After the Wedding

[Leothiel]

Leothiel woke up Monday morning refreshed yet tired. The week before, Oneille kept mentioning a gift she wanted for Winter's Veil but had seemed a bit embarrassed to mention. Finally, she worked up the gumption and blurted out that she wanted a family. This request caught Leothiel off-guard. He had been wanting to be a father but he had been indecisive thinking of the events over which he had no control. He also came to realize that to help rebuild his Homeland, he would have to rebuild his house.nnLeothiel got dressed and lost in his thoughts again when he saw something gray tapping on the window. It was a falcon with a message. Who do I know has a falcon as a messenger? he wondered. He approached the window hesitantly and opened it. The falcon came in and dropped his payload and flew off. There were two seals on the letter: One of his house and one he did not recognize. He hesitantly opened the letter.nn"Dear Leothiel,nnOn Thursday night, SI:7 agents and Stormwind guards raided your parents' house and arrested your father on charges of spying and fraternizing with the enemy. I know he is not guilty but I think he's been under watch longer than he thought. He realized he, Anaria, and Vira have been tailed for some time and they may have tried to silence him. Your mother has accepted sanctuary with the church until he has been cleared of charges.nnSincerely,nnSarah Dawnbright, acolyten*church seal identical to the one Leothiel did not recognize*nn*Anaria's signature is on but is shaky, the Frosthawk family seal is next to it*"nnLeothiel stopped in stunned silence then called for Azureus. The blue whelpling flew to him and bowed mid-air. Leothiel quietly said "What happened in Stormwind?" He then scryed the dragon's scale. He saw Vira grabbing the whelpling and panicking as she ran into the cellar and was in tears when she went to sleep. Leothiel then saw through the eyes of the whelp the aftermath the next morning after dawn. The house looked like it had been ransacked. The blow to his gut came seeing the dead carcass of his family's dragonhawk sundered in two on the floor. He witnessed the scene of his mother requesting sanctuary. The memory ended when Vira hid the dragon whelp in a basket.nnHe did not know what to think or what he could do. He had been a captive before in Stormwind's notorious Stockades, but his father could be in something worse.

[Leothiel]

*Stormwind, the morning after Thalen's arrest*nnThaelen could not tell what time it was in his cell. There was no light coming in. His body was confused. Even meditation could not help him. Every so often, a mage guard would come in and siphon off his magic rendering him unable to cast. The door opened without warning while two guards stormed in, one of whom used his club to rouse Thaelen on his feet. He was made to walk through what seemed like a very bright courtyard although it was cold, cloudy, and damp. The guard even gave a few hits when he fell behind. Other guards were murmuring Frosthawk is is name? I think I heard that name somewhere.nnThey escorted Thaelen into an ominous room with a table and some devices. The interrogator walked in and started what went for hours. Thaelen did everything in his power to keep quiet with blows to the face and body as the price. Thaelen was escorted to another cell afterwards, but there was some food available for a change. He enjoyed his first meal since the day before. He knew the solace would not last.nn*Two days after Thaelen's arrest*nnAnaria had gained some her spirit back but Vira was still shaken. She nearly relived the raid in her sleep. Usually, she looked forward to Winter's Veil but she kept thinking to herself I want father back. Anaria was insistent on doing church duties while under sanctuary. The lead priest said "You are full term with child..." Anaria replied almost angrily "That did not stop Thaelen and I from escaping Dalaran when the plague was spreading." The priest took a look at Vira then Anaria spoke more quietly. "I am a priestess under sanctuary and I have a desire to contribute my services until my child is born. I can tell you the duties of clergy are less physically demanding than escaping a city as a refugee." The priest relented.nnTwo days later, Anaria had much on her mind: Where her husband Thaelen was being held and finding a law practitioner to find grounds to clear him. Thaelen had more interrogations but his honesty has been earning him more bruises.

[Oneille]

Oneille held her hands at her waist then slowly ran them over her stomach. The outcome of several matings finally proved fruitful to both lion and lioness. Word reached Leothiel's ears upon his own wife's lips: Leothiel had produced an heir. Weeks past the warlock archivist suffered bouts of stomach pains, determined to be stress, but at the current state were truly the identified makings of pregnancy. nnShe felt happy and at peace. For once in her life there was tranquility. Leothiel, the tribe, new life growing in her womb...this was heaven! Though at that moment there was peace, elsewhere in the world, another part of the Frosthawk family endured. Anaria and Vira stayed in sanctum at the church far from the would be tormentors that had taken Thalen. nnThe war with Kingship ended and Quel'Thalas rebuiling much was happening in regards to the current Frosthawk family. Leothiel kept his efforts steadfast but as of late his own heart sank knowing full well his family in Stormwind were hurting.nnOneille gazed back from the mirror to the worg nestled at the foot of her bed. All she could think of was Leothiel, his family, and their future.

[Leothiel]

For Leothiel, the news could not have come at a better time. The Tribe was slowly working its way to Yogg-Saron's lair while the Argent Crusade and the Knights of the Ebon Hold broke the gates of Icecrown Citadel. Quel'thalas was also healing from the Scourge invasion from a few years before. The war against Kingship ended the month before as well. Leothiel stayed awake in bed imagining what his unborn children would be like. He knew they would channel the magics of the arcane. Would they share the wings that he has on his back and some of the crystals that were found in his blood? Eventually, his thoughts brought him to sleep where he met his offspring in a dream followed by the land around them fracturing and opening. Leothiel woke up in a cold sweat and Oneille stirred. He put his hand on her midsection and gave her a kiss. "My lion, you are having dreams again." Leothiel thought for a moment and spoke up. "I did. Our heirs with us and the land sundered around us."

[Oneille]

Oneille caressed her mate's cheek and softly kissed his lips, "You fear as do we all. These dreams are not mere shadows or vapors that pass between worlds. Something tells me what you experience is finding its way to reality. Our heirs will be safe, I know in my heart it shall be so."nnAt the back of her mind, Oneille sensed his urgency and danger. Leothiel was a proud protector and strong warrior. His life was constant strategy and officer's duties but at the end of the day he was just as mortal as the rest of the tribe. Oneille wrapped her arms about her husband and slowly nuzzled against his warm neck, "Dreams come and go, but I do not doubt these are premonitions."

[Leothiel]

*Stormwind*nnAt the beginning of the week, Anaria started looking for a law practitioner to see what has happened to Thaelen as well as to free him. Vira started recovering emotionally but would have the occasional nightmare of family or friends being hauled away. Thaelen was being held and was restricted from having visitors and was awaiting the first proceedings, which would be administered by a magistrate. The attorney asked for the evidence: Books, papers, and personal correspondence. One of the acolytes from the church sent her message to Leothiel to meet somewhere neutral and to bring any correspondence with him.nn*Silvermoon*nnLeothiel woke up the morning after assisting Sylvanas Windrunner in breaching the gates to Icecrown Citadel. Quel'thalas was not just the Homeland of the Frosthawks, but that of the Windrunners as well. Leothiel knew that he and Oneille had a different role in rebuilding the Homeland: That of a family. The Scourge invasion left the land scarred and the population depleted. The Frosthawk homestead was destroyed in the invasion. After Oneille parted for her archival work, Leothiel went to the bank and took out a sack of gold given to them both by the late Jeriden Dawnbringer: This was to buy a home.nnLate in the day, Leothiel received a message from Stormwind. It was a request to meet with his mother and one of her acolytes in Dalaran. He was instructed to bring any correspondence. I want you free, father.

[Oneille]

Oneille's female colleagues in the archives awed and swooned upon hearing the words of pregnancy. Each elven matron clamored hoping their words of wisdom would override the other's, but the whole group scattered once the head of the archives passed on through. He nodded at his researchers and bowed to Oneille going on his way to his office. Oneille felt happy and aloof. The past few weeks of quiet and rest helped to brighten her mood.nnShe sat at her wooden desk with neat towers of parchment lined the front and sides. In order and keeping order was the agenda. Idlely the elven maiden placed a hand to her waist blushing at the notion that in time she'd birth an heir to the Frosthawk line Leothiel was establishing. Her neck bent back, head following in a tilt as her fel tinged eyes stared up at the ceiling of her modest office. Chest heaving she let forth a long sigh of relief and comfort. The family she wanted and the life she dreamed of was real and here! nnDeep in the loving womb of this elven maiden grew the blessed product of two souls, two souls who've gone through the perils of pain, anguish, and demise yet in the end found their way back to each other. Love and hope have given them this great blessing.

[Leothiel]

Anaria had the arrangements in place: Not only was the acolyte to join her, but the attorney and the investigator from Stormwind as well. Vira was going to spend the day with friends to an early Winter's Veil celebration in Ironforge.nnLeothiel paid a visit to Thieldren in Dalaran to give him the arrangements and the update. "If I have to use the gift of the Scourge to rescue father, then I will." Leothiel answered back with "I don't think brute force will bring back our father, it will make them more likely to kill him and possibly bring mob justice on our house." Thieldren then thought of the signet ring on his right hand. The two brothers talked about other things, among them being married life for Leothiel. "It's getting better by the day, especially with what has happened this week." Leothiel's pause made Thieldren's ears and eyes perk up in interest and suspense. Leothiel lowered his voice and said "Oneille is carrying the first Frosthawk to be born in Quel'thalas in what will be 37 years." Thieldren sat for a moment then ordered another round of drinks "To you, the new patriarch of the Frosthawks." Both raised their glasses and drank.nnThieldren then spoke up. "I am envious of you. The Scourge stripped some of my elfin identity from me. The also stripped being able to experience the joys of the flesh and the ability to continue our lines." Leothiel finished his drink then had a reply. "Brother, it is time."nn"Time for what?"nn"Time for you to step out from my shadow and to carve a destiny and a future for yourself. Being touched by the Scourge has changed you but you are still an elf nonetheless and my brother. I refuse to compare myself to you as we have split off from each other in various ways."nnThere was silence between the two as Thieldren went to digest those words. Step out of his shadow... carve a new future for myself... After some quiet the two brothers bade each other farewell.

[Asarelah]

A smug looking Chaliyphah knocked gently on the Warlock's front door, and bid the answering drudge to conduct her to Lady Frosthawk.nnComing before Oneille, Chali dropped to one knee, and preferred out a scroll, the wax seal of which bearing the stamp of the House of Trueheart.nnOnei reached out her hand, with a smile. “You bear a message from my mother?”nnNodding, Chali gently placed the missive in Lady Frosthawk’s extended hand. “Aye, that I do, Mistress. And please accept my own humble congratulations, in addition.”nnA bright smile spread across Onei’s face as she opened her mother’s message.nnDear One,nnWord has reached me that you continue the Trueheart lineage with new issue. Well done, dearest of daughters. Very well done, indeed. Congratulations on your conception, in this holiest of seasons. I am so very proud of you !!nnI have sent word to your Grandmier, Iannina. Do not be surprised if she does not try and drag you to Stormwind City, to the Trueheart estate there. It would be like her to try and mold any heir apparent herself. But don’t be swayed. Regardless of what she has to say, you would not be safe there.nnRest assured I have ordered all of my Ward and Champions to keep watch over you. And to see to your safety!! Your Lord Husband's eyes and ears can not be everywhere at once!! And he has many enemies among the Alliance dogs.nnYou are well loved, but don’t let that rascal son-in-law of mine to spoil you utterly. For it is well know that you are the sun and the moon and the stars that shine as far as he is concerned!!nnMuch love, always !!nnMother

[Oneille]

The letter's words they soothed the anxiety she felt. The words calmed and swayed her mind away from the pettiness of war or suffering of ill will. There came ease. Mother Lah's tongue was as sharp as her wit, a trait she exhibited well. Oneille bade farewell to the druid and gave thanks as she returned to her abode. The letter warmed her soul to its core. nn"Mother speaks truth but she is right to mention this new development, with the Alliance still wavering in the peace time they are bound to make assault. I trust and have faith my mate and I shall be safe."nnOneille scrolled the parchment up and slowly began to close the door. Each step back into the home left the young matron happy, aloof, and giddy. Mother Lah's tidings lightened her dreary mood from earlier. At first the morning began with Leothiel determined and square jawed, his family needed him and his mood was already dreadful. No amount of caressing or consoling can make a man better or worse. Oneille simply kissed him goodbye but not before having his protective hands at her waist. She felt a red blush creep over her face. In all her years never has such been laid before her. nnShe was home and safe from the perils beyond. All that was left was to pray Leo a swift journey and guidance in returning his own father home.nn"I pray for you my white lion, my white mage. We love you." Both of the elf maiden's hands clasped at her midsection. "We are both love you."