Quiet contemplation

[embermoon]

She sits quietly in Darnassus, in a room overlooking the busy streets below, her long legs hanging over the edge of the floor. So much hustle, and it seems that not only humans have this affliction these days, but elves, dwarves and gnomes, all rushing about as if their life depended on getting to the next place as quickly as possible.

Returning to Darnassus was not something that she had anticipated, but her steps have been brought here more often, as of late. Her mind has been running over thoughts continuously since she had reached her 55th season. What was the purpose of this life, and what did the future hold for her now? Many of her friends, and, she had to admit, she herself, had come to a point where waking would only lead to aimless wandering, having no clear path to follow. That was when she found herself back in Darnassus, her old island home, spending endless hours contemplating life and truth.

Scratches was there with her, but she had sent Shakti off into the woods to hunt. Perhaps she would remain away for a few days, sleeping out under the trees, back on her birth grounds. Her loyal feline friend had also been feeling this urge to return, and she could not deny her dear cat anything. Scratches walks over, sensing his master’s mood, and gently nudges her elbow, searching for some attention. She gazes fondly down at him, and obligingly gives him a scratch under the chin, watching his little whiskers point out in front of his face, as he happily leans into her fingers.

Her mind slowly pulls back from Scratches, but she absently continues to stroke his head and back, gaining comfort from his presence. Turning her gaze over to where the Cenarion Enclave lay, she thinks about what had led her here today. Al’Handrith, her guardian, was within those walls, and she had sought her out, hoping to gain wisdom from her vast experience and age. She thought that she should be able to understand what led Al’Handrith on her path. As a hunter, was she not also attuned to the woods and nature? Surely when speaking to her guardian, she would be able to understand the path that leads a druid…

Sighing sadly, she reflects on how disappointed she was that this understanding did not come. No matter how Al’Handrith sought to explain the delicate balance of nature and the Emerald Dream, it just did not get to the root of her desire for truth. Leaning back against the wall of her little room, she ponders life, the universe, and everything.

[embermoon]

For some members of the Alliance, today was a day of celebration. She looked out from her small room, beaming as yet another set of fireworks was launched. Oh, how she loved fireworks! One of her favourite things, and she had the best seat in the house today! Quite a gathering had formed below her, also gazing up to the skies to watch the display.

As the launchers prepared yet another batch, she noticed that some of the viewers had become distracted. She followed their gazes across the water, only to see a group of young hooligans brandishing some stolen fireworks! They were setting them off and shooting them at each other! She knew that fireworks were a delicate feat of engineering and only someone with knowledge should truly be handling them, and to see them being so carelessly and dangerously wielded just set her nerves on edge. Scowling, she watched as these foolish young things ran about yelling and shooting at each other.

Her mood was quickly restored, however, when the local militia came racing in, brandishing their swords and quickly gathering up the miscreants and bustling them out of sight. Contented, she settled back against her wall to watch the rest of the display.

[embermoon]

Walking slowly through Darnassus in the twilight of the day, she reflects quietly to herself. The past night, she had gone to the first Blooding Ceremony held by the House of the Beast, and she had gone not only to witness, but also to participate. She had felt nervous, as she had never dueled before, but felt that she should try. She had arrived early, butterflies leaping in her stomach and, asking Shakti to stay out of the way, she stayed, for the most part, quietly with her dear friend Kellaminx, who had accompanied her.

Robbyn had appeared also, which had been a surprise, but when she spoke to him, she had not realized that Celera had begun, and her voice had risen above hers embarrassingly, forcing Celera to repeat herself. Shamefaced, she closed her mouth quickly and said nothing more.

Watching as the event unfolded before her, she felt overwhelmed by the bravery of her comrades. Arvaitha stalwartly faced Sorcha'Rei, and, even with the great difference in seasons, had commendably met the challenge. The match between Kielon and Emi'Zael was a wonder to behold, and she had watched the hunter and druid with admiration, but also with a little intimidation. As her moment drew near, she found herself hesitating.

This path was not for her. She had never dueled, and there must have been a reason why she had not. She had wished to show her support for her comrades, and she would continue to do so, but she could not bring herself to go against her very nature. Celera had begun the ceremony with an explanation that this event was to represent the struggle that we all face in maintaining the balance, and she could understand this, but she also felt that she had enough of a struggle of her own. She was seeking truth and enlightenment, and this event, no matter how noble, did not provide that.

In the end, she had quietly left, commending those that had fought, and had flown to Southshore for some solitary fishing, hoping that the gentle lap of the water and the cry of the birds would aid her racing thoughts. In a way, it had, for she did not remain long before feeling the need to return to Darnassus once more.

And so she found herself walking quietly along its paths, gazing at the sky, patiently waiting for truth to show itself.

[embermoon]

It had been a few days now since she had been back in Darnassus. Her wandering spirit had worked its way around the city, finding a moment here and there in a quiet glade or fishing by the docks. Her mind had been churning over her thoughts for the future and what purpose did she, or anyone for that matter, have in this life.

She was not unused to being by herself. As a hunter, she sometimes could still enjoy the solitude of the hunt, but it was not enough for her any longer. She was certain there was more to life than the hunt.

She had been sitting by the water for quite some time now, but this urge to move has been building within her for days and could not be denied any longer. Gathering herself up, she stood silently, her eyes closed, letting her senses range out across the city to seek the source of this urge. She turned her body slowly in a circle until she felt she was facing in the correct direction, and then let her eyes open.

Tilting her head slightly to one side, she gazed at the Temple of the Moon. All she could see was the Temple. It was as if all the bustling people of the city had vanished, leaving her alone with the Temple and with Elune.

She was not even aware that she had started to walk forward. All she could feel was this pull, a tugging on her soul, leading her toward the Temple.

[embermoon]

She had been standing at the threshold of the Temple for a few moments, gazing in admiration at the beauty of the building and the awe-inspiring statue at its centre. It was so calm, so peaceful here. She wondered why she had not come more often, it felt so … right. A few more moments of appreciation, and then she walked forward intending on sitting along the edge of the pool when she heard her name called out in the silence. It rang out with authority about the Temple, and her gaze was drawn up to where she saw the Priestess A’moora looking down with a quiet smile upon her face.

“I have been expecting you for quite some time, although I am surprised it took you this long to appear. Come up, my dear, and we shall talk.”

Shaken that the Priestess had foretold her arrival, she obediently walked up the circular ramp and along the walk until she stood before the Priestess. Somehow she could not meet her gaze. She felt humbled and small before her, regardless of her season.

“How did you know I would be coming, Priestess? I did not even know myself until a few moments ago.”

“Elune led you here, my dear. I only knew that one would be coming who would seek my help and guidance. As I saw you enter the Temple, I knew you were she for whom I waited. Come. You have much on your mind. What do you seek?”

She sat down wearily at the Priestess’s feet, not knowing fully how to express her tumbling thoughts. But with the quiet and loving encouragement of the Priestess, she slowly began to speak, expressing her fears, her doubts, and anxieties. As the words fell from her lips, her soul became lighter and gaining in strength until she was able to look up into the Priestess’s face, into her shining eyes, and see that here, now she may be able to find that for which she sought.

---

It must have been hours that she spoke, and the Priestess only nodded and encouraged her quietly until she felt that there was nothing left, nothing further that she could express. Suddenly tired, her voice dry and parched, she reached for something cool to drink and sat still, letting the moisture of the water ease her throat.

“You are one of the few who can experience a transformation, my dear.” Priestess A’moora spoke quietly into the silence. “Elune has been speaking to you, through you, even though you have not recognized it. Only you can know your future, and only you can find the truth you seek, but Elune shall guide you to it. Trust in her; seek her council, and believe…”

[Robbyn Jonathan]

((lovely. nice writing!))

[embermoon]

Her conversation with the Priestess had been running through her mind, even after she had been called out once again to aid the Alliance. She had hunted alone, for the most part, calmly doing her part with Shakti at her side. But in her solitary state she still longed for more.

On the evening that she gained her 60th season, she was, in fact, sharing the moment with her dear friend. He had hunted with her, put himself in danger to keep her safe through many seasons, laughed and cried with her. Even through his blindness, or perhaps because of it, he managed to always know what she was thinking and be there for her, and she was quietly touched that he wished to be with her at this moment. He even remembered how much she enjoyed fireworks and prepared a special presentation of them for her on the beach near Gadgetzan.

But that pleasure had lasted only a short while. She sighed with frustration as she felt her mind once more tugged back - back to her own personal quest, her own quest for truth, right, and what the future may hold.

[embermoon]

Staring at the marvelous fountain within the Temple, she sits quietly waiting, trying to prepare her mind and body for what she knew she must do.

For the past few hours she had been sitting next to the fountain, her great bow across her knees, her sword resting on the stone beside her, but her eyes did not see them. Her gaze was inward, her mind full of unasked questions. What would become of Shakti, Emerald, and Scratches? Who would care for them? Her fingers absentmindedly stroked the curve of her bow. Would she never again enjoy the thrill of the hunt, or feel the power of her Wolfblade’s song as she pulled it from the scabbard?

She was pulled back from her thoughts suddenly when she felt the gentle touch of Jandria on her arm.

“What troubles you my child? I have been watching you struggle with an inner worry for some time now. If you wish to speak, I am here to listen.”

And so she had spoken aloud those concerns she held within her. Jandria listened kindly and not without understanding, and had assuaged her worries. She would not have turned back regardless. This was her destiny and she could not deny it longer.

The time had now come and, lifting her eyes to the Temple entrance, she sees two forms in silhouette and smiles. Her friends had arrived - two old friends, long used to each others ways and in animated discussion. The warrior, Kellaminx, the one who had been her friend from her 18th season, the one who was always there with blades bared in hand and rushing against the enemy at her side, her courage and bravado trying to conceal a warm and caring heart. Beside her, the rogue walks with a calm and easy grace. Her heart had skipped a beat when she first met him in Stranglethorn Vale and he had constantly been in her mind and heart since. Kurito, her dear sweet rogue: charming, caring, always sacrificing himself for others, her maker of fireworks. His strong laughter and ready smile a balm to her soul. The one who had taught her to see the world without her eyes. Neither of them knew why she had asked them here today and were most likely discussing the possibilities.

As Kellaminx’s eyes became accustomed to the interior light, Kurito already senses her presence resting by the fountain and makes his way over, pulling the warrior along with him. She stands and waits for them to draw closer, their questions evident upon their faces.

She greets each, a warm embrace for one, a soft kiss for the other.

“Thank you both for coming here. This is an important day for me and I am touched that you are here to share it with me.”

“I have a hunch as to why we are here today.” Kurito smiles as he speaks and lays a hand gently on her shoulder. “You are certain this is the path you wish to take? You know whatever you do, I shall always be there for you.” Kellaminx frowns and looks away. “I’ll admit, I don’t know why you’ve asked us here but I’m beginning to suspect. Why would you do this? You would throw away all your hard-earned training?” In the silence that follows, she raises her gaze to look into Embermoon’s eyes, her concern and worry etched deeply into her face.

She smiles, seeing the true reason for her friend’s protest.

“You will see me, and I shall see you, and I shall love you always as I love you now. Remember, you were much loved and such a one as you shall always be loved to the end of her days. The darkness is in not knowing it.” She reaches her hands out to touch the arms of her friends. “Through Elune you shall see me and know at last that your darkness is a passing thing. And in so knowing, you shall learn how to love me, and that the world shall know such love as well. It shall put you on the way towards the light and from whence the light that touches all hearts comes forth.”

She embraces them both once more then calmly begins to remove her armour and small clothes. Folding them neatly in a pile next to her bow, sword, and a small cloth bundle, she steps into the fountain and stands beneath the falling water. Reaching her hands out from her naked body, she cries out:

“Elune! I wash myself of all that was a hunter. Behold your humble servant. Bless me with your light that I may go forth and do thy will.”

She closes her eyes, lifting her face to the water rushing over her, her body becoming chilled by the wash of the fountain. Opening her mouth to drink the water, she stands waiting, expectantly.

---

It is only a trickle. A small shaft of light that could have been confused for a refraction of the water, but when it touches her, she becomes consumed by it until she feels nothing, sees nothing but the light. Her body seems weightless and time ceases to have all meaning.

And it is only a trickle…

---

No sooner had she felt this weightlessness then it is over and she finds herself once more standing within the fountain. She opens her eyes and looks down at her hands, turning them over in amazement. All the scars and callouses from 60 seasons of hunting are gone. Her hands, her arms, her entire body made fresh.

She lifts her gaze to her two friends, astonished, one smiling with encouragement, the other frowning yet trying not to. She gives them a reassuring smile and starts to walk back towards them.

But she is so weak! Her knees buckle beneath her and, no longer able to support herself, she stumbles and falls by the edge of the fountain. Kurito, sensing her trouble and suddenly concerned, rushes into the water and picks her up with ease, gently laying her on the stones by the fountain’s edge. Pulling a wool blanket from his pack, he wraps it about her wet, shivering, naked form.

She smiles weakly up at him and gives his hand a thankful squeeze. He returns it and gathers the small bundle, placing it before her. She picks up the bundle in shaking hands as Kellaminx eases her back to her feet. Opening it, she reveals a simple cloth robe, which she dons gratefully.

Embermoon, taking hold of both her friends walks out, leaving the Temple as a priestess of Elune.

[Vangelis]

(( Ta da! A brand-new, better-than-ever Embermoon! Bravo! ))

[Emizael]

(( Very good stuff! Impressive, even! ))

[Robbyn Jonathan]

((cheer!))