#talandriel

Sunrise; happily ever after is just another beginning.

The League Garrison

“Blackfire!” The door shuddered beneath Talandriel’s plate fist. “Lord Black–” A rush of warm air hit her face. “It’s Eriene,” she gasped. Light from beyond the doorway illuminated her torn armor and shredded tabard. “She’s–”  The tips of her ears trembled. ”She’s asking for you.”

From the darkness beyond the garrison wall rose a frost wolf’s mournful howl.

Ariceli by barn-swallow.  Commission of baby Talandriel & her mother. 

Talandriel’s opinion of Quel’dorei being allowed back in Silvermoon is a giant NOPE! 

As a Silvermoon City Guardian she ground her teeth at the passing of high elven pilgrims and cursed the Regent Lord’s generosity in permitting these exiles access to the Sunwell. If it were up to her they would all be expelled.

This is, admittedly, a rather ungracious view considering the defeated Sunfury also benefited from Lor’themar’s generosity, but Talandriel most vehemently condemns in others the failings that reflect her own. She views high elves as traitors who abandoned their own – the same view she holds of herself.

Talandriel regards the Kaldorei with a wary eye. Fierce as they are cunning, she considers Night Elf warriors most formidable among the Alliance champions.

The discovery of Sentinel spies in Ghostlands a few years ago put to rest any gentle consideration she held for the race (born from Tyrande’s aid of Kael'thas).

The white wedding pavilion still glittered with arcane lanterns, though the guests, all but one, had long since gone. Red and yellow rose petals swirled in the fragrant breeze and the rustle of golden leaved trees masked Talandriel’s soft exhale. “I would have married her the first time she asked.”

Talandriel delivers this invitation personally. Elenori begs to come along because BABIES. At first Tal says no (because ghostlands is creepy and Lord Blackfire is creepier) but later she finds Nori dropping tears over the drawings she did (even Senes got one) and Tal relents.  

Nori wears her favorite green hairbow (the ribbon she stole from Tal’s flowers last year) and her dress is only a little dirty when they arrive at the Blackfire mansion. The mud at her hem was acquired while picking wildflowers (and a few weeds) for Eriene. The flowers (and weeds) are set in a little vase much to Nori’s delight.

Myrlenera blows bubbles at Elenori who is not to be outdone and conjures an arcane butterfly. The butterfly was supposed to sit on her finger and look pretty; instead, it darts around popping bubbles. Bad butterfly.  Myrlenera giggles. Pergale stares.

Watching Nori with the babies, it occurs to Tal that having another kid might not be a bad thing.

Silvermoon City, present day.

“Don’t kneel.“ The blood knight’s armor creaked as he bent. “You are a soldier now, not a guardian.”

She lifted her chin. “You’re still a champion.”

Inaris extended his hand. “Get up.”

Her jaw clenched as she surged to her feet. Despite his anchoring hold, a sharp hiss escaped through her teeth.

His fingers tightened a fraction. “You should see a healer.”

“I’m fine,” she said and jerked her hand away.

His lips pressed together. “I read Bloodfury’s report.”

She said nothing.

He raked a hand through his hair and sighed, “You need rest, Sunchaser.”

Her eyes closed. “I’ll rest after the wedding.”

“A wedding? Whose wedding?”

“Mine.”

His ears rotated in the stunned silence.

She swallowed hard and asked, “Will you come?”

“Me?”

“Tana too.”

It took him a moment to find his voice, "I’m not sure how Tana will beha--"

“--please.”  Her fingers dug into her palm. “It’s easier to be brave when you are beside me.”

An odd brightness shone in the blood knight’s eyes. “We’ll be there.”  His hand closed over her shoulder. “Just promise you won’t kneel to me again.”