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Both Sides Now	By : Firefall_Varuna Category: +S through Z > World of Warcraft Views: 4996 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own World of Warcraft, races, characters, settings, or themes presented within. I do not make money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Chapter 12 – Mending

"By the Sunwell, the two of you produced a miracle." Sergeant Emberblade exclaimed in an awestruck, almost revenant voice as he cautiously pressed the wound in her side. His short, straight, reddish-blonde hair was tousled as though Falcon had dragged him from bed and brought him directly here. "From necrotic to mostly healed overnight. If I hadn't witnessed it – I wouldn't have believed it."
Una shuddered as the blonde healer continued to meticulously examine the area, sending magic deep into the wound tract to gauge the progress of healing. Each touch sent a ripple of pain through her, but it was pale in comparison to what she had experienced over the past several days. His gloved fingers didn't burn like they had been dipped in acid as he touched her flesh.
The young woman still wasn't sure what had happened beyond the simple fact that Rain and Falcon had healed her. She knew a few details, but much of it still eluded her. Just last night, she had been dying and the healers had moved to simply making her as comfortable as possible. Now, she was not only alive but apparently recovering well.
"The credit belongs to Rain." Falcon responded coolly from the opposite edge of the bed, crossing his arms over his muscular chest. He inclined his head towards the slumbering elf, "The suffering he has experienced over the years allows him a greater empathy for others… far beyond the norm."
"Years?" Emberblade repeated questioningly. He stared at the pale Sin'dorei beside her and Una could easily guess his thoughts. Rain looked to be the same age as Walen, though perhaps slightly older. Granted, their Kaldorei cousins measured time even more differently than their people; everything was young compared to them. However, now that the subject was being discussed she could see Rain looked young even to her. Dismay was evident in the Sergeant's tone as he continued, "But… he's a… he isn't even that old…"
"And I am his protector." The violet haired druid growled, his gravelly voice even deeper in warning.
"My apologies, I meant no disrespect." The sergeant said hurriedly, holding his hands up in a gesture both placating and somewhat alarmed. "I fear I've been encountering too many young ones as of late with similar sad tales."
Falcon grunted, but otherwise said nothing. Una winced as Emberblade busied himself with removing a series of sutures in her side, but restrained herself from commenting. The tension was so thick, she was sure she could have cut it with a knife. If the druid didn't trust Sergeant Emberblade, why would he have fetched him instead of another healer?
Una gave up attempting to understand. At this point, all she truly wanted to do was sleep and it was starting to make her irritable. She turned her head to look past Rain and Falcon to gaze longingly at the window. The first thing Falcon had done before fetching Sergeant Emberblade was open the window a crack to begin cooling the room. The lightly stirring curtains were now buttery yellow with the morning sunlight. Beyond she could see the trees, golden in their eternal autumn hues.
Through the window came the sound of wind chimes ringing out a random pattern of notes that yet somehow sounded like a pleasant melody. It brought back childhood memories. Somewhere, perhaps right beneath her window, would be her Uncle's garden – though she couldn't tell which side of the house she was on. His garden was a physical manifestation of his eccentric, somewhat whimsical personality. The winding paths through the garden had enchanted her as a child and she yearned to lose herself there once again. Forget, even for a few minutes, what had brought her to this point.
"Now that you're up, I think I'll take my heart and sleep for a few more hours." Falcon stated abruptly as he rose to his feet and stretched. Una was once again treated to a full view of the Night Elf and she felt her cheeks flush. Her disobedient eyes traced down his muscular abdomen, admiring the way his muscles moved beneath his flesh, to the violet curls, and the rest of the way down.
"Of course. Sleep well and thank you." The sergeant said with a bow of his head. As embarrassed as she was, it was virtually impossible not to watch as Falcon lifted the pale elf, still not bothering to don a shred of clothing.
Sergeant Emberblade followed her gaze as she watched the violet haired Night Elf carry the sleeping healer from the room.
Una blushed as she met the other paladin's eyes. A wicked grin stretched across the blonde's features and she knew she was in trouble, "I do so hate to make you the butt of my joke, but I hope you enjoyed their assets."
Una issued him a mock glare, "I hate you." The phrase, which she intended to be in jest, came out a whine as the pressure from his gloved hands pulled at her wound. The skin felt rough and somewhat raw, a lingering rash perhaps?
Sergeant Emberblade laughed and cast a healing spell on the spot, "I am only teasing. To be completely fair, the room is absolutely stifling and they were here for most of the night…"
"By the Ancestors, that view will sustain me for months!" A feminine voice cackled. The voice had the same kind of deep, yet very feminine tone Meigmoga had. "I swear, the Night Elves must chisel those asses from marble!"
Emberblade gasped, his face stormy, "Lady Basya! I am utterly insulted!" His face suddenly assumed a smirk, "Surrounded by fine Blood Elven specimens and you notice a Night Elf?"
"Good morning, Una, Rune." Basya, Garrack's eldest daughter, laughed again as she reached Una's bedside. When Falcon had said orc maiden, she had assumed Meigmoga. It made her wonder just how many people had come to their aid. "Well, now that you mention it, I do need a basis for comparison." The orc woman casually flicked a finger towards Emberblade's simple black slacks. "Drop 'em."
In spite of her weariness, Una giggled at the blonde's comically startled expression. It was as though she were seeing him for the first time; she couldn't be sure if Emberblade was serious or just playing along.
Rune smirked and hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his pants. "I think Una's had more than enough excitement of that kind for today." He said perhaps a bit too smoothly.
The brown haired orc gave him a smile that looked split between knowing and amused. She brushed her hands off on her intricately beaded gown of burgundy homespun and donned a pair of gloves.
"Rune, her hand is looking a little puffy…" Basya said as she gingerly lifted Una's left hand. The young woman could see her hand was swollen, especially around the site of the needle protruding from the back of her hand. From her training, Una knew the intravenous fluids had leaked into the tissues of her hand rather than into her vein.
"It's infiltrated." She whispered as Sergeant Emberblade briefly examined her hand for himself.
"That it is." Rune announced in confirmation, his voice sounding annoyed and somewhat weary. He looked to Basya, "I'll remove it; can you perhaps coax the fluids into absorbing? She's to remain on intravenous medications for the interim."
"I'll give it a try." Basya replied, moving a stool closer to the bedside. "I'm no healer; we might need to get Mama."
"My lady, that demonstration last night indicates otherwise." The sergeant stated as the shaman settled by her bedside. "I was quite impressed with your work on your father."
"Is Garrack and the others okay?" Una asked, genuinely curious. Falcon had mentioned them, but had given her no details. After she had fallen asleep after Faraji tended to her, she hadn't seen any of them.
"Papa's back was broken..." Basya stated matter-of-factly. Una gasped in horror, her mind reeling. To her knowledge, the Horde reviled any sign of weakness within their own. What would happen to him? The shaman exclaimed hurriedly, "He's fine! He's fine!"
"In fact, I must say that he looked quite contented holding your son." Rune commented, cautiously pulling the intravenous needle from the back of her hand. He pressed a bit of gauze to the spot to stop the flow of blood long enough to cast a healing spell.
"He loves being a grandfather. Bringing Tarod up here with me was the best thing I could have done for him." The shaman agreed, the smell of rain and surf rising as she employed her healing magic. "Papa tends to get… discouraged… when he's badly injured." Basya's voice trailed off as she concentrated.
Rune watched her a moment and then began to check Una's other wounds. "I shall wait until she's done before I start a new line… Your companions are expected to recover. I imagine they will be quite relieved when they hear of your survival."
Una sighed in relief and felt as though she was sinking deeper into the mattress as Basya's magic began to work. She yawned. Perhaps they'd let her sleep after this. "What about Walen?"
"Last night was quite harrowing for him as well, but he's expected to recover now that – well, now that he's been cured." Emberblade wasn't telling her the entire truth, not that she could blame him. Una would probably be loath to give a patient in the same situation any alarming details.
The smell of Basya's healing spells and the quiet peace of the room was a powerful combination; Una gingerly yawned, slight pain flaring in her jaw at the movement. She shut her eyes with a contented sigh and drifted to sleep.

Falcon paced the small room while Rain slept on the soft bed. He knew, he too should join his mate but so much had happened since last night, sleep eluded him. A ragged cough came from the bed and Falcon quickly moved to lull Rain back to sleep, the elf had given too much yesterday. As he calmed the slumbering Sin'dorei he felt a pull on his magic, Rain was subconsciously trying to recharge from the strenuous healing from last night. The druid willingly let him take what he had.
"Stop that!"
Falcon startled at the voice and felt his knees buckle. A strong arm caught him before he hit the ground, but let him continue his descent until he rested on the plush carpet. He glanced up into the angry eyes of an orc.
"You've given enough!" The orc maiden said, "You are just as exhausted as the child." Meigmoga glared down at him with a disapproving look.
"He needs it more than I do, Lady Meigmoga …"
"Just Maggie is fine," she said as she reached down, grabbing him under the arms and lifted him up to sit on the bed. Though he towered over her if he had the strength to stand, she moved him with ease. The shaman's healing magic entered him, refreshing as she did a motherly check, with the clucking included. After last night Falcon respected the orc healer and let her check him over as he reached to hold Rain's cool hand. To his dismay fingers curled around his.
"You should be sleeping," he said.
"Seems to be the theme of the day," Rain replied with a smirk. "Where are we? How is she?"
"Her fever has broken; I left her with the paladin we met last night…"
"Which one?" Rain asked with a yawn, "I swear we met half of the Blood Knights of Silvermoon, so much for secrecy."
"They just wanted to help one of their own," Maggie said as she reached over and placed her hand on top of theirs. "Go ahead, I have plenty." A swirl of cobalt magic seemed to leave the shaman's hand and coil around Rain's arm, his Heart let out a content sigh.
"Rune," Falcon replied, answering Rain's question.
"The blue one," Rain said as color returned to his pale cheeks.
"Blue?" Maggie asked, standing up.
"His aura," Rain replied, "It's blue… it's hard to explain."
"What does my aura look like?" Maggie asked, genuine curious.
"Yellow," Rain answered, "Warm… safe."
Maggie seemed pleased with that answer. "Thank you for including me last night; it was a wondrous sight to behold. I have never been in the presence of such … power … energy." The orc was having trouble finding a word to explain what she had seen.
"Thank you," Rain said, "For adding your strength to the circle. I couldn't have healed them both without you; the demon has his claws firmly in the heart of the boy. I hadn't had to fight for release that hard in a long time." Falcon saw the telltale signs and quickly grabbed a nearby bucket for Rain to heave into.
"Damn it," the druid growled as black sludge left the lips of his mate. "I knew there was more! You did too much… you always do too much." Resting his forehead against Rain, Falcon tapped into his own magic and forced it into the healer, helping with the purge, seeking out any lingering darkness. Their consciousness touched the secret place within and they both tested it to find it still securely locked. Relieved Falcon separated himself from Rain and found that hours had passed. Rain and he were still in the bedroom, but the sun was higher in the sky.
"All well?" A cool voice asked and Falcon glanced over at the paladin standing in the doorway.
"Red," Rain whispered and druid frowned.
"We are fine, Commander Whitebrook, the expulsion of demons is a messy business," Falcon glanced around for the bucket from earlier. "Did you burn it?"
"Yes," Anaru said entering the room. "Gave the shaman quite the scare, she thought the child might have become possessed himself." The paladin bent down reaching for Rain's face.
Falcon growled and the hand moved to the pale shoulder. He could tell the paladin was doing his own check on Rain, and allowed it. "Nothing," Anaru said after a moment, pulling his hand back. "I would have liked to been included in last night's healing circles … they are my family …"
"You were too close to the situation," Rain replied, Falcon was glad to hear strength return to the healer's voice. "I needed calm and focus and you were neither. How is your brother?"
"Alert," Anaru said, "But quiet, even more so than normal."
"Don't push him," Rain said, "He needs time now."
"As do you," Falcon said, "And food." The druid glanced up at the paladin still standing close to the bed. It took a moment but the message came clear to Anaru who gave a curt nod and walked out the room mumbling under his breath about being a Commander and not a servant.
"Be wary around him," his blind mate whispered, as pale arms wrapped around Falcon from behind, "I don't like the way he looks at me."
"He's curious," Falcon said with a shrug as he patted the arm around his neck. "If you would like, I'll have the magister make a portal for home immediately." The druid knew he failed to hide his eagerness.
Rain sighed and kissed his neck. "Not yet my heart," he said, "Please, I need to make sure."
"As you wish," Falcon replied.

The world faded into a haze as Una slept her way through the days and nights. Her strength was slowly returning bit by bit, though progress was frustratingly slow.
Faraji and Emmie came to visit her frequently. If Sergeant Emberblade was present, he dutifully translated whatever the priest had to say. Emmie always came the moment she was off duty from guarding the house, still dressed head to toe in the armor of a Blood Knight.
Faraji relayed that Nantan, Tallak, and he had been severely ill, rather than significantly wounded which eased Una's mind immensely. Now cured, they were already well on their way to recovery. Garrack's back was mending well, though the troll wished he'd retire. Faraji's son, Otieno, was already feeling well enough that he was becoming a pest even though his arm would remain in a sling for most of the winter.
Emmie hesitantly brought news of the Scourge Invasion and Una knew the red head was leaving out quite a few details for her benefit. She made it sound like a minor incident, though there was hesitation in her words and evasiveness in her body language that told Una volumes. The Blood Knights had lost good men and women to the Scourge, but they would survive and avenge their fallen as was their way.
It went on like this until one lazy morning and after her morning visits from Garrack and her companions, she attempted to determine what day it was. It had been midway through October when she arrived at Light's Hope Chapel and she'd spent three days there preparing for her trials. She lost several days while she was in and out of consciousness until the Farstrider scouting party had found their camp site. After that, she had been sedated. She startled. It had been two weeks since Rain and Falcon had arrived.
She was still trying to reckon what day it was when she heard the delighted cry of a baby and the throaty chuckle of an orc. The door swung open, "Throm ka! You get a visit from the morale officer!" Dagan announced without preamble, giving her a wide smile that stretched from ear to ear, striding confidently across the carpet to her bedside. Seated in the crook of his leather-clad arm was his infant son.
"Morning!" Una greeted sleepily, "I was wondering if you were here…"
"Oh yeah, I've been around. Just not much a hunter can do to help." Dagan replied. "Just got back from a little outing. At any rate, I wanted to introduce you to my son, Tarod." To Una's dismay, he leaned over and carefully placed the baby in her lap. She was a soldier, caring for babies wasn't something she truly had much experience with.
"Hello, Tarod." Una told the baby. When she was rewarded by a wide smile, she glanced up at Dagan to see how he was reacting more than anything.
"Yeah, he's a flirt. Six months old as of last week." The hunter grinned and rubbed a hand reflexively over the rough, dark stubble covering his jaw. "Course, he's fresh from a nap and got all the unpleasant baby stuff out of his system. So you get him at his best."
Una found herself looking appraisingly at the wide, twisting scar that marred Dagan's forehead. No, marred wasn't the right word… for such an obvious and large scar, it didn't look horrible. Oddly, she found herself thinking it looked good on him.
"That healed well." Una told him, attempting to steady the baby as he leaned sideways abruptly.
Dagan grinned and self-consciously rubbed the scar, apparently unconcerned. "Sure did, thanks to you."
Una gazed down at the infant in her lap as he let loose a shrill cry and then a giggle. Human babies always took her by surprise; to her they aged alarmingly quickly. Evidently, orc children were the same way. Six months wasn't a terribly long time. Tarod was smiling up at her, his grin every bit as large as his father's. Two tiny tusks were already peeking over the edges of his lips. He giggled and patted the heavy cast on her arm with his tiny, green-skinned hands.
Tarod suddenly noticed the tubing running from Una's arm to the bottle overhead. One pudgy green hand reached for it. Dagan rumbled something in Orcish, hurriedly swept the tubing away from the curious little hands, and scooped his son up. "I'll be glad when everything stops going in his mouth."
"I bet. Umm… Have you seen Sergeant Emberblade?" Una asked, glad the child was no longer in her lap. She honestly didn't know how she was supposed to react to him.
"Talking with my wife, actually." Dagan replied, bouncing his son on his arm. "Anything I can help with?"
"I'm just hungry." Una shrugged and leaned her head back into the pillows to stretch her neck.
"After what you've been through, an appetite is a good sign." Dagan replied, walking to the door and looking both ways out of it. He stepped through the threshold and into the hall.
He returned a moment later with Basya and Sergeant Emberblade in tow.
"Rain and Falcon are returning home tomorrow morning." Basya declared, "Your Uncle is holding a brunch in their honor, since by dinner all of you are sleeping already. Think you feel up to going downstairs?"
"I think so." The young woman wasn't sure at all. She still tired extremely easily and those simple, everyday things she once did without thinking were now arduous tasks that all took assistance. "Worst case scenario: I fall asleep on everyone."
"I think that is a risk we shall take." Sergeant Emberblade said, though the cheery words sounded forced. All morning long, the normally talkative paladin had been oddly taciturn.
"Are you all right?" Una whispered in Thalassian to him as he unhooked her from the intravenous drip.
"I'm fine." He replied quietly in Thalassian. "Merely a bit of personal drama. I shall spare you the sordid details."
Basya emerged from the closet with a loose, crimson robe with wide sleeves. "I think this might fit over her cast."
It was one of her Aunt Illoria's robes. Una remembered her wearing it on one of her family's visits when she was young. Part of her wanted to beg Basya against putting it on her, but held her tongue.
"Perhaps it will. Let's see." Rune flipped the covers back from her legs and pulled her to the side of the bed, carefully rotating her until her legs were off the bed. Basya carefully held the sleeve open as Rune held her cast up. It just barely fit.
"A trifle long for her, but no matter." Emberblade said with an approving nod, "She's decent."
"Want me to get her?" Dagan asked, handing Tarod off to his wife.
"No, I can carry her." The red-blonde elf replied, kneeling and attempting to find a good grip. "Just do make sure I don't trip over anything."
Una held her breath as he lifted her, pain flaring from her wounds at drastic change in position. She used to like it as a child, though now it only reminded her of how weak she was. The two orcs walked ahead of them, warning him as he approached the stairs. As he tentatively started down with the couple's guidance, the lady paladin concluded she definitely didn't like being carried anymore.
"… It's not that I fear orc cock. In fact, I find it rather enjoyable under the right circumstances." Falcon's gravelly voice carried easily out into the hallway before they'd even made it down the stairs. Shockingly so, in the two weeks they'd been here, he'd done a lot of growling, mumbling, and glaring but never truly raising his voice within the confines of the house. The subject matter too was slightly surprising, tales of sexual conquest wasn't something typically discussed in mixed or polite company. Though as she understood it, the pair had made use of her Uncle's garden more than once.
She wasn't the only one somewhat surprised by the subject matter. Basya was hiding a smirk by kissing her son's tiny cheek as her husband struggled to control his laughter. Una glanced up at Rune as he carefully stepped down the last two steps; his only response was a mute shrug. The parlor door was partially open, a shaft of sunlight painting a bright stripe across the deep maroon carpeting.
"And what circumstances might that be?" Maggie's voice sounded genuinely amused. Una could hear chuckles and snickers erupt.
"Drunk off my ass, usually, ma'am." The druid answered. It was perhaps the most pleasant Falcon had been towards the others that she had heard.
Still fighting laughter, Dagan pushed the door open the rest of the way to permit Rune to easily enter.
"The only orc I've bedded with seemed to enjoy male companionship, I'm sorry I took his fondness as a way of your people." Falcon continued as they entered.
"Interesting conversation to walk in on." Una commented. Blissfully, her voice had strengthened over the past two weeks. Her voice was still soft, but it was finally audible.
At the head of the table, Garrack had his face covered with one massive hand, the slender stem of an empty elven wine glass lightly clasped in the other. At the sound of her voice he lowered the palm with a happy rumble, "Well, look who's up!" He looked oddly relieved, though Una had only spoken with him earlier in the morning.
The Captain's weathered face was an even deeper green than normal; Una momentarily thought it bruising. She smirked when it dawned on her he was blushing fervently. Maggie, in good spirits, leaned on the back of his chair and draped her arms loosely around his thick, muscular neck and broad shoulders.
Rune sat her down carefully before a low, overstuffed chair that had already been draped with extra pillows and blankets. He and Dagan guided her slowly down until she was enveloped by the plush upholstery and blankets. The blonde paladin covered her lap with another blanket and stepped back to lean against the wall next to her Uncles. The couple took seats on the opposite side of the table from her.
It was probably the oddest gathering she'd ever attended. So many at this table would have possibly been enemies had they been anywhere else but they were all in good spirits, relaxed, and enjoying each other's company.
At the far end of the large, oval table of richly stained wood Faraji, Otieno, and Nantan were playing cards once again while Tallak chatted with her cousin Valeene. The cards laying next to them suggested they had been playing as well until only recently.
Valeene had the face of a Whitebrook, but her father's complexion. A smattering of red freckles crossed the bridge of her delicately arched nose. She casually tossed her blonde tresses away from her face and leaned forward a bit more. Tallak, still pale from his own brush with the Plague, was perhaps the most animated and outgoing she had ever seen the orc.
Whatever the ranger and the hunter were passionately discussing, it had their faces flushed with excitement. An open map lay between them, several spots already marked. Their conversation was quiet, vanishing beneath the volume of the main discussion with ease.
Rain, the healer who had saved her life, was quietly listening to the discussion with a faint smile. His was an expression she couldn't quite fathom, though she concluded it was due to the blindfold. On one hand, he seemed mildly… disturbed, or perhaps the word she was looking for was distressed, by the conversation. However, he, like everyone else at the table, also seemed genuinely amused.
To his right, sat Walen. The young elf was withdrawn and brooding, which seemed to be the norm according to Sergeant Emberblade. He was half-heartedly drawing something within a sketch book, his pencil moving languidly across the paper with deliberate strokes. His bald, scarred head was propped on one hand as he stared at the paper. Without his hair, his ears seemed awkwardly large and her attention was equally drawn to a crook in his nose that painfully suggested he had had it broken several times recently. His expression seemed bored, but he was far too engrossed with whatever he was sketching to actually be bored.
To Rain's left sat the ill-tempered druid, Falcon, who seemed to be enjoying the flute of mimosa he had been given. He was relaxed for the first time that Una had seen, leaning back on his chair casually.
Several chairs to her right were empty, presumably for her Uncles and Rune. She counted and there were two extra as well.
Weirdly the table was already set with an assortment empty serving dishes, bowls, and gilt platters though they were all still clean. Brunch had obviously not been served yet, though she wasn't entirely clear why the table was set like it was.
"I won't say males never bed another male, but it is rare unless females are hard to come by." Maggie replied as Garrack reached up to take one of her hands. "May I ask the name of this orc?"
"He goes by the name Demoncraft." Falcon replied.
"Hooo, boy." Dagan groaned with a roll of his eyes. Una noted looks of recognition on the other orcs faces as well.
"So you know of him." The druid said, looking to some extent incredulous. Though tinged with disbelief, it wasn't a question.
"Yes," Maggie nodded with a slight grimace, "That orc has quite the… carnal appetite …"
"If that's what you call it." Garrack growled, "Poor Betsy was never the same after he got done with her."
Una sucked in a loud, surprised breath which set her off into a coughing fit and heads ratcheted around to stare at her in alarm. At Sergeant Emberblade's inquiring touch, she shook her head to indicate she was fine. When the fit ended, she shrugged weakly, "News to me."
Maggie frowned and mouthed her words for only a moment before her jaw dropped. She looked to her husband, "Tell me you did not nickname that poor girl Betsy!" Maggie exclaimed loudly, looking mildly angry.
"After Dagda's rag doll, I swear." Garrack exclaimed hurriedly, though his expression was humorous, "The little pink one! The one I thought was supposed to be a pig!"
Maggie's nostrils flared once, but she went no further.
"He'll bed anything with a pulse," Tallak finally spoke up with a shake of his head. "Haven't seen him in some time, wondered if he'd gotten himself killed."
Uncle Eilonel cleared his throat, despite the mage's reddened face; his eyes were twinkling with amusement. "So to quite blatantly change the subject, are we perhaps ready to dine?"
Snickers went around the table along with nods of confirmation.
"Who were we waiting on again?" Garrack rumbled gratefully, nodding his thanks as a servant refilled his wine flute.
"My eldest son and his fiancee, but I fear that conversation will likely go the same as the one we are concluding." Uncle Eilonel said with a smirk, his shoulders rising and falling in a soundless chuckle that was audibly echoed around the table.
With a nod to Nelaniu, the mages stepped up to the table. With what appeared to her as a simple gesture, swirls of bluish magic stirred across the tablecloth. Nelaniu's hand hovered above her plate, a smaller circle of magic appearing above the fine china.
A covered china bowl was suddenly sitting before her. Una looked up in surprise and turned her head to look up at her Uncle. Pleased with her reaction, a wide grin spread across the battle-mage's face as he leaned over and removed the cover to reveal oatmeal with small, tender pieces of peach. He yelped and quickly put the cover down, waving his scalded fingers a moment. "Just slightly too warm." He commented to her in amusement.
After savoring the aroma drifting to her, Una glanced up at the table as food bloomed across the table, all steaming as though fresh from the kitchens.
"Sergeant, I shall let you sit next to her." Uncle Nelaniu said softly, taking a seat two chairs down. Rune took the seat beside her and stirred her oatmeal with a delicate spoon.
"Walen, would you please be as kind as to put that away so we might eat?" Uncle Eilonel asked her younger cousin gently.
Walen merely glanced up at him briefly with his eyes, not even bothering to lift his head, and returned to his drawing.
Both Garrack and her Uncle looked like they both might say something when the door swung open once more.
"Sorry we're late, we were… having a discussion." Anaru said, holding the door for Emmie as she entered before him. Snickers once again rose up around the table accompanied by knowing looks.
Despite seeing Emmie this morning, the red head hurried over to embrace Una tightly. Emmie's face was flushed with excitement. She made a slightly exaggerated movement with her hand and Una caught a flash of a ring upon her finger. Her cousin had apparently made their engagement official.
Uncle Eilonel coughed and issued Anaru a barely perceptible nod in Walen's direction. His expression was a clear, Deal with your brother.
"Good morning, Walen." Anaru said pointedly. It was a tone of voice she knew well. After all, it was the same tone he used with reticent civilians; and, it meant he expected a reply. It generally worked too.
As with her Uncle, Walen merely glanced up at him sullenly and his lips moved in the pantomime of a greeting.
"I haven't seen you pick up a sketch pad since before mother died," Anaru stated patiently, though his voice remained in that same tone. "You used to have quite a talent. Care if I take a look?"
Walen didn't respond. Anaru cast an apologetic look and began to slip around the table. A sly grin spread across Garrack's face.
"He your youngest?" Captain Backbreaker asked, his eyes on Walen as the youth continued to sullenly draw.
"My youngest is away at the moment." Uncle Eilonel said. "Contrary to his behavior, that one there is nearly of age."
Anaru was behind Walen, the younger elf seemingly unaware of his presence. Una mashed her lips together and fought the urge to giggle. Quick as a cat, Anaru snatched the book from him. "Ooh, he's drawing a girl!" He announced loudly.
Laughter exploded as Walen snarled in fury and leaped from his chair. In one smooth movement, Rain, who had been sitting quietly from the moment she entered the room, had rose to his feet, swept the sketchpad from Anaru's hands, and offered it back to Walen. Una stared at the blind healer as he stood facing Anaru, his body settled into a defensive stance. Anaru was fast, but he had just been one-upped by a blind man.
Anaru had a strange look upon his face. He wasn't surprised, nor was he especially amused. He mashed his lips together and raised and lowered his eyebrows once. He quietly made his way back around the table to take his place beside Emmie.
Meanwhile, Falcon had taken Rain by the wrist and had pulled him back down into his seat. The druid muttered something to the pale healer, bringing forth a brief shiver.
However, Anaru's act had been enough to encourage Walen to set his sketch book aside as he was initially asked to.
Una shook her head and gazed longingly at her bowl of oatmeal. After two weeks of a liquid diet, the idea of returning to real food was heavenly – even if she couldn't actually feed herself yet.
"A toast!" Garrack rumbled after everyone had been served, lifting his glass, "Here's to the strange guests in House Whitebrook and the good fortune they bring!"
"Here! Here!" Anaru echoed.
By the time they had finished and Rune had carried her back to her room, Una was more asleep than awake. Rain and Falcon had retired to the garden and Rune seemed to be in a hurry to make it outside himself. Una felt herself flush and was glad her window was shut. It had been too long since her last roll in the hay and it was far too easy for her imagination to run wild.
She shut her eyes as she tried to remember. The last time she had been with another had actually been Soren Dawnwalker in Ratchet. While she knew it had just been casual sex, she couldn't help but wonder if he would be willing to pursue something more. Una chided herself for being foolish yet again. Soren and she had been very clear with each other that it was nothing more than that.
A heavy wave of fatigue overtook her like an ocean swell. In the span of a single battle, she had lost years of hard work. She was the weakest she had ever been in her adult life. A simple meal and companionship had left her drained and exhausted to her very core.

The night before…
Rain, Lifemate to Falcon Crystalpath, decided he really enjoyed the sensation of lying naked on silk. He loved how the cool smoothness felt on his skin. The sheets still held the scent of the earlier lovemaking session. Stretching he chased away the lingering touches of drowsiness from his afternoon nap. Falcon had been right, he needed that. It seemed like he had been on high alert for the past weeks, always one eye on those he had healed and the other on the elves called "his people." His Heart had also been right about the dangerous situation he had placed them both in. The longer they stayed here, the more chances of their secret getting out. Walen and Una had both recovered from their physical wounds; it was the injuries unseen that worried the young healer. He should try talking to Walen again; sadly he was afraid his appearance caused the other distress.
Suddenly a feeling of not being alone overtook him and he cursed silently at the same time he kept his face devoid of his apprehension. Magister Eilonel had sworn that they would be safe. Though his eyes had been removed by his own hand, Rain could see as clearly as any sighted being, if he took the time to "look." As he did so now, he picked up the life-force of another in the corner of the room he shared with Falcon. If it had been the druid he would have known it already. This one was wrapped in a shield of Light and pissed, that only left a couple of choices, his mother or… "Like what you see Commander Anaru?" he asked, tilting his head toward the brooding elf.
"I didn't want to wake you," the other said brusquely, "You have done much for my family, and you've earned your rest."
"And yet…" Rain said, covering himself with a nearby blanket.
"And yet, I don't trust you." Anaru said approaching the bed. Rain frowned at the closeness and glanced toward the door. "Your keeper is out in the forest with the orc shaman, Maggie, collecting herbs," the paladin said, not hiding the smirk in his voice.
"He is not my keeper," Rain said, "He's my mate." He easily caught the hand headed for his face. "Please, don't…"
"Why?" Anaru asked, making no attempt to remove his hand from Rain's grasp. "What are you hiding?"
"That question has a thousand answers and none," Rain said. "I saved your brother's and your cousin's lives as you pleaded me to do that night. That should be the only answer you need."
"Not good enough," Anaru replied. The spell cast caught Rain by surprised and before he could fight the stun his blindfold was pulled away with a yank. The paladin let out a gasp.
"Like what you see?" Rain asked, his irritation clearly showing. He hated how he looked, Falcon and Crystal called him beautiful, but he was no fool… flesh where eyes should be would unsettle the strongest warriors.
"Demon hunters take out their eyes, but in their place grow sights beyond mortals, how do you still see?" Anaru demanded.
"The same way blind men see," Rain replied holding out his hand for the blindfold. "I sense things around me…"
"Liar," Anaru said, "you can sense a spider on the wall, you can heal wounds that no other mortal healer can mend… you see things way to clearly, my brother."
"I am no brother of yours," Rain replied. His peace from earlier lost, the elf wanted no more than the strength of his Heart's arms around him. He knew the Paladin meant well in his one way but the young elf had enough of this.
"You are more brother to me than mate to a Kaldorei!" Anaru challenged. "You belong here with the Sin'dorei; your gifts should be for the people of Silvermoon."
Annoyance turned to fear. "Do you mean to keep me here against my wishes then?" Rain asked his heart racing.
Before the paladin could answer the door to the room burst open and all hell broke loose. Rain threw himself off the bed and intercepted the large, sleek panther charging toward Anaru. The three of them tumbled to the ground. Rain wrapped his arms tightly around the snarling beast and pushed him away from the paladin. "I'm okay," he said, "I was taken by surprise, that's all… please be calm, please… I want to go home."
Falcon made no attempt to revert back to his elf form as more Sin'dorei raced into the room. Rain quickly buried his face into the ebony fur of the panther to hide his sightless eyes.
"What is going on?" the battle-mage, Nelaniu, demanded.
Rain sensed an increase in magical energies in the room and quickly cast a shield around himself and Falcon, it wouldn't hold up long against the fury of a mage.
"Calm down," the Magister said, "Everyone calm the hell down! You are all guests in my house and I will not have you shed blood! Son, what did you do?"
"He's too valuable of a healer to rot away as some Kaldorei's slut," Anaru said. "He should stay here with his people, he is no demon hunter. I don't know what he is, but perhaps if we study him we can reproduce…"
Rain started to shake and the fur gave away to the strong arms of Falcon. "Study him?" The druid snarled. "You want to know how to reproduce an elf like my Heart? You start young, just a babe and your mother sells you to a demon, after killing your father in front of your eyes. Then you spend your entire youth being taught how to be a Demon Hunter, failure to do so is death. And let's not forget watching your first love killed as you watch. Follow that up with years of servitude to a sadistic demon, spent locked up hours in cage not big enough for a puppy, and your magic forcefully bled from you, kept in a constant state of hunger. If you still have your mind after that, then we'll remove your ability to speak aloud. After that you spend another couple weeks in a cavern we called Hell, where your only chance to save the elves you now love is to complete the training you started all those years ago and become what you hated, a demon hunter. Afterwards you lock a part of you away forever and spend the rest of your life blind."
The room was a stunned silence. "You forgot the most important part," Rain said softly, "Love. I do not know the way of the Sin'dorei; all my interactions with them up to this point have been painful. But with Falcon I have experienced love that few ever have the chance to. Please, do not take that away from me or you will be studying a corpse. I will not live without him and I know him, he will die before he allows you to take me."
"Men," Esmea said exasperated, "I don't care what race you are, where you were born… you're all idiots. I gave my word that you two would be protected while you were here and safely returned to your home once you finished. My oath has not changed; has yours beloved?" As she spoke the cloth of Rain's blindfold slid over his head and she tied it into place, allowing him to raise his face.
"His home is here," Anaru said, but the force behind the words had diminished.
"I know it's cliché but home is where my heart is," Rain said, "and a very big piece of my heart is about to give birth to our daughter. I want to go home… tomorrow," he added quickly, "I'll need to see Una and Walen one last time, later tonight. But I think they are in very good hands here to finish their healing process."
"And how long do you think that will be?" Magister Eilonel asked.
"It's truly up to them," Rain said, "They will know when they are mended."
"I'll make sure the portal is ready," the mage said with a bow. "I apologize for my son's behavior, it was uncalled for, and you are safe here and will be safely returned as our agreement. We appreciate all that you have done. It is a debt I will never be able to repay but if an old mage could ever be of service to you, please let me know."
"Just keep the Commander away from my Heart the reminder of our stay and I'll be content," Falcon said coolly.
"I'll take care of that," Esmea said, "He'll be too tied up to bother you guys. Come beloved, you've caused enough trouble for one day."

It was nearly dark when Una woke from her nap, the room lit glowing crystals mounted in the lamp fixtures and the light from the fireplace. The curtains were orange now as the fading rays of the sun filtered through her window.
Her eyes fell upon a letter that had been delivered this morning, still laying on the enchanted tray floating barely a foot over the surface of the bed. Una hadn't wished to read it; she had wanted to be in good spirits for the brunch, something she would admit to not having much of at the moment.
To grant her some limited motion, Rune had deactivated a few of the arcane pins that were immobilizing her shoulder, cautioning her against lifting anything. Gingerly, Una lifted her left arm as high as she dared and batted the letter off onto the comforter.
Unable to break the wax, Una was forced to awkwardly tear the letter open bit by bit with the fingers of her right hand. Within was penned a letter with her mother's writing, but the letters were harshly written and Una knew this would be painful.
The door sighed open as she was reading, Una refused to look up to see who it was, knowing her red-rimmed eyes would give away the tears and anger just below the surface. It was one moment when she truly wanted to be alone. No tricks, no secret juvenile desire for someone to hunt her down.
Her parents had proclaimed it was her own fault; that it served her right for traveling with Horde. The letter went on to state she must have faked the severity of her injuries, seeing as how she had "miraculously" recovered. The last line burned the worst. They had disowned her for daring to set foot in Silvermoon. "You're dead to us," her mother's writing declared.
Una had known how they'd react, but the knowledge didn't do anything to soften the blow. She dropped the letter into her lap, half curling forward as she fought not to scream. She wanted to press her hands into her face, but she couldn't with her arms as they were. Don't scream, she thought to herself, repeating it until she faintly realized she was starting to mutter it.
The bed sank under the weight of another.
"Scream if you need to. Keeping it inside… is like a poison. My heart used to do the same." Rain's mild voice said.
Una bared her teeth as she shook her head, shuddering, and rocking as her anguish grew. She couldn't make her throat work, she couldn't even so much as think.
"Or, if you can't, cry. I cannot see your tears." His mild voice cut through. She felt his arms wrap around her.
Una clung to him as though a lifeline, her sobs escalating until she was wailing her pain and anger. She eventually fell asleep in his arms, her already weakened body succumbing to exhaustion.
When she awoke the next day, Dagan was sitting by her bedside clad in embroidered brown homespun, his head propped on one hand and a book cradled in the other. He had taken time to shave, his face and head were once again perfectly smooth.
"Morning Dagan…" She whispered, more out of a sense of duty than truly wishing to. After last night, it seemed everything was back to coming out a whisper, whether she wanted it to or not. The young paladin still wanted to be alone. She didn't want to think, feel, or – most of all – discuss what had happened the night before. The wide beam of sunlight shining through her window told her she had missed Rain and Falcon's departure.
The hunter startled, "Oh! Hey, you're awake." He marked his place and set the book aside. "How are you feeling?"
"Alive…" Una sighed and gave a minute shrug. The young woman was tired of being asked that: How was she feeling, how was she doing. Of course she wasn't okay. She was two weeks into a recovery that might last years; it might even be permanent.
"Yeah, you sure are." Dagan chuckled.
"I feel so weak." Una complained and then murmured more to herself, "I'm probably hideous too…"
"Not in the face; you're still the same pretty elf I met in the Barrens." She kept forgetting how blasted good Dagan's and Tallak's hearing was. The orc grunted as he leaned as far as he could to the side and rummaged through the drawers of her nightstand. He produced a small but ornate hand mirror and held it for her. "You just look like you picked a fight with a housecat."
He was right, that horrible gash through her cheek was nothing but a fading, lightly scabbed scratch now. Her face was a hideous patchwork of scabs, abrasions, and bruises, but she'd looked worse many times before.
"At the rate you're recovering, you'll be back to normal by Spring." Once again, she was baffled by Dagan's efforts to reassure her. Orcs weren't supposed to be like this. However, Garrack and the others had been nothing but kind to her. Una turned her head away from the orc as her emotions rose once again. She heard him open and close the drawer once again.
"Relax," Dagan said in the same absurdly cheerful tone of voice he'd used when she'd stitched up the wound on his forehead. "Nothing you have to deal with right now."
"Why are you here?" Una asked bluntly, her voice hoarse as she turned her head to face him once again. Garrack was his father-in-law and she assumed Tallak must be related as well… the others possibly friends. One mission and he was sitting at her bedside?
Dagan chuckled, not in the least bit put off by her words. "What am I doing here? After last night, I thought you of all people needed a friend."
Una shut her eyes at his words. By the Light, she was acting like such a horrible bitch. If he had been any other race, she wouldn't be questioning his motives like this.
"Guessing this is your first time badly hurt," Dagan said once more. "You'll be bed ridden for a while, but shit happens to even the best of us."
His emerald face broke into a lecherous grin and he added in a sing-song tone of voice, "On the plus side, I brought you some of my books!"
Una sighed, but just couldn't find any enthusiasm.
"I brought you Vonda Mariana's latest: "A Pirate's Dirty Jewel." It's a bit weird; even kinkier than my usual reads… but it's got pirates!" He continued cheerfully, unperturbed by her sigh.
"Will you just stop?" Una whispered brokenly. "Look, I know you're trying to cheer me up… but…" The tears came. The orc sat there quietly, watching her as she cried. He leaned forward and rested one massive, green skinned hand on her good shoulder. Damn the hunter, he didn't even have the courtesy to act predictably. Most males shied when a female cried. And he was just sitting there, unfazed, allowing her to go through her emotions.
"I'm sorry…" Una choked out as she finally started to calm.
Dagan waved dismissively, "Don't apologize, Una. I don't even know what to say without getting angry for you. Orcs don't really do shit like that."
Una shuddered and mashed her lips together, fighting to control a fresh wave of emotion. For a people regarded as savages, she was growing to like them more and more.
The hunter sighed and shifted slightly in the chair so he could lean in closer. "Eh, was going to wait to tell you this, but I think you need a morale boost. Few days ago, I got bored and Valeene? – that pretty, blonde ranger-cousin of yours?"
Una nodded weakly in confirmation.
"Anyway, we were bored. So we went for a ride… all the way out to Plaguewood." He grinned broadly, the wide, toothy smile stretching across his emerald face, "You would never guess who we found."
Una sucked in a breath, "My horse?"
Impossibly his grin widened further in answer, "He was a bit worse for wear, but nothing that can't be fixed."
Una shut her eyes as tears started to flow once again. She shuddered and a sob of relief escaped. Hiram had hammered it into her that their Chargers were expendable. "In the end, tis always better to lose a horse than yer life," he had told her. However, it was impossible not to feel upset about losing Vesper.
"Those better be happy tears this time, elf." Dagan said softly, his expression soft. The orc once again leaned forward to grip her shoulder as she cried.
Una nodded by way of reply, attempting to smile even though she continued to sob.
"Good, I'd hate to have made you cry for no reason." Dagan said with satisfaction. "You're leaking all over the damn place here." He teased. Una heard the door open and the voices of her cousin and uncles filled the room. The hunter nodded to them in greeting and picked up his book.
"Thank you…" Una whispered, truly grateful, trying her best to put some force behind her words.
"You bet." Dagan replied cheerfully, patting her right shoulder once more. "I'll be back later." He added quietly.
"Hello, Una." Anaru greeted, sitting on the edge of the bed and leaning in to embrace her tightly. He noted the tears and concern flashed across his freckled face, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, just needed a good cry…" Una allowed him to wipe the tears from her cheeks as Uncle Eilonel rounded the foot of the bed and sat down at her other side. Uncle Nelaniu looked like he had eaten a lemon before entering the bedroom as he leaned on the foot of her bed with a decidedly sour look upon his face. Anaru embraced her tightly once more, holding her until she was calm once more.
"The men have been asking about you, they wanted me tell you that you've been in their prayers." Anaru said eventually, letting her recline upon her pillows once again. "Lieutenant Ludger and Private Powell said to pass along their well-wishes as well."
Una nodded solemnly, "Please tell them thank you."
"I will." Anaru said, leaning in to embrace her once more. "There's no need to feel pressure to recover quickly, we won't be deployed until Spring. The seas won't be navigable until the ice breaks anyway."
"It usually doesn't until March at the very earliest." Nelaniu said quietly.
"Next week, we shall be transporting your companions and their loved ones home." Uncle Eilonel said, "Do you wish to return to your parents to recover?"
Una stared at him incredulously. After that letter, after them declaring she was dead to them, after all that… her Uncle was still offering. Even if her parents were only bluffing, their words burned like acid. Perhaps she could recover with Hiram and his wife – worst she'd endure with the dwarven couple was having to eat her weight in haggis and fried cabbage. Her parents, however, were out of the question. It was as if they hated their family more than they loved her. Was their love and support too much to ask?
"I told you her answer already." Anaru's mild voice was an odd mixture of mechanical and ill, a sound she only heard him make once before.
"I can't…" Una began, but paused as she fought to calm down. "I can't handle the stress right now. I just can't. May I please stay?" The question came out a plea.
"Oh, Una." Eilonel breathed, wrapping her in an embrace. "Of course you may stay, my dear."
Nelaniu rubbed his face, looking somewhat ill. "Delightful..."
Una stared at the fair elf, feeling her eyes grow wet yet again. Anaru and Uncle Eilonel looked at him in anger. After being so estranged for so long, Nelaniu would the one to question her? She exclaimed tearfully, "I just want to be with my family!"
"Una! Please… listen for a moment." The battle-mage said carefully yet firmly, stepping forward to kneel by her bedside. He laid his pale hands upon her fingertips protruding from beneath the white plaster that shrouded her right arm. His pale eyes looked sincere as he gazed into her own eyes, "I would never deny you this, but we Quel'dorei are regarded as traitors in Silvermoon." Una looked away and she felt him lightly stroke the underside of her chin with the side of a finger. "There could be those who would wish you harm."
"She's Argent Dawn, Uncle – they can't!" Anaru exclaimed as his father declared simultaneously, "By virtue of the Steamwheedle treaties and the extensions that grant the same protection to other neutral entities and organizations, it would be illegal…"
"Irregardless of laws or treaties –That is exactly what I fear." Nelaniu explained loudly, rising to his feet swiftly. He crossed arms clad in violet silk over his chest. "Frankly, our people have a long, sordid history of making… injudicious choices. Una is weak, fragile, and will be for months."
It was easy for her to guess the battle-mage's train of thought. She would be an easy mark for someone with a grudge.
Anaru groaned and sank back down onto the edge of Una's bed as his words sank in. At last he spoke up, "She'll need a body-guard…"

Author's Note: This concludes my two chapter crossover with KooriRoninHeart's Hell Cavern. I hope you enjoyed it! If you'd like to read, a link to her stories can be found under my favorite authors in my profile.
Thanks to KooriRoninheart, Rooietroll, and Seleya Soulfire for your reviews! You're awesome, thanks so much!
Thanks to KooriRoninHeart for letting me play with her characters and for co-authoring this chapter with me. *HUGS* Love you, Sis!
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