Reclaimation of Alanathalasa

[Alana]

(( Continued from Deconstructing Alanathalasa III (http://wow-tng.org/showthread.php?t=8608) ))


Alana entered the throne room of Undercity with a purposeful stride. Her armor was polished and gleaming. Her long pole arm, wedge snuggly between her wraithtide bow and quiver, thrust into the air above her head.

Ambassador Sunsorrow noticed her immediately. He thought it was foolish to keep the battle masters here where so many armored and armed warriors roamed near the queen and he would have paid no attention to Alana. Except there was special interest in this one and her appearances in Undercity were extremely rare. There was something in the tenseness of her body and the set of her jaw that set off Sunsorrow's warning signals.

"Alanathalasa." He moved smoothly to intercept her, taking her by the arm and guiding her gently but firmly to the side. Caught off guard Alana followed the ambassador. "A rare pleasure to see you here."

"Spare me," Alana practically spit her words out and Sunsorrow blinked. Although he felt there was something out of place, he did not expect such a vehement response from this one. "I want to know what's happening to me and I want to know now."

The ambassador narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What is "happening" to you? You tell me, Alanathalasa. What is happening to you?"

"I'm dying," she hissed between clenched teeth. "My master's land is dying. They were friends, she's suppose to help me! My master sent me here to-"

"Enough!" Alana's mouth closed abruptly when Sunsorrow barked the order accompanied by a firm squeeze of her arm. "You are your master."

"Wha- What?" She looked at the Dark Lady now looking down at her. For a moment she did not see the dead twisted thing before her, but something else. A younger, beautiful elf of flesh and bone prowling about the forests of the north, testing her skills of survival in the untamed wilderness. Cursing she began unbuckling her armor.

"What are you doing?" asked Sunsorrow, motioning the royal guard to stand by to assist him if necessary. Alana ripped open her shirt and faced the queen exposing the withering skin crawling across her body.

"Look at me! Look at what's happening to me! I'm dying and you are letting me die!

The queen's gaze was steady and unreadable, giving no indication she was moved by the girl's pleas. Alana took several steps toward the dais.

"Say something! Say something damn y-"

A sudden burst of pain in her head and white hot flash of light sent her into unconsciousness.

[Lascivious]

With a fist full of hair Lascivious pulled the prone elf's head back and placed her dagger against the Sin'Dorei's throat ready to bleed the girl right there.

"Mistress! Wait!" The warrior turned to look at the ambassador. "That won't be necessary."

"She was accosting the queen, Sunsorrow."

"Yes. I know. I promise she will be properly taken care of." When the Forsaken didn't move he spoke more forcefully. "Alanathalasa is a friend of your queen and is not herself. She needs care is all."

Alanathalasa. Lascivious frowned. Alana? Annelia's woman? She wondered what manner of "friend" she could be to Sylvanas, but that was hardly her concern and she was sorely tempted to cut the girl's throat anyway. She looked to the two guards who had been coming to restrain the elf before Lascivious had brained her and they nodded in acquiesce. She sighed and let go Alana's hair letting her face bounce off the stones with a satisfying thud.

"I will kill her if she cannot control herself."

Sunsorrow frowned, but nodded and said with some distaste. "Your reputation is familiar to me."

Lascivious smirked and moved on toward the battle masters. She was going to spill someone's blood today. But before she could speak to roll masters she heard a voice in her head, freezing her in her steps.

"Child." She slowly turned around to see the queen looking at her. "Attend me."

Surprised, she made her way up the dais and bowed deeply from the waist.

"There was a time you kneeled before me child. I hope your station has not caused you to forget your place."

"I am no longer the Grim's Mistress, my lady."

"That is not the station I referred to." There was a hint of humor to her statement. Sharp and dangerous, causing the Forsaken's mouth to go dry and she licked her lips in a useless attempt to moisten them. Unsure of what to say, she said nothing, only bowed once again.

"I have a task for you, child."

"Your will is mine, my queen."

"Is it? Then listen carefully, for this is my will."

[Alana]

Alana's return to consciousness was marked by a loud groan and throbbing ache in her skull. She gingerly felt the back of her head and winced as her fingers made contact with a large lump. Just as carefully she opened her eyes. Her head was lying on a wooden table on her left cheek. When her vision cleared she saw a yellow-eyed Forsaken watching her. Surprised she lifted her head quickly and clenched her teeth as her vision swirled again. Within a few moments her vision cleared again and she looked at her mysterious companion.

"Who are you?"

"Lascivious."

The huntress blinked in surprise. "Lovely's lover."

A flicker of pain crossed the little woman's features for the briefest of moments before she responded. "That was some time ago."

"Oh, yes. I had forgotten. Where am I? How did I get here?"

"The Gallow's End and I carried you." She slid a pint similar to her own toward the elf.

"Sorry. I don't drink."

"Water."

"Ah." Alana took a sip, watching the Forsaken curiously over the rim of the large mug unsure of what to expect. But it was indeed water and she drained the tankard quickly. She sat for what seemed like minutes while the woman across from her studied her - examined her - silently, her expression unreadable. She shifted uncomfortably and was about to ask Lascivious what she wanted when the Forsaken reached out and grabbed her wrist. So unexpected was the movement she did not react. She tried to pull away but the strength of the woman's grip belied her child-like size.

Lascivious pulled up Alana's sleeve looking at the dying skin, turning her arm over and examining it thoroughly before letting it go. Alana quickly retracted it and pulled the sleeve of her shirt back down.

"What do you want?" she asked with irritation.

"Many things. None of which I can have. I have been tasked by the queen to accompany you home."

"What? I thought she didn't care."

"I cannot say. It is a wise decision on her part. If we succeed she has honored your friendship. If we fail, she at least tried and removes me from her presence."

"You? What do you have to do with it?"

Instead of answering, Lascivious pulled a green gem from her purse. The size of a robin's egg, it was so dark it was almost black. Alana recognized it immediately as the gem her master - that she - had used to deliver her message to the former ranger-general. The warrior set it on the table and slid it deliberately toward Alana. The elf hesitated for a few seconds before reaching out for it. A frightened disbelieving look about her. She held the gem in her hand and at the warmth of her touch it began to lighten and glow. Inside a hazy image of a tree-like humanoid creature formed, androgynous in appearance. Her eyes widened as the image spoke in a low, smoothe voice, barely audible even to her ears.

"Lady Sylvanas. It has been some time since we last met and I hope those grand days in the forest are remembered by you as they are me. Time is a luxury I am for once without. I have been betrayed by one who claimed to want to aid me, but wishes only to steal my power to create eternal life for himself. To protect myself and the land in my charge I have placed all my love for this land into this vassal. If it finds you, I ask that you return it as soon as you are able and remove this offender from my land. Without it I and this land will certainly come to an end. I wish I could speak more, but I must complete this before he returns. May the Great Mother's love guide you in all things."

The image faded and Alana looked at the warrior with watery eyes. "Why didn't she help me?"

"She is the Banshee Queen," Lascivious said with a shrug. "What could she do? Her resources are needed here. It seems to me she tried to care for you. She set your feet upon her own path."

"She sacrificed my land!"

"For you," Lascivious pointed out. "What are a few dead trees to her? She could not know this" - she waved vaguely at Alana's arm - "would occur. But the heart of a ranger beats in her still or she would let you leave on your own."

"I can take care of myself."

Lascivious flashed her a sardonic grin. "I'm sure. But do you know what we will face?"

"A warlock. An orc warlock. By this time? One with all the powers of corrupt nature at his command."

"You are beginning to remember."

Alana nodded.

"Good. You can tell us about it on the way." She rose from her chair.

"Us?"

"Annelia and I."

"You told her?" The elf-girl sounded worried.

"No. I assume you will."

Alana shook her head. "No. I cannot tell her. I cannot bear to."

"That is not my business," replied Lascivious with a frown. "We will meet here at dawn two days from now. I have my own business to prepare."

Alana only nodded sitting alone long after the Forsaken had left.

[Alana]

Alana entered the room exhausted. She was fine physically. Inside her emotions were in turmoil. Yesterday's discovery of her identity had released a flood of information that had been dammed up in her mind. But even so, only a piece of her essence was contained in this form and there were many holes in her memory she could not fill no matter how hard she tried.

"Hello love," said Annelia from her seat on the couch. She was wearing her pajamas and reading a book with her feet curled up under her. Alana greeted her warmly and continued on to the bedroom where she cleaned up and put on her own soft pajamas before returning to the outer room. She lay on the couch, putting her head on Annelia's lap and the rogue ran her fingers through the little huntress' hair.

"What are you reading?"

"Oh, one of my sappy romance novels."

"Does it have a happy ending?"

"Of course," replied Annelia. "I only read the ones with happy endings. I've been disappointed too much in real life. I don't want to read about it too."

"I'm sorry."

Annelia put her book down. "About what?"

"That you've been hurt so much."

"Oh. That's not your fault. And I have you now. I know you'd never hurt me."

"I don't want to hurt you." Alana sat up and took Annelia's book, setting it aside as she straddle the rogue's lap. Taker Annelia's face in her hands she kissed her gently and stroked her hair. "Make love to me like they do in your books. Touch me like it's that last time we'll ever be together."

Annelia smiled sweetly and returned Alana's kiss, holding her close.


Alana slipped quietly out of the apartment. The sun was not yet up, but she was running late. Lizzy, sleeping in some nearby bushes lifted her head and mewed before rising and coming to her mistress. The huntress hugged the raptor tightly and patted her neck.

"Sorry, Lizzy. You're not coming with me on this trip." The companion looked at her questioningly and Alana quickly wiped away a tear. "Go back to sleep, you. It's early."

Lizzy licked her face appreciatively and wandered back to her place in the bushes, settling down unseen in the dark to resume her rest. Sighing, Alana adjusted her pack and headed for the palace and the teleportation orb to Undercity.

[Alana]

Alana stood next to the dire Forsaken as the warrior studied the cliffs. Far to the west was the town of Hearthglen. Many more miles to the east lie the Blood Elf territories and the Ghostlands.

"Are you sure you just didn't fall down?" Lascivious asked.

Alana smiled wryly. "There is a path."

Lascivious grunted and headed back to her wolf and began to unsaddle him. "How long will it take?"

Alana shrugged heading to her own mount. "It took me weeks to find my way on foot, but I also did not know where I was going. Only a general sense of direction. We've already come farther on mounts in a day then I did on foot in a week."

Lascivious had wanted to hire a ship to drop them off in the north and approach by heading south. But even gold was not enough to buy the courage of the few sailors about to sail into little known waters in rough weather. Alana stripped her mount of its saddle and bridle.

"Guess this is it, Shu Shu. Go get something to eat." She patted the war raptor and he trotted off looking to satisfy his hunger. Alana watch him go for a moment before looking down at the bridle in her hands. A gift of the battle masters. How many did she kill to claim it? A thousand? More? Feeling suddenly ill she dropped the bridle and turned away leaving it lying in the dirt. After a few moments she moved up the steepening slope and Lascivious followed quietly behind her. True to her word, the huntress found the path. Or at least, a place to climb the rocky wall.

"I feel like a goat," said Lascivious from below. The warrior had replaced her gladiator armor with lighter mail to make travel much easier and although the climb was steep, she manuevered easily around the face of the cliff, her warrior's strength pulling the weight of her little form easily up the cliff face. Alana smiled but made no response as she struggled to work her way up.

Her hands and feet were numb by the time she reached the top. She shook her hands and stamped her feet trying to get feeling back into them as Lascivious pulled herself over the ledge. The warrior was breathing heavy by this time and sat for a moment recovering herself. Alana looked around her. Before them was a the rest of the mountain rising to disappear into the mist. It was there she knew was her origin. The Shu'lok plants that were the seed of her birth grew there. She wondered again how Thel'zuhl had found the path up the cliff and into the mountains. Or more importantly, why? She didn't really care anymore. She only hoped she could reverse the damage which had been done. Her head turned sharply at the sound falling dirt and Lascivious motioned for her not to move.

The Forsaken crouch over the crevice they had crawled up waiting patiently. After a few minutes she saw the top of someone's head poking through. Reaching down quickly she grabbed a fist full of hair and pulled the pursuer up through the hole. A hand lashed out at her and Lascivious roared in anger as something flew into her eyes blinding her. Alana jumped forward as the form disappeared and threw a flare into the air, revealing the figure cloaked in shadows.

"Annie!" Exposed, Annelia stood up straight and defiant daring anyone to challenge her presence.

"Dammit rogue," Lascivious cursed rubbing her eyes and blinking trying to refocus her vision.

Annelia turned on her angrily. "What are you doing out here with my mate? Stealing her away like a thief in the dark."

The warrior's lips curled into a scowl. "I will forget you said that as I know I am not the one you are angry with."

"How did you find me?" Alana asked quietly.

Annelia frown at the huntress. "Waking up to find you gone is not strange. Finding you gone without your stone and Lizzy moping at the door is. Lucky for me, she knows her mistress well."

"Lizzy's here?"

"No she at the bottom of this cliff." The rogue expression softened and she approached Alana putting her arms around her. "You're going to fight him aren't you? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I… I didn't want to involve you."

"Love, I'm your mate. I am involved! Are you telling me you wouldn't feel the same way?"

Alana bowed her head. "I'm sorry. You are right. I would."

Annelia nodded curtly. "Good. I'm going with you."

"Annie!" Annelia glared at her and Alana swallowed her protests.

"Good. Now I won't have to sneak around anymore."

Lascivious picked up her pack and joined the two looking at Annelia with irritation. "Now that we have that sorted out. Let's get going shall we? It will be dark in a couple hours and we need a place to make camp."


A small fire burned low in a hole they dug out in a copse of trees just below the mist of the mountain peaks. There were no enemies near but the Forsaken has insisted on concealing the fire anyway and of standing rotating watches. The night was cold, but Alana was warm under her blanket next to Annelia. But she could not sleep. Beyond the fire she could see silhouette of the Forsaken warrior sitting with her back to a tree and looking into the forest away from the fire. Quietly she slipped from under the blanket, wrapping a wool-lined cloak around her shoulders and carefully picking her way through the camp toward Lascivious.

"Shouldn't you have been relieved by now?" The warrior shrugged. "I can take over if you wish. I cannot sleep anyway."

"Neither can I."

"Hmm. Well, mind if I sit?"

"If you wish."

Alana placed her back against the large tress and slid down next to the warrior. "I haven't thanked you for coming with me."

"There is no need. It is my duty."

"Do you always follow orders?"

"Yes."

Alana looked at her curiously, but the warrior did not expound on her answer.

"Annie tells me you and Kiara have bound yourselves to each other, much like we did. I like her. I am sure you are anxious to return to her."

"Just as I am sure you are once your land is free."

Alana looked at the Forsaken solemly. "We both know I am not returning."

"Then why are you wasting time sitting here?"

Alana looked slightly surprised at the warrior's statement and looked back at Annelia stirring under their blanket. Sighing she stood and offered Lascivious a small smile.

"You are not what I expected."

She stood for a minute as if expecting the warrior to reply, but when it was obvious none was forthcoming, she returned to the camp and slid back under the blanket holding Annelia close to her.

[Annelia]

(( hehe I like it^^ nicely done ))

[Alana]

"Is it always like this here?"

Alana responded to Annelia's question with a nod. "The mist always covers the mountain peaks."

The small party struggled through the fog as their boots sunk several inches into the ground, every step forward producing a loud, sucking sound when they pulled them loose to step forward. Their armor and clothes were wet through and Annelia and Alana shivered as they made their way down the mountain side. Only the warrior seemed not to care, bearing the hardship with the stoicism and silence she displayed for most of their journey.

"How did you meet her?" the Forsaken asked suddenly when they had stopped a moment to rest, sitting on a large rock formation thrusting out from the side of the slope.

"What?" Annelia and Alana both asked surprised. It had been several hours since Lascivious had spoken and only then when asked a direct question which she answered with her usual terseness.

"The Dark Lady."

Alana frowned. She did not like that particular reference to Sylvanas. Nor any of the other names her new persona had generated. However, it was the first time the warrior had shown any interest in anything other than her own thoughts and she did not want to dissuade the quiet Forsaken.

" 'Meet' may not be the proper wording, but I get your meaning," Alan replied. "I was dormant… resting, sleeping if you will. I was roused by a new presence. Nothing unnatural, but different. So I roused myself and observed the creature to be sure. I watched her for several days living off the land, one with her surroundings. I had never seen an elf before of course. Then I did something I should not have done. I revealed myself to her. We spent… I don't know how much time together. I learned to speak with her and found her and her tale to be fascinating. She had come to my domain after weeks of travel. Not knowing where she was going, only that she would pit her own survival skills against whatever came against her. A rite of passage she called it."

"How long ago was that?" Annelia asked looking at Alana with wide eyes.

"I don't know. Long enough for her to grow tall and strong. Long enough for me to forget her language." Alana stood and picked up her gear. "It is a shame what has happened to her."

"It is a blessing."

Alana looked shocked at Lascivious' words and turned on the Forsaken. "How is living your life in eternal misery a blessing?"

"She is stronger now than she was in life. Only the interference of his allies prevented her from slaying the Betrayer and she hunts him still. Who else was prepared to bear this burden?"

"You admire her."

Lascivious stood as well, nodding.

"But what about Thel'zuhl?" asked Annelia, taking Alana's hand as they continued through down the hill. The fog seemed to be above them now and ground was becoming firmer.

"Another mistake on my part," Alana told her with a regretful voice. "I found him in the Heart. My 'home'. Emboldened by my experience with Sylvanas, I did not observe him for very long before revealing myself. He seemed sincere enough, little did I know his heart was full of treachery. I learned easily to communicate in his crude language. He told me he was studying plant life, which I suppose is the only truth he told me. He wanted to learn more about nature he said. So I gladly began to teach him what I knew."

Alana shook her head and sighed. "I was so innocent in the ways of the world. I knew only love. Nothing of deceit. He captured me one day when I took form to speak with him and he cast… some sort of spell which blocked my ability to release back into the land. But I was still able to transfer some of my essence to an untampered plant within my reach. It took all my effort and I was exhausted afterward. I commanded it to take the only other form I knew, a High Elf, and I sent it - me - on it's way to the only other soul I knew who might help me. There is more… but, there is little else that is clear to me."

Annelia squeezed her mate's hand. "Well, you have plenty of help now. We'll cure you and you can fix your land and everything will be back to normal."

"Normal? I don't know if anything can be normal again."

"What do you mean?"

Alana smiled sadly at Annelia. "Nothing will ever be the same for me. You, Tamora, Skafloc… war. Even Thel'Zuhl. You've all had a profound influence me. In some ways, I think perhaps for the better. I would not trade these new feelings for anything. But I will not know the full affect until…"

"Until what?"

"I don't know. It doesn't matter right now." Alana could not tell her what she was really thinking. Until I am whole again. She could feel the eyes of the warrior boring into the back of her head, but Alana said nothing and, thankfully, neither did the Forsaken. It didn't matter. At that moment they stepped from the remainder of the mist and the sun shone unexpectedly and hotly down on them. A beautiful, cloudless day as far as their eyes could see. The peaceful sky belied the wretched scene below it.

The trees of the forest has been stripped of all sign of vegetation and leaves. The vibrant bushes and plants were gone replaced by some vine-like parodies of their former selves. Already a light breeze carried the smell of rot to them. Tears began to flow from Alana's eyes and Annelia held her close, pulling her gaze away from the devastation.

"It's so much worse than I thought."

"I'm sorry, love. We'll fix it. I promise."

"We'll do nothing standing here," Lascivious said, her voice even and calm. Alana looked at her and wanted to scratch her eyes out. She hated her for her analytical expression, as if everything she saw was just a curiosity to be dissected and examined thoroughly. But, she was right, and Alana wiped away her tears and pressed her lips together firmly in resolution.


Alana led them unerringly through the maze of thorned vines and twisted trees. Her instincts had taken over and the other two had to struggle to keep up with her even though Lascivious had warned the elf-thing several times on the need for caution. The trees stood watch like angry sentinels as they traversed the overgrown path. Occasionally the vines would snap at their feet as if attempting to trip them only to be knocked away by a solid mace or a quick sword strike. Something told Annelia if the vines succeeded it could be the end of their journey.

"We are being watched," Lascivious noted.

"Yes."

Annelia slashed at another bold vine severing it easily, some sort of bluish ichor spilling out of it. "By who?"

"By what." Alana replied. She suddenly stopped. It was the clearing from her vision. The Heart. Her home. The grass was brown and stamped into the ground, but otherwise looked normal. The entrance to her home had been widened further and not artfully. It was broken and collapsed at the sides as if something too large for it had burst outward through it.

Now she did proceed with caution. She took out her bow and took an arrow out of her quiver, but did not knock it. She examined the entrance, kneeling and peering inside before taking some dirt in her hand and sniffing it. She wrinkled her nose in disgust before throwing it down and wiping her hand on her tunic. Annelia slipped easily into the shadows and Lascivious looked around her, but she saw nothing outside the dwelling and she followed the elves inside.

It was much like her dream. The ceiling was low. Only eight feet at its highest point. The rows of crudely made containers faced them at the far end. Dead plants and spilled seeds lay scattered along the wall to their right. Between the plants and the containers were two chairs. One was battered and had one broken arm as well as some broken straps where arms, chest and legs would be. Something has been bound there and that something hadn't appreciated it.
The second chair held the item of most interest to the little party. Sitting in the chair was the dried out husk of a corpse. Blood covered its face where it had flowed from around its eyes and its withered hands gripped the arms of the chair as if in great pain.

"Thel'zuhl." Alana whispered hoarsely.

The trio tread carefully around the cave, leaving no shadow undisturbed. Eventually they came before the body of the dead orc. The Forsaken rested the head of her mace on her shoulder and poked the corpse's chest. It moved slightly under the pressure, but its eyes continued to stare lifelessly at some unknown point against the far wall.

"Huh," she said turning to the other two. "That was easy."

Before they could respond a branch-like clawed hand reach out from the low ceiling and grabbed the Forsaken by the head, pulling her off her feet and up toward the ceiling.

[Skafloc]

((This is fascinating stuff. I especially like the tie in with "Into the North" and the shift in perspective of the same events. Brilliant! ))

[Alana]

((thank you. this is about as out there as i get with game stories, but Alana's story has always had a conclusion. how i would get there, i didn't know. it's certainly been interesting and fun. thanks to all who let me into a piece of their stories and to Anne for trusting me to take liberties with her character since we never got to finish in game.))

Alana lifted her bow as the warrior was dragged upward, but there was nothing she could do. The claw-like hand, covering Lascivious' entire head, looked like a massive living root reaching down and it disappeared back into the roof. It stopped suddenly as the Forsaken's head made contact with the dirt. Lowering, it lifted again only to be stopped from retreating by its victim's helm.

The huntress watched helplessly as the little Forsaken grabbed frantically at the branch grasping her. As she was lifted a third time she swung her feet up into the air bracing them against the ceiling halting her ascent. Lascivious cried out in anguish as she pushed with all her might, using the strength and leverage in her legs. Slowly at first more of the branch was exposed, until unexpectedly, a large portion of the roof collapsed and the warrior crashed onto the floor beneath a pile of dirt and the form of her assailant.

Filling the center of the room was a wide tree-like creature. It's form was vaguely humanoid, it's feet and hands ending in wickedly curled and sharp branch-like fingers. Black ichor dripped like saliva from its gaping maw and its eyes glowed an eery, angry red.

It snarled and looked down at Lascivious as the warrior pried off her dented helm and shook her head, trying to clear the fog away. Its massive hand reach down for her but it suddenly screamed out it pain as Annelia's blades dug into its side. A massive hand swung around, more nimbly than expected sending the rogue tumbling into the specimen containers. But it turned back quickly as something else caught its attention.

Alana stumbled backward crying out in pain as Annelia's blades worked over the creature. Its bark-like skin was thick and little damage was done, but the blades had stung none-the-less and Alana had felt every blow. The beast looked her and its eyes burned hotly with recognition.

"You!" The voice was booming and grating as if choking on gravel. It started to descend upon the stunned huntress, but Lascivious picked up her mace again and halted its charge with a strike to the back which sent pieces of bark flying. Alana screamed again and fell against the cave wall leaning on it for support.

Hearing her love cry out Annelia was about to leap to her feet when something caught her eye. Between all the containers was an instrument panel. It was covered with dust but otherwise looked intact. From it sprouted various cable-like vines. One set of cables went from a container to the main box and from the main box another two sets lead to both of the crude chairs. Annelia grabbed the edge of the panel and used it to pull herself up. There were crude, hand-drawn diagrams in charcoal, crude but discernible, on the panel. A lever could be moved between each one.

She turned back to the scene. Lascivious ducked and weaved avoiding the blows of the creature who had somehow knocked her mace from her hands. Beyond her Alana leaned heavily against the wall. Although she looked in pain, she appeared to be visibly unharmed.

"Las!"

Lascivious risked a quick look back and was rewarded with a solid blow to the shoulder which sent her tumbling in Annelia's direction. The rogue grabbed her arm and hissed between clenched teeth.

"We need to get it into the chair!"

"What?" The warrior was confused at first but quickly took in the panel and diagram as Annelia pulled her up, nodding at the diagram than guiding her with her eyes to the empty chair.

The warrior and rogue rolled in different directions as the two massive fists descended on them smashing into the sod flooring where they had been just a moment before. Annelia rolled easily to her feet wondering how she would accomplish what she wanted to do. But her thoughts were interrupted by the unexpected shout from Lascivious.

"Thel'Zuhl!"

The warped avatar turned violently at the mention of its true name. Before it Lascivious held Alana firmly in front of her. She had twisted one of Alana's hands up and behind her back and held it firmly in place with her own. Her other hand held her dagger pressed to the soft flesh under the the huntress' chin.

"Las?" Annelia called worriedly.

"How does eternal life feel?" the warrior taunted. "How does it feel to decay forever and never die? That is what's happening is it not? It must be maddening.

"Is this what you were looking for?" Lascivious shook Alana and the 'elf' cried out. "You didn't know this was hidden from you did you? What is eternal life without the essence of life? Eternal death I imagine."

Thel'zuhl narrowed his eyes. "Give it too me."

"No."

The former warlock howled in frustration, black spittle spraying from its corrupted lips and it charged the warrior. Alana's eyes widened in fear and she wondered in a panic what had gotten into Lascivious. She had no doubt the warrior would slit her throat if it would bring her victory. That feeling was given credence as she felt the Forsaken's dagger sink into her flesh. The corrupted form of Thel'zuhl immediately halted screaming in pain, its wicked claws gouging ravines into the side of the wall as if thrashed about.

"Las, no!" Annelia ran forward as well, but the warrior turned toward her and twisted her dagger causing Alana and Thel'zuhl to writhe in pain. Blood began flowing freely down the long blade. Annelia stopped, unsure what to do. "What are you doing?"

"What you should be doing," she responded evenly. "What I need to."

She twisted the dagger again and Annelia's eyes welled with tears as she watched her lover's knees buckle in pain, but the affect it had on their foe was too clear and she knew what she had to do. Drawing her blades once again she charged the creature hacking and slicing wickedly at its tough skin. The rogue fought back the tears as her lover cried out in pain with each blow. She drove the creature back, dodging and stabbing. When it seemed like it would recover itself, Lascivious would find a new place to stick her dagger into Alana and she did so without mercy. The demented creature stumbled back under the relentless assault. Annelia threw down her blades and jumped into the air. Grabbing a pair of hanging vines for support she slammed her feet into its chest and fell over into the chair which cracked under the pressure.

The rogue reached for the switch, but her hand was stayed by a heavily thorned vine wrapping around her wrist and digging deeply into her flesh. Thel'zuhl started to rise from the chair and Annelia jumped quickly behind him as the vines pulled her hands together. She looped the tightening strands over the top of his head and as her hands were forced together they tightened over his chest and arms. Too late he realized the rogue had use his own magic against him for he had forgotten about Lascivious who had already crossed to the panel and activated the switch.

Nothing happened.

The Forsaken growled and kicked the panel hard and it hummed into life and the corrupted avatar howled in fury. Its cries diminished as its life force left it, pulled through the conduit of cabled vines. As it did so, the avatar took on a more peaceful visage, assuming a more kind, humane expression, it's half-closed eyes radiating a greenish yellow benevolence.

Alana lay crumpled on the floor, her body bleeding from more than a dozen wounds. True to her word the Forsaken showed her enemy no quarter. Annelia came hurriedly to her side, ignoring the blood as she held Alana close.

"Oh, love. I'm so sorry."

Alana smiled weakly into Annelia's tear-filled eyes. "It's ok. You know I always liked it rough."

Annelia laughed despite herself and wiped her eyes and nose on her sleeve. "I have a potion."

"No."

"What? What do you mean 'no'?"

Instead of answering Alana looked at Lascivious and Annelia's eyes followed her lover's. The Forsaken walked over to the orc's body. The corpse began to renew itself as its life force returned and Lascivious jumped onto Thel'zuhl's lap, balancing herself on the balls of her feet and watching his reanimation with her head tilted to one side in curiosity. When the orc was fully regenerated he blinked his eyes as if getting used to using something he had not for some time. The first thing he focused on was the warrior's sharp-toothed grin.

"Hello." She grabbed his hair and yanked back hard sinking her teeth into his exposed flesh. He tried to scream, but it was choked off in a gurgle of blood. Alana winced when Lascivious pulled back tearing out a piece of Thel'zuhl's throat and spitting it back in his face. The warrior didn't even bother to wipe the bloody mask from her face before turning to the two elves. "See? Easy."

"I'll never doubt you again," Alana shivered. "Now help me up."

"No! Don't move!" Annelia protested.

Lascivious yanked the corpse of the orc from its place and let it fall to the floor as she walked over to Alana. Bending down she picked her up easily and Alana was surprised at her gentleness. The warrior placed her in the chair and walked over toward the humming panel. Alana's head lolled to the side and her gaze met the avatar's. She felt as if she were looking into someone's soul - her own if she had one - and that soul was missing an important piece. She wrapped the cabled vines around her arms.

"Love, what are you doing?"

"What I need to. Come hold my hand, Annie."

Annelia gripped Alana's hand in both of hers and pressed her forehead to the huntress'. "I love you."

Alana smiled her own tears washing her bloodied cheeks. She looked at Lascivious who was standing near the panel, for once looking unsure what to do. Alana savored that small pleasure for a moment before nodding. The warrior moved the lever to the opposite direction. Alana sucked in her breath sharply and closed her eyes as a feeling of vertigo enveloped her. It seemed to be only a moment, though she could not judge for sure. When she opened her eyes next she saw Annelia standing over a dying Shu'lok plant sitting where she had been mere moments before.

[Annelia]

(( =( gunna miss ya ))

[Alana]

Alanathalasa smiled as she gazed upon Annelia and Lascivious. She was connected to the land once more and though it was full of pain, it was also full of hope. Life, hidden by the corruption, still thrived and that knowledge brought with it a feeling of inner peace which radiated from her.

"Alana?"

She turned toward Annelia and spoke. Her voice soft and lyrical. "I am not Alanathalasa."

The rogue frowned with uncertainty. "What are you?"

"What am I?" She turned her head toward the wall of the cave and reached with a long arm touching it. Where her fingers met the dirt, the snapping vines withered and died only to be replaced by fresh strong roots. Truly a valid question. She could feel her power returned, but she was changed to be sure. What she was not sure of was what place did this new her have in the world. She laughed inwardly at herself. She had never before thought of her in terms of 'her' or 'him.' She had always just existed. She spoke again her words barely audible as if she were speaking to herself. "What am I?

"A question for mortals," she said turning back to the pair. "A question I have never asked myself. Have never considered… until now. What am I? I am not sure, for I am not what I once was."

"Which was?" Lascivious asked. She glanced at Annelia, her unlikely friend and ally, feeling sympathy for the poor rogue's plight.

"I was born here. Born of love, nurtured here in the Heart, the womb of this land. Roused from slumber only when nature went amiss from some… unnatural cause. We felt Arthas' march from here. So great was the pain, I could not return to rest although there was nothing could be done here."

"We?" Annelia and Lascivious asked at the same time.

"The land and I." She closed her eyes. She had not realized how much she had missed her connection to the land. She longed to disappear right now. To lose herself in it and begin the healing. But she owed Annelia more than that. "Can you not feel it? It is full of pain, but life is there. It is calling to me. It is calling to you. You need only listen."

Lascivious bent over and picked up her dented helm examining it to see if it could be salvaged. "That's when Thel'Zuhl appeared."

Alanathalasa nodded. "Deception was not a disease I was prepared for."

"What about now? What are you now?" Annelia asked worriedly.

"So many questions." She moved forward slowly, propelled by the land itself. She reached out and touched Annelia's cheek. "I am life. I am love. I am the fountain from which these things drink. You have drank from me. Did my essence - my blood - not taste sweet to you?"

Annelia nodded and swallowed her eyes welling up. My poor, sweet Annelia. I am not meant to cause pain. I wish your life could have been different.

"I am not the Alanathalasa you knew, Annelia. But what she felt, what she experienced, is part of me now and as she changed - and is once again part of me - so have I. Her fear is mine. Her pain is mine. Her love is mine." Alanathalasa bent down and kissed Annelia. Her lips were soft and giving and Alanathalasa was grateful her appearance caused no hesitation in her lover's return of affection. Her pleasure grew as their kiss lingered and a familiar feeling spread throughout her avatar, causing life giving her form to grow and produce the odor of sweet flowers and honey. After a few moments, she reluctantly pulled away. "Know Annelia, long after you are dust, this land will remember your love, for it will be a part of it until it is no more."

"What… what will happen to you now, Alana? Can I call you that?"

Alana smiled and nodded.

"My time has ended."

"What? What does that mean?"

Lascivious spoke quietly to herself. "Time devours all things."

Annelia looked at her sharply and Alana turned her eyes to the warrior.

The dour warrior's brooding and dark exterior was just that. A prop to display to the outside world. A shield for her to hide behind. Inside of her was a fire - an innocence - burning to escape. It was bound by Lascivious and she used it just as Thel'Zuhl had tried to use herself. Overshadowing them both was a darker, more menacing presence.

"Indeed, Forsaken. All things come to an end. But there are new beginnings as well." She returned her gaze to the rogue. "I would not change these new things which have influenced me, but I cannot be what I once was. I cannot exist without this land. Nor can I exist without you, Annelia.

"The damage here is too great, accelerated by Thel'Zuhl's corruption. I am a manifestation of this land and to it I will return. No more will I reveal myself to this world." Alanathalasa held out her hand toward Annelia. In her palm was a dark green gem - almost black - the size of a robin egg. It was much like the one she used when she attempted to deliver her message to the Ranger Sylvanas. It was created from her own essence. A small piece of her own existence. Annelia looked at her with surprise as she realized it was not a gem, but something else. "Take this seed to my favorite place. If planted with love it will grow and with it a new beginning. Remember me so my love may live in your land, just as yours will live in mine."

"I will, love. I promise."

Alanathalasa touched Annelia's cheek with her long, smooth brown fingers, before stepping back and looking at Lascivious. The shadow about her soul had retreated to the background for now and she would be grateful to see the undead depart.

"You have our thanks, Forsaken."

"There is no need." Lascivious nodded. "It was my duty."

"Ah, yes. I had forgotten. You always do what you are told."

Lascivious grinned wryly, but said nothing.

Alanathalasa turned toward the tearful Annelia and smiled warmly. She had no regrets and despite hurt in Annelia's eyes and the end of her own existence as she knew it, she was eager to return to the earth beginning undoing what had been done. She began to slowly sink into the ground as her spirit left her corporeal form and was absorbed back into the land.

She smiled at the rogue and cast her a playful wink. Then she was gone.

[Alana]

((that should do it. writing same story twice is messing with my mind))

[Annelia]

(( Awww. I loved it. Thanks for all the time you've spent RPing with me. I enjoyed every single bit of it. As always, Be safe!))

[Annelia]

(( OH damn! aparently I got a message telling me to write a part of this story but since the new site thing I dident know where my PMs ( NOT PMS) went and suddenly I missed them and might be too late to get ahold of lasc v.v sorry folks))

[Alana]

Beram Skychaser walked from the large tent where he trained neophyte shaman rubbing his forehead wearily. It had been a long and trying day. His students had left him wondering at the future state of shamanism among the Tauren. Perhaps it was just one of those days nothing could go right. Perhaps he was being hard on them. Perhaps he was just getting old.

He stopped near the ledge of Spirit Rise, yawning and stretching in the late afternoon sun. Looking around his gaze fell on a tree near the edge of the tent growing between two other giants. Relatively new, it always caught his interest because it was so different from the others in Mulgore. Its bark was soft and smooth to the touch and it had grown at a remarkable rate. He remembered the day he found the Blood Elf rogue, Annelia, planting the seed from which it grew.

Curious to see a Blood Elf digging in the dirt, he asked her what she was about. He was surprised to hear she was planting it for her mate Alanathalasa. Beram knew the elf well. She often slept at the very spot Annelia planted the seed and he was very curious about her shamanistic powers which seemed to be dwindling, but should not have existed at all. He had also tried to help her when she was inundated with nightmares sending her to the Grim shaman Yichimet. He and Annelia talked long into the night about their time with the little elf, and Beram had listened to Annelia's tale about Alana's return home with great interest.

Sighing, he walked over to the tree and sat down leaning his back against it. He would miss the little elf. Elf. Not accurate but he had no other word. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply thinking on what tasks he would set his students on tomorrow. Beram's eyes snapped open. What was that? He thought he had heard something. No, heard was not the right word. Felt. He thought he felt something. Passing it off as weariness he closed his eyes again. After a minute he opened them again and stood turning to examine the tree.

Curiously he placed his hands gently against it. He stood for a minute, palms pressed against the smooth bark and was about to give up when he felt it again. A low, barely noticable thump. He stood for several minutes counting quietly to himself. Every ninety seconds he felt another. At first he thought it was his imagination, but he had no doubt now. Beram stepped away rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He laughed softly to himself and made his way toward the bridge to Lower Rise. The evening was growing dark and it had been hours since he had eaten. He would contemplate his discovery more in the morning. It seemed there was always something new to learn when it came to the Earthmother.


The End