Into the Light

07 | UNCERTAINTY

Malfurion was waiting for Tyrande. He turned, startled by her sudden appearance. As the portal closed, she caught him glance into the place she had just left. Xe'ra glowed with light once more. Astonishment filled his eyes, but he said nothing.

Grateful for his silence, Tyrande sank onto one of the cushioned benches. He brought her a cup of wine. She thanked him and sipped, eyeing him. He had come to her as he promised, after all, in the guise of the Malfurion she knew and loved from so long ago. Despite her inner turmoil, she found a smile for him.

"How fares Cenarius?"

Malfurion shook his head. "He is the same. Hamuul Runetotem brought several druids from the Cenarion Circle, he has promised to change healers every few hours. I feel safer leaving Cenarius's side with Hamuul there."

Tyrande nodded, pleased the others had come to aid Malfurion, despite the pressures mounting daily against the druids from the Nightmare.

He gestured at the empty space where the portal had been. "Are you going to tell me what that was about?"

Tyrande swallowed her wine, its rich taste turning bitter in her mouth as she recalled the Na'aru's final words. "I asked Khadgar to arrange for me to meet with Xe'ra about Illidan. She has sent me onwards to Winterspring, to Elune's Altar."

Malfurion's face darkened. "I did not expect Elune to help you. It is against everything She stands for."

Tyrande stood up and paced to the balcony overlooking the Temple Square. Willow trees dotted the open space, their long blue branches drifted downwards, rippling in the warm evening breeze. Two lavender leaves fell and spiralled down into the empty square. She watched them float through the air, chasing and circling until they were caught in an updraught and flew away into the sky. She wished she was one of those leaves and Malfurion the other. She sighed.

He touched her shoulder. "Tyrande?"

She turned and let him enclose her against his chest, warm and solid. "I never wanted this. Do you remember how much I resisted when I had to take the mantle of High Priestess of Elune? I did not want the role, the responsibility. It was forced upon me. Ever since I have tried my best to do what is right and be a good leader. Xe'ra, she . . . " Tyrande stopped, humiliated.

"She what?"

"She chastised me, saying I should reconsider and remain here, to not abandon my people, or my responsibilities. She said Illidan's fight is his own, brought on by his own actions." Tyrande felt Malfurion's hold on her tighten. He kissed the top of her head, but said nothing. She knew he was waiting, able to sense when she had more to say. She drew breath, seeking the courage to confess the rest, afraid that by saying it, she would make it real. Malfurion stroked her hair, gentle. She looked up, and met his eyes, seeing his love for her in them. The words came out, all at once, before she could stop herself.

"She said something else. She said I would suffer terrible loss, but when I asked her what the loss would be, she did not answer. Before I left, her light went out, and she fell silent," Tyrande shuddered. "It was . . . ominous."

"And now, what will you do?"

Tyrande extracted herself from his embrace, and went to Iasar, splayed on a rug, playing with a soft woollen toy in the shape of a rabbit. She stroked the kitten, her heart aching. She would miss her companion. What if she never came back? She sensed Malfurion moving closer, uncertain.

She looked up. "I will dine with my husband. Before I go to sleep, I will ask Elune for guidance. When I wake, I will have my answer."

Malfurion knelt beside her, taking her hands into his. "I will stay with you. Nothing could keep me from you on such a night as this."

Tears of gratitude came to her eyes. She didn't deserve him. "I would like that very much. Hold me, my love. Just hold me."