Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Chapter Text

“How much longer?” Thoran called towards the kitchen in a tone that bordered on impatience.

“About five minutes since the last time you asked, you spoiled overgrown lizard.” Came the amused tone of a female from the kitchen.

“But I’m starving here. Do you know how long the trip from the Farstrider Enclave is to here?” He said with an amused grin as he lounged bonelessly on the chaise before the fire as the silver haired Quel’dorei female appeared in the door leading to the kitchen. Her pale blue eyes narrowed.

“About as long as it takes your lazy ass to make a portal here, that’s how long. I mean you are a full grown dragon, you know how to hunt your own meals.” She said, wiping her hands on her apron, a small smirk on her lips. It was a game they played often when Thoran came for dinner. He would whine and complain like a child as she cooked their meal trying to annoy her.

“Yes but living as a pampered Quel’dorei for centuries has made me quite spoiled actually.” He laughed as she threw a towel at him.

“When are you going to break down and find a woman anyway? I get that you enjoy Quel’dorei women but you could take one as a mate to cook for you if nothing else.”

“I tried, but your grandmother put me in the friend zone.” He teased.

“Eww! I do NOT want any more stories about my grandmother’s love life.”

“What? It was perfect! She’d already been my brother’s consort, I was just trying to keep it in the family.” He shrugged. “Not to mention she was quite beautiful.” He said knowing it would annoy the woman even though it was far from the truth. Well the trying to take her as his mate anyway…

“Yes and if she had you wouldn’t have had my mother or me to cook for you now would you?” She said with a grin.

“We could have adopted or she could have taken an elven consort for the purpose of having children.” He shrugged as she laughed and walked back to the kitchen, shaking her head as Thoran grabbed a book from the end table as he thought back about her grandmother.

Tandralis Sunwalker had not been a Kaldorei Highborne, but the Matriarch of the lost city of Aran'dal. The last in a long line of nobles who had led the small settlement of Aran’dal, she had followed the traditions of her family keeping Aran’dal a haven for any who wished a less restrictive land than that of Kaldorei, a land it was told was created by the five great aspects originally for those who were dragonsworn or wished to live and learn from the flights. Aran'dal had been a beautiful land with its sprawling gardens, terraced city that boasted beautiful architecture that was a blend of nature, Kaldorei as well as draconic architecture. Sighing softly he pushed memories away knowing they would bring not only the pain of losing his friend but many others in a time long past.

“Thoran?” Trisaland said once again in the doorway, leaning against it with a thoughtful expression. “I was just wondering…” She began then paused seeing him sit up quickly sniffing the air, a low growl came from his chest. “What is it?” She said as she went from relaxed to on guard at once.

“Stay here!” He hissed as he rose, grabbing his bow and quiver from its place by the door and stepping out. As he stepped out into the clear night, his eyes went immediately to the tall, dark skinned elf perched atop a dark colored Hawkstrider. His long, raven colored hair was pulled into a neat top knot, the lower half falling over his shoulders. Wearing simple black leathers and a dark cloak that fell behind him, the man watched him with red -gold eyes that held no malice, only sadness.

“One step closer and by the Five I swear I will put an arrow between your traitorous eyes Noxarian!” He growled low as the other man simply sighed sadly.

“Traitor...once we called one another brother.” The man said softly.

“Yes then you let the curse take you and became my enemy.” Thoran hissed angrily, yet beneath the anger the hurt and betrayal he still felt was apparent. In response the dark haired man lowered his head speaking softly.

“I will not deny, my grief weakened me and let the darkness in, I have spent centuries lost in it, yet I would never bring my anger and hatred down upon you or those we swore to protect.” He said, raising his head, his red-gold eyes flashing with emotion. “Why do you think I have never returned? I would not take that chance, to harm Kalypsa or anyone of this clan! I paid dearly for my sins friend…in ways you will never know.”

“Then why are you here now?” He said coldly.

“Because I need help, yours or theirs.” He said clutching the bundle in his lap close, wondering if Thoran would make good on his threats? He would take the arrow if it was loosed, but he hoped they would at least take the small treasure he carried and protect it like their own.

“What help could you need from us? You have a flight of your own.” He hissed as against his earlier command he felt the woman join him, sword in hand. “I told you to stay inside!”

“What is happening here?” Trisaland commanded in a tone that spoke of one accustomed to commanding. As the other man watched her appear his heart seemed to contract...those eyes, that voice, the silvery hair, he knew them so well.

“Tandralis?” He said in a choked whisper so great the pain of seeing the fair haired elven woman who so resembled his lost friend. “But no...not quite.” His voice drifted almost to a whisper as the grief tightened his chest and his throat once more as the woman straightened herself, the stubborn set of her face almost making him smile so familiar it was.

“I am Trisaland Sunwalker, granddaughter of Tandralis. And who are you?” The man raised his hands to show he was not armed, balancing the precious bundle on the saddle.

“My name is Noxarian, once your grandmother and I were close friends, called one another brother and sister of the soul. But then…” He said lowering his eyes, taking a steadying breath. “But then I lost her and lost myself as well.” He said, raising his eyes once more. “I mean no harm to you or yours, yet I understand your protector’s caution. I came to find him because I need his help to reach the Queen before it is too late.” At this Thoran growled ominously.

“What business would you have with my queen? Your flight would see ours dead. Your grandsire would see her cowed beneath his paws, his slave!”

“My flight is why I need your help Thoran!” He said picking up the small bundle. “Please...just hear me out!” He said as a small cry of distress came from the bundle he held. The man seemed to bounce it gently making soft shushing noises as Thoran’s ears flicked.

“What have you brought here?” He said cautiously as Trisaland took a quick breath.

“A whelp.” She said softly. “Thoran it's a whelp and it's in distress.” She said moving forward before he could stop her.

“Tris! Stop! It's probably a trap!” Thoran said moving forward yet not lowering his bow as the other man shook his head.

“No trap brother, she is my own and she’s badly injured. She needs healing and you know my talents never lay there!” He said the pain in his voice was clear as Trisaland went to his side pulling back the cloth that covered the tiny welp then gasped.

“By the Sunwell, what happened to her?” She said looking at the man angrily. “What have you done to this little one?”

“It wasn’t me...it was her clutchmates.” He said softly, allowing her to take the small bundle from him. “I had to put her into an enchanted sleep, her wounds are quite bad, but she’s stubborn and seems to be coming out of it. Please, I beg you Thoran, if not for me, for my child, help her!”

“Law of the wild brother.” He sneered. “What’s one less corrupted black in this world?” He hissed as the other man’s eyes flashed red, a low growl coming from his chest as Trisaland hissed.

“Enough! Thoranstrasz I am ashamed of you! She is a welp, a child! How dare you!” She said angrily. “I am taking her inside, if the two of you wish to kill one another, so be it! But I will not let this child suffer because of your inter flight conflict!” She said walking off angrily clutching the small bundle in her arms protectively as the two men stared one another down, even as a small smirk quirked at the edge of Noxorian’s lips.

“Just like her grandmother huh?” He said, cutting his eyes to watch the woman walk into the house as Thoran sighed, lowering his bow, shaking his head.

“You have no idea!” He growled then jerked his head in the direction of the house. “I guess she has overruled me, so come inside. You have much to explain. But…” He said, bringing the bow back up. “Try to hurt her and I will gut you.”

“I would expect nothing less brother.” He said as Thoran hissed.

“We are no longer brothers!”

Chapter Text

Trisaland cradled the precious bundle close, cooing softly even as she stomped angrily back into the house, slamming the door behind her.

“Fucking stubborn ass male dragons!” She hissed as she moved to the chaise laying the bundle down gently then unwrapping it to reveal a small black whelp, no small didn’t describe it, she was absolutely tiny in comparison to the whelps that Trisaland had seen in the Sanctum of the Reds on the rare occasion she’d been allowed to accompany Thoranstrasz, perhaps the size of an Elven child of only a few moons. “By the Sunwell child...what have they done to you?” She said softly as tears filled her eyes. The whelp’s tiny body was covered with what appeared to be deep scratches and tears, the scale torn away in places leaving raw skin with dried blood exposed. As she lifted her from the blanket with gentle hands she saw yet another injury that made her stomach roil. It appeared as if the membranes of one wing had been violently torn leaving it looking like fabric that had been shredded, the wing itself hanging at an odd angle as blood oozed from a rip at its base.

“By the five.” Thoran said, suddenly kneeling at her side. “Her clutchmates did this?” He said looking up to where Noxarian had come to stand then kneeling on the other side of the chaise.

“Yes.” He said lowering his eyes. “Our flight...the dark curse...it's made us into monsters broth-- Thoran.” He said in a shaking voice. “It's taken quite some time for that fact to penetrate the darkness in my mind. How many clutches have I watched fight, nearly just out of the egg and never thought anything of it? He said as tears filled his eyes that were fixed on his injured whelp.

“Our children are born in darkness, it's all they know and they grow into monsters.” He said reaching out with one finger to gently stroke the whelp’s cheek in what Trisaland found to be very un-monsterlike gesture. “But Talyndria...she’s different. Not only is she smaller than most, something my mate blamed on me and my ‘softness from my dalliances with mortals’ as she puts it at every chance, but she’s different. She doesn’t show signs of the darkness, doesn’t rage and fight as the others do. She’s softer, gentler, and loving as none of my whelps have ever been. She is my little princess, my precious jewel.” He said looking up at Trisaland. “I know you don’t know me, we do not have the bond I had with your grandmother because...I fell. But I beg you, both, please help my little jewel.”

“I will do my best for her.” Trisaland said with a nod, already examining her wounds and assessing the damage in preparation to begin healing. “But I may need your help Thoran, I am not as familiar with draconic anatomy and it looks as if her wing is badly damaged. There could also be internal damage that I haven’t found.” She said as she raised her hand, softly golden energy forming around it as she began to close the wounds as Thoran looked over the injuries to her wing.

“Yes, that's a nasty little injury there.” He said as his own hand began to glow red with his own healing magic.

“How did this happen?” Trisaland said not raising her eyes from her healing.

“As I said, the whelps of our flight...they are born corrupted by the darkness, the curse of the Old Gods that plagues my flight. They come out of their eggs hissing and spitting and ready to fight it seems. My mate Noiria, she delights in their aggressiveness and rage. The more violent the whelp the better in her eyes. She sees it as an attribute.”

“And you?” Trisaland said, looking up from her healing as he flinched at the anger in her eyes...Tandralis’ golden amber eyes.

“I never cared.” He said, looking away from the accusatory eyes. “I did my duty, I fucked my mate, I got her pregnant, then I went to do my own thing until the time came again.” He said coldly. “I did not choose that bitch, she was chosen for me. I would swear that my Sire picked the most aggravating unmated female for me specifically. That or she was so unpleasant even the other males of my flight wouldn’t take her as consort. I hate my flight, it's why I chose to stay with Tandralis and fought the call of my Aspect for so long, fought the darkness I could feel trying to take me. My grandsire’s actions when he betrayed the other flights cost me the one I truly loved, and I’ve hated him for it every moment since.”

“Why did you return then?” Trisaland said sensing Thoran tense up at her question. Noxarian only sighed trying to decide how much to reveal of the dark events that led to his departure..

“You must understand, your grandmother...I loved her dearly. She was the sister of my soul. We spent centuries at one another’s sides, we fought side by side in the War of the Ancients. She helped me to deal with the anger and hate I had for Neltharion when he turned on the other flights and helped me fight the poison of the dark curse. I followed her when the Highborne were exiled by the Kaldorei, stayed by her side through the long exodus and founding of Quel’thalas, to her last breath that she breathed in my arms.” He said as tears filled his eyes. “We were family and I loved her as I have never loved my blood family. My flight, my blood, my clutch mates, they can all rot for I care. But not her, she was my true family.”

“And yet the moment we laid her on the pyre you gave in...you….” Thoran growled, though Trisaland couldn’t help but catch the pain beneath the angry words..

“I had to leave Thoran...I couldn’t bear it. Everyone believed that…”

“You did nothing to change our minds…nothing to defend yourself. What were any of us to think?”

“And you believed it of course.” Noxarian snapped angrily. “Not once did you ask if what you heard was true. You just assumed the curse was taking my mind, that my actions were guided by the whispers, not the truth I knew because I witnessed it with my own eyes!.”

“I didn’t want to but...I saw what was happening after Tandralis fell in that skirmish, how it was affecting you. You can deny it, but you were starting to lose control. I didn’t want to believe it was you, but you told me it was the truth.”

“Did you ever stop to think, maybe there was more to the story? Do you even know why?” He hissed as Tandralis raised a brow.

“Wait, what are you talking about?” She said looking confused.

“Your grandfather’s demise, which is too much to really get into at the moment. Suffice to say, he was a liar and a manipulator. He never wanted me around Tandralis or your mother. I think he was jealous of how close we were, always accusing her of wanting me as a lover. She was leaving him, not for me of course, she and I were never anything more than friends. He’d been getting more and more possessive over her and Kalypsa, he even resented you.” He nodded his head towards Thoran. “But then, everyone knew you had a thing for her.” He laughed.

“She and I were friends, not lovers. She was my brother’s consort, not mine.” He said with a long sigh. “She nor I ever considered being more than friends.” He said, turning his eyes to Trisaland who raised a brow. “I only taunt you with tales that aren’t true little one, because it's so amusing watching you get all flustered.” He smiled as Tris shook her head with a small laugh.

“Yes well all the same, I’m sure he lied to both of us to play us against one another. I witnessed things, as did you. We both know he tried to use Kalypsa after Tandy’s death to hold on to his precious social status. He was a terrible person who was far too able to mask his true face from others, allowing things to go as far as they did.” He said angrily then paused, taking a deep breath and releasing it to calm himself. “We can revisit this subject later, once my daughter is better. There is much you do not know Thoran.”

“But if you were innocent…if things weren’t as they appeared, why did you leave? Why did you return to them?” Thoran said softly, the hurt in his voice clear.

“I left because it was clear I was not trusted, even by you. After all that happened you were so quick to assume I had fallen to darkness. We had been nothing but friends for centuries, practically brothers! You didn’t even bother to ask for the truth, you just assumed because my grief weakened me that I was the next Deathwing.” He hissed. “You never asked if perhaps there was another reason I took all the blame for his death…someone I protected…for her sake.”

“I travelled for a time, trying to fight the darkness but what was there left to fight for? I had lost my sister, I had lost Kalypsa and I had lost your trust, I lost the only family that ever mattered to me. I had nowhere else to turn to. Kandra wanted nothing of me after what my grandsire did to her mother and to her flight. So I returned and I gave in to the darkness, the anger and hate. It took time for them to accept me back, I had to prove myself to them. And then I was given that shrewish bitch of a mate.”

“And what is different now? What brought the change?” Trisaland said looking up as she held the whelp gently allowing Thoran access to heal the damaged wing.

“Talyndria is what is different.” He said softly, reaching out to gently stroke the tiny cheek once more. “I knew from the moment she hatched she would be different.” He said. “Noiria didn’t wish to brood her egg, she said it wasn’t viable, too small compared to the others and wouldn’t survive.” He said absently stroking the whelp.

“I never gave it much thought, I did my duty by impregnating her, from there it was her problem to deal with. Oh I would take them hunting or teach them to fly, things a Sire should teach them I suppose when I had to, but I never cared all that much for their rearing. That was best left to the others. But for some reason her refusal to care for the egg angered me. It's one thing to leave a weak hatchling at the mercy of nature, but refusing to even try to hatch the egg was cold even for her. I told her I would destroy the entire clutch if she did not care for all of them and after much fighting and drawing the attention of the other females she finally relented.

Talyndria was the last to hatch, having trouble breaking free of the egg. I realised that Noiria didn’t bother to breathe on the egg.” He said as Trisaland looked at him in confusion. “I don’t know how familiar you are with our eggs but they are quite hard and durable. A female will breathe onto the egg, in our case with fire which makes the shell a bit more fragile and allows the whelp to break free easier. When she realised I knew she was allowing her to struggle and possibly die within the egg she finally breathed on it, but even then the little one struggled to get out, but she finally did it.” He said with a smile of pride. “I admit, I’ve never shown much care for my hatchlings, but watching her struggle out of that egg and then to be so tiny, so beautiful…” He said leaning down to kiss the sleeping whelp on her head.

“It...it's like for the first time in a long time I felt something...good. Here was this tiny little creature that I had a part in creating. This tiny little life struggling to begin.” He said then his face grew cold. “I think the others sensed her weakness, her softness. They pounced on her as they would one another but there was a viciousness in it they didn’t show to the others. When they were fed she would try to eat and they would attack her, pushing her out more so than they would the others.”

“They were weeding out what they saw as weakness.” Thoran said quietly. “It's not unheard of amongst broods, but I have never seen it done so viciously.”

“Our flight is not known for their gentleness now are we?” He said looking to Thoran who only shook his head then went back to his healing. “I tried to intervene and was told I needed to let nature take its course and I tried. I fought the urge to just...well I’m embarrassed to say what I considered doing to the little brats and their harpy mother but I let it take its course for a time. I would pull her aside and slip her food and keep her near when I could, but I wasn’t always able to be there. It was one of those times today. I was to take some of the younger ones hunting, whelps who are ready to learn to hunt on their own.

When I returned I could hear her cries, I knew something was wrong. As I came into our cave I saw them clawing at her, biting her, heard her screams of distress and all the while my mate watched, doing nothing. I fear I lost my temper quite badly. I saw red and just started yanking them away from her, tossing them without thought. I may have actually killed some of them, I don’t know. All I knew was my little jewel didn’t deserve this and that bitch watched as if amused.

When she saw me intervene, only then did she take action and attacked me. We fought, she did her best to kill me...I left her bleeding out from several wounds that I doubt she’ll recover from, I grabbed Talyndria and I flew. I flew and I didn’t look back. I had to fight to stay ahead of the others once they discovered what happened. Once I felt I was far enough away to safely stop and rest I had a chance to check Talyndria who was crying in pain the whole time and saw the severity of her wounds. More than I could ever hope to be able to heal, I knew there was only one I could trust to bring her to. One dragon who might help me get her somewhere safe, because she won’t be safe with me.”

“You thought to bring her to me?” Thoran said as if disbelieving.

“I know you hate me Thoran, but I also know you are a dragon of honor. I knew you would help my little gem, heal her, and hopefully help me find a safe place for her.” He said as Thoran looked down not speaking as his hand glowed once more as the healing energies flowed into the tiny wing, a small popping sound came as the delicate bones reset, a small wail coming from the dragon.

“Shh, it's okay little one, I know it hurts but only for a bit.” Trisaland cooed softly channelling the light into the tiny dragon to ease her pain. “Thoran, you have to help him, help her.” She said as she pulled away the bloody wrap around the tiny whelp and wrapped her in a warm blanket, laying her on her non injured side on the chaise before looking up to Noxarian. “it's best we leave her in the enchanted sleep awhile longer while the healing is still working.”

“Of course.” He said softly.

“What do you want me to do, Nox?” Thoran said, straightening his back as a series of pops and cracks sounded as he stretched.

“I want you to take her to the Queen, ask for her aid to protect her. I know, I know.” He said, raising a hand seeing the look of disbelief on the other dragon's face. “I know that the other flights hate ours and I understand. But Alexstrasza...she’s the Aspect of Life, the Great Mother. Surely she has it in her heart to care for one so innocent.”

“She won’t remain innocent. She was born with the curse just like the others.”

“But that’s what I’m trying to tell you, she’s shown nothing of it! That is why she was attacked. Even the most docile of the whelps when attacked will fight back and become just as vicious as those born with it already burning in their blood. She is not like them. Somehow she has fought it. And with the right guidance she could grow to be like others who do not suffer the curse.”

“I don’t see how she can escape it, Nox. I mean yes, you fought it for centuries but you weren’t born with it. She was.”

“Nature versus nurture.” Trisaland said softly, looking thoughtful. “It is possible perhaps.”

“Tris, we’re talking about a black dragon here.” Thoran said with a sigh.

“But think about it. The shadow lynx of Quel’thalas are wild and feral beasts. Yet those cubs who are raised from birth by our handlers become quite docile to our people, yet are taught to hunt and be fierce and protective companions to the Rangers. It is not so different. From what I have heard, these whelps are like the cubs, wild and feral. Yet this one does not show that kind of behavior, so if she is raised away from that sort of environment, why would she not continue to be like other dragons. I’m sure there are those who could teach her how to fight the curse if and when it does try to rear its head. And who better than the most loving of all dragons?”

“It is not as simple as domesticating a cat Trisaland.” He argued, rubbing his temples. Why could she not see past the sweet face of the sleeping whelp? She was well aware of the history of the Black Flight and the destruction they had wrought.

“Hmmf, you are just as bad as her mother.” Trisaland said, rising and taking the tiny bundle into her arms and moving to a rocking chair where she began to rock gently, humming a song to the small creature as the men watched.

“Just like her damned grandmother.” Thoran sighed as Noxarian laughed softly then winced. “You're injured.” He said.

“The bitch got some good swipes in.” He shrugged.

“Damn it, get out of that vest and tunic and let me have a look.” He said rising as Noxarian gingerly removed the clothing from his upper body revealing several deep gashes across his back and stomach. “By the five, she really got you didn’t she?”

“Yeah…” Noxarian said with a small laugh shaking his head. “Remember how Tandralis would fight in battle?”

“All to well.”

“Take that and make her insane, and a heartless bitch and you have Noiria.”

Chapter Text

After much growling, posing, tension and a bit of healing the two male dragons had at last settled into a tenuous peace with one another and much to her amusement, raided Trisaland’s kitchen and the dinner cooking there. As they filled their stomachs, she chose to remain sitting in the rocking chair holding the sleeping whelp humming lullabies she remembered from her own childhood as her eyes examined the sleeping bundle.

In general Talyndria had the look of most hatchlings she had seen on her visits to the Sanctum of Life, though she found there was a softness to this one. Her face was just a bit less sharp angles, her features more gentle perhaps more feminine if she needed to give a name to it. Her tiny little talons were nearly as small as Trisaland’s own fingernails though much sharper. She smiled as one of her front paws came up to her tiny snout in her sleep as she began to mimic an elven child sucking their thumb. Tandralis reached up to stroke her cheek gently with a finger hearing a small contented sigh from the little dragon. She really was quite cute.

“You poor child, you have suffered so much in such a short time. But you are safe here, I will not allow anyone or anything to harm you so long as you are in my care.” She said softly as she heard footsteps enter the room. Looking up she saw Noxarian approaching, a small smile quirking at his lips.

“You would make quite the broodmother.” He said softly as he crouched down at her side looking upon his daughter.

“You really love her.” Trisaland said more as a statement of fact than a question as the man sighed.

“I know it may sound horrible, my feelings for others. But you must understand, I never chose my mate, there was no love in it.” He said as his eyes became a bit unfocused as if seeing something she could not. “Noiria was...she was cold and calculating and rather cruel. She only enjoyed rearing the hatchlings that showed her own penchant for violence and destruction. I saw mating with her as my duty, nothing more. I cared nothing for rearing the hatchlings...at least not until this one.” He said looking down at his child.

“I don’t understand why, but Noiria’s neglect of her egg..it stirred something inside me. I could sense there was something about this one, something special. I knew I had to see that she was given a chance. And when she hatched, watching her struggle to leave the egg and then seeing her soft features and timid personality, it just...awakened a part of me that I was sure had died along with Tandralis.”

“Were you in love with my grandmother?” She said curiously, tilting her head as she watched the play of emotions on his face.

“I...maybe early on I had a bit of a crush on her.” He smiled sadly. “When she first returned from her studies in Zin-Azshari. When she’d left she’d been this awkward little thing, pretty but not fully grown into herself yet, kind of the annoying little sister of sorts. But when I was sent to bring her home and saw the beauty she had become, my heart raced. I’d never considered wanting a mortal female before but there was something there that just…” He shook his head laughing. “Or perhaps it was just a horny teenaged dragon noticing a fine set of hips.” He grinned. “Had she been a female dragon I’m sure she would have caused many a fight to become her consort.” He said as Trisaland laughed.

“A fine set of hips hmm?” Trisaland laughed. “Now that is something I’ve never heard any male say to compliment a female.”

“Well, I mean she had a lovely face as well, but for dragons, or at least for me, I find a finely formed set of hips attractive. I suppose it speaks to my instincts for mating. A female with less shapely form might have a harder time with birthing clutches, but one with fine hips, they speak of many clutches to be born.”

“Yes, my Talanstrasza was like that.” Thoran said with a sad smile. “She had a fine set of hips, not too round yet finely curved. And her scales shone like rubies.” Trisaland listened to the males with a small smile, it was rare to hear Thoran speak of his lost mate.

“And what else do males of your kind look for in a mate?” She asked curiously.

“The horns.” They both said then laughed as Thoran continued. “I don’t know about others but I loved the way Talan’s horns curved back then sort of up and out.” He said tracing the design in the air with his fingers. “Some will curl, much like a rams, others lay back along the side of their head, but hers had nice gentle lines. And her eyes, so bright and golden and full of laughter.”

“And might I ask what a lovely young elven lady finds attractive in a potential mate?” Noxarian said curiously, moving to sit on a chair as she looked thoughtful for a moment.

“Well for me personally? I prefer a male who has a bit of muscle to him, a proven warrior if you will. I’m not overly fond of the magister types, they are far too thin and lanky. I want a man I do not have to fear will break.” She laughed as she heard a snort of laughter from Thoran’s direction. “I also prefer those who let their hair grow, something I can bury my fingers in and feel the silkiness of. A good heart, easy to laugh..” She trailed off then smiled. “But I am rather picky, as Thoran has pointed out quite often.”

“It sounds as if you have it figured out, you just have to find the one who meets those standards.” He smiled as she looked at him, curious about the black dragon who her grandmother had once called brother.

Though she had no idea of how he might appear in his true form, she knew there was much of the same in their chosen mortal forms as well. He wore his long, dark hair neatly, his build strong as that of a warrior though his hands she noted seemed shaped more to that of one who liked to create rather than wield a weapon. His reddish gold eyes held the look of one long lived and carried the shadows of a long life that had seen much, faint scars marred the perfection of otherwise smooth and unlined skin. One thing she found somewhat humorous was the inclusion of gems and metals into every aspect of his appearance.

His top knot was held by a silver ornament accented in colorful stones. His long tapered ears displayed many types of studded gems and rings of silver and gold, even his nose sported a small ring through one side. About his neck he wore a solitary necklace with a blue colored stone yet his wrists were encased in several bracelets of metal and gem, his fingers sporting many rings. Of course she had seen other dragons who wore jewels in both forms, Alexstrasza being one of them, but never quite like this one.

“I do have a penchant for jewels.” He smiled as if hearing her thoughts. “I’m not sure if Thoran told you, but many of the jewels worn by your grandmother, including that ring on your finger, were made by my hand.” He said gesturing to the simple gold and ruby ring on her right ring finger. “I made that one in particular when she and Vaeynstrasz chose to become mates. The stone is made from one of his scales.” He said as she gasped looking at the ring.

“This...this was their wedding ring?” She said in awe looking at the ring as he nodded.

“Vaeyn asked me to create something special for her that he could give her, and that was what I did. I am happy to see it has survived to be passed on.”

“I gave it to her when...well when Kalypsa fell in battle.” He said softly, the pain of seeing yet another he loved gone a twinge in his heart.

“My sweet Kalypsa is gone.” He said softly. “She was just on the verge of coming of age when I left, and now I’ve missed all of her life that remained.” He said as his eyes seemed to shimmer with unshed tears. “I will never forgive myself…” He said softly.

“But she left behind two beautiful girls.” Thoran said with a smile. “Trisaland has a twin sister, Lysandria. She looks more Kalypsa while Tris here takes more after Tandralis.”

“I would love to meet Lysandria as well if possible.” Noxarian said softly as if not daring to hope for such.

“She lives in the house down the path from here. Perhaps if you are able to stay for a bit there will be time. I would call her now but the hour grows late and she is likely resting if she has managed to settle little A’dora in. She is carrying her second child now so she tires easily as her time grows closer.”

“She has taken a mate and has hatchlings of her own yet you have not?” As he spoke Tris laughed and shook her head holding up her hands as if to ward off such a thing.

“Oh no…I am not as interested in domestic adventures as she is. I am part of the royal guard of Silvermoon and quite happy that way.” She said as the small bundle she held began to stir. “Oh, I think she might be waking up.” She said looking down as the curled bundle stretched and yawned, chirruping softly then opened her eyes wide letting out a sound of distress. “Oh it's okay little one, I am a friend and will not hurt you.” She said as the little dragon struggled to free herself from the blanket in which she was wrapped a high pitched chattering coming from her that Trisaland realised was broken draconic as Noxarian quickly rose and came to her side speaking softly in their language as he picked her up and cradled her against him even as she skittered to his shoulder to hide beneath his hair, her tiny face peeking out from beneath.

“It's all right little one, they are friends, they helped to heal you.” He said reaching up to stroke along her sinewy neck. “This is Trisaland and Thoranstrasz.” He said introducing them as the hatchling turned her head curiously inspecting the two from the safety of her perch.

“Hello Talyndria.” Trisaland said softly in draconic, remaining in her seat so as not to spook the small creature. “You are such a brave and beautiful little girl. I was only trying to comfort you as you slept.” She said as the hatchling seemed to peek her head out further in curiosity at the words.

“Talyn.” Came a small squeaking voice.

“Yes you have such tiny and delicate talons my lady.” Tris said with a smile as the hatchling shook her head.

“Talyn!” She said as Tris looked at Noxarian curiously.

“Huh...I think she’s chosen, what is it you mortals call it...it's been so long. Ah, she chose her nickname.” He said with a smile as he heard a small huffing sound from Thoran.

“Talan? Really Nox? You named your child after my mate?”

Noxarian smirked slyly, cutting his eyes to his old friend. “I gave her the name Talyndria yes, partly to honor one of the most beautiful and strong females I have ever known. I wanted her name to embody strength and beauty and all of the traits I hope my girl to have in life. But…if she chooses Talyn as her nickname…so be it. Its a good name.” He grinned as Thoran looked to him somewhat miffed.

“Perhaps it's an omen Thoran.” Trisaland offered softly. “A sign that she is not what you fear, that she is good. Perhaps…” She drifted off then shook her head not daring to speak her thoughts.

“Don’t...don’t even consider what I know you’re thinking.” Thoran said coldly as she shook her head and sighed even as a low grumble was heard. “What the…”

“Hungry.” Came a small whine from the whelp.

“Oh, of course! Umm...what does she eat?” Trisaland said, looking over to Noxarian. “Do you need to hunt for her or could she eat what I have here?”

“She should be fine to eat some of the meat, she might enjoy it actually.” He said as Trisaland approached slowly, bending to be on level with the whelp but not moving too closely yet.

“Talyn, would you like to eat? I have plenty of food and you are welcome to it.” She said as the whelp poked her head out a bit further.

“Eat?”

“Yes little one, eat.” She said daring to carefully reach out for the tiny dragon, smiling as she was allowed to extract her from the nest of hair she’d been hiding in, then carried her to the kitchen as she looked over the food curiously. “Hmm, I think maybe I should cut your food up for you first.” She said setting the hatchling on the counter as she cut a piece of the boar roast and began to cut it into smaller chunks to make it easier for the whelp. When she set down the plate the whelp dove in, eating ravenously. “Easy little one, you’ll get choked.” She said as the food disappeared quickly.

“Eat?”

“You want more?” She said with a small laugh. “You can have all you want, just slow down, no one will take any of your food.” She said as she turned to cut more meat for her then set it on her plate watching as she wolfed this bit down as well then made a small sound of distress. “What’s wrong love, did you...Oh!” Trisaland cried as the hatchling began to retch, a sudden burst of flame, along with her dinner forcefully spraying out at Trisaland. The sound of the two men running in at the noise quickly followed.

“Tris are you okay?” Thoran said seeing her smoldering tunic and the mess that covered it.

“Talyn are you all right little one?” Noxarian said immediately going to his daughter.

“We’re okay.” Tris said, wiping the regurgitated meat from her tunic and cleaning up the mess. “She just ate a bit too quickly I think. Didn’t you little love?” She said reaching out to clean the mess from the snout of the whelp who looked utterly sad. “It's okay, you can have more, just don’t eat so fast that you get sick.” She said cutting up another plate then taking the whelp and sitting at the table, picking up the meat and feeding it to her. “That’s it, one bite at a time, chew it well.” She said in a motherly tone as the two watched in apparent surprise.

“Just like her grandmother.” Noxarian smiled as Thoran smiled sadly. This was not good, he could already see the bonding forming between the whelp and his friend. It wasn’t good, they would have to leave the whelp with Alexstrasza and if they became too bonded it could be traumatic for both.

“Too much.” He said frowning as he heard small noises from the whelp as Trisaland laughed.

“Oh you want to try that too? All right.” She said giving the whelp new foods until at last she seemed to grow sated then let out a large belch as Tris laughed. “Oh little one, that was good. I know a few Rangers that might be jealous even.” She laughed then rose filling a basin with warm water. “But you are a bit of a mess, let's get you cleaned up.” She said lifting the whelp into the basin then squealing as the whelp began to flutter her wings and splash soaking not only Trisaland and the surrounding area but managing to splash enough to reach the two men as they cleaned up the rest of the kitchen.

“Hey!” Thoran said, leaning over so that his nose was close to her snout. “I can take a bath on my own, I don’t need your help.” He said then smiled as the whelp let out a small cackle of what Tris realized was laughter and splashed water into his face once more giggling madly. “Ah I can see this is going to be a long...long battle.” He grabbed a towel and began to dry himself as the whelp continued to splash and play, her tiny sounds of laughter tugging at his heart in ways he didn’t wish to allow.

Chapter Text

A simple magelight lit the small desk, littered with schedules, varied correspondence and scrolls. Sitting with a quill in hand, her other hand rubbing her tired eyes, Trisaland attempted to complete the duty roster for the next moon’s shifts. Though she’d sent word back to Silvermoon that she would be taking a small personal leave due to a family crisis, she’d agreed to at least keep up with her paperwork at home leading to more than a few messengers delivering various messages needing her attention.

It had been a mere four days since Noxarian had arrived at her door with his severely injured child in need of shelter and healing. Though Thoran had been against helping them at first, it seemed the two males after some posturing and snorting had begun to calm and finally have some long needed talks about their shared past. For Trisaland the days were a mix of anxiety that the two would come to blows at times, fascination as they would calm and speak of times before her birth and utter joy at the hijinks of tiny black whelp who, now away from the abusive and dangerous flight was beginning to relax and let her sweet and sometimes silly demeanor shine.

On their first night Trisaland, seeing the little whelp’s distress in the new and strange place, had gone to her room and dug out an old stuffed dragonhawk toy from her own childhood and gifted it to Talyn. Since then the little whelp was hardly seen without it, hugging it between her forelegs as if afraid it might be snatched away at any moment and proudly proclaiming it to be called ‘Daggy’. With a small smile Tris thought it so cute the way she hugged it to her was no different than an elven child would. Children, no matter what race or species it seemed, were much the same, they took utter joy in simple things and with a bit of love and care would brighten the world with their laughter. With a sigh she thought to herself how empty the house would seem once they had arranged to send her to the safety of the reds, she would genuinely miss Talyn’s cackling laughter and the warm weight of her sitting in her lap asking her to sing as she fell asleep. She would need to be sure Thoran informed Alexstrasza of this, though the thought of the dragon queen singing children to sleep seemed hard to imagine.

“Trisaland? Why are you still up so late, friend?” Came the deep male voice, startling her out of her musings. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Noxarian said as she looked up, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

“Oh you just caught me off guard, I suppose I was sitting here wool gathering rather than working.” She said, setting the quill aside. “Is everything all right? Is Talyn hurting or hungry?”

“No, no, she’s sleeping peacefully.” He said as she noted the dark circles around his eyes.

“And yet you are not it seems.” She said softly as a half smile formed on his lips.

“It has been centuries since I could just relax and sleep. Not that dragons sleep like mortals, we can go weeks, days or years without truly sleeping, then we may sleep for a time. I try to rest but old habits I suppose.” He said, shrugging his shoulders. “When Talyn sleeps and I cannot, I've come into the habit of sitting out on the terrace, listening to the night sounds of the forest. I’m sorry if I startled you, I do not wish to keep you from your work.”

“No, no, you’re fine. Even when I am in the city I find working on schedules and such easier in the night when things are quieter. But I could use a break if you would like company on the terrace.” She said as his smile grew.

“I would be honored to have your company, my lady. Shall we?” He said as she stood and stretched then followed him out, as they each stretched out on a chaise letting the cooler night air wash over them. “I had almost forgotten how lovely this land is. At times Tandralis, Thoran and I would find a nice place to camp by the river and just stay up all night drinking wine, listening to the sounds of the forest and the gentle sounds of the water. It was so relaxing and we were happy, we were family.” He said as Tris watched the emotions play over his handsome features.

“You miss her a lot, even after so long.” She said more as a statement than a question as he turned his red gold eyes to look at her, the sadness in them making her feel as if her heart was breaking along with his.

“I do, I loved her dearly. She was more family to me than my own blood and even though it's been centuries since, it still hurts as if it were just yesterday at times. Perhaps it feels so because of the years I lost myself to the madness to forget.” He said with a sigh.

“Is that what is keeping you awake my friend?” At this he shook his head.

“Perhaps a part of it, but for the most part, I’ve forgotten how to relax, to feel safe to do so. Amongst my flight you do not let your guard down, you never know when another will attack you merely because the whispers convince them they need a fight. And when I do drift off I seem to be plagued with nightmares or memories of things I’ve done while in the midst of the madness. And then there are my worries for the future. If Alexstrasza does not agree to take Talyndria, I have no idea how I can protect her. When the others come for me, and they will, I have no idea what they will do to her. Being that she is so young, they likely wouldn’t try to harm her, just take her back to the flight. But even that would be her death, as you’ve seen, she’s far too gentle for such a violent life.”

“Noxarian, no matter what happens, we’re going to find a way to protect her. I don’t know how, but we will. Perhaps Kandra…” She began only to see him shake his head and laugh.

“Kandra hates my kind, with good reason. She saw her mother die that day at the hands of Deathwing, and she was helpless to stop it just as the rest of us were. So many died because of him.” He said angrily as his eyes seemed to glow with the emotion, his fist clenching until his knuckles were white. “Kylyr was such a beautiful, joyous soul. She loved magic and could be quite annoying about it, always blinking here and there just to tease, or doing little spells to entertain the children. She did not deserve her fate for trying to defend her flight and the mortals she was fighting to protect.”

“But she is a mother herself, with her own brood and a loving one at that. If she were to meet that sweet little girl of yours I have no doubt her heart would open to her.”

“Maybe. But even if it did, the blues would never allow a black within their sanctum.”

“I suppose you are right. But we will find a way, I promise you.”

“I have no doubt.” He said looking at her with a smile that set her heart to beat faster as her mind seemed to take a mental inventory of his features, noting the differences between his mortal form and Thoran’s. His eyes were a bit more turned up at the outer corners with thick, dark lashes. His features are just a bit sharper, his skin darker, a more coppery color as if he’d spent time in the sun, even his form was a bit more muscular and far more scarred, his hair dark as a raven’s wing. Realizing she was staring she quickly averted her eyes, but not before seeing the hint of amusement in his eyes. By the light, what was wrong with her? He was a black dragon on the run from his flight after all! “But let us leave such stressful topics on such a beautiful night.” He said as if noticing her sudden shyness. “Tell me what does the lovely granddaughter of my best friend do with her life? I noticed the sword you held the night I arrived and I’ve seen your armor as well which does not speak of one who roams the forests as your grandsire did.”

“Oh..no I am not a Ranger.” She laughed softly. “Though I do love the outdoors, my calling took me into the city. I began as a simple guard, but I have worked my way up to Captain in the Royal Guard, I suppose you could say I work for King Sunstrider.”

“Ah so the line continues I see, that is good. Would the current king be the son of Dath’remar or...no I suppose not. He would be quite old by your kind’s standards.”

“The current king is Anasterian, Dath'remar’s grandson. He is a good and fair king and the people quite love him. He has a young son of his own, Kael’thas.”

“How time does pass.” He said with a sigh. “So you guard the king? That seems appropriate considering that your families have been somewhat intertwined for centuries.”

“Oh no, I am not part of his personal guard per se, though sometimes I am assigned to his retinue for special events. For the most part I oversee the guards in the lower ranks as well as training the new recruits. I get a lot of the drudgery of paperwork, making out schedules and rotations, seeing to the details of security for special events and festivals he or the prince attends, things of that nature.” At this Noxian laughed softly. “What is so funny?”

“Oh don’t mind me, I just remembered when Dath’remar tried to convince Tandralis to betrothe Kalypsa to his son. He felt given their history together it was quite logical to marry the families to one another. She told him to go drown himself in the Sunwell. That her daughter would choose her own mate, not have one chosen for her. She really hated noble traditions.”

“Ah yes, Anasterian told me the story. He then says it's high time I had a daughter because his son will need a good and proper mate to be queen someday as well.”

“And what did you say?”

“Something a bit less polite than to drown himself in the Sunwell.” She laughed. “He just laughed and said he expected such an answer.”

“I am quite surprised to find you have no mate, a young woman as lovely as you should have men lined up at your door seeking your hand.”

“And this is why I have a very sharp sword, to discourage such nonsense.” She laughed then paused as they heard a cry from within the house. “Talyndria!” She said as she rose quickly with Noxarian following on her heels as they ran inside to the guest room to find the small whelp sitting up in her basket that was a makeshift bed, fat tears streaming down her scaled cheek as she cried.

“Tylandria! What is it? Are you hurt?” Noxarian said swiftly, picking her up and holding her close to him, looking her over for signs of injury as Thoran burst into the room looking half asleep yet concerned.

“What’s happening? Are we under attack?”

“Talyn wake...Ati gone...scared.” The whelp hiccuped between tears.

“I’m so sorry little one, I was talking with Trisaland while you slept. It's all right, I’m here now.” He cooed, rocking her in his arms as Trisaland picked up her dragonhawk from the basket offering it to her then reaching out to wipe away her tears.

“Oh little one...it's okay, no one left you.” She said softly then looked back to Thoran who watched for a moment then walked over as well.

“It's okay Talyn...we’re all here for you.” He said as Talyn sniffled yet begun to calm seeing the three of them.

“Tissy...hungry.” She said with another small sniffle.

“Well I think we can fix that easily enough.” She said, reaching out as the whelp moved into her arms. “Why don’t we all go find a snack, hmm?” She said with a smile as they all walked to the kitchen where she handed her back to Noxarian as she took out some leftovers from their dinner and began to cut up food for Talyn then sat down and took her into her lap to help her eat.

“Oh so we don’t get a snack?” Thoran teased.

“You're both big enough to make your own.” She said as Thoran stuck out his tongue blowing a raspberry at her which elicited a burst of giggles from Talyn.

“Do again Toran!” She giggled as he did once more. “Toran funny!”

“Yes, Thoran is hilarious.” Tris laughed, rolling her eyes while the two men helped themselves to the leftovers. Once they were settled around the table Thoran looked between the two curiously.

“So, what’s going on? Why were you two up so late?” Thoran said attempting to sound casual but his tone was laced with a hint of suspicion.

“I was working on some paperwork so I can get it sent back to Captain Dawnbreaker before he has a litter of kittens over me taking a few days away from the city.” She said, “Then Noxarian got up to get some fresh air so we sat outside talking for a bit.”

“Actually, you can tell him the truth Tris, I couldn’t sleep, haven’t been sleeping well since we arrived.”

“What’s going on?” Thoran said, looking at him with a mix of concern and leeriness.

“Oh stop it.” He said seeing the look in the other man’s eyes. “It's not the whispers, it's just...I guess a mix of worry over Talyn and the habit of sleeping with one eye open around my flight. It's hard to convince my body that it can relax, that we’re safe here.”

“I might be able to help with that. I can make a tea for you that will help you relax and sleep. I used to make it for Kalypsa...after...well you know. After we lost Tandralis.” He said softly. “She had a hard time between losing her and you disappearing. I’m sure I can adjust it for a dragon.”

“That would be great, my body wants to rest but my mind just refuses. And when I manage to finally relax enough to sleep...well then the damn nightmares start.”

“I understand, I remember how hard it was after the betrayal. It was Ylera that taught me to make it, it has dreamwort in it.”

“How the hell do you get your hands on dreamwort? I thought it only grows in the Emerald Dream?”

“Yeah well, friends in the right places.” he laughed. “I finally convinced Ylera to give me a cutting so I could grow it here in the garden. Took a few tries but we finally found a way to get it to grow. Tris do you have any here or do I need to go get it from my house?”

“There should be some already dried in the cupboard.” She said as he rose to make the tea as Talyn burped loudly. “My goodness young lady.” She laughed. “We do need to work on those table manners.” In answer Talyn stuck out her own tongue and tried to imitate Thoran’s raspberry, managing to give Tris a bath in slobber. “Eww.” She said through laughter. “Thoran you are teaching the little one bad things.”

“Isn’t that what Uncles do best?” He laughed as he set down a cup with the tea steeping before Noxarian then leaned over to Talyn with a wink. “We’ll work on perfecting that raspberry later.” He said as Talyn once again attempted it then giggled. “Silly girl.” He laughed as Noxarian sipped his tea and Talyn began to yawn.

“Getting sleepy again little one?” Tris said as Talyn leaned against her.

“Tissy sing, Talyn sleep?

“You want me to sing you to sleep?” She said as Talyn nodded her head. “I suppose I could do that, come we’ll get you all tucked in and I will sing you to sleep and sit with you till your sire comes to bed.” She said rising.

“I won’t be long Tris, once I finish my tea I’ll be in there with her so you can get some rest as well.”

“No hurry.” She said as she carried Talyn back to the guest room then lay her down in her basket. “There we go, and we’ll tuck you in and give you Daggy.”

“Talyn Daggy. Talyn..lo...love Daggy!” She said as Tris smiled down at her.

“I’m glad you love Daggy, he needs a sweet little girl to cuddle and love him. Now, close your eyes and go to sleep like a good girl.” She said as the little whelp closed her eyes then peeked one open to make sure she was still there. Satisfied she closed her eyes once more as Tris began to sing a lullaby softly, her hand going to stroke her head gently as unbeknownst to her the two males watched from the door, one smiling, the other frowning with concern at the look of love of the woman’s face as she sang the little one to sleep.

Chapter Text

A light breeze began to ruffle the curtains on the terrace outside Trisaland’s bedroom allowing the first rays of sunlight to shine over her as she groaned, rolling over in the bed and covering her head with the blankets.

“Nope…too early still.” She grumbled to herself as the door to her room opened. Peeking out with one eye she groaned once more and fully covered her head seeing Thoran standing in the doorway. “Go away…it's too early!” She moaned, earning a small chuckle from him.

“Then stop staying up all night doing paperwork and talking with Nox. You can go back to sleep, I just wanted to let you know I will be leaving for the Sanctum of the Reds soon.”

“Shit.” She said sitting up in bed. “I forgot you were leaving today. Can’t you wait a few more days…let Nox rest up well before we send him off to try to hide from his flight?”

“Tris…” Thoran said walking over and sitting down on the side of the bed, reaching out to push her sleep mussed hair from her face gently. “It's been four days since he arrived, I fear that it won’t be long until they run out of places to look for him and turn for Quel’thalas. His Sire likely suspects he would come here looking for help, so we need to get this done so we can get Talyndria to safety.”

“I know but…” She began only to be cut off by his next words, words he hated to say knowing they would anger her.

“Tris, I’m not trying to be cruel, but you cannot allow yourself to grow too attached to Talyn, nor she to you.” He said seeing the stubborn set of her jaw and narrowing of her eyes knowing she was about to find some way to argue the point with him.

“And I have told you, I am only trying to help her, Thoran. The child has never known anything but hate and abuse from anyone other than from her Sire. I want her to know caring and gentleness instead of pain and abuse. You saw what she looked like when Nox brought her here. The child was hurt severely, starved for love and malnourished. I want her to know that not everyone is cruel or hateful, I want her to know she is safe and loved.” Tris said, her eyes shimmering with a mist of tears.

“As do I, but Tris you are becoming too bonded to her and she to you. If she bonds to you too tightly it will only be more damaging to her when Nox is gone and she goes to my mother’s care.” He said only for her to shake her head at him.

“Or it will help her to accept the love and care she will receive from Alexstrasza. Think about it, Thoran, the only female in her life, was a dragon who neglected her, allowing her to be tortured by her clutchmates. My fear is that at first she will see Alexstrasza and fear her because she has not had a caring mother, I only want to show her that not everyone will hurt her.” She said as Thoran came to her, slipping his arms around her and pressing his forehead to hers, his eyes closing as he sighed deeply.

“Tris, you have a beautiful heart and the most caring soul. You didn’t think twice about caring for her despite what you know of black dragons. You didn’t see a whelp or a black dragon, you saw a child in need and you all but threatened my life if I didn’t agree. Someday, you are going to be the most loving and wonderful mother. But you cannot be Talyn’s mother and I worry how much it's going to hurt you when you have to let her go.”

“I understand Thoran, but so long as she is in my care, I will give her all the love and joy I possibly can. And I will support Noxarian in trying to keep her safe as well as his own safety.” At this she felt his arms stiffen around her. “What?” She said leaning back seeing his eyes darken.

“Don’t get attached to him, Tris. He is a black dragon, on the run from his flight. As soon as we have things settled for Talyn he will be gone.” At this she laughed softly.

“Thoran...surely you don’t think…” She said with amusement.

“I’ve seen you watching him, Tris, and in all the time I’ve known you I’ve never seen you look at a male that way. Not even...whatever his name was that you had such a crush on when you were at the academy.”

“His name was Thalion, and it was a silly school girl crush. I do not have a crush on Noxarian.” She laughed.

“No, I think you are attracted to him though and that will also get you hurt. Darling, I’ve known him for centuries, we were like brothers. Even if he were not on the run I would warn you away from him because he’s not fully stable. He could succumb to the whispers again at any time.”

“You're jealous!” She laughed, waving a hand as if to dismiss his concerns.

“I...no I’m not!” He said not meeting her eyes.

“Oh please, you’ve been the only male outside my coworkers in my life for any real amount of time. The only handsome dragon around and now this dark haired, handsome bad boy dragon arrives and you're getting your scales all ruffled thinking he might catch my eye.” She said crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes though he could see the amusement in them as well.

Okay, yes, I admit that he has a very...pleasant to look upon visage and for someone who is from a flight known for its cruelty, he has a heart of gold with his child. But that is all beside the point.” She said inwardly cursing the flush creeping up her neck.

“Yes, I'm fascinated by him. I mean, I’ve met red dragons, blue dragons, even a bronze and green or two. But he’s different from all of you. Not to mention he knew my grandmother and there are tales he’s been able to share with me about her life that not even you can! So of course I enjoy talking with him.”

“Please, don’t ever forget who and what he is, Tris, I am not saying don’t be friendly, I think he’s truly fighting to break free of his flight once again. But he’s in danger from them and from the curse they carry. He is not the one for you.”

“You know what…this conversation is finished!” She huffed. “I refuse to entertain your delusion of my non-existent feelings for Nox. Now, don’t you have an appointment with the Queen to get to?” She said, looking away from him as he sighed deeply.

“All right, all right…I’m going. But think about what I said Tris…this is only a temporary situation. If all goes well today, Talyn will be going to live with my flight and you need to prepare yourself for that.” He said rising from the bed then glancing back at her, watching her lie back down and pulling the covers over her head once more, the action making him smile as he remembered her doing the same when Kalypsa had grown tired of trying to wake her to leave for school when she was determined not to go.

“By the way…that little blanket flip never worked when you didn’t want to go to school, and it's not working now.” He grinned then ducked the pillow that came flying at him.

“Just go so I can go back to sleep!”

“As you wish my princess.” He laughed, walking out of the room as Tris huffed once more.

“Males! No matter the species, be they mortal or dragon, always trying to mark their territory.” She said snuggling back under the blankets and closing her eyes, just beginning to drift off when she felt a thump on the bed. “I said let me sleep, Thoran!” She groaned then felt something move up the bed, pulling back the blankets from her face. Opening one eye she gasped then laughed softly.

“Tissy sleep?” Came the tiny draconic voice of Talyn who sat beside her looking down with her head tilted slightly to the side.

“Well good morning Little Gem, where is your Ati?”

“Ati sleep…Talyn want Tissy.” She said matter of factly.

“I see…well Tissy was going to sleep a bit longer, but if you’re hungry we can get up and find you some breakfast.” She said as Talyn shook her head.

“Tissy want sleep, Talyn sleep too.” She said, pushing back the blankets and moving to Trisaland’s side. “Talyn…cud..cuddle Tissy?” She said as Trisaland lifted the blankets allowing her room to climb closer, laying down with her head on the pillow beside Trisaland.

“I would love to cuddle with you little one.” She said smiling and reaching out to stroke her neck as Talyn sighed, closing her eyes, snuggling closer until she could nuzzle her snout against Trisaland’s neck as Trisaland covered her with the blankets. Only moments later she heard a small purring sound, feeling it vibrate against her gently and smiled. “Best cuddles ever…” She said then closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep once more. She wasn’t sure how long they lay like this before she was pulled from sleep by her door opening, a frantic Nox standing looking dishevelled.

“Tris…I can’t find…” He began then saw the welp snuggled to the woman. “How…” He said as she smiled holding a finger to her lips to say don’t wake Talyn then whispered.

“She came in while I was sleeping and climbed in the bed. She wanted to cuddle, it seems.” She grinned. “Go back to bed if you want, she’s fine.”

“Oh..by the Five she gave me a fright, I woke up and she wasn’t in her basket. But I can’t be angry because she just looks so content there.” He smiled. “Though I might be a bit jealous, I don’t get cuddles like that.” He laughed as Tris smiled then patted the bed on the other side of her.

“Then climb in and join our cuddle puddle. I don’t think she would mind.”

“Yeah but Thoran might.” He grinned.

“Pfft…” She said waving a hand. “He’s gone to see the Queen, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Come on, get some rest. If she wakes up I will watch her while you sleep.”

“Well, I’ve never been one to turn down an invitation by a lovely lady to share her bed.” He teased. “Even if it is only to share snuggles with my child who seems to have decided to give her cuddles away.” He laughed, climbing into the bed and turning to Trisaland. “I don’t want to make this awkward but…I do so wish you were a female dragon, because I think you would make a wonderful brood mother who would take care of my little girl better than anyone.” At his words Trisaland sighed with a sad smile.

“To tell you the truth…right now I wish the same, because I would love nothing more than to take this little one and make sure she always knew how special and loved she is.”

Chapter Text

Thoran stepped through the portal that led to his personal sanctum he used when visiting the flight, looking around with a tired sigh. He knew that Trisaland was likely still angry at their talk, but it had to be said, she would have to come to terms with the fact that she could not raise Talyn.

For a moment he looked around the sanctum he rarely called home thinking if only…but no, it wouldn’t work. Not only would it mean having to take her from her home to live amongst dragons, it would mean having to share a secret he wasn’t quite sure she would understand. “No…someday she will need to know, but not today…” He said to himself then walked to the entrance, looking out over the home of his flight.

The sun was high in the sky pouring its warm light over the vast swaths of green dotted with red and gold leafed trees, so similar to those of Eversong. Perhaps that was one thing he loved most of Quel’thalas is the two places he called home sharing such beauty. He loved his flight’s home, yet since the loss of his mate had never been able to stay for long visits, the memories of her and their ancestral home too much for his heart. Though the pain had eased over the centuries, there were times it felt almost as if it were just yesterday.

But the one thing this home had over his home in Quel’thalas, freedom to be who he truly was. Not Thoran Flamesong the Ranger Lord, friend and companion of the Sunwalker family, but Thoranstrasz of the Red Flight, son of Tyranastrasz and Alexstrasza. Throwing his arms wide his mortal visage seemed to melt away as from one moment to the next the tall elf was replaced with a massive red dragon. For a moment his eyes looked to the south of the sanctum, the urge to go see his old friend pulling at him yet first he had business to attend that could wait no longer. With a downward thrust of his large wings, he took to the skies, the feel of the wind in his face, the freedom of the skies was his once again. The joy and freedom of the skies lifting his spirit, the worries over Noxarian and his whelp, his worries over Trisaland and her family all but disappearing for a time as he let himself enjoy simply being a dragon.

“Brother! You have returned to us!” Came a deep, growling voice that made him smile as he turned to see another red dragon flying his way. Though the same age, the other male was even larger than his own form, a result of his position within the flight.

“Korialstrasz! Have you finally given up living in Dalaran and playing at being a mage?” He teased as the other dragon laughed.

“Of course not, I have returned to do things with your mother you do not want to hear about.” He laughed as Thoran playfully snapped at his neck.

“How dare you! Do you not know our queen is sacred and should not be looked upon in such ways. Why, she is the epitome of purity and chastity.” He laughed as they fell naturally into their habits of showing off their prowess in the sky by taking dangerous dives and other aerial feats around one another.

“So what brings you here? I was told you had asked for a formal audience with her and Tyran, but not what it concerns.” He said as Thoran sighed.

“Yes, I have a rather...delicate matter I need to discuss with them. I suppose I should go face it rather than making them wait since she was gracious enough to grant permission with no information beyond that.” He said frowning.

“I can see from the look on your face it is something that weighs heavily upon you. Come, let's go meet with them so you may unburden yourself. Besides, she is quite anxious to see you again.

With a nod he followed Korialstrasz as they made their way to a large cave set in a high cliff where Alexstrasza awaited them with a male nearly as large as herself. With a few wing beats he landed upon the stone floor, a smile breaking over his features as his mother came forth wrapping her neck about his.

“Thoranstrasz, oh how I’ve missed you my son.”

“It hasn’t been that long since I was here, Mother, you were just too busy with my little brothers and sisters to have a visit.” He said, returning the gesture of affection. “You know it's still hard.”

“I know little one, I know.” She said softly pulling back allowing him to step over to the other male, lowering his head respectfully.

“Sire, it is good to see you again.” He said as the older male reached out to gently press his forehead to Thoran’s.

“And you, my son.” He said softly then pulled back. “What has brought you to us with such a formal and urgent sounding plea for an audience?”

“Oh Tyran, let the boy have a moment to rest before we get into things.” Alexstrasza said gently as she pressed her side to his.

“No Ami, it is all right, for I fear I do not know how long I have to resolve this before it's too late.” He said, shaking his head, thinking on his words carefully. “Only a few night’s past, an old acquaintance appeared in Quel’thalas searching for me. It was Noxarian.” He said, hearing a gasp from Korialstrasz.

“Noxarian? In Quel’thalas? But why? He left there centuries ago after the death of Tandralis and the events that followed.” Korialstrasz said, remembering well the anger and hurt of his friend. “How dare he come back as if nothing happened, why would he? Are Trisaland and Lysandria safe?”

“They are fine, no harm has come to anyone, well...except for the whelp he brought with him. She is his daughter of his latest clutch with his mate.” He said looking up to Alexstrasza, sadness mixed with anger filling his eyes. “Mother, it was horrifying, her clutchmates had attacked her viciously. She had bite marks and gouges where they’d ripped at her with tooth and talons, one of her wings was broken and nearly torn free of her body.” He said as Alexstrasza gasped, her eyes filling with tears.

“How did this happen? Why did his mate not stop them?”

“I suppose I should start further back in the story for you to understand.” He said as he began to relate the tale told to him by Noxarian, of the truth of his leaving Quel’thalas, the lack of trust from his flight when he returned, losing himself to the dark curse and his life with a mate he felt nothing but disdain for and finally to the events leading to his escape with Talyn. By the time he had finished Alexstrasza sat with silent tears streaming down the scales of her cheeks while the other two males looked as if they’d been shell shocked by what they heard.

“That poor, poor child. To be so neglected by her mother...I could never do such a thing to my children. To refuse to even brood her egg or force her to fight so hard just to hatch. Many times I’ve had one or two hatchlings that I was sure would not make it, yet I did everything to make them feel safe and loved even if only for a short time.” Alexstrasza said sadly.

“I knew that the flight of Neltharian had fallen into darkness.” Tyran’s deep voice rumbled, shaking his head. “But to encourage such neglect or to allow the hatchlings to attack another so cruelly, it is beyond anything I had imagined.”

“Thoran, brother…”Korialstraz began softly, as if unsure how to speak his thoughts. “I know how close you and Noxarian once were, and how it hurt you when he left. But I must ask, are you sure he is telling you the truth? He could be using the whelp to get closer to you or the family of Tandralis for nefarious means.”

“I have thought of that Korial, I was suspicious at first myself, in fact had it not been for Tris I would have likely slain him before he could tell me any of it.” He spoke in an equally soft tone then shook his head with a sad laugh. “But of course dear sweet soft hearted Tris heard Talyn’s cry of pain and immediately took her under her own care. You can’t...you just can’t imagine the sight of her, bloodied and torn. And she’s so tiny Korial, so innocent.” He said, the emotion clear in his voice.

“And also a black whelp, which means she carries the corruption within her.” He said pointedly.

“But that’s just it, and it was hard for me to believe at first as well, but she shows none of the aggression or any hint of the curse. She has the sweetest disposition and is such a little joy. If you hear her laughter you would know, there is something different about her.”

“It is possible.” Tyran began thoughtfully. “Though there are few if any still survive, some did not fall to the curse as strongly as most. Not to say they have no trace of it, they have to actively keep their guard up against the whispers, but some who were not as enmeshed in the flight live in hiding throughout the world. Some integrated themselves amongst mortals, others live in the wilds far from others, but always with the fear of discovery. Look at how long Noxarian was able to go on without being affected by it. It is possible that with the right guidance the little one could live without falling to it as well.”

“So how could we help with this, my son?” Alexstrasza said gently as he took a deep breath and let it out before speaking once more.

“Noxarian fears that he cannot protect her from his flight. When they come for him, and we all know they will if only because of his actions against his mate, he fears he cannot protect her. If they do not kill her outright, they will take her back to the flight after killing him. Returning her to her flight would be a death sentence in itself. He came to me because he could not come to you directly. He is asking if you will consider taking Talyndria and caring for her or finding one of our females who would be willing to care for her.”

“You can’t be serious!” Korialstrasz said quickly. “Raise a black dragon whelp amongst our own?” He said angrily. “How dare he make such a request!”

“That is enough Korialstrasz!” Alexstrasza said with a tone of authority as the young male lowered his head. “Thoran, this is a lot to ask. I am not sure about bringing her here…I’m not sure the flight would accept her.”

“My queen.” Tyran said softly. “Perhaps we should discuss this privately, look at all of the options before outright objecting. Although I agree, it may not be the best situation, perhaps there are ways we could help. This child is not to be blamed for the actions of her grandsire or even her parents. We should look at all the options, and then decide what is the best one.”

“As always, you speak with great wisdom my consort.” She said with a loving smile before looking at Thoran. “Allow us to speak privately on this matter for a time. Why don’t you and Korialstrasz take some time together. I will call upon you when we have made our decision.”

“Of course mother, as always I respect your wisdom and will accept what decision you come to.” He said lowering his head respectfully, then looked at Korialstrasz. “Come brother, let's go sit by the lake as we did when we were young.”

“Yes, of course.” He said in a tone which made it clear he was feeling annoyed at being left out of such an important discussion. With a bow to his queen and the prime consort he rose and followed Thoran to the large lake, landing by the waterfalls then flopping down on the grass like a sullen child.

“Korial, come on. Don’t be so droll.” Thorn said with a chuckle of amusement at the other’s mood.

“I am just as much her mate, I should be included in this.” He sulked.

“You are not the Prime Consort brother. You know that she respects your opinions and consults you on many things. But my father is much older and dare I say has great wisdom in many things. Let him not feel like the old consort who has been usurped by the young one for a time.”

“I suppose you're right, I guess I’m feeling put out because this is our time right now. I returned for…”

“Yes...yes, I know what you returned for and as her son that is a bit nauseating to think about.” He laughed, waving his forepaw as if to push away the words. “Kind of like how you felt when I would tell you about your sister and I.” He said with a smirk upon his draconic face.

“Oh please, do not talk about how you and Talanstrasza were together. Damn near the whole sanctum knew so loud the two of you were.” He laughed. “Yes, a change of subject is needed. Tell me, how does Trisaland feel about all of this?” In response the other rolled his eyes and let out a dramatic sigh.

“Oh by the Five, I think Talyn has triggered her maternal instincts. I’ve never seen this side of her before, even when A’dora was born. She dotes on that whelp like a broodmother. The first night they were there, when Talyn was restless and still healing and scared she went to her room and dug out an old stuffed dragonhawk toy from her childhood and gave it to her. She rocks her and sings her to sleep at night. It's insane, she’s getting far too attached to her and it's killing me because I know when we bring Talyn here or send her elsewhere it's going to tear her apart.”

“Have you considered the idea of keeping her yourself? It seems Tris would be willing to help you care for her.” Korialstrasz said thoughtfully.

“We cannot raise a dragon in Quel’thalas.” He laughed. “I mean sure at first it might work, but once she starts growing it will be kind of hard to keep people from noticing.”

“Why doesn’t Noxarian just take her to his private sanctum if he has one?”

“I thought of that as well, but they would be able to find him even there. You know that an Aspect can find their flight members if they want to.”

“Do you really think Neltharion would care? I mean what is one small whelp amongst all of his flight.”

“It's not her they will want to track down Korial.” He sighed tiredly. No, it was likely no one cared about the runt whelp and her whereabouts. However if what Nox had said about the fight with his mate and leaving her to die…that would anger many.

“Hmm yes, you're right.” He said thoughtfully. “But if you couldn’t care for her in Quel’thalas, why not take her to your sanctum?” He offered as Thoran groaned, hating his friend's way of following his own line of thought to options to help Talyn and keep her safe.

“Korial, I don’t want to raise a whelp. I’m perfectly fine being Uncle Thoran to Tandralis’ line, but raise one of my own? No, you know my feelings on this, I have enough with Rana and her broods.” He said with a sigh. “And that is another issue with bringing Tris here…”

“I’m just trying to come up with solutions to help the little one. The way you spoke back there, it sounded like you cared a lot more than you're willing to admit. I know you care for Tris, and this could be something to bring you closer.”

“Tris doesn’t feel that way about me. I’m her friend and she’s mine and that’s all we are. Tris shows no interest in finding a mate, much less a dragon mate. In fact she’s shown more interest in Nox than she’s shown any male as far as I can remember.” He said a bit sullenly as Korialstrasz let out a bark of laughter.

“Aha! So that’s what's eating at you, she’s eyeing up a black dragon and you are jealous!” He laughed.

“I am not jealous! She’s just fascinated because he’s all single dad, worried about his daughter. Women get all squishy about that, you know, she doesn’t see that he is dangerous. Right now he’s fine, I think his fears for Talyn are helping him keep the curse at bay, but it will return and I won’t have her hurt when it does.”

“Who knows, maybe having a caring mate would help him fight it.” He shrugged. “I mean a lovely blonde elf woman, with a heart of gold who adores his child and wants to protect her. It might be just what he needs.”

“Absolutely not! Tris is not...he’s not a good potential mate for her. She deserves someone who will love her and all her odd little quirks. Who can understand that she likes to sit up at night working on her paperwork. The way she can get totally lost in her gardens as much as she can a good book. Or how she will train until she can barely lift her sword because she knows that she might be the only thing between her king and an assassin someday.”

“Right...you’re not taken with her at all.” He laughed as they saw the large form of Tyranastrasz flying towards them causing them to sit up as he landed beside them.

“The queen would like you both to return. I think we might have a solution.”

“That is wonderful Sire, please lead the way.” Thoran said as they took to the skies once again, flying up to where Alexstrasza waited along with another female he recognized. “Oh no…this isn’t happening.” He mumbled to himself as they came to a landing on the large terrace. “Rana, what are you doing here? I was planning to stop in and see how you’re doing once my business here is done.” He said leaning forward to rub his cheek against the females as she returned the affection.

“The queen and Lord Tyran called for me to come join them to discuss Noxarian’s return and the little welp in need. Is it true? That her Ami allowed her to be tortured so?”

“I’m afraid it is.” He said softly, shaking his head. “You cannot even imagine, nor would I want you to, the condition she was in when he arrived. It was horrible, Ran.” He said as the female shook her head sadly.

“Terrible, just terrible…” She said, blinking back tears.

“So why did they…” He began then sighed. “Really? I mean…you already have a clutch to brood already, will you be able to handle another welp?” He said looking at her. Why? Why did Nox have to come to him?

“I think Ranastrasza is the best option you have, Thoran. She’s a proven brood mother who has taken in other orphans in addition to caring for her own children. She is willing to take the welp and raise her as her own, so why wouldn’t you agree?”

“I…it's not that I don’t think her a good option, I’m just concerned she will be taking on too much when she is already brooding her latest clutch.” He said as Rana smirked.

“I will be fine, Thoran. I’ve become quite adept at handling clutches and welps together over the centuries.”

“Then it's settled, you and Rana can work out the details between you and decide how best to bring the child into our flight.” Tyran said authoritatively. “Why don’t the two of you go back to Rana’s sanctum and discuss things further.”

“Of course, Sire. Ami I shall drop by to see you before I leave and spend a bit of time with you if you like.” Thoran said, smirking at the frustrated look on Korialstrasz’s face.

“I would love that son, now go make arrangements to bring the little one here…I can’t wait to meet my newest grandchild.”

Chapter Text

Tris hummed softly as she moved about the kitchen preparing a pie for the evening meal. In a corner she had placed Talyn’s basket where the whelp was napping soundly, her stuffed dragonhawk clutched between her forepaws. When she and Talyn had finally woken, they had slipped quietly from the bedroom leaving Noxarian to finally get some much needed rest thanks to the tea Thoran had made for him the previous evening.

After breakfast she’d taken Talyn with her to work on the garden, something that had delighted the whelp who seemed to enjoy digging into the earth to make holes for planting some of the newest herbs in need of transplant, giggling as her tiny paws plunged into the earth.

After cleaning up from their planting, they had then moved on to the Bloodberry bushes where Trisaland picked berries as Talyn sat with her holding the bucket for her to put them in. By the time they had completed their gardening, Talyn had begun to grumble for food once again and they’d shared a lunch of cold meats, cheeses and fresh moonberry juice along with some of the Bloodberries.

Her belly filled the whelp had begun to yawn and crawled into her basket for a nap leaving Trisaland time to prepare the pie with the remaining berries they had collected. Looking over at the sleeping welp she felt a slight twinge in her heart as she thought of the heated discussion she’d had with Thoran prior to his leaving for the Sanctum of the Reds. She was still rather angry at his words, though she knew he was trying to watch out for her. But really…why would he care if she was looking at Noxarian with admiration, she was a big girl and didn’t need his approval!

With a last huff of frustration, she placed the pie into the oven then began to clean the kitchen, taking care not to wake the sleeping whelp when a knock came at the door.

“Damn it Dawnbreaker, I sent a messenger this morning and you already have another at my door?” She grumbled hurrying to answer before it could disturb either of the sleeping dragons. As she opened the door her annoyance turned quickly to a smile at the sight of the redheaded Quel’dorei woman and the small dark haired child at her side.

“Lys! What a surprise! Come in and get off your feet.” She said, stepping aside to allow them to enter. “And what a lovely doll you have, A'dora, where did you get it?” She said as the very pregnant woman sat down in a chair with a look of relief as A’dora climbed onto the sofa to sit with Trisaland.

“Ann’da brought it to me from Silvermoon. Her name is Ash-ah-rah.” She said proudly as Tris raised an eyebrow at Lysindria.

“Don’t ask...she’s been all about hearing stories of our Highborne ancestors of late, ever since her nanny told her a bedtime story of the ‘beautiful queen of the Kaldorei’ one night. Now she’s obsessed with the old stories of Suramar and Zin-Azshari.”

“Hmm, maybe you should let her pester Thoran about that.” She laughed softly, earning a dark look from her twin. “And they are not ‘our’ ancestors, we are Arandali.” She added knowing it would annoy her twin.

“Perhaps, but that is not why I came here.” She said haughtily. “Lor’ath stopped in to see you while he was in Silvermoon and General Dawnbreaker told him you’d taken time off for a family emergency. He nearly rode his poor Hawkstrider into the ground hurrying home thinking I’d gone into labor earlier than expected.” She said looking annoyed.

“Oh I’m so sorry, please give him my apologies. I never meant for anyone to think something happened to you. I...well I have an old friend of our grandmother’s here, with his daughter.” She said, trying to find the right words to explain the situation as Lysindria arched a brow and looked at her knowingly.

“Trisaland Sunwalker...I know that look, what is going on? What old friend of our grandmother would be old enough to...oh no…” She said putting her hand over her face and shaking her head at the same moment Tris noticed A’dora was gone.

“Aunt Tris? What is in that basket in the kitchen?” A’dora said from the door that led into the kitchen.

“A’dora...come here now.” Lysindria said, looking at her sister who looked a bit sheepishly at her.

“So…grandmother’s friend Noxarian showed up the other night looking for Thoran…” She began only to be cut off by her sister’s cold response.

“Noxarian? That black dragon who hung around Tandralis? The one grandfather never liked because he was trying to bed our grandmother? Are you crazy?” She said as her voice began to get higher.

“Would you keep it down!” She hissed. “Talyn is asleep in the kitchen and Nox is getting some much needed sleep upstairs. And no, he did not try to screw our grandmother! Grandfather said that because he was jealous of their friendship! If you will give me a chance to finish telling you!”

“You are sheltering a black dragon? Are you insane? Do you know how dangerous they are?”

“Nox is not a danger to me, you should know if he were Thoran would have killed him the moment he showed up here. He came looking for Thoran because his daughter was nearly killed by her mother and her clutchmates, Lys. If you could have seen the condition she was in, how badly they had injured her.” She said as tears came to her eyes remembering the tears, bites and claw marks covering the tiny whelp. “He had to get her away from them to save her life and he brought her to Thoran for healing and to ask his help to find a safe place for her. Thoran is at the Ruby Sanctum right now speaking with Alexstrasza to see if she will help.”

“I will never understand your fascination with them.” She said, waving her hand dismissively. “I mean sure, Thoran’s visage is quite pleasing to look at but to get involved with him?”

“Okay first of all, Thoran and I are friends. He was our guardian our whole childhood and still is, he would destroy anyone who tried to hurt us or our families, just as he did for our Minn’da. Even Ann’da knew he was a good man and second, no matter what you cook up in that twisted little mind of yours, Thoran and I are not and never have been lovers.”

“Well considering you refuse to find a husband, the logical conclusion is that you have something holding you back. Something tall, redheaded and quite handsome who adores you.”

“And you as well sister.”

“Not like he does you, he always favored you because you look so much like our grandmother.” She said sitting back in her seat with a small pout on her lips as Trisaland rolled her eyes.

“Here we go again…” She said as Noxarian came down the stairs dressed only in the loose pajama pants Thoran had loaned him. His dark hair mussed from sleep, his bare chest showing a multitude of faded scars as Lysandria noted he’d also come out of Trisaland’s room, her eyebrows raising. “Oh Nox, I hope we didn’t wake you. I’ve had Talyn with me today so you could sleep. She’s napping in the kitchen.” She said as his sleepy eyes met with Lysandria’s emerald ones, his face going pale.

“Kalypsa...no, no that’s not possible.” He said, shaking his head as if to clear it.

“Noxarian, I’d like you to meet my twin, Lysandria. Lys, this is Noxarian.”

“I had hoped to have a chance to meet you before I leave. By the Five, you two are a match pair for your mother and grandmother.”

“So you are the one grandmother called her brother?” Lysindria said with little warmth in her voice. “The one my grandfather did not like?”

“With all due respect, there weren’t many your grandfather liked when it came to people around your grandmother.” He said with a smile then looked over to the child. “And what is your name, little lovely one?”

“A’dora Bloodstone, and this is my doll Asharah.” She said holding up the doll proudly.

“A beautiful name for both a beautiful young lady and her lovely doll.” He said with a smile.

“Why are you wearing all that stuff in your hair and on your face?” She said as Tris laughed softly as he knelt before her.

“Hmm I suppose because I like pretty things, gems and jewels. I make them myself.”

“That’s right, in fact Lys, did you know the ring mother gave me was actually Tandralis’ ring from her first marriage? When she married Vaeynstrasz?” She said with a small smirk at the look of disdain on her sister’s face.

“Is that so? I didn’t think they were actually married, just...lived together.”

“No they married in the mortal way as well as our ways.” Noxarian said, taking a seat beside Tris. “Vaeyn wanted to do things in the way of the Arandali but he also declared her his prime consort, first in his heart which is as close to marriage as my kind have.”

“Don’t they also have multiple consorts?” Lys said, seeming unimpressed.

“Some do, then some only take one mate. Thoran for instance, he wanted no other than his mate Talanstrasza and has never considered taking another since. Which makes his losing her all the more heartbreaking.”

“And you? How many do you have?”

“I have had one mate, whom I despised but did my duties for no matter how reluctantly. But she is no longer my mate, not after what she allowed to happen to my little gem.” He said coldly. “But that is not a conversation to have before young ones. Trisaland said you have a good mate who loves you and cares well for you and your child and the one you carry. I am very happy to hear this. I believe Tandralis would be quite proud if she could see her family continuing on with such lovely daughters as the two of you.” He said as a small sound was heard from the kitchen. “Speaking of lovely daughters, I will go to see if Talyn is awake.”

“Don’t even think of trying to get into the pie in the oven, that is for dinner.” Tris teased.

“Ah my plan is foiled! You know me far too well.” He laughed then sniffed the air. “It smells wonderful though, should I check on it for you so that it doesn’t burn?”

“Yes please and thank you. But no eating it, there are some Blood berries in a bowl if you would like some. I don’t think Talyn ate them all yet.” She said as he walked into the kitchen then turned her eyes back to Lysindria who was watching him walk away.

“Well, I can certainly see why you’ve given him shelter.” She said with a smile.

“Oh stop it.” She laughed. “Talyn, his whelp, is an absolute joy. She was in such terrible condition when they arrived, but we managed to get her healed and once she realized no one here meant her harm, her personality just flourished. She is the sweetest little bundle of giggles and curiosity.”

“I still can’t believe you are allowing a black dragon to stay here.” She said in almost a whisper. “No matter how charming he seems, he’s still a black dragon.”

“Lys, stop. I trust him, that is all that matters.” She then stopped as Nox returned carrying Talyn who seemed to shrink against him seeing strangers, clutching her dragonhawk tightly. Seeing her distress Trisaland rose and walked over to them.

“Well look who's awake, did you have a good nap little one.” She said softly, reaching up to run a finger along the whelp’s snout gently.

“Mmhmm. Who dat?”

“That is my sister Lysandria and her little girl A’dora. Don’t worry, she won’t hurt you, she’s nice.” She then turned, giving a pointed look to Lysandria who seemed to stiffen at the sight of the whelp as A’dora walked over.

“She’s funny looking.” A’dora said matter of factly.

“That is not very polite, A'dora Bloodstone.” Tris said sternly as Talyn looked down at the little girl.

“But she is kind of ugly.” She said as Tris was about to scold her when Talyn looked down at her at blew a raspberry as she’d seen Thoran do which caused Tris to have to hide her smile by turning away her head while she gained control over the laugh wanting to escape then turned back to Talyn clearing her throat, trying not to smile.

“And Talyn, that is not very polite either.” She said, forcing the laughter not to bubble up at the cuteness of the whelp.

“She mean!” Talyn said with a look that could only be the draconic version of a pout.

“Your aunt is correct A’dora, that was not polite of you to say. I think she’s rather cute actually.” Lysandria said, holding back her own laughter after A’dora crossed her arms and stomped back to the couch as the front door opened and Thoran entered looking a bit worn, his eyes scanning the room then settling on Tris.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting a crowd when I returned.” He said with a smile that didn’t quite make it to his eyes.

“Uncle Thoran!” A’dora said, running to him with her arms out letting him sweep her up into his arms.

“A’dora my lady, look how pretty you are today.” He said, kissing her cheek.

“Toran!” Talyn called as he placed A’dora back to her feet then walked over, leaning to bump his forehead gently against the whelp’s then rubbed her cheek with his own.

“And hello to you too, little gem.” He said with a more genuine smile then looked at Nox. “Brother...I know you’re proud of your scars, but you should at least put on a shirt in front of the ladies.” He teased.

“I don’t think we were complaining.” Lys said with a bit of humor as Nox flushed.

“Yes well I should get properly dressed for the day, then I am most anxious to hear how your visit went with the queen.”

“Well, we should be getting back home. I need to start dinner and I’m getting a bit exhausted as well. I’m glad it's almost time for the baby to come, I swear I don’t think A’dora took this much out of me.”

“Do you want a portal? I can make one to save you the walk home.” Thoran said with concern walking over to her, running his hand along her body just shy of touching her, a red glow emanating from it.

“No, no, the exercise will make the birth easier according to the midwife.” She said, rolling her eyes. “Not that it helped the last time.”

“First births are usually the hardest, but everything seems well with you, though. The babe seems to be doing well, a good strong aura already.” He said as his hand rested against her large belly only to be rewarded with a strong kick. “Oh alright little one I will stop.” He laughed as Lysandria smiled.

“She doesn’t seem to like anyone touching me. She even kicks Lor’ath when he rubs my belly at night.”

“Well, let's hope she stays that way and kicks any boys that come near her when she’s older.”

“Oh if she’s like Tris I’m sure she will.” She laughed as Tris stuck out her tongue at her. “Come A’dora, it's time to go home.”

“Bye Aunt Tris, Uncle Thoran and Noxarian.”

“Goodbye little one, it was nice to meet you. Lysandria, do take good care of yourself, it was an honor to meet you at last.”

“Thank you Noxian and good bye Talyn. It was nice meeting you too. Wasn’t it A’dora?” She said as A’dora shrugged. In response Talyn leaned forward, looking down at the girl and blew another raspberry.

“Thoran, you are so in trouble for teaching her that.” Tris said with a small laugh as the woman and child left.

“She mean Toran!”

“A’dora? Mean? Never!” He said teasingly as Tris sighed.

“Lys is going to have her hands full once the new baby comes. I have the feeling A’dora is already starting to get jealous at not being the center of attention. But that’s her problem.” She said, turning to Thoran. “So, how did the meeting go?”

“I spoke with my mother and Tyranstrasz about the situation and after much discussion, a decision has been made.” Thoran said then sniffed the air smelling the cooking food. “But I think we can reserve that conversation for when the little one has gone to sleep.”

“And once you’ve been fed, huh?” Tris said with a smirk as Thoran attempted to look innocent.

“You know me far too well.”

Chapter Text

The sun was gradually sinking to the horizon as Nox quietly lit the lamps about the living room as they cast a soft and relaxing glow over the room. The doors to the patio were open, allowing a fragrant, warm breeze to flow from the gardens as Trisaland gently transferred a sleeping Talyn from her lap to her basket that sat by her chair on the floor so she could be near if the whelp were to wake.

Across the room, Thoran lounged on his favorite chaise, his eyes half closed resting from his return trip from the sanctum that day. They had unanimously agreed to hold off the talk of his visit to the sanctum until Talyn slept, not wanting to discuss plans until they could do so undisturbed. Once everyone was settled with their wine Tris broke the silence.

“So…how was your visit?” She said looking to Thoran who opened his eyes, seeming to think on his words then sighed.

“Well after I explained the situation to Mother and my Sire the two of them chose to discuss things privately. I must say Mother was a bit unsure about things, but Tyran, ever the voice of reason and experience, wanted to look at all options.” He paused and took a deep breath and let it out before continuing.

“In the end, Tyran’s wisdom won out and they called upon a good friend of mine to speak with her about Talyn.” He said looking over to Noxarian, avoiding looking directly at Trisaland, trying to hold off the inevitable conversation he knew was to come. “You might remember Ranastrasza, she was the mate of my clutchmate Borelstrasz?” At this a smirk appeared on Noxarian’s lips.

“Oh I do remember Rana, quite well. You never forget your first.” He laughed as Thoran’s eyes darkened.

“You…you fucked Rana?” He said a bit louder than intended as Talyn stirred and growled softly in her sleep as Tris reached down stroking her neck to soothe her.

“Thoran! Keep your voice down!” She hissed. “Who cares if he had sex with her? It was obviously a long time ago!”

“That it was.” Nox said, sitting back with a grin. “She used to visit Vaeyn in Arandal and was so damn cute…those hips…” He said, still smiling. “Whether her true form or visage she was just simply adorable! Those tiny little horns, those beautiful golden eyes.” He said, hearing a low growl from Thoran. “Oh stop, we were just adolescents then. It was right before Faranar was killed and Vaeyan and I were sent to bring Tandralis home. We were just a couple young dragons playing around and experimenting with all those crazy hormones running through us. She didn’t become Borel’s mate for many years after that. Though I gotta be honest, she taught me quite a bit and she was most certainly not inexperienced.”

“Well so happy to take you down memory lane.” Thoran said with enough venom to raise a brow with Trisaland. Did he actually sound jealous? Surely not, he was just defending the name of his brother’s mate. “Anyway, yeah, Rana has never taken another mate, but she’s remained a brood mother sometimes taking in orphaned whelps or those whose mothers aren’t able to care for them for whatever reason. She’s done this for centuries in addition to caring for her own clutches.”

“Wait..I thought you said she didn’t take another mate?” Tris said looking confused.

“She hasn’t, but that doesn’t mean she is celibate. Just like mortals, a female can still mate with a male without taking him as a mate.” Thoran said still not meeting her eyes as she felt a small knot form in her stomach. “But back to the subject at hand…Rana is willing to take Talyn and care for her as her own. She has a clutch at the moment so soon Talyn will have clutch mates to play with who won’t try to harm her. It might be good for her actually to help her see that not all clutches are as…temperamental as her own.”

“But it could also be damaging to her.” Tris was quick to say. “She was traumatized badly by her clutch, what if it's too much for her?”

“I don’t think that will happen Tris, it's several months until the eggs will begin hatching, so Rana has a lot of time to spend with her, bonding and letting her learn to trust. Being around the eggs she can grow accustomed to them and make it easier for her to adjust.” He said as Tris seemed to shake her head disagreeing but before she could speak, Nox spoke up.

“But the real question is, she’s not a red, will she still give her all of this love and attention you speak of?” Nox said cautiously.

“I swear to you Nox, she is well aware of the situation, all of it. I spared no detail on what she has endured thus far. She was moved to tears for her and she all but begged to care for her and show her the love she deserves. If anything worries me about the situation it is that she will become far too pampered and spoiled by her.” He laughed as Tris tried to keep her expression neutral as reality started to hit her. It was happening…Talyn would be leaving and possibly become the child of this draconic female. The thought troubled her more than she would like.

“But…how will we do this? Talyn is very anxious if she just wakes up without Nox there. We can’t just dump her with this female and say ‘this is your new mommy’ and leave her. That would cause her so much harm!” Tris said with a shaking voice as Thoran sighed, seeing the beginning of the hell that was about to rain down when Talyn was taken to the sanctum.

“Do you think I'm so heartless Tris?” Thoran snapped before he could get his own emotions under control. “Do you think I would just take her there with no preparation and dump her like an unwanted thing and leave? Of course I wouldn’t!” He then stopped to take a breath remembering the sleeping whelp in the room then began to speak in a softer tone. “I can take her to my personal sanctum where she will join us and get to know her and let her get to know Rana. Once she is comfortable she can take her back home.”

“I don’t like it…she should come here so I can be there for her as well.” She said with a small quiver to her lips as he fought not to groan in frustration.

“I agree with Tris, it might be better for Talyn if Tris is there to ease the transition. Talyn has come to trust her as well as you in the time we’ve been here. I will need to leave soon, so having the two of you would make it much easier for her I believe.”

He then took a deep breath and released it, trying to control his own emotions as he began to realize he would need to leave soon and would be leaving his precious child behind. “I only want her safe and loved and if you say Rana will provide this for her, then I am trusting you in it. But for Talyn’s sake, I agree it would be easier for Talyn if Tris remains in the picture during the transition.”

“No offence but I feel like having Tris there will just hamper Rana’s efforts to bond with her.” He said then quickly continued seeing her stiffen. “Hear me out Tris, please…you have to admit Talyn is becoming very attached to you, so it will be difficult to get her to bond with Rana if you are around.”

“Right and just who the hell is she anyway? You say she’s another brother’s mate? How come you’ve never mentioned her to me before now?” Tris said angrily as Thoran sat back with a hand over his eyes groaning as Nox tried to hide the smirk at hearing her tirade. Ah the fire in her…so familiar as Tris continued angrily. “Or is she another one of your ‘vows' to watch over your brother’s mates, situations? Just how much do you ‘watch over’ her?” At this Thoran rose from his seat pacing angrily as he answered with barely controlled anger at the woman. He was not ready to explain things, not when she was in this emotional state.

“I see what you are doing and this is why I said for you not to get so attached! No one, not even my mother will be good enough to care for her in your eyes because you’ve decided she’s yours already. But she’s not yours Tris! You seem to forget, she’s a dragon not some foundling child! How the fuck do you think you can care for her? Are you going to take her to Silvermoon with you when you go to work? I’m sure the king will just love that! ‘Oh hey Anasterian, this is my adopted draconic child, isn’t she just adorable?’” He said in a somewhat mocking tone as Nox narrowed his eyes at the man. “He will run you out of Quel’thalas! This isn’t fucking Aran’dal and your not Tandralis!”

“Thoran, there is no call to be so cruel! That she feels so protective over Talyn is not a bad thing. You’re just pushing her out of the equation even though you know her concern is for Talyn and not even taking a moment to consider how concerned she is for her! If you want to just give my daughter to your damsel at least be considerate of her feelings in this as well! This is my child we’re talking about…” He said taking a moment to calm his own emotions.

“Do you think for one moment this is easy for me either? That whelp is all I have in this world, the first good thing in my life since we lost Tandralis and now I have to put my trust in you to try to save her life! And let me tell you, right now I would feel far more comfortable with Tris being the one to care for her if it was possible. But she cannot as you so ineloquently pointed out…this isn’t Aran’dal.” He said his breath came heavier as he fought to keep control.

“All I want is to know my child will be safe and cared for Thoran, by someone who cares. But the way you act is as if you can’t wait to just be rid of her and that worries me.” At his words Thoran’s shoulders seemed to slump as he returned to the chaise and sat down heavily.

“I want that too brother, but I am also trying to look out for Tris as well. You find it endearing how she and Talyn have bonded but from where I’m standing I see pain when they are parted.” He said, turning his eyes to Trisaland, his voice softening. “Your heart is…just so big and you have so much love to give, that is why I grew so close to you. I also cannot help wanting to protect you from things that will hurt you.” He said as Tris rose from her chair, her hands balled into fists.

“I…don’t need…your protection!” She hissed angrily, not caring to blunt her words at the moment. “I see what is happening here, you want to take Talyn and give her to your girlfriend so she can feel all special for being chosen. You don’t give a fuck about Talyn and her happiness, you just want rid of her so Noxarian will be gone and you can go back to being the big dick dragon protector. Well fuck that! I don’t need you or your goddamned protection, I’m not Tandralis! So fuck you!” She cried running up the stairs, the sound of a door slamming coming shortly after as Nox looked to Thoran angrily.

“Great job brother…” He said sarcastically. “Now that you’ve pissed her off, I want to know the truth. What is the deal with you and Rana? If she’s going to care for my daughter, I need to know.” He said as Thoran sat back in his chair with a long sigh.

“You know that Rana lost Borel during the War of the Ancients.” He said as Nox nodded. “She found out shortly after that she was carrying his clutch, which she carried and brooded and for a time it helped her get through losing him. While they were growing up she was happy, well as happy as she could be anyway.

But once they were grown and gone, she had no one. After a few hundred years passed she was lonely but had no desire for a mate so she made a deal with an unmated male that he would mate with her and she would care for the clutch on her own, leaving him with no commitments to fulfil. She did this a few times and it's what kept her going, her children brought her joy.

Shortly after we lost Tandralis, I went to visit her and see how she was doing. We talked about everything from my losing Talanstrasza to her losing Borelstrasz and how she’d asked males through the centuries to sire broods but she wasn’t happy with things. Having a different sire for each brood, sometimes the whelps wishing to know who sired them and the males not wanting it known because they’d taken mates, all of it was too much.” He said, sighing deeply.

“I mean, I’m sure you know how it feels, when your instincts start urging you on, the desire to see your flight grow…I’d fought it for centuries at this point. I didn’t want to be a sire, I didn’t want a mate, but my instincts were crying out for me to take my role as a male dragon. So, we worked out a deal…when her current clutch was nearly grown and she was ready to mate again, I would mate with her. That was it, I go, I do my thing, she gets her clutch and is happy again. I don’t have that much interaction with the whelps, I’ve never really felt any attachment to them to be honest. It's just our arrangement and it always worked.”

“Until now…until Tris?” Noxarian said, looking to Thoran. “You are in love with her.”

“I…” He sighed. “I feel…something for her, yes. But it doesn’t matter, because you can clearly see she doesn’t want a mate, dragon or mortal.” He said as Nox laughed softly.

“Oh I don’t know…from the way she reacted…”

“She’s grown attached to Talyn, that’s why she reacted the way she did.”

“I don’t know, brother. I haven’t seen a woman with a temper like that since Kandra thought I was fooling around with…what was her name…some little Arandali trollop who was trying to get in my pants constantly.” He said with a small laugh. “Hell hath no fury like a pissed off Blue Dragon female defending her territory…except maybe a fair haired little Sunwalker.” He said as his eyes looked up towards the stairs, smiling as Thoran sighed.

“When she calms down, I will talk to her. But both of you need to know, Rana is my friend, nothing more. I never said anything to Tris because it began long before she was born, even Kalypsa didn’t know, and until now I never thought it mattered because though I care for Tris, I never thought…” He said as Noxarian suddenly sat up, his body rigid and fear in his eyes. “Nox…what is it?”

“They…they’re coming!”

Chapter Text

The night sky of the Eastweald was littered with thousands of stars shining like the finest Azerothian diamonds against a dark velvet cloth. Wispy clouds hung against the shimmering background almost as an afterthought, the sight only broken by three dark shadows that seemed to glide across the scene.

At the lead the large, serpentine figure glided on the winds, sleek and focused followed by two smaller figures to which he paid little mind, his thoughts focused on the events leading to this flight through the night.

When he’d received the call in his mind, asking for a meeting, he'd first dismissed it as a tease of the whispers that seemed his constant companion, not truly willing to believe his eldest son would return…how many centuries had he been gone? Noxarian had always stood out from his clutchmates, independent…adventurous…always wanting to know more of the world beyond their homeland.

At that time, he had been a doting Sire, wanting to do anything in his power to make his brood’s lives happier. Because of this he had met with the current Dracarai of Arandal and arranged for his son to take on a mortal visage and join their small society to satisfy his curiosity. He’d never expected in doing this he would all but lose his son to the mortal world…that it would take the loss of the one thing that held him to that world for him to return.

When he had heard the mental call, asking him to meet, he could not believe it. It had been thousands of years since he had last heard him, surely it was just the whispers playing with his mind. But it came again and again, ‘Sire please, I beg you to hear me!’, the plea finally cutting through the darkness striking his heart, the plea of his child in pain. However upon their meeting he had allowed the darkness to color his feelings when his son needed him most.

“Noxarian, I am surprised to hear your call. It has been a very long time.” He said evenly, allowing no emotion to show on his face despite the obvious anguish that colored his son’s.

“Sire…” He began, prostrating himself before him, baring his neck in a show of both submission and trust, or perhaps he wished to end his pain by giving the elder dragon a clear target to strike, to reach out and use the powerful jaws to end his torment. “She’s…she’s gone! Tandralis…dead…” He said in a voice so broken his own heart contracted before the whispers reminded him…

“He returns not out of love or loyalty…only because he’s lost his mortal plaything. Do not let his pain soften you…use it…make him suffer…his betrayal is unforgivable! Do not fall for his games, he only seeks to use you and the flight for his own means. Do not allow it! Make him suffer for his betrayal! Break him! Take him down to nothing then reshape him into your image!” the whispers had taunted in his mind, hardening his heart towards the one who had been his pride once long ago. With a cold hiss he spoke at last.

“And what do you wish of me? I cannot resurrect her, nor would I. One less mortal in our world is a good thing. You turned your back on your flight for that little tramp, you did not answer the call to return when it came and even when the world sundered, you remained at her side and crossed an ocean to be with her! I do not see why you return now asking to join us once more when you have had no desire to do so in centuries.” He hiss growing into a roar as the younger dragon seemed to cringe beneath his words then turned his eyes up to his Sire, the raw emotion within them nearly breaking his resolve.

“She…he killed her…and I saw to his demise! He deserved worse! But now…I am a pariah to them, unwanted. Even my little Kalypsa no longer cares. I have wandered aimlessly since I left but the whispers call to return to my family…they tell me to come home.”

For a moment he looked to his son, one of his first brood with his mate, one who still held a special place in his heart. “You know you will have to face the flight, that you face possible death by returning after defying us?”

“If that is what they require, then so be it.”

“We are approaching the Elf Gate!” Called the younger male pulling him from his thoughts as he searched the area for any sign of mortals near.

“We will land near the trees and take our visage, we must go on foot from here.” He said as he began his descent to the ground, pushing away the memories and landing with little noise despite his massive size then transforming into his visage as the other two did the same. In moments where three dragon’s had stood now three human looking figures had replaced them. “Be sure to keep your hoods over your head, we will need to be stealthy as we move towards our goal.” He said pulling the hood of his cloak over his head covering his dark hair and leaving his face in shadow as the younger male sneered.

“Why should we cower in the shadows?” The younger male sneered. “We are not mortals, we are the children of Neltharion, the Black Dragonflight! They should cower before us!”

“I agree with Adirion, if the mortals attempt to prevent our hunt, they too will become prey.” The female said with a snarl as his fist clenched to prevent the urge to strike the two younger dragons down.

“Enough!” He hissed angrily. “We are not here to create chaos, only to retrieve my wayward son and bring him back to face his judgement for his crimes…though if you ask me he did the flight a favor, ridding us of that scaled harpy!” He snarled, a cold smirk on his face seeing the anger flare in the eyes of the younger two. “Now listen to me and listen well…we will make our way to the home of the Sunwalker by moving through the shadows and trying to avoid notice. If we happen to be seen you are not to attack unless they attack first.”

“Ugh, where is the fun in that?” Adridian groaned. “Let's just do this and get it over with, you’re really boring me.” He said, rolling his eyes.

“We can always return to the Sanctum if you do not like my rules.” The elder dragon snarled as the two younger stiffened and for a moment he thought they might challenge him as he let out a low growl of warning.

“You would like that, wouldn't you old man?” Daria sneered. “He’s your favored child even after he betrayed us long ago. No, we will follow your silly rules if only to see that he pays for his crimes against our sister. I for one look forward to returning him to face my brood, all the more because you will be forced to watch as we tear him limb from limb.” She said with a wicked smile, madness dancing in her eyes as the elder dragon fought not to transform before the two younglings knew what had happened and snap both their throats with his teeth.

“Damn it Noxarian…” He thought to himself. “How can I save you as well as keep my blood oath of old? They want blood and blood they will get one way or another.”

__________________

Thoran sprang from his seat at the same time as Nox as one moved to close the doors to the terrace and secured them as the other moved to the front door doing the same.

“Nox, grab Talyn while I get Tris, we have to leave.” He said, grabbing his sword belt and strapping it on quickly.

“No, you take Tris and get her to safety. I will take Talyn and go to my personal sanctum then figure out where to go from there.”

“No, they will find you too easily there, I can send the three of you to my sanctum and then try to distract them and send them on a false trail.” He said as Tris exited her room coming to the top of the stairs.

“What is happening? I heard doors slamming.”

“Tris, grab a pack and grab the essentials you will need, they are coming for Nox and we have to get you and Talyn away from here. I’m sending Nox with you, I will follow once I’ve thrown them off his trail.” He said as Tris’ eyes grew hard and determined, a look he knew too well.

“Where are they? How many?” She said coming down the stairs and moving to pick up Talyn’s basket as Nox closed his eyes, seeming to concentrate for a moment.

“I’m sensing three, they’ve just reached the outer gate from the East Weald. My Sire is one of them, and two of Noiria’s clutch mates so far as I can sense.”

“All right, here’s what we do…” She said, taking a deep breath and releasing it. “Thoran, you take Nox and Talyn to the sanctum, I will remain here to throw them off.”

“The hell you will!” Thoran said angrily as she glared at him.

“Not happening!” Nox said angrily. “Talyn needs you, Tris, you will go with Thoran.”

“I am not leaving! My sister and her family are just down the path! I will stay to throw them off, this is my home remember? If I’m not here they will be suspicious. And I will not leave my family or this village unprotected!”

“Tris…I know you are a great warrior, but think about the condition Talyn was in when Nox brought her here. She is a dragon and was attacked by whelps. You are a mortal and there are three grown corrupted dragons coming this way. What the hell do you think they will do to you?”

“Nothing…I am Arandali…there is a Blood Oath!”

“I can promise you, that Blood Oath will mean nothing to them, Tris.” Nox said with pleading in his eyes. “Please, go with Thoran, I will stay and surrender to them. If I do, they will not attack the village or anyone else.”

“No, your daughter needs you for as long as she can have you with her. My sister is there with a small child and another about to be born. I will not leave them unprotected.” She said then turned to Thoran. “Only you can take them to the sanctum, so get them to safety and once they are safe and ONLY then, if you are that worried, you can return and face them with me. But we’re running out of time, so you need to get them the fuck out of here!” She said as Talyn began to stir, whining at the sound of raised voices as Tris bounced her in her basket gently, leaning down to kiss her. “Shhh little one, it will be okay…I love you.” She said with a last kiss before pushing the basket into Nox’s arms. “Now go, take her to safety!” She said as Nox looked to her then to Thoran and back to her.

“Your grandmother would be proud of you little warrior queen. Please…do not get yourself hurt for us, do not die.”

“I will do my best.” She said with a small smile then looked to Thoran. “Now, go, get them out of here!”

“I will be back, stay inside, do not engage with them!”

“Just go already! We don’t have time for this!” She said taking a last look at Talyn as Thoran opened a portal looking back at her.

“Be safe…I don’t want to lose you too.” He said, stepping through the portal which closed behind him as she let out a long breath.

“Grandmother…lend me strength…”

Chapter Text

The dragon in the visage of an Arandali, stood upon the high balcony, his golden eyes moving over the sight of the city below as his son looked out with wonder.

“Ati! Look at all the paths, the gardens and the buildings! Are they truly grown from the trees?” He said enthusiastically as the man standing with them laughed. Since he’d been barely out of his whelphood, Noxarian had shown an unending curiosity for the world outside their sanctum, wanting to explore and learn. At the young dragon’s question the Arandali man whom they were visiting laughed deeply.

“We sing to the trees, asking them their favor to shape themselves to shelter our people young one. Much as your kind can raise the earth and shape it to create something anew.”

“So, the Arandali are similar to the Black Dragons?” At this the tall Arandali man looked thoughtful for a moment as the woman at his side laughed softly.

“I suppose in a way, yes.” he said with much seriousness then smiled. “But we cannot change our shapes or grow wings to soar across the skies.” He said with a laugh. “So you have much greater ability, young one.” He then turned his attention back to the dragon. “My friend, I know it is hard to consider leaving your son here in Arendal, and as the few Black Dragons who normally call our land home have returned home for mating. I would be more than happy to take young Noxarian into my own household where he will be treated as my own son. My daughter as well as Kylyr’s would love to have another around of their own age.”

“And I am here as well, old friend. Our Aspects are much like brothers and your son will be like family here. My daughter Kandragosa and young Tandralis could enjoy the company of Noxarian as well.” Said a female whose appearance leaned to being Arandali, yet her silvery hair that showed shades of icy blue in the light, pale blue eyes and silvery runic markings upon her skin that marked her as a member of the Blue Dragonflight. At her words the male dragon smiled.

“Of course, Lady Kylyr. I am sure you will keep my son safe and see that he is well cared for.” he said as two young girls came bursting onto the terrace to join them. One is an Arandali girl with hair the color of moonlight and large golden eyes, the other with long dark blue hair and bright blue eyes a bit darker than her mothers.

“Ann’da, who is this?” She said looking at the young boy with a mass of black hair pulled back into a messy ponytail, his golden eyes meeting hers as he smiled shyly.

“Ah there you are my little moon child.” Faranar said, smiling down to his daughter. “This is Sabellian, son of the Earth Warder and his son Noxarian. He is considering allowing Noxarian to come live with us for a time to learn our ways.” At this the girl’s eyes grew wide as she smiled.

“Oh please let him, Lord Sabellian! I promise he will like it here with us and I’ve always wanted a brother!”

“Lord Sabellian! Will you stand here wool gathering all night or will we continue?” Adirian said angrily as he looked at Daria seeing the same angry impatience reflected in her own features.

“I was not wool gathering.” He hissed angrily. “It has been many centuries since I visited this land and then only once. I was thinking back, trying to remember the landmarks and directions in which I travelled so that we are not stumbling about like fools! I believe I remember it now, so let us move on.” He said, pushing aside the memories. Why did that come to mind? Was he growing as soft as these two fools suspected? Shaking his head to push away the memories he then began to walk down the stone path, not sure what the night would bring.

_____________

As the portal to Thoran’s sanctum faded away, Trisaland let out a shaky sigh. What was she thinking? There were three very dangerous dragons heading this way and she was just a mortal! But her family was everything to her, she could not abandon them. Though this was not Aranadal, she was still the eldest and the Dracarai of the family, which meant it was her responsibility to protect them, with her life if needed.

“Hold it together Tris, you’ve got this. Just keep calm and think…armor, weapons, these are the first things you need.” She whispered to herself as she quickly moved upstairs to her room throwing open the chest at the foot of her bed and pulled out a set of crimson colored, scale armor which had been gifted to her by Thoran when she’d graduated from training for the Silvermoon Guard.

“I think the time has come to pass this on to you little one.” Thoran said, handing her a large box wrapped in colorful wrappings. “It was once your grandmother’s when she became one of the first members of the guard after Silvermoon was formed. I asked some of our craftsmen to adjust it to fit you.” He said as she opened the package and gasped pulling the armor from the box.

“Thoran…its…its beautiful.” She said looking over the crimson scale tunic with golden thread embroidered through with various runic symbols, some she recognized as protection runes. “But you realize this is not the official armor any longer.” She laughed.

“Perhaps not, but it is yours by right, I was just waiting for the right time to arrive to give it to you. Like your grandmother, you’ve taken up the sword to protect your homeland and she would be so proud to see you right now.”

“I will wear this with pride, grandmother.” She said quietly then began to dress.

Once she had donned her armor she returned to the living room where her sword rested, the sword that matched the armor which he had also given her the same day. This sword, of draconic craftsmanship, had served her grandmother through her adult life. Five stones were inlaid into the hilt, ruby, emerald, amber, sapphire and onyx, the colors of the five flights. With a long sigh, she moved to the window, looking out into the night awaiting the arrival of the dragons praying that Thoran would return in time then sighed seeing the three dark figures approaching.

________

Thoran stepped through the portal into the sanctum followed by Nox who still clutched the basket with Talyn who had begun to grumble sleepily at all of the commotion. Looking around, Nox thought to himself, it was much the same as most dragons' hidden homes. The cavern itself was large enough to accommodate at least three dragons larger than either male, a small stream surrounded by vegetation on one side ran along the cavern wall. “Shh little gem, it's all right, we’re here and we’re safe now.”

“Where Tissy?” Talyn said sleepily as she stretched her neck looking around. “Where Toran?”

“I’m right here, little one.” Thoran said moving to Nox’s side, reaching out to run a finger along her cheek. “And Tissy will be here soon, I just have to go back and get her. But in the meantime, you are going to wait here with your Ati, okay?”

“Want Tissy.” She said with almost a pout making him smile.

“I know love, and I will bring her soon.” He said then looked at Nox. “You can relax here or if you go further there is a path that will open into an area I created when I used to bring Tandy here. I must return to her before it's too late. I shouldn’t have left her at all, but I wanted to make sure you made it safely.” He said nervously, obviously anxious to return.

“Go brother, she does not understand the danger she put herself in, though I understand why she chose to.”

“Yes her loyalty to her family is admirable, yet her decision to stay was a foolish one. But I am the bigger fool for leaving her. I should have sent you here with Talyn and stayed behind.” He said pacing.

“Go, we will be fine here. Just go get her out of there before it's too late.” He said as Thoran nodded, forming a portal back to Quel’thalas then turned looking at Nox with pain in his eyes.

“Just know that if I lose her too…there will be no forgiveness for you.”

“If anything happens to her, I will gladly bear my throat to your blade.” Nox said softly as Thoran nodded then paused for a moment closing his eyes, whispering a few words then created a portal to return.

Chapter Text

Coming upon a stone path that led off the main road Sabellian paused, looking about and nodded. “This is the way, I’m fairly sure.” He said quickly as Daria raised her head sniffing the air.

“His scent grows stronger, I believe you are right, we can follow his scent from here.” She said as they started down the path leading towards their destination as Sabellion looked around.

“Is this the path Old One?” Adirian said as they continued on. In response Sabellian continued looking around, taking in every detail. Though the land had changed in the many centuries since he’d come here, he knew it was the right way, surprised to see how the once small estate had grown into a village.

“It is familiar, though it has changed much since last I walked this path, but yes, I do believe this is the way.” He said then paused as a door opened at the dwelling before them, a young, fair haired woman stepping out.

“Bal’a dash, malanore. Are you lost friends?” Trisaland began. “The hour grows late for strangers to come calling. Especially strangers who move with the shadows, their faces concealed.” She said as the man in the lead gave a short bow then pushed back his hood revealing a mass of dark hair surrounding a very human face with a dark beard. Red eyes looked at her from under dark brows.

“Forgive the intrusion, but we are in search of my son. He once was friends with a man and woman who lived here, so it seemed logical to come here in search of him.” He said in a friendly tone, attempting to put the woman at ease as he could already sense she knew exactly who they were and why they were here.

“I see and would you do me the courtesy of introducing yourself and your companions who continue to hide their faces?” She said calmly, still not moving towards them nor did they attempt to advance.

“Of course, forgive my lack of manners. I am known as Baron Sablemane and these are my companions Adirian and Daria.” He then turned to the two younger dragons speaking low but with authority. “Remove your hoods, now!”

“As you wish…Baron.” Adirian sneered as Daria laughed low as she pushed back her own hood.

“Welcome Baron. I am Trisaland Sunwalker and this is my village you have come to. Who is your son?”

“My son is Nox Silverwing, he used to come here to visit another Sunwalker, Tandralis Sunwalker and her friend Thoran Flamesong.”

“I fear you are several centuries too late if you seek my Grandmother. She fell in a skirmish with the Amani trolls long ago, far too long ago for him to come seeking her.” She said with a shrug. “I’m afraid you have wasted a journey seeking him here.”

“You lie!” Daria hissed. “I can smell his scent in the air, where is he!” At this Trisaland stiffened slightly then brought her sword into view prepared for an attack smiling coldly.

“And you my friend expose yourself for who and what you are. Do you think I'm a fool who doesn’t know dragons who wear a mortal visage when I see them? Honestly, if you come into elven lands, do not be such fools as to do so disguised as humans.” Trisaland said noticing the elder one turning angrily to the female.

“Enough Daria, I told you to let me speak and keep that venomous tongue of yours to yourself!” Sabellian hissed then turned back to Trisaland. “Forgive the impatient one, my lady. It was not my intention to come to your home with poisonous words.”

“No, your intentions are to collect your son Noxarian, to force him to return to your flight with the child that same flight allowed to nearly die at the hands of her clutchmates.” She said coldly.

“My flight did no such thing, it was his mate who stood idly by while the whelp was attacked, which I do not condone.” Sabellian said calmly then sighed. “However, it is what he did that leaves me no choice but to bring him back to stand before the flight in judgement of his actions against the whelps and his mate.”

“In my eyes he should be celebrated for intervening in whatever form was necessary to stop the little brats and that bitch deserves worse for allowing it to happen. I have heard tales of how mad your flight has become, but even then I would still expect a mother to protect her young, not allow them to act like vicious little monsters.”

“He killed our sister, he must pay!” Hissed Aridian coldly. “You know nothing of our kind, you are not a dragon and have no right to judge us.”

“My family was once an ally of your flight, living as friends and sometimes even family in Arandal along with other flights as well. My grandmother even called Noxarian brother, and he called her sister. My family is dragonsworn and we have love and respect for your kind, but I saw what condition the whelp was in after your sister allowed her hellions to attack her. Had my own sister allowed her daughter to do such a thing to her new babe, I would strike her down myself!”

“So he is here.” Daria said, straightening, her hands curling as if to strike with her claws as her brother smiled coldly.

“No, we gave healing to the whelp as well as him, then sent him on his way. So you are out of luck.” She smiled. “So you can take your foul attitude and continue your search elsewhere.” She said as Sabellian looked at her.

“I will thank you for your honesty of my son’s visit, however I must insist, if you know where he has run that you tell us.” He said, attempting to defuse the situation that was quickly growing hostile, yet when he tried to impress his thoughts on Trisaland he found her mental walls quite strong. He should have known the other two would let their impatience lead them to hostility.

“Even if I knew where he was, I would not tell you so that you can hunt him down like an animal. Let him take his daughter, who is obviously unwanted in your flight and start a new life far from the violence your flight inflicts on itself.” She said, noticing the elder man’s eyes looking to her almost with what seemed to be agreement even as she felt someone trying to push past her mental defences. If only she could speak to him alone, but as she was about to speak once more, the female pushed past him, moving in Trisaland’s direction as she drew her own blades from her hips.

“You will tell us, or I will force it from you elf!” Daria sneered as Tandralis raised her own blade realizing the younger of the two would not let this end peacefully, calling on the Light for strength.

“You can try, but I’m far more hard to hurt than an innocent whelp.” She said coldly, preparing for the attack to come. “Though be warned, I might be mortal, but I can still kick your scaly ass all the way back to the pit you crawled out of!”

“And I will send you to meet your slut of a grandmother!” Daria cried as she sprang towards Trisaland with both blades in hand, the first coming down in an attempt to slash at her right only to meet Trisaland’s blade with a loud clang as the laughter of her brother rang out in the night, as Sabellian groaned inwardly, cursing this ill fated journey once more.

“Watch Sabellian, watch as Daria teaches that mortal bitch a lesson in fucking with our kind.” He hissed as Sabellian growled low.

“If the two of you would have kept quiet I could have convinced her to give the information up without violence. But like Noiria the two of you think violence the answer to everything. You best pray her protector does not return before this is settled.” He said his eyes returned to the females as each continued to try to best the other, a small smile upon his lips as he watched the elven woman as she matched each attack with one of her own. The clanging of blades filled the air with each attack. “Then again, she may not need him.”

“She cannot best my sister…” Adiridan began then drifted off as Daria brought back her blade as Trisaland tried to duck low and come with a surprise attack only for the dragon to swing her hand back, catching the side of her head with her fist and the pommel sending her falling to the ground, her sword hitting the ground and sliding across the ground leaving her unarmed. “Yes! Kill her!”

“Foolish mortal, you cannot win!” Daria said walking towards her and bringing up her blade meaning to impale the woman who moaned on the ground. “Now you die!” She said bringing down the blade towards her chest when at the last moment, Trisaland gracefully turned, springing up to her feet with lithe grace of the elves as Daria’s blade landed in the stone. Before the dragon could recover from the shock of missing her target, Tris leapt like a lynx, landing on the back of the female, one hand wrapping around her forehead, the other her chin and she put all of her strength into a twisting motion hearing a sickening crunch as they hung there for mere seconds before the dragon fell limply as Tris dove and rolled away coming to a crouch, breathing heavily as Daria’s limp form moved no more.

“NO!” The younger male roared running to his fallen sister as Sabellian looked to the elven woman who slowly stood with sword in hand once more with a satisfied smile and nod to the elven woman. Looking up from his sister who lay dead he snarled. “You fucking mortal cunt! I will finish what my sister started!” He said rising then curled his hands which sported long claws. “Only I will make sure you beg for death.”

Tris snarled at the dragon as a trickle of blood ran down her cheek from the blow dealt by Daria, her sight slightly blurry and her head pounding, still she raised her sword, setting her feet as she watched the male rise as Sabellian growled. “Enough! Let us return Daria home for death rites and give up this foolish hunt!” He said as Adirian growled in return.

“No, this bitch dies for what she did to my sister, then I will find that bastard of yours and make him pay for the death of both of my clutchmates!”

“I can’t let you do that, Adirian.” Sabellian said evenly, stepping into the path of the angry male. “We have broken an oath made long ago before you were even a hatchling. It is one thing to hunt my son for his crimes, but to attack the mortal is breaking the bond of blood I made with her great grandsire.”

“I don’t give a fuck about you pitiful oaths old man! Blood is blood!”

“It was an honorable duel, fairly won! I will not allow you to attack her! Now gather your sister and let us be gone from here!” He commanded as Adirian looked from him to the woman.

“No wonder your son is so weak! You seem to care more for saving this mortal than for your own kind. You will regret this Sabellian!” He said moving as if to gather his sister’s body as Trisaland felt a wave of nausea and vertigo washing over her, distracting her only for a moment as the male quickly turned, his arm quickly outstretching as a dagger flew from his hand. Trisaland had only a moment to see it, but her clouded mind moved too slow to dodge, a burning pain to her chest as it struck its mark. For a moment the shock of the pain held her fast, looking down to see the onyx hilt protruding from her chest then her body grew weak as she fell, a flash of motion filling her fading sight as she felt strong arms catch her, a deep male voice speaking softly.

“Please forgive me, blood of my bonded brother, I tried to stop them. But once again it seems I have failed my favorite son…”

Chapter Text

As Thoran stepped through the portal into the place he called home, the sound of screams and clash of swords could be heard.

“No…Trisaland!” He screamed pulling his blades as he burst out the door in time to see Trisaland jump from the back of a woman who fell to the ground, rolling and coming back to her feet, running down the path as the smaller male turned to her, his hands turning to claws as he started for her only to have the taller male block him, his words unclear but the angry tone of them carrying.

As the larger man looked hearing the sound of his running the smaller one turned and sneered, his hand moving like a blur as Thoran saw Trisaland’s body jerk, a look of shock on her face as she looked down seeing the dark hilt of a knife protruding from her chest, the taller of the two pushing the young one back as he moved to catch her.

“TRIS!!!” Thoran roared, leaping the last few feet towards the younger man who was caught off balance as Thoran’s body crashed into his, sending them rolling across the stone path until they both came to their feet, blades at the ready. “You will die for this you black hearted bastard!” Adirian only laughed as they began to circle one another looking for an opening.

“Awww is Alexstrasza’s little whelp angry I killed his mortal whore?” He taunted laughing as his words had the desired effect, Thoran angrily lashing out with his blade leaving his side unprotected as Adirian slashed along his ribs with one blade bringing a roar of pain from Thoran as the night lit up once again with a flash of red, however Thoran’s focus did not leave the other dragon.

“You will die for harming her!” Thoran snarled, ignoring the pain in his side and the voices he heard around him.

“You can try, but everyone knows the black dragonflight are superior to all of you weaklings. Your love for mortals will be your downfall.” Adirian attempted to strike only to have his swing blocked by Thoran’s blade as he swung out with his second landing a slash on the black dragon’s face, dragging over his eye and down to his cheek as the black dragon leapt back with a scream. “You son of a bitch!” He screamed as he felt another grab him from behind, the pain of a blade slicing across his throat as the taste of blood filled his mouth.

“No one insults my queen and lives!” Hissed a female voice as the man fell to the ground attempting to breathe as Thoran stepped over bringing his blade down and sinking it into his heart.

“That is for Trisaland you spawn of the darkness!” He said, then looked up seeing an elven woman with hair the color of blood, two small curved horns poking up from her forehead, a cold smile on her face. “Rana?”

“Korialstrasz sent out the call…” She said with a shrug. “I answered. You’re welcome by the way.” She said, catching her breath for a moment as Thoran growled as he saw Sabellian surrounded by six other dragons with weapons trained on him.

“You!” He said, making his way over as Sabellian held up his bloodied hands.

“Thoranstrasz! Hear me out!” Sabellian said quickly.

“Why would I listen to anything you have to say?”

“I tried to stop them…I swear to you. I only came to try to prevent them from killing my son the moment they found him instead of bringing him back to stand trial as they were told to. You know what my son means to me!”

“Yet you let them torture him when he returned…yeah he told me everything.” He said at the look of surprise on the older man’s face. “You forced him to take a mate he didn’t want…and you led these two right to him.”

“I thought I could control them, to keep anyone from being harmed. But when Trisaland refused to say where he’d gone, Daria attacked her.” He said then laughed softly. “Daria never believed mortals could be that skilled or strong, I warned her that Arandali were not weak, she learned.”

“Tris…” He said, suddenly turning to look for her.

“Korialstrasz took her inside to treat her wound, I gave her a healing potion to try to staunch the blood until she could be treated. I couldn’t stop him in time, I’m sorry…please, just let me take these fools home to my flight and you will not have to worry about anyone else returning. I will tell them he wasn’t here and if they wish to continue to hunt him, it will be elsewhere. We will not return here.”

“You would continue to hunt him down?”

“Not me…Noiria’s brood, mostly these two, the rest care little for she was a problem they could not rid themselves of.” He said as Thoran watched him for a moment. “I tried to uphold the blood oath Thoran, I have not forgotten.” For a moment Thoran watched him, weighing his words then nodded.

“Let him take these two fools back as a lesson not to fuck with our dragonsworn! Follow him to make sure he leaves and does not try to return!” He ordered the others as Rana moved to his side. “But know this Sabellian, son of Neltharion. If I see you or any of your dark spawned flight anywhere near Quel’thalas…you will die.” he said as Sabellian nodded.

Standing back to give himself room, the elder dragon dropped his mortal visage and became the large dragon once more, taking each of the dead dragons in a paw then thrusting his wings downward as he launched into the sky.

“You’re injured!” Rana said, checking his wound.

“I’ll live, just take me to Trisaland.” He groaned as Rana helped him stand, walking beside him as he limped back to the house holding his injured side. As they entered he looked around then spotted her lying on the chaise as Korialstrasz worked over her, hands glowing red with the healing magic of their flight. Moving to her side he collapsed to his knees, reaching up to brush her hair back as the tears ran down his cheeks. “Tris…please my brave little warrior…please do not leave me.”

“She’s lost a lot of blood, Thoran, but her spirit is strong. Whatever potion Sabellian gave her may have saved her life though.”

“Speaking of losing blood, please let me heal you.” Rana said softly, reaching out to remove his tunic so she was better able to assess his wound. “Damn, that young one really sliced you good…this will take some work.” She said as her own hands began to glow as she worked to repair the damage Adirian’s blade had dealt as Thoran knelt silently, just stroking Trisaland’s hair.

“I can’t lose her…I can’t bear to lose another of them. At least not to this…I know someday she will eventually grow old, I can’t fight that, but I cannot lose her to this.” He whispered as Korialstrasz noticed the sadness in Rana’s eyes.

“We won’t lose her, Thoran.” Rana said, pausing in the healing, leaning to rub her cheek against his. “She is a Sunwalker, they don’t go down without a fight.” She said with a small smile.

“Or without a betraying ex husband putting a spear through them…or a band of Amani wiping out their entire scouting party…” Thoran said softly. “I just don’t understand though…”

“What is that?”

“Sabellian…he claimed he was trying to control things, to keep the other two from killing Nox the moment they found him. Yet from what Nox told me, he stood by when they tortured him when he returned to the flight. He didn’t stop it, he just watched as his son was attacked by the others…he made him accept Noiria as his mate…but tonight he acted as if he actually cared not just for Nox, but for Tris and the family as well.”

“I cannot say for sure…” Korialstrasz said quietly. “But if the stories I’ve heard of the few who have broken free of the flight have said…he is Deathwing’s lieutenant along with his sister Onyxia and his brother Nefarion. They are some of the highest ranking members of the flight. They are held to a higher standard than most, and there are those who would love to see them fall or be humiliated.

When Noxarian refused to return to them after the betrayal, that would have brought shame upon Sabellian and his brood. So it's possible that he went along with their punishments to save honor or even to protect his brood.” He shook his head and sighed wearily.

“We may never know, all I do know is that Noxarian was his favored son, so it would have taken much for him to just stand by and allow him to suffer. And he did his best to honor the blood oath he made with Faranar over a millenia past, and he did what he could to save Trisaland’s life.” He said as the magic began to fade from his hand, sitting back on his knees with a tired sigh. “I’ve done all I can, the rest is up to her now.”

“Thank you Korial, I’m so glad you heard my call and brought the others or I might have lost her.” He said standing as Rana had finished healing his wounds. “We should move her to her room.” He said picking her up gently and carrying her upstairs where he placed her on the bed then sighed. “I should get something to clean her up.”

“I will take care of that.” Rana said softly. “You need to rest as well, you lost a lot of blood on your own. Go get cleaned up while I take care of her.” She said as he nodded then walked out of the room leaving her to care for Trisaland. After gathering a basin she filled it with water, using her magic to heat it before gently cleaning away the dirt and blood of the fight. She then gently removed her armor, laying it over a chair then found a linen gown to dress her in.

“There you go Lady Sunwalker, as beautiful as ever.” She said sitting down in a chair as a light knock came at the door. “Come on in Thoran, Korial.” She said as Thoran entered followed by Korialstrasz who had made some tea.

“And now we wait…” Thoran said softly, accepting a cup of tea but making no move to drink it.”

“She likely will not wake for awhile, the blood loss left her weak, but her heart is strong so I believe she will recover well.” Korial said softly.

“I knew it was wrong to leave her, but she insisted on staying to protect the village and her family.”

“Thoran, she is the Dracarai.” Rana said quietly. “She is a warrior just like her mother and grandmother before her. Short of forcing her to go, which I’m not sure even you could have done, there was no way she was leaving. You did what you had to do, you got Nox and Talyn to safety, which is what she wanted.” She said as he rubbed his face with his hand tiredly, his own blood loss taking its toll.

“I know that in my heart, but my head keeps telling me I was wrong.”

“Well that's because you are a stubborn git who seems to think he can be everywhere at once even though you know you can’t.” Korial laughed softly as Thoran began to stand then fell back in his chair with a groan.

“I need to go let Nox know what happened damn it.” He growled as Rana moved to his side helping him sit back down.

“You are weak from your own injury…I will go to them and tell them what happened. I am anxious to meet my new charge anyway.” She said with a smile. “In the meantime, you should lie down and rest yourself. That was a deep cut you took, you need to let your healing work.”

“Are you sure, Rana? I can go.”

“No you can’t. You are injured, you need rest and I know you want to stay with Trisaland. Allow me to take the message to them and go meet my newest little one.”

“All right, you win. But only because I feel like my side is on fire with every move and because I know you are dying to meet Talyn.” He smiled then sighed. “And by the way…you and Nox? Really?” He said as she flushed and laughed.

“Oh no…he told you about that? Gah…I was just a silly girl experimenting with all those new and crazy feelings we had as drakes going through our adolescence.” She laughed. “It was a very long time ago, I’m shocked he even remembers.”

“Oh he remembered…” Thoran growled.

“Why Thoran…if I didn’t know better I would think you’re jealous.” She teased.

“I’m not…” He said, looking away. “I just thought you had better taste is all.” He said as both she and Korial laughed.

“Oh please, if he’s half as handsome as he was then…well I could see why the Lady Sunwalker’s eyes were admiring him as well.” She said standing. “Now you go rest, I need to go see my old friend and meet his daughter.”

“Yeah, yeah, well no funny stuff in my sanctum little lady.” He teased then limped over to lie down beside Trisaland on top of the blankets. “I will be here waiting for Tris to wake and heal while the old grump over there takes care of us.”

“Hey…I’m giving up my precious time with my mate for you, show some respect.” Korial said with mock anger.

“Yeah well…she has other consorts to do that job.” He teased. “Not that she will…just saying.”

“Mmhmm, she will wait for me. Of all of us, I’m still the youngest and most exciting of all the consorts.” He said laughing as the look of disgust he’d been hoping for showed on Thoran’s face.

“Just…shut up…or I’ll start telling you in great detail the things your sister and I used to get up to.”

“No! No! Anything but that.” He said in mock horror, holding up his hands as Rana smiled a bit sadly watching how Thoran moved as closely as he dared to Tris without hurting her, reaching out and taking her hand as he lay his head on the pillow, closing his eyes. With a small pang of hurt she smiled once more then left the room, casting a portal to the sanctum and stepping through, leaving him with the one he loved.

Chapter Text

Rana stepped into the sanctum then stopped, gathering herself for a moment. Her eyes filled with unshed tears and her heart aching after all that she had seen that night. She had known that Thoran was growing closer to Trisaland; she could hear it in his voice whenever he spoke of her, even if he denied his own feelings. But tonight it had been clear where his heart lay, and that was with Trisaland.

But what did she expect? Their arrangement had always been clear, and when it began she had meant it when she said she wanted no attachments, only someone to sire her young. Only in the last few decades had that begun to change for her, the longing for his companionship when he would visit. The joy she found in mating with him. But was it him or that he so resembled his clutch mate Borelstrasz, her heart?

Of all of the males of their clutch, Thoran and Borel had been the most alike in looks and personality. Vaeyn had been the prankster, the joker of their lot, while Borel and Thoran had been a bit more grounded. Though they all grew up as friends, she’d never given much thought to anyone as a potential mate until one day something just changed between them. They had been so happy together…until the betrayal, when Borel had been killed trying to defend the others against Deathwing and she had been left alone, carrying their first clutch.

Thoran had visited her often, checking in on his late brother’s mate just as he was watching over Tandralis. At first it had been hard for her as he had reminded her so much of her own mate, but his grief for Talanstrasza and hers for Borel had created a bond between them although his visits weren’t very often, the pain of losing his mate pushing his decision to remain amongst the mortals. It would be many centuries later, after the death of Tandralis before she would gather the strength to ask of him to become a sire to her young. With a frustrated sigh she brushed her tears away angrily. What was the use of dwelling on old memories, he was in love with Trisaland, that was obvious and nothing she could say or do would change it.

Once she felt she had collected herself, she followed the path through the sanctum to an opening that led to a small, grassy courtyard with a large fountain, surrounded by gardens with the occasional marble bench placed here and there. A small path leading off to a large dwelling built into the mountain yet with large windows, gauzy curtains moving with the slight breeze as the morning sun was rising to the east. As she approached she heard the tap of what she soon realized was tiny talons on the marble floor as the tiniest black welp she’d ever seen burst out the open doors.

“Tissy?” Cried the tiny voice as a tall, dark haired elven man followed.

“Talyn…stop…you spilled your breakfast on the floor!” He called then paused seeing the red haired woman. “Rana?” He said as the welp quickly scampered behind him with a squeal of surprise making her smile.

“Hey handsome, been a few centuries.” She joked as Nox picked up the squirming welp and walked over to her smiling and grabbing her in a one armed hug as his other was holding Talyn.

“More than.” He laughed. “And you haven’t changed a bit except maybe to get prettier than ever.”

“Ati! Who dis? Where Tissy? Where Toran?” Talyn demanded, not liking being squashed into the hug, pushing the stranger away. “She not Tissy!” She said with a pout as Rana smiled.

“You must be Talyndria, I’ve heard so much about you. My name is Ranastrasza, an old friend of Thoran and your Sire little one.” Rana said smiling as she leaned down to be on level with the welp’s face only to have Talyn blow a raspberry at her.

“Not Tissy!”

“Talyndria! That was so rude, now apologize to Rana.” Nox said, frowning.

“No…not my Tissy!” She said stubbornly crossing her forepaws as Rana forced herself not to groan. This was going to be a lot harder than she thought.

“I’m sorry Rana, she’s been…tempramental since Thoran left us here. Come in, I have a mess to clean up then you can let me know what is going on and why the others aren’t with you.” He said turning to walk inside, trying not to let his fear show. If Thoran and Tris didn’t return with her…that could only mean…no, they were likely busy with throwing the others off the trail. They would be here soon, he had to believe that.

“It's all right, I’m a stranger and she’s been through quite a lot of late from what I’m told.” She said grabbing a towel and cleaning up the mess of spilled food from the floor for him as he sat down with Talyn on his lap reaching for more food, Talyn watching her warily as she joined them.

“Help yourself to some food, tea or juice. We were just having breakfast.”

“I see that, and I think I will. It's been a long night.” She said taking a piece of meat and placing it on the plate with a little fruit and cheese.
“What are you doing here? Where is Thoran and Tris?”

“Ah yeah…they are still in Quel’thalas…recovering.” She was not sure how much to say in front of the welp.

“What happened? Did they attack her?” He said quickly not thinking of how much Talyn might hear, only needing to know. “Is she alright?”

“From what I’ve been able to piece together, Tris confronted your Sire and I guess it was two of Noiria’s clutch mates with him. The female attacked her when she wouldn’t tell them where you were and I must admit, I’m impressed because Trisaland took her down alone.”

“But?” He said as she sighed.

“I guess Thoran had called out to Korialstrasz for assistance as he was leaving here. He and I and a few others portaled to Sunwalker Village just as Thoran was fighting the younger male, Tris was on the ground with a blade in her chest and your Sire was giving her some kind of potion to staunch the blood loss.

Korial took her from him and took her for healing while Thoran and I took down the young dragon. He managed to get a hell of a blow on Thoran across his ribs. But both have received healing from Korial and I and are recovering.”

“Oh thank the Titans they’re alive.” he said with a sigh as Talyn looked up at him.

“Tissy hurt?”

“Yes baby, Tissy and Thoran were hurt in a fight, but they are getting better now. So it might be a bit before they come here with us.”

“I want go Tissy.” Talyn said as Rana couldn’t help but smile at her tiny pout.

“I know Little Gem, but they are resting right now and it is too dangerous for us to go back there.”

“Dara and Airdid mean, don’t like them.” Talyn nodded.

“I agree, Daria and Aridian are mean dragons, but they can’t hurt anyone anymore.”

“Good! They go away!” Talyn said with a satisfied nod.

“She’s a smart little girl.”

“Too damn smart for her own good at times.” Nox laughed softly. “And her eyes and ears see and hear far too much sometimes. So what about my Sire? What was his part in this?”

“From what I’ve been told, he claimed he only came with them to keep them under control and to try to avoid anyone being hurt. He did try to help Tris when she fell, so maybe he was truthful. He said it wasn’t his choice to hunt you, that he only joined them because he wanted to make sure they didn’t kill you instead of bringing you back to stand trial before the flight.”

“How generous of him.” He said with heavy sarcasm. “Where is he now?”

“They allowed him to take the bodies of the other two and return to your flight on the condition he never returns. Which he says none will return, that it was mostly the two young ones who wanted you hunted. A few of the others followed him until he was away from Quel’thalas. Teranstrasz and others are taking up guard posts to watch the village, two are guarding Trisaland’s home and two at her sister’s.”

“Good, that makes me feel better though I should have never brought my troubles to them at all.” he said, lowering his head as Rana reached over to take his hand.

“Noxarian…you had no choice, your child was injured and in pain and would have died without the healing she received. You did what you had to do and went to those who would help her.”

“I suppose you’re right, though Thoran might still try to kill me if only for Tris nearly dying.”

“If he tries, he will have to go through me, old friend.” Rana said, squeezing his hand not missing the suspicious look from the welp.

“You know Toran and Tissy?” Talyn said between bites, relaxing a little.

“Well I know Thoran, though I have seen Trisaland a few times at the sanctum where I live. But Thoran and I grew up together almost as close as clutch mates.”

“Clutch mates mean.” She said making a face. “Hurt Talyn, not let me eat.”

“I’m sorry they were mean to you, but my clutch mates weren’t like that. Well I suppose at times we had minor fights but overall we all loved one another very much.”

“Ami mean too, only like mean clutch mates. But Tissy nice, love Tissy.” She said then looked sad. “Miss Tissy.” She said as Nox stroked her neck gently.
“I know Little Gem, but she needs to rest and get better. But you know, I’ve been told that Rana here can tell some of the best stories and can sing pretty well too.”

“You can? Tissy sing to Talyn, Talyn go sleep.”

“Well I don’t know if I sing as good as Tissy, but I will be more than happy to sing for you if you like when it's time for you to sleep.” She said as Talyn seemed to think on it then nodded.

“Rana can sing for Talyn and Daggy when sleepy.” She said as they heard footsteps coming towards the doors. “Tissy!” Talyn cried, bounding from Nox’s lap once again, fortunately without food flying this time, running for the door as Thoran entered, still favoring his side looking tired. “Thoran!” Talyn cried, hugging his legs as he entered. “Where Tissy?” She said as his eyes seemed to shimmer for a moment.

“Hello precious one, I’m sorry but Tissy couldn’t come. She’s feeling bad and is in bed resting.”

“Tissy hurt? Mean Dara and Airdid hurt my Tissy?” She questioned as Nox swept her up from Thoran’s feet looking at him with worry.

“She was hurt, but she will be okay. She just needs rest, Korialstrasz is making sure she’s getting better. I promise.” He said as Nox let out a sigh of relief.

“I…I’m so sorry Brother, I…” Nox began as Thoran held up a hand to stop him.

“No apologies, Brother…Tris is going to recover and I have to say I’m so damn proud of her. She was so foolish, but she held her own.” He said holding out a pack. “I brought more food and supplies, I am going to rest for a bit and let the healing work a bit more, then I will return to check on her.” He said moving to a chair and sitting down with a long sigh as Rana moved to kneel beside him, reaching for his tunic.

“Let me check where you were wounded, see if you need more healing.” She said softly as he allowed her to lift his tunic, knowing he would not win if he argued.

“I’m fine, I just haven’t slept or eaten since everything happened. Some food and a little rest and I’ll be alright.”

“It looks as if you are healing well enough.” She said lowering his tunic, smiling as she noticed Talyn had come to her side to watch.

“Toran…you need Daggy? Feel better?” She said holding up her stuffed dragonhawk as he smiled, reaching down to lift her to his lap then leaned down to rub his cheek against hers.

“You know, I think a little Talyn love and Daggy love is just the healing I need right now.” He said as Talyn leaned against his uninjured side and began to make a small purring sound. “Yep, that’s exactly what I need right there.”

“Hmm maybe I should start taking you with me when my healing skills are needed Talyn, you seem to be just the right medicine.” She said standing then walking into the kitchen to make a plate of food for Thoran earning a smile as she returned.

“You are the best Ran…thank you.”

“So Tris is recovering?” Nox said with a worried look.

“Yes, she had a pretty big knot on her head from Daria, then that bastard Aridian threw a blade and caught her in the chest. Fortunately it missed anything vital and your Sire helped her with a potion as well.”

“He is a skilled alchemist, no doubt whatever concoction he gave her helped. At least he did something good in all of this.” He growled. “I’m told he tried to uphold his blood oath to Faranar, but even he can only do so much I suppose with two hot headed kids. Noiria, Daria and Aridian were much like you, Borel and Vaeyn. They were all but joined at the hip and all three were crazy as hell. I’m not surprised they came for me, the rest of her brood are likely relieved she’s gone. But I can’t let my guard down.”

“No, I wouldn’t do that, not for a while anyway.” Thoran said softly as Nox watched Talyn cuddle with him and smiled sadly. Soon, very soon, he would have to leave, but watching Talyn with Thoran he thought maybe, just maybe, she will be okay.

Chapter Text

Tris awoke suddenly, looking around the darkened room. Was it all a dream? Where was Talyn? Noxarian? Throwing back the blankets she groaned at the burning pain in her shoulder, but quickly moved to stand only to have a wave of dizziness bring her to her knees as she fell to the floor with a groan. A moment later the door to her room opened and Korial knelt at her side.

“Tris, what are you doing trying to get out of bed? You are still healing.” He said helping her to stand then sit on the edge of the bed as he reached out to check her wound. “You took a blade to the chest and had a nasty knot on your head.” He said as the memories returned. The angry dark haired woman, the hilt of her sword painfully slamming into her head…the blade she couldn’t dodge.

“Where are they? The black dragons? Is my sister safe? Talyn and Nox?”

“Slow down, slow down little sister.” Korial said, smiling and touching her cheek tenderly. “First and foremost, yes your sister and her family are safe. Nox and Talyn are safe as well at Thoran’s sanctum. As to the dragons, I must say I have never been more impressed as I was when I was told you took down the female on your own. Thoran and Rana took on the younger male after you were struck by his blade, Thoran was quite distraught that he couldn’t get to you in time to stop him.

But Sabellian shocked me most, for he had already given you a potion to staunch the blood loss before I could get to you to start healing you. After the other two were killed, he asked only to be allowed to return them to their flight for death rites. He claims he only came to try to stop any violence, only to return his son home. He said there won’t be others coming here, though I have set up some guards who will remain until we are sure it is safe again.”

“Thank you Korial, you are a true friend to our family.” She said with a sigh of exhaustion then looked around. “Where is Thoran?”

“He left to check on Talyn and Nox and take them some supplies once he’d made sure you were all right and healed a bit himself. I received a message from Rana saying they convinced him to rest before returning as he hadn’t slept while he was watching over you.”

“Oh…Rana is with them?” She said trying not to let her disappointment show as Korial smiled.

“She went once we were finished healing the two of you, to let Nox know what had happened.”

“Well, that was nice of her.” She said then sighed. “How long have I slept?”

“It's been almost a full day, your body needed the rest to heal from your wounds. Are you hungry? I could make you something to eat.”

“That sounds good, but first I need a bath, I feel…bleh.” She laughed.

“Are you sure you’re up to it? I don’t want to find you on the floor again.”

“I just jumped up too quickly, I will be fine. A shower and fresh clothes and I’ll be almost as good as new, thanks to your healing skills my friend.”

“Very well, call for me if you need me, otherwise I will be downstairs finding something for a meal.”

“I promise.” She said as he nodded then headed out of the room. Once alone she slowly rose from the bed, still feeling a bit weak, but steady. After pulling out a pair of leather leggings and a loose linen shirt she walked to the bathroom and turned on the water, stripping out of her gown and stepping in feeling the hot water relax her tense muscles as she mulled over what she had been told.

She supposed it shouldn’t surprise her to hear that the dragoness had come to help given the little she knew of her relationship with Thoran. But just what was she to him? Though he said they were friends, she hadn’t missed how defensive he’d grown when Nox had mentioned their youthful dalliance. He had seemed quite jealous, so did that mean his feelings for her were more than that of a friend? He’d also mentioned her having clutches yet no mate…had he ever…

“Stop it Tris! So what if he has, he’s not your man to be angry over!” She hissed to herself stepping out of the shower. But if they were just friends, why had he never mentioned her? With a frustrated groan she turned off the water and stepped out drying herself, pausing to look in the mirror and sighed once more. Dark shadows surrounded her eyes, her hair a mess that she began to take a brush to as she noticed the angry red scar just above her left breast. How close she’d come to dying…but she had survived. After dressing she made her way down to the kitchen where Korial had laid out a plate for her of fruit and cheese, her stomach grumbling at the sight of it.

“Feeling better now?” He said, joining her at the table, pouring them both a glass of juice. “Drink up, you need fluids after losing so much blood.”

“Yes my faithful healer Korial.” She teased as she began to eat. “And yes, the shower helped a bit. I feel less dreary now.”

“Good.” He smiled continuing to eat, yet watching her for any signs of weakness.

“So…you said Thoran called for you?” She said curiously.

“Yes, I’m sure you know we can reach out to one another in our minds. It's kind of like how you can call to him with the necklace he gave you, but we do not need such things.”

“Interesting, I mean he’s told me that in the past, I didn’t realize it was so simple though.”

“Well…” He said, flushing a bit, a small smile on his lips. “It might have been a bit harder this time as I was a bit…occupied with my queen.” He said as she laughed.

“Oh no…he didn’t interrupt…your personal time I hope.” She said with a soft laugh imagining how the elder dragon would have grumbled at such an interruption.

“Well, almost. Fortunately we were just cuddling at that time.”

“Oh no, please apologize to the Queen for me since it was kinda my fault.”

“No apologies needed, she will understand and I think she will be quite impressed to hear how you stood up to three fully grown dragons on your own. Foolish…but I’m proud of you.”

“Don’t tell the others…” She said conspiratorially. “But I was terrified. But all I could think is, I have to protect my family and my village and give them time to escape.”

“You are a strong woman Trisaland Sunwalker, don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. I swear it is a shame you Sunwalkers weren’t born dragons for you have strength and bravery of our kind.”

“You honor me, my friend.” She said as they heard the door open and shut then Thoran appeared in the door to the kitchen smiling.

“You’re awake!” He said moving to her side and leaning to kiss her forehead. “I’m so glad to see you up and about, I was…when I saw you fall to that blade, it…”

“It's all right.” Tris said, taking his hand and squeezing it. “I’m fine now and Talyn and Nox are safe which is what matters.”

“Yes they are at the sanctum with Rana. Talyn was very worried about you but I told her you were resting and healing.”

“I’m still a little weak, but I think by morning I will be fine to go see her.” Tris said as a shadow passed over Thoran’s eyes.

“Tris…I think…” He began only to be interrupted by an urgent knock at the door, Trisaland rising as Korial stood, moving in front of her.

“Let me get this, the guards should be at the door…” He said walking to the living room with her and Thoran following, then opening the door to find a dark haired man looking distraught.

“Lor’ath…what is wrong?” Tris said, stepping forward as the two guards looked sheepish at her.

“Sorry…I know you are…injured.” He said, trying to catch his breath. “But Lys…water broke…I sent for the midwife but she’s three villages away…I don’t think she’ll make it.”

“Oh!” Tris gasped. “The baby is coming? But I thought she still had a couple weeks?”

“So did I…please, can you come?”

“Of course! Korial, will you come as well in case she needs your healing skills?”

“I…of course, let's go.” He said as Tris ran out the door following Lor’ath down the winding path that led to their home followed by Thoran. As they entered she saw A’dora sitting on the floor with her dolls.

“Hi Auntie Tris! Guess what? Minn’da peed herself!” She giggled. “But Ann’da said it's because the baby is coming!”

“Yes, that happens sometimes when babies come.” Tris laughed. “Are you excited?”

“I guess, but it's taking too long. All she’s doing is moaning and yelling at Ann’da so far.”

“Well sometimes it takes a little while for them to come. With you she did that for almost a whole day. But I’m going to go see her and see if we can’t get your little brother or sister into this world okay?”

“Sure.” She said turning back to her dolls as if bored by it all, her Nanny smirking and shaking her head as they walked upstairs to Lys’ bedroom to find her on the bed, her hair lank and sweaty, her face twisted with pain.

“Sister…it's…coming soon.” She groaned as Korial walked over to her, running his hand over her as it glowed red, checking on both mother and child, he then placed his hand over her stomach.”

“This will hopefully ease the pain for you, Lys.” He said softly as Lor’ath wiped her face with a cool cloth.

“Oh, I must be special to get my sister as well as two red dragons to attend to me.” Lysandria laughed tiredly.

“How long have you labored?” Tris asked now in healer mode, no longer the sister.

“I didn’t realize I was in labor until my water broke. My back has been hurting since yesterday, I just didn’t realize what it meant until it was too late.” She said as Tris grinned.

“Yeah A’dora announced quite loudly that you peed yourself.” She laughed.

“Gah, that child! She’s going to be the end of my sanity.” Lys said with a pained smile. “Ahhh! Here we go again!” She cried out then groaned. “I think it's time, I feel I need to push!”

“Then push, I’ve got you sister.” Tris said, washing her hands quickly as Korial laid a blanket near, looking a bit lost while Thoran moved to the other side of the bed taking her hand for moral support as lost as his friend at how to assist.

“Tell me what you need of me, I’ve never helped bring a mortal child into the world before.” Korial said with only a hint of nervousness in his voice.

“You could get me some twine or something similar for the cord and a blade, clean it well then run the blade itself through the fire to get it sanitary.” She said as he stepped away to do as told. “Okay Lys, keep pushing, I think I see the baby’s head…yep that’s definitely a head! She cried, feeling a bit nervous. “Oh and she’s got a lot of hair!” She laughed as the baby’s head began to emerge.

“She’s got a big head!” Lys groaned as she pushed. “Like her Ann’da! Oh by the Light Lor’ash…I swear you will never touch me again!” Lys hissed angrily.

“That’s what you said while having A’dora too…” he laughed. “And here we are.”

“I MEAN IT THIS TIME!” She screamed as the baby’s head emerged, a lusty scream filling the room.

“Oooh I think we have a little banshee here sis!” Tris laughed, clearing the baby's mouth.

“Not funny!” Lys said, sitting back to rest a moment though she laughed softly herself. “Oh…here we go again.”

“We’re almost done sister, give me a good push and we’ll get this little one out and you can rest.” She said as Lys sat up pushing once more with a loud cry as first one shoulder, then the next emerged, then the rest of the child as Tris pulled her free then wrapped her in the blanket, rubbing away the blood and other birth fluids from the child then tied her cord as Korial looked down in fascination.

“By the Five, that was…amazing. Messy, but amazing to witness.” He smiled as Tris cut the cord then wrapped the babe, placing her in her mother’s arms.

“Congratulations…it's a girl!” Thoran said smiling as he looked down at the tiny child, remembering the birth of Kalypsa, though he’d missed the birth of the twins as he’d been visiting the sanctum during their birth.

“Oh she has your hair my love.” Lor’ath said with a tearful smile as he gazed at his newborn daughter, reaching out to touch a silky cheek. “She’s perfect.”

“Oh yes you are little one.” Lys said, smiling through her tears. “A beautiful little girl who looks just like her Ann’da.” She said as Tris began to clean her up then washed her hands before walking over to look down at the child.

“She’s simply adorable…do you have a name for her yet?”

“Draeon…Draeon Alexandra Bloodstone.” Lor’ath said proudly.

“A beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” Korial said with a smile.

“Korial, would you do the honor of blessing her?” Lor’ath said, looking at the ancient dragon who looked to Lysandria.

“Are you in agreement with this?” He asked, knowing she had refused it with A’dora. Lys only sighed and nodded.

“Lor’ath insists we follow the old ways with her, so yes, I agree.” She said holding the baby out for him to take in his arms as Tris quickly guided him on how to hold her as he laughed.

“I feel so awkward, I’ve never held a child so small and new.” He said, settling her into his arms as he began to speak softly in the ancient draconic language.

By the blessing of the Titans and the Five Great Aspects
May the Earth always guide your steps down the path to happiness
May your dreams be sweet and always come true
May the magic in life always bring your joy
May time always be gentle and fill you with wonder
And may life always be sweet with love for your family for evermore

As he finished the blessing, she yawned then opened her amber eyes looking up to him as he felt something stir deep within him, images passing too quick to grasp yet filling him with warmth and joy as he smiled then added.

“And I shall always be there for you, to guide and protect you so long as we both draw breath, I swear to you to be your guardian in the dark as well as the light. Welcome back Little Flame.” He said, the spell breaking as he heard a surprised gasp from Trisaland and Thoran.

“Korial…”

“What? What is wrong?” Lys said suddenly worried as she had never taken the time to learn draconic as Tris had.

“Nothing wrong.” Tris said with a smile. “I’m just surprised…”

“Why? What did he say?” She asked as Korial smiled leaning to kiss the child tenderly on her forehead.

“I…I don’t know why, I just feel this little one’s path is somehow entwined with my own and I have sworn myself to protect and guide her in any way I can. I know her soul…somewhere we have met before.” He said softly then handed her back to Lys who looked at him a little startled. “Forgive me, I didn't mean to upset you. I don’t know what prompted it, but when she opened her eyes I just felt this rush of protectiveness for her.”

“Well I for one am honored that she will have such a caring protector in you Lord Korialstrasz.” Lor’ath said softly. “My family too is of the old blood and such an oath is not to be rejected if offered. Thank you friend.” He said as Lys smiled.

“The honor is mine, friend.” Korial smiled as Tris cleared away the rest of soiled sheets and towels, tucking the blankets around her sister tenderly.

“Should we introduce her to her big sister now?”

“Yes, I believe it is time.” Lys said, taking Tris’ hand. “Thank you sister for being here for us. I know sometimes I can be…hard on you. But Lor’ath told me what you risked to protect us and I will never forget.”

“That’s what big sisters are for, and who knows…someday it might be A’dora standing here doing this for Draeon.” She laughed.

“Oh…let's not even think that far ahead.” Lys laughed as Thoran walked downstairs then returned carrying A’dora.

“There she is, your new sister.” He said softly then sat her down as she ran over to the bed, climbing up to Lys’ side as Lor’ath sat on the opposite.

“Meet your new sister, Draeon.” Lys said softly as A’dora looked at her and nodded.

“She’ll do.” she said as the adults laughed, Lys reached around to pull her into a hug as the family laughed and bonded together as Tris watched, feeling her heart shattering in her chest, holding back her tears as she realized…

I want this…I want this for myself, but I will never have it unless I let go of foolish dreams and move on.

Chapter Text

Trisaland moved about the kitchen, pulling out dishes and removing food from the oven to cool slightly. Already there was fresh bread cooling in the window beside a pie, bowls of fruit and salad greens covered and waiting as she began to place other items into containers, covering them and packing it all into a large basket with care as Korial entered the room sniffing the air. Thoran had left before she woke to return to the sanctum to check on the others and share the news of the new baby's birth and had not returned yet.

“I see now why Thoran is reluctant to return to the sanctum more. If I had a lady cooking like this for me, Alexstrasza might grow quite angry with me.” He smiled as she poured him a cup of his favorite tea and set it on the table with some of the fresh bread. “You do know how to spoil a fellow.”

“I am making some meals ahead for Lysandria and Lor’ath so she can rest and recover from the birth and not have to worry about food. I know Ala’rel would gladly help out though her duty is only to see to A’dora’s care, but it's what a big sister should do. And don’t think Thoran gets that spoiled.” She laughed. “We have a nice dinner about once a month after he’s been on duty with the Rangers and sometimes I actually make him help me.” She smiled trying to keep a happy face on though she was not feeling so.

“Oh and don’t let me forget, I have gifts for the Queen and Tyran as well to send back with you when you return. I know Tyran has quite the sweet tooth for my brownies and the queen always loves my lemon turnovers. So I made some as a kind of ‘sorry I interrupted your romantic time with my invasion of black dragons’ gift.” She said as Korial laughed, shaking his head.

“They will both enjoy them I’m sure, but again no need to apologize. You should know by now the Sunwalkers are always free to call upon us when in need. You are family Trisaland, all of you.”

“Yeah speaking of which…what was that with little Draeon last night? The whole swearing yourself her guardian. That is not something dragons do lightly.” She said as he looked thoughtful for a moment.

“I…I still do not understand what happened, but when our eyes met I felt this…connection to her as if our souls knew one another already. It's something I’ve never experienced before and almost instinctual to swear myself to her. There is something special about that child, I feel the magic within her already. She will have an important role in the world someday, I just feel it.”

“Well time shall tell, but let's not tell her she will fulfill some great destiny someday, things like that have a tendency to go tits up. Like that one fellow…the Kaldorei man born with the amber eyes that were supposed to be a sign of some great destiny. Yet he ended up betraying the Kaldorei and joining with the Legion if I remember the story correctly. I read it in one of the histories my grandmother wrote about in her journals.”

“Ah yes…what was his name…Stormrage I believe, but my memories of the time of the War of the Ancients are a bit fuzzy. I do remember that he was a twin, his brother going on to become a student of Lord Cenarius and the first Druid in memory. Also they had a bit of a sibling rivalry over the woman who became the mate of the second brother. Ah, Illidan was the one they called the Betrayer and Malfurion the one who became a druid and won the heart of the High Priestess, Tyrande.”

“Oh I had read they became mates, but not of the rivalry.” She laughed softly.

“I’m sure you have caused a bit of rivalry between potential suitors as well.”

“Yes well…I haven’t had time for such things. My first priority is my family and this village and then the safety of my king and prince. After that, there isn’t a lot of room to entertain potential suitors.” She said and sighed. “Though I’m thinking…maybe it's time I find time for it.” She said as her eyes became misty with tears. “Last night, when Lys and Lor and the children were all together in the bed…something just…woke up inside of me. I realized, I really want that too.”

“There is nothing wrong with wanting to be loved and love another in return, little one. To have someone who fills your heart with joy is the greatest gift. And children can be the greatest joy…until they don’t like what you tell them to do and get all stubborn, then they can make you want to wear the scales off their tails.” He laughed as Tris nearly choked on her tea laughing.

“I just cannot imagine you putting a welp over your knee and spanking them Korial.”

“I never said I did, just that it's tempting. You will see it someday when you have children.” He said then inwardly groaned seeing her smile fall, her eyes growing misty. “Hey…I’m sorry…”

“No, it's not you my friend. I think…I think it's everything that’s happened. I mean, I know I can’t care for Talyn although I would give anything to do so. And…well…I just don’t have any desire to find a mate.”

“So…do what Rana did. Find a male you think has the right qualities you would want for someone to sire a child for you. Make a deal with them to get you with child then have no part of anything else if that is what you want. You get your child, you remain a single woman and you get the joy that comes from being a mother.”

“It sounds easy enough for her…” she began then stopped taking a deep breath and letting it out. “Okay that was a bit…harsh. I do not know her, only what little I’ve heard from you, Nox and very little from Thoran. I didn’t know she even existed until the other night.”

“Don’t be angry with Thoran for that little one. Though I’ve told him he should tell you about her, he didn’t feel it was ever important enough to mention.”

“Right, because having a secret girlfriend in his flight that he visits long enough to mate with is so not important!” she said with a slight pout as Korial sighed.

“That began long before you were born, Tris, and it's not a romantic relationship, just…well I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Ah so it is true!” She said as he groaned realizing she had tricked him.

“That was not nice of you, it sounded as if he’d finally told you about it.”

“No, the other night he left that little fact out of the story, but I knew when he sounded jealous over her and Nox playing around when they were younger that it was more. I just put the pieces together. But it's not like it matters, I mean I have no place to be angry because despite what everyone seems to think, he and I are not lovers.”

“But if he came to you and said he has feelings for you…would you return those feelings?” He said as they heard the front door open and rose from the table.

“Korial? Tris?” Came Thoran’s voice from the living room.

“We’re in the kitchen!” She called as he walked into the room, sniffing the air.

“Oh, something smells really good.” He said leaning to kiss her cheek only to have her move away and busy herself packing the basket.

“Yes, it's all for Lys and the family so that she can rest and recover from the birth. I was about to carry it over.”

“Damn and here I thought there was a good meal waiting.” He laughed softly.

“Tris, I am going to take the food over for you and let the two of you catch up. You can come when you are ready, I must admit I’m quite anxious to see my little charge once again.” He said with a smile.

“Uh huh, admit it, you just want to go get all the baby time before I come over.” Tris teased.

“You got me figured out, little one.” He laughed then grabbed the basket, giving Tris a hug with his free arm whispering in her ear. “Don’t be too hard on him, keep calm and talk to him but listen as well.”

“Right…and you are a big chicken shit Sir Dragon, running away knowing what is about to happen.”

“No, just smart enough to stay away and let the two of you work things out on your own.” He smiled. “I will be next door if you need me.”

“Very well.” She said as he made his way to the door leaving Thoran and Tris alone. For a moment they stood in awkward silence before Tris finally spoke.

“So um…how are you feeling? Is your injury healing well?”

“Oh, yeah, it's still a bit stiff, but healing well. I’m actually surprised to see you doing all of this so soon after the blade to the chest.” He said wanting to reach out to her but not daring after she had pulled away from his hug.

“Yeah well, you know me…I don’t take direction well, especially when it means laying in bed.”

“How very true.” He said with a smile.

“How are Talyn and Nox? Is Talyn okay? Was she scared with all the craziness?”

“Oh she’s been…” He laughed softly. “Evidently a bit of a handful because you didn’t come with us. But she’s begun to warm up to Rana and that’s helping. Poor Nox wasn’t sure what to do.”

“Now that things are safer, you could have brought her back here. I already miss her.” She said frowning.

“Tris…” He began then paused, trying to find the right words. “I…I just think it would be better for Talyn right now, if she stays at the sanctum with Nox and Rana. If she sees you, it's going to make it harder for both of you.”

“I see.” She said, biting her lip that was trying to quiver, her throat burning with unshed tears. “Well, I suppose you are right. I have done a lot of thinking since I woke up and have come to some decisions myself.” She said as Thoran felt a ripple of fear in his stomach.

“I realized last night when Lys and her family were gathered together after Draeon’s birth that…something is missing in my life. And that something is what they have.” She said softly, forcing the words that she didn’t want to say but realized she must.

“I’ve rejected any semblance of finding someone who I can envision spending my life with, a mate and children. I have convinced myself that I was content with my life the way it is with my career, having you around as a treasured companion. I didn’t think I wanted anything else, but I do.

I also realized that I will never have that so long as I hold on to all of the silly fantasies of living the life my grandmother did in Arandal. I am not Tandralis, as you pointed out, and this isn’t Arandal. So I feel it's time I move on with my life and try to find those things I want, and I cannot do that with you.”

“Tris…please don’t do this…” He said softly as the feeling of everything falling away began to fill him.

“Thoran, you know as well as I, there is nothing here. We use one another to avoid taking chances in our lives and finding something real. You and Rana have children together, and I saw the other night there is feeling there because you were so quick to get defensive when Nox spoke of her. And for years now, I have used the excuse of, ‘but I have Thoran for companionship, I don’t need more’, to avoid opening myself up to taking a chance with other men. It has to stop Thoran. You were right, I cannot take care of Talyn because I am not a dragon. Even if I wanted to, you and I will never be able to have children because I am mortal and you are a dragon.

So I think the best thing we can do for one another, is walk away now. You are welcome to continue to live here in the village, this is your home too, you helped build it with Tandralis and I would never take that from you. But for now at least…I need time apart from you, so I only ask that you not come here for a while, while I figure out where my life is going.” She said standing straight and stiff, a posture he knew meant she was trying to give the impression of strength when she was just barely hanging on.

“Tris…I…I don’t want to lose you. You mean more to me than I could ever put into words.” He said fighting back his own tears then sighing. “But I also know that once you have set your mind to something, there is no changing it. If you want space from me, from us, then I will respect it. I won’t like it, but I do respect it.”

“Thank you…and…please, stay close to Talyn until she’s adjusted to her new home. She will need you, she trusts you.”

“I’m sorry there wasn’t a way Tris, I know how much you want this.”

“I will survive, give Nox my wishes for his safety and sanity and tell him…tell him to keep in touch and let me know he is safe for I will worry over both of them equally. And…thank Rana for me. Not only for being willing to take Talyn, but for coming to our defense the other night.”

“Of course.” He said hoarsely, nodding. “I um…I have a few things in your guest room if you don’t mind me getting them. Then I will go as you have asked. But Tris…” He paused to get his emotions under control. “Know that I love you, and I will always be here if you need me.

“And I you, Thoran. I…I should go over to Lys’, I have to rescue little Draeon from Korial because I know he is over there making silly faces and speaking to her in baby talk.” She said with a forced laugh.

“Yes please, save that poor child. I’ve seen how he is with the welps, she will need rescue.” He said with a smile as she nodded then moved past him, walking out the door…only letting her tears come once he could not see.

Chapter Text

A month later…

Trisaland:

Tris gathered the paperwork from her desk, put out the lamps in the office and stepped out into the hall almost colliding with General Dawnstrider.

“Oh!” She cried as she fought to keep the pile of scrolls and maps from falling, his hands coming up to help catch them. “I’m so sorry Ky’riel, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“No worries Tris, we saved it all.” He laughed then looked at the pile of paperwork. “Are you taking all of this home with you?”

“Yes…you know I do my best work in the quiet of night at home. I have several missives to read and answer, a few maps of the new patrol routes to look over and assign guards to as well as the schedules to work on.” She said as he looked at her, noticing the dark circles about her eyes and the general look of exhaustion that filled her stance.

“Tris…I don’t want to be nosey but…is everything alright? You haven’t seemed the same since you came back after being injured.” At his words she smiled weakly and sighed.

“I haven’t been sleeping well, my shoulder bothers me in the night if I do not lay right. Nothing serious, just generally achy.” She lied.

“Perhaps you should consult with one of the healers, they could give you something to ease it or you may need some exercises to help it fully recover. I mean, that was a serious accident and I hope you properly scolded the careless fool who was practicing with throwing weapons.” He said as she smiled.

“It was purely an accident, I was the one who didn’t make myself known before walking into his path.” She said sticking to the lie she’d used to explain her injury. “But I shall seek out a healer if it does not improve, I promise.”

“Good, I would hate to have to put you on medical leave until you do.” He said, raising a brow as she cursed inwardly. Now she would have to make a show of seeing the healer to get an all clear.

“I appreciate your worry, old friend. But for now I need to get home so that I can get a hot bath and dinner then get on this paperwork.”

“Of course, I will see you tomorrow.” He said moving aside so that she could pass.

“Thank you Ky’riel, I shall see you tomorrow.” She said as she walked down the hall then out of the headquarters of the Royal Guard.

In minutes she was able to make her way to her townhouse that was located a short distance from the spire, stepping inside and dumping the load of papers onto her desk in her office as she sighed tiredly, the pile bumping a small dish with random items in it, knocking it to the floor.

“Smooth move Sunwalker.” She groaned to herself kneeling down and picking up the items then paused looking down at the three small dragon scales. Picking them up carefully, she closed her hand around them, holding them to her heart as her tears came once more. “Talyn…”

Thoran and Talyn:

Thoran’s paws touched down into the soft grass, then lowered his body allowing Rana to climb down from his back with a still giggling Talyn in her arms.

“Dat fun Toran! Do again!” She cried as Rana smiled.

“Maybe later, little one, right now we have to show you where you will live now.” Rana said walking towards a large archway that stood tall enough even for Alexstrasza to enter. As they walked through the ground was covered in a large variety of flora and fauna, a small creek moving through the cavern.

Near the back a large nest sat, big enough for a good sized dragon to lay comfortably and to its left were nestled several eggs of varying sizes, each sitting on its own small nest of grasses.

“What dis?” Talyn said looking around a bit nervous as Thoran wondered if she was remembering the sanctum of the Blacks.

“This is our home within the Sanctum of the Reds. This is where we will be living.”

“Talyn, did you see the eggs?” Thoran said, hoping to distract her. “Would you like to see them?”

“Who eggs?” She said moving into his arms as he walked with her standing just shy of the eggs.

“They are Rana’s eggs, in a few moons they will hatch.” He said as she furrowed her tiny brow pushing to get out of his arms as he sat her down watching her. “You can look at them, but do not touch them little one.” He said as she moved slowly, looking them over then pointed a paw at a smaller egg.

“Dat like Talyn egg.” She said as he smiled.

“It is a bit smaller, like yours must have been.” Thoran said with a smile.

“Taly protect it, small egg need it.” She said matter of factly then tilted her head as if hearing something then nodding. “Taly’s egg.” She said moving to sit beside it as she began to chirrup softly.

“Well, maybe she will adjust easier now.” Rana said softly.

“This could be a good thing, Rana. If she bonds with the egg, then once it hatches she will bond with the whelp easier.” He said even as his heart ached at the thought of leaving her here. A moment later he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“You know you are welcome here too, for as long as it takes for you both to adjust to her being here.”

“It's not as if I have anywhere else to be. I took a couple months leave from the Rangers and Tris wants space…so I’ve got nothing more to do.” Rana frowned at his words, her heart breaking for him. He seemed almost as heart broken as he had been when Tandralis had died.

“Why don’t you go see her? Talk to her? Surely the two of you can work things out.” She said softly as he shook his head.

“She made herself clear, she wants space and space I will give her. When she is ready, she will come see me, until then I need to let her live her own life.”

3 months later…

Trisaland:

Date 1…

Trisaland picked at the food on her plate as the nobleman she dined with continued to drone on, only offering the occasional uh huh or oh really? in response to his constant diatribe.

“Are you even listening?” The man finally said after one too many bland responses. Sitting down her fork and taking a sip of her wine, Trisaland simply smiled.

“Not really, you are likely the fourth or maybe the fifth nobleman I’ve agreed to dinner with only to be bored to tears as you go on and on about your pedigree, real estate holdings and accolades in the battlefield. It grows rather mind numbing after about five minutes.” She said as she placed her napkin onto her plate then stood looking down at the man whose face had a stunned look.

“So thank you for dinner, but I must be going. I have missives of trade routes and supply orders that are more interesting than you to get through. Good Evening Lord…I’m sorry what was your name again?”

Date 2:

“And so it will only make sense once a proper courtship period has gone by, we will announce our betrothal and begin to plan the wedding. It will of course be a lavish affair given both our positions in society, though my status being the greater one of course. Perhaps the king will allow us to use the Royal Gardens for the ceremony even.

Once we have married you will then move to my estate for that little village of yours just won’t suit my lifestyle. Also you will retire from the Royal Guard as you will need to be available to run the household, plan our social schedule including holding dinner parties and other events at our home and once we start to have children, to see to their care.

I’m sure you will be agreeable to this, after all it will improve your own status in Thalassian society.” The man said as Tris wondered if her eyebrows could get any closer to her hairline as he continued. With a small smile she took his hand, batting her eyelashes then spoke.

“Oh well…that is so generous of you to plan everything out for us. I only see one issue.”

“And what would that be?”

“Well lets begin with, this is only our first date and you have everything planned out for our life together. Then there is that whole ‘society placement’ thing you keep going on about. I am personal friends with Anasterian Sunstrider, in fact the Sunstriders and Sunwalkers have been close friends all the way back to my grandmother, Tandralis. Dare I say much closer than you will ever get to him.” She said with a self satisfied smirk on her lips as he pulled his hand away looking scandalized as she continued.

“Also, I will most certainly not retire to run your household or hold parties for you and your chance of getting in my pants, much less getting me with child with that pencil dick of yours are slim and less than none. So I suggest you take your grand plans and shove them as far up your ass as your head is. Good night!

Date 3:

“So you are truly of the old Arandali blood?” The man said as Trisaland sipped her wine, forcing herself not to roll her eyes.

“Yes, my grandmother Tandralis was the last Dracarai of Arandal before the Sundering destroyed the lands.”

“Fascinating…” The man said then leaned forward a bit, a conspiratorial gleam in his eyes as he smiled. “So tell me, is it true that in Arandal mortals coupled with dragons and those of the Arandali blood carry the blood of dragons?” With an annoyed sigh Tris turned, lifting her hand to catch the waiter’s attention.

“Check please?”

Thoran:

Thoran sat by the campfire, staring into the flames as his thoughts drifted once again to Trisaland. How was she doing? Did she miss him? He’d looked for her on the few occasions he’d returned home, but her own home sat quiet and dark. His musings were then interrupted as footsteps approached from behind as he picked up a familiar scent just before Lor’ash took a seat beside him.

“Can’t sleep?”

“I could ask you the same.” Thoran said with a small grin.

“I just came off watch, I will be making my way to my bedroll shortly.” He said as Thoran nodded. Their patrol had made camp for the night in the woods of Eversong. Tomorrow they would continue their patrol as usual.

“I don’t always need a lot of sleep, which is part of why they like having me on patrol. Once I get home for my leave I’ll have plenty of time to rest.” He said as Lor’ath laughed softly.

“I get more sleep out on patrol than at home, the risk of a new baby in the house I guess.” He shrugged though smiling as he spoke of his newest daughter.

“How is Draeon fairing? I should come see her and the rest of the family when we return.”

“She is growing so fast, from one day to the next I swear she changes. She’s sitting up on her own now and soon I’m sure she’ll be crawling and that is when the fun begins because she will be everywhere and into everything. Speaking of little ones, have you seen Talyndria lately?”

“Yeah, when I was on leave last time I went to visit her.” He said, smiling a bit. “She’s doing well I think. She’s still upset she can’t come see Tris, but Rana and I agreed it might set her back. Maybe another few months just to be safe. But Rana has been working with her to help her rebuild her strength in her injured wing and the last message I had said she’s finally flying or well, hovering a few feet off the ground anyway. It will be a bit longer before she can fly at any height or for very long.”

“Gah, hearing you speak of that makes me realize how blessed I am that Draeon can only crawl.” He laughed.

“Yes the whelps can get themselves into mischief far too easily.” He laughed.

“What about Tris? You two made up yet?” Lor’ash asked as Thoran felt as if he’d been punched in the gut.

“I haven’t seen her since she returned to the city. Has she even returned home since she went back to work?”

“Only a few times, I’ve checked in on her when I go to the city.” He said frowning. “She looks like shit, dark circles around her eyes, I can tell she’s not sleeping. General Dawnstrider told me he’s caught her dozing off in her office a few times and there are times he’s walked in to see her looking like she’s been crying. I really wish you would go see her, try to talk to her.”

“She doesn’t want to see me. She’s angry over Talyn, over Rana, and convinced that she needs to find a life outside our…friendship or whatever it is.”

“She said that in anger, at a time when emotions were high. But I know her, I’m sure she misses you. Hell I expected the two of you to get together. I know it would mean the two of you not having kids and all that, but she was always happy when you were around.”

“I love her, Lor’ath but I have to let her decide what she wants. If she decides it's me, I will be the happiest man in Quel’thalas. Hell I would even be all right with finding an appropriate male to get her with child so she could be a mother. But she has to want it too.”

“Well maybe it's time I did some poking at her to get her to consider her options a bit better, because I hate seeing my sister and good friend unhappy.”

“Yeah, same…”

Talyn:

Rana landed on the outcropping that led to Alexstrasza’s own sanctum, Talyn clutched carefully in one forepaw. She then sat her down and transformed into her visage before lifting the whelp in her arms and entering to see Alexstrasza in her own visage, speaking to Tyran who also had taken his mortal visage.

“Gamma Alex!” Talyn squealed happily as Alexstrasza turned, smiling and reaching out for the little whelp who flapped her tiny wings leaving Rana’s arms for those of the queen.

“Talyn darling, I’m so happy you could come today!” She said, placing a soft kiss to the top of the whelp’s head.

“As am I.” Tyran said, leaning down to kiss the snout of the little dragon and rub his cheek against her own. “It always brightens my day to see you Little Gem.” He said as Talyn giggled softly.

“Gampa Ran!” She squealed happily. “Kori here too?”

“Yes he is here, he was about to start story time so you came just in time.”

“Yay, story!” Talyn said, raising her forepaws, her stuffed dragonhawk held in one paw.

“I thought I heard my special girl’s voice.” Korial said, joining them as he smiled, leaning to rub his cheek against Talyn’s. “Are you ready for story time?”

“Yeah!”

“Good, the other whelps are waiting to start. Come, let's get started.” He said as Talyn suddenly seemed to burrow closer to Alex’s chest.

“What whelps?”

“They are the brood of myself and Alexstrasza and they have been waiting to meet you.” He said trying to keep his voice light and happy seeing the whelp withdraw.

“No…don’t want.” Talyn said nervously. “Whelps mean.”

“Talyn darling, these are not your clutch mates.” Rana said softly. “They are red dragons and much nicer. Do you think Alexstrasza and Korialstrasz would have mean ones?”

“No…don’t want to! Kori tells me story.” She pouted.

“How about I come too, we can sit by ourselves and listen until you feel ready.” Rana said hoping against hope she would cooperate.

“Talyn I promise you, it will be okay.” Korial said softly as Talyn seemed to think on it.

“Rana come.” She finally said.

“Yes, I will come little one.” She said as she followed Korialstrasz into the sanctum into a room where no less than a dozen red whelps sat together awaiting Korialstrasz.

“Okay everyone…” Korial began. “It's story time! But first I want you all to meet my friend Talyndria, she is Rana’s charge.”

“She black dragon! She not red!” Chirped one of the whelps.

“Yes she is, she couldn’t stay with her flight so Rana is caring for her. But she’s still welcome Jorastrasz, so do not be rude about it.” Korial said pointedly as the boy dragon watched Rana carry her a distance from the others and sit down on the floor. He then began to whisper with some of the other whelps as one female began to beat her wings, flying over to where they sat, but stopping a short distance away seeing Talyn seem to curl up against Rana.

“Hi, I’m Rheastrasza. You Talyndria?” She said in a slightly squeaky voice.

“Mmhmm.” Talyn said, clutching Daggy tighter.

“What that?” She said pointing to the stuffed dragonhawk.

“My Daggy.” She said as Rhea looked confused.

“It is a toy, a stuffed animal called a dragon hawk.” Rana said, seeing the little one’s confusion. “They are found in Eversong Woods in Quel’thalas. But this one is just a stuffed toy.”

“Oh! They have dragon in Que..Quel tala?” she said not quite able to get her tongue around the name of the elven lands as Rana shook her head with a small smile.

“No they are…kind of like the body of a dragon but with feathered wings. They are quite pretty, but they are not real dragons.”

“I want see one. You see one Talyn?” Talyn nodded her head, seeming to relax a bit.

“They pretty, but not dragon.” She said as Rhea slowly crept closer, curious about the new whelp. A moment later Korial began to tell stories to the little ones, Rhea finally settling near Rana’s left side as Talyn sat on her lap to her right, both listening to the story with rapt attention. When it ended Tyran came around with snacks of fresh meat for all of the whelps.

“Snack time, and then you must all return to the nursery for nap time.” He said as the whelps grumbled in protest as they took their snacks. Finally he came to Talyn and handed her a portion for herself as she clutched it close and began eating it quickly. A few moments later she whimpered.

“What wrong Talyn? Why you eat so fa…” Rhea’s words were cut off as despite Rana’s attempt to get up and take her elsewhere, Talyn’s stomach revolted as her snack came back up, spraying Rhea. “Eww…” Rhea said, shaking herself to rid herself of the regurgitated meat. “You okay Talyn?” She said seeing fat tears in the whelps eyes, her body trembling.

“I…sorry Rhea.” she cried then looked at Rana. “We go home?” She said as Rana grabbed some of the leaves from the floor attempting to wipe her snout then knelt down to clean off Rhea.

“It's all right Little Gem.” Korial said appearing at their side and sweeping Rhea up in his arms. “You didn’t mean it and Rhea isn’t mad, are you Rhea?”

“No, it accident. You okay?

“Go home.” Taly said, beginning to cry, embarrassed.

“It okay , Taly. Go home, feel better. I come see you again.” Rhea said, looking at Korial. “I go see Talyn soon?”

“Yes little one, I will make sure of it.”

6 months later:

Trisaland:

Trisaland sat in the rocking chair singing softly to the tiny red haired child in her arms as she rocked. One hand came up to stroke the silky hair the color of fire as she smiled down at her.

“You are such a perfect little girl, so sweet and beautiful.” She whispered to the child then heard a small snort of laughter from the sofa.

“Come back around 3 am and say that when she’s howling to be fed.” Lysandria laughed.

“That’s my little banshee.” Tris teased leaning to kiss the child’s forehead.

“I swear you marked her as such when she was born, even A’dora didn’t have a cry like that at her age.”

“Well at least we know she won’t be shy at having her voice heard when she’s older then.” Tris laughed, rising and placing the baby in her bed then taking a seat on the sofa beside her sister. “You know, I think you have managed to get your figure back even faster than you did with A’dora. I swear if I didn’t know better I would never believe you’d had a baby.”

“Chasing after A’dora, taking care of her, trying to keep up with the house, it's no wonder. Ala’ra is a blessing though, she is always there to help.” Lys said then looked at Tris with a critical eye. “You, on the other hand, look as if you could fall over in a light breeze. Is Dawnstrider working you that hard?”

“Why does everyone keep telling me I’m too thin or look like I need sleep?”

“Because you do sister.” She said then shook her head sighing. “I realize it was hard for you when the little dragon went to live with Thoran’s friend, but you have to stop letting it eat at you.” She said as Tris began to protest and held up her hand. “Don’t tell me you aren’t sitting in Silvermoon either working yourself into exhaustion, I know you better than that. And what of Thoran? Have you even spoken to him?”

“No.” She said tightly. “I assume when he’s not on patrol he’s visiting Rana in the sanctum. Their eggs will be hatching soon and he had promised to keep an eye on Talyn, so I assume that’s why I haven’t seen him when I’ve come home.”

“Lor says that he’s as bad as you are. He only comes for a short time on his leave then he’s gone again. I’ve seen him looking at your house a few times looking like a lost pup. He’s come to see Draeon a few times as well and asks how you are doing.”

“Well he knows where my townhouse in the city is if he wants to see me.” She snapped. “But I’m sure he’s fine.”

“Well if you are not going to make nice with him, you should at least try to go on some dates while there. Anything but burying yourself in your work or sitting around the house moping.” She said as Tris groaned.

“For Light’s sake, sister, I have tried and let me tell you, Thalassian men are infuriating!” She said as Lys laughed.

“Oh do tell, I could use some good gossip.”

“I don’t know what it is with noblemen but they are utterly…demented! Either they are full of themselves spending the entire dinner extolling their own virtues, most of which I am sure are exaggerated or…oh this one fellow, on the first date he laid out an entire life plan for us. How we would court for an appropriate time, then announce our betrothal. Of course it would be a great advancement in my social standing to marry him. Oh and even better, the ones who are fascinated by my Arandali blood as rumor has it back in Arandal we all coupled with dragons and have dragon blood in us.” At this Lys laughed.

“Are you serious? They believe that shit? Do they not realize that is impossible?”

“I suppose not. Truth be told, I think they have some weird fantasy about us having sex with dragons without realizing while they likely imagine us doing so with them in their true form, they would be in a mortal visage.”

“Well I certainly hope so, though I’ve never seen a male dragon in…excitement…I imagine the damn thing would be bigger than our entire body.” She laughed.

“I have no idea and honestly do not want to know.” Tris laughed.

“So you and Thoran never…”

“No!” she laughed. “Not even in his mortal visage, ugh why does everyone think we are lovers?”

“Because you were inseparable until recently? Listen…I know I have always pretty much rejected the old ways of our people and not wanted to associate with dragons as you have. But Tris, you are obviously miserable without Thoran and he without you. As much as it pains me to say it…I think he could make you happy.”

“He has Rana, he’s given her children for centuries. He doesn’t need me.” She said softly.

“Well from what Lor tells me…it's more of a helping out a friend. He tells him there is nothing more between them, that you are the one he wants.”

“Well if that is so then he should have told me so…and he should have found a way for me to keep Talyn.”

9 Months Later:

“Talyn come on, you’ve barely eaten your dinner.” Thoran said as the welp stared at him defiantly.

“Don’t want.” Talyn said, crossing her forepaws, a small pouting of her lower lip.

“Then what do you want? I’ve brought you blood berries, fresh meat, even cookies and you still only eat a bite or two. You are going to make yourself ill if you don’t eat.”

“No want.” She continued pouting as Thoran sighed tiredly.

“Then what do you want?”

“Tissy! Want Tissy food! Tissy house! Want my Tissy!” She commanded as Thoran sighed once more then looked to Rana.

“She’s been like this for a couple weeks now. She refuses anything I offer her to eat, only eating when her hunger gets too much and even then she only eats enough to sate her stomach then pushes it away. She won’t go to story time with the other whelps and despite Rhea’s best efforts, even she can’t get her to get up and play. I’m at a loss.” Rana said, lowering her head. “I’ve never failed a whelp so badly.” She said sadly as Thoran moved over brushing her cheek with his own.

“It's not your fault Rana.” He said softly. “I knew they had bonded too tightly and that it would cause issues when they were separated.”

“I just don’t know what else to do, she is still having nightmares and wakes up crying for her Ati or Tris, she doesn’t want comfort from me. Sometimes she’ll accept it from Alexstrasza or Tyran but even they are at a loss.” She said then laughed softly. “I never thought I’d see the day a whelp preferred a mortal to a brood mother.”
“This is my fault, I should have tried to find a way…” He said softly.

“For all of you.” Rana said pointedly as Thoran looked away. “You can deny your feelings all you want, but we both know you love her.”

“Rana…” Thoran began as she smiled and rubbed her cheek to his.

“Stop, you can say it out loud around me. While I admit for a time I might have…considered things, I finally saw that what I was doing was trying to replace Borelstrasz.” She said softly then let out a sad laugh. “Not that you are lacking, hardly…but you know he was to me as Talanstrasza was to you. Or as Trisaland has become to you. Yes, she’s a mortal, but so was Tandralis and we both know how much Veyanstrasz loved her, how happy they were.”

“She wants things I can’t give her, Rana. She wants a family of her own.”

“Then find a way to give her what she wants.”

Chapter Text

“Aunt Tris, when will I be big enough to go to the Winter Ball?” A’dora said while wrapping some leftover garland about her.

“Not until you are grown up. Oooh!” She squealed as the wiggling Draeon kicked a foot in the basin where she was bathing her. “That wasn’t nice Little Flame.” She said laughing despite her words as the girl giggled. For a moment she remembered a small black hatchling who did the same with her wings as she was bathed, her heart contracting for a moment before she pushed the memory aside.

“But why?” A’dora groaned as only a five year old could with annoyance. “I want to get a pretty dress and fix up my hair and wear pretty jewelry like Minn’da.”

“Because the Winter Ball is for grown ups little one. Don’t worry, you will be old enough before you know it. It's really not all it's made out to be, just a bunch of really boring noble grown ups who are trying to dress up the fanciest and stand around all night bragging about nothing special that they have done.``

“But there is dancing and music and the King will be there and the Prince will be there and he’s not really grown up yet.”

“Well it's different for Kael’thas, he will someday be king so he has to learn how to act like a king. I’m sure he finds it really boring.” She said lifting the babe from her bath and wrapping her in a towel then walked to the bedroom with A’dora following.

“I want to be a princess when I grow up.” A’dora said matter of factly.

“Well then you will have to find a prince to marry because we aren’t royalty.” She laughed.

“I thought you were a princess of Ar…arndal.”

“Its Aran’dal love and no I am not a princess of Aran’dal, Aran’dal no longer exists. I am the Dracarai of the family, not a princess.”

“But wasn’t Gamma Tandra a princess? A kaldi princess and Ashra was queen?” She said curiously as Tris dressed the baby then walked back to the main room where they all climbed onto a large chaise before the fire as Trisaland covered them in a blanket.

“No love, Tandralis was the Dracarai and the Arandali weren’t Kaldorei or Highborne. Our family came from Aran’dal which was its own land separate from Kalimdor. It was part of the dragon’s lands created by the dragons for their faithful dragonsworn the stories say. Queen Azshara had no control over Aran’dal or the people there. The princes and princesses were Highborne that led the different lands of the Kaldorei people.”

“What the difference between Kaldri and Arndali?”

“Well other than we lived in different places, the Kaldorei were different in looks too. They were taller and a bit larger in body than us and their skin ranged from pale to dark purple. Their eyes were usually silver in color, though some were said to be amber. Those with amber eyes were believed to have a great destiny before them. They also lived in the night and slept by day and many worshiped the Moon Goddess Elune.

Our people, the Arandali were also taller like the Kaldorei though I don’t think quite as large, and their skin was like ours. They moved in the daylight like we do as well and amongst them lived dragons who wore visage to look like us.”

“Did they worship the moon too?”

“Some were dedicated to Elune and some were more in tune with the Wild Gods.”

“What are the Wild Gods?” She asked as Trisaland smiled loving her curiosity.

“Well let me think, I don’t know of all of them but I do remember there was Malorne who was a great white stag, and his son Cenarius who is also the son of Elune and was fostered by Lady Ysera of the Dream. Then there is Avianna, the mother of Harpies and Mistress of the Mother Tree G’hanir. It's said when flying creatures come to the end of their lives that they are taken to the great tree, even the dragons. And there is Goldrinn, the Wolf God, Ursol and Ursoc are twin bears and others I cannot remember right now. They were all nature gods.” She said as the girl began to yawn, the baby already sound asleep snuggled to Tris.

“What was Gamma Tanda like?” She asked sleepily.

“Well, I never got to meet her, for she died when your grandmother was barely a grown woman, but I am told she was very beautiful. Thoran says she was tall like most Arandali women, taller than me and that her hair was the color of moonlight and her eyes were amber. She loved her people and her land and even when Aran’dal was lost and they had to live amongst the Kaldorei after the Sundering, she sought to keep the traditions alive. When they founded Quel’thalas she, Thoran and Noxarian built their homes here and invited other Arandali who wished to build here too and Sunwalker Village was born.” She said then smiled seeing the girl’s eyes had closed and she had drifted to sleep.

Once both girls were sleeping soundly she carefully rose from the chaise carrying first Draeon then A’dora to her bed, covering them with the blankets then quietly changed into her own gown before returning to the kitchen to clean up before bed. As she washed the dishes from their meal she heard a knock at the door, cursing under her breath. Who would be knocking? It was far too soon for Lys and Lor’ath to return. Wiping her hands on a towel she hurried to the main room and opened the door, her breath catching.

“Thoran…”

Chapter Text

For a moment Trisaland could not find words, could not breathe, only stare at the man before her. He’d lost weight, his features a bit more angular. His eyes didn’t have the usual glint of mischief she’d come to know so well, instead they seemed shadowed and sad.

“Umm hi…” She said softly as he looked to his feet nervously.

“I um…I’m sorry to bother you but it looked like no one was home at Lys and Lor’s and I just um, well I just wanted to leave the gifts for everyone.” He said with a small sad smile as his eyes moved over her. She looked so beautiful standing before him in her linen gown, hair loose and mussed though she looked tired and thinner.

“Oh…yes…of course.” She said, her emotions at war within her heart. While she was still hurting and wanted to tell him to leave her heart ached at seeing him. “Umm, bring them in, you can put them under the tree. Just be as quiet as possible, I just got the girls to sleep.” She said, stepping aside and allowing him to enter.

“The girls?” He said walking over to the tree and putting the packages beneath.

“A’dora and Draeon are spending the night so Lys and Lor could attend the Winter Ball in the city.” She said by explanation, forgetting for a moment he likely did not know much of things happening.

“Oh, why didn’t you go?” He said standing, looking for any reason to keep talking to her. In answer she rolled her eyes as she picked up a glass of wine and took a sip then sat down on the chaise.

“You know I hate attending those to begin with and this year…” She said then laughed softly. “If I had to deal with mingling with those idiot noblemen I might have ended up in the stocks for murder.”

“Oh come on, it can’t be that bad.” He said with a small laugh, his eyes still searching every line of her beautiful face, his heart breaking a bit more with every shadow and sadness he found there.

“You have no idea…between Anasterian and Dawnbreaker they’ve been determined to play matchmaker and I’ve had all I can take of those pompous males. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m better off alone.”

“No, you aren’t.” He said softly. “You just need the right man to treat you like the queen you are.” At this she only gave him what he commonly referred to as her death glare.

“Yes well, when you find him let me know because I am done with the hunt personally.” She said finishing her wine then rising to pour another glass with shaking hands, something that didn’t escape Thoran’s notice. He hadn’t expected her to welcome him back with open arms, however the tightness of her words, the tension in her body and tremor in her hands told him she was not ready to forgive him…not yet. Moving to her side he kept a small distance between them, his head lowered as he decided to rip the bandage off and let the wounds bleed, if only so maybe they would begin to heal.

“Say it.” He said softly.

“Say what?” She paused while filling her glass.

“Say how much you hate me, what an asshole I was, how I fucked up everything.” He said looking at her with eyes full of pain as her heart twisted for a moment before her anger returned.

“Okay, you’re an asshole.” She said simply, setting down the glass before continuing. “For years you’ve claimed to be my friend, yet you never shared something so important about your life with me. You didn’t tell me you had children, never told me you and Rana had this…thing. You never introduced me to your children even!” She said through clenched teeth. “And when Nox and Talyn arrived, you were so jealous that you wouldn’t see past your own ego to try to find a way to help them both other than send him away and send her to your girlfriend! You didn’t trust me to do the right thing, you just decided what you thought was the right way and fuck everyone else and that is not friendship!” She hissed, wanting to bite back the harsh words but unable to stop them. For a moment he looked as if she’d punched him then his head dropped his words so quiet she almost couldn’t hear them.

“You are right…about Talyn and Nox anyway. I was selfish and should have done more, but leaving was his idea. He knew she wouldn’t be safe with him, I failed when I didn’t give more thought to how to handle things with her. But I saw you look at Nox as you haven’t looked at any man for as long as I can remember and all I could think is, I gotta protect her from him.” He said raising a hand seeing the argument in her eyes. “I know…you are a big girl, you can handle yourself but…”

“But I never said I wanted to screw him or get involved with him or anything else. I wanted to be a friend, to listen to his side and make up my own mind if he was truly a father worried for his child or the monster you seemed to think he was. Which was more than you were willing to do. You pretended to believe but I saw how you watched him.”

“Yes I did because my first priority was to protect you. I couldn’t be sure he would remain in control, Tris, I had to watch out for you and Lys and the girls! That is what I do, what I swore to do long ago.”

“Maybe I don’t want your protection!”

“Obviously you don’t need it!” He said throwing up his hands in frustration. “I mean, you killed a full grown dragon on your own. Which by the way, I am damn proud of you for though it was foolish as hell. But I can’t help it, Tris.”

“Because it's your duty?”

“No! Because I love you!” He said then looked away cursing himself. “I…I shouldn’t have said that…” He groaned low as he heard a gasp and a small sob as she shook her head turning away, unable to look him in the eyes, her arms wrapping around herself as if trying to hold her emotions at bay.

“No, you shouldn’t have, because it's not true. If you loved me you would’ve told me everything long ago.” She said softly. “You would have found a way with Talyn…” She said turning back to him, tears flowing down her cheeks. “...and you wouldn’t have let me saying stay away make you do so. You would have come back by now, or come to me in Silvermoon to say, stop being an idiot and we will find a way to make this right!”

“You have no idea how hard staying away was for me. Every time I came home I looked for lights here but when I did and started over here I made myself stop because I wanted to respect your wishes. As to Talyn…yeah I should have done things differently, I should have listened to others who tried to find other options, but I thought I was doing the right thing for both of you.”

“And how is that working out?” She asked with all the sarcastic venom she could muster.

“Obviously badly given you look like you haven’t eaten or slept in weeks and Talyn is almost as bad.” He said as she looked up with tears in her eyes.

“What do you mean? What’s wrong with her? Is she sick?” She said suddenly, her own feelings were forgotten upon hearing Talyn wasn’t doing well.

“No…no. I’m sorry that was a bad way of wording things. She’s just…not happy to put it simple.” He said. “She isn’t eating well, she’s temperamental, she wants to see you.”

“This is all my fault.” She said as a tear rolled down her cheek. “You warned me not to let her bond with me or me with her, now we’re both a mess.”

“To be fair, by the time I could warn you it was really too late. The moment you took her from Nox and told us you didn’t care if we killed one another but you were taking care of her, it was too late.” He said with a sad half smile. “From that moment, whether I liked it or not, fate seemed to choose the path things would take.” He said softly. “I was just too stubborn and stupid to try to see all the options.”

“All I wanted was for her to know what it felt like to be loved, cherished, to be protected. Her mother was a horrible dragon and deserved whatever she got in return. I just wanted her to know not everyone was cruel.” Tris said, her voice filled with sadness and guilt feeling the whelps unhappiness lay in her hands.

“And if you hadn’t done exactly what you did, I would have worried. You are…so good, Tris. Your heart is so good, you are like my mother, you have so much love to give and you don’t see dragon or mortal, black, green, bronze or any other color scale. You love unconditionally and that is what I love most about you.”

“I love that little whelp, I don’t care if she has scales or skin, I just love her. From the moment she looked at me with those big golden eyes, I was lost to her.”

“I know, she got me too.” He said softly. “I have been such a selfish asshole to her, to you, to Rana’s children.”

“They are your children too.”

“Not really, I just did my duty as Nox put it. Rana only needed that from me, I couldn’t give her what she really wanted.”

“And what was that?”

“Her mate, my brother Borel.” He said then laughed sadly. “You think there is some big secret romance but there isn’t. We are close friends, yes. I love her as a friend, nothing more. I just happen to look a lot like the one she really wants. We provide one another with a means to an end. She wants children, I need to…well to put it crudely I’m sure…need to give in to my instincts every so often. I never wanted another mate after Talanstrasza was killed, I never wanted to open my heart to anyone like that again. I didn’t want children because it reminded me of what I lost. So she got what she wanted, which was her clutches to love and raise and I…well I got my instincts to shut up for a while.”

“I still don’t understand, you were always so good with Lys and I and you are so good with A’dora and Talyn. How can you say you don’t want children?”

“I adored your mother, she was a light in the darkness for all of us as were you and Lys. But none of you are my children, I get to be the cool uncle, the good friend, all that shit but I’m not the dad. And the thing was…if I found a way that you could care for Talyn, that would change.”

“I never asked you to be her Ati.”

“No, but she would have been yours and that would have made me want to be a part of things. You know how you said you saw Lys and Lor and the girls that night and something inside you said…I want this? Well that is what happened to me that night when you sat there patiently feeding Talyn a bite at a time so that she wouldn’t make herself sick again. I saw you with that whelp on your lap, that adoring look in your eyes and I thought…I want this with you and then I thought…and that scares the hell out of me.”

“You…want that…with me?” She said as her face showed with disbelief.

“Yes, and that scares the hell out of me.” He said softly. “Everything I’ve held strong to all these centuries, gone the moment I saw you holding that whelp and knowing that I wanted it with you.”

“You took her from me!” She said through gritted teeth as tears poured down her cheeks.

“I screwed up because I was selfish and all I did was cause you and Talyn both so much unnecessary pain and I hate myself for it.” He said reaching out carefully ready to pull away if she resisted then took her hand. “But I will make it right somehow.” He said pulling her closer. “I don’t know how, but I will make it right.” He said softly as suddenly tears poured forth, a choking sob as she moved into his arms, her face buried in his shoulder.

“I just want to see her…I want to know she is growing and healthy and happy. But that is selfish of me because I’m afraid it will only cause her more pain and I can’t do that to her.” She cried as he stroked her hair softly.

“I know little one, and she wants to see you.” He said leaning to place a soft kiss to the top of her head. “And I promise you, I am going to find a way to make this work out if you will give me the chance. I want you to be happy, for Talyn to be happy, for all of us to be happy again. This right here…” He stroked her hair with one hand while his arm tightened around her pulling her closer to him as she let her head lay on his shoulder, her tears slowing yet not quite gone. “This is what I am willing to fight for…”

Chapter Text

Thoran woke slowly, blinking his eyes as the sun shone through the sheer curtains, a warm weight against his side. Was he dreaming? Turning his head he saw her face framed by fair hair against his shoulder as memory woke. Their emotional conversations, ending with her crying in great gasping sobs as she released all the pain of the past months, crying until her tears were spent and her body fell exhausted and sleep took her at last. From the looks of her the first true, restful sleep she’d had in some time. Leaning down he gently kissed her forehead, careful not to wake her. Suddenly he felt a poke at his shoulder, a small girlish voice.

“Uncle Tor, wake up!” Turning his head he saw the small dark haired girl standing in her gown holding the small red headed girl. Where did they…? He thought to himself then remembered Tris saying she was watching them last night.

“A’dora, hi.”

“What you doing here? Aunt Tris needs to wake up, Drae stinks.” She said wrinkling her tiny nose as the scent wafted to him.

“Oh, Oh! Right…umm don’t wake Auntie Tris love, she needs to sleep.” He said carefully extracting himself from Trisaland and standing then took the small babe from the girl. “Oh damn Little Flame, what did your aunt feed you?” He said as the child giggled. “Where are her diapers?”

“In Aunt Tris’ room.”

“Come on, let's get her cleaned up.” He said carrying the littlest girl as A’dora followed. Once in the room he looked to A’dora who had laid out a fresh diaper and had a bowl and rag ready. “Umm…” He said laying the child down. “I uh, I’ve never done this before so maybe you can help?”

“You got to take the stinky one off and clean her up.” A’dora said matter of factly.

“All right…here goes…oh by the five why can’t you just be like whelps?” He mumbled as he unfastened the diaper. “Oh…by the light child, how can such a little thing smell so terrible?” He said as he did his best to follow A’dora’s guidance, finally managing to get her changed. “All right, now what?’

“Breakfast, I’m hungry.” A’dora said matter of factly.

“Breakfast it is, come on kiddo, that I do know how to do.” He said, swinging Drae up in his arms and leading A’dora to the kitchen. “You may not know this, but I make some killer bloodberry pancakes, sound good?

“Yeah!” She said as Thoran looked at Draeon’s high chair curiously. “Umm, do you know how this contraption works?”

“It's easy.” A’dora said, rolling her eyes. “Just sit her in it and hook that around her and that one between her legs then slide this on.” She said showing him. “Dragons are so silly.” The girl said, rolling her eyes dramatically and sighing as Thoran couldn’t help but think how much like Tris the action was.

“Well excuse me little one, our whelps don’t sit in chairs to eat.” He said teasingly and sticking his tongue out at her.

“Aunt Tris will threaten to cut that off if she sees you do that.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time.” He laughed, thinking, nor the only body part she’d threatened to cut off, as he gathered what he needed then paused. “Umm can Drae eat pancakes?”

“Nope but Aunt Tris made her some stuff she can eat, it's in those small jars.” She said as he looked through them.

“Hm lets see, mashed blood berries, lunar pears, and sunfruit, sounds like a good breakfast.” He said setting them aside as he mixed the pancake batter then began spooning it onto a griddle. Before long he’d managed to put together a meal and set a plate before A’dora. “There you go and now for you little one.” He said opening a few jars and spooning the fruit onto a plate then sat it before her as A’dora giggled. “What?” He said as Draeon grabbed a handful of fruit and sloppily put it in her mouth with a giggle. “No, no, use the spoon baby girl.” He said as A’dora’s giggles became laughter.

“You have to feed her, she doesn’t know how.”

“Ah! Of course…” He said, feeling a bit overwhelmed. Why had he never paid more attention when the girls were young? “But to be fair, I’ve never had babies to feed so I didn’t know that.” He said taking the plate from her then grabbed a towel to clean her up, then sat down taking the spoon and getting a bite. “Okay Little Flame, open that adorable little snout for me, here comes the spoon.” He said as she took a mouthful of fruit then proceeded to blow a raspberry covering him in it. “Oh you little monster.” He laughed, wiping his face as A’dora giggled as he remembered another little one blowing raspberries. “I deserved that one I guess.” He said as he heard raised voices in the main room, heading towards the kitchen.
“Oh what now?”

*****

“I really hope Tris didn’t let A’dora stay up too late and eat too many snacks, she’ll be a nightmare if she did.” Lys said as they walked up to the front door.

She had truly enjoyed the night of freedom from motherhood, to have the chance to dress up and style her hair. Many an eye had turned when they had arrived, Lys a vision in a silky green sheath of a dress with her flame colored hair piled elegantly on top of her head, and jewels handed down through their family adorning her. Lor’ath had practically swelled with pride at the looks his wife had drawn from others at the ball. They had drank and danced and socialized in the way that Lys loved, but now they had returned home and it was time to return to their life and she’d missed her daughters despite it all.

“Oh come on, Lys, give your sister a bit of credit.” Lor’ath laughed softly, pulling her into his arms and kissing her cheek. “It was great to have a night all to ourselves, though I was beginning to fear I was going to have to fight off many of those noblemen last night. And you know Tris takes great care of the girls when we need her.” He said as she smiled then sighed, waving a dismissive hand returning to ‘Mommy Mode’ as Tris called it.

“But she’s not a mother, she just takes the girls once in a while to be the fun one. She doesn’t have to deal with all the fallout from it.” She said, opening the door to see Tris sleeping soundly on the chaise. “What the..Tris! Where are the girls? Why are you still asleep?” Lys shrieked as Tris slowly opened her eyes, moaning and rubbing her head.

“By the Light woman, I see where Drae gets her banshee screeching from.” She said sitting up then coming awake suddenly. “The girls!” She said untangling herself from the blankets as she heard A’dora’s giggle from the kitchen.

“A’dora!” Lys said as they all moved quickly to the kitchen to find Thoran feeding Drae and A’dora chattering aimlessly. “Thoran? What are you doing here?”

“I uh…stopped by last night to drop some stuff off and Tris and I were talking and she fell asleep.” He said with a shrug. “Then A’dora woke me up saying Drae stank and boy did she stink! But we got her taken care of and I made breakfast while trying to let Tris get some much needed sleep.” He shrugged and began to attempt to get more food into Draeon’s mouth than in his face.

“Oh…well…it looks like you have things under control.” Tris said slowly. “Did you make enough for everybody? Cause I’m suddenly starving…” She said as the previous night’s emotional discussion returned to her mind leaving her feeling awkward and unsure what to say to him.

“Well of course.” Thoran said with a grin. “If you want to take over feeding the raspberry monster here, I will fix more for everyone else.” He said rising and handing the spoon to Tris who immediately moved to the chair he vacated with a smile.

“Good morning Little Flame, did you give Thoran a good lesson in ducking and diving food?” She laughed seeing the remnants of food on the baby's hands and chair as well as a bit in his hair.

“Oh that she did!” Thoran laughed though he sensed Tris’ conflicting emotions and wondered what would happen once the buffer of her family being with them was gone. Her words continued to haunt him, digging furrows into his soul. He wanted to fix things not just for Trisaland but for Talyn as well. His selfishness had caused so much pain to both of them, but perhaps…just maybe there was a way to fix things in the end.

Chapter Text

Winterveil Morning

Thoran slipped into the room quietly, carefully balancing the tray of food; pausing for a moment to take in the sight of Trisaland sleeping peacefully, her fair hair spread over the pillow, her lovely face looking relaxed with less of the shadows that had been around her eyes. It had been two days since they’d talked yet he knew there was so much more to say. The first night she had cried herself to sleep, overtaken by all of her emotions allowing him to lie at her side on the chaise holding her.

The morning after had been a bit awkward when they’d awoken in one another arms, in her sleep she’d wrapped her arm and a leg around him snuggling close as they hadn’t in so long, but with the morning light she’d pulled away seeming uncomfortable just yet with the closeness.

She’d managed to avoid further discussions or awkward moments busying herself with preparations for the festival held in the village each year and then attending the festival itself, not only leading the events but taking time to greet the villagers making sure all were welcomed and acknowledged. The memory brought a smile to his face, it was something he admired about her, the way she carried on the traditions that reached back to the ancestral lands of Aran’dal. He’d returned to his own home the night before but had slipped in this morning to surprise her with the first of her gifts.

Moving to the side of the bed he carefully sat the tray on the nightstand then reached out gently touching her shoulder.

“Good morning beautiful, time to rise and shine.” He said softly, stroking her arm as she stirred then opened her eyes, blinking the sleep away. “Happy Winterveil morning.”

“Hey…I thought you went home last night.” She said still a bit drowsy.

“I did, but I snuck in this morning so I could treat you to breakfast in bed and give you a gift before all the madness of preparing for the family dinner begins. I hope that’s alright with you.” He said as she smiled, sitting up in the bed then looked at him a bit askance.

“Wait…you can cook?” She said looking a bit worried as he laughed.

“Well what do you think I do when you’re not around? Take my true form and hunt animals and eat them raw?” He grinned.

“Well…I mean…you are a dragon but…” She said with an impish grin and teasing tone as he feigned offense crossing his arms and huffing.

“I’m a domesticated dragon, thank you. Centuries of living mostly as a mortal with wonderful women who feed me has made me quite tame.” He said taking the tray and setting it over her lap.

“You mean all the years Tandralis fed you, Minn’da fed you and I’ve fed you?” She laughed looking down at the tray raising a brow in appreciation at the food he’d prepared.

“What can I say? I’m nothing if not loyal to the family.” He laughed then crawled onto the bed moving to her side. “And don’t think that is all for you, I made breakfast for both of us. But first!” He said dramatically pulling a small wrapped box from a pocket. “Open your gift please before I explode with anxiety over your reaction to it.”

“Okay…that makes me a bit nervous to open it.” She said with a small laugh.

“All I will say is, this is something I’ve considered giving you for quite some time. I just needed the right push to do so. Now open it.” He said smiling nervously as she took the box and tore the paper away with shaking hands. What could have made him so nervous? As she opened the box at last she felt her breath catch as she saw the heart shaped stone that looked like ruby but she suspected was so much more. Lifting it from the box she saw it was suspended from a delicate silver chain.

“Oh Thoran…it's beautiful. Wait…wasn’t this my grandmother’s? I would swear I saw it in one of the paintings of her.”

“Actually, she had one like it, given to her by my brother Veyan when they became mates. But this one is just for you, made from one of my scales.” He said as his words sunk in and the meaning behind it came clear to her.

“Thoran this is…I…I’m speechless.” She said looking at him with a mist of tears in her eyes as she reached out hugging him tightly. They remained that way for a long moment before she pulled back. “I love it.”

“Good, because I was so nervous about what you would think of it. I mean, I’ve never officially taken a dragonsworn, which is traditionally why a dragon gives something like this. But you mean the world to me Tris and I want to give you something to show how much I care.”

“I know how rare it is to receive such a gift and I’m so honored you would give this to me.” She said, pulling the chain over her head, smiling down at the stone as it rested against her skin.

“I know things have been…strained between us of late and a lot of that is my fault.”

“No, I was the one who…” She began only for him to hold up a hand.

“Please, let me say this because I fear if I don’t get it out, I will lose my nerve.” He said softly, taking her hands in his own. After taking a deep breath and letting it out he began.

“I have…survived…since the War of the Ancients, for so long that has been it. When Neltharion turned on the flights and then Talanstrasza was killed by his flight members, I felt like a large part of me died with her. Then I also lost two of my closest clutch mates and so many friends, it was…just impossible to describe how far it pulled me down. If I am honest…I wanted to die with them.” He paused and took a deep breath to steady himself.

“And there is so much more, so many reasons I’ve kept my secrets close to my heart. So much I realize I never shared even with Tandy or Kaly. Things I want to share with you, to hopefully help you understand why I never told you about Rana or talked much about my past.” He said softly as she took one of his hands, holding it in her own.

“I want to know these things, but only if you feel you are ready to share them.” She said softly as he smiled, leaning to press his forehead to her own, thinking on his words. After a moment he nodded, sitting back and taking his glass of juice and sipping it, wishing it were something stronger for this conversation.

“Okay…so, I guess the best place to begin is back before the war destroyed my world.” He said softly. “As you know, Korial’s sister, Talanstrasza was my mate, my world honestly. We’d known one another since we were whelps, she and Korial along with me and my clutch mates Veyanstrasz and Borelstrasz and eventually Ranastrasza joined our little group. At some point Talan became more than my best friend’s little sister and I fell head over tail for her.

But we were so young when we became a mated pair, older drakes but still that was too young to hope to start a brood of our own. But we didn’t care, we tried and tried. But it took several years before she began to actually lay clutches, and time after time they were all unviable. I really began to worry that it was me, I mean she had the eggs but none of them were viable eggs, so in my mind, the reasonable explanation was that I was unable to fertilize them.” He said with a small, sad laugh. “I mean think about being a red dragon, the son of the Lifebinder no less, unable to fertilize a clutch.” He said, shaking his head as Trisaland squeezed his hand but remained silent, her heart breaking for him. After a moment he continued.

“It took, oh I don’t know, maybe eight or ten clutches, over so many years before we finally had a clutch with a few viable eggs. Every day we prayed they would grow and hatch. The first one with viable eggs, only one hatched, a little boy. But he was malformed and only lived a few hours. We were devastated but Ami came to us just as sad, but explained it was the same for her. Even after centuries there were still some that didn’t hatch or only lived a short time. There were three more clutches over the next century where we lost the hatchlings shortly after hatching and each one took another piece of our souls when they passed.”

“I can’t even imagine the pain that must have brought both of you, Thoran.” Trisaland said in a hoarse whisper as tears fell down her cheeks as he wiped at his own eyes.

“We tried so many times, but…I see now it was never meant to be. The thing that makes me the angriest is, she waited to tell me as we flew to assist the Kaldorei that she was carrying another clutch.” He said angrily. “I begged her to turn back and wait at the sanctum but she refused saying she would be fine to fight, that it was our duty to defend our world from the Legion. Then Neltharion turned on us…and I was forced to watch helplessly as my brothers, Malygos’ flight, and many others were cruelly slaughtered. The moment his spell that held us frozen lifted I screamed to her to flee, to return to the sanctum while I flew to try to help the others and she did. Little did I know, he had left others hidden, to stop any who tried to escape. I sent her away and they chased her down and slaughtered her!” He said angrily, his fist coming down on the bed.

“Thoran, you were trying to get her to safety, to protect her. It's not your fault. It's Deathwing’s and the hellions he left on guard. You were trying to do the right thing.” Trisaland said softly.

“I know this in my head, Titans know Tandy told me the same, Korial tells me that, everyone told me, but it's hard to convince my heart of it.” He sighed. “But this is why I’ve never been able to move on so to speak. Why I never wanted to be a sire. It was different with Kalypsa and you and Lys and even A’dora and Drae. With all of you, I just got to be the cool uncle, you all had your sires and that was safe so to speak, for me.”

“Yet you and Rana…” She began then bit her lip, still not sure how she felt about the female dragon she didn’t really know.

“Rana and I…” He began then sighed. “First and foremost, you should know it was never a love thing. She is not my mate, nor did she want to be truly. She felt for Borelstrasz the way I did for Talan. He was her world, her soulmate and his death was very hard for her. The only thing that kept her going after his death was realizing that she was carrying their first clutch. Having them to love and care for got her first couple of centuries after his death. I avoided returning to my flight to avoid that pain. To this day I still feel like it's a gut punch going there and realizing Talan isn’t there waiting for me, though it gets easier a little bit each time.

After her first clutch was grown though, she felt that emptiness return and so she sought out a male to mate with so she could have another clutch, and then another and another, but it wasn’t a good situation as she took none of the sire’s to mate and they would find their own mates and move on. When I would visit to check in on her, we would talk about our losses and our ways of dealing with it and that created a bond between us, which led to her asking me if I would consider siring clutches with her. I didn’t want to at first, the thought of mating with another female was just too much for my heart. I felt I would be betraying Talan by doing so and I was determined I would never be a sire. But I cared about my friend and saw how much she wanted this and when she told me I wouldn’t have to be a part of the lives of the hatchlings I thought, why not try just once. One thing I couldn’t really fight was my instincts, which cried out to do what any male dragon should and that is to mate, to help build our flight. So I agreed to give her one clutch and see how it went. And that led to another and another. I never told anyone, not even Tandralis or Noxarian about it. Only my flight knew and they wouldn’t tell others.”

“But why keep it a secret? Surely you weren’t ashamed of what you were doing.” Trisaland said curiously, trying to understand.

“I wasn’t ashamed, never ashamed of what happened. Though perhaps I did feel a little guilty for not wanting to be a part of the hatchling’s lives. I mean, there have been a few I have gotten close with, those who wanted to learn more about mortals. A few have become Rangers in Quel’thalas, a couple have apprenticed in Dalaran…” He said as Tris’ eyes grew wide.

“Thoranstrasz! You mean to tell me you have children in Quel’thalas and never told me!” She said grabbing a pillow and swatting him with it. “You jackass! I may have met them and never knew!” She laughed as he smiled.

“You may have, and now that I’ve spilled that I suppose I will need to introduce you to them.”

“You had better damn you! It's one thing to keep Rana a secret, but children who are actually in Quel’thalas? Oh you bet you will introduce us, you scaly assed lizard!” She said feigning anger then laughing, shaking her head until Thoran’s smile fell and sighed deeply.

“But the thing I need you to understand most is, I chose to not be a part of my children’s lives partly because that was my deal with Rana and partly to protect myself. The thought of mating only to have barren clutches or to have the hatchlings die so soon after hatching was so hard for me. I never wanted it, had set my mind against it. And then Nox showed up with Talyndria and…you just fell head over heels for her and as I watched you with her…Tris I have loved you for so long but was too scared to admit it. I swore to myself I would never let myself love someone like I loved Talan, would never allow myself to take a chance again and somehow you blew that oath straight to hell for me.

I don’t know when it happened, it's like one day I realized I didn’t want to be just the best friend, just the fun uncle anymore. I wanted you, but convinced myself it would never be because like me, you never wanted anything like that. And then that first night after Nox arrived with Talyn and you sat there patiently feeding her bites so she wouldn’t gorge herself into sickness again. To see you sitting there rocking her to sleep singing her lullabies, the way you fought for her, and suddenly I wanted what I knew you wanted. I wanted you to have her, I wanted her too. Hell I even considered saying okay, lets move to my sanctum and raise this beautiful girl together! And then my mind would say, are you crazy? You don’t want this! You swore you would never do this and who's to say she wants this with you?”

“Thoran…I…I never knew. I thought you didn’t want me to take her because you thought I wasn’t good enough to care for her. Or that you thought I wanted Nox. Which by the way, I admit there might have been a small bit of attraction, I mean…even Lys said he was good looking and you know how my sister is. I never imagined that you had feelings for me, even when others thought we were a couple. I would laugh it off thinking, he’d never want me, I’m just his mortal friend.”

“Tris, I do love you, so much. I mean it might be tough, but as Korial pointed out, Tandy and Vayen made it work so maybe we could too. I mean, there is still the problem with you wanting children, which we could make happen. We just find a male who is willing to do for you what I’ve done for Rana for so many years.”

“You would do that? Allow me to take another man to my bed just to have children?”

“If that is what is needed to get you a child of your own, I will do it. I might not like it much…but I would do it for you.”

“But what about Rana? I’m not sure how I feel about that still.”

“I want you to meet her…well at least meet her when you’re conscious.” He said with a small laugh. “She met you right after your fight with Daria, but she was healing you at the time. I think if the two of you met and you got to know her you would get along well. Either way, this clutch about to hatch will be our last, we’ve already discussed it. And…I think it would be good for Talyn as well.”

“I want to see her so much.” Tris said as her eyes misted with tears. “I realize that life in Quel’thalas might not be right for her, but I want to be part of her life even if I’m just Auntie Tris.” She said as he smiled, thinking of the surprise he had arranged.

“So…what do you think? Can we give this a try? I’m not saying we have to become lovers, but I really don’t want to live separate lives like we have the last months. I’ve missed you so much Tris, I need you in my life for more than just my favorite cook. I miss just times like this where we just have these moments all our own. I need you in my life.” He said as she smiled.

“I think…the past months have been the most horrible times of my life other than my darling little niece’s birth. I have missed you so much, so many times I’ve wanted to just cry to you when I was alone and feeling so down. After so many disastrous dates, I wanted to share how horrible they were over wine and just enjoy laughing with you about it. I’ve missed our dinners and you telling me all those stories to make me believe you were in love with my grandmother…I’ve missed us so much.”

“So have I little one, so have I.” He said, reaching out with one arm and pulling her close as she lay her head on his shoulder.

“Then let's make a deal, from this moment on, we try to rebuild things and see where it takes us. I’ll meet Rana and see how that goes as well. Just promise me one thing?”

“Anything for you.” Thoran said, his heart soaring at the thought of having a chance to see where things led.

“Don’t ever, and I mean ever, let me allow Ky’riel to set me up on a date with one of those pompous noble fucks.”

“Oh hell no. The only pompous ass you will be allowed to date is me.”

“Deal!”

Chapter Text

Winterveil Evening

As day moved ever closer to night, Trisaland and Thoran stood in the kitchen as he helped her wash the last of the dishes from the earlier dinner with the family. After their talk, Lysandria and Lor’ash had arrived with the girls. Gifts had been exchanged, laughter filling the house as Thoran had watched Tris throughout the day noting how much happier and lighter she seemed. The dark circles were slowly fading though she was still far too skinny for his comfort. As she placed the last of the dishes in the cupboard she sighed.

“I swear I feel like I’m going to explode from all of the food today.” She groaned as he smiled.

“You needed it, you’ve lost way too much weight in the last months. I swear earlier when we were laying together at breakfast your hip was as sharp as a blade.

“Oh haha smart ass. I admit I’ve skipped some meals but it's not near as bad as you and Lys make it sound.” She laughed as he moved behind her, slipping his arms around her waist.

“Yeah well, just remember what Nox said, we male dragons like females with a great set of hips….owww!” He laughed as she elbowed him in the ribs.

“Well I’m afraid I don’t have cute horns either, so…”

“No but you are beautiful, and loving and those eyes…” He said pulling her closer to the door that separated the kitchen and dining room.

“If I didn’t know better, I would swear you are up to some mischief Sir Dragon.”

“Who me?” He said innocently then grinned. “Perfect.” He said then looked up. “Right where I wanted you.” He said as Tris looked up seeing the mistletoe.

“And just what do you think you are doing?” She laughed.

“Well…I figure if we’re going to see where things are going, we need to get that first kiss out of the way.” He teased then frowned. “Unless…am I pushing too far too soon?” He said suddenly, nervous.

“I think you might be right.” She said with a smile.

“Good because I’ve wanted to do this for a very long time.” He said leaning to press his lips to hers as she leaned into him, breathing in the scent of him as the kiss started slowly then grew until a knock at the door pulled them apart. “Damn it…” He groaned then moved to the door and opened it then turned back. “Tris, turn back to the kitchen for a moment please.”

“What?”

“Your other gift is here…turn around, I want it to be a surprise.”

“All right.” She said with a laugh, turning her back to the room as Thoran held a finger to his lips to keep the newcomers silent as they stepped inside.

“Okay, you can turn around now.” He said as she turned looking puzzled for a moment as she saw the lovely red haired woman holding a small dark haired elven child.

“TISSY!!!” The child cried out, her breath catching as she recognized the small voice.

“Talyn? Oh Talyn!” She cried, dropping to her knees as the girl was let down from the woman’s arms and began to run to Tris, throwing her arms around her neck as Tris hugged her tightly. “Oh my Little Gem!” She cried then leaned back. “Let me look at you!”

“Talyn elf now!” Talyn said proudly. “Just like you Tissy!”

“Oh and such a beautiful little elf you make!” She said as she took in the child’s visage. Her dark hair hung just past her shoulders, her skin just a bit darker in color than Tris’ and her large golden eyes shined with happiness. “Oh you are so beautiful.”

“I miss you Tissy.”

“I miss you too, my girl.” She said then looked up to the woman. “Forgive my manners, you must be Ranastrasza.”

“Yes, it's good to finally get to meet you without you being out cold from an injury.” She said with a small laugh.

“Oh definitely.” She smiled. “Thank you so much for bringing her. You just don’t know how much this means to me.” She said looking at the woman with misty eyes as Talyn leaned her head against her shoulder.

“Tissy?” Talyn said softly. “We eat?” She said as Tris laughed softly along with Rana and Thoran.

“Hmm, I’ve been told you haven’t wanted to eat lately?” She teased.

“Not Tissy food, Talyn want Tissy food!” She said excitedly as Tris laughed, lifting her in her arms and started for the kitchen. “Well, I guess we’ll have to see if Thoran left anything after dinner earlier. You know he eats everything that doesn’t eat him first.”

“Hey! I’m not that bad.” Thoran said with mock offense.

“Yes you are.” Rana laughed as they followed Tris who sat Talyn in a chair while she pulled out the leftovers from dinner and began to place things on a plate for Talyn then looked over her shoulder.
“Rana, feel free to grab something for yourself, there is plenty here.”

“Oh thank you, it looks wonderful.” She said rising to make herself a plate followed by Thoran who helped himself to another piece of pie as Tris sat down, placing Talyn on her lap.

“Remember little one, eat slowly and chew well so you don’t get sick.” She said as Talyn lowered her head looking sad. “What’s wrong love?”

“Talyn go to story time, Gampa Ran give me snack. I eat too fast, got sick all over Rana and Rhea.” She sighed.

“Aww baby, I’m sure they know you didn’t mean to do that.”

“That’s right, I wasn’t angry nor was Rhea. Accidents happen.” She said with a smile as Talyn began to eat slowly.

“Who is Rhea?” Tris asked curiously.

“She Kori and Gamma Alex whelp, she nice. She Talyn friend.” Talyn said excitedly. “She come see Talyn and we race flying.”

“Oh that sounds like fun, Thoran told me you were flying now.”

“Rhea win most, but Talyn beat her last time! Talyn go zoom through rings!”

“Oh you fly through rings?”

“It's actually a scaled down version of how we train the drakes to combat fly. We conjure the rings which aren’t solid, they are more like a ring of light.” Rana began to explain. “That way if they don’t hit the center well, they don’t hurt themselves. For the whelps we keep them low to the ground so they can fly through them.”

“Yeah I remember learning combat flying, Korial and I were always trying to outdo one another and I ended up with a broken wing after clipping an outcropping of rock. Hurt like hell.” Thoran laughed.

“You, Korial, Veyan and Borel were always trying to outfly one another and all of you ended up battered and bruised for it.” Rana laughed as Tris listened, feeling only a small pang of jealousy at the memories they shared. As the meal continued they continued to share memories of both Thoran’s younger days with the flight as well as some from Trisaland’s youth.

“So we hear this screech from outside and go running out and there is Lys covered in mud and Tris here standing to the side smiling like a cat that ate a mouse with an empty bucket in her hand. I thought Kalypsa was going to have some kind of episode between wanting to be angry at Tris and trying not to laugh at Lys who was just screaming at being dirty.” He laughed as Tris chuckled, shaking her head.

“Well she shouldn’t have thrown a rock at me. I mean, I knew the one thing she hated was being dirty so I dumped the bucket of mud on her pristine little butt.”

“How old were you?” Rana asked through her laughter.

“Ah light, we couldn’t have been more than five or six at the time. But even then Lys was such a little diva.” She laughed as Talyn yawned. “Oh, are you getting tired little one?”

“Talyn full, Talyn sleepy. Tissy sing for Talyn?”

“I’m sure I could find something to sing for you if you are ready for a nap.” She said gently wiping a few crumbs from the child’s face. “Lets go to the living room to your favorite chair then.” She said rising and walking to the living room where she sat down in her rocker and began to rock slowly, singing a lullaby she remembered from childhood to her as Rana watched from the kitchen door, feeling Thoran move to stand at her side.

“She really does love her.” Rana said it was more of a statement than a question.

“More than I imagined.” He said softly. “Thank you for helping me find a way to bring her here today.”

“I think it was the right decision, for both of them.” She said watching the woman and child with a pang of sadness. She’d come to love the little whelp but she had realized that she was not meant to be hers. Shaking her head slowly she was amazed that a mortal could form such a bond with a whelp.

“Let's go join them.” Thoran said softly as she followed, then took a seat on the sofa watching as Talyn’s eyes drifted shut. Once she was sure the whelp slept she looked to Trisaland.

“You have such a great touch with her, maybe I should bring you back to the sanctum and put you to work as a brood mother.” Rana teased.

“If I wasn’t committed to my position with the Royal Guard I might jump at that chance. It still amazes me how similar whelps and mortal babes are.”

“I can remember when you’re Uncle Xy’ren was born, I went to Aran’dal to visit and see him and Tandralis and I remember thinking how tiny and soft he was.” She laughed. “I was afraid I’d break him if I held him too tight.”

“I felt that way when Lys had A’dora, she was so little, like a little doll.”

“Ah if only she was still that small and sweet.” Thoran laughed. “But it seems as if Draeon is going to stay good natured at least.”

“The biggest issue with A’dora is Lys has spoiled her rotten and it will come back to bite her someday. But my biggest fear was that she would be cruel to Draeon, but thus far she’s been a good big sister.”

“I’m waiting for the day Drae dumps mud on her.” Thoran laughed as Tris laughed, shaking her head. “Hey, why don’t I take Talyn to the guest room and lay her on the bed and let her sleep for a bit.”

“I…” Trisaland said not wanting to let her go then sighed. “I suppose that would be more comfortable for her.” She said, realizing what Thoran intentions were and allowed him to take the sleeping child from her arms. Once he left the room she laughed softly. “He’s about as subtle as a lynx with a sore tail.”

“Yeah I see his intentions, leave us together to talk.” She smiled. “But I’m kind of glad he did, because there is something I’d like to speak with you about without his interference.”

“Oh?” She said as Rana seemed to think on her words before speaking.

“Trisaland, I realize things have been…stressful of late. I regret that I never really got to know your Ami or you and your sister. When Tandralis and Veyan became a couple I was a bit worried at how things would go with them, but it turned out they were perfect for one another.

But after I lost Borel, it was hard for me in so many ways. I visited her, but not often enough. I used the excuse that I was busy with the clutches or my charges and just couldn’t visit as often and I ended up regretting it when Thoran came to me to tell me of her death. I hated myself for not spending more time with her.”

“I’m sure she knew it was hard for you, Rana. From what Thoran has told me, it was hard for all of you.” She said as Rana nodded, brushing away a tear.

“You should know, these past months have been hard for Thoran. He wanted to see you or talk to you so badly, but well, he’s a stubborn old dragon. He kept saying ‘she asked me to stay away, so when she asks me to come back I will.”

“I fear we both have a stubborn streak. I think it was Draeon’s birth that really had me questioning where my life was going. I grew so attached to Talyn so quickly and I admit, I entertained the fantasy for a time that I could actually take care of her. Then the night Drae was born, I saw Lys and Lor and A’dora all cuddled together with Draeon and was like, this is what I want. But instead of talking to him and trying to work through things, I pushed him away.”

“Because you thought he and I were mates?”

“Partly yes, but also because I knew I had feelings for him but was afraid to find out if those feelings were returned.”

“Trisaland, please believe me when I say, he loves you so much. I haven’t seen him so lost and distraught as he has been these past months since, well, since Talynstrasza died. He wasn’t even this upset when he lost Tandralis or Kalypsa. I know it won’t be easy for either of you at times because you are mortal and he’s a dragon, but I do know he would move heaven and earth for you.” She said as her eyes misted over. “I only wish I could love like that again.” She said as Trisaland looked down at her hands.

“I’ve never really been ‘in love’ so to speak. Yes I’ve dated men, even cared for one or two but I never felt that…feeling where I thought, this is someone I don’t want to lose, ever. I’ve never had someone like Lor’ash is to Lys or Borel was to you.”

“How do you feel now though? That is the real question.” Rana said with a slight smile as Trisaland blushed.

“I…I think over the years Thoran and I have developed something special between us and I truly want to see where it goes. Am I in love with him? I really don’t know how to answer that other than, I think I do.”

“Well that is a good start then.” She said then lowered her eyes for a moment. “So I have another question for you.” She said as Tris tensed, not sure what the woman was about to say.

“Okay…” She said carefully.

“I mean, it's obvious that you love Talyn and she loves you, that was obvious the moment you saw one another tonight. And as much as it pains me to admit, because I absolutely adore her with all my heart, I know that she is not happy with me at the sanctum. So I want to ask you, if it were possible, would you want the chance to raise her as your own?” At this Trisaland’s eyes misted over.

“I would give anything for that, Rana. I don’t know why, maybe it was watching how she went from this little terrified creature to such an adorable little thing with so much personality, but she found her way past walls that even Thoran has yet to break through with me. I love that little whelp with all my heart and when I had to give her up…it nearly broke me. I would do anything to have her back with me. But I am a realist as well, so I know this is impossible.”

“Maybe not.” Rana said matter of factly as Trisaland felt hope bloom within her. “I have been talking with Alexstrasza and Tyranastrasz about the situation. I’ve taken in many whelps who for whatever reason needed a brood mother over the centuries and one thing I have learned is that sometimes, no matter how much you care for them, not all of them are meant to be yours, and I believe that is the case with Talyndria.

Although she has adjusted somewhat to life at the sanctum, she’s not truly happy. Though she has opened up to Rhea, she generally will not spend much time around other whelps. The only thing she does seem to care for is an egg I have in my clutch that she has claimed. I don’t know what will happen when the egg hatches, if she will care for the whelp and again I will have several of them when they do hatch and that might be a bit overwhelming for her at first.

And truth be told, she bonded with you and nothing I do for her will break that bond, but it makes her unhappy to be apart from you because of it.”

“But there is still the issue of I can’t hide a whelp here and once she begins to grow into a drake it will be impossible.”

“Well as you saw tonight, we may have found the solution. Normally a young dragon is not allowed to try to produce a visage until they are middle to late drake hood. The reasoning for this is, our visage forms are meant to be an expression of our true selves along with the form we feel comfortable with. However, there is an ancient spell we used to use back in Aran’dal when the young ones would want to interact with mortals or mortal children.

Honestly most had forgotten about it, but Tyran being Tyran, he researched everything he had on it and brought the idea to me. We’ve been experimenting with using it on her to prepare for bringing her here today, to see how she would do with it. Of course she’s adapted to it well and seems to like it very much. So, what we thought was that if you truly want to care for her and raise her, this would be a good solution.” As Rana spoke, Trisaland felt the small bit of hope grow even as she feared too much hope.

“But is it safe for her? What will happen as she grows? Will she appear to age like a normal mortal child?”

“It is quite safe for her, if not we would never suggest such a thing. As she grows, the visage should adjust itself for her, and we are able to adjust it if needed as she ages. Of course part of this will require a bit of a commitment on your part as well, beyond raising her of course. She is still a dragon, therefore there are things she needs to learn as a dragon, but we have thought that through as well.”

“What sort of things?”

“Well she needs to be able to fly at times, that is very important to develop her muscles in her body to do so. When she’s older she will need to learn to hunt for herself as well. Also like mortal children there are lessons to learn which the elders usually teach. The one thing that might be a bit tricky is learning to use her natural gifts, being that she is of the black flight rather than the reds.

But on that front Korial thinks he could work with her as he has always been a curious sort and learned from the other flights. Of course she will have advantages our little ones don’t by growing up with mortals as we also try to teach them things of mortal cultures as well as how to read and write.” She continued. “I’m thinking she could come to us perhaps every few months for a week or two of lessons. Of course at first she might do better with you joining her just for her own security, but once she sees it only for a short time I’m sure she will be alright if you are not there.”

“I…I’m so afraid this is all a dream and I’m going to wake up to find it was.” Trisaland said breathlessly. “But…I could have my little girl with me, for real?” At this Rana laughed softly.

“It's no dream, it's very real if you think you are able to commit to this.”

“I want to, so much.” She said then turned as Thoran spoke from the doorway from the guest room.

“Then say yes.” He said as she smiled even as tears fell on her cheeks. “You won’t be alone, if you are willing, I will be here to support you too.” Suddenly she rose, running to him and throwing her arms around him.

“Yes, yes, a million times yes!” She cried as his arms moved around her waist, holding her tightly until she pulled back. “But…I don’t want you to be uncomfortable with it, I know how you feel.”

“Tris, remember what I told you this morning?”

“You said it scared the hell out of you.”

“Well it does, but in a good way I think.” He smiled. “Maybe change is good, for both of us.” He said as a small voice met their ears.

“Toran, why you make Tissy cry?” Talyn said with a hint of anger from the door of the guest room where she stood looking rumpled from sleep. Releasing Thoran, Tris went to her and knelt before her.

“Don’t worry, Little Gem, they are happy tears.” She said with a smile, reaching to push a lock of dark hair from her face. “I have a question for you.”

“What dat?”

“Well…” She said suddenly nervous, what if Talyn didn’t want this? Her heart would break but she would never force it on her. “What if you could come live in Quel’thalas? With me?”

“You be Tissy Minna?” She said as both Tris and Thoran looked confused for a moment then she realized she was trying to say Minn’da.

“Yes, I would be your Minn’da and you would be my Little Gem.” She said, almost holding her breath as Talyn’s face seemed to light up from within.

“Yay! Tissy be my Minna!” She cried and ran to her, throwing her tiny arms around her neck. “I live with you, and you make me food and sing me sleep?

“All that and more little one, all that and more.”