Two night elves sat at the edge of a river, one of them trying to get the other to meditate and attune to the intense natural forces around them.
"I'm trying, uncle. But I'm worried right now. Something seems off about this area, not to mention I haven't seen Faewing since yesterday.", replied the younger one if the two. His purple hair was long and untidy, and the beginnings of a beard had started growing on his chin. He had a handsome, somewhat rugged face, as well as brilliant green eyes and long pointed ears.
Across from him, his uncle and mentor sighed. He had an impressively long green beard and hair, with glowing blue eyes and a tired expression. He was most notable, though, for the antlers atop his head and the feathers along his arms. Everyone who came to the Dream knew who he was. Malfurion Stormrage, archdruid and leader of the night elves.
"Come on, uncle. I can meditate later. But I have to figure out what's going on. You can go train some of the other druids. I won't be long.", the young elf insisted.
Malfurion stood up, sighing again. "It is important for you to train, Eludian. But I know you can't focus like this. Try to return here within an hour or so, but I'll let you look for the faerie dragon."
Eludian smiled. "Thank you, uncle! I sure hope whatever this strange aura is-"
"I said you could look for the faerie dragon. I will investigate the strange aura myself at a later point.", Malfurion interrupted, "I don't want you to get yourself in trouble."
"I'll be fine, uncle! Seriously, I'm not a kid anymore!", Eludian complained.
"I know that, but it would be wrong for me to not worry about you from time to time.", replied Malfurion, "Surely you understand that."
Eludian sighed. "I know, I know. I'll be careful."
Malfurion nodded. "Very well. Go find Faewing."
Eludian smiled, and then took off into the woods, searching for any signs of his dragon's presence. As he ran, he unslung his staff, just in case. The Emerald Dream was the version of Azeroth if it had not developed civilization, and that meant these woods had predators.
He arrived at the edge of the river, and decided to continue along it. Faewing liked water, so it was likely he'd be around here somewhere.
Eludian sensed that the unnatural aura was stronger. He kept a wary eye out as he made his way upstream.
Suddenly, something blue hurtled out of the woods. Eludian braced himself, but all that happened was the faerie dragon showering him with sparkles.
"Yay, friend!", Faewing cheered, "Faewing made new friend!"
"So that's where you've been?", asked Eludian, "I was worried about you, you know!"
"Aw, no need to be worried.", Faewing replied, "Come, want to see new friend?"
Eludian shrugged. "I guess I have some time, Malfurion isn't expecting me for a while. Um...should I be worried? I remember when you tried to introduce me to a momma bear..."
Faewing thought about it for a moment. "No!"
"I'm not reassured.", muttered Eludian, "But fine."
Faewing started fluttering further upstream, with Eludian close behind. It wasn't long before they reached the waterfall, which Eludian remembered had a rather large cave.
"Oh no. What is it? Another bear? A pack of nightsabers?", asked Eludian.
Faewing giggled. "No and no! Wait and see!"
The faerie dragon fluttered into the hidden cave, shouting, "Wakie wakie! Faewing wants to show you favorite friend!"
There was a loud yawn that Eludian did not like the sound of. But it was unlike anything else he'd ever heard before.
"Come on!", Faewing shouted insistently, "Faewing wants you to meet them! Don't go back to sleep!"
There was a deep sigh, and the sounds of something heavy shifting. Faewing cheered, "Yay! Let's go let's go!"
Eludian braced himself for whatever Faewing had befriended, but he still was taken aback at what came out of the cave.
Titans, was that a BLACK dragon!?
Indeed it was. A full-grown one as well. Yet how on Azeroth had it gotten here, and how had Faewing befriended it?
The dragon saw him, and froze, eyes wide. Eludian felt a little relieved. If it was scared of him like that, then it was less likely that it was going to pounce on him and eat him for lunch.
"Um, greetings, dragon.", Eludian said, "My name is Eludian. Who are you, and how did you get here?"
The dragon did not let down its guard, but answered, "Ebonia. Ysera brought me here."
"The Aspect!? You surely cannot be serious! She almost never appears to anyone!", exclaimed Eludian incredulously.
Ebonia replied, "Well, that's what happened. I'm about as confused as you are."
"Hmm.", said Eludian, "I'm sure the Aspect had her reasons. It is rather notable that you didn't attack me on sight."
"You didn't give me an ample reason to.", Ebonia replied simply, "I could've easily slaughtered you if I felt like it."
Eludian replied, "And I don't doubt that. But the important thing here is that you didn't. Now I'm growing curious about the story of why Ysera brought you here."
Ebonia said, "Not interested in telling it."
Eludian sensed an edge to her voice, and guessed that something bad had happened that she didn't want to talk about. He knew better than to try and push a dragon, so he decided not to press the topic.
Glancing around, he noticed the sun sinking to the west. He knew he had to return soon, or Malfurion wouldn't be pleased.
"I have to go now.", he said, "It was nice meeting you. Come on Faewing. The Archdruid is waiting for us."
Faewing didn't seem very happy, but she fluttered over to Eludian's side.
"Leaving so soon?", Ebonia asked. She seemed genuinely saddened.
Eludian nodded. "Yes. But...perhaps I could visit you again sometime. You seem somewhat lonely, and not too untrustworthy. But for now, I have to go."
Ebonia replied, "Yes...I suppose that would be fine."
"Faewing will be sure to visit often!", chirped the faerie dragon, "Don't worry friend!"
Ebonia seemed a little more contented by that.
"Let's go, Faewing. Farewell, Ebonia. May Elune bless you.", Eludian said, then turned and started heading back down the river.
He didn't think much of it at the time, but this was the start of a companionship that would last far and long...