"Who the fel is N'Lar?"

Adam's voice broke through Kirlothenin's shock and he absentmindedly answered, "My wife."

"You're what?"

Kirlothenin ignored him as he studied the surprised face of the forsaken woman on the ground. Her black hair is now covered with some sort of green mildew. Her skin, now an ashen gray. But he saw and recognized the scar on her jaw near her ear- a scar his thumb had traced numerous times since it had been created. Her warm, blue eyes were gone, replaced by a cold yellow light. The slight upturn that used to adorn her mouth was now in a permanent scowl. One of her long elven ears was destroyed, cut short.

In his mind, he could remember her laugh with happiness. They had grown up together, childhood sweethearts. He never had to court her. They had just naturally come together. Life with her had been, what he had considered then, perfect. Then came Arthas. His betrayal of his people. His razing of Lordaeron, and eventually Quel'Thalas.

Kirlothenin's face hardened as he remembered hearing the news. He could feel the dark path of hatred and vengeance pull at him as it had done before. His green eyes lowered to N'Lar's abdomen. Did that undead body still carry their unborn child?

"No you don't!" Adam's voice broke through his reverie as the rogue hit N'Lar in just the right place to sap her senseless. Kirlothenin raised his hands to cast a spell at the man who dared hit his wife. Then he stopped as he heard the sound of the chain between the shackles he wore and he came back to the present. Adam had stopped N'Lar from casting a spell. Didn't she even remember him? Some forsaken don't recall who they were in life. Would she still attack him if she knew?

"I don't know what is going on here, Kirlothenin, but we're not out of trouble, yet. Here come those worgen!"

Kirlothenin stooped and picked his sword back up then placed himself between N'Lar and the worgen.

As the worgen approached, Adam stepped forward and spoke before they could attack. "Are you Gilnean?" Kirlothenin watched the worgen carefully. He didn't like the way they looked at N'Lar.

"No. We're Hillsbrad refugees." The leader didn't look at Adam. He was eyeing Kirlothenin as if he knew he was going to have to go through him to get to the forsaken. "Get out of the way blood elf! Or we'll take care of you just as we will take care of the forsaken!" The worgen practically spat out the word as another worgen approached.

"Sir! There's some women here who say they are looking for-"

"Adam!"

Kirlothenin saw a blur of auburn as Kristie ran up and gave Adam a hug and kiss.

"Nevermind," the worgen scout said. "She found him."

If Kristie was here, then... Kirlothenin's eyes looked behind the scout to see a cheetah stand on her hind legs and transform into Ileeya. Relief flooded Kirlothenin and he took a step towards her, but stopped. If he moved, the worgen would tear through N'Lar. He can't lose her again. Kirlothenin's face hardened. How was he going to explain?

Ileeya started towards him, then stopped with confusion. Then her eyes grew wide. She spoke a few words and a bright light shown behind Kirlothenin followed by the sound of plants quickly growing out of the ground. He turned just in time to see N'Lar entangled in some roots, her hands up to her eyes, blinded by the bright light. Had she been about to attack him?

"N'Lar! It's me! It's Kirlothenin. Don't you remember me?" He heard Ileeya gasp behind him. He will have to talk to her later. Right now, he was focused on his wife. He reached up to touch her face, but she batted his hand away, giving him a glare.

"My name is Lara, elf!"

The forsaken looked at him with hatred. Kirlothenin felt a pang in his heart. His wife didn't even remember him. "Your name is N'lar Dawnwhisper, former mage of the Kirin Tor. We were married. You left for home to set up our new business while I finished packing things up from Dalaran. We- We were starting a family..." Kirlothenin could hear the desperation in his voice. He didn't care.

The light faded away and N'Lar lowered her hands. She glanced at everyone watching her and settled on Kirlothenin. "I- I don't remember who I was in life. But, if what you say is true, I'm willing to try to remember." She glanced at the worgen. "That is, if I live long enough to try."

Kirlothenin turned to the worgen now. "This forsaken is under my protection." He ignored a gasp from someone nearby. "I ask for safe passage for her, myself, and my companions to Alliance lands. Better yet, if someone could take these shackles off of me, I'll gladly provide a portal."

"Now wait a minute!" Adam stepped forward, obviously not liking the idea of taking the forsaken with them. Kirlothenin shot him a hard glare.

"We refuse to protect that undead creature!" The lead worgen snapped in anger.

"Look who's calling who a creature." N'Lar snarked back at him.

"Enough!" Adam stepped over to N'Lar and sapped her again. Kirlothenin growled at him, but did nothing else. Perhaps it was for the best. The less N'Lar spoke right now, the more likely they will be helped by the worgen.

"I don't know what exactly is going on here," Kristie finally spoke up, looking at the lead worgen. "I ask for a temporary cease of hostilities. Please let us talk to your leaders and we ask that you give us temporary shelter until we can do so."

Ileeya stepped forward, touching the worgen's arm. No one had noticed that he had scratches on his arm and was bleeding, except her. She said a spell under her breath and healed the worgen's arm. "If there is anyone else in need of my healing abilities, bring them to me."

The worgen looked at his arm, then Ileeya, then Kirlothenin as a couple of other worgen approached Ileeya. "Fine. We'll take you to the Council only because we could use the druid's healing." He turned around. "Let's go!"

…

The undead do not dream. They have no need to sleep, though they do need to rest their bodies. Yet images were flitting in and out of his mind as if he were experiencing a dream. Some of the images lingered so little, he could not recall what they were just a second after they had gone. But other images were vivid and intense, and remained in his memory.

Yet, some of them made no sense. A woman's face twisted in pain. A pink arrowhead flying through the air, yet landing nowhere. The view of a snow-covered tree from underneath it. Lady Sylvannas' red eyes looking into his. A fire in a hearth. The light tinkling sound of metal on metal. There were more and some of them repeated themselves.

"Jerold."

The images faded as the forsaken's vision came back into focus. He was still clutching the half devoured rat. The flesh and blood of the rodent had sustained him enough until Gavor had returned. The warlock held a glowing green orb over Jerold, letting it go. The orb floated down and Jerold's body absorbed it. The forsaken felt the dark, magical energies that animated his body and allowed his soul to reside within strengthen.

He slowly sat up and noted the empty cells. They had attacked him. They had escaped. Worse yet, they had ruined the delicate experiment he had started on the one named Jelune. Something inside him seemed to let go. The full tumult of emotions that he had held back since first being awoken by the Dark Lady came rushing through him. His yellow eyes glowed brighter as the warlocks health orb finished it's work on his body.

Jerold stood as he allowed the emotions to finish their onslaught. His body trembled in anger and the desire for revenge. He knew what he was going to do. He was going to find them- each, and every one. And he will show them just how much of these emotions he had been holding back. For now, however, he had to reign those emotions in, just enough so that he could speak.

"Summon your demons, Gavor. We go after them."

Gavor smiled with a grotesque look of satisfaction. "Can I have the humans?"

"All except the child. The elves are mine."

Now Gavor frowned. "You're obsessing again."

"Yes." A simple smile of acceptance spread across Jerold's face. "Yes I am. And frankly Gavor, I don't care if you disapprove."

…

"It stinks!"

Jelune gave Amy a patient smile. "It's half dead, that's why. But now that I've tamed him, he'll help fight for us and protect us. Bears are good at protecting their companions ...even plagued ones." He gave the girl a pat on the head and glanced at Lord Aron who was holding Adorei. The man had to take the infant so that Jelune could tame the bear. The noble had a peculiar look on his face and Jelune had to ask what was on his mind.

Lord Aron was silent for a few minutes before answering. "Grandchildren." As he didn't elaborate, Jelune continued on without asking any more. They were approaching the edge of Lordamere Lake. Ileeya's and Kristie's tracks led this way. He knew the women were moving too fast to really attract some of the animals and other creatures that roamed the area. Plus, he trusted Ileeya to stay out of danger, though he still worried for her. Anything can go wrong here.

His small group, however, did not have the luxury of speed to protect them. At the first opportunity, he had tamed a large bear. It was extra protection he could provide, though they were still without weapons. He and Aron had grabbed large sticks. Sticks were useless against weapons, though could be somewhat useful against some of the smaller animals.

"Mrglrglrglmrh!"

Instinct kicked in as he heard the murloc behind him. He quickly turned around, shifting the stick between himself and the direction he had heard the amphibious creature. The move saved him from getting stabbed by the murloc's spear. The slimy creature's height came only to Jelune's waist. He flicked his stick and was able to swipe the murloc away from him. The creature wasn't alone. There were three others with him, but they didn't attack. Instead, seeing their comrade so easily defeated, ran for the safety of the waters of Lordamere Lake.

Lord Aron had given Adorei to Amy to hold so that he could help fight. The noble began to chase after the murlocs, but Jelune reached out and pulled him back quickly. "Stay away from the water!"

The human glared at him. "Why? It's just a few cowardly murlocs."

Jelune gave him a cool look. "Don't be a fool, Boxley. Murlocs fight best in the water. Not to mention they prefer to fight in swarms. There's probably fifty murlocs waiting out of sight underneath the water. You won't win." He glanced down to see that the murloc he had batted away had dropped his spear. Picking it up, he sheathed it in his belt. Well, they had one weapon at least...even if it was a bit small.

The trail lead into these hills. "I guess Ileeya remembered her lessons and avoided the water as well." Jelune muttered to himself as he began to climb. They continued until they came down. The trail led right by the water's edge and the hunter hesitated. Were the murlocs this far north?

He told the others to stay back and commanded the bear to walk over by the water. Nothing happened to it. The murlocs must not be this far north of their small village. He walked up to the bear to give him a pat of approval, then turned to signal for the other two to come down. That's when they grabbed him. Slimy, three-fingered hands reached out of the water and with amazing strength, pulled him under the freezing water. The last thing he heard before the water muffled his hearing was Amy screaming in surprise.

Jelune had managed to take in a fast, deep breath before he was forcefully submerged. He pulled out the spear and tried to open his eyes under the water. He could see numerous murky shapes in the deeper part of the lake. He tried to swim up, but hands pulled him down. Some of the murlocs stabbed at him with their small spears. Some came and actually tried to take a bite out of him with their sharp teeth.

He batted a couple of them away and once more tried to rise to the surface. All this exertion was using up what little air he had held in his burning lungs. He had to get back to the surface quickly! The bear he had tamed was in the water now. It batted at the murlocs as well, but didn't seem to be putting a dent in their numbers.

Jelune grabbed the hindquarters of the bear above him and pulled. The bear was pushed further down into the water. But Jelune had finally been able to get his head above the water. He took in a desperate breath of air just before he was pulled under once more. The water now had a red color to it from the blood escaping out of his own body. His fight was desperate now. For every murloc he killed or injured, three more seemed to appear. They didn't bother trying to hold him down unless he tried to go to the surface. Nor did they try to make any killing blows. They knew what they were doing. He was going to die either from lack of oxygen or from the loss of blood. They didn't need to risk their lives in the strength of a killing blow.

His lungs burned. The need for air was overwhelming. He tried again to go to the surface, but was pulled back down again. That's when his body took over his will to hold his breath. His mouth opened and he gasped for air, only to take in water instead. His body convulsed in revolt against the foreign substance in his lungs. He knew he was as good as dead. His limbs went limp and the edges of his vision grew dark as the swarm seemed to sense hid imminent death and moved in to surround him now...

"Come on! Breathe Dammit!"

Jelune's senses returned to him and the sudden need to cough blocked out everything else. Heaving to the side, the water in his lungs came spurting out. His chest hurt as he drew in a huge gasp of air. The sweet and salty taste of the air around him was like a drug. He couldn't get enough as he continued to gasp and take it in.

"Thank Elune!"

He felt the familiar sensation of Ileeya's rejuvenation spell and suddenly started to shiver. Opening his eyes, he saw he was on a wooden dock, surrounded by …worgen? Adam was kneeling over him. His sister's face came into view and he saw her muttering another healing spell. Someone threw something over him and he finally found his voice. "Th- th- the others... Safe?" It was hard to speak through chattering teeth and a raw throat.

"We're safe, Jelune." He recognized Lord Aron's voice and turned his head to see the man standing with Amy. She wasn't holding Adorei. Where was his niece? Turning, he looked until he saw Kristie holding the infant. Next to her was Kirlothenin. Jelune relaxed and closed his eyes.

…

Ileeya climbed into the small boat that Jelune had been placed in. She held her daughter now, though she was very tired. Jelune had needed a lot of healing to close up the numerous wounds on his body. She now worried he would catch a fever.

When they had heard Amy's scream, they had quickly moved in her direction. But Adam and the worgen were faster. Some of them were already in the water, fighting ferociously as Ileeya and Kristie had tried just to decipher what Amy was crying about. Jelune had been pulled out of the water by the worgen before she could respond.

One of the worgen had punched him in the abdomen by the time she and Adam had reached her brother. Adam had immediately leaned over the night elf, giving him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. It had been a tense few moments as they had waited to see if the hunter would survive. When he had suddenly coughed out the water in his lungs, Ileeya couldn't help but thank Elune he was alive.

Kirlothenin and the forsaken climbed into the boat she was in, snapping her attention back to the present. Ileeya gave the forsaken a cautious glance. So this was the woman whose death had caused Kirlothenin to travel down his dark path. The forsaken looked back at her with a detached curiosity. The longer N'Lar looked, the more her face seemed to turn into a look of cunning, almost as if she were planning something in her head.

Ileeya didn't trust the woman. She looked away, unable to stand the forsaken's gaze any longer.

"Ileeya, I-" Kirlothenin started.

She held up her hand to stop him from speaking. "I'm too tired to discuss this right now, Kir." The escape, the race to rescue Kirlothenin and Adam, the intense healing of her brother had all taken it's toll on her. Add to that the fact they had little to eat or sleep and it was the middle of the night and Ileeya just could not even think any more on this new development, much less discuss it with the mage.

The worgen and humans all piled into two other boats and they all rowed for the island in the middle of the lake. The way the Hillsbrad worgen surrounded them as they took them to the keep on the Island made Ileeya feel as though she were a prisoner yet again. But, a part of her knew she was not. In fact, these worgen seemed to show her a bit more respect than any of the others. Perhaps because she was a druid? She wasn't sure.

They arrived at the keep and it was a relief to be able to sit down. Someone brought her a glass of water as the leaders of the makeshift settlement were awoken and dressed to meet the new arrivals. Adam's leather bonds had been cut finally, and he was able to move around freely. In fact, they were all allowed to move freely, except Kirlothenin and N'Lar. Ileeya couldn't help conjuring up the image once given to her of what N'Lar had looked like in life. She had black hair and blue eyes. She seemed to be pretty for a high elf.

Ileeya noted to herself that this woman had never become a blood elf. If she remembers her past, would she hold it against Kirlothenin for joining others in becoming a blood elf? Ileeya pushed the thought from her tired mind, along with any other thought of N'Lar. She checked on Jelune again. He was sleeping on a makeshift cot, under some blankets. His skin felt warmer finally. Only time will tell if he catches a cold. Night elves were susceptible to that now that they were no longer immortal.

Eight men and women who made up the Council, the leaders of the Hillsbrad Refugees, entered the room finally. They eyed the newcomers with suspicion. Glares of hatred were thrown in Kirlothenin's and N'Lar's direction. Lord Aron Boxley stepped forward to speak for the group. None of them argued his self-appointed role as their ambassador.

"Good evening, Council men and women. My name is Lord Aron Boxley. We are very grateful for your hospitality. Our group here has just escaped imprisonment at the hands of a forsaken apothecary. May we stay here for the night? Or better yet, could you remove the shackles that prevent our mage from using his magic?" He nodded his head in Kirlothenin's direction.

One of the women stepped forward. "I'm afraid releasing your mage is out of the question. He protects a forsaken, whom we will have no part in harboring! While we hold no personal grudge against his kind, while he protects her, he is unwelcome as well."

Lord Aron looked contrite. "Perhaps if they stayed outside the keep-"

"No!"

The word was said in unison by both Ileeya and Kristie. Outside the keep, there was less protection from the wild animals and murlocs, not to mention the forsaken. Ileeya didn't care if N'Lar was left out there, but she wasn't going to let Adorei's father be killed because he felt this odd need to protect this woman who didn't even remember him.

"If all of you protect them, then you are not welcome either! The forsaken are unholy bastards who bombed our homes in Southshore just to test their horrid plague! We lost hundreds of people! We had to retreat fast and this place is the last stand we have!" This time it was a man who spoke vehemently.

"We waited and waited for help to arrive from Stormwind, but it never came. It finally came down to accepting the lesser of two evils just to save ourselves! Drink the blood of a worgen to become immune to undeath, or become undead ourselves."

The original woman speaker joined back in the conversation. "So, you see, we will never harbor a forsaken! We're sorry to say this to fellow Alliance members, but as long as she is a part of your group, you will not be welcome here!"

Lord Aron's face masked his true emotions at the moment. Ileeya truly could not tell what he was feeling right now. "I can understand your feelings on the matter. And I can assure you as a member of the House of Nobles, now that we know of your predicament, you will be sent supplies and reinforcements as soon as we can return to Stormwind." He glanced around at the group, his eyes lingering on Adam for a moment longer than the rest. "Would you be willing to reach a compromise?" He held up his hand before the council could refuse. "Please hear what I have to say. We have among our number a talented druid who is a strong healer. Do you have citizens who are in need of her services?"

The council members glanced at each other, not saying anything. But it was obvious in their faces that Ileeya's services were indeed needed. "We will leave," Lord Aron continued, "but perhaps we can linger long enough for her to provide her services to your people."

Ileeya wasn't the happiest about his making this offer without consulting her, but mainly because she was already tired. The water helped to revive her a little, however, and she did desire to be of help to these people. Still, the council hesitated. Their hatred for the forsaken ran very deep.

Kirlothenin caught Ileeya's attention. He had a concerned look on his face. "Maybe there is something else you can provide for them," he said. Ileeya gave him a confused look. "Remember the goldthorn?" It took a minute for Ileeya to figure out what he was talking about. But then she remembered the time when she had tried to bribe hers and Jelune's freedom away from Kirlothenin by growing some goldthorn herbs for him to sell. "Are you up for it?" he asked.

Ileeya considered their options. It would all be easiest if Kirlothenin weren't protecting his former...wife. Ileeya frowned. Was she still his wife technically? She died...but- Ileeya shook the thoughts out of her head. And focused on now. "I...think I can." She looked at the council members. "If you want, I can help some of your gardens grow...quickly. You'll not have to worry for food for awhile. But in order to be able to do so, I will need some rest, food, and water. My friends will need it, too."

The lead councilman addressed the noble. "Lord Aron, your company may have three hours. No more. The forsaken will be kept in the dungeon for the duration." Ileeya saw Kirlothenin frown, but he seemed to accept the compromise. He glanced at Ileeya once more before turning and following N'Lar out of the room, presumably to make sure nothing happened to his wife. Before heading out, the councilman looked at Lord Aron again. "Your druid better fulfill her promises!"

Food and water was brought to Ileeya and her friends. She was glad to be able to provide this service for them, but she was very tired. She told the Hillsbrad Council that she would need at least half an hour to eat and rest. It wasn't enough, but it was all she felt she could spare. As she ate, Kirlothenin returned and sat beside her. He tried to speak to her again and she shook her head. "Not now."

Kirlothenin scowled for a moment, then sighed. He moved away, giving her her space. She knew he wanted to talk about N'Lar. But she couldn't do anything about that. She finished her meal quickly and then went off to a quiet corner of the room to relax and meditate in order to prepare herself for her upcoming tasks.