New Year, New Life

[Leothiel]

The trials in the Icecrown Complex had paid off. Quel'delar, the Sister Blade, had been reforged. However, the exposure of it to Frostmourne had contaminated it. Only one place had the energies to cleanse it with pure light: The redeemed Sunwell. Leothiel had a look of dread on his face: The exposure of the Sunwell's energies had reacted with the arcane energies in his blood, which would make him ill for a few days after the exposure. His first task involved finding a fallen warrior in the Dead Scar. When Leothiel arrived in the Dead Scar, there was a hush. Not only could he feel the energies of the Sunwell, but he could see the armies of the undead fighting the Quel'dorei, but there was no sound.nnSoon, he found the remains of a warrior then his ghost approached Leothiel. It was the ghost of Thalorien Dawnseeker, the last wielder of Quel'delar before the Scourge invasion: The blade had called out his ghost. Leothiel single-handedly held off the undead, buying Dawnseeker's ghost not only more time but his blessing for the blade. After he received the blessing, the Dead Scar fell silent once more and the visions of the undead fighting slowly faded. Leothiel was hoping to catch a glimpse of his late sister Islanna, who died defending the Sunwell. He returned to the village on the north side of Quel'danas and entered the Sunwell.nnInstantly, he could feel the energies flowing through his body. He walked some, then felt a slight pain. By the light, I pray I survive. He sped up slowly then the pain started to become more intense with each step: The energies were attacking his body. When he reached the Sunwell, he mustered what strength he had, threw the blade into the well then doubled over. Two of the healers came in and dragged Leothiel away from the Sunwell. Something started happening to the blade: The energies were purging it from the defilement. The light was so intense, no one could see what was happening. After the blade was cleansed, the healers patched up Leothiel's body. Leothiel slowly walked over to the cleansed Quel'delar. When he touched it, he could feel the Sunwell's energies seeping into him, giving him an excruciatingly painful cleansing. Is it finished? he thought. Am I no longer afflicted by arcane taint?nnAfter a few minutes, Leothiel stood up. He knew he had to go. He returned to Quel'delar's rest where he presented the blade to a Sunreaver agent. The agent attuned the blade to him. That evening, Leothiel told Oneille about what happened in the Sunwell. He also said that he had intended to visit Islanna's grave with the sword but would rather have Oneille with him. He was not sure he was going to wake up the next morning feeling horribly ill. That night, his dreams were filled with a combination of demons, naaru, and Frosthawk heirs who were yet to be born.nnLeothiel woke up feeling normal. He could not feel the arcane magic in his blood attacking his body. Have I been cleansed? he thought. Then something hit him: He remembered Xi'ri telling him to "Make peace with the Sunwell." He left Quel'delar in his study. He picked up the blade and looked at it more closely: It was larger than his younger sister Vira, who was born near the end of the Third War. He could feel the powers of the Sunwell pulsating throughout it with the magic in his body being in tune with it. I have made peace with the Sunwell.nnThat evening, Leothiel and Oneille went to Quel'danas. They found Islanna's grave. Leothiel unsheathed the sword and planted the blade in the ground. Islanna's ghost walked in from the direction of the Sunwell. "Brother, what is this?" She recognized the blade. "How did you find that?" Leothiel talked about where he and Oneille had been as well as about the Sunwell. Islanna gave them both charges: To slay the Lich King and to continue the Frosthawk line. Before Oneille could say a word, Islanna's spirit told her "Sister, I know you are carrying new life." When her spirit returned to the afterlife, Leothiel pulled Quel'delar out of the ground and they left knowing that Islanna's death would not go unanswered.nnAt the same time in Stormwind, Thaelen and Anaria Frosthawk were preparing for a night of partial rest. When they were in their dreams, they felt an energy. Anaria quickly woke up and thought The Sister Blade is in the House. There was a minor stir in the cradle from Anthaniar, who was born the month before.

[Oneille]

*Silvermoon City*n"It's a tome in regards to the elemental master of Fire. A plane of elements that you've no culling in my lord." Oneille read from her book the notion that phoenix ashes needed copius amounts of heat to warm them and suffice them with life. Only one such place could give the darkened ashes life again: The lava dredges of Blackrock Mountains...nnIn the firey dethps of Blackrock Mountains, across a grated bridge, and at the edge of a lava waterfall a traveler will find the Black Forge. This monstrous oven like forge billows steam, smoke, and ash that flies out cinging those who come close. The river of lava flowing in the background surges through the bedrock that is Molten Core, home to the fire elemental masters. It is here that a once proud fire mage, Oneille Frosthawk finds herself with her husband the Lord Leothiel Frosthawk. nnLeothiel carried the ashes carefully to the furnace. A small pouch of magical ashes fallen from the husk of Kael'thas demanding life. With a hiss and a loud shrill cry the ashes ignited before the couple. In place of ash was the startling image of a phoenix hatchling. nn"Al'lar a phoenix..."Oneille smiled at her lord and husband.nn"Yes a brilliant creature given life again." Leothiel admired the new "hatched" fire bird. In a haze of birth, the young phoenix cried out and flapped restlessly before the two elves. Slowly he gained strength and his barings.nnnLater on that night Kim and Azureous kept close watch over the new creature only to stay quiet in their own corner as the creature rested on a pearch. A new member to the ever growing Frosthawk family.

[Leothiel]

*Stormwind*nnThe thought of Quel'delar being in the hands of a Frosthawk stuck in Anaria's mind for a long time. It was to the point where she took some time out while one-month-old Athaniar was sleeping, she penned a letter.nn"Dear Son Leothiel,nnI felt a surge of light and remembered a blade called Quel'delar. Last week, I had a dream that you were in possession of it and I have the feeling that is true. I also saw Islanna's spirit and she claimed to have seen it on you. You have cleansed the land in the aftermath of the Scourge and of the traitor prince Kael'thas. I have been hearing about the battles at Icecrown taking down the Scourge. Bring honor to the House and destroy the Lich King. Doing so will honor Islanna greatly.nnBack home, it is normal for a newborn. Vira has been taking the role of a secondary mother to Athaniar. She has also been taking on the role of a protector. Thaelen is back teaching at the mage school once again and he was researching new enchants. I know you are ambitious to protect your unborn child, but do not forget about the one who carries him or her. Thaelen was that way with me when I was carrying Islanna.nnBring great glory to the HousennYour mother, Anaria"nnShe then heard a momentary stirring from the cradle followed by the sound of Athaniar sleeping. Anaria started another letter, this time to Oneille. The letter was talking about preparations for the first child. There was a stirring from the cradle yet again, this time two large white glowing eyes opened. Athaniar, you are awake she thought. She picked him up and held him close. After some time, Anaria called for the family hawk Ghost and sent the letters on their way.

[Oneille]

Oneille studied the book with intensity. She felt her eyes strain at the pages. The archive offices fell silent as early evening settled in with many arcanist preparing to leave. A small clock chimed in the distance, "My duties for this day are over then," Oneille closed her tome slowly pushing away her glasses and setting to the desk. A page knocked on her door and bade his farewell.nn"I go for the evening now mistress best you the same." His name was Threte Sungazing a new page assigned to Oneille's office. She often treated him with a cold demeanor but his concern for his mistress and her affairs brought about a different approach. nn"'Best you the same' Are you trying to get rid of me so easily?" Oneille chuckled, "Oh dear that bruise from yesterday still lingers."nn"My lady are you well?" Threte pondered floating in the office doorway.nn"I was knocked over by a warrior the other night in my own guild hall," she paused sighing heavily, "Sometimes I wonder why they even let brute's into the halls. Oh well..." In a rush Oneille knocked over her satchel the contents slightly spilling forth. nn"Ma'am maybe I best walk you to the door, aye?" nn"Threte, I am not some invalid...I can manage," Oneille blushed as she bent to pick her papers and items up.nn"No, I merely believe you've much more than just work on your mind," he gestured and her head shook.nnOneille knew all too well what he meant. The offices grew silent and many of the patrons in the library shuffled out. A page from another office motioned Threte over, "If my lady will excuse me..." In a dash he was gone.nn*Silvermoon City, late evening, apartment of Oneille and Leothiel*nKim ran past Azureous and the Phoenix hatchling greeting Oneille with a whine for attention. "Oh little one you're still as crazed as ever," she kissed him on his forehead and saw Azureous glaring back at her, "And you..."nnOneille tossed the draconic whelp a treat then grinned at her pets, "Seems the family grows and grows, with a few oddballs in the mix."nnAs Oneille sat her satchel down a rapping caught her attention, "Ghost!" The Frosthawk hawk had paid the Lady a visit with a letter no less.

[Oneille]

Oneille turned restlessly in slumber her mate soundlessly asleep at her side. With a furrowed brow and thoughts wandering, the elven maiden groaned as a dark image burned into her mind. She awoke instantly as dark claws closed in about her dreamscape. Oneille panted and heaved tossing aside the sheets. The room grew heavy, the air stale, and a sharp pain throbbed at Oneille's temples. Fragile hands soothed the pounding drums of headache. Each thrump of a vein sent Oneille cringing in agony.nn"What was that? Dark, monstrous, and menacing..." Oneille slide her legs over the side of the bed, she wobbled to her feet as she stood grabbing for her nightrobe. Tying the nightrobe in place, Oneille flipped her hair out from under the collar gaze finding Leothiel and his sleeping form. Green emerald eyes fixated on the albino elf mate. Leothiel seemed quiet and peaceful when he slept. After his victories against the Alliance his mood was uplifting but he could become ferocious in temper should his efforts falter. To Oneille she cared for victory...but her heart needed her mate. More than ever she needed him. With the approachment of a cub for both, life became a uphill struggle. nnOneille slowly walked back to the bed and sat down her eyes watching her mate, there she stayed till she herself fell back to sleep next to him.

[Leothiel]

Leothiel woke up in the morning refreshed. A look on Oneille, backed up by her tone of voice, suggested she did not have a good night. Usually, dreams scare children awake and stick with them for some time. In adults, the nightmares can be skipped but what she dreamed that night had to have been major, or even a foreshadowing. Oneille was starting to show in her pregnancy, which was weighing more heavily on her mind. Leothiel was also becoming more protective of her as well as the yet-unborn elfling.nnAfter Oneille left, Ghost flew back to Stormwind. Leothiel had much on his mind: Quel'delar, the Lich King, the Argent Tournament. That evening, Oneille reminded him of something: The need for a homestead as the apartment will be barely able to accomodate them when the next Frosthawk is born.

[Oneille]

Oneille awoke to the sounds of city song birds singing on the wind. Late morning. Leothiel gone and only herself in the apartment. Another night and another morning alone. Her sighs echoed down the hallway catching the attention of a one Kim who padded down the hall and looked to his mistress. Oneille smiled at the little worg pup at the foot of the bed. nn"You little one are quite the riot this pass week. Chasing warriors and priests." Oneille picked the little creature up and kissed his forehead. "Silly little whelp." She grinned and coddle the small wolf pup setting him down. As she did she caught her reflection in the bedroom mirror. Crimson locks spilled over her shoulders loose from her tight ponytail. A once slim form now rounded with cub settled before her.nn"I wonder if..." Oneille stopped mid sentence, a sharp pain gripped her sides. There came a groan as a rush of arcane tore through her system crippling her till breathing became labored, raspy. "Leothiel...it hurts...it hurts..." She shook growing warm as if fever overcame her.nFresh tears stung her eyes as they streaked down her face. Oneille fell to her knees collapsing to her side. She groaned out in agony lying there alone, in pain, and crying calling out to her mate, "Leothiel...help..."

[Leothiel]

After a weekend of battle in the field and passion in the bedchamber, it was time to return back to the Nyx offices. The battleground and arena matches over the weekend gave him a renewed sense of confidence and spurred him to rework the operations of the War Ward. He pulled out his quill and started outlining his new plan based on recent events. His view was more militaristic. In in upswing, the homeless bullies of Northrend was losing morale. To be the most feared in all of Azeroth was the idea to which he held on in his writing.nnWhen he finished writing, it was a matter of looking for land for a homestead. The Nyx headquarters was ideal, but not for sale. That evening, he and Oneille met near the Sunwell fighting the shadows that still haunt the place. Oneille had a look of concern on her face saying "I had an arcane surge today." The words struck some concern in him. Leothiel's mother had magic surges when she was pregnant with him and had even more pronounced surges when carrying Athaniar, who was born the previous month. Leothiel and Oneille talked about this in more detail before he made mention of Xi'ri. "We still have yet to visit him."nnLater on, there was a celebration: Asarelah would be formally recognized ascending from a Nightwarder to an Oracle. Before the ceremony, Leothiel and Oneille did some looking around Eversong. First, they looked at one site north of Fairbreeze that had a waterfall and overlooked a divergence of the Elrendar River. Another site overlooked Stillwhisper Pond. The both chose the spot near Fairbreeze. "In the morning, I will head to the land claim office." On the way to Asarelah's ascension, Oneille made a request to Leothiel. "Could you stay home longer in the morning?" The surge disabled Oneille for some time. Leothiel even had surges when his attunement changed from frost to arcane. He also knew the surges could be crippling. He said that he would remain home longer before he enters in his claim. Afterwards, they joined with the tribe to honor Asarelah in her ascent to Oracle.

[Leothiel]

Oneille woke up first and gave Leothiel a kiss. The kiss he received sent him from a dream back into reality. The first thing he heard was a female growl followed by a purring of "Good morning, my lord." His eyes opened with a pair of green eyes staring at him directly. He did not say a word but greeted with another kiss. He remembered her request to stay home longer in the event she had another arcane surge in her body as her memory was fresh from the crippling one about the same time the day before.nnWhile they were enjoying a breakfast of dragonhawk omelets, the conversation took several directions. The first was about magical or arcane surges. Leothiel's mother Anaria is no stranger to surges during pregnancy as she had them while carrying Leothiel and then with his now 1-month-old brother. Leothiel himself was no stranger to those surges, which happened after his attunement to the arcane. The last surge cleansed him of that from the Sunwell. The conversation transitioned to visiting Xi'ri. Leothiel though he had made peace with the Sunwell and now wielded some of its power.nnSoon, the conversation went to looking for a homestead. They found two possible sites and narrowed down to one. After breakfast, Leothiel and Oneille walked to the library together. Afterwards, Leothiel was off to the Land Claims office to bid on land.

[Leothiel]

Leothiel arrived at the land claims office. A clerk went with him to the north bank of the Elrendar River divergence. "You picked a good piece of land for an homestead." Leothiel gave a smile to the comment. The clerk drove stakes into the ground to mark the proposed property lines. Afterwards, it was back to file the paperwork. Leothiel thought he knew the process. Unfortunately, they had changed since his law practice days. Since he left law, the Scourge invasion happened, which decimated many houses and rendered some of them extinct. This put land titles on hold while Quel'thalas was struggling to recover. Under Thalassian law, any land from extinct houses would be put under the administration of the kingdom until it is claimed. Leothiel was unsure of how long clearing land titles would take.