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Darkness of the Heart

Yearning for Love

Part One - The Healer's Word

Menthal looked at her as she lay there sleeping, her arm wrapped in a bandage. What am I doing? The Horde would never allow this. If Garrosh Hellscream knew, my head would be mounted on his wall. Hell, if Baine Bloodhoof knew; I don't even want to think about that one. He shivers at the thoughts of what the two powerful Horde leaders would do to him. After pondering for a few minutes, he stood and walked outside, squinting against the blaze of the sun. It had been three days since the storm had passed, and Luna remained asleep. He was beginning to worry. I think I should get a doctor, he thought as he looked back at his hovel. With a sharp nod of his head, he thatched the front flap down and headed off to Thunder Bluff.

After arriving in Thunder Bluff, Menthal sought out the one tauren he knew that could heal someone. Her name was Novera Lighthoof. Her name was empowered in itself. He knew that she would not tell a soul about what he had, but finding her was a challenge unto itself. She lived remotely on the bluffs, and each season she moved. This was the trick to finding her, for this season she would be living on Hunter's Rise. This bluff was designed for hunters and warriors.

Upon finding her dwelling, Menthal rasped lightly upon the aged wood, receiving an invitation to enter. Novera looked upon the tauren with a glee in her smile. "Ahh, Mental. It's been too long my friend," Novera spoke, missing a sound in his name. He had resided to being called Mental by this bovine, simply because he dare not correct her on any grounds. Upon entering, he sat down beside the fire, smiling at Novera sweetly. "I have need of your help, Novera. But you must promise to tell nobody of whom I request your help for," Menthal responded with seriousness, knowing that she would listen when he was serious. "Aye, I know tis. I see all, Mental. You too know tis to be true correct?" Novera asked him. He nodded in acknowledgement. When they had conversed for an hour, Menthal stood, bowed and left the house, leaving the druid to her ways.

Leaving Thunder Bluff, Menthal returned home with a satchel of herbs. Upon arriving at his hovel, Menthal peeked in to see that the blanket has fallen down around Luna's waist, completely revealing her pert breasts to those that looked in. He sensed something was off and looked for Courage, not finding the cat.

Not bothering with the cat, Menthal grabbed the blanket and laid it back on top of the worgen, effectively covering her for the healing to come. A rasp on the wood told him that it was time. "Enter," he spoke in a hoarse voice. He turned just in time to see Novera gasp slightly before drawing the flap of leather tight behind her, tacking it to the ground. "You s'ould 'ave told me W'AT you were 'iding 'ere, I would 'ave been better prepared. Now I 'ave to find some T'istle wood, Sandal root and Nymp's' toes. T'ey will 'elp 'er," She spoke before turning to leave again. "Wait. That's not why I called you. She's fine, except for this." While he spoke, Menthal walked to her left arm, drawing it out from under the covers and revealing the bandage that was saturated with blood. A foul odor seemed to permeate the air, like that of rotten meat. "I think a rogue poisoned her; the cut was pretty deep, but I want you to be tell me if she will make it. She's kind of my responsibility," Menthal spoke in a soft tone, gently moving a tuft of hair from Luna's face while she slept.

A sigh came from Novera as she sat at the entrance. "Well, t'ere isn't muc' 'erbs can do to 'eal poisons. Potions and 'ealing are best for t'at, but I will see w'at I can do. I just 'ope you know w'at you are doing Mental. Just be careful about t'e 'orde. T'ey will 'ang you from t'e rafters of t'e Grommas' 'old," Novera spoke in her withered voice. Menthal nodded, a visible wince in his motions. "I know Novera, which is why I sought out you personally. I knew you wouldn't tell anyone, being that you are with the Earthen Ring," Menthal mentioned to her, to which she nodded in response.

Part Two - The Huntress Becomes the Hunted

Day 12, 2 days since the 10 day monsoon ended. The land is still boggy and flooded in areas. The tauren remain on their bluffs and in their homes. Walking the plains was a lone person. He was lost, or so it seemed. By his side swung a scimitar like weapon and on his back was the Shield of the Righteous Cause, which he had gotten from completing a quest in Razorfen Kraul. The task was simple; reach the Spirit of Agamaggan and defeat Charlga Razorflank. He had done this several times, leading a party of four other people into the dangerous depths to beat her, just so they could do the quest to. Today, he was after a hunter. Not just any hunter though; the huntress Luna. He got reports that she was conversing with a tauren, and possibly sleeping and copulating with him. His mission was to apprehend her, and the tauren if possible, at all costs alive. This was handed down to him from King Varian Stormwind himself. It would be very dishonorable to not complete the appointed task.

While sitting on a small hill, he spotted a kodo, lumbering along as was it's want. He thought to himself that it would be great practice to test himself against such a beast. He undoubtedly knew his abilities, but nevertheless, he walked over and attacked the beast, easily dispatching it in one mighty blow, which severed the head from its body. It rolled around for a second before coming to a complete stop, slack jawed.

The paladin sat by the camp fire, eating roasted kodo while watching the sun set on the horizon. "I will find you, Luna Stormcrow. By all that is Divine, your pelt will cover King Varian's throne floor. So help me Light, this beast shall know what it means to disobey orders," the paladin said to himself, knowing that there was no way she could beat him. He knew just about everything about her, which was what made him so deadly. But he did not know who this tauren was that she was with at the time. That is what made him approach cautiously; keeping his eyes and senses open and keen at all times; always aware of what was around him so that nothing escaped his sight. He even made sure that his Venerable Mace of Might was enchanted and he had his Seal of Insight upon him. Should he ever need it, he could always use the Divine Light or Flash Heal to keep himself going.

One thing the paladin did not know about Luna was the simple fact that she was the deadliest archer known. She could pluck the wings off a fly from 50 yards away without killing it. She was deadly accurate with the bow and arrow. This was his disadvantage. As a paladin, he could not use such weapons. This was his flaw but also his advantage. If he could get close enough, she would have to resort to melee combat.

Meanwhile, in Menthal's tent, Novera was busy healing the worgen huntress. After a while, the druid left the tent, looking at Menthal, she shook her head slightly. "I've done all I can do, Mental. T'e rest is up to 'er, if s'e c'ooses to live or not. T'e poison is a rare mix and I don't 'ave the items to cure it. S'e may see t'e Eart' Mot'er soon, or live another day. Any way you see it s'e will die," Novera spoke softly, a sad tone in her voice. "'Tis sad to see suc' a youngling die early in t'eir life. I'm sorry, Mental but you s'ould be w'o s'e sees last. Good luck." Novera then departed from the hut and headed back to Thunder Bluff. Menthal stood, unsure of what to do before he slowly walked inside his house, looking down at Luna. He was skeptical that a poison could do so much damage in such short a time. He sat down beside her, gently stroking her arm. Poor Luna, I wish you could see the world, but it seems you won't be able to, Menthal thought to himself as he stroked her arm softly.

A flash of light outside his house awoke him some couple hours later. He looked outside his house to see that it was dark, but there was no rain. What could have made that flash? Menthal asked himself as he stood and walked out of the small dwelling. "Menthal Ironhoof. I have heard your plea and have decided to help with your problem. Take me to the girl you wish help for." Once the light faded, Menthal was struck with awe. There, where the flash had been, stood Thrall, the farseer and Earth Binder. "T-Thrall! I didn't expect you to respond so soon," Menthal stuttered, but nodded towards the house. "S-She's in there, if you can do anything." Thrall took steps towards the house, flowers appearing wherever he stepped.

Looking inside, he found the girl that he was asked to heal. "Luna Stormcrow, you poor unfortunate girl. I am sorry you have endured so much pain for your age. Your parents; your pet; and now you. However, you shall not enter the void yet; much is still needed from you. Come to me, child. Return to that which was given." Thrall stood beside her, chanting a ritual that would bring her back. The poison though deadly was no match for Thrall.

Minutes passed, then hours. Still, Luna did not move or respond; the only movement from her was the slow rise and fall of her chest as she took small breaths. Thrall then stood and walked to Menthal. "She will be fine now. Do not hesitate to call for my help. Even though Azeroth needs me, her people need me more. I hope you can tell her how you feel Menthal. Good luck young Earth Binder." With that, Thrall returned to the Maelstrom in order to stop the Cataclysm that threatened to ravage the land. Menthal then sat next to Luna, gently lifting her sleeping form to lay her on his chest. I wish I could tell her how I felt, but why is it so hard? Menthal did not know why he could not tell her, but he knew one thing that stopped him: He was afraid of being ridiculed and banished for falling for a worgen.

Pulling her against him, Menthal laid back against the wall, watching her sleep. Please be okay Luna...Please, he thought to himself silently, whispering in her ear. He fell asleep a few minutes later, the storm outside slowly brewing and growing. Lightning pierced the darkness that had consumed the land of Mulgore. This storm was unlike any Menthal had ever weathered, with his emotions in confliction. He would have to decide between his heart and his ethics, knowing what was right and wrong with that of whom he loved. He hoped that she would return his affection, hoping she would allow him to accompany her to Desolace, and hoping she would allow him to court her. Her father wouldn't approve, his warchief wouldn't approve, his chieftan wouldn't approve.

She would have to decide between her father and the tauren. Being ill as she was, she most likely would beg for an apology from him should she pass into the void. She knew she had been poisoned, she knew that it would have killed her, and it probably had already; she thought these were just her stray thoughts left behind, her mind having been split. She had seen a light and heard a soothing voice, like one from a shaman. She knew that Menthal had spoken to her and that he told her he loved her, she knew that he had tried all he could to save her, but it was futile. She wondered if her father had sent the assassin, knowing he was disgusted with his daughter. She even wondered what her mother was thinking, hoping that she would want her daughter back. She would understand why she was trusted this tauren the way she did, she had even revealed her breasts to him. He didn't take advantage of her or even ravage her like most other men would have. He was kind, gentle, sweet and easy to talk to. She liked him for his modesty and respect of women.

A sudden swell of warmth filled her smaller form. She didn't understand why the bitter cold of death hadn't embraced her yet, or why she had felt this warmth. All she knew was that she was somewhere between life and death. No matter what she felt, she tried to move closer to the warmth, trying to get as much of it as she could. Even though she was still unconscious, her body was still moving, which did not go unnoticed by its captor, or rather caretaker. As she tried to get closer to the warmth, she had no realization that she was rather obviously naked before the source of heat.

After about fifteen minutes of floating in endless time, Luna would open her eyes, only to shut them tightly from a bright bolt of lightning. Whimpering would soon follow the experience, as ringing would fill her ears. As her eyes opened, they would fall upon the sleeping form that had her wrapped in his arms. The one she was growing attached to. The one who had saved her life twice in the same week: Menthal. She smiled as he slept, leaning down and pressing her lips softly to his. She pulled back after a moment, feeling him shift a little in his sleep.

After watching him for a few moments more, she laid her head back down on his chest, listening to his heart beat and the sound of the rain on the kodo hide canvas covering them. The combination of both orchestras eventually caused her to yawn and close her eyes, falling back into sleep. This time, however, the embrace of death was absent; the only embrace was that of Menthal's arms around her sleeping naked form. Together, the two of them weathered the storm for the night, and slept through the harshest part of the storm the next day.

Menthal felt her lips upon his, but remained still, thinking it was a dream and not the real thing. Things were going to get much different for the tauren shaman; for better or worse was as of yet to be known to the pair. As he dreamt, what he saw horrified him. He saw Luna through several planes: one she was being torn by other feral worgen, particularly a rather large one with silver hairs growing in. In another he saw her being tied to a weight and thrown into the sea, as punishment. One that terrified him the most was seeing Baine stepping on what would look like her pelt, the rest of her on a spit over the bonfire in the center of Thunder Bluff. As these were only dreams, he knew, he still feared for her life, and as such he pulled her tighter to his form, trying so very hard to keep her safe from the savage outside world.

The next morning would bring many dangers, as well as hatred, lust and even betrayal. Menthal would have to make the most crucial decision of his life when a certain birdie told Baine about his "house-guest". The decision he makes would determine Luna's fate among the Tauren homeland.