Wedding Bells Ring for Leothiel and Oneille

[Leothiel]

*The day after the Ward of War meeeting*

Leothiel woke up very subdued. Azureus' excitement was dampened the previous afternoon first by being told that as long as he was bound to Leothiel, he would no longer be welcomed to Mazthoril along with his master. That was combined with a reinforcement race between Horde Assembly and Kingship of the East. Kingship won that round again even though Horde Assembly had a chance. The images of Oneille being sapped followed by his subsequently being stabbed then having a large Kingship vigil replayed through his mind before he was able to have a very short night of sleep.

He woke up after sunrise not very refreshed but still in a dour mood. Off to Wyrmrest he thought. At Wyrmrest, he found out why he was denied entry to Mazthoril: Malygos was still strong despite having his forces weakened.

[Oneille]

Oneille stood out upon her balcony looking down at the morning life of Silvermoon City her crimson hair blowing in the morning breeze. The scene below was quiet and tranquil as denizens of the city walked along the streets. Battle Ambassadors trotted between lanes promoting one battleground or another. Merchants grabbed their heavy satchels and bundles preparing for another day selling. A few young children scurried in no fashion at their nanny's feet. Thoughts went back to Roo her adopted Oracle son. Right now the little guy was with other war orphans learning lessons while his own nanny Regallia tended to the apartment of Oneille.

"Mmm," Oneille enjoyed the cool air as it crept through the streets of the city, "these moments I forget how much I miss them."

Regallia came onto the balcony her white hair pulled tightly into a bun as she joined her mistress, "My lady these moments are peaceful, yes."

Regallia watched Oneille and frowned, "You've something on your mind aye?"

Oneille knew she could not hide secrets from the agd matron, "Yes, the other night while I was with Leothiel he made mention of 'Earth Warder'."

"Aye, that name is associated with he who sired the black dragon flight," Regallia tore her gaze away from the streets and walked back into the bedroom where she noticed the bloodied battle garb of her mistress, "My lady...what ever happened this time?"

Oneille focused on the blood stained gown and sighed, "Another attack by the Kingship and their lackeys what more can I say?"

Soon the warlock pulled away from the balcony and flipped out her red locks. The day was starting and much was to e done. Oneille quickly changed from her night gown to a reasonable robe that would see her through the day.

Oneille left Regallia instructions then sent off to the Bazaar. Here in the market place the elven woman walked about the vendors and shops till she found her wares then headed to the Silvermoon City archives to work on scryering for the day.

At the back of the elf's mind was one thing: Leothiel and his visions he kept seeing. And what of Azureous?

[Oneille]

Roo grabbed at the hem of his mother's dress frantically demanding attention. He gurgled an annoyed whine as Oneille sat at her desk staring off into the distant. The oracle youth tugged till he eventually gave up. In a fit of frustration the oracle wriggled his back end and jumped high till he landed square atop the very parchment Oneille tried to write upon.

"Roo!" gasped Oneille as the blue skinned Roo grabbed her chin staring her dead on. Roo never liked being ignored.

"Roo no like see mommy upset, make Roo feel bad." his yellow-green eyes shone with great concern. The small oracle gripped his mother's cheeks now pushing them together till her face turned red.

"Ow..Rohpo," Oneille muffled through her pouted lips, her adopted son trying to get his point across.

"No mommy listen! Roo know big man mommy's hoosband he teach me about magic! But Roo not happy if mommy not happy."

Oneille quirked a brow at her son whose clawed hands dug into her skin till she grimanced. There she was held captive by a young child's demand for her to calm.

"Ropho you're huurting my fahce," Oneille's poor cheeks began to sting from being puckered so long.

"No! Mommy upset why mommy upset! Roo want to know, now!" Oneille sighed as his words seemed to ring through the apartment. Thank the Light Regallia was not here this morning.

"Otay, otay...I'll tell you." words still muffled the oracle grinned wickedly as he let go of his mother's face. "Gah, ohhh better."

Roo sat on his haunches his tail wagging behind him, "Now...tell me now!"

"All right love relax. Let my jaw get feeling back," Oneille rubbed her chin and cheeks, "Yesterday I slapped someone Roo...and slapping people is a bad thing."

Roo watched as Oneille flexed her fingers absently her memories fading back to the paladin she slapped across the face. In her mind the cretin deserved it but her heart nagged saying otherwise. Mother retold the evening events of how a paladin insulted her mother, how she called him names, and how the moment she heard his taunts she backhanded him in rage. She turned away from the scene tears running down her cheeks. As she softly wept Roo tilted his head then turned his attention to his claws. "Hit people not good?"

The young oracle sat up and without thought took his left claw slapped Oneille across her left wrist. Oneille jerked in suprise. Green eyes stared at him in shock. Roo saw the wild look to his mother's eyes and began to scramble until, "Yes I slapped him and slapping is bad."

The calm had returned to Oneille's voice. Roo stopped midway across the desk when his mother stood and gather him in her arms. The adoptive mother bent down to kiss her son on his head. He seemed both confused and relieved.

"But why mommy slap?" Roo asked.

"Mommy slapped a bad man who said mean things about grandmother Lah."

Roo croaked in confusion, "But hit is bad?"

"Yes hitting and slapping is bad. That is why I should have not done that. Know this Roo: there are other ways to solve problems just not always by hitting."

"But why momma get slapped or hitted by those Kingy peoples she talks about?" Roo stared at her his mind wandering.

"Because...because sometimes adults think that hitting or slapping is all that matters. No one wants to settle the fight without someone slapping..." nodding her head Oneille hugged her son tightly.

"But Roo no want to see mommy hitted again! Me learn big man magic and then me make them pay!" Roo roared as Oneille laughed.

"My little adventurer leave the fighting to mommy all right?"

"Mommy? Roo no care about Kingy peoples...they bad Kingy people not good if they hitted or hurted you." Roo cuddled close in his mother's arms.

"The Kingy people are always just big children looking for reasons to slap."

"No me make big magics then hurt Kingy peoples back!"

Oneille giggled as she shushed her son, "Enough you time for a stroll and this time no more slapping all right?"

"But can I least slap bad people?" Oneille shook her head, "Fine we go now."

[Leothiel]

About midday, a blue dragonhawk arrived bearing a message for Leothiel. He was thinking it was from his parents. His guess was right. Thaelen penned the letter.

"Dear Son Leothiel,

We have had a change in plans for the week of the wedding: Instead of arriving in Silvermoon during the midweek, we are arriving at the beginning of the week. We left everything behind in Dalaran when the plague broke out and some of our estate in Silvermoon as well. We are going to spend time in the archives and see if we can claim what is ours.

Vira is doing well in school despite being locked down in fear for a couple of weeks. The administration of Stormwind schools decided to place her in Old Town, where sentiment against anyone non-human runs high. We tried for four weeks to get her into another school as she had been a target of hostility by other students from being elf and not being what they call 'normal'. We pulled her out of Old Town and into a private school that taught everything in Thalassian. We are all very happy about that now she is receiving a Quel'dorei education.

Mother is doing fine now that the school woes are done. However, she wonders what has become of Quel'thalas and what the absence of the Sunwell will do to the unborn child. I thought about your transformation and about Thieldren's stumps in his back. Vira has those same stumps next to her shoulder blades.

Love,
Your Father Thalen
*Last line is in a different handwriting*
Your Mother Anaria"

My own sister is being transformed too.. he thought. Soon, he was back binding a book and making a package for Roo, Oneille's adopted son.

[Leothiel]

Leothiel woke up in a daze. When he managed to stand up, his head felt like it was going to split open. Damn it, not again he thought. He made his way to the Dalaran infirmary. Azureus stayed with him until he made it to the door then flew off. Somehow, Leothiel made his way without stumbling. The last thing he remembered was falling into a bed in the infirmary and resuming a dreamless sleep.

*Same time in Stormwind*

Thaelen Frosthawk was in a very joyful mood. His daughter Vira had been adjusting to the Quel'dorei school very well, his wife Anaria was pregnant with their sixth child, and he was looking forward to his youngest son Leothiel's wedding, which was less than three weeks away. After he picked up the three rings from the jewel crafter, he made his way to the Stormwind library looking for more information on the state of Quel'thalas.

*Later that afternoon in Dalaran*

The healers could not believe their eyes. They wondered how an elf could grow a pair of wings. They also recognized the symptoms of overdoses of magic in blood elves. Some had recalled seeing elves who were transformed after overindulging in fel magics. Their only problem was this elf had never gorged himself with such magics. He soon stirred awake from the murmurings. Soon he wondered about those voices. "Oneille? Azureus?"

[Oneille]

Oneille rested her head against the pillow, the soft downing a comfort to the confusion swarming about her mind. Her lord and love was somewhere seeking the answers to whatever plagued him. There was no comfort for herself as well. Thoughts drifted between the upcoming wedding and the trip planned to see the Oracles in the basin, there came a nagging sensation at the back of her head. She felt befuddled wondering what was happening to Leothiel. In a cold sweat she awoke sometime later a dread gnawing at her mind. Sitting upright in bed Oneille glared at the far wall of her bedroom.

"What is coming over me, " sighing Oneille looked to her ceiling then laid right back down.

Dreams never came. Oneille passed the night thinking of Leothiel and his dreams. As night carried on the elven warlock eventually dreamed of Leothiel. Each image passing by, racing into a blur. There came a few more passing images until she saw the flame and the breach of earth...infernos and brimstone.

"No!" crying out into the empty night Oneille panted. Catching her breath she stay upright, the early dawn breaking through the apartment windows. The nightmare faded as did sleep. Rubbing at her forehead and about her neck, Oneille felt the chill of uncertainty course down her spine. The covers were brought closer to her as she huddled for their shelter.

"I saw him...but why did I see what Leo might have seen...makes no sense..." sighing Oneille bite at her lower lip.

"If I see these visions then maybe it's just stress," Oneille felt sick to her stomach. Not only was she worried about Leothiel and his nightmares, but it seemed that her step-father Jeriden Dawnbringer and the Assembly were facing problems. The paladin Leon from a few nights ago was still about and this time he was out looking for trouble.

"Please return soon, Leothiel. I love you my lord, my white lion."

[Leothiel]

The day after he checked into the infirmary, Leothiel was ready to leave. Even the healers thought so. After his departure, he saw Azureus outside waiting for him enthusiastically. When he arrived back at his apartment, Thieldren and Oneille were waiting for him. He greeted Oneille with a kiss and an embrace that seemed to last some time. Leothiel greeted his brother Thieldren with a hug. He was not ready to explain as they had some catching up to do.

Back in the infirmary, the healers were puzzled. Leothiel left many questions "This was the most unusual case I had ever seen magic attacking the body of its wielder," said one of the healers. "He claimed it happened to him in the past after he changed his affinity from frost to arcane." One of them noted something in the Leothiel's blood: There were bright crystals in his blood.

After some time with Oneille and Thieldren, Leothiel told what had happened: Their sojourn into the Sunwell Plateau had set off the magic in his system again. There is something magical about that place that makes it dangerous for him. Leothiel and Oneille went back to his apartment where he was working on a package for Oneille's adopted Oracle son Roo. "I will have it ready in time for the wedding night."

That night, he wrote in his journal:

"Yesterday, I had another magic attack: This was the first one since after my attunement from frost to arcane. I think the proximity to the Sunwell triggered it as previous ones happened under the same circumstances. I found myself as a curiosity to the healers. I am a mageblood elf, not someone's research subject to be poked or prodded.

Today, I left and met with Oneille and Thieldren. Thieldren is making the final arrangements for my upcoming bachelor party. I want to be with Oneille even more.

Three weeks ago, I had a concern that Oneille's adopted son Roo would have to compete with my own as-yet unconceived children. It took me about three weeks before I worked up the fortitude to bring this up to her. Soon I realized I need to accept what is given to me: It is my role be a father to Roo as long as she has custody of him. I am nearly finished with a package for him."

[Oneille]

Oneille had great concern for Leothiel after there visit from the night before. There was concern for he recently came from the Dalaran infirmary. Mention of his condition stayed on the warlock's mind all through the day. Oneille kept up with her mothering of Roo and helping him to understand what he wanted of spells and mystics. She felt at odds with herself. As much as she loved her son she felt she held him and Leothiel back.

With the impending future of life with Leothiel and the child she adopted she hoped both adopted father and son could find a common ground. Oneille yawned and stretched the quill in her hand dropping. Late night scryering had taken another victim. In her small apartment the night time silence was deafening. Oneille scooted away from her desk taking the dying candle and finding her way to her soft bed. The solace of sleep beckoned.

The bedroom was dark and at the first glow of candlelight Oneille found the small figure of little Roo perched on her pillow. he had his own place to sleep but kept coming back to the same place for rest. This was cute but had to stop. As a mother she felt compelled to let him be here but soon this bed would not fit him. What she was mainly concerned with was...his future and the future in regards to Leothiel. Oneille and Leothiel spoke of children and the future with them. It's high time to start focusing on such matters.

Oneille picked up her son and slowly deposited him on the opposite side of the bed. The warlock exhausted from her long day tied her hair back and blow out the candle as she went to bed. Little Roo barely flenched as she settled into sleep.

Sighing she eased into sleep, "Leothiel, I love you." With that the worry of before slipped into rest as did the elven caster. Still at the forefront of her mind wrestled the woes of what was happening with her white lion.

[Leothiel]

Leothiel had finished the package for Roo: Some books that formed the cornerstones of knowledge that had enough material to last a few years. Two blank books for for journal writing, some quills and inkwells. Leothiel even included some written history and folk tales in the package.

Leothiel still had some signs of the magical shock he had the week before but they were now giving him occasional spells of dizziness. One of the healers paid him a house call. They talked in detail about his history of magic and how he had been transformed from its exposure. The healer said that she had also seen blood elves be transformed into felbloods from indulging in demon blood when she served under Kael'thas in Outland. She closed off with a question: "Are you related to Remtheras and Thieldren Frosthawk?" Leothiel's heart sank when at the mention of the name of the brother he killed before. He nodded and spoke softly, "I am their youngest brother. Remtheras is now dead and Thieldren is alive and free from the Scourge."

The healer then said "I need to head back." Leothiel spoke up "Would you like to leave a message with Thieldren? I can have Azureus ferry it to him." The healer had a look that said Who's Azureus? Leothiel pointed to the sleeping whelp on the windowsill. The healer left a message and sealed it. Leothiel wrote a cover message that said "An old friend wants to see you."

After the healer left, Leothiel went back to packing. He cleaned out a desk and found the lease of the apartment in Dalaran. Thieldren, he thought, My wedding day will be a big surprise for you. After some time, Azureus woke up, Leothiel attached the letters to him and sent him off.

[Oneille]

Faint sounds of scribbling traveled on the wind the source was none other than Oneille Brightgrove: scryer, researcher, archivist, and librarian. This morning she bent over aparchment a pair of glasses about to fall from her face (going unnoticed by the elf). All attention focused on the diction of some Thalassian magister from an earlier meeting. Oneille's right hand gripped hard at the quill, its visits to the ink well fewer as Oneille read over her handiwork repeatedly. It was mid morning in Silvermoon City, the offices of the Sin'dorei capital were hushed as constant paperwork and meetings filled agendas. Several nobles gathered around the Court of the Sun fountain showing off their status with shining jewels and gaudy robes. Just another day in the capital.

Thud! Oneille's glasses fell from her nose and collided with the drying parchment. Squeezing her nose bridge the elven maiden sighed. She spent all morning preparing a diction for a noble only to have him demand more information on his topic, "I don't care how long this takes Brightgrove I want the research!" Normally such barks were the cry for power trips by nobility...especially the less influential types.

"Goddess help me this fool's request is driving me into a rut." Oneille sighed pulling her hands above her head stretching. Soothing out her robe and looking to the hourglass at her desk she groaned.

There was no end to the paperwork. Even now Leothiel was cleaning his old apartment making arrangements to move in with Oneille. Little Roo was off at school his nose still buried in the magic book his mother found for him in the library. The sun shone but gloom warded overhead...there was still so much to do for the upcoming wedding!

Oneille pushed away the parchment. She reached down to open a bottom desk draw and from within it's confines pull out a small blue box. Inside the box lay a single, almost white strand of Leothiel's hair. Oneille had tied the lock about with a blue ribbon. Smiling at the single bit of hair from her lion's mane she admired it, what it stood for, and fancied whether or not that Leothiel admired hers from time to time.

Kissing the strand she smirked then put the box and lock away. "Soon, my lion, soon. No more waiting. Soon we'll fall asleep in each other's arms never to be separated again. I just want you safe and alive. I love you, Leothiel."

Staring at the parchment Oneille took to the duty of writing, researching, and finishing her project. Elsewhere in the world her lion bravely sought his own answers.