The night began to wane, and the lone hunter continued following the tracks until finally reaching a small house, one he had known for some time now. He had taken very little rest and wearily peered at the exterior. For a long time, this region had been all but serene and untouched. But unwanted guests invaded the eastern shores. Though it was still some distance away, the inhabitants fled, leaving everything behind.
Tyothiel sharply exhaled and removed his hood, wiping sweat from his hairline. He stepped closer to the entrance. Vines around the door frame had been snapped free and dangled loosely. He recalled passing by this house and occasionally greet he woman who had lived here with her family. To have someone crashing here, using it as a haven, would dishonor her memory.
He crept up to the window, clearing it of dirt and mud. From his vantage point, he had a clear view inside. All was rather quiet and still as he glanced over the room. But then his brow furrowed.
Clothing lay scattered near the foot of the bed, Thielor's dinner suit and a crumpled white gown. Soft contours formed a mound beneath the bedsheets as he and the human girl lie closely together, sleeping soundly.
Tyothiel shook his head almost regretfully. Something did not feel right since Thielor arrived. He seemed detached and distant. He had all the signs of someone who had changed. Thielor never mentioned anything of the sort in spite of what happened. This was not the son he knew.
When Thielor stood his ground regarding his human friend, Tyothiel was even more certain that she had ensnared his heart. But Thielor denied it outright, saying he loved his mother dearly.
Now all had fallen into place. Thielor was in love with this woman, and nothing else mattered.
Tyothiel stepped away, fighting the rage and bile swelling in his gut. And as he cloaked his face once more, he slipped into the dark forest near by. A minute later, he was joined by another who had been following him closely as a precaution. He was also cloaked in dark green armor, a thick bow in hand.
"All in due time," whispered Tyothiel. "They are in the house just there."
Wavy, emerald locks slipped from the man's hood as he nodded, "Good. We will wait here. I don't wish to alarm them just yet."
Leah stirred to the sound of birds singing, inhaling damp, chilly air. She stretched with a contented sigh, feeling soreness in her legs. It was hardly a surprise considering last night's ordeal. The wreckage began replaying in her mind, making her heart jump a beat or two. That book, Thielor's gift, and everything were likely burned to a crisp by now. She shook her head.
Great. Now I have to give Davin more bad news.
With that, she forced herself to think of events after their escape and suddenly felt much lighter. How foolish it was to think she wasn't enough! Thielor knew exactly how to please her, positioning her in ways that left her weak in the knees. And near dawn, they finished, breathless and silent. There was barely a chance to hear their satisfied breaths before falling right to sleep.
Leah forced herself back to the present and noticed Thielor remained beside her, still undisturbed. She turned on her side and watched his chest rise and fall steadily. The last time this happened, she woke up alone. Even more a reason to admire the hunter, maybe even more.
Leaning in, she kissed his shoulder, then his cheek. He turned, his narrow, silver eyes opening as he managed a grin despite the fatigue.
"Well, hello," he groaned in content.
She smiled through reddened cheeks. "About time you woke up. Feeling okay?"
The night elf stretched his arm above his head, nodding. "Oh, yes. You have no idea." His brow quirked in thought. "I can hardly remember the last time I slept so well."
Leah shrugged. "It's rare to these days. Everything blends together after awhile."
He kept silent. Leah's mind had wandered the entire night. In all that time, she felt compelled to voice her concerns about the ceremony. Even now as he stared at her, she wanted to, but found herself lost in his eyes. With a stretch, she twisted slightly. Her inner thigh ran softly over lean, hairy legs. A soft growl left him as he rolled over, facing her. Pulling him close, Leah hooked her leg around him. This day could not begin without feeling his body...completely.
She leaned back and felt him kiss that tender spot on her neck. His soft touch moved all over her body. She gripped his chest and could feel his heart pounding furiously. In a blink, he was on top of her. But a sudden sharp pain struck her hip, radiating down her upper thigh. With a sharp inhale, she gave at short cry. Going again just wasn't possible.
Thielor looked over her, frowning. "What's wrong?"
"My hip," she half-smiled, then winced. "I think I overexerted myself."
He smirked. "Ah. Was last night over the top?"
"Absolutely not!" Leah took a playful swat at his cheek, laughing as he lurched back, avoiding her. "It was... Oh, I don't know if I can..."
He nudged her gently. "Come on, you can tell me."
Leah glanced down and felt her muscles tighten.
"It was different."
"Different?" he chuckled in near disbelief.
"Yes. For me."
He cocked his head, speaking boastfully." Well, my dear, you are a natural. You caught onto every move rather nicely."
Leah blushed. She never even talked about this with her best friend. Doing so with a man was hardly warranted. Still, last night was far from what she expected. At one point, they were upright on the bed with her back to him. Movements were fluid and stimulating, leaving her feeling empowered, but also equal to his needs. Pleasure soared immensely, taking her to a high level of existence.
Glancing away, she found it impossible to keep from grinning.
"My goodness, Thielor...! Should we even be talking about this?"
"Of course. You have no reason to be embarrassed," he gave a peck on the cheek. "We did what was only natural. How to perform is of no requirement."
Leah took a moment to consider his words. She had very little chances to explore intimacy, and never knew it could be so expressive. Suddenly the pain in her hip seemed better. "Hmm. You're right." She flicked a brow upward and ran her index finger over his soft lips. "It's still early. Perhaps we can find another way."
"Perhaps..." he smiled, then smothered her with a kiss again. An intense heaviness filled her stomach, going all the way to the tips of her toes. His arm slid beneath her, putting such an arch in her back, she pushed against him.
Next she knew, he got to his knees, and she was scrambling to do the same, barely doing so in time to feel him grab her waist and shove her firm against the headboard. Leah felt a rush of excitement as he pushed inside, moving slowly. In a few minutes, she was breathless, shaking all over, and felt a strange sensation, much like a distant whisper in her mind. But it slipped away just as leaves drifted in the air.
Afterward, Leah sat on the edge of the bed, pulling her slip back on. Raising her arms, she stretched with a moan. Thielor crept up behind, pulling her in a soft embrace.
"Can I get you anything?"
She felt her stomach rumble and wondered if they would stay here much longer. "I'd very much like something to eat."
His lips pressed to her neck. A deep and satisfied sound left him. "Relax, my love. We will find food soon."
Thielor finally dressed and left the bed how it was found. He noticed Leah shiver as the air had suddenly chilled and placed his shirt over her shoulders. As he glanced outside, it appeared to be close to evening, but the trees were too dense here to see the sky. Thielor could only guess it was close to mid afternoon.
For a moment, a figure dashed by the window, but Thielor barely caught sight of it as he looked over Leah. Her eyes twinkled. She was so alive and radiant. He could almost feel it.
"What I wouldn't give for a bowl of potato soup right now," she crooned, holding her stomach.
With a chuckle, he took her hand. "If you're still in pain, we can go to the river. The mud there can ease soreness."
"No, I'll be fine," she assured, giving him a squeeze.
Strangely, Thielor felt his belly growling and could go for a bite as well. It would take hours to reach Astranaar, however. As he stepped forward, he reached for the door.
But then – CRACK – it burst open, sending him backward. Leah gasped and wobbled on her feet beside him. A burst of leaves and dust spread through the doorway, revealing a lone, cloaked man. Thielor could only see narrow, silver eyes glaring at them. His heart leapt into his throat.
"Who are you?" There was no response. Thielor took a step back, keeping his arm across Leah. "I said, who are you?" he demanded.
The man raised a curved dagger. Thielor swallowed.
"What do we do?" hissed Leah, slipping slightly behind him.
"Just stay calm. Don't move," Thielor replied, then addressed the man. "Listen, whoever you are, leave us alone. There is nothing here. We are not armed."
"We barely survived to get here," Leah shakily chimed in. "As you can see, the clothes on our backs is all we have!"
The cloaked visage drifted over her, making her cringe.
"All the better. It will make my job much easier," he finally spoke in a low, husky voice.
The deep purple hairs covering Thielor's chest and arms stood on end. There was something in the man's eyes and stature, but for now, he could only focus on protecting the woman. What he had suspected, however, was true. He and Leah had been marked as targets, and perhaps due to their relationship.
The man stepped closer, pointing his dagger at Leah. "You."
She kept silent, tilting her head almost curiously.
"Yes, you," continued the man. "Step away from him."
"I will not."
The dagger thrust closer. The man's voice went colder, "Do it, or pay with your life!"
Thielor could feel her trembling fingers clench tighter. He reluctantly let go and gave an assuring pat on her back, never taking his eyes off this man. Still, his heart screamed to do something, if not reason with him, but one look in his slitted gaze sent his blood pulsing.
Leah glanced at him, her eyes wide but Thielor did not have to see her fear. He felt it, just as he had felt her touch. With a shaky breath, she cautiously stepped forward, but kept some distance between herself and the man, her shoulders tense as she held up both hands.
"All right. I've done as you asked," Leah calmly said. "but first, I demand answers. We are allies. There is no reason for this!"
The man suddenly grabbed her arm, turning her until her back was to him. Thielor lunged forward, grinding his teeth but the dagger was thrust at him. He froze.
"Stay back!" warned the man, pulling her harshly into him. "You both will get your answer soon enough. And we are nothing of the sort!"
With one arm across her chest, he held the dagger at her throat, and stepped toward the door. Leah whimpered as she was practically being dragged with him, stumbling over his feet.
"Whatever it is you want, leave her out of it!" Thielor protested.
The man only tightened his grip, just barely pressing the dagger to her neck. Thielor had never felt so helpless and balled his fist as Leah's pleading eyes seared into him. She leaned her head back as far as she could, her fingers pressed tight into the man's sheathed arm.
"I'm afraid I must insist. She has violated our ways!"
"Violated?!" Leah cried. "I don't understand!"
Thielor suddenly felt confusion warring with fury. "She has done nothing wrong! Now let her go!"
Shaking his head, the man paused and gave a disdainful laugh. "What a shame," he drawled. Thielor still could not put a finger on that voice... "You truly have been blinded."
"Blinded? To what end?"
There was no answer. Thielor studied the man further as he turned and dragged Leah outside. For a second, he motioned to another. Then, perhaps intentionally, Leah stomped his foot, but it did little to stop him. In his agitation, the man seized her throat and growled. He sheathed the dagger as another cloaked figure seized the girl's wrists and bound them. They roughly bent her over and grabbed her chemise, ripping it fully from her back. The man untied his dark pants and knelt over her.
Thielor's rage swelled dangerously and concluded this had nothing to do with their relationship. It was none other than a sick need to see someone suffer.
The man glanced to him. The pointed cloth rose as he sneered, "Now let me show her how it's done. Watch if you must, but do not intervene, unless you wish to hear her last scream!"
He forced her head down. Leah gasped, "Please don't! I beg you!"
Her whimpers stung Thielor's eyes. The door slammed shut and vibrated as something heavy propped against it. Thielor heard her muffled cry and instinctively rushed to the window. He welled with despair as the man forced himself on her. Leah shrieked and clawed her fingers into the grass, wriggling helplessly, but the man latched his arm around her waist, driving into her faster. After a few minutes, he finished and threw his head back. Bright green strands slipped from his hood, clinging to his sweat-slick face. The bandanna fell off, revealing his jutted chin and bared lower teeth. He finally stood and yanked his pants back up, fastening them.
Dazed, Leah slumped into the grass. She didn't move.
"Miserable little wretch." the green-haired night elf spat. "Perhaps now you will understand."
He walked away.
Thielor could barely see her breathing. Shouting in rage, he punched the door so hard, it shook. A lifetime of brotherhood shattered before his eyes. In a flash, he felt his primal, animal-like fury overtake and kicked the door repeatedly, hoping it would open. But it wouldn't budge. Exhausted, pain-stricken, the hunter sank to his knees. He sobbed.