A/N: Please note that this is of course Fan Fiction, therefore the events described would be slightly deviated from the orginal telling.
And nope, I in fact do not own Warcraft or anything else I write about.
Chapter 22
The tension between the Farstriders and the surviving Elves within the square slowly ebbed away. All was calm, though weapons still hung loosely in many of their hands. They stood opposite to each other, steadily staring, all was silent.
At last the remaining tension disintegrated as several Elves rushed forward into the Farstrider block with hopeful eyes. Among the small company of fifty they searched for their long forgotten loved ones. Families were reuniting as wives enbraced husbands and parents once again held their children. The curtain of shame that was held over them from having an association with a Farstrider was rapidly disappearing. Nearly all were enraptured together in one mass group, talking in joyous tones, many crying with overcoming emotion.
As Arlandria watched the scene unfold with a smile and leaping heart, Lor'themar approached her and laid his hand on her shoulder.
"Take me to them," Lor'themar said.
Arlandria sublimely understood as she turned to face her husband, giving a single nod. Lor'themar reached his arm out further to wrap around both of her shoulders as they walked to his waiting hawkstrider. With a high leap Lor'themar jumped onto its back and took hold of the reins. Then reached out for Arlandria's hand and pulled her up to sit behind him. Seeing their leaders sudden aims for departure, several Farstriders and Rangers alike rushed forward and saluted. All were willing and ready to accompany them as protection escorts. Their request was denied by both of them as they announced that such measures were unnecessary at the moment.
"You should have let me take the reins. I have always been a better rider than you," Arlandria said.
Lor'themar chuckled and said. "On that count, I will beg to differ."
"Am I to suppose that you have somehow forgotten the Sunsail marathons?" Arlandria asked skeptically.
"If I recall correctly, you only bested me two times," said Lor'themar.
"And if I recall correctly, you only entered the race two times," jested Arlandria.
Lor'themar huffed and held his tongue as Arlandria savored her minor victory. Competition was always a key aspect she used against those she truly cared for. In the long years that the two spent a tumultuous yet happy marriage, it was a taste that she often did not receive enough of.
Both of them grew more solemn as they steady approached the grove under Arlandria's direction. Onward they went through the tangled overgrown thicket until the came within sight of the still fresh graves. Arlandria inwardly felt remorseful that she had not visited at all since they were laid to rest. In silence they dismounted from the hawkstrider and stood side by side, both looking down sorrowfully at the still semi-fresh hewn earth. Lor'themar reached out wordlessly and held his wife's hand as she struggled to hold back tears. For hours they sat near the foot of the twin grave and sang songs in high thalassian with mournful, pain stricken voices that they felt beyond any doubt would transcend into another realm.
End of Chapter 22