New Year, New Life

[Leothiel]

Leothiel stayed up late the night before writing a letter to his parents in Stormwind. This was no ordinary letter: This one was to his parents. This was a near-chronicle of recent events. The forays into Icecrown Citadel, Oneille's recent arcane surge, the naaru Xi'ri's blessing. Much had weighed on Leothiel's mind. Soon, he wrote about the land he and Oneille just acquired for their homestead and ground would be broken the next morning. The fatigue caught up to him when he signed the letter and folded it. He managed to crawl into bed without rousing Oneille. She stirred when he gave a her a kiss before sleep claimed him.nnIn the morning, Oneille had her letter ready and called for Azureus. She attached the letters to the blue whelp and sent him off to deliver them.

[Oneille]

Oneille smiled as Azureous flew off that morning. The azure dot faded into the distance. Hands at her stomach the elven wife stepped back into the apartment whe she noticed Kim staring oddly at her. "What little one?"nnKim only tilted his head and scampered off to the other direction, down the hall out of sight. Shaking her head Oneille set to work mending her mate's robes. The scent of decay lingered even now. "What an aroma!" nnShe did not know what was worse: stench of decay or the stench of fel blood. It was the odor of fel blood that waifed through the home. Nose catching wind she slowly began to sit up from the love seat and walked slowly about the living room till her eyes caught her robe. The outfit was stained in pit lord blood...a scent of great fel blood entered her senses. Fearing the worse Oneille grabbed the garment and instantly ignited her hands in felflame destroying the horrifying thing. The charred remains of the fabric flittered away falling into an ashen clump at her feet. nn"Your blood is tempting creature but never again shall your 'power' sway me..." with that Oneille dropped the burnt clothing letting it settle where it did.nn*Flash back to Oneille's childhood*nn"And that students is why fire is a most powerful element. When you've mastered the plane of fire your reach shall know no limits." Oneille watched her instructor summon a great fire wave before his pupils. Her eyes watched with great curiosity as the warm spell roared between the rows of students then settled back into nothing at her teacher's feet.nn"Instructor!" Oneille raised her hand highnn"Yes Miss Oranus?" Magister Thillion asked.nn"What if you wanted to summon an al'lar?" many students laughed and giggled.nn"It is possible to summon the creature in question but know such a feat requires much strength, and will greatly weaken you." she nodded then wondered.nn"....well maybe someday I can summon one."

[Leothiel]

*Stormwind*nnSome acolytes were visiting Anaria at the Frosthawk home when Azureus came by with his payload of letters from Quel'thalas. Anaria retrieved the letters then Azureus saw the Ghost, the family hawk, gave a bow, then went to rest on a windowsill. Anaria quickly stashed the letters in a desk without opening them then returned to the visiting acolytes. The presence of the azure dragon whelp drove some of the conversation, which led back to Quel'thalas. One of the younger acolytes joked that they were more spy letters. A mean look from Anaria preemptively hushed any laughter. Soon, Thaelen and Vira arrived home. Afterwards, the acoylte paid their farewells and left.nnThaelen spoke up "Azureus is here, which tells me we have news from the homeland." Anaria smiled and said "It's not every day we have a dragon on our windowsill either" then went to the desk to retrieve the letters from Leothiel and Oneille. Leothiel's letter was lengthier than usual. Anaria read the letters silently with the looks on her face ranging from happy to concerned. She shared them with Thaelen and Vira. The messages of the arcane surge and the corruption of a death knight drew the biggest concern while the blessing of Xi'ri and the acquisition of land for a homestead brought great relief.nn*Quel'thalas*nnEarly in the morning, Leothiel was on his property staking out the places for the buildings. As he finished driving in the last stake, a wagon arrived laden with building materials. He greeted the work crew and finalized the plans. It would take about four months to complete the complex. Leothiel said "I will stop by periodically and put in some of my sweat" then helped with the construction of his own home. When he felt like giving up, he would reach into his pocket and feel the strands of Oneille's hair.

[Oneille]

Oneille's fingers idly guided the thread and needle through the needlepoint as her mind reeled back to the night before. Icecrown Citadel: a place of horror and fascination. Here in the befouled halls monsters and undead lurked. It was the Blood Council that sought to destroy the tribe Nyx's valiants as they stormed the keep. At first the attack went well but those blood creatures have tricks of their own...luckily the brave few escaped unscathed. nnWhatever her needlepoint had been was long forgotten. Oneille put her work to the side hands resting at her belly. "Mmm little one what do say?" As if on cue a sharp jab met Oneille's hand. "Ah! So little one has decided to finally make his limbs work. About time." nnKim perked his ears up as his mistress slowly rose from the couch she sat upon. "Kim I see you down there don't worry I'll be all right I think our little heir is finally making use of his legs. I think his father will be most proud."nnOneille carefully adjusted herself and sat up. Kim stretched and yawned as he followed her to the bedchamber where Oneille spent the rest of the morning resting.

[Leothiel]

Leothiel returned back to the apartment late at night. From the moonlight, he could see the large furry outline of Kim, the worg, sleeping. Azureus was on the windowsill sleeping in the moonlight. Al'ar was the sole light inside the room. Leothiel slowly made his way to the bedchamber, where Oneille was sleeping, undressed and slid into bed. The child had been growing and Oneille had been feeling "kicks" inside her. Leothiel fell asleep with his hand on her womb.nnThe dream he had started off with protecting Quel'thalas and his finished homestead and a clear sky. Without warning, the sky turned orange then red. The water underneath the fall rose and the ground sundered with lava bursting in some places. Brimstone rained from the sky. What soon flew above was more horrifying than anything Leothiel had seen: A black dragon engulfed in flame bringing destruction. Leothiel woke up in a cold sweat. Oneille stirred awake. "My lion, you are cold." Leothiel replied "I saw what Azureus had seen in his dreams." Azureus crawled in shaking. "It looks like he saw the same thing as well." Leothiel could not sleep the rest of the night. He made a sketch of what he had seen using the light of Al'ar.nnAfter Oneille woke up, Leothiel had a look of concern on his face and showed her the sketch. "I think we are due for another visit to Haleh."nn*Same time in Stormwind*nnAnaria found herself in the Redridge Mountains admiring them. Soon, she saw an ominous sign: A black dragon in engulfed but not consumed by flames rising from the ground. The dragon flew, made a deep breath on the firmament. The breath split the ground in many directions and made Blackrock Mountain erupt. The eruption turned the sky from a beautiful blue to an ominous red. The presence of the large dragon struck fear into her.nnShe woke up in a cold sweat trembling. Later that morning, a priestess from her church visited her. Anaria told her about the dream. The priestess replied that seers have been seeing a fiery dragon. Anaria replied about her son Leothiel's blue dragon whelp has been seeing the same thing. After the visit, she wrote as quickly as possible knowing that the 2-month-old Athaniar could stir at any moment. She thought about the stirrings of the world and of Athaniar. "Son, you will stir. Eventually, you will rise but not bring fire to the world." She finished off her letter and sent it off with Ghost.

[Oneille]

"Minn'da she's wrinkly! Baby sister looks like a old piece of fruit!" nn"Onei...you're so in trouble!"nn"Am not!"nn"Girls mother is trying to rest...if you're going to fight go outside..."nn'Love, they are eager sisters...little Lycaonia is fast asleep she hardly stirs. Girls head outside though. Give me and sister sometime alone, I will see you later...scamper you too..."nn---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------nnMother a figure of comfort, safety, peace. This was mother Pomene Oranus. She was the loved matron of House Oranus during the time of the Highelves. Her dark hair and dark features made her a stunning beauty to all. For Oneille she was minn'da and her greatest support during her life. Now four months along in own pregnancy....Oneille grew silent and reserved in her life of mother. Once before the firey red head rushed into battle now she sat in the hushed apartment sewing her mate's goods. She took back to her needlepoint the one thing she retained of her mother.nnOneille smiled over at Azureous and wondered about his visions. "Soot, ash, dark times and dark premonitions...you saw these...did you not?"nnThe whelp simply looked to his mistress his eyes shining. "Don't look at me so squarely little one I know what those things mean...and as such Leothiel shall be visiting Haleh. From her much will be foretold. But I feel your pain little one and I am here for you."nnOneille sluggishly got up from the loveseat she sat at and cautiously walked to the window sill. As she approached a pale creature appeared at the window...an avian! "Ghost!"nnOneille opened the window accepting the hawk only to have Azureous peek up and bow at him. "Be nice you too." Letter's attached to his feet meant, "Anaria! Mother Frosthawk."nnHurriedly, the young elf maiden read the letters. First there was good then the bad followed. Oneille's ears dropped and her heart raced. "Oh mother...I wish...I was there to see you and little sister..."nnThe female elf slumped into the seat next to her and sighed heavily. Gripping the parchment she thought back to the land breaking and the husband she had to tell. As if on cue the door opened, Leothiel was home.nn"My lion." Oneille rushed to greet her mate and kissed him sensually. Leothiel immediately placed his hands at his wife's wombs. She smiled into the kiss. "Love..."nn"Victory far and fleeting in the arenas..." Leothiel seemed to growl under his breath.nn"Lion?" Oneille grapped her mate's hands and dragged him into the bathchambers. "We are soaking this night to ease these troubles but first..."nnShe gave over the letters. Leothiel nodded. "First thing in the morning I shall write a return reponse."nn"Yes, but now..." she growled and drug him without complaint. His heart raced. But Oneille kept him close. Lithe hands held him close as clothes were ripped apart. "You cannot hide your splendor from me my lord...and I do have oil..."nnLeothiel smirked but laughed only to be silenced by the ruby red lips of his beloved lioness and mother of his heir.

[Leothiel]

In a fit of passion, Leothiel forgot about everything else: The dream the night before, the groundbreaking of the homestead, the next visit to Haleh. The night was lost in a combination of candlelight, a warm soak, body oils, and flesh. He could not remember what the dreams brought him, but he was not awake until almost noon. As he rose, he felt Oneille's hand on one of his wings. He leaned back and gave her a kiss.nnAfter some lunch, the discussion turned serious. It was about the letter received from Stormwind. "Others are having the same visions that I have had. I think we should wait until after we visit Haleh to write back. If Azureus is seeing these visions, then it is deep in the dragonflights." The day was more than half-done so they agreed to head to Winterspring the next morning.nnThe next morning, they woke up early. Azureus and Ghost joined them. In very little time, the somewhat tolerable desert climate turned to the cold of Winterspring. Leothiel, Oneille, Azureus, and Ghost arrived in the middle of a blinding snowstorm which let up as they approached Mazthoril. Leothiel released Azureus for him to fly around and Oneille sent Ghost hunting. Soon, Leothiel found himself on the business end of a sword that was in the hands of General Colbatann. "You are to leave at once." Immediately after, they heard a roar and a voice recognized as that of Haleh saying "They are not here for eggs or to hunt us. You are to let them through and allow them to seek me." Colbatann relented and let the elfin couple through. Azureus flew proudly next to them during the trip to the caves. When they arrived at the teleportation rune, they were at the top of Mazthoril.nnA blue drake descended and transformed into her elfin visage: It was Haleh. Azureus dropped to the ground and gave her a bow. Haleh picked up the whelp and greeted the Frosthawks. "I am glad you sought me out. I think I know why you are here." An air of silence came over Leothiel and Oneille as they could not say anything. Haleh scryed Azureus' scale once again. What she saw scared her. "Neltharion." Oneille asked "The earth-warder?"nnHaleh replied "Yes daughter and matron. Earthwarder. You have some traces of another world on you." Oneille pulled out a figurine of her nether drake. Oneille spoke up "I have read about Neltharion the Earthwarder. Some of his brood was taken to Outland where the nether twisted their forms. I have spent time freeing them of the Illidari."nnHaleh then turned to Leothiel. "Did I assume right in regards to your visit, son and father?" Leothiel looked at her in amazement and said "Yes, matron protector. The last time Azureus had that vision was the same time I had it. I received a letter from Stormwind as well. My mother had the same dream... I mean nightmare." Leothiel pulled out his sketch of what he saw. Haleh looked at the sketch. The look on her face turned ominous. "He has been twisted by evil. There have been murmurings from seers. It is said that he will return and the ground has been shaking. There is nothing you can do to prevent his return." Leothiel would not take that for an answer. Before he could say something, Haleh said "If you make any attempts to slay him before his time, it will waken him. The Life-Binder will demand your services soon, so be prepared."nnAfter that, Leothiel felt his ears go completey deaf. Haleh turned to Oneille and started speaking. "Daughter and matron, do not be scared for your mate or any of your elflings: He has fought for you and much more and the light protects you as well." After that, the sound returned to Leothiel's ears. The visit was over. Azureus gave a bow and returned to his master and mistress. On the way back down, Ghost re-joined them. Leothiel suggested heading down to Frostfire Hot Springs for a dip in their warm medicinal waters.

[Oneille]

A foremen shouted at a worker as loads of timber and stone came into their direction. A young worker reigned in his hawkstrider as the cart behind it carried another shipment of housing goods to use in the contruction of the homestead. Oneille watched from the hilltop her pet worg standing proudly at his mistress's side. Weeks ago the area was but bare now the home of the Frosthawks took shape. nn"My lady good afternoon," a familiar voice called to the Lady Frosthawk.nn"Hello good director and here I thought the business of the commoners did not entice you."nnDirector Orlion Truesun smirked, "Granted I do not associate with all stations but I do like hardwork and these gents have it in folds, as for you Lady Frosthawk I came to wish my best to you and your husband Lord Frosthawk but where is he?"nn"My lord is gone on affairs for our tribe. I have not seen him since this morning. But I am here in his place helping to see these gentlemen contruct our homestead. It has shapened nicely."nnOrlion nodded. Before both elved rested the homestead of the Frosthawks and before much longer the home of another Frosthawk as well.nn"My husband fights well for our people and our house. He is heading into the citadel this eve. I do wish the light protect him."nnThe director shifted his stance and glanced at the men then returned to Oneille. "The light protect you then...I have much in the city to tend to...if you need anything Oneille my wife and I are here to help. My offer does stand."nn"Thank you sir I shall take that into consideration."nnOrlion left for the day while Oneille stayed to watch them finish.nnBy early evening the young maiden was tired and sought the shelter of her apartment. Her mind delved eslewhere. There came a knock at the door to her apartment and there was Regallia. The elderly matron gave a warm smile shall as she entered the apartment. nn"Lady Frosthawk," Regallia picked up the lady's belongings, "you are most round far from when last I saw you."nn"yes, I know." she said.nn"You are not well?" Regallia came over and rested her hand on her lady's womb.nnI am just tired and worried about my lord I wat him to know that I most proud and humbled by all that he does for me and my cub. But now I feel as though I am not capable of helping him. Since becoming this...with cub ...does that make me weak?"nn"No, never think that my lady. You have given him a great gift...one that not even a night on a beach can best. You've given him life a child that will soon bare his great name...and I am sure his lusts." Regallia sighed and a small smile played over Oneille's lips.nn"Trust in this that he loves you most truly and deeply. In the times of trouble the light has blessed you both but there come times when the world seems more gray than it can be. I assure you that your mate believes in your greatness."nnWith that Regallia tidied the bedroom while Oneille sat at her vanity smiling, "Yes my lion has done greatness for us both, my cub and I, and I thank the light for him."nnOneille patted her roundness and smiled feeling a kick in return, "yes my child...I know..."

[Oneille]

Oneille wrapped the woolen shawl closer about her shoulders. An evening breeze flitted through the open balcony door. Eyes observant and ears keen to the wind the warlock matron watched the denizens of Silvermoon walk about. Guards on patrol exchanged greetings with travelers, nobles hustled to get home, and vendors closed shops for the night. The bright sunset of Quel'thalas blink from over the regent's spire. Rich, dark colors soon escaped into purple shades of nightfall. This was a perfect end to a perfect day. On leave from the archives and glad to be at home serving her lord husband better, Oneille felt at ease. A daunting thought crossed her mind, "Hinik's command to cease any attack on her while she was with child."nn"Do I dare to fathom if that human even thinks I'll believe his tripe. For all I know Kim and Azureous it's a ploy...a way to see himself the hero. Then who am I to judge those not worthy of Judgement." Arms folded tightly across her chest Oneille looked one last time to the streets then closed the balcony door behind herself.nnKim padded at his mistress's side, Azureous flew off to his perch opposite of A'lar. Oneille began lighting the evening lamps waiting ever diligently for the arrival of her mate. A week passed and now the homestead grew closer to one half becoming finished the other in the works.nn"I've grown complacent in my time as mistress to that mage. Here I am fat and happy while he gets to run off into battle against the Alliance. Wonders never cease. I'll be thankful when you're born cub. Least then your father will learn how I've endured this pregnancy."nnGrinning wickedly at her idea the lioness of Lord Frosthawk gathered the kettle from the kitchen and began preparing for an evening tea. "Blood Thistle tea...a perfect choice."nnAfter a few minutes, warm kettle in hand, the Lady Frosthawk poured herself a warm cup of thistle tea making sure to let it cool.nn"Do not worry cub we'll have father soon home enough but now...let us enough what time we have together."nnSipping quietly the elven maiden sighed placing a hand at her womb, "Soon very soon."

[Leothiel]

The whirl of arcane nether brought the elfin couple from Silvermoon to Shattrath in a matter of seconds. They then mounted their fliers and flew to Garadar. Each wingbeat by the hippogryph Autumn became an even heavier heartbeat for Leothiel. The weekend before, he and a small group of followers of the Lady Nyx made their way to the top of Icecrown Citadel escorting Overlord Saurfang. He had witnessed the conversion of his son Saurfang the Younger. The younger Saurfang was taken by the scourge and was guarding an entrance to Icecrown. The battle ended with the father taking the newly lifeless body back to Nagrand. The trip made Leothiel think about his own house and how he lost one sibling to the Scourge when they assaulted the Sunwell and the felblood-corrupted brother he had killed near the Sunwell. No parent should have to bury their own child was a thought that haunted him throughout the funeral.nnThe funeral was a blur to him. Afterwards, they mingled with the Mag'hari seers. The discussion eventually turned into the visions of a fiery dragon. Leothiel and Oneille approached the living Overlord Saurfang with quiet reverence and delivered a salute like a soldier greeting his commanding officer.nnThe elfin couple left Garadar to frolic in a secluded pool afterwards.