saw her show it.

"Is this seat taken?" inquired Luna.

Lina slowly moved her head, almost nodding but disagreeing at the same time. Her eyes were over-filled with water, and a bloodshot red. She had her mouth cupped with both hands and was staring towards the floor beneath.

Lady Moonfang put a comforting hand on her shoulder and spoke gently, "Know that I'm here for you Lina. He was a great man, and I know how you must be feeling--."

Lina finally spoke, "Spare me the pleasantries, what do you want from me?"

Luna, though appalled by the response remained calm in her tone, "I just wanted to know if you're okay."
Lina spoke with an even harsher tone, "Pretending to care is one thing Lady Moonfang but lying to my face is a whole another---"

Luna interrupted, "Enough Lina. I know your hurting, but you don't have to take out your anger on me"

"Who the hell, are you to tell me what to do?" hissed the Slayer.

Luna's tone began to gain a touch of impatience, "I am your superior, and you would do it best to realize that."

Lina's tone was bitter cold, "Am I supposed to care?"

Luna's response took the young mage by surprise, "No, but I'm sure Purist would have."

Lina's voice grew suddenly quiet, and after an awkward pause her voice croaked "I don't know what to say to that."

Luna's tone was gentle, "I know your hurting Lina, but honestly speaking I never realized that you cared so much."

Lina spoke in a whisper quiet voice, "I never really showed him I cared, but he knew...it's... just"

Tears began to stream down Lina's cheek as she spoke.
Luna said, "It's just ?"

Tears had begun to overflow from her eyes now. Her voice squeaked, "I loved him... and now I'll never get the chance..."

Lady Moonfang's voice grew concerned, "Lina, what do you---?"

Lina's voice stuttered, "I...I... I told ... him... him...that I didn't know..."

Luna inquired, "Told him about what?"

Lina continued, "He asked me... and I told him I didn't know... before... the ... before we went ... our separate ways"

Luna was puzzled, "What did he ask you?"

Her voice was getting softer and softer as she continued, "Before we went our separate ways... he ... he gave me a ring... and ... he proposed... ... he asked me to marry him... and I told him... I didn't know..."

Luna's eyes began to widen, "He asked you to marry him?"

Lina stared at the floor, and rocked back in forth in her chair.

Luna asked, "Lina, what did---"

Lina cut her off by saying, "Then he asked me... whether I loved him or not... and I told him I didn't know... he asked me if I loved him... and I told him I didnt know..."

Luna quietly listened to Lina, paying attention to every word.

She continued, "He ... looked at me with shock... and ... put the ring away... I ... didn't know what to say... He began to walk away... I told him to stop... he turned back and embraced me in his arms... I was... just so confused... He looked at me... and told me to look deep into his eyes... and asked me if I loved him..."
Lina had begun to shake uncontrollably, "I told him... I loved him with all my heart... and was confused... and didn't know what to do...I shed a tear... and he ran his finger and wiped off the tear...he was... so warm... and ... so caring... I just couldn't... I couldn't do it... He looked deep into my eyes, and asked me again... if I would marry him...

I wont forget how he looked at me... with those loving caring eyes...those loving hurt eyes...he was so caring.. And I had hurt him so...I didn't want it to happen this way... I really didn't... Then he ... walked away again...and... I didn't want him to go... I loved him..."

Luna finally spoke, "None of us did want it to happen this way Lina. Its okay, I'm sure wherever Purist is... he understands. He was a fine and understanding man at heart."

Lina looked up towards the Moon Rider, and stared at her for a good long minute.

She opened her mouth, but not a word came out. A tear shed out of the corner of her eye. It trickled down her face, and plunged downwards. As the drop sank into the soft earth, words finally came out,

"He went away...He was my beloved... yet left me here alone... He said we would live together forever... and would die together... and here I am... all alone... and he left without me... he left me... to die alone...He said he would spend the rest of his life trying to make me happy... and he did"

She paused for but a moment and spoke,

"I said yes"