The Watchers
Chapter 6: Something to Love?
An: I have no idea if Felhounds survive on Mana or meat, but for the sake of my story they eat meat! Enjoy!
The Night Elf male tapped his finger against a book he had been trying to read for the past hour. He couldn't remember how long it was since he had company in his hands. His loyal Felhounds, eager to ease their master's sudden change in mood, whimpered and nuzzled his legs like cats pining for attention. He closed the book and gently gave each a scratch on the head. It wasn't he was nervous just she felt familiar to him. He couldn't place ever knowing her though. His blinded eyes glanced to the room he had placed her in to rest and recover and smiled a little. It was a good feeling to have a woman so close.
The clatter of a dish caught his attention. It was the sound of an empty Felhound dish. "Yes Daisy.." he chuckled as Daisy let out a displeased snarl at her master. He nodded as he went into his kitchen and pulled out some dehydrated Imps. Live ones would be silly, and annoying, to keep. As being a Demon Hunter didn't bring in the gold as it used to. All six brought their bowls into the kitchen, demanding their master give them food. Carefully he gave each one two, except for Daisy, who was pregnant with pups and needed a bit more meat then the rest. He loved his companion pack as if they were his own children and felt a little proud he would have a hand in bringing life into the world.
His ear twitched to the soft cry of a female coming from his room. For the days she had been here she hadn't said much about herself but it wasn't too hard to figure out who she was. There was only one woman who ever carried the taint of Illidan Stormrage so strongly, and that was Maiev Shadowsong. He wasn't too surprised to see her back here. Illidan was all over the place. The land practically soaked in his dark demonic energy that it almost made him sick at times. He wondered why she would traverse the torn and dangerous land alone. He would ask her when she was ready to talk.
Once he was satisfied his hound were fed, he turned his attention to himself and his guest. Food was a scarce thing, but Terrokar Forest made for fresh meat and plenty of fish. He had salted meats and spiced frozen fish, it would have to do until he could get to a trade city to pick her up some Darnassian food. He lit up his small wood stove and threw a pot onto the fire with some water in it and busied himself with chopping carrots and potatoes and throwing them into the pot. Tonight, he would attempt to make the best dinner possible for his guest.
The sounds of dishes and water, even the small snarls of the Felhounds had not passed by Maiev. She laid in the very comfortable bed, snuggled deep in plush sheets. She couldn't help but be burned with a blush as she laid in the man's bed. His scent was as crisp as a morning breeze, and he wasn't bad looking either. She should get up and see if there was anything he would need help with, but anytime she tried he would ssh her and help her back into bed to rest just like...
She shook her head! She came here to mourn Illidan! Not fall in love! Maybe, in some odd ass way, Illidan had sent him to her to be her new husband. But that was stupid! Illidan was a self centered, ego-tistic sexist... Kind... Caring... Loving... She sat up and felt like she was going to be sick again, thankfully the male elf was kind enough to bring a bucket in since her last bout of sickness. She grabbed the buck and heaved, throwing up into it. Tears clouded her vision and she started to cry! She was a complete wreck! She murdered the one she loved all for petty revenge. She was a terrible person.
Her vomiting must of alerted the elf because he came walking in with a bowl of cool water and a washcloth. "You all right Lady Shadowsong?"
He took the cloth and gently wiped her face off, and for a moment, looked almost vulnerable. Her big beautiful silver eyes shimmered in loss, her mouth agape just so. He couldn't help but blush a little bit as a bit of his thumb brushes across her lower lip. He pulled the cloth away and cleaned it off then carefully felt her head with the back of his hand. "Your probably fighting off the infection from your leg." He murmured softly, going to the nightstand and pulling out a small jar of green salve. "Okay let me.."
He frowned. A blind man could see that something wasn't right about Maiev. She was quieter then normal and shaking just a little. Her face was pale and she seemed distant. He carefully approached her and knelt down, pulling the blankets up to a carefully wrapped leg. He cringed as he felt how hot it was. Carefully, he put the green salve on it and covered her leg back up. "Your still fighting the infection.." He glanced up to her trying to smile.
"I want to see him.... One last time.." She felt the tears pour from her face. "I want Illidan back. I want to be married to him! Why was I so foolish..." This was about the time any sensible man would of consoled her and fucked her brains out but he wasn't a typical man. "I am sure he feels the same way about you too..." he smiled and patted her hand. "You know, legend says the stars are our deceased loves. Elune keeps them company in her eternal love for each one of them. I am sure if you prayed hard enough she will help you find peace."
"That was beautiful..." She wiped her eyes, smiling at him. He couldn't help but smile. At least he could make her feel better.
~3~
Appolo was up and about, but watched carefully. The skinny elf looked like a stick in comparison to his bodyguards as he tried to pay attention to what his tutor, Jaina Proudmoore had to say. It grew very hard, as her kind voice was like a mother's lullaby to his ears. He could feel the pull of sleep at him and he was compelled to obey it. The young mage sighed, seeing the boy's head slip down onto the table. "Appolo?"
His head shot up, along with his quill. "Yes yes! The stabilizing of a vortex by using the principle of Arcane Thermistor for long distance portal travel..." He yawned.
"Close, but you seem to be needing a break.." She smiled a little, remembering Kael'thas would push her a little bit harder whenever she dozed off to his voice. Or he would smile... It creep her out. Though, teaching his offspring was even more of an idea to get used to. He had his father's flame ability, but had little control over it. Oh how the Fates love to slap you in the face. "Why don't we call it a break for an hour or two. Take a breather. I hear the Goldenbarks are ripe for eating."
He would have to thank Lady Proudmoore for her suggestion. Not only were the apples in peak season, but were very sweet. If only he could see them. The doctors said his vision problem was because of his father's gift. Everyone thought it was because he was half Night Elf. "Idiots." He snorted taking another bite. Just like his older sister, he was created before the explosion of the Sunwell. The scientists weren't fully aware of what the Sunwell was until it was too late. A life blood for all elves. Appolo had read about his father drinking from the well, like his grandfather and his great-grand father had done in one of his many journals. The scientists believe that he was created during one of his father's sacred drinks at the well. There was even rumors his mother partake in it as well, but he didn't think she would.
His sister was the lucky one. The only thing she suffered from was their father's ego. But what he lacked in sight only made him stronger. Like his people had all those years ago. He wouldn't be pushed around just because he was blind. He was a Sunstrider, a legacy. He was hope for their people. His hands reached up to the purple silk band around his eyes and pulled it off. He couldn't make out anything just yet, but he could see white!
He could see light... Not darkness. He smiled as he took in the beauty of the light and it came to him why many cultures worshiped it. It was warm like a blanket and more beautiful then anything he had ever seen before in his life. Tears weld up in his eyes and drizzled down his face. He closed them and chuckled, basking in the light. "Thank you Light...! Thank you for hope!"
Eolande smiled a little. The six years he had been with Appolo had changed him. He had gone from being soft naive teenager to a near spitting image of his father. His wings were about full length to his body. His claws were long and as hard as bone. He still had his feet (thank Elune!) And even the personality to go with it, except he didn't dare scream 'You are not Prepared' to every idiot who looked at him wrong.
Appolo had been there for him through it all. And he was ready to be there for him. He knew Appolo would be ascending the throne by his next birthday, which wasn't too far away. He wrapped his hands around a oak box, clutching it tightly. Eolande inhaled a bit of air, letting it out slowly, then went to where Appolo was sitting. The sight of the apprentice mage in tight purple robes made him smile, just a bit. He sat down in front of Appolo his smile growing even more. "Hello my blind phoenix."
Appolo smiled, his hands reaching out to Eolande's shoulders and he hugged him. "I was wondering when you'd show up." His fingers brushed against the box. "Oh, you brought us a picnic lunch?"
"Something better then food, Appolo." He shook his head as he opened the box and placed two Truesilver gauntlets into his hands. "I couldn't exactly make you a necklace. People would think you were a fruit.*" Appolo ran his fingers over them, then tried them on. They were very light and very comfortable. His fingers brushed over them gently. "Elven script..." His cheeks turned bright red. "These are..."
"Yes Appolo. They are Engagement offerings." His hands rested on Appolo's. His throat felt dry and he licked his lips softly. "... I know we are still... Young. But I have decided I want to be with you. As you were for me. But on a more intimate level-"
"I can't Eolande..." He tried to pull away but Eolande's grip kept him seated. "Please don't flee from me. I promise I'll stay with you and will never ever leave you! I'll even help you get your sight back!" He pressed his lips against Appolo's pulling him close. Eolande closed his eyes as his inhaled the scent of the young fire mage... Something inside of him stirred, something very primal. Appolo flinched, hearing him snarl and pushed him away before a pair of fangs drove right into his neck. Eolande stared at Appolo, his eyes were slitted like cat eyes and yellow narrowed dangerously at the fleeing form. Eolande was about to peruse Appolo, his future mate, but was stopped by roots! "What sorcery is this!?"
Luckily, the Silvers, hadn't let Appolo out of their sights. Standing behind Eolande was a Druid and another mage. The Druid reached into one of his pouches for some dust and blew it into the hormone angered boy's face. Eolande sneezed and was out cold. The mage frowned, smelling the arcane taint on him. "He ingested a tainted crystal..." The roots vanished into the ground and a very muscular night elf adult laid on the ground, black ooze drizzling from his lips. The Druid placed his hands on the boy's chest and closed his eyes, asking the great force of nature to tame this boy. The mage pulled out a small round pebble and tapped it with his finger.
A faint image of another person appeared. It looked like a blinded night elf. "Have you found him?"
"Yes, we found your son, Illidan. It seems whoever is going after Appolo is going after him as well. No place is safe."
"There is one place. Outlands... Meet us in Nagrand near the pass to Terokkar Forest. I need to siphon those powers out of Before they kill him."
The mage bowed. "We will see you in three days." The image faded and he pocketed the stone as the Druid picked up Eolande. "You shouldn't make this look weird. Go see if the prince is all right.."
Appolo burst back into the classroom out of breath and bruised from running into things in a blind hurry. "Lady Jaina!" Appolo screeched. Jaina came out from one of the side rooms to her apprentice. "Appolo! What's wrong? Your bleeding...!"
He reached up to his neck, Eolande did get him. "It's Eolande! He went mad! I told him I didn't want to marry him and he tried to kill me!"
Jaina blinked. "Marry? But your both still young-"
"That's what I tried telling him! But he kissed me! And I tried pushing him off and he attacked me!" He hid behind her. "He's still out there!"
She was about to go out the door herself when one of Silvers mages came walking in. "Is the prince all right?"
"Shaken, but fine." Her eyes narrowed. "Some guards you are. Letting this happen! The boy is under enough stress without you idiots mucking up!" She snapped, her eyes narrowing. "Now get out! All of you! Appolo maybe 'your' prince, but here he is my apprentice!" She watched as the mage had left. Her attention turned to Appolo. She smiled and patted his shoulder. "Well, those engagement cuffs do look good on you."
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