Free at Last

Their little barrow of the dens of Moonglade continued to remain silent and dark. Some days had passed since the two guardians had had any outside visitors. The demon hunter remained aware as she leaned against the wall, alert as she always was and would always remain. The inexperianced druid sat with her knees drawn up to her, her head resting back against the wall, her thoughts filled with many conserns of what could be happening to all those she cared about, both within the barrow and without. Neyeeva kept her watch of the bodies of the sleeping druids, her eyes darting from one unconcious form to the other, then, sounds of stirring began to fill the small enclosed barrow, sounds long hoped for in the seemingly never ending monotonous atomoshpere of the dens.

Cenias stirred in his place on the opposite side of the barrow, his eyes shutting tightly before fluttering lightly and opening into thin, glowing slits. Elizaebel glanced over at Cenias then back to Xaneria and Ailac as Cenias rolled, grunting. Neyeeva's ears twitched at the noises as she saw the druid stirring.

"Cenias." Neyeeva called to him as she rose to her feet.

Cenias moaned as he gripped the stone beside of him while greenish and dark purple bruises appeared fresh on his orchid skin.

Neyeeva stepped forward to the older druid, seeing the bruises. Her concern for them must have been evident, for as Cenias forced himself to stand, and clutched at his sleepers garments, he said, "I am fine, falore... Have the others awoken?"

Neyeeva looked back to the others momentarily berfore responding. The others still remained still, unconcious to the waking world. "No. You are the first." she said quietly.

Cenias furrowed his brow as he removed his sleepers robe. "I see..."

At that moment Xaneria 's hands began to flinch and her eyes twitched, a light groan escaping her lips as she wearily sat up, touching her forhead in a tizzy and trying to catch her own ragged breaths. Her color is pale and her body weak from the lack of nourishment.

Neyeeva turned at the sounds, to face the other two. "Xaneria."

Cenias's brows untightened. He picked up his gloves, tightening them and walking over to the two druids. Elizaebel turned to look at Xaneria then smiled.

"Eh....hurts....heh." Xaneria moaned as she shook a hand, "Not... so loud...please."

Neyeeva walked over to the other two as Cenias looked down towards the elder druid, nodding lightly. "Good, you are awoken. I trust Ailac saw you through efficiently?" He as aked.

Neyeeva simply looked to Ailac then, waiting, as Xaneria remained to place her face in her hands, sweat slipping down her skin, still catching her ragged breaths, her voice was hoarse from the dry throat. She nodded, struggling to open her eyes. "Yes... he sent me first.... after you."

Cenias nodded in return. "As to be expected, I went to secure the portal, it is only natural that he would pass you in between, and follow"

Xaneria lifted her head in a quick panic, something slightly amiss. "Neyeeva? Is Eli-" she began.

Neyeeva continued to look upon Ailac, a silent prayer upon her lips as she turned her head to face Xaneria.

"It will only be a moment, bide your time, we are incredibly blessed to have awoken at all." Cenias said.

Elizaebel tilted her head slightly at the mention of her name."Is eli... what?"

Xaneria sighed and smirked as she shook her head. "Nothing."

Finally, Ailac groaned. He began to pant as if out of breath, rolling from his side onto his back and stretching out, his right eye opening a sliver to reveal pale amber light. Neyeeva turned her head back to Ailac as she heard his distress.

"It is... done." Ailac said.

Cenias smiled lightly, nodding at Ailac. "You sleep back into the world of the woken, Brother Dusktalon, I trust your travels were unhindered?"

Neyeeva managed a weak smile of utter releif. This time, it seemed to be over, done, at last.

Ailac raised his head slightly from the ground, nodding before letting it fall back.

"Ah.... does it always pound so much waking like this?" Xaneria groaned as she tilted her head downward more into her hand. She was obviously suffering from a headache.

Cenias smirks at the question. "It does depend..."

Elizaebel bent forward, running her hand over Xaneria's hair "At least your awake now."

Cenias turned his eyes away from the two. Ailac groaned, pushing himself up off the ground to a seated position. Cenias stood tall, but no longer displayed the same demeanour of pride that he did during the dream. Xaneria smiled struggling to open her eyes, a hand reaching to Elizaebel's as she nods, her eyes watering lightly. Ailac brought his left hand up to cover the left eyelid.

"Well, I can't say it was... an enjoyable rest... heh though I'm sure you were bored." Xaneria said.

Neyeeva looked upon Ailac, noticing and remembering the damage done to the eye. "Ailac, how does your eye fair? Do you need more healing?" She asked in concern as Xaneria tilted her head back towards Ailac and smiled.

Ailac looked up to Neyeeva from the ground, opening his right eye wider.

"Is it feeling...alright?" Xaneria echoed as Cenias furrowed his brow, looking down at Ailac.

"It's fine, falore Riversong. Things are as I wish them to be." Ailac answered.

Neyeeva nodded before tilting her head in confusion at the comment. "Of course." She managed to say, not knowing how else to respond to such an answer.

Xaneria reached a hand to her face once more, gently a warm glow passing by for a moment. The druid moved, forcing herself to stand.

Cenias took up his staff. "I highly doubt, that I would need to tell you this of all people, Ailac. But if there is some manner of corruption remaining inside you, then are the catalyst we have dreaded. Open your eye, brother."

Xaneria tiled her head at Cenias while Ailac looked the other druid sternly, pulling himself up off the ground to stand and look him in the eye. Neyeeva narrowed her eyes at Cenias, then turned her head to Ailac, wondering herself. Xaneria moved, leaning her back against a wall, taking a breath and slowly letting her eyes open.

"What is left is not corruption." Ailac answered as he pulled his bangs back away from his left eye, opening up the left eyelids. The eyesocket remained black, giving off no light.

Cenias's eyes widened as Xaneria commented, "It's.... so dark."

Cenias watched the light around Dusktalon's eye become drawn to the void. "Indeed, it is dark." He confirmed.

"Yes, as there is darkness inside all minds of those living, so is there in me. I am not corrupt, I have bested my demons. This eye is my price." Ailac closed the eyelids, letting his hair fall back infront of it.

Cenias nodded lightly, placing the staff down against the wall. "I am glad to hear it, brother."

Xaneria sighed heavily, her breaths still harsh. She looked up saying, "As am I. To finally have ended this and to come out alive." Neyeeva sighed quietly under her breath as Xaneria smiled brightly folding her hands infront of her waist.

Ailac turned his head smiling toward Xaneria. "I'm glad. It seems that has worked more than just in the dream." Xaneria nods cheerfully in response.

"My wounds are not grave, how do the two of you fair? I am sure that Ailac is sufficient, but you, Xaneria, were alone for quite a period of time without either Ailac or myself." Cenias asked. Xaneria looked at Cenias as Elizaebel crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. "The dream is not one that lends itself to be easily guided by those not used to its ways and paths."

"Tired... sitting there... the nightmare was boring into my body, like it was slicing away at my soul.... if it wasn't for that voice, I may not have reached out to you, and my soul swallowed... I'm tired... as if its stolen years from me." Xaneria explained as Neyeeva listened intently, learning all she could from the pthers' experiance. Xaneria sighed while Cenias looked down. His eyes becoming heavy. "I do not wish to repeat such an ordeal... that final dream...was a true nightmare." Xaneria said solemnly.

"I am... truely sorry, Xaneria." Cenias said with a heavy heart while Elizaebel pulled away from the wall walking toward the doorway and Xaneria reached up to her collar bone gripping at something, taking a realization that the object is missing and smiles.

Ailac nodded grimly. "The Nightmare is no ordeal to be borne lightly. It takes a toll."

"Why? It was not your fault... besides, I gained something from this... as well as helped Ailac...I think." Xaneria protested as she glanced past the other druids, watching Elizaebel move towards the door, frowning briefly.

Cenias closed his eyes, and pressed his hands together. "I give you thanks for under taking this burden, Falore. Yet again, females have been forced to suffer unequally balanced. I am truely sorry... forgive us." Cenias said as he bowed before Xaneria, kneeling at her feet.

Xaneria blinked at Cenias. "Cen...Cenias..."

Elizaebel sighed muttering under her breath "druids..." as Neyeeva raised her brows at Cenias, yet remained silent.

"I honestly don't view things the way you do... its our people... not our gender that suffer. You and Ailac both underwent your own trials and such am I correct?" Xaneria said.

Cenias shook his head in disagreement. "The males of the dreaming world will stand on guard lest those which fall to Nightmare see it loose upon awakening, and forever the females will protect the world to which the dreamers wake. Again, we have asked our females to take the double burden of protecting both." Xaneria frowned. "And for that, we will never be free of our shame for our insufficiency, and for our plea in weakness which has been answered."

"It was my own choice... and there is no shame here... this isn't about society or those foolish ideals Staghelm boasts...this is about family and friends... Why make it into an ordeal of shame?" Xaneria protested again.

"Do not take such a thing lightly, the Emerald Dream is sacred, and it is no small task."

Xaneria crossed her arms as Elizaebel commented, "The strong aid the weak is that not the way of our people? Or any other?"

Ailac shook his head lightly, still groggy and looking somewhat confused. Cenias lowerrf his head a bit more. "For a watcher and protecter..." Cenias stood.

"It isn't even about strong and weak... you do for those you care for regardless.... One would stand on Arthas's throne for those they love... is it not true?" Neyeeva's eyes hardened for a breif moment at Xaneria's words, as they hit her with a hard realization.

"To be protected in their own realm by those who they are comanded to watch over." Cenias continued, "It will always bring shame." Xaneria sighed. "Do not question, do not debate-"
"I will never get through to you...why do I bother?" Xaneria said.

"Do not spit in the face of those who honour sacrifice, and mock their shame." Cenias conitnued as Elizaebel smirked and shook her head. "And I fear you will never still your knived tongue that cuts honour and drives shame. Even if you do not, and will never accept it."

"You are as hard headed as she... and your tongue as sharp. I do not think that is the case but your old fashion ideals keep you bond." Xaneria responed.

"You have our thanks, and we honour in humility the sacrifices you have made." Cenias went on as Neyeeva shook her head slowly, a slight smile coming to her face as she thought to herself things quickly became as they were before the undertaking.

Cenias bowed before Xaneria.

"Cenias... I do not disregard honor... nor shame... I just think in this situation its uncalled for...."
Cenias shook his head.

Elizaebel grew impatient as she said, "Are we quite done here? I tire of this hole in the ground... and rants about honor and duty."

"Then still your tongue." Cenias said heatedly.

Xaneria narrowed her eyes. "Cenias..."

Ailac shook his head. "Enough, both of you, please."

"Please, refrain from speaking to me, your elder... as if a child." Xaneria responded.
Ailac continued, calmly and wearily, "I do not understand how you can argue like this.... my head is spinning enough as it is."

Neyeeva smile became a little brighter as Ailac raises a hand up, rubbing his temples to accentuate the point. "It would seem you are both back to you own senses fast enough." Neyeeva said, still smiling brightly at the familiarity of the situation with Xaneria and Cenias once again at strong odds.

"As is mine... and my eyes burn... but ... perhaps we should all take our leave yes? Perhaps the enclosed space is setting our nerves loose." Xaneria admitted.

Ailad interjected, his tone sincere, "But I must give thanks as well, to all of you who have risked so much." Ailac bowed, holding the gesture to all in the room.

"Ideals and bonds give us the strength to live, Falore Riversong." Cenias chatised, though Neyeeva did not mind it, she was too relieved to have matters back to a sense of normality after being for so long cut off.

Xaneria grinned. "Of course Neyeeva, I wouldn't be living if I wasn't able to bounce back easily. Its my nature." Xaneria lifted a hand to Ailac's shoulder and smiled, taking a step forward. Neyeeva continued to smile as Xaneria went on to say, "I think...it's time to stretch my unsued legs and take a look about the earth... that has passed in time while I was dreaming."

Ailac nodded, reaching up to grasp Xaneria's hand. "One moment first, Il'dar..."

Xaneria turned to Ailac. "Ailac?"

Ailac reached his left hand into his hair, untieing a cord and pulling free a neckleace from dangling amidst his hair. "This was a great help." Ailac smiles, taking her hand and placing the amulet within.

Xaneria blinked her eyes widening with a gentle smile, her fingers tracing it before clutching it tighter to her chest. "I was afraid...it was lost the moment the nightmare snatched me before... Thank you Ailac."

Neyeeva tilted her head, then deciding it was none of her affair, she began to gather things into her pack. Cenias turned, and walks towards the entrance of the barrow, obviously feeling the same.

"That nightmare.... I kept reaching for this... even thought I had forgotten it. This is... very precious." Xaneria said as Cenias picks up the rest of his cloth, and looked to the female Night Elf by the door. Ailac nodded, letting his hands fall away.

Neyeeva pushed items into the bag, closing it as she turned to walk out the barrow, her heart light with the thought of finally returning back to her duties. Xaneria smiled, replacing the pendant upon her neck and then turning, walking hazily but cautiously towards the entrance. Elizaebel glanced at Cenias then looks back in Xaneria's direction. Ailac let out a long, drawn-out sigh.

"Thank you, both of you, for everything while we were within the dream." Cenias said as he bowed down graciously. Ailac stepped lightly out of the barrow, wobbling slightly from exhaustion.

Neyeeva halted before Cenias as Xaneria addressed her, "Ah... Neyeeva... I'm sorry... that you had to stay here so long... I hope that you recieved the visits and your supplies?"

"I think it is far time we return to the surface world, and are born a new from within the earth." Cenias said as Elizaebel shook her head and slowly began to make her way up the path.

"Yes, we did. Peris brought them." Neyeeva answered.

"Good... ah..." Xaneria said as she turned moving out the door entryway.

Upon finally reaching the the open ground above the barrows, Elizaebel frowned at tauren Moonglade Warden. Neyeeva looked out into the night, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as her muscles were finally able to relax the tension that had been building up whilst she was in the den.

"Finally.... air...." Elizaebel said.

Ailac stepped up, shading his eye against the light slightly. Xaneria exited the dens without looking back and with a smile, moved to Elizaebel's side, gripping her arm tightly in an embrace.

Cenias rolled his shoulder, and closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose and rubbing it for a moment. Cenias sighed deeply, and looked upwards to the sky. Cenias furrowed his brow.

"If I was bored I would have left.. I was there for you and only you..." Elizabel said to Xaneria. Xaneria blinked, blushing, her head nodding softly. "We need to leave... this place.. annoys me." Elizabel commented.

"Still..... Ah... right." Xaneria responded as Neyeeva smiled at Eli's comment. "Then leave, and I'll make something to eat!" The two then went on their way, back to their home, away from Moonglade. Xaneria followed Eli, her arm still clasping the demon hunter's.

Cenias turned taking offense to Eli's comment, saying, "I will turn an unlistening ear to your fel tongue for everything you have done for us." Cenias watched the two leave, and bowed in silence.

"I think I will take my leave as well." Neyeeva said as she turned to the other two druids.

Ailac frowned slightly.

"I must get back to Stormwind." Neyeeva explained, ready to be gone from Moonglade for the time being.

Cenias nodded at the younger druid, "You must have taken a great deal of time to aid us in this, falore Riversong."

Neyeeva turned to Ailac, giving him a warm smile as he nodded to her in return.

"You have my deep gratitude." Cenias said.

"You have my thanks, Falore Riversong." Ailac echoed Cenias.

"Please, seek either of us for your aid if ever you are in need, and we shall come to it with out question." Cenias added.

Neyeeva nodded to the both of them as she said, "I am relieved you have come out alright. I hope to see you both again soon." She paused for a moment, considering the offer, "Yes, I will, should I need it." She said.

"We are eternally greatfull." Cenias said as he and Ailac bowed in gratitude to the young druid, still new to their ways.

Neyeeva nodded to Cenias, then Ailace before turning to leave as she made her way back to her own home, leaving the two older, seasoned druids to themselves. With Each step she felt her heart become lighter and lighter as though a great burden were finally being lifted. Now, she could return to her duties, knowing that Xaneria was safe and well, that Cenias would now return to his own duties within the circle, and that Ailac, who had been so troubled since her first meeting him, was relieved of his burden, as they all were; at long last, free.