Ulian is my first serious role-play character ever. I would like to think of him as a labor of love and he is for the most part. I'm not a guy to satisfy himself with a mere concept for a character. So the following is my attempt to flesh out a character and bring him to life and try to fully understand him. I hope this will also serve as a great background story to my character. I do hope you will enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. At least for the most part. I will be including notes with a good number of them to put you in the context of the time of the fictions where appropriate.

This will be progressive work so please be patient as it won't all get posted up at once. I've put in place a table of content for ease of use. Please do not feel you need to read anything of this. However, if you do want a better understanding of my character. This may help.

I would also like to give a special thanks to Micki for the help me with this with proof reading and suggestions. I know you are busy and appreciate the eimt you've put on this.

• The Stand at Andilien Estate
• • Chapter One: The Homecoming
  • Chapter Two: Rumors of War
  • Chapter Three: The Last Gathering of the Lords of Elrendar'Nel
  • Chapter Four: The Beginning of the End
• The Finding of Ulian
• • Chapter One: Lunith’s Dreams
  • Chapter Two: Ulian’s Despair
  • Chapter Three: Eyfura’s Hunt
  • Chapter Four: Aigun's Decision
  • Chapter Five: Andilien Might
• Journey to the Light
• • Chapter One: The Awakening
  • Chapter Two: Broken
  • Chapter Three: Dream
  • Chapter Four: Loyalty
  • Chapter Five: Uneasy Alliances
  • Chapter Six: Mana Trap
  • Chapter Seven: Birds of a Feather
  • Chapter Eight: Nightmares
  • Chapter Nine: Surrender
  • ...

“THE STAND AT ANDILIEN ESTATE”

This first story I chose to share is not the first I've written about Ulian. But I felt it necessary to write a sort of prequel to the Scourge invasion and to place more perspective on how Ulian was prior to these events. This story follows much of what was established as past Lore in Suncrown so there are some great assumptions but nothing that would contradict Blizzard lore at this point. This story is of the events preceding the Scourge invasion of Suncrown Village and ultimately Silvermoon as witnessed by Ulian leading up to his capture by the Amani trolls.





It’ was a beautiful day in the Elrendar'Nel on the shores of Elrendar river near Windrunner village as three young elves where enjoy some much deserved down time from their tutelage. The fish was biting something fierce. Ulian and his best friend, Zalandrian Dawncaller, were laughing and sharing stories while Lunith was just off yonder reading a book under the shade of a tree. Three Hawkstriders not far from the scene left to their own devices.

After a while Lunith look up at the sky and realized it was getting late. She approached the two as laughter came out of there mouth.

“Time to go guys. Father and Aigun are expected to return today. We can’t miss their arrival” She stated as she tapped Ulian on the shoulder giving him a smile.

“Oh yes, we can’t miss that!” Ulian perked up. He was excited to see his kin again since it had been quite a while since they went away.

“I should probably head back home as well. My parents are surely expecting me.” Zalandrian told the two others as he stood up.

“Yeah” Ulian muttered. “Let’s go. Lunith help me round up the fish and gear wills you?”

Moments later, mounted on their Hawkstriders with their gear, the two Andiliens bid the other a good day and went their separate ways. Riding along the road, the young Andiliens took in the peacefulness of the woods and kept there conversation light. But both had a smile on their faces in anticipation of seeing the father and brother.

“I’ve been told that I will soon learn to tame an animal.” Ulian broke the momentary silence.

“Oh, that’s good, Ulian! You are so lucky!” Lunith always seemed rather interested in ranger business than that of the church.

“I don’t know which animal to choose thought.” Ulian seemed to ponder a bit on the matter.

“Well it it's not always about a choice. I mean recall how Aigun got Ra!” Lunith stated.

“Oh yeah, that’s a good point! But regardless, I still need to prove myself further uncle Evander tells me.”

Once again silence fell between them as they rode on. The sun was no longer visible on the horizon but it did present them with an astonishing sunset between the mountain range and the tree tops. The magical lamp posts were lighting up by themselves as they approached the main road south to the Andilien Estate.

“It’s getting late, want to race home?” Ulian said grinning at Lunith.

But before she could respond Ulian gave a pat on his Hawkstriders shoulder and they were off leaving Lunith in a dust cloud.

“Ulian Thelien Andilien! That is not fair!” Lunith shouted as she coaxed her Hawkstrider in pursuit.

The two arrive to the estate where a party was already in mid swing. Music could be heard from a good distance along with the light of a few fires. The smell of freshly cooked boar meat over the fire filled both there nostrils on their approach. As they brought their mounts to the back of the estate, their mother was sitting anticipating them with an unhappy face about her.

“Ulian! Lunith! You are late! Your uncles, cousins, father and brother are due to arrive shortly! Hurry up, Go and change. Now!” Their mother told them sternly.

“Yes mother at once!” Lunith replied for both of them as she elbowed Ulian in the ribs to coax him into action.

“I don’t know why you two continue to do this to me at every occasion! You know I’m still so self-conscious about these family affairs!” She said out loud while walking back to the banquet. She wasn’t usually tuff with them but on important family gatherings like this one she was always uncomfortable and got easily irritable at them if anything did not go as she planned in her mind. This might have been because of the fact she came from another family that had quite different customs than the Andiliens and she simply tried to fit in even to this day.

They rounded the corner only to meet there younger cousin, Thilios, looking smug at them.

“Late yet again cousins! I will have to tell your father.” He snarled them.

“Oh be silent Thilios!” Lunith retorted. “I do not think it is very becoming someone who is third in line of succession to be a Kim’jael!” She further commented as she and Ulian passed him by. Ulian made a tongue at Thilios as he found his sister said what needed to be said.

Before the two ran up to their rooms they scanned around at the attendance. Every family member seemed to be present to the exception of the men they were waiting for. It was a long standing Andilien tradition to host a banquet to honor the homecoming of their warriors. These celebrations were usually inclusive to the family but from time to time they would host a banquet for their family friends and dignitaries that would venture down from the north. But on this occasion it was strictly an Andilien affair. The party at the Estate went on for awhile longer before someone spotted the honored ones in the distance.

“Everyone! Everyone! Come everyone! Come welcome our kin home!” Tholios, Ulian’s grandfather and current Lord of the house, spoke over the noise of the crowd.

The family gathered together to welcome them but the cheers and merriment was cut short when they saw a few of there family member accompanied by some Tera’solas and Farstrider Rangers aiding the wounded family members.

The crowd fell silent as Tholios made his way to the front of the gathering to ascertain what happened.

“Thulien, Ulrin, Aigin! What is this? What happened?” He asked his sons.

“Father, something is definitely not right in Lordaeron. We must talk at once.” Thulien, the eldest, answered his father. He then nodded to Aigin to continue with the men.

Tholios directed his two other eldest sons inside the estate. Leaivng Aigin directing the accompanying rangers were to place the wounded as the priest in the Andilien family came to aid the wounded.

“Father, Father!” Ulian and Lunith shouted as they were running to their father. Lilith walked in tow with nothing but great concern on her face.

“Haha! Children! Lilith my love!” Aigin extended his arms to welcome them and seized them in his arms as soon as he could.

“Aigin, where is Aigun?” Lilith asked with a trembling voice. "Is he..."

Both Lunith and Ulian's face now reflected their mother's concern as they looked up at their father.

“Do not fear my dears, he his safe and as well as can be. He stayed back at the High Gates to scout the area.” Aigin responded.

“Father what’s wrong?” Ulian asked.

“I fear something terrible is coming our way young one.” Aigin simply answered.

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The room was light by the magic of a light cyan crystal overhead, Lord Tholios Andilien and his three sons, Thulien, Ulrin and Aigin, stood around a table discussing what had transpired on their journey into Lordaeron. Currently speaking was Ulian's cousin, Thalien, Thulien’s first born son and vice-captain of the predominant squad of Andilien rangers and the ones who had ventured the furthest into Lordaeron in recent times. Andur and Sulavar, Thalien’s younger siblings and also decorated members of the Andilien rangers, stood guard at the door of the room very business like guarding from unwanted attention. And young Ulian, an Andilien ranger hopeful himself, stood behind his father quiet and attentive to the men speaking. Ulian always disliked not being included in such discussion of the Andilien adventures but he soon realized this was more than another telling of a great Andilien excursion.

“We encountered these things here, here and here.” Thalien's voice resounded a level of seriousness Ulian rarely heard of him. He was obviously pointing out locations on a map of the human empire of Lordearon.

“By the looks of it, it does not seem to be isolated incidents. I got reports from Aigun’s groups and they encountered these abominations as well. And all agreed that it looked like their amassing their forces near our borders here.” Thulien's voice interjected pointing out the region south west of the High Gates. Ulian looked down at the map to to the area his uncle spoke of to see where his elder brother was stationed.

“We came across a group of human soldiers on our way back who confirmed to us that Arthas Menethil himself was behind the gathering” Ulrin spoke up. “So I fear the worst rumors are indeed true father.” He continued. Ulian's gaze met with his uncle Ulrin for a brief moment. Only a look of seriousness again. It gave Ulian chills to think how grave this matter was fast becoming.

“So the human prince has indeed turned then and is responsible for the continued plague ravaging the human empire as earlier reports suggests.” Lord Tholios’ voice did not evoke much emotion with his statement. It was that serious tone again. Ulian never heard his grandfather take such a tone before either. It now worried him greatly as his heart started to sink into his stomach.

“I fear him and the whole human kingdom turned father. We were unable to reach the gates of Lordaeron city to confirm anything. We were met with aggressive force as we ventured deeper into the Tirisfal Glades. They turned some of us. We had no choice but to retreat from the area.” Thulien continued.

“One of my team of rangers spied a large group of these things gathering near the fallen town of Andorhal. This was a couple of days ago, Grandfather.” Thalien added.

“I believe they are headed our way. If I read these signs, it apparent they are coming for us. We must give word to the Convocation.” Aigin finally spoke up. Ulian’s mind was processing all this information as best as he could but he couldn’t help wondering could war be truly at their doorstep.

“We left a couple of parties with Aigun at the Quel'Lithien Lodge to scout the surrounding areas and report immediately upon any suggestion of threat from the scourge.” Aigin continued.

Ulian then observed his grandfather take a few puffs from his pipe. No one else spoke. Ulian understood his grandfather had heard enough and was now contemplating their next move.

“Aigin, you and I will ride to Suncrown village at once. Ulrin you ride east to alert the Dawncallers, Windrunners and Goldenmists to join us as soon as possible at my request. Thulien I need you to ride to the Farstrider enclave and convince them to send all there detachments south to the gates.” Lord Andilien said with a firm voice. “We mustn't underestimate this threat!”

With that they all started to fill out of the room. Ulian grabbed his father’s shoulder wanting a word before they all sped off.

“Father, may I come with you?” Ulian asked as he stood before his father. "Aigun is gone and..."

“Ulian this is not something…” His father started to scold him before he could finish his thought but Ulian quickly interrupted him.

“Father, out of respect, I have been training to be a ranger for years now and I have been excelling at it. You promised me I could come with you on your next adventure. I can help! In fact, if I recall, Aigun was no older when he started following you everywhere. Isn’t that right? What if we run into trolls on our way to Suncrown Village? You and grandfather will need help.” Ulian protested.

Aigin looked besides himself. “Fine! Your mother will have my hide. You listen to me at all time. I say move you will move. I say go you will go.” He pointed a finger to Ulian’s face and gave him a stern look. “And for our Lord’s sake, do not go boasting about this to your mother. She does not need the additional stress of your willingness to leave the nest just yet.” Aigin finally smiled at his youngest son and then he reached his hand out to ruffle Ulian’s long silky hair. “You have sure grown up fast you little pest! Alright, go prepare the hawkstriders.”

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Chapter Three: The Last Gathering of the Lords of Elrendar'Nel

Ulian did not sleep a wink since he left Andilien Estate with his father hours ago. They now stood in the back of a large conference room. Surprisingly, his father let him stay in the meeting room where the Lords and high officials, south of Elrendar River would usually meet to discuss any business concerning the south. It was rather quiet in the room. Possibly everyone still half asleep Ulian thought. No words were spoken out loud except from time to time a few of the lords would whisper to each other. They were all waiting on the last of the lords to arrive.

Ironically, it was Lord Yvernas Goldenmist, the one that lived closest to Suncrown village, who had yet to arrive at the meeting. It was a well known fact that Lord Goldenmist had the second largest village south of the Elrendar and they loathed every opportunity House Suncrown had for generations which impeded what he considered the Goldenmists raise to fame. It seemed that Lord Goldenmist took great pleasure in continually annoying the Suncrowns but he was still not foolish to annoy them to the point of causing irreparable damage to their alliance.

“And so what deserves my immediate attention at this time of the night Lucian?” A loud annoyed voice could be heard as the doors to the meeting room opened and an elf with silky blond hair dressed in the most exquisite golden robe stepped forth into the room. Lord Goldenmist had arrived!

“You of all people, Yvernas, know that we are not in the habit of calling such meetings for our amusements. Lord Andilien’s people have uncovered grave news which demands our immediate attention.” Lucian replied quite irritated with Lord Goldenmist’s pompous statement.

With a snort, Yvernas Goldenmist sat at the table with his squire standing to his left. “Very well let’s hear this news so I may go home and possibly finish my night of sleep.”

Around the table, Lord Dawncaller, Lord Andilien, a lady of House Windrunner and a decorated captain of the Farstriders, all looked in Lord Goldenmists direction bewildered at his comment. Surely, he must understand the gravity of the matters at hand? At least that’s what Ulian thought they were all wondering with the look on their collective faces. And of course seeing this, Yvernas shifted in his seat uncomfortably and just motioned a hand indicating to start the meeting. At this Lord Lucian Suncrown shook his head as he sat down at his end of the table.

“I apologize for gathering you in such short notice in the dead of night. The matter that Tholios has brought forward does concern us greatly. So I will have him explain to you all the matter at hand.” Lord Lucian Suncrown motioned toward Lord Andilien to start his presentation.

Ulian’s grandfather, Lord Tholios Andilien, rose from his chair with the grace of a military general. He then motioned to his son, Ulian’s father, Aigin, to bring forth the map and reports they had brought with them. Aigin promptly brought the large map and laid it open on the table and handed the reports over before coming back to Ulian’s side.

Ulian though the meeting was getting quite long as he watched his grandfather defend his position to Lord Goldenmist. It seemed that Lord Goldenmist was only antagonizing everyone. But it wasn’t until Lord Suncrown stepped up that the room grew quiet again.

“My fellow Lords, Lady Windrunner and Captain, I do not know Lord Andilien to lie or cause havoc for no reason. His family history should attest to that. This undead army is gathering at the border of our lands. And if the reports stand true then their numbers are great. I for one do not fancy a ratio of six undead to a ranger. It also worries me that the Menethil boy is behind this. I support Lord Andilien's request to approach the convocation and ask them for additional forces against this army.”

“With all due respect Lucian” Lord Goldenmist interrupted Lord Suncrown. “Thalassian Pass is the only way in by foot into our lands for such a sizable group and the mountainous region bordering our lands is no place to move such an army that you speak of. Why bother the convocation with such troubles. Do they not have enough to do than to listen to this rhetoric?”

“Quite wasting our time Yvernas!” Ulian’s grandfather barked out even before Lord Suncrown had a chance to speak. “We need to make the convocation aware of this threat. If you would get off your high chair for a moment you may be able to answer me how we are to kill something that is dead already. We haven’t faced anything like this before. This will make the troll wars seem like a gentle walk in the forest. In any case, the majority has agreed. You can choose to follow us or go home to finish your nights sleep and pray the undead will not bite your ankles in your sleep.”

“Gentlemen! Gentlemen!” Lord Dawncaller rose to his feet. “Tholios please! Yvernas has a point about it being the only logical path to move such a large army. And the Gate are sealed and protected magically. I should know. I was present when the magic was bestowed on the gates. It’s infallible. The way I see it, we have the upper hand, not them.”

“Frankly, Eilas, you should also know that there are other ways to move an army than by mean of the gate.” Now Lady Windrunner spoke up addressing Lord Dawncaller directly. “In fact did you not tell me of a certain pass through the mountains that leads you to the Quel’Lithien Lodge without passing through the gate?” She continued.

“Yes, but I cast a protective spell at either side of the path so that it remains hidden to the naked eye. Only a well trained ranger or mage, like me, would see the path. And even, the numbers would be so few that my guard at Dawncaller Castle could easily take care of them if such an event should occur. What’s to say they would not come by sea instead? My preliminary reports I gave you Tholios indicated a good percentage of the undead army forming near the north shores of Tirisfal Glades.” Lord Dawncaller questioned as he sate back down. It seemed he wanted to direct the questioning elsewhere at the moment.

“Both the captain’s and my forces have scouting the area that you spoke of in your report. No moves have been made by the army to indicate that they would use other means to come into our lands but by the main gate. If they would have launched ships then our rangers would have certainly seen them from the Tirisfal Glades as they rounded the mountains back to our shoreline.” Tholios Andilien took control over the meeting again.

At that moment a knock echoed through the room. Then Ulian’s uncle, Ulrin, entered the room. He seemed quite shaken and pale.

“Pardon my interruption my Lords. I was tasked to tell you all that we have engaged the undead army. They've breached the gates.” He announced out loud his voice weighed down by the news.

At that moment, a pin dropped could have been heard echoing in the room. Ulian could not believe his ears. Was this really happening? Ulian looked around and all he could see was pale faces. Moments later Ulian’s grandfather nodded to Ulrin dismissing him.

“Well” Tholios exclaimed bringing everyone’s attention to him again. “I think it is clear that we need not to debate this any further.”

“Hold on, what if the convocation does not listen to our envoy?” Lord Goldenmist asked as his gaze shifted from Lord Andilien to Lord Suncrown.

“I can certainly plead with my cousin, Ranger-General Windrunner for additional forces.” Lady Windrunner spoke up for the second time in the meeting.

“And I can send the rest of my forces to the south gate as soon as possible and deploy them accordingly.” The Farstrider captain offered.

“I will see if I can spare what guards I can to assist in the defense of the gate.” Lord Eilas Dawncaller said in his turn.

“And I would suggest we put in place bastions in defense of the south lands in case the worst should happen. I will use my Estate as one of them and I would ask if we can put one at your village, Eilas. And we will put another one west of my estate with the aide of the Farstriders of course most likely in this vicinity.” Tholios Andilien pointed down at the map on the table.

“I think you have your answer Yvernas.” Lord Suncrown interjected as he shot a cold look at Lord Goldenmist.

“I was merely pointing out that we may need a contingency plan” Lord Goldenmist snorted.

“Lucian, I would even propose that we use your village as a rally point for all our families and citizens in case the gate and our defenses should fall. Of course I would leave that to you if you are agreeable. And I will coordinate the setup of bastions to defend our lands if no one sees a problem with that.” Tholios continued as he stared toward Yvernas. Ulian saw that martial pride in his grandfather’s eyes. It felt to him this is what he was bred for.

“My village has far more room to accommodate the citizens of the south and in case your bastions fall Tholios, at least we can evacuate to the sea.” Yvernas cut off Lord Andilien short.

“We do not have time to send for boats from the Anchorage. And in any case if those things did have a contingent traveling by sea, the retreating boats would be lost in a short matter of time. No, Suncrown village remains the closest route up to Silvermoon if anything like that should even happen.” Tholios came back. “However, we could use whatever forces you can spare to fortify the coast and Tranquilien.” Tholios suggested to Lord Goldenmist to which, he gave a displeased look but still gave a nod in agreement.

“OK then, I will go to Silvermoon at once. Good luck to all of you.” With that Lord Suncrown adjourned the meeting. Not giving Lord Goldenmist further opportunity to debate.

Ulian laughed to himself seeing the look on Lord Goldenmist’s face and how annoyed he was. Then his grandfather indicated to him and his father to pack up and leave. Little pleasantries were exchanged as they all exited the room.

It was past day break and almost time for breakfast before everyone exited the meeting hall. Lord Suncrown and a couple of his guards where already on route to Silvermoon to meet with the convocation. Lord Goldenmist left as promptly without saying a word to anyone. Lady Windrunner and her maidens left after confirming that she would try and get in touch with her cousin. And the Farstrider Captain shook Tholios’ hand and told him forces would be on route shortly as he climbed atop of his Hawkstrider and rode off like the wind.

Lord Dawncaller decided to journey down with the Andiliens so only to discuss further Lord Andilien’s choice of setting up a bastion at Dawncaller village and why his guards would serve better at the High Gates. The two families were not the closest of allies. In fact, most times, Lord Dawncaller would not be seen with any Andiliens for he did not want to tarnish his reputation. In the end, Lord Andilien agreed to use Farstriders to send to the makeshift bastion at Dawncaller village before both Lords parted ways.

As they rode down, Ulian ignore the conversation and concentrated on the mixture of emotions he felt. He couldn’t believe in his wildest dreams that he would face an army on his first adventure at his father’s side but yet he felt afraid of what was ahead; the unknown. His thoughts would wonder on as he stared at the sunrise in the distant shoreline.

Back to the top

Chapter Four: The Beginning of the End

Times seemed to slow down for Ulian. They had just gotten back from Suncrown village merely an hour ago. Ulian was now sitting comfortably on a rock just outside the estate. The morning mist had all but completely evaporated. The oddest thing Ulian noticed that morning which made it different than any other morning was the lack of bird songs and the pitter patter of woodland creature scurrying about in the bushes and trees surrounding the estate. Had they known what was coming? Had they already fled to safety? This seemed to depress Ulian greatly for it was the first morning he could recall that he could not properly enjoy Mother Nature’s gifts for who knew if this would be his last morning on Azeroth.

Frankly, the only sound that did come to his elven ears was those of the rangers and family members hurrying about preparing for every contingency. The prospect of what laid ahead weighted heavy in his hearth. His mind came back to the world of the living as his right ear tinged from the sound of approaching footsteps behind him.

“For light’s sake Ulian, there you are!” Exclaimed his sister. “I’ve been looking for you all over.”

Ulian only acknowledge her with slight turn of his head to the right and a nod and then returning his head to the same position. He did not care much for another roasting from his sister.

“Ulian, what’s wrong?” She asked concern at her brother’s demeanor. As she stepped behind him, she placed her arms over his shoulders with her hands resting on his chest; kissing the top of his head.

“You know I dislike seeing you this way. You are far too young to grow up so fast.” Lunith voiced her concern.

“Lu, I am afraid.” Ulian voiced softly.

“Oh Ulian! You are not alone in your fear.” Lunith held her young brother a little tighter hoping to reassure him.

“I’m staying here.” Ulian spoke up. His words were met by a deafening silence which prolonged for moments. He knew what would come next.

“Ulian, what in the world would possess you to think you could even stay? Father will not allow it! Mother will certainly not allow it! And I will drag you myself if I have to.” Lunith spoke as calmly as possible holding back her frustration at him.

“And why should Aigun and father have all the fun?” Ulian questioned.

“FUN! This is not a one of your games Ulian!” Lunith now grabbed Ulian by the shoulders and turned him about face. Her cool gaze revealed her discontent. Her grip strong and clenching him in place.

“Lunith, the fight is at the gate. I doubt very much that they would even penetrate our defenses. And even if they do, they will need someone to carry ammunition to the rangers here.” Ulian justified his decision but he knew the odds may well be against them.

“Ulian, you are too young for this.” Lunith started to counter.

“Thilios is staying and he’s much younger than I, Lu.” Ulian interjected before his sister continued.

“I’m going to speak with father about this.” With that Lunith let go him go and made beeline to the estate.

"Lu..." Ulian cried after her and then with a sigh he walked to the building in front of him. As he entered, he saw Lunith already talking with their father and mother arguing the point that he was too young to stay. Of course he new his mother would agree with his sister on this. It was not easy to be the kid of the family. He approached them cautiously.

“Ulian Thelien Andilien! What makes you think we would even think of leaving you here?” His mother’s tone only confirmed the uphill battle he now faced.

“See Ulian, I told you.” Lunith followed along their mother’s tone.

“I have over ten years of ranger training. I’ve been in the wild alone on several occasions for my training. I can defend myself. I can help defend this bastion. I am sure if it comes down to it you will need someone to run with the ammunition to make sure everyone is well stocked. It’s not like if I’m proposing to pick up a bow myself and go to the front line.” Ulian started to argue what seemed a mute point to his mother and sister.

“Aigin, I will not hear of it. I swear I cannot loose all of you in one day!” Lilith, Ulian’s mother, voiced her opinion sternly as a strain of her well coiffed black hair slide into her face.

“I can do this. I am not a useless little elfling." Ulian paused. "Father!" He now turned his gaze for support from his father. "Even Thilios who is a whole seven year younger than me with only a year of ranger training is staying. I am weeks away from graduating to active duty in the Andilien ranger corp. What would that say about me as a ranger that a junior like my cousin stays while a senior cadet like me leaves?” Ulian was grasping at every straw he could.

“Thilios is not my son nor my…” Lilith started

“Lilith dear." Ulian's father put his hand on his mother's shoulder. "We will need people to make sure we are well stocked at all times. We can’t have an able bodied ranger run for ammunition at every time they run out. I think it is fair time to let Ulian grow up.” Aigin interrupted Lilith.

“Aigin don’t do this to me.” Lilith locked eyes with her husband.

“I will return him with all his limbs to you my love. I promise.” Aigin spoke softly as he took his wife’s hand into his and caressed it softly.

Ulian could see his sister’s faces become a darker shade of red. He knew she was opposed to him staying. He didn’t know if he necessarily swayed his father with his argument but regardless appreciated his father taking a chance on him.

----

Then the order came down from Lord Andilien himself, only the able bodied female and male elf rangers would stay with a handful of healers. It wasn’t long after a caravan of female and young Andiliens rode north towards Tranquilien villages and Suncrown village. Aigin and Ulian stood side by side taking a moment looking at the departed caravan. They waved a final goodbye to them before re-entering the estate for their deployment. The air in the building was thick with anticipation. Lord Andilien was coordinating with a messenger from the Farstriders and the Dawncallers and a few other rangers. Reports were already coming in from the High Gates. Much of the undead forces there had been neutralized but more were yet on their way to the gate. Ulrin, Ulian’s uncle, approached them as they entered the room.

“Thulien has left with a few squads of Farstriders into the mountain passes. They want to try and box in their forces.” Ulrin spoke candidly with his younger sibling. “We are to stay here and help with the fortification and defense if it should come to it.”

“Ulian can you please find Thilios and get started on gathering all the arrows and bunching them at convenient places. Then come to me and I’ll show you where to distribute them.” Ulrin smiled at Ulian.

“Yes uncle!” Ulian returned a smile and headed off in a direction.

Ulian’s heart was pounding hard in his chest. Finally! After all this time, he was going to contribute in what he though surpassed any adventures the Aigun had with their father. Ulian saw his brown haired cousin just at the other side of the room and darted to him.

“Thilios quite messing around, we have a job to do.” Ulian spoke up to him.

“Hang on! Who died and made you boss of me? Last time I checked…” Thilios stood up to face his cousin. Thilios was just short of Ulian’s height but his tongue was still pretty fierce for his youth. Ulian thought the knowledge that he was in direct line of succession always got to his head.

“Never you mind, Thilios. We need to gather arrows for the other rangers. Common.” Ulian grabbed Thilios’s wrist and dragged him along before Thilios could argued some more.

Inside and outside the estate, Rangers were prepping their bow and sharpening their weapons. Ulian and Thilios would go around making sure that each had a proper amount of ammunition before gathering the surplus. Their uncle Ulrin gave them a short tour of the fortification and advises them where to stock pill the ammunition would be and inspected were they had already stacked bunches of arrows. Then Ulrin brought them both to the basement were there was a locked steel door. Ulian knew this to be the Andilien armory. Ulrin unlocked it and passed out some leather armor straps a couple of short swords. He then turned to look at them.

“This is for the worst. I trained you both in the art of the blade. I am confident in both of you but I plead with you that if you are unsure of what to do to just retreat. I would rather have you both alive and well. And Ulian...” His uncle looked at him sternly. "Thilios is our future patriarch. Protect him with your life. It is better to safeguard our future. Understood?"

"Yes Sir!" Ulian acknowledged while his cousin groaned.

“Now, I suggest you two rest up a bit.” Ulrin smiled at both of them and patted both of them on their shoulder dismissing both of them.

---

Hours passed before word from the High Gates came back to Andilien estate. Reinforcements were needed. So another good number of the Rangers left towards Thalassian Pass. Messengers were sent to the other bastions stating that a third of their rangers needed to report to the High Gate for reinforcements. Another messenger was sent north to Suncrown and Goldenmist village to apprise them of the situation and the need for additional forces at the bastions. The whole thing operated like a well oiled machine.

It wasn’t a half hour past before a bloodied elf showed up at Andilien Estate. It was the very messenger that left for the Dawncaller village. Ulian’s heart sank when he heard the scourge penetrated into their lands from a hidden pass and their numbers where greater than those at the High Gates. They had been cut off from the battle at the High Gates. In fact it was a mere diversion the messenger admited with his dying breath.

It was not long before the creepy and eerie sounds of the moaning marching undead could be heard. "TO ARMS!" Ulian heard the command ring out from various leaders of his bastion.

“Slay them All!” A loud raspy echoing voice echoed over the undead troops.

“For the Honor of Quel’Thalas!” Ulian heard his grandfather’s commanding voice.

And so it begun, fiery arrows flew in the air into the scourges forces but this did not slow their advance. Then another wave of fiery arrows were launched into the air before Scouts and Rangers alike started to fire at will. They tried everything to mow down as many of these things as possible. Ulian kept running to every ranger delivering bundles of arrows while keeping an eye for his cousin.

It grew dark and cold quite. Nightfall.

“Charge!” Ulian heard his grandfather’s commanding voice again.

Ulian grew nervous because he new that arrow was no longer effectively kept the scourge at bay. It was now up to hand to hand combat. Ulian unsheathe his sword and ventured forward.

“No Ulian, stay back!” Ulian looked around and say his Uncle Ulrin pointing at him. “You and Thilios stay back!” This reminded Ulian that he had not seen Thilios at all in the last while. He grew nervous and hurried around to find his young cousin. But even after mere moments, he was no where to be found. The fighting grew louder and closer. Ulian could hear the metal hit flesh and ripping through it; followed by screams. Turning his attention to the action, he froze in front of the scenic horror in front of him. He watched as his kin fell and the scourge horde simply stepped over them advancing forward. His eyes couldn't miss other scourge minions bent down over bodies feeding on the still living flesh. He felt sick to his stomach and soon lost his nerves. He had never witnessed anything so unforgiving.

Then his grandfather, father and uncle came bursting froward as they announced a general retreat. Ulian hadn't noticed his father picking him up and dragging him with them until he broke his gaze. They now found themselves in the main room of the Estate.

“Barricade the doorway!” Commanded Lord Andilien.

“They keep rising! What fel magic is this?” Ulrin commented as he assisted a few other Rangers inside the building.

“The barricades won’t hold, Father! This is not a battle we will win not with those numbers.” Aigin said.

“I will not retreat from these lands. Not now not ever!” Ulian heard his grandfather say.

“Father listens to reason! They outnumber us! At least send word to Lord Suncrown to evacuate to the city while they may still have time.” Aigin continued.

“Ulian! Watch out!” Ulrin pushed Ulian to the floor as arrows flew into the building.

Ulian lifting himself off the floor notice his uncle gasping for air his hand on his chest where several arrows punctured his chest. Then Ulian’s grandfather and father came to Ulrin’s side. Ulian got back to his feet slowly now shaken and overwhelmed with what was going on

“Ulian! Ulian!” Aigin yelled at him.

Ulian's attention returned to their dire situation when he felt a sharp pain of a slap on his cheek. His father holding both his arms tightly.

“Quite wasting time, run to Suncrown Village! Go now! GO!” His father yelled at him.

Ulian shock himself out of his daze and darted for a back window. He didn’t look back. He ran at the rhythm of his pounding heart. He ran past the small pond behind the estate and towards Farestrider Enclave. Trees flew past his peripheral vision. His body felt as if it was automated while his mind concentrated on only one thing. “They are coming!”

Ulian suddenly fell onto the earth. His face winced as his body folded in half by pain trying to catch his breath. His eyes teared up and he opened his mouth trying to inhale. He heard voice around him for the briefest moment as he felt weaker and continued to struggle for breath. Through his tears he saw greened skin trolls pointing over yonder and talking. Amani Trolls in fact. One of them notice Ulian was still moving then everything went dark.

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This story was composed in installment pieces by most of the Andilien players at the time. This was actually the very first fiction featuring Ulian. This is the story of how Ulian was thought lost and rediscovered, then rescued.





The sensation of soft, rhythmic pats on her cheek were what woke her. Lunith opened one eye and saw hopeful brown eyes staring at her expectantly, and felt again the gentle touch of a hand on her face. She groaned and pulled the covers over her head, only to hear a little voice pipe, “Lunit? You awake, Lunit?”

With a mock roar, Lunith threw back the covers and pulled her tormenter into bed with her, tickling the small boy while he shrieked in glee. “Ulian Andilien, you shall pay for disturbing my slumber, for I am the Queen of Tirisfal Glade and fearsome is my wrath!” As her little brother giggled and squirmed, she formed her hands into claws and made silly faces at him.

“You’re not Queen of Trisful Blade, you’re Lunit!” the toddler said emphatically, throwing his arms around her neck. “My Lunit!”

“You know, I think you’re right!” she said in mock amazement. “Thank you, good sir, for setting me straight before I had some poor soul beheaded!” Ulian giggled and she grinned, pulling him up in her arms and swinging out of bed. He clung to her neck like a little monkey, and for a brief moment she hugged him tightly, then let him slide to the ground.

“You’re getting too big for me to carry you, Ulian,” she said. “Let’s go find Mother.”
“Aigun can carry me. You can carry me.” The little boy pouted.
“Aigun is grown up. I’m not yet. I don’t want to drop you.”
Big brown eyes looked up into her face with absolute trust and adoration. “You never drop me, Lunit.”


Without warning, the scene changed from her bedroom to the forests of the Andilien Estate. Lunith shook her head in bewilderment, and called out, “Ulian?”

“Up here, Lunith! Come on, hurry up!” The voice was lower, still that of a boy but not a young child. “She’s badly hurt, hurry!”

“Where are you?” she called out, searching for the source of his voice. “Where are we going?”

“Come on, Lunith!” Ulian replied impatiently from somewhere up ahead. “I think that her leg is broken, besides the arrow wound. I don’t want her to lose the fawn.”

Lunith stumbled forwards through the woods, her nightgown catching on brambles as her bare feet tripped on roots and stones. Why was she in her nightclothes in the woods? Where was Ulian? What was going on? “Ulian!” she cried out. “Ulian, where are you?”

“It must have been a poacher,” came his voice from her left. “No Andilien would shoot a pregnant doe. You can save her, though, Lunith, I know you can.”

“I…I’ll try, Ulian,” she stammered, “but it depends on how badly she’s hurt. Where are you? I can’t find you!”

“Over here!” The voice was behind her now. “Hurry, Lunith, hurry!”

Lunith spun about in confusion as the wind picked up and rain began to fall in sheets. She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered, still listening for her brother. Was he lost? Were they both lost? She did not recognize this part of the forest. “Ulian!” she shouted into the storm. “Ulian! Where are you?”

The scream cut through the sound of the wind and rain like a knife, an inhuman sound that made the hair on her neck stand up. It repeated again and again, rising in pitch and desperation. Lunith choked back a gasp of fear and wiped the rain from her face. “Ulian, be careful,” she called in a wavering voice. “There’s something out there!” She peered into the darkness and clenched her teeth to keep them from chattering in fear and cold. “Ulian? Brother, where are you?”

“Help me!” The scream came again, this time forming recognizable words. In dawning horror, she realized who was shrieking in that agonized voice, and her own voice cracked as she tried to shout for her brother. Her breath rasped in and out in heaving sobs as the keening continued and she heard, “Lunith! Oh, gods, Lunith, help me! Help me!”

She pushed herself forwards on leaden legs, propelling herself through the forest towards the source of the terrible cries, towards her brother, her baby brother who needed her. Branches slashed at her, her wet hair and gown were plastered to her shivering body, and rain mixed with her tears and ran down her face, but she felt none of it. Every part of her being was concentrated on reaching Ulian, on saving him. The screams continued, interspersed with soft, broken sobbing that she at first thought was her own until she heard, “Please, Lunith, please hurry. I can’t hang on much longer. Please, oh please…”

With a start, she came awake, half hunched against the fury of the storm, but there was no storm. Her nightclothes were warm and dry, and the only sound over her own heartbeat and panting were her mother’s gentle snores from the next bed. Ulian was not there. Ulian was dead, dead with so many others for the last year. And yet…

“Lunith.” The anguished whisper came to her as clearly as if he was sitting next to her, and she sat up, looking around wildly for her brother. There was no one there, but the certainty that Ulian was somewhere, somewhere awful, sank into her until she knew in her very bones that her brother was alive and that he needed help.

She was already out of bed and shrugging on her wrapper before she paused to think. Where was she going? What could she do? She did not know where Ulian was, nor where to begin looking. Who would believe her? In this chaotic time, who would begin a search for someone on the basis of a dream?

“Aigun.” She whispered.

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His dreams that night were of his childhood and his sister whom he had the strongest relationship with. As he became aware of his dream stat, he would try once again to reach out. He recalled his mother once speaking to him about the realm of dreams and the power they hold. He needed to believe in a way to communicate since he had little else to believe in now. But he shot his eyes open in pain. He could never sleep for long. Pain his constant companion.

A loincloth, his only piece of clothing left, was not protecting him from the frigid wind and icy sheets of rain. Even as he could see the faint glow of the not so distant fire, he was not allowed to feel any of its warmth. He was already as close as he could possibly get. Lucky for him, he lost all feeling around the areas were the chained shackles where holding him tightly in place.

With his body full of bruises and scares, it was hard to notice how pale his skin had become. The patches dried blood and dirt was being rinsed away with the icy rain exposing the day’s fresh wounds. Ulian was lying still on the bitter cold stone slab inhaling shallowly then exhaling with a wheeze trying to minimize the pain from his multiple broken ribs. In fact any movement from him at this point would lead to more gut retching pain than when he breathes. But alas, the pain from sudden spasms and twitching came more frequently now. He could only assume that Artas and his scourge succeeded in ravaging the Sunwell. It was the only explanation why these withdrawal symptoms he was experiencing were getting so strong.

He knew any physical harm he endured would eventually fade but it was the mental scars, the atrocities he had witnessed and this addiction his people had that would only torture his soul and would lead to his death. Freedom was questionable know. Even as he enticed himself to believe he was communicating to his sister another side of him would only remind him that he may well be the only one of his kind left alive. The thought of it all left him in a very depressed state only wishing for his final breath to come sooner.

The sensation of a fallen leaf loaded branch awoke him from his delusional daze. In a panic, He darted his eyes from left to right, up and down. “Had they return for more fun?” He thought to himself. But he was relived to see the little owl in front of him, tugging on the branch, repositioning it carefully. This little creature was his only source of mercy. Rhea he had christened her. This little miracle came to him the second night of his captivity.

Regrettably he knew once morning came, the savages would only end up beating him with more intensity as their interrogating him. Since the first day of his captivity, he was drilled and tortured to reveal what they called his “magic tricks”. It was their Shaman which led the assault. He seemed to wreak the most pleasure out of it all. Ulian only guessed that the Shaman was as giddy as a school girl at the sight of his spilt blood.

Now that his bald head was covered, the little owl flew off again only to return with another branch. He knew that this little blessing would only continue until he had some sort of shelter from the rain and cold. Then it would bring him a small dead fish as it did every night. But tonight, Ulian knew he just did not have the stomach for anything anymore. The pain was too great.

His vision began to blur, he started to loose all sensation. Was this the end finally coming? The end he has been wishing for all this time. He started to recall his family happiest moments as his eyes dimed and he lost consciousness.

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It was hard to tell day from night in what was now known as the Ghostlands. As she walked quietly, her green tinted eyes kept scanning around for unwanted pests. What was left of the Farstrider Rangers fought tribes of Amani trolls and rogue wraiths or other scourge minions from the Dead Scare. And this is where Eyfura Andilien was only doing her part as she thought fit. She stopped by a tree and looked at the apple lying on the ground. It hadn’t been disturbed since she had set it there yesterday. She had planted many other traps of the sort all throughout the woods. She was hopping to catch something soon as she was growing wrestles.

She moved on to her next trap a couple of yards away when her instincts put her on guard. As she took a scent in the air, a evil grin appeared on her face for she new her trap had caught her a big prize. She approached the area with care as she was starring down a rustling bush were her trap was set. With her bow in hand she reached back to withdraw an arrow from her quiver. Now walking slowly sideways she was anticipating what was trapped on the other side of the bush.

Her eyes twinkled at her prize once she saw the giant green skinned monster with its leg stuck in her bear trap. The troll not realizing it had company was still thrashing around with whimpers of pain as it tried to ride itself for the steel jaw now attached at it’s foot. But it was long before it picked up the scent of the Blood Elf before him.

The huge troll started to thrash even more violently and tried to muscle its way to Eyfura. She only took a step back to solidify her position before she let go of the arrow. Her aim was as accurate as she wanted it to be. The Troll fell to it’s side squealing in pain as the arrow pierced it’s skin and tore it’s way through it’s femoris muscle down to it’s femur of it’s good leg.

Eyfura’s hand was steady as she reached back for another arrow from her quiver. But she only stood her ground at the ready with the next arrow staring intently on it waiting to see if it would provoke her.

“NO!” The troll gargled out of its mouth. “I ’ave information to you!” The troll said as it put its hand up as if attempting to stop the next arrow.

Crossed, Eyfura looked at the troll only thinking that she should merely end its suffering. But curiosity got the best of her this time.

“And what information from your fowl mouth would be worthy to grace my ears.” She stated sternly not budging a muscle while she was still aiming the bow at her target.

The Troll lowered its hands looking in Eyfura’s eyes. “Ya not shoot meh for dis information?”

She pondered his request carefully before answering it back. “Only your information will make me decide your faith.” She told it coldly.

“ya word to me!” the troll screamed thrashing around his other leg at the faint hope he would free it from the trap.

At this Eyfura squinted and in a quick and measured movement sent another arrow its way. This time the arrow broke the ground beside the trolls head. It stopped instantly an grinned at her.

“I aimed to miss you stupid troll. The next one will not.” Eyfura already had another arrow at the ready. “What of this information? And do not amuse me with your fancy stories! I have no further patience for you.” Eyfura continued to speak to t in a very dry and harsh tone.

The troll realizing he could no longer bargain with her, revealed to Eyfura that months ago during the initial invasion, its tribe intercepted a retreating High Elf and captured it and they were currently trying for months now to force it to give up it’s magical essence to them. He even divulged to her that since that was not working they were planning to try to release it finally by sacrificing it at the next full moon.

Hearing this only made Eyfura’s temper flair. But she wondered if she could trust what she heard. How dense did this troll thought she was? She thought to herself. She brought her arm back a bit so to give the arrow more force to hit its target.

“Ya set me free!” The troll snarled as it got up on its bum leg pointing directly at her. But not a second later it landed in a loud thud. The carcass laid still as Eyfura approached it. Her aim was unforgiving accurate. She was kicking at it as if inspecting a hunted beast. And on closer inspection she notice a lock of elven hair attached to the necklace it adorned. It was with that, she suddenly realized that the troll may have actually told the truth. She then knelled down and cut the necklace off the brute.

She then climbed the tree which the trapped troll was anchored to. Once at the top she looked at the sky for the moon. Seeing as it was already three quarters full she realized she could not sit on this information for long. Then she peered into the distance to the north were she saw the slight shimmering of light. She had at least a good nights run to reach Silvermoon she thought to herself. She knew of no one else to bring this information to. Only the surviving patriarch of her family would be able to deal with this information. And then without further hesitation, she descended from the tree and started her run towards Silvermoon city and to her family Patriarch, Lord Aigun Andilien.

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It was mid-afternoon as the sun’s rays were shinning into the room. Aigun was sitting behind his desk looking over some documents half paying attention to his sister who was lecturing him on her so called vision. It was the same story week after week, but he thought his sister’s visits came more frequently as of late and with every visit she became more persistent. Aigun was becoming quite annoyed with her.

Then silence came. He lifted up his eye and met Lunith’s gaze. Are you listening to me? She asked. He pushed back his chair and let out a deep sigh before he stood up. The paperwork would have to wait. Aigun walked around the desk and towards his sister. He took her hands in his and rubbed them tenderly before he spoke.

“Lunith, have thought that maybe these visions you are having is merely your subconscious not wanting to let go of him? I came back to the estate and nothing was left living.”

“Aigun, I…” She trailed off. “I can feel his presence in my vision. It’s like if he’s communicating with me. My visions are more frequent and I feel he’s getting worst.” She continued.

“Lunith, I’m growing more concerned about you. You haven’t grieved yet. Maybe it’s best you take some time away.” Aigun continued softly.

Upon hearing those words Lunith yanked her hands away from Aigun’s. She back off a couple of paces obviously flustered.

“I am not crazy Aigun! Vision in the clergy are not unheard of.” Lunith said frustratingly in a raised voice.

“May be but doesn’t the people with those vision had them since they were little elves? And if I’m not mistaken, their visions generally do not revolve around a dead sibling at every turn.” Aigun’s tone was now matching his sisters.

A soft knock came to the door which shushed both of them. Aigun was certainly not expecting any company. They both looked at each other for a moment and then Aigun proceeded to go open the door. He did wonder who it could be but was please to see a familiar face when he did open the heavy wooden door.

“Eyfura! What a welcomed surprise! We were not expecting you for another week.” Aigun greeted her as he got out of the way to welcome her into the room.

“Indeed my Lord, I have urgent news that needed me to cut short my hunt.” Eyfura casually answered as she walked into the room. She nodded at Lunith who looked a little flustered but returned the greeting.

Aigun motioned her to the sofas in the other side of the room. “Could I offer you a beverage or something?” He asked her.

“Oh no my lord, that is most gracious but I couldn’t.” She sat quite respectfully in one of the sofas.

“Please don’t mind my sister, you can tell me anything in front of her.” Aigun said when he saw Eyfura’s hesitance.

“Well, I was on my when one of my traps caught this troll. Of course I was about to bring it to an end when he offered me some information.” Eyfura paused for a moment to gauge Aigun’s reaction.

“Please Eyfura carry on.” Aigun asked her as he sate down to the opposite sofa. Lunith also came closer intrigue by what Eyfura would say next.

“It seems that these things are keeping an elf prisoner at one of their camps.” Eyfura paused before continuing. “Normally, I would simply demise this as an attempt to safeguard it’s life but this one seemed insistent.”

Lunith inhaled quickly and held her hand to her mouth before she dared to speak.

“Aigun, my visions! Can’t you see this has to be a sign. I tell you Ulian is alive!” Lunith felt validated and wanted to press her point.

“Regardless of who it is. Knowing these wretched things may hold one of our kin is quite repulsive. Eyfura do you believe this Troll was telling you the truth?”

“I think so my Lord.” Eyfura confirmed with a nod.

“Aigun, it’s Ulian I’m sure of it. We must go to him.” Lunith said half pleadingly.

Eyfura looked up at her and noted her concern.

“I do apologize that I don’t have anymore information to offer you my Lord.” Eyfura finally stated.

“I will have to talk this over with Velurian. See what he can make of this.” Aigun rose to his feet followed by Eyfura.

“You are more than welcome to stay here Eyfura. The manor has many rooms to choose from. Please make yourself at home.” Aigun said.

Eyfura smiled graciously and accepted Aigun’s offer. She knew that if he was going to go after the elf he would certainly need help. Aigun escorted her out of the office and close the door behind her.

“Aigun, please, you have to believe me in this.” Lunith now pleaded with him. She wanted so much for him to believe her. But Aigun was more of a factual elf. He did not care much for chance.

“Let me discuss this further with Velurian. Now please Lunith, this paperwork won’t file itself.” Aigun said more sternly than he would like.

Lunith looked disappointed at him and walked out the room. Aigun shook his head and return to his desk in order to write a letter to his cousin.



“Cousin, I’m surprised to see you. I hope all is well with you and your House. How are you adjusting to the title?” Velurian spoke to him behind a large parchment. Velurian tone seemed pleasant enough with him. Aigun attributed this to the now close relationship both there House now shared. After the Scourge, Aigun opted to associate himself as a vassal under House Suncrown for the time being. This of course pleased his cousin greatly.

Aigun advanced into his cousin’s office; his mind still on Lunith’s reaction to Eyfura’s news. He wondered what possessed him to even come to his cousin Velurian in the first place. But then, what if there is a stranded elf out there? What if it’s another Andilien? Then again what if Lunith is right and it is Ulian? Could he forgive himself for not taking this seriously?

“Aigun?” Velurian set the parchment down and spoke up to get his cousin’s attention.

This startled the elf in front of him. Aigun found himself already seated opposite to his cousin but didn’t even recall sitting down.

“I apologize my mind is a bit distracted.” Aigun commented.

“I heard a report that the Amani Trolls are holding an elf they captive. An elf they captured while they were raiding our lands while the Scourge invaded. We need to go find that elf.” Aigun told him the news in a matter-of-fact way. Aigun was still a bit lost in his thoughts. But yet it was quite usual for him to skip all pleasantries and go straight to the matter at hand.

“Well, isn’t this interesting news you bring me.” Velurian deprecatingly said as he looked at him from his side of the desk.

“Honestly, Aigun, I cannot see what you want me to do about this. I mean we are talking about a single elf are we not? And that is if you firmly believe this report. I cannot count how many of these reports I’ve come across.” Velurian stated dismissively.

“And what if it was your brother or sister?” Aigun asked as he straightens up in his chair.

“Even if you believe the source of the report to be accurate it still doesn’t tell us their whereabouts. Am I to fund an operation of this kind into the Ghostlands and maybe even beyond on a wild guess? Even if it were one of my kin, without more information I could not in good conscious find any expedition.” Velurian answered annoyed at Aigun’s question. To which Aigun only returned with a cold stare.

“In any case, cousin, it should not come to any surprise to you that our resources are stretched to the limit as is.” Velurian continued.

“Velurian, after all we been through. Don’t you think every soul we can bring to our cause would be more beneficial than your riches! I will go fetch this elf myself!” Aigun interrupted Velurian’s train of thought. Velurian raised an eyebrow and tighten his lips at Aigun’s implication.

“You will do no such thing.” Velurian said commandingly. “The council is to reconvene in a few days time to vote on some very important matters and I need your support in the chambers.” Velurian demanded.

Aigun got up from his chair and stared down at his cousin for a brief moment before he spoke.

“I have reason to believe the elf is an Andilien. I am going to retrieve him with or without your help. I simply wanted to inform you as a courtesy.”

Aigun flung his cape around his shoulder and storm out of his cousin’s office.



That night, Aigun prepared his bag for the trip when a knock came to his door. Before he reached the door to answer Lunith, Eyfura and Theradiel walked into his room. All of them had packs readied for a journey. Aigun looked at them a bit besides himself.

“What’s this?” Aigun voiced.

“I asked for Eyfura and Theradiel to accompany us.” Lunith answered. “Do you expect I would watch you leave on your own?” Lunith continued.

“No, this is not something for you to decide.” Aigun went back to his bed were his pack sat still open. His bow and quiver on the side.

“I believe our grandfather said something in the line of… if one Andilien falls we all fall. Anyways what sort of good conscious would we have if you go off on your own and get yourself killed? You know I definitely don’t want to get involved in politics any time soon cousin.” Theradiel piped up.

“We are all in this together Aigun, whether you like it or not. If Lunith is right and it is Ulian or even another Andilien for that matter, it would only strengthen our house.” Eyfura expressed her opinion.

Aigun looked at Lunith who had a wry expression on her face. It seemed she was quite content with herself. She had managed to rally the rest of the Andiliens. She’s a crafty one, Aigun thought to himself.

“Very well then. I will fetch Ra and we shall be on our way. “Aigun stated as he closed his pack and picked up his bow and quiver.

Moments later, the family exited the manor in the dead of night and exited the city with no one noticing their departure. The Andilien’s would remain true to their ancient credo and let no elf unprotected or at the mercy of there enemy.

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Lunith’s anticipation of seeing Ulian again made their journey seem to take forever. She was confident with out any doubts that the elf the troll told Eyfura about was in fact her younger brother. She was joyous at the thought of seeing him again but fearful of his state. She wondered if he was still alive, and if so, how much damage the trolls had done. The thought of his physical wounds and the pain he had to have been in was difficult to imagine but her fears of what their actions would have done to him emotionally, was too much to handle. She knew the body’s pain could be healed and would fade but the scars left on his soul would take years to mend.

She started to worry, what if they couldn’t find him, or if it was too late when they did. Her mind racing at the thought of losing Ulian again, she wasn’t sure what that would do to her, or even their mother, but she knew it wouldn’t be easily overcome. Her face must have betrayed her, Eyfura spoke breaking the silence and pulling Lunith from her thoughts “Worry not, we will find the elf, whomever it is.” Lunith tried to manage a convincing smile, unsure if she was successful or not, she returned to her thoughts. She looked up briefly from the trail to glance back at Eyfura, who had returned her attention back to the journey.

Lunith studied each elf that surrounded her, all hunters and all very capable of the tasks ahead of them. She knew why she was there, to heal the elf, to heal Ulian, but could she handle the dangers they would face before she would be reunited with him.

They had left at night to prevent others from stopping them; apparently not everyone understood the importance of their mission. They continued to proceed, traveling along the dead scar. They were cautious but remained close enough to follow it. Aigun’s plan was to follow it into what was now called the Ghostlands, what used to be their home. She had not returned to this area since she had been ordered to take the children and head for the security of Silvermoon, back before the siege.

As they distanced themselves from Silvermoon they traveled away from the dead scar and made camp for the night just south of the East Sanctum, at the base of the mountains. Lunith preferred the idea of sleeping here instead of pushing on towards the Ghostlands. They would get there tomorrow and she was not sure if she was prepared for it yet. Aigun spoke, setting up different shifts though the night, Theradiel and his worg Marduk, then Eyfura and her dragon hawk Einarr, and finally Aigun and Ra. He thought it best not to give Lunith a shift, he wanted to protect her as much as he could, Eyfura and Theradiel seemed to accept and agree with the plan.

They arose early and started their journey again. The night didn’t seem to last long, at least that’s how it seemed to Lunith. She wondered how the others felt, especially since they had slept less then she. Part of her did seem to enjoy it though. There was something about the forest, the wild that made her feel comfortable. Some part of it reminder her of home, the way things used to be. She wasn’t sure if it was the peace of the forest, the adventure that was so different then her daily life, or the joy of having Ulian returned, either way, she was much more comfortable with the trip this morning than lasts.

Later in the day they reached the nearest edge of the Ghostlands, just after the Elrendar River. Lunith was shocked. The area did not sit well with her, everything seemed gray and dead. Even the river, one of her favourite places to play as a child was now unfamiliar to her. It made her sick with sorrow to see everything destroyed, or having taken to a new, distorted way of life. This place existed somewhere between life and death, she thought to herself, she felt sympathy for it. She knew that her shock must have been written over her face but as she looked around at her family, none seemed to notice, they didn’t seem to have reacted the same way either. Lunith wondered if this was a weakness of hers. She stopped herself in the midst of the thought and tried to focus on the tasks at hand.

They traveled east along the river towards Suncrown Village; this was where Ulian was headed, when he didn’t show he was presumed dead. The four of them meticulously searched the area. There was nothing that seemed to stick out to Lunith, she wasn’t exactly sure what the others were looking for, so anytime she saw anything that could be a track or something of possible interest, she would grab the nearest elf and ask them. None of it seemed to be anything though.

They continued searching for days, each night making camp with the same shifts. They took a path from Suncrown Village, to Farstrider enclave and on around west to the Sanctum of the Sun. There were some old tracks that Theradiel took notice on near Farstrider Enclave but nothing that able to be tracked.

It was days without any sign, Lunith started to worry again that they would not find the trolls or Ulian. Finally Eyfura managed to pick up a trail that led south east towards the mountains.

Lunith was excited and fearful. She had a bow and sword that she knew how to use, but she had never really been in a fight before. Right after leaving Silvermoon, Aigun had explained to her that she was to stay in the back, not get involved with the fight, unless the fight came to her, but to watch them and heal them. She knew she could heal, that’s what she had done most of her life, but always after a fight was over, never in the midst of one, and especially not with her own family, when any failure would be greater.

Lunith took deep breaths, in and out. She focused on Ulian and rescuing him. The imagines from her dream flooded her mind, the fear of being lost, of being helpless, of not finding him, all overwhelming her then silence and nothing but Ulian as she realized that all of those fears would not see fruition. She wasn’t alone, she wouldn’t be lost, she was surrounded by three incredible talented hunters, and they would find him. Peace washed over her as they continued to cautiously follow the tracks.

Out of nowhere an axe hit the ground inches from Aigun. He and Theradiel looked around and spotted its’ source, a group of trolls. Eyfura spoke “They must have heard us following them”.

Fluidly the three of them readied themselves for the fight. Lunith almost froze with fear when Aigun’s words pierced the silence “Lunith, get down, and back, remember what I said”.

She followed her brother’s orders without a thought as to what she was doing, she just went. She wasn’t sure how close she would need to be to heal one of them if they were hurt, she hoped she hadn’t distanced herself too much. Ra, Pet & Pet all went running towards the Trolls. All Lunith could make out was arrows and axes flying through the air, the sounds of metal hitting metal. She glanced up every few moments to make sure that her family wasn’t hurt, at least nothing serious. She had decided unless it was serious it could wait until the Trolls were defeated. It didn’t seem to take long, less time then she had expected. The Tolls must have underestimated Andilien strength she thought as she realized that a few had managed to evade serious harm and were running away.

Without words Aigun, Theradiel and Eyfura all went after them. Lunith, unprepared, stumbled to follow them. She tried to survey each of their wounds, unsure if any were serious. She opened her mouth to speak but words did not come. Lunith approached them only realizing that they had stopped as she nearly ran into Theradiel. “Oh, I’m sorry” she whispered. There’s my voice again she thought. Theradiel turned to her, his only reply was a finger over his mouth, letting her know to be quiet.

The three of them were watching the Trolls, each appearing to know what the other was thinking; only speaking in a few nods and glances. Lunith did not understand them, but as they nodded and motioned to each other she searched them, healing any wound that she found, none seemed to be life threatening but she wasn’t sure what the next attack would bring.

They started to move again, slower this time, being wary of the noises they made. Lunith finally caught on, they were going to follow these Trolls to see if they lead to Ulian.

The Trolls lead them in to the Mountains. The Andiliens followed, but cautiously not letting the Trolls notice that they were being following. They finally stopped. Aigun spoke softly, “This appears to be their main camp”. He motioned in the direction Lunith had last seen the trolls. “It’s large, in order for us to take the upper handle we will need to attack it from different angles”. He gave each of them specific instructions on where to go and when to attack. Lunith was to stay near to him, but was still expected to use her weapons. “I’m sorry, I know that you are not prepared for this, but we need you to help” She nodded in understanding.

Each member started to move in their given direction. Aigun and Lunith circled around to the opposite side of the camp. She looked around but only saw a few Trolls, she wasn’t sure if there were more then the ones they had followed here. Aigun told her to stay where she was, to draw her bow and prepare to fire at his signal, and then he disappeared. She pulled her bow and readied an arrow, her arms shaking. She could barely hold it steady on the Troll nearest to her. Once everyone was in place Aigun had Ra let out a roar, signaling the others to attack. Lunith took a deep breath in and released the arrow as she exhaled, just as she had been taught. She was amazed to see the Troll drop. She was sure he had made some noise, a scream of some kind but she heard nothing. She looked around but saw no other trolls; she wondered if this was maybe a trap.

Eyfura’s voice rung out “Its all clear, let’s take a look around.” Lunith stood, her legs weak beneath her, she slowly stepped forward, trying to be cautious and observant. She walked towards the troll she had shot, she was drawn to it. The Troll lay there, dead, with her arrow sticking out from its’ neck. She just stared at it, amazed at how quickly a life could be ended. It was a lesson that she had thought she learned with the Siege, but it was different now, this was from her own hands.

She heard foots steps behind her, she turned with bow drawn and ready to fire. Theradiel stood before her, “Not bad for your first time, you can put the bow away for now, there will be more to deal with later.”

Lunith slowly put the bow and drawn arrow away, trying to remain calm with all that had gone on. Her mind finally caught back up with her “Have you found him?”

Her eyes moved from tent to tent all around her, she joined her kin in searching. Eyfura was stopped, just outside of the camp. She was knelt down looking at the ground. “It appears that a number of trolls left this camp not even a day ago, we will need to follow these.”

Theradiel spoke “I have seen no sign of the elf, are we sure these are the right Trolls?”

Lunith shifted her attention to Aigun, who was kneeling by a tree, his hands sifted through a pile of leaves. Lunith headed towards him, curious if he had found anything of interest. As she neared she noticed him pull something from the pile but could not make out what it was as it was small and he held in tight in his hand. Lunith continued to watch him, frozen in her own movement. Aigun stood and looked down at his open hand. Lunith had never seen such a look on Aigun’s face, shock, fear, regret, she wasn’t sure what it was. She forced herself to walk away, the curiosity of his find greater then the fear of knowing what had caused such a reaction.

Eyfura and Theradiel must have noticed Aigun’s find as well as they both approached. When Lunith reached Aigun, she place her hand on his shoulder, trying to get as close as possible. She looked down at the item that still held his attention. Immediately she knew what it was, it was a pendant of the Andilien family crest, it was Ulian’s pendant. A smile crossed Lunith’s face, she was right, Ulian was alive.

Lunith stepped away from Aigun, allowing Eyfura and Theradiel to see the pendant as well. It was silence for what felt like hours. Then Aigun spoke. “We know this elf is one of our own, we must find and rescue this kin of ours. We will camp tonight and follow the tracks Eyfura found at first light.” They made their camp outside of the Trolls camp. Lunith could barely sleep; she tossed and turned all night. Images of Ulian, and of the Troll she had killed, flashed in her mind.

They left early, even before light, but it appeared that none of them could sleep, all anxious over what the day would bring. They traveled following the tracks for hours, day became night and they needed to camp again. Lunith started to get frustrated with the time it was taking, but she was sure everyone wanted to find Ulian and return home. She tried not to allow her frustration to show, they were all tired.

Two days of traveling, following tracks and they finally came upon another Troll camp. Lunith wondered if this would hold the same lack of answers as the last one did. The four of them gathered and set a plan as to how to attack the came and rescue the elf. The plan was the same has the last time, spilt up and all attack at Aigun’s signal. Lunith was sure if she would be as successful this time as last but feeling as though Ulian must be here she had to try. Aigun place her and she found her target. Ra roared before she had expected to hear it and with in seconds she was shooting, one arrow after another. It was becoming like second nature to her. There were so many Trolls. She saw her arrows hit troll after troll after troll. She could hear the others fighting as well, metal clanking, arrows flying, trolls yelling in pain. She stopped, there were no more trolls in her sight, none that she could see to shoot so she moved in. Her bow and arrow readied as she walked forward and made sure she was clear. She entered the camp, there were few trolls left, and all of them seemed to be occupied in fights with one of her family members or a pet of theirs. She put her bow and arrow away and started to survey the area. She had to find Ulian.

She noticed something by one of the trees, it didn’t look alive and it didn’t look like an elf but she decided to investigate further. Moving slowly, she carefully drew her sword, wary that this was a trap. As she reached the tree she could make out more details, there was a body, so frail, and a pile of leafs over where the head should be. She used her sword to carefully lift the leaves, fearful that there would be no head to be found. She thankfully was mistaken. She sheathed her sword and dropped to her knees. Lunith brushed the leaves off of the head and wiped the dirt from its face. Tears ran down her face as she recognized the face as her younger brother. She laid her head to his chest and could hear faint breathing, he was alive.

She glanced up for a moment just in time to see Aigun killing the last troll. As the troll’s body hit the ground Lunith was unable to contain her news any longer.

“I FOUND HIM, ULIAN IS ALIVE!” She screamed.

As the others ran towards her she surveyed Ulian’s wounds. There were many as well as many scars and bruises; she could barely recognize this as her brother, but it was. She could tell that they had tortured him for some time, it appeared that they have even ripped out his hear, or cut it off with a dull axes. It was painful to see but this is why she was there, to help him recover.

She glanced up from Ulian to see that the others had just arrived, she told Eyfura to give her a wet cloth. She needed to clean him up to assess how bad his wounds were. She asked Aigun or Theradiel for some clothes as Ulian only protection from the elements was a loin cloth.

Ulian had appeared to only be sleeping but she wasn’t sure. His injuries could be deep enough that there was permanent damage. She had heard of elves that couldn’t wake up, she had hoped that this was not the case for her brother. Once she had cleaned him up as much as she could and dressed the wounds that were the worst. She did a spell to heal as much of him as she could, she knew it wouldn’t fix everything but it should allow him to travel. Her concern for him grew as none of her touches seemed to disturb his slumber.

Lunith looked to Aigun, “I need help to get him up and dressed”.

Theradiel and Aigun got on either side of him to lift him to his feet. Almost instantly Ulian’s eyes opened and he let out a feral scream and struggled to release himself from those who were restraining him.

He is awake but not aware, Lunith thought to herself. She stood and was in front of Ulian. As he kicked and struggled to get free she reached out grabbing the sides of his face at his chin line, trying to focus his attentions. She forced him to look at her as she calmly spoke “It is okay little brother, you are safe now, they can not hurt you any more, I promise”.

Ulian’s struggle lessened. Lunith was sure but something in his eyes told her that he recognized her, even if just a little. He collapsed; Aigun and Theradiel gently laid him back down. Aigun dressed him in a simple robe. Theradiel and Eyfura helped Lunith to create a stretcher in order to help transport Ulian back to Silvermoon.

The five of them camped for the night and headed out early. Lunith did not leave Ulian’s side, not when she slept, not when they traveled. She continued to try to heal him, and spoke comforting words. She told him stories from their childhood, playing by the river, her stealing his and Zalindrian’s boots, anything that made her smile she shared with him. She was unsure if he could hear her or not, the stories at least comforted her.

They headed back to Silvermoon. Lunith knew that the next months, if not years would be hard but it didn't seem to weigh on her, she was joyful at having her brother back. She knew that he was strong and that they, as a family, would face whatever difficulties lay ahead of them.

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“JOURNEY TO THE LIGHT”

Journey to the Light was conceived to explore Ulian recovery and furthermore his decision to break tradition and become the first "paladin" that the Andilien family has known. Each chapter of this series will be a short story of moments in Ulian life after his rescue from the Amani Trolls to the day he becomes a blood knight. I hope you will enjoy.




Lunith sat in a chair besides a bed staring at her young brother in a calm deep slumber. He lay almost motionless on his side, his thorax lifting and falling with each breath and with his right thumb in his mouth quietly sucking. It wasn’t that long ago he was returned to them, merely a week by her count. And this was a rare occasion indeed since then where she was watching her brother sleep rather than help restrain him as he screamed and swung his limbs violently as if in a seizure, the result of his night terrors. The priest in the veteran’s establishment reassured them that Ulian was not possessed by any demons nor had any evil curses upon him. Awake, he did not speak to anyone and would rarely venture out of his bed. Ultimately, he seemed to be in a catatonic state starring at the ceiling or walls. She could only guess what visions haunted him at his young age. No one this young should witness the horrors of war or be its prisoner. How much torture had he endured for those long months to end up broken like this, she thought to herself. Tears weld up in her eyes, for all her empathy, she could not comfort him or protect him from these horrible memories. She felt absolutely useless!

With much heartache, she walked out of the room and was greeted by her mother. The pain was evident in her eyes as well but she seemed to handle it rather well. A Suncrown trait she hadn’t inherited she thought.

“You haven’t slept much my dear.” Her mother broke the silence between them.

Lunith could only muster a gentle nod in agreement.

“We all love your brother dearly and I pray my thanks everyday that he was returned to us but it is not a reason to let yourself be drained by staying at his bedside every moment of every day.”

Lilith looked at her daughter waiting for acknowledgment but decide to not wait to give her the news.

“I have applied to be posted here at the veteran’s hospice. I believe the high priestess is willing to place me here. This way…” She combed with her hand a few locks of hair behind her daughter’s ear to reveal her sad eyes. “… I will be here for your brother. And this will give you the chance to energize yourself.”

But before Lunith could say anything she continued.

“…with your older brother engulfed with his new duties, It will be to you that Ulian will turn to for help. You will need to be strong for him. You will not be if you continue this vigil by his bedside.”

No sooner did those words left her mouth, ruffle cam from the room and a familiar voice called out “Lunithhh…”

---


A week had passed; Lilith was granted her position at the veteran’s hospice and found her calling there. Aigun had shown up for a visit but was shortly called upon for some business that needed attending to. He was still adjusting to his duties as head of their house. But it was Lunith that assisted Ulian in his recovery the most.

“We should cut your hair.” She commented as she was examining the bald patches, the knots, and the spots of short hair of which the troll captures had ripped and cut out piece of hair and scalp. “Your wounds are healing rather well though.”

It was almost as if she was carrying a conversation by herself as the young elf was absorbed in his thoughts. Who could have imagined this elf would have already seen so much death and experience so much torture at his young age. It decidedly luck that most of his memories where absent to his mind. So, he spent most of his days looking out his room’s window. Because of this Lunith had Ulian moved to a room with a much nicer view. It was overlooking the garden. She thought that he might like it. And in fact, Ulian was quite contempt with the view. It distracted him from whatever memories were left.

As Lunith came over with a comb to try and straighten out his hair Ulian whispered to her.

“Cut it all off. Nothing left.”

Lunith stopped stunned. Her brother hadn’t spoken much since he woke up.

“Well, I could…”

“OFF!!!” He screamed at the top of his lungs.

Ulian enraged got up to his feet and grabbed the chair he was sitting on and proceeded to through the chair across the room and out the window nearly hitting Lunith in the process. She fell flat on her bottom but the sound of the chair crashing a few floors onto the courtyard bellow certainly muffled any noise that came from her landing on the floor so violently.

Ulian didn’t stop there. He preceded to ripe the sheets on his bed and the pillow into pieces. So that by the time hospice volunteers came to help restrain him feathers where floating everywhere in there room as if they where in a snow glob.

Lunith was totally stunned as the volunteers finally rushed in to restrain her brother and force him to drink a potion which put him into a deep sleep. Still sitting on the ground from her fall she couldn’t help from letting a tear escape her eye. Where was her happy little brother? What had the trolls done with him?

“Mistress, are you hurt?” A hospice volunteer said as he was offering his hand to help her stand up instead.

“Umm… No. No. I am fine.” She said as she composed herself taking his hand and lifted herself up.

“Would you like me to stay?” He asked concerned for her safety.

“No. That is all.” She turned at the man and waved him out.

“Very well, Mistress” The elf said before he bowed his head and turned towards the door.

She followed him to the door and closed it behind him. Then she limped around to find where the comb had flown to. Grabbing it off the floor, she then got a pair of scissors from the cabinet drawer in the room. She limped back to her brother’s wrecked bed and sat down uncomfortably. Then, she carefully positioned his head onto her laps and gently started cutting away his hair.

“Yes, little brother. Everything will go.” She whispered as she quietly sobbed.

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Weeks had passed since Ulian’s psychotic break down. He was now controlled by medical elixir for the time being to prevent another break down in his mental state. He started to recall memories of what had happen to him and received help dealing with them. He felt more at home at the Veterans Hospice than he had before hand. Even though, he had made significant progress in his recovery for the past few weeks he felt as if his life force was diminishing by the day.

That night, his tired dimly light blue eyes were the only source of light in his room this night as he was rapidly pacing in circles within it. He was rubbing his hands feverishly trying to make his shakes go away. As he was pacing he kept whispering to himself the same words he last heard from his grandfather’s mouth.

“Run, Ulian, run!”

A knock at the door did nothing to disturb Ulian. A second knock came to the door. And then the door creaked open as decidedly the knocker could not wait any longer for a response.

“Oh Ulian.” His mother’s soft whisper made him stop in his tracks.

“Mother!” Ulian met her gaze.

“What’s happening?” He asked her showing his shaking hands.

“Here, sit” Lilith motioned towards the bed where she sat next to him. “I brought you some elixir that will help you sleep.” She continued handing him the bowl.

“…and I feel so weak. “ He continued wanting answers.

“Drink my dear.” She assisted him to drink the elixir. “Since the Sunwell’s destruction our people has been suffering withdrawal from its magic. You my dear son are no different.” She looked him over checking the rate his wounds were healing. Then in a rare moment of affection she caressed Ulian’s buzzed head and gave him a warm smile as he took a couple of sips.

“So the Sunwell is gone? Is that why your eye are green?” He asked inquisitively after he rubbed his mouth with his sleeve.

“Many of our people died after the fact simply because of magic starvation. Our situation was dire. Our Lord, Prince Kael’Thas Sunstrider gave us the means to subdue our addiction with demonic and fel energies for the time being with a promise to seek out a cure to our addiction.” She responded solemnly to his query. “This is why now you will see most of our people, the Sin’dorei, with green eyes.”

Ulian looked at her from the side raising an eyebrow.

“We are no longer Quel’dorei, son.” She continued. “Our prince gave us the name of Sin’dorei, in memory of our fallen kin and rightly so.” She continued.

“So we are now we are merely broken people.”

Ulian gazed down into the bowl of elixir pondering what his mother just told him. And he realized that his hands had stopped shacking and looked back up at his mother.

“I infused it with some magic. It will sustain you for now. I will get your brother to show you how to quench your thirst for magic once you have recovered.” She said as she stood up from the bed.

“They are all dead aren’t they?” Ulian asked somberly changing the conversation.

A look of sympathy came over her as her son asked the question knowingly he was referring to his Andilien kinship. She sat back down beside him on the bed and motioned him to take another sip of his elixir.

“We thought you were gone to us but yet here you are. Your brother has rallied what is left of our proud house. We may be few now but it will be through you, your brother and your cousins, that House Andilien will be reborn.”

She placed her hand on his shoulder as he finished the elixir.

“We know not if there are more of us still surviving out there. But we will eventually find out.” She continued, taking the bowl from his hands and then offering him once again a warm smile.

Ulian yawned as his eyes were getting heavier. His mother set the bowl temporarily on the nightstand before she helped him in bed as he was falling fast asleep in a deep slumber. She then covered him with a warm blanket and made sure his head was resting well on the pillow. Then she gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead before picking up the bowl and silently walking out of the room.

“May your dreams bring you peace my dear” She whispered before closing the door to his room.

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He reached at the other side of the water bowl at took a wash cloth. He dipped it in the chilly water. The night air cooled the water really nice he thought. He pulled the wash cloth out of the water and gave it a few squeezes before wiping his forehead of the sweat. For what reasons are these night terrors have to be so vivid! He considered his situation as he glared at his reflection in the mirror. He didn’t find any answers in the green eyes staring back at him in the mirror.

It was well past midnight he thought as he inspected his surroundings. He reached for the towel on the back of a chair in his room next to his lavatory and walked towards the window still toweling off the sweat form his body. A fresh nightly breeze was coming in from the window and caressed his skin. That night’s nightmare scared any notion of sleeping anymore away from him as he stared out yonder. This was not his first sleepless night he knew and he tough it would not be the last either. He looked down at the courtyard and notice that he was not the only one up late at night. He saw a shadowy figure sitting at a bench enjoying what seemed like he was smoking some good herb as he inhaled more often than not.

Even though, Ulian did not make a noise to alert the stranger of his staring at him. The individual sitting on the bench raised his head and stared back at Ulian for a moment before he motioned him to come down and join him on the bench. Ulian taken aback from this considered his action before deciding to venture out to the courtyard to meet this stranger.

He grabbed the shirt that was sitting nicely folded on the chair and laid the towel in its place and slide into his shirt as he was exiting his room. He walked quietly through the hall and down the stairs so to not wake or draw any attention to him. All along wondering how the stranger knew he was staring at him. As he reached the building exit he noted the transparent blue drapes where shifting in the breeze. But just outside the doorway the stranger was waiting for him.

He parted the drapes and walked out to meet the stranger. The stranger extended his hand towards Ulian signaling him to come closer. Ulian approached cautiously while he was reflecting on his actions. What motivated him to come down here? He hadn’t been out of the hospice since his family brought him there so many months ago.

“Hmmm… a bit young for the Veteran’s hospice aren’t you?” The stranger said.

“I am very much a veteran as you are!” Ulian retorted studying the stranger’s body language.

“Relax, kid! I suppose it’s quite possible many elves of every generation would be veterans in some manner after the last war. Here want some?” The stranger passed his pipe to Ulian.

Ulian took the pipe in his hand and brought it to his mouth where he sucked in a generous amount of smoke. Only to hold it in for the briefest of moments before he coughed out everything he tried to inhale.

“What is that?” He asked between coughs.

The stranger launch in laughter but Ulian quickly shushed him.

“Quiet, people will wake!” He told him.

“Nonsense! Tonight is for only you and I young Andilien!”

“How do you know?”

“It’s my business to know.” He smiled the most conniving smiles he could muster.

“This is bloodthristle lad! This I must admit is the most likely to equal footing as the feeling you get from sucking in demonic energy!” The stranger answered his earlier question before chuckling to himself.

Come on now… let’s go site on that bench there.” The stranger pointed Ulian towards the bench.

“Why should I trust you?” Ulian asked him without moving a muscle.

“Why not?” The stranger answered.

“I don’t know your name and I have not seen you on these premises before.” Ulian continued.

“Then do not trust me!” He answered simply. “Regardless I am going to go sit down.”

Frustrated at the stranger, Ulian’s curiosity got the best of him and followed him to the bench.

“Why are you not answering my question?” Ulian asked to the stranger already seated on the bench.

“You have to many questions, besides you haven’t ask the proper ones yet.” Was the answer the stranger gave him. Ulian was perplexed now. Why and how would a random stranger merely show up in the middle of the night and coax him down to the courtyard to smoke some weed? And then tell him that he was not asking the proper questions.

As Ulian sat down beside him the stranger asked him a question.

“Why do you think I’m here?”

“To annoy me!” Ulian retorted.

“Answers!” The stranger continued.

“Answers! What answers? I ask you question and you do not give me any answers but rather more questions!” Ulian said with frustration.

“As I said you haven’t asked the proper question yet” calmly replied.

“Please to tell me what questions am I to ask you?”

“For instance, what of these dreams you are having?”

“What?” Ulian got to his feet staring down at the stranger. “What of them?” He continued. Ulian never share the extent of his dreams with anyone at this point deciding to keep the horrors to himself.

“Oh so offended! Get off your Hawkstrider will you!” The stranger said before taking another puff of his pipe.

“Be the man you want to be and own up to what you seen.” He continued as he exhaled a large puff of smoke. “You noblemen are so wound up tight. It is no wonder there are many of your kind here.” He continued half insultingly.

“What is your problem?” Ulian shouted at him.

“I am not the one with the problem for I am not the one committed here.” The stranger added insult to injury.

Ulian’s closed his fist tight and gave the iciest gaze at the stranger.

“Oh fine! An honest elf can’t have any fun these days.” The stranger responded to Ulian’s aggression towards him.

“What you dream about Ulian is not a laughing matter. You have to deal with it. Your kin perished and for the most part became reanimated where you had to kill a second time.” The stranger met Ulian’s gaze before taking another puff. “You are the only survivor of that massacre. Your brother was not there. Your mother was not there and your sister was not there. So how would they comprehend what you saw? Through you imbecile! You are the only witness to the event! Do you not think that they need closure as well? Silly boy! Wake up! You were made a man before your time! You childhood is over. Suck it up and move on! You think you are the only veteran dreaming of past battles?”

Ulian was taken back by this strangers quasi yelling at him. But as he finished his last sentence he lean back on the bench and smoked some more.

“And don’t use the fact that you were tortured by trolls to seek any more pity from people.”

“I never saw it that way. I mean…” Ulian was left speechless.

“You rich kids never do… Now wake up! Wake up!”

Ulian looked at him puzzled…

The stranger sighed at him. Then suddenly, he through a punch square in Ulian’s face.

Ulian woke up with a jitter as if reacting to the punch.

A female voice welcomed him to the walking world: “Wake up sleepy!”

Ulian look around to see his sister arranging some flowers in a vase.

“You slept most of the morning away. Breakfast has come and gone now. You can’t sleep all day now can you? It’s such a beautiful day out that I thought we could finally go out.”

His sister continued to ramble as he oriented himself. Was it all a dream? He wondered.

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