Reunions

Alleriel strode with purpose down the street, her gaze roaming over the signs of the nearby shops. Dressed in carefully crafted leather armor that had been dyed red and accentuated with the red tabard of the Blackhearts, her outfit stood out amongst the lightly colored buildings of Dalaran, yet matched the red cobblestone streets perfectly. With the half-mask she wore to protect her face from the bitter northern cold pulled down, Alleriel's peaceful demeanor was plain for all to see, written on her face in a smile as she took in the wonders of the city.

She had arrived only hours before, on the longest leg of her journey of self-discovery. Intent on retracing the events of the past few years and visiting the homes of her allies, she had already visited many different locations across Azeroth and even the Outlands. It was now time for her to explore the frozen north, where her people had sacrificed and lost much to help defeat the Scourge in recent times. Already the frozen vistas and brilliant dawns had captivated her heart, and she was eager to see what else the lands had to show her about herself and her people. That was, of course, after she obtained some proper cold-weather equipment. Even perfectly balanced Chi would keep frostbite away for only so long.

As she rounded a corner, she came up short when an elf stepped away from one of the doorways and blocked her path. He was the same height as her, his pink complexion and soft features marking him as being of the same race. The difference between her and the stranger extended only to the soft blue glow of his eyes, and the distinct displeasure scrawled across his face.

"Can I help you sir?" Alleriel said, the smile still on her face.

The elf's scowl merely deepened as he reached into a pocket on the coat he wore and withdrew a piece of parchment. As he moved, Alleriel was able to glimpse the armor he wore beneath the heavy garment through the open front, and her eyes widened.

Why would a Silver Covenant member wish to stop me....?

He thrust the paper towards her, and she reached out slowly, trepidation overcoming her natural calm. A heavy lump settled in her chest as she took the parchment. The Quel'dorei didn't bother to say anything to her as she took it, merely turning and hurrying away as if being near her would cause him to contract an illness.

For her part, Alleriel merely unfolded the piece of paper, her sea green eyes widening as she discovered it contained only an address and a time. A time that was nearly upon her. With a resigned nod, she folded the paper up and looked to the nearest street sign, already plotting her path to the written address.

Getting her bearings in the city quickly, she hurried along the various streets, her gaze now looking to street signs rather than to shop signs. At last she found the address that was indicated, and stepped to the front door, opening it and stepping inside what appeared to be a florist's shop. The shop keeper, a human woman, looked at her and nodded once, as if she was expected. She tilted her head towards the back door, and then resumed pruning a small plant she had been handling when Alleriel stepped in.

With a shrug, Alleriel moved towards the door indicated, and stepped through into the shop's back room, closing the barrier behind her. She discovered immediately that it wasn't dark within the enclosed space because there were magical lights illuminating the small room, allowing her to see clearly the shelves of planting pots, tools, and sacks of soil.

And the two Quel'dorei elves standing within the room awaiting her.

Alleriel took a deep breath to calm herself, bringing herself upright and presenting a formal appearance as best she could given her stained and worn travel gear. The two elves before her wore long, flowing white robes that bore the symbols of the Silver Covenant on them. It did not surprise Alleriel that they were there though. After all, it only made sense.

She dipped her head once, murmuring softly, "Ann'da. Minn'da. It has been long since I've seen you both. I hope that you are well."

The two elves looked her, almost regal in their stance, their blue eyes studying every detail of their daughter as if measuring and weighing her. It was true that Alleriel had not seen her parents since the rift between those who would become Sin'dorei and those who had remained Quel'dorei.

"We are well, Alleriel," her father said softly. Kethan Sunhaven had always been one to speak as efficiently as possible, and he wasted little breath on needless words here. This was not a happy family reunion, but a necessary inspection of his heir.

Beside Kethan, Alleriel's mother Denala Sunhaven stirred, the golden blonde hair that so matched her daughter's shifting slightly. She offered Alleriel a half smile, her voice warmer as she spoke in turn, "And you Alleriel? How do you fare, and what of the fortunes of House Sunhaven?"

Alleriel took in a soft breath to balance herself, knowing that she had to remain calm and focused before her parents. She spoke with a steady voice, "We fare well. Although times were difficult immediately following your departure, we have managed to survive and prosper even in darkness. Recent events have been...unfortunate, and required that I make decisions to help restore balance to those you left in my care and our people."

Kethan nodded, his face betraying little emotion, "We are aware of the events in Theramore, Alleriel. It was difficult to face the knowledge that those we left behind were capable of such acts. I trust you have taken the lesson of this incident to heart? You were always wise enough to see the truth of things."

Alleriel swallowed once, her attempts to remain focused failing for the first time in many weeks. All of the training in the world could not keep her inner Chi aligned when faced with the judgement of her parents and the acts that the Sin'dorei had helped commit. She merely nodded, her face pale as she looked her parents in the eyes, "I have taken it to heart Ann'da. As a result of this act, House Sunhaven has been purged of all magic. We live a more simplistic lifestyle now, and those whom you left under my guidance seek a way to free ourselves and purify our spirits. It is my hope that we can learn a new path, and teach others as well, before we repeat the mistakes of our former Prince."

Alleriel's parents paused for a moment, glancing at each other. There was more communicated in that glance than an entire conversation, and the silence in the room weighed heavily on Alleriel. Her parents had left her as the ruler of House Sunhaven when they had chosen to remain Quel'dorei and face the ravages of the Thirst after the death of the Sunwell. They knew then, when they left, that Alleriel would do what she could to guide those who stayed behind wisely. Those who stayed behind, those who became green-eyed Sin'dorei, would at least have someone to care for them in the darkness. Alleriel's sacrifice in remaining had been difficult for both Quel'dorei to process, and now, for the first time, they had the chance to see what she had done, what she had become.

It was a chance to witness and judge her.

Her mother turned back towards her, a look of concern on her face, "You are traveling the world without magic Alleriel? That is quite dangerous."

Alleriel smiled and dipped her head, "Minn'da, I have been training in new ways, different ways brought to us from faraway lands. It is my hope that studying these new ideas and new culture will allow me to find some enlightenment that will aid House Sunhaven in the trials to come. I am...capable, even if unarmed, and such power cannot be abused, because it requires strength of will, focus, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world. I hope that I will, in time, become proficient enough in these ways to teach others, and help heal the Sin'dorei."

Again silence descended between the three elves and Alleriel watched her parents as they exchanged another glance. Finally, Kethan nodded once, a slight smile creasing his lips, "Alleriel, we are very proud of you. You have done much to correct the many things wrong in Quel'Thalas. Although it was difficult to watch you choose to stay behind, we understand why you felt it was necessary. We cannot join you in your journey, for we chose a different path, but know that we support you even when we are not there."

Alleriel's heart ached as her father spoke the words that she'd secretly been wishing to hear for years. She had had no way of talking to either of her parents once the rift formed between Quel'dorei and Sin'dorei, and the Silver Covenant especially was an enemy to her people now. This chance meeting, this brief moment with them, told Alleriel all she needed to know about the righteousness of her path. She would not fail them, and would not fail the Sin'dorei. They would survive the coming war and heal as a people. She would see to it as long as she had breath in her body.

She looked down, tears filling her eyes as her self-control broke. It was rare for her to allow emotion to penetrate so deeply through her rigid training, but she had not been taught to reject good emotions. Quite the opposite, she had been taught that they strengthened her spirit, and that she should embrace them. Even as she began to cry, she felt both of her parents move closer, their arms encircling her and holding her tight.

For a moment the three stood, holding each other in happy reunion, Alleriel's mother soothing her by patting her hair. After a time, the moved apart, the older Quel'dorei looking at Alleriel with a mixture of pride and sadness.

"We cannot tarry here long Alleriel," Kethan said softly. "With things as they are in the world now, we cannot be seen with you publicly. Not here, and not now. Maybe with time, even this wound will heal and we can reunite with you. Know though that we will always be here in your darkest hours my daughter."

Alleriel nodded, taking a breath to calm herself again and allowing her Chi to balance perfectly within her. Her face glowed with peace and serenity, and her parents smiled at her with pride. She moved forward, embracing them one last time, "I will not fail Quel'Thalas. Our people will have their soul again one day. Our mistakes will be long forgotten in the past, and we will heal. I swear it will be so."

With that she turned, slipping from the room and leaving her parents behind, her last sight of them the smiles on their aged faces. She had a lightness in her heart now that she would carry with her through the rest of her journey. She realized, as she returned to the streets of Dalaran, that coming here had had the exact purpose and effect that she'd hoped; she had found another piece of herself, found another point of serenity upon which to focus. As all of the learning she'd experienced previously had done for her, this trip would teach her many things about herself, her family, and her purpose on Azeroth.