A/N: Sorry for taking so long. Life has been very busy. More updates to come!

Of Claws and Totems

Chapter 16

Sunrise

Long before the sun had risen, Blackheart awoke from pleasant dreams of Kalara. He was pleased to find her still lying next to him. She was still backed up against him, using his body heat to keep warm. He had been scared that the previous night had been a dream, and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't when he had woken up. Her dark hair was in disarray, cascading around her shoulders and the pillows. For a long while he just watched her sleep, her steady breathing lulling him to where he was nodding off again; the silence in the room and in Darnassus was so deep he could hear the steady drumming of her heart. He got out of the bed slowly and watched with a smile as Kalara rolled over into the warm spot he had left behind, mumbling something in her sleep.

Though in his human form, Blackheart was pleased that he had retained the senses of a worgen. When he had first shifted over he had been afraid of losing his senses. He had come to depend upon them, not only for his protection, but to interact with the world. A smile creased his face when he thought about how his senses had proven most… advantageous the night before when the lights had been out. He found the clothes that had been discarded and dressed himself, then went to Kalara. He gently shook her, whispering her name. She grumbled something unintelligible and sat up, holding the sheet close to her. Blackheart sat with his back to her and handed her the shirt she had worn last night. He heard her getting dressed before her arms wrapped around his shoulders and she leaned on him, resting her head against his. She mumbled something that may have been good morning, but it was still too unintelligible to understand.

He turned his head and looked into her faintly glowing still sleepy eyes. "Good morning dear." He said.

"Mmm" she mumbled. "I don't know that mornings are ever good," she said, stifling a yawn.

"Hah, mornings are the best times. Morning breathes new life into things, and the world comes awake in the morning."

"Whatever you say, nature boy." She swung her legs out over the bed and attempted to stand, then fell back down onto the mattress. Looking over at Blackheart, she gave her best begging impression, opening her eyes wide and pooching out her lip, adopting a pouty look. "Carry me?" She asked.

Blackheart laughed quietly at her, then louder when she dropped the begging face and put on a slight scowl. "Puppy eyes may work for some, but not on those of us that are part dog ourselves. I will, however, carry you from the sheer enjoyment of having you near to me... you never need to beg me for anything." That definitely made her happy.

They emerged from the portal to Rut'theran Village a short while later. Kalara was holding onto Blackheart's back, her legs wrapped around his waist riding piggy back. On the way to the portal out of Darnassus they had garnered a few strange looks, but it was before sunrise so mainly only guards were up and about. Blackheart found that he could handle looks that were amused and considered him strange better than those he was used to getting. Even if those around him thought him odd, the looks they gave were not nearly as bad as the hateful and mistrusting ones he was used to. If people wanted to look at him funny for carrying Kalara around, that was fine. At least he didn't have to worry about them trying to stick a sword in his back.

Blackheart picked his way down to the eastern edge of the shore, carefully setting Kalara down in the sand. She shivered a little bit in the morning breeze, and was still bleary eyed, but when she turned to him he saw that she was ready to pay attention.

"So what is so special about sunrise that you have to show me?" She asked, looking up at him skeptically.

Smiling he reached out to caress her face, and then slowly he forced her to close her eyes. "Do you remember when I showed you how to smell out the herbs in the forest?"

"How could I forget, you had me stumbling around blindfolded in a forest for a half hour." She said, more amusement than annoyance in her voice.

"It is a lot like that. Until now if you've seen a sunrise you were only using your eyes. But that is merely looking at a sunrise. You haven't seen it yet." He said.

"But… aren't looking at something and seeing something the exact same thing?" She asked.

"No, not at all." He said, thinking of the perfect example. He let his mind sink into himself then.

She opened her eyes and stared at him, arching an eyebrow incredulously and was only slightly startled when she looked into the solid blue eyes of a worgen. In his deep voice, made more husky by his form, Blackheart asked, "What do I look like?"

"A furball that wakes up too early?" She said, smiling at him. "Fine, you look like a worgen... you look like my worgen"

Blackheart moved closer, his face very close to hers. She could feel the warm air of his breathing on her face as he asked, "And what do you see when you look at me?"

"I see…" she paused for a moment, considering the word Blackheart had stressed. Thinking about it she realized she saw more than a worgen standing in front of her. She did see Blackheart's form, but she saw more than that. Behind his furry face, she could see and sense Blackheart's human side. She could smell him, she realized, and somehow she knew that the scent belonged to him as much as his appearance did. He smelled faintly of the earth, like he had been sleeping on the ground for a very long time. She couldn't understand why she associated that with him, but it was a smell that comforted her; he smelled durable and steadfast, and she felt like he would always be there to catch her if she fell. Last, but most importantly of all, she felt him. She felt his presence in her heart, almost as if he occupied a place in her chest as readily as the heart that beat life into her and without him she would only be partially there. She wasn't quite sure what that meant, but she knew that's how she felt. She quirked her mouth in a smile, saying, "I think I understand now."

In a flash of light that left purple spots in her eyes, he was a human again. "Good. That is how I want you to think about the sunrise. That is how I want you to think about the herbs as you go and find them. That is how you should think about all things. You would be amazed at what you might see when you look with more than your eyes."

Blinking away the spots, she turned to face the east. "Warn me next time, will ya? That's really bright." Blackheart moved behind her and she knew he was pleased with her. Somehow… maybe she just felt in tune with him or 'smelled his mood' like he claimed he could do, but she knew that's how he felt, regardless. Perhaps there was more to this seeing over looking thing than she thought.

Blackheart put his now human hands on Kalara's shoulders and gently started massaging. "Close your eyes. I want you to feel the sunrise before you look at it; that will help you see it when you do look at it. Remember to listen, to smell, and to feel. It's almost here."

Kalara did as he said and closed her eyes. It was hard to concentrate with him massaging her shoulders as it brought up memories of the previous night, but she eventually let that slip away. She fell more into focus with her surroundings. At first she couldn't sense anything but Blackheart's hands on her. Slowly she came to hear his quiet breathing behind her. There was nothing after that for a short while, and she was growing impatient when she felt a small twinge, as if something was tapping at the edges of her senses. Then she heard something, so quiet that she wasn't sure if she was just hearing things or not. She soon came to realize it was the quiet rustle of grass; the creaking of the giant tree that they were standing near. She could smell the grass lightly and the salt in the air from the ocean so nearby. When the sun finally broke the rim of the horizon, she gasped at the change the sun brought about the land. The smells all around her intensified in a sudden, brief flash: it was like she had her face in the grass, and right up against the great tree and deep in the ocean all at the same time. Other smells and sounds found their way to her too, squirrels that were nesting in a small tree and some birds that were coming out of their nests to face the day. She felt the changes, deep within her core. It was almost as if she could feel the leaves rustling, ready to eat up the sunlight and grow. Her shaman senses came alive even further. She could feel the air growing to life, the sun heating it and she could feel the earth come alive under her as the roots of the growing things woke up. When she finally opened her eyes, it was almost as if she could see the changes happening before her eyes. It was, put simply, the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

Blackheart and Kalara watched the sunrise quietly, neither one wanting to break the spell that they were both under. When the sun had finally peaked all the way over the horizon, things seamed to just naturally shift back down to normal. It was rather sad, losing touch and feeling with all of the living and elemental things around her. She slowly turned to see Blackheart looking at her, a content look on his face.

"That was… amazing." She said.

"Now do you understand what I mean by seeing the sunrise? Now do you understand why, every day since becoming a worgen, if it was possible I would watch it?" He said quietly.

"You've watched the sunrise every morning?" She asked, her eyes widening.

"All but a handful, and it is different each day and in each place. Everyone is as beautiful as the last."

"Wow," she said quietly. She decided then that she would come out with Blackheart every morning from then on out to watch it. She stepped in and hugged him, saying, "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Blackheart was silent a while as he returned her hug. Kalara looked up to see Blackheart staring down at her. "What?" She asked.

"It is second most for me." He said.

A confused look crossed her face then. "What would the first be? That sunrise was so beautiful I'm still trying to figure it out; I'm still in awe of what I saw and will be for the rest of the day I imagine."

He smiled, looking intently at her. "The sunrise was beautiful, as was yesterdays, as tomorrows will be. But remember what I said about seeing. The most beautiful thing I have seen isn't the sunrise. It's you."

They returned to the inn later that morning, garnering curious looks from their comrades as they came through the front door rather than the stairs where they had shared a room. After explaining about watching the sunrise, and once Miakoda was finished snickering and pestering the couple, they had their breakfast. During the course of the meal they discussed what their immediate plans were.

"So," Miakoda spoke first, "what's the plan from here?"

Relarus answered first. "I'm going to go back to the Cenarion Circle and see what use I might be. After Deathwing has risen, I'm sure my fellow druids could use all of the extra help they can get."

Miakoda nodded, then looked at Blackheart and Kalara. "What about you two?"

Quietly, Kalara said, "I need to find my sister." She looked to Blackheart then. "You don't have to come, you know. It's gonna be pretty dangerous."

Blackheart smirked and wrapped an arm around her slender shoulders. "I am going to go with her to keep her out of trouble."

Miakoda snorted, trying to stifle a laugh. "Keep her out of trouble? You seem to draw trouble to you. I mean seriously, you were in the inn for what, five hours before Kalara threw you out a window? Then the first time I ride a boat is with you and what happens? Big bloody dragon of doom comes and hurls us onto the land. You just have to be there to keep her safe from whatever trouble you rile up."

Blackheart smiled, replying, "Perhaps you are right. I have been giving it some thought since we learned about Miyara yesterday. I figured we might go down through Kalimdor to Dustwallow Marsh and then from Theramore on to Menethil, then over to Twilight Highlands to find Miyara."

Miakoda nodded, and Relarus asked, "Wouldn't it be easier to just take the boat from here over to Stormwind and maybe catch a gryphon ride to the Highlands?"

"True, that would be less walking, but there are two reasons for going through Kalimdor." Blackheart said, holding up two fingers and ticking them down as he explained. "One is to get Miakoda back to Thunder Bluff." The tauren nodded appreciatively. "And two is for a more personal reason. I… want to try to find my family. The last I remember they lived on the edges of the Marsh and I want to see if they are still there and if they are alright."

"So your memory has returned fully?" Relarus asked in between bites of breakfast.

"It's all there, but I have to slowly examine it and take it apart. I've had a lifetime's worth of memories thrust upon me, so it will take some time. It's like someone has taken a picture that you knew and made it into a thousand piece puzzle and dumped it on you."

Relarus nodded. "That sounds about right. When we help a feral druid return to normal they are generally ok within a few hours… but they have the advantage of having the facilities to house thousands of years of memories."

Miakoda spoke up then. "I appreciate the thought of helping me to get back home, but are you sure it's smart to go wandering through Kalimdor? It's Horde territory most of the way you know."

"I have given that some thought as well. I'm sure that Kalara could go as a member of the Earthen Ring, and I along with her as her guardian. The Horde does respect the neutrality of the Earthen Ring, do they not?"

Miakoda rubbed her chin in a pensive gesture. "I suppose so, at least they should. Since Thrall is a member and Muln Earthfury, a tauren, is the leader I suspect it will be fine. Let us hope though that there are few blood elves and forsaken. They tend to 'forget' neutrality."

"Kalara and I have had… dealings with blood elves before. But with all three of us I'm sure we'll be fine."

"True enough." Miakoda nodded. "I will go prepare to leave then, unless you would like to wait longer?"

"I have nothing here tying me down." Blackheart said. He smiled then, saying, "I would like to say goodbye to Tyria though."

"Me too!" Kalara said. "I also want to write a letter to Master Tuluun, just so he knows that I'm alright and where I'm going."

"Well, I suppose we should meet at the Temple of the Moon in a few hours then." Blackheart said before standing to go. "Agreed?"

"Agreed."

Blackheart took the time until their meeting to wander around Darnassus. He had always heard of the fabled city of the night elves, but he had never thought it would be quite as mystical as it was. For all the beauty of the city though, he was never comfortable with it. It smelled old… older than anything his imagination could conjure. But it was stale… with the exception of the new worgen families, it seemed like the growth of the city was stagnant. It unnerved him to see such a large amount of nature that no longer felt as if it was growing.

When he finally arrived at the Temple of the Moon he was still early. He walked up the stone steps and as he entered the temple he was drawn to the large pool in the center. The soft sounds of water trickling down were calming to him. In the center of the pool was a large night elf statue, holding up a bowl to catch water, and it was over flowing down to the base of the pool. Blackheart closed his eyes and let the soft trickling soothe him.

He heard the steps approaching him long before the voice of Tyrande spoke to him. "An homage to Elune, our goddess, protector of all living things. She is the strongest Eternal in all of Azeroth, and yet in spite of, or maybe because of this, she does not interfere with our world often. Deathwing would be swiftly removed if she interfered… but as it is we are left to defend this world all night elves worship Elune… those that are not evil anyway. Do you worship a deity?"

Blackheart had never been one for religion. It seemed a strange concept to him. Most religions seemed to be very contradictive of themselves. They saved lives and caused wars, gave out hope and condemnation in equal shares. There was, however, one deity who he felt had touched upon his soul, allowing him to reclaim his memories and his humanity. If any were deserving of his praise, it would be him.

"Goldrinn I suppose, though worship is really too strong of a word. I suppose it's more an immense thanks and respect to his spirit. I feel that he helped break the curse of the worgen somehow."

Tyrande smiled as she sat down on one edge of the pool, making faint ripples with her finger that were counter to the ones created by the fall of water. "Goldrinn is a worthy choice, and I think he believes you to be a worthy disciple. You are, after all, the only worgen I've heard of to retain your humanity without outside help. Perhaps he has chosen you for a greater purpose you do not yet know? In time you may come to grant him more than just… respect. I understand that you are to travel to the Twilight Highlands."

"Yes, Kalara's sister is there and we've been told some… unsettling things about her."

"I had heard as much." Tyrande walked to stand in front of him. "What you two will be facing will be most dangerous. I have… seen… that you are the only one that can protect Kalara from her sister. Whatever happens, you must protect Kalara." At Blackheart's questioning look she merely said, "Just trust me."

"Hearty!" the worgen heard from behind him, and turned to see Tyria bounding up to him, running to hug him as he bent down on a knee. She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed for all she was worth. "Are you leaving today?" she asked, a touch of sadness in her voice.

"I am. Me and Kalara have to go find her big sister and save her."

The small night elf adopted a considering look and shortly thereafter said, "Well, I suppose that's a good enough reason to go." She took Blackheart's face in her hands and gave him one of her serious, soul searching looks. "You better take care of Lara, ok? If not I will be very angry."

Blackheart had ceased to be amazed by the strangeness of Tyria's actions and words. He took just as serious a look on his face and put his hands on her diminutive shoulders. "I promise I will do everything I can to keep her safe. I definitely do not want you mad at me."

Tyria smiled. "Good! Oh, and you have to come back to see me too. I'm training to be a priestess, and you better be there when they accept me… but only after you keep Lara safe, ok?"

Blackheart nodded, and she hugged him again before going over to Tyrande's side. Kalara and Miakoda joined them then. Tyria bounded up Kalara and gave her a hug and forced her to make the same promise of returning to visit. Tyria even hugged Miakoda before she returned to stand with Tyrande. After their goodbyes, the three of them turned to head for the port when Tyrande spoke up one last time.

"Blackheart, Kalara, a moment if you please." Tyrande said, beckoning the two over to her. Before either had the time to ask her what she needed she pressed her palms to both of their foreheads at the same time. Warmth shot through their bodies, and both had a vision a brightly glowing humanoid that looked vaguely like a night elf. Just as quickly as the vision came, it faded. "Elune be with you." Tyrande said before turning around and heading up the stairs of the temple.

Blackheart looked at Kalara, his look of confusion mirrored on her face.

"Did you…"

"Yeah."

"And you felt…"

"Yep."

"With the…"

"Yes sir."

Blackheart shook his head as they reached Miakoda. "What was that all about?" The Tauren asked.

"Let's just say that Tyrande blessed us." Kalara said with a smile. Miakoda just shook her head and sighed.

After gathering their things from the inn, the group reached the docks and found Captain Solia waiting on them and talking to Relarus, who held a few packages in his arms. "Come to see us off have you?" Kalara asked.

Captain Solida smirked. "Partly. Relarus has come to bid you all farewell and to give you some gifts. I, on the other hand, am the proud captain of a new ship." She puffed up a bit then, adopting a look and pose of self importance. "Because of my assistance to the people of Lor'danel and part in saving Tyria I have been given the task of transporting people and cargo between Darnassus and… well wherever they need to go." She finished with a flourish and smile.

"That's great!" Kalara said, clapping her hands.

Relarus stepped forward then and handed a package to each of the three of them then. "I have… acquired some tabards for you. Blackheart and Kalara will have one showing they represent the Earthen Ring, and Miakoda has one for the Cenarion Circle. With these you should be able to pass through to your destinations with little trouble… hopefully. However, with the state the world is in right now, I expect there to be trouble for everyone, regardless of their race or creed."

Unwrapping his package, Blackheart let the tabard unfurl. It was a deep brown cloak, and the design in the middle of the chest seemed to be a ring made of rocks. He slipped it on over his now worn armor and found that it fit. He looked to see Kalara and Miakoda equip their tabards as well. "Thank you very much, Relarus," the worgen said. "These will be most helpful."

Captain Solia nodded her agreement. "Those will hopefully get you anywhere you need to go without a fight... however you three need to be careful. Once you get off the landing at Lor'danel, you best keep your wits about you. Not that Blackheart's senses aren't sharp, but it's best to be wary anyway."

Waving goodbye to Relarus and thanking him one last time for the tabards, the three companions followed the captain onto the boat. Miakoda didn't have to be drug on like the last time she had made a seafaring passage, but she still eyed the craft like it might bite her. Blackheat and Kalara stowed their things in the small cabin they all shared, and then went to the prow of the boat as it was loaded with the other cargo and passengers heading for Lor'danel.

With all passengers and cargo stowed aboard, the ship set sail for Lor'danel. Kalara and Blackheart stood side by side close to the prow, watching the ship pick up speed and cut into the ocean, kicking up a spray of salty water. Kalara shivered as the spray and wind gave her a slight chill, and Blackheart moved up behind her, wrapping his arms around her for warmth. She leaned back against him, thanking her lucky stars once more that he was there, and that they would be able to face what was coming, together.