A Father's Pilgrimmage

[Leothiel]

*From the journal of Thaelen Frosthawk*

*entry is stained in some places from tears*

Yesterday was a bittersweet day. Last night was the third night in a row I have been unable to sleep. My sons did not change, they transformed. I am glad that Vira was able to meet her two brothers for the first time although she did not like being near Thieldren. She took a liking to Leothiel and his lady Oneille Brightgrove. Thieldren and Leothiel have been separated from their Quel'dorei heritage since the Third War. Now they have embraced the Sin'dorei heritage: Magic was a tool and a weapon and using any gifts, even ones that are corrupted. Thieldren had his Scourge transformation thrusted on him while Leothiel had been dead and been revived at what he calls a "mageblood" elf. It brings me no comfort that my now-dead eldest Remtheras embraced power and corruption beyond recognition as what was called a "felblood." Even my two remaining sons are members of the Horde, one of whom is wanted by the Kingdom of Stormwind. As a father, I am proud of Leo's exploits. As an Alliance father, I want to disown him.

During our meeting, Thieldren suggested I go on a journey. Loyalties aside, I want to see the world my sons have walked in. This will be more than a journey: This is a pilgrimmage of not my own heritage but that of my sons.

Anaria has been ill a couple of times. The priests say she has in the early stages of carrying a child. I hope and pray it is a son. Vira has started to get her color.

*closes the journal, writes a note to Thieldren, and sends it on a dragonhawk*

[Leothiel]

*Silvermoon City, right before sunrise*

Leothiel woke up while still in Oneille's arms. She stirred for a moment then went back to sleep. Leo got dressed quietly. The moon light still shone bright through the window to the point where he could see. He wrote a note to Oneille:

"My Dear Beloved,

I do not know how long I will be with my father and my brother in Booty Bay. I will tell you what transpires of it when I return.

With great love,

Your winged lion"

Leothiel mounted up and rode to the flight path to wait for Thieldren. After Thieldren landed, the two brothers exchanged greetings and a hug. Thieldren spoke up "I knocked on your door and you did not answer. I thought you had left Dalaran already." Leothiel replied "Actually, I was in Silvermoon all night in the arms of a certain red-headed warlock." Thieldren's face grew wider and was stunned in silence that almost turned into envy. Leothiel cut the silence by saying "We can talk about that later. I have all the materials I can supply to prepare father for his pilgrimmage." Soon, the two brothers were on their way to Booty Bay.

=====
*Stormwind, at the same time*

Thaelen Frosthawk woke up in the middle of the night. He had reservations about the idea of going on a pilgrimmage and seeing the legacy of his two remaining sons. His wife, Anaria, expressed some reservations about it. He was also torn up on why their very young daughter Vira cannot see her brothers. She was too young to know what nationalism was. She was too young to know why the world was divided the way it was. She only heard stories of how the courageous stout-hearted humans would be victorious over the brutish orcs and cannibalistic trolls. She would not have the comprehension as to why her brothers are sided with those "brutes."

Thaelen kissed his wife with one thing on his mind: Their unborn child who was starting to show. Vira was going to have a little brother or sister in a matter of months. Thaelen prayed that it would be a son. Afterwards, he grabbed a bundle of papers, kissed his daughter and left the house. It was still dark and the moon well outside in the park was unusually bright. He made his way to the flight master and headed off to Booty Bay.

=====

Thaelen, Thieldren, and Leothiel met up in the Salty Sailor Tavern in Booty Bay at sunrise. All three of them looked like they had little sleep. Thaelen gave both of his sons packages with letters and each a drawing from Vira. There was a package for Oneille as well. Thaelen gave Leothiel an additional envelope with some very special instructions of when to open it. The patriarch also delivered the news that their mother was expecting another child.

After the introductions and talk about the ongoings of family and guild, the discussion turned from jovial to serious. The Frosthawk house was already torn by loyalty. Thieldren said "If you want to see the world through us, we will need to disguise you as a son of blood. First, your horse will give you away as Alliance. Second, your blue eyes will not sit well with the Horde. You can say you're a defector, but that would cut your ties with mother as well."

Leothiel gave Thaelen a book on orcish. "You will need to learn the language. You will go behind the lines of the Horde. We will also protect you from harm." Thaelen spoke up "How can you two stop then?" Thieldren answered with "All I had to do was drop Leo's name in the Horde towns. At one point, he even used his influence to keep me out of work until they had a recommendation from someone else." They went into the afternoon drilling on the fine points of the various Horde races and cultures.

At about mid-afternoon, the three of them parted ways with Thaelen returning to his home in Stormwind, Thieldren back in the barracks in the Borean Tundra and Leothiel in his apartment looking over one of the courtyards of Dalaran.

[Leothiel]

*Entry in the journal of Thaelen Frosthawk, at sunset the day of the meeting with his sons*

I left Anaria and Vira before the crack of dawn with papers packed up. We each wrote letters not just to Thieldren and Leothiel, but to Oneille as well. Even Vira contributed some of her budding artistic skill. I also wrote a special sealed letter to Leothiel and instructed him not to open it until the appointed time. It was very rainy when I left this morning, but it cleared up when I arrived in Stranglethorn. We caught up on family. They know they will be brothers once again.

We spent the entire morning through a late lunch talking about this chance to see the world through the eyes of my sons. The tough part for me is adopting some of the customs of peoples we have been sworn enemies against. My unicorn will also need to go as it gives me away. Leothiel wondered if he could have a Hawkstrider mount sent to me so I could gain access to the Horde settlements. Learning the Orcish tongue will be troublesome, especially for practice. We will still need to meet at least once more to finalize the arrangements and the itinerary. Leothiel suggested Ratchet.

Anaria was shocked and scared to hear me greeting her in orcish. I will have to swallow my pride in my affiliations if I am going to go on this pilgrimmage.

[Oneille]

From the Journal of Oneille Brightgrove of Silvermoon

"I hope this sorjourn Leothiel undertakes is worth the effort, it has to be! More concern rests on the overall outcome of this undertaking. Admittedly Thaelen Frosthawk is a geat patriarch but I don't know my mind drifts between the crisis of what Leothiel wants to accomplish versus what I feel. I support a hundred percent what Leothiel wishes from this pilgrimmage but son and father need to get it through their skulls what is going on! I swear I can tell where Leothiel might be in a few years just from his father! Not that it is a bad thing...The point is Leothiel is risking much to safeguard his father and show him a culture that since before was unknown to the other half of the Quel'dorei survivors. Sin'dorei lived and flourised!

Leothiel's war campaigns are also a concern. He is a brilliant leader and strategist but with his name out there I fear...fear for us both. He's a military genius and if someone discovers I am his constort and lady, I just don't know what I will do. Nothing ill shall transpire but in my heart I pray Leothiel survives the sorjourn and this upcoming war."

[Leothiel]

*writing late Thursday night*

My preparations for the pilgrimmage has consumed much of my spare time. I have requested and been granted a leave of absence from the school. I cited magical heritage and family. I have said nothing about their Horde affiliation, but with Vira picking up some Orcish, it's going to be tough to hide it. I have sent out a dragonhawk with an appointment: We meet at Booty Bay on Saturday morning before sunrise and take the boat to Ratchet. This will be my first experience with the new Horde.

Vira is slowly gaining her color and has started lessons in swordplay. I am glad she wants to be able to protect herself. Anaria again is not so happy seeing our very young daughter taking up swordplay. She also does not want to see her take up a real sword. I have an obligation to protect my household, but I cannot be there all the time. When I am gone and traveling another continent or world, who will protect my expecting wife and my daughter?

*scribbles a note in the margins about seeing Silvermoon City once again*

[Leothiel]

Leothiel had an uneasy night in Stonard from the heat and the humidity. He was fresh from Ulduar the night before and was not tormented by voices or visions from Yogg-Saron. His atonement put a halt to those visions and a blessing from Xi'ri shielded him from any more psychic invasions from old gods. The only things keeping him from a restful sleep other than the weather as felt inside the inn were sleeping on a hammock, which he was not used to, and sleeping on his back in a manner that he would not have to worry about damaging his wings. His upcoming meeting with his father Thaelen and his brother Thieldren were occupying him even more.

He woke up at what he thought was the right time and grabbed his items almost blindly. He felt something and opened his eyes: It was a lock of red hair from Oneille. Oneille, He thought, I don't know when the time will be but I love you. During the flight to Booty Bay, his mind was on her and that lock of hair. It had been with him when he fought in Wintergrasp, worked with the Argent Tournament, and in Ulduar. The landing in Booty Bay snapped him out of his trance. Not far behind him was Thieldren. They greeted each other with a hug and went to the Alliance flight path. Thaelen landed after the rain had cleared and the sun was still low. "It is time to go to Ratchet." The three of them went to the docks and headed to Ratchet.

The two brothers spent the entire morning teaching Thaelen about the cultures of the Horde that they had become a part of. They also had a gift: A pair of green contact lenses. After lunch, Thieldren and Leothiel went to Silvermoon, then outside to Eversong woods: He had arranged her to summon Thaelen to Quel'thalas to buy a mount. The lenses and the mount would admit him into Horde settlements. Thaelen picked up a swift green hawkstrider and learned how to ride it quickly.

Thaelen left the group in midafternoon to head back to Stormwind. An even greater weight was on his shoulders now that he bore the trappings of both Alliance and Horde. Before he arrived back in Stormwind, his thoughts turned to Anaria, his wife. My loyalty is towards you.

[Leothiel]

*Journal entry of Thaelen Frosthawk, a few hours after arriving home from finalizing arrangements*

The bulk of my day was spent with Thieldren and Leothiel. We assembled in Booty Bay and took the boat to Ratchet. Although this is a goblin town, this was a Horde land. Leothiel presented something to me: A pair of green contact lenses. Afterward, we updated on family. I told them about how Vira's not only picking up swordplay but also words in Orcish. That has caused some of the children to shy away from her and others to make her a target of hostility. I gave Leo a packet with special instructions. He told me that he put it in his bank vault and would send Azureus to me when he opened it up. I also told him that he is not to tell Oneille about the packet until he has read through it first. The morning went by fast as I was learning Orcish as well as the customs of the Horde races. Afterwards, it was time for me to get something that would finalize my disguise as a sin'dorei: A hawkstrider mount.

Leothiel is concerned for my life, which is why he would not let me take a portal to Silvermoon. He and Thieldren took the portal to there. I waited for what seemed a long time. Then I felt my body being called to Eversong. He arranged for Oneille to summon me so I can purchase my ride disguised as a member of the Horde. She was very happy to see me and reminded me of some of the women that my sons brought home when they were younger. It nearly brought a tear to my eye. I wonder when he will open the letter and ask her to be Lady Frosthawk. The hawkstrider I picked up has green plumage and has some armor on it. I will need to watch my disguise going between Alliance and Horde territories.

After we parted ways, I went to a remote place and removed my disguise. I teleported back to Stormwind. Anaria is showing more child by the day. One of the neighbors found out why Vira was learning Orcish and asked me as to why. I told him about Thieldren and Leothiel and what had become of them. I told him about the pilgrimmage to see the world through their eyes. I fear that I had put my life in danger and the position of my family. If this pilgrimmage is going to heal the divisions between the quel'dorei and the sin'dorei, then it shall be. I will not let my house be divided by loyalty again.

[Oneille]

Oneille stared out over the balcony of her Silvermoon apartment. There were few words to describe the current events in her life. Between the slow fall of Leothiel to the inner visions then his own reclamation, the trial the dragonflgiht put before him, and now the father's sojourn. Was there no end? Hours earlier Oneille was summoning a elven patriarch of Frosthawk across the nether deep into the midst of Sin'dorei lands. The man seemed at odds, lost, confused. Would she be any more upset if she was uprooted and taken from Quel'thalas to say Stormwind?

Thaelen Frosthawk had the right to be at sorts. He's father wanting to be with his sons. He seemed a nice elf. Or maybe it was the Frosthawk charm. "Hmph, like father like son I suppose..." Oneille's voice trailed off as she untied her night robe and flung it over the back of a nearby chair. The nightgown she wore was soothed out as she stepped pass a hall mirror admiring her dark crimson hair. Smirking she slide her hand over to the nearby vanity and grabbed for her brush. One swipe, then two the wood handled brush combed through the heavy tresses. As the long strands were flung out and smoothed the elven female stared back at the mirror. There she was the warlock working for Argent Crusade recognition only to be shifting between the colds of Northrend to the warmth of Eversong.

"Mmm all right time for bed," before Oneille could make her way to the bed there was a tug at her ankle. The young orcale named Roo was there making a whining sound.

With much love of a matron Oneille bent down and craddle the little orphaned and helped him into bed, "Tomorrow you're going to be sleeping in your own bed...you're getting too big for this." The blue oracle went silent. Before long the little critter was snoring up a storm on the pillow next to Oneille's head.

"So, the adventurer finally finds his rest," leaning over Oneille kissed him on the head and sighed. "I hope someday I won't be alone like this..I mean in that not being the only one here."

"Tonight Silvermoon then off to Icecrown in the morning. Goddess watch over Leothiel."

Eyes staring up to the ceiling the young elf began to wonder what life would be like with a certain elven ambassador.

[Oneille]

Oneille sat there in her apartment still trying to pen a letter to her sister. Ink going dry the warlock began to dip the quill back into the well. As she bent forward loose strands of red hair unfurled from her loose braid. Sighing Oneille pulled the loose stream of crimson behind a long ear. There was not much to dictate to Cobriana. Elsewhere in the world there was a elven man dealing with triffling issues of family and livelihood. Out of the bedroom came a black streak of fuzz. The older now darker colored Kim, once worg pup, was dashing about chasing Roo.

"Kim, no! Stop! Honestly, Roo is still a babe stop treating him like prey!" The young oracle scampered across the smooth titled floor racing to Oneille's desk. Roo panted and passed out in a lump at Oneille's bare feet. Glaring at Kim, the elven woman began cursing in Thalassian.

"..and further more oracles are not food!" Oneille stopped to realize she was barking at her pet making him feel less wanted. "Oh Kim...lovey..." getting up from her chair the elven woman sighed. She bent down kneeling before the ebony wolf cooing softly.

"Kim my little one...I am only upset over recent events involving my beloved...my Leothiel. He sees himself with his father now and at the heart of it I worry much for him." Before Oneille could even stroke at the dark fur Kim shied away ears back and a whine leaving his maw.

Oneille sighed heavily biting her lower lip pulling at her ruby red flesh wondering, "Now what?" If anything she concerned herself on what to do with Leothiel and his family. She could only sit and wait till then she'd have a letter to write her sister.

[Leothiel]

*Before the Ulduar raid*

In the middle of the Matron Vlasha's party and her advocation of genocide, Leothiel pulled Jeriden and Asarelah away from the party. They had enough of the discussion. Jeriden had also been wanting to see Leo since becoming wedded to Lah. They discussed a major matter; or more accurately the woman in the mage's life: Oneille.

Leothiel presented his sword to Jeriden who then took a good look at it. Leo spoke up "I was going to wait until my father returns from his pilgrimmage to talk with you about this. I cannot wait any longer. My intention is for her to become Lady Frosthawk."

Jeriden spoke as a concerned father. He had stated that he has seen Leothiel's character and valiance and would be privileged to have him as a son-in-law. After the discussion, Jeriden extended his hand. Leothiel took it for a shake. The shake became an embrace as between a father and a son. Leo summoned his gruntling to retrieve a packet from his bank vault then left for Ulduar.

Leothiel received this packet not too long after. He was under instructions not to open it until a certain time I will open this tonight he thought. After Ulduar, he caught up with Oneille to talk. She was sporting a new hairstyle. He caught her up in the Venom Dynasty's vision of genocide. Oneille did not want any part of it. The breeze made it too cool for a swim. He also asked if she wanted to see his father and brother leave for the pilgrimmage. "Monday morning before sunrise at the crossroads between Nethergarde and Dark Portal. He is not expecting to see you." That put another smile on her face. They retreated to her apartment: His reading would have to wait.

*The next morning*

Leothiel woke up with two green eyes staring at him. Those eyes belonged to Oneille. They kissed and parted ways. He arrived back in Dalaran for his reading. He opened the packet. In it was a letter that had two more envelopes: One in his father's handwriting addressed to him and the other in his mother's handwriting addressed to Oneille. He read the cover letter. It was about character and making sure that he has the blessing of her family for her hand. Now when and where to ask.... was on his mind. He then pulled out a parchment and began to write.

Lord Vindicator Jeriden Dawnbringer,

I thank you for your blessing and I fully accept. I would like for you and Lady Asarelah to meet my father. He is starting a pilgrimmage early Monday morning before sunrise with my brother Thieldren. We are meeting at the crossroads between Nethergarde and the Dark Portal. After about four days, I am joining him.

Leothiel

Leothiel's heart grew heavier and felt it more entwined with Oneille's from writing each word even though they were not near each other. Azureus was also showing that. He attached the letter to his whelp familiar and said "Be sure the Lord Vindicator receives this." Azureus flew off with the letter in tow.

((Jeriden and Lah: If you grant me permission, I will write you two into where Leo's father and brother leave for Outland.))