Chapter 7 - Reunion

I packed only a few things, some spare clothes, just enough food to keep us from starving should an emergency arise, and the vial she had given me as a present. My heart was beating all the while. What would I say to her, what should I do? Should I hug her when I see her? Would that be too forward? I could not remember being that nervous since the day I first met Leraar to begin my training. Come to think of it Leraar would probably tell me to snap out of it, that this was a job and that distraction would only get the two of us killed. He would certainly not aprove of my feelings for this girl. I decided to keep what his would be advice was in my head and ignored the rest. Maybe I didn't have to severe all ties to be a great druid, afterall didn't he once say that contact with the outside world was sometimes a good thing?

As I approached the flightmaster to requisition a hippogryph for Rut'theran a familiar face once again stopped me.

"Ueki Dreamstar!"

I turned to see honey colored eyes looking over at me from a few meters off.

"Fariel! You always manage to delay my flights, what is it?" I replied.

He finished walking towards me and grabbed my hand, in it he put a sealed envelope. "That is from the High Priestess, she said she wont be meeting you afterall, but her contact still will be there to meet you. Best of luck Ueki!"

"To you as well my friend, may Elune light your path."

And with that I was off. Passing over Nighthaven began to show me just how much things had changed. Nighthaven was less populated now, and unless my eyes decieved me I thought I could see the bovine-like Tauren within the city walls. As my hippogryph headed over the mountains to the northwest of Nighthaven I was blinded by the light all around me. As soon as my eyes adjusted I saw a marvelous sight. Forests of a dark green blanketted the landscape to my left, and to my right, a vast ocean of deep blue. The sun shimmering on the water was a direct contrast to that of the forest, its trees sheltering the forest floor from the light. And where they met was not only a coast, but a small village. A night elf village from the look of the buildings. Indeed as my hippogryph flew lower and closer to the town I could see night elves going about their lives in the quaint town. I flew over the town's port and off north, passing over the calm shimmering waves below me.

A few more minutes had passed and I came up on a ship also sailing north. Its purple sails and sleek design told me I was heading in the right direction, and as I looked towards it's heading I saw it. Rut'theran Villiage.

Villiage was a generous word. Rut'theran was really just a port, nay a gateway between Darnassus and the greater Kalimdor continent. Ships on regular intervals shuttled ambassadors and mainland night elves to and from the great night elf city.

Before I knew it I had arraived and my hippogryph set me down on an elevated dock and I was already passing through the gate to Darnassus. The first thing I saw was not the grandiose buildings, built into the massive trees, or the ancient guardians standing here and there with thier massive tree bodies, or even the Temple of Elune, standing tall and proud with its large white columns. The first thing I saw was Anthra's beautious form standing before me! She was standing just a few yards out in flowing white and blue ceremonial robes, scanning her surroundings, probably for me. Seeing her brought a confusing mix of emotions. Part of me felt the urge to scoop her up in my arms that very instant, playing at the thought of a long seperated couple finally meeting again. But the other part of me knew that no such relationship was there. Yes she had sent her sister to meet with me to deliver a gift, but for all I knew that was her sign of friendship. Torn by such conflicting emotions and doubt I simply smiled and walked toward her.

She finally caught a glimpse of me and returned my smile just before walking towards me as well. I couldnt help but relish every minute as I watched her gentle and delicate frame approach me.

I fought the urge to tell her I missed her and simply decided on "Greetings once more, Anthra"

"Greetings to you as well, sir druid!", she said to me, blushing as her head tilted slightly to the left.

I could have done so many things then. I would have kissed her if I was feeling bold. I could have held her close to me, I could have even settled on telling her my feelings for her. Instead I gave into the fear of driving her away and i simply stood there, letting my mind imagine all the things I was not confident or bold enough to do.

Anthra finally broke the silence with a simple thank you.

"For what?"

"You helped my sister twice, once when you didn't even know her, and now you are going to help me.", she smiled sweetly at me.

My heart beat faster in my chest seeing her in that moment, smiling up at me. The light that carressed her face seemed to do so as if it desired to illuminate something beautiful. I could only agree as I tried my hardest to slow down time in this moment, in hopes that it would last forever.
Suddenly, I felt a hand in mine and my heart beat faster as if dancing as I felt the softness of her touch and the warmth of her skin. I looked at her and saw her blushing but maintaining the same confident smile as before.

Just then, as suddenly as she took my hand she turned and pulled ahead, taking me along with her. "C'mon Ueki, we still have to see Lariia!"

She ran toward the Temple of Elune, with me in tow up the white stone bridge that leads to the temple. When we got there she slowed to a walk and gently released my hand. It felt cold suddenly, with the warmth of her hand gone, but I could still remember the feel of her beating heart pulsing through her fingers and into mine.

"Ueki, this is Lariia" Anthra said, her hand gestured out to the priestess standing before us.

"Greetings, priestess," I said to the regal night elf standing before me. She outstreched her hand to give the sign of Elune's blessing.

"Pleased to meet you Ueki, I understand you will be the one to look over our dear Anthra."

"Thats right ma'am", I replied

"Please do take care of her, she is a dear to all of us here in the temple."

"I swear I will guard her with my life", I said and I smiled at her, her face flushed a bit but she didnt look nervous.

"If you will excuse us for one moment Ueki, I must speak with Anthra in private." She said as she took Anthra aside and led her father into the temple, just beside the large moonwell in the center

The moonwell itself was a sight to see, a large statue of Elune herself poured water from a jar into the pool below. It surrounded by lush grass and one look gave you a sense of ease and security. I looked to the side and saw Lariia hand Anthra a phylactery. She seemed to nod to Lariia and all at once turned around to return to me. Lariia did not follow, instead she turned a few paces from the moonwell and stood there waiting to greet any more people who might have business in the temple.

Anthra walked up to me, her face smiling all the while. When she got to me she and I walked out of the temple. As soon as we cleared the archway she stopped and pinched me.

"What was that for?" I asked confused.

"I just wanted to make sure i'm not dreaming!" she replied coyly.

"Don't you usually pinch yourself for something like that?" I asked. she replied with only her laughter, and as I stood there watching her jovial face I began to laugh too.

Finally winding down from our chuckles she turned to me and said, "No, definatly not dreaming"

And with that she ran in front of my path facing me and smiled slyly. "C'mon Ueki!" she shouteded excitedly, "Last one to the Hippogryph master is a rotten egg!"

Suddenly she took off running to Rut'theran villiage and I stood, just for a moment, watching her run ahead before taking off after her determined to give the beautiful Anthra Shinefallow a run for her money.