The tale of a Mother

This story is about Elayne "Brightfeather" Darisolt, Adenah's mother. Part of the event of her death I had written from Adenah's pov but I wanted to try and write more of her mother. A difficult task to flesh out a dead character that has never been rpd. I enjoyed writing it, it went fairly fast as well.

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The stench of sulfur was heavily invading her nostrils, the fumes lingering everywhere around them from the creatures and demons they fought. A raging battle of which the sounds were resonating in the air in a morbid song of clashing steel, fluxes of energy and cries of agony. Elayne stood amongst the other spellcasters and the rangers, picking her target one by one. She was the backup to those who took the blows on the frontline to take out whatever managed to fight their way past the brutish warriors and skilled swordsmen. Spells were being fired from her hands skillfully and meanwhile her ever watchfull gaze always kept one particular female within her line of sight.

Her daughter Adenah had once again broken herself free from the formation in the back, stubborn in her desire to stand tall and vigilant by the side of her father. Making her way gradually closer to the man who stood out above many others. A towering figure of muscle with a roaring voice that could easily be picked out from several yards away despite the turmoil surrounding them. It gave the woman an uncomfortable feeling to have the girl break the lines and seperate herself from the protection of the surrounding forces. Calling out to her to order her to fall back she could do nothing more but shout for Adenah. Watch her disappear without ever hearing the words of her mother.

A sense of dread coiled around in her stomach, the events unfolding in such a short span of time that her mind could barely register. Yet her heart did, breaking and clenching. Freezing over in fear when seeing the figure of her daughter step too far out. The next scene occured in only a mere few seconds, if even that many. Elayne turning instinctively as if some invisible string pulled her to Adenah, seeing the deathly flash of the dual-wielded axes shimmer when they rose upwards within the calloued hands of the towering orc.

“Adenah .... Move .. NO!”

As Elayne gathered the energy for her own body to be lurched through the nether and shield her daughter from harm she knew. Deep down she knew what would happen. And in that last second her mind shifted in rapid flashes. Memories, a final moment to remember what she had here on this world and the love she felt for the girl that she would die for.



The first cry of the newborn came as a welcome relief after the hours of labour. A sound strangely comforting regardless of the exhaustion that had taken a hold of her, eyes searching to find the source of the cry she smiled. Emotions running high upon seeing her daughter squirming in the hands of the nurse who had helped in childbirth.

“It's a girl, lass. Congratulations”

Elayne barely heard them, squeezing Faralan's hand within her own before sluggishly moving her arms to reach to the little bundle that was being offered to her. He stood by her side, staring in awe at the little girl they now were bonded to forever. He looked somewhat pale and shocked, his own eyes locked upon the babe that was being craddled by Elayne. All their fears and worries of these last months still lingered. Hoping that their cursed entrapment in Hellfire would soon come to an end so they could raise the child away from the bitter wars that ravaged the land.

It had been a difficult decision for the two to keep the result of their nightly adventures. Years had passed and no rescue had come. Hope was something that grew weaker with each month that slipped past without any changes occuring. They had found comfort in eachother's embrace, seeking out moments of solace to escape the grim darkness of their situation. A bond that perhaps would never have come to pass if they had not found themselves trapped away from family and friends. When Elayne had found out that she was pregnant the unofficial couple had been met with a lot of doubts about their possible decisions. Having been locked away from the rest of the world these last years had them consider to put an end to the pregnancy. Yet the young life that had started inside of the woman's womb also brought other emotions. The desire for a child with the lingering hope that maybe one day they'd return home afterall is what drove them to take the obvious risk of raising a child in such hostile enviroment. Perhaps they would never be able to feel the affection for a child if they found death on the battlefield, or their return home may never occur. Or perhaps they would be at an age that children were out of the question entirelly by the time it happened.

Adenah was born despite all frowns and glares Elayne had received of her fellow soldiers. Only few supporting her decision of going through with the pregnancy. And the moment she held the crying child to her breast she knew she wouldn't regret it. A single look at the young man that had stationed himself by her side told her that he had no regret of his own.

Guilt often played tricks on her mind, watching her daughter outside in the ring with other soldiers of the Alliance. Only a good few years old and holding a short wooden sword in her hand to play. But all the girl's games involved a good amount of training, something that couldn't be avoided. There were no others of her age and she had to rely entirelly on the availability of those who risked their lives upon the battlefields nearly daily. Having to grow up without any carelessnes that other children often experienced.

It pained Elayne more often than she wished to admit when she observed the calm and quiet girl. Always looking so very serious with an easy smile to those who were close to her. But she rarely ran or acted out of place. And so Elayne had to accept that by having given birth to Adenah in such dire circumstances bore the result of the child intuitively adapting to a warzone. Maturing at a much faster rate than any other normally would need to.

Years came and went, and their home started to feel like a distant memory and dream. Hopes faltering and life becoming the same routine over and over again. Losses were too common and constant fear and anxiety had a hold of Elayne's heart. Her own life was put in danger repeatedly, forcing her to be reminded of how soon it all could be over. But the young woman fought on stubbornly, determined to return to the child that was waiting for her in the keep of Honor Hold and not have her endure the loss of a mother at such young age.

Her battles were fought with an eye upon the father, Faralan, in the front. Aiding in his security so he as well would live through each of them to find a daughter waiting for their safe return.

He trained her just as much as Elayne did herself. Spending his own free moments in teaching the young girl in ways of melee where Elayne brought her books and taught her spells. She seemed to pick up on both skills equally as much, turning her abilities into a mixed combination much akin to a battlemage. Yet the speed of her training and her age making her significantly weaker than those who had spent years upon years in perfecting their skill.

The boy she had met when they had first arrived had grown to be an admirable man. He had already been mature and strong for his incredibly young age but now he showed the wisdom and scars of warfare. Their losses, both in battle and emotionally of their unreachable homes made him mentally older. Together with a child that was his to protect, Faralan had become a man at the tender age of sixteen. Growing together with their daughter and herself into a close companion she loved dearly. Not like one would have loved their husband but a love born out of a bond that she couldn't compare to something else. Adenah having forged a bridge between the two who were already attracted to one another, having shared many moments in eachother's company in the first years of which eventually Adenah had become the result. And now the glue that kept them together even more.

Faralan loved Adenah dearly from what Elayne observed thorough the years. A loving and caring father that did his best to teach the girl much of his own knowledge and valued traits.

They were sparring just outside the keep, Elayne pausing to watch them with a tender smile on her face. Adenah eleven years old and already standing tall with a rising slender posture clad in a simple crimson attire of roughspun wool. Faralan infront of her crouching to meet his daughter's height and both wielding a dulled weapon fit for training. Knowing that Ade had grown skilled it pained her less when seeing the young girl engage fights but the sight was still wrong to the worrying mother. She knew that at that age she was training at a slow rate and spending most of her times out on the hills of Arathi with others, chasing one another and hunting small game.

Adenah was not given that chance and the fault was hers for having insisted on bringing her into this world. Not even their own, not Azeroth. Not Arathi. But Hellfire Peninsula.

“Oi ye cheater!!” Boomed Faralan's voice loud across the yard, grinning down at Adenah who's hand was now ablaze in flames that licked across the sword she held. Causing her attacks to be a combination of both spell and steel.

“Magic ain' cheatin' Fara!” She screamed out into the direction of the man who danced away from the flames his child had produced. Adenah herself standing stoic and in full concentration and a subtle grin on her face in pride. He glanced her way and chuckled. “It's ye teachin' her those tricks Brightfeather!”

She did indeed. Late hours were often spent by candlelight with tomes on their laps. Adenah having taken her mother's fascination of pyromancy and the natural skill to wield the power of the element. Much like Elayne herself she enjoyed spending her free time in silence with nothing but a book to keep her company. Causing her to grow in a rather introvert girl that found very little connection with those she was surrounded by.

Elayne would ocasionally catch Adenah in conversation with the fellow soldiers, the only thing making her stand out being her youthful features in her early teenager years. Other than that she was no different from the seasoned and aged warrior. And that thought plagued Elayne daily, keeping her awake at night when time went and she had to endure the stress of seeing her child step foot upon battlefields and put herself in danger. Sounding too wise and mature to her liking. Yet she knew it was for the best when she held her daughter at the end of each battle. Knowing that she and Faralan both were doing all they could to keep her safe and grant her as much enjoyable moments in her life. Deep down praying that this life would soon change.

Their breaks of the war were seldom and rare. One of them was a surprise for Adenah's fourteenth birthday as they were escorted together with a supply caravan out of Hellfire and through Zangarmarsch. The entire way Elayne rode in silence with her gaze upon the chatty Adenah. Talking with a great interest and curiousity in the Draenei's tongue with their escort.

“She's so fluent in that, it took me much more time tae learn” She spoke to Faralan who was riding by her side. His smile radiating pride as he nodded and glanced into the same direction as Elayne.

“Aye, she does seem tae take a likin' tae them too”

He reached out to rest his large hand over her much smaller one, a smile of affection lighting up his features and showing the youth that scars and torn lands had begun to cover. Elayne, many years older than him, was showing a similar smile and nodded. Not needing many words with Faralan to merely know and understand the thoughts of the other. “She is great, our daughter. We did fine so far” their smiles read. Nothing was needed to be said.

The memory was a clear one, the beauty of green lands stretching before them and the expression of awe upon Adenah's face filled Elayne with a heartwarming sensation. Drowning out the guilt from another memory, a similar green far away. They spent the whole day walking, letting their daughter explore and learn. Wanting her to be able to picture what Arathi looked like, giving her visual examples to form an image in her mind of what home was like. Their home, Faralan's and Elayne's. For Adenah home was the fortified settlement Honor Hold. But no day went by that Elayne closed her eyes and pictured returning. Side by side with Faralan and Adenah to march through the gates of Stromgarde.

When Adenah turned fifteen the homesickness rose back to the surface, seeing her daughter at the age that she was meant to be sent out to do her Rite of Passage had her hide away in the tower the entire night by the end of the day. Sitting in the dark and weeping the tears she so often held back. The tears of a mother who sees her daughter's childhood come to pass and no traditional passage that could be made. A day of great importance to Arathorian youth that remained out of reach for her own child. Amongst so many other things that kept her in solitude for hours untill no more tears came. Her pain remained.

And so the day came that she made her choice. Within just a fraction of a second as she saw that dangerous flicker of two axes rising up to cleave down upon the child of her flesh and blood. Only a second passing when she saw the memories, her heart's desires of leaving this place. Her wish of seeing home, but most of all. Her wish to let Adenah live to see the day that they finally would be able to leave this world. No doubt, never a moment of doubt when she was teleported forward. Knowing that her decision meant the end, no time for final words to speak as the axes struck but not into their initial target.

“Adenah, my daughter. Remember me, my love for you. My sacrifice so you can go home to where you belong. I never wished this life for you. I hope you can forgive me for having brought you into this world in such a cruel place. Keep fighting, don't let my death be in vain. I am so proud of you and I love you dearly. I shall watch from the Halls of our Ancestors as you grow even more into the wonderful woman you've become already. And in many years, I hope I shall see you again. Protect her Faralan, my partner and love. Keep her safe, let her see the green plains and great walls of Stromgarde. Take care of our Adenah.”

Her last thoughts went out to the girl who's scream she could hear for just a moment before the life snapped out of her body. A pained serenity having come over her, knowing the end was never final for them. But knowing the sorrow her daughter and Faralan would have to go through was heavy on her heart. But not as heavy as the intense relief she felt with the life being torn from her that it was her, and not Adenah, who died in that moment.

Absolutely amazing!

Very touching indeed. It's nice to read some about the Hellfire Arathorians!