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When Penance is to Burn

The ever dreary atmosphere of the estate at Ravenhill had been shrouded deeper into darkness having mostly fallen to ruins after the current generation of Duskhollows sought refuge to the north in Quel’Danas. It had been by decree of the Raven Lord himself that the household be emptied and relocated to the far sunnier island that set as home for the other half of their Houses. There had been the occasional guard dispatched to the spanning estate to inspect the damages though it had been at least two years since anyone truly inhabited the home. Far be it time since the two elder noble Houses of Silvermoon conjoined their families and soon after the Horde’s aid in Argus had come to an end did the Lord and Lady resign themselves to a retirement of sorts. Their daughter had been born and despite the occasional call to action that Cineas took in his own regard, the two found themselves… domesticated and settled. 

However, this did not stop the missives from arriving, calling for their numbers, gold, and power to stand against whatever enemy loomed over Azeroth at any given moment. More often than not, they were ignored. It was only with the news of the fallen Banshee queen did Elenaris find herself somewhat intrigued but also disappointed. Although, it had been the defeat of N’zoth that had garnered the Duskhollow’s attention the most from their little piece of paradise on the Isle. The whispers which once guided them, haunted them in the best and worst of ways had become still and quiet. They had delivered the souls needed to procure their child’s life and as Maevyn had been born, their connection fell distant like a far off memory floating in the cosmos. 

While this offered the darkened pair some peace they had not ever expected to feel since their devotion had been offered to the shadows and yet at the same time, they felt lost without it. 

It had been months since Ravenhill had seen life when they decided to return to the estate and while they knew there had been damages to the manor itself, the Duskhollows were unprepared for the sight beholden to them upon their arrival. The gates were barely hanging to their hinges, the gardens that led to the grand entrance were littered with flowers crisp with lifeliness and the colorless hue of death becoming the petals scattered about the paths. There were parts of the towers which crumbled and what they were to see upon opening the doors of the manor was what broke her heart the most having seen its effect on Cineas. It was at this moment she had realized making the decision to leave their daughter behind in Quel’Danas had been the proper one. A slender and delicate hand raised to rest upon her husband’s arm, offering a nod in silent reassurance that they would restore his home, their home.

They had stood just a step outside large doors to peer inside, unknowing to what truly awaited their entry inside. A feeling had overwhelmed Elenaris as the neverending darkness loomed within the near empty walls of the estate and perhaps years ago she would have had the consciousness to foresee what was to come, the wherewithal to allow her perception to be greater than her comfort in normality. 

But as time passed them by, they had not prepared for the darkness to consume them in the way in which it took hold of Cineas Duskhollow the instant his being crossed the threshold. It was as if the universe and void beyond converged all on him all at once, attacking not only his body but his mind and rendering him powerless. In a flash of black feathers and purple mists, Elenaris found herself bound behind an invisible barrier which she attacked with all her force in attempts to get to him. No matter her efforts, she could not break through and thus fell helpless to watch the horror before her. The shadows swirled around him, contorting his body in unfathomable ways causing the release of painful screams to echo into the desolate mansion. She wouldn’t simply sit and watch as he  suffered, as he was tortured to death but as Elenaris lifted her hands to once again slam on the barrier, they would not move. Her entire being was frozen in place, only able to lift her head to catch the sight of Cineas’ pale amethyst hues locking onto hers before widening as the sound of his screams were cut off by the undeniable sound of breaking bones. The soft glow of his eyes faded, his lids not having the chance to fall to allow him a peaceful gaze upon his face while his crumpled body slumped to the ground. 

Her breath caught in her chest as she felt a piece of her fade away, unable to believe what had transpired before her and as his body hit the floor, so did hers as the barrier gave way. The pale blonde Sin’dorei scrambled for her soulmate’s lifeless body, hands shakily moving over him unsure of which thought to follow as thousands raced through her mind. The silence had become deafening, those that had traveled with them from the Isle standing huddled just outside the doorway just watching…waiting, for what? Who was to say. Each and every one of them felt the pain and horror as a guttural scream ripped through that silence as Elenaris fell over Cineas, not only a sadness but an anger overcoming her entire being. 

It had returned for them, allowing them just a brief view of what life without the Void would or could be like had they chosen a different path. However, the Void gave them life within their daughter and they asked for much in return. Despite their every effort to appease them, it would seem the shadows made their own rules. As her knuckles bore white with the tightened grip to the cloth of his shirt, she heard a soft voice beckoning her. It was familiar in tone, soothing in melody and with the choice to acknowledge this voice, Elenaris lifted her lids and standing there had been Maevyn, their little raven haired child beaming in all her glory with eyes like her father’s. 

“Mama, you were crying…” The soft voice cooed, a tiny hand caressing her mother’s face but Elenaris had noticed that not all was right with her daughter either. “I had a bad dream too, mama… something’s wrong with papa.”

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Elijah “you wanna see my monster” Mikaelson

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Elijah mikaelson appreciation: smile.

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by Colleen Gara

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The journey had been long and hard on the troops as they moved through the mountainous terrain to reach Lordaeron. The warchief, Sylvanas Windrunner, had called for the aid of the entire Horde and whether he approved of her or not, he still was a part of the Horde. He was lord of his home and had civilians that represented his banner. Those that were loyal to him and his name. The days in which they were stationed there were long though he managed to send a raven with his letters to Elenaris and his young daughter, Maevyn, daily. They were the fire that stoked his icy heart and his one, continuous tether to this living world. When the word had been given for the respective forces to return to this cities, their homes, and their families Cineas had ordered Ebonheart to inform the men and women that they were to pack up so that they could make their way to Ravenhill come first light. He found himself slightly shocked to notice that he was traveling back home with nearly half the soldiers that he had reported with. Those missing had either become casualties or fled the battle whether it was the former or the latter would only be determined once the battle fields were able to be combed over after the blight settled and no one entirely knew when that would be.

The ominous tower that stood atop Ravenhill could be seen on the winding mountain that it sat atop just outside of Quel’thalas. Being outside of the city allowed it to experience all of the seasons that the Ghostlands could provide. “Let us make haste,” he stated with a nod to the armored man at his side and spurred his horse onwards. The steed was tired and grunted uncomfortably but Cineas knew that there was only a small bit further before the horse could rest for some time. The large, wooden doors that stood within the wall of Ravenhill creaked loudly as they were opened by the doors winding gears and the caravan of troops had slowed as their hooves echoed along the cobblestone road. “Ebonheart,” Cineas directed as he now placed his attention towards the death knight at his side. “Inform the troops that they may go home to their families and loved ones. We will require no work for a weeks time for those that fought under this banner and every household, regardless of if man or women returned today, will receive a bounty of food on behalf of my household.” It was rare that Cineas ever did anything that did not benefit him personally and while one could argue that this did benefit, those that fought brought honor to him and his name and it would not soon be forgotten.

Without giving the death knight time to respond to him, Cineas spurred his horse ahead of the group so that he could make his way towards the castle that sat at the top of the hill where he knew that Elenaris had been alerted to his return. The few remaining soldiers that were among their personal guard stood at full attention as he crossed through the smaller wall that defended the castle and he dismounted the steed in the courtyard as he glanced around to take note of Cindel. His armor made a heavy clunking noise as he came into contact with the stones beneath him and he bowed his head to his wife’s attendant. “My wife?” He questioned however without a moment passing, his eyes flitted upwards to take note of the elegant woman who he called his home standing atop the stairs that led into the castle itself.

The nights alone had proven to be difficult and lonely when Cineas had left to heed the call of their Warchief. It was no secret Elenaris disapproved of most of the Horde’s actions and the Horde itself but Sylvanas Windrunner was a leader she could stand behind and her assault against the Alliance was one the dark priestess reveled in. It was odd, being left behind during such a time when she would typically be out lending her own hand in what was going on in the world but not this time. No, firstly she had to recover from her near release to the void plane following a rigorous child birth but even more importantly, she had to stay behind to be with her daughter. Little Maevyn was born with the lightest dusting of black hair, long raven locks were sure to follow.

She had been a bit of a fussy child, but now as she rested in her mother’s arms to greet the Lord of the house, her father, home, she was soundly quiet. “Welcome home, Lord Duskhollow. We’ve been eagerly awaiting your return,” Elenaris spoke in a low tone as she often did, her voice cooing down the stairs before she began to slowly descend toward him.

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After a long day….

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The months had gone by so fast, it barely felt like there was enough time for her to prepare for the last of what was coming upon them. It had been eerily quiet, very little communication from her ‘friends’ on the other side, the void had been hushed since the last threat upon her and her child’s life. Elenaris was relieved, of course, but also on alert seeing as nothing was ever so easy with the dark shadows. Despite Cineas requesting that she take her life easy and remain in their home on Ravenhill for the remainder of the pregnancy, Elenaris was far too stubborn and independent to do such a thing.

She had overseen all of the finishing touches to both nurseries, the one in her family’s home and the one in Cineas’, she sat with Cindel for hours knitting and embroidering items, but she also spent quite some time still in her study and researching, and even practicing her art. Elenaris had always relied on her ability for magic, but seeing as she felt it might turn on her at any given moment, she turned to different forms of alchemy and the study of herbs. There hadn’t been any signs of issues with the baby or the pregnancy in general up until the most recent passing days. The time was coming to an end, of course things were going to progress rather fast after a certain point, however something just didn’t feel right.

The night had been hushed, the sound of the wind against the trees and the large manor offering an ominous ambiance as the darkness consumed the daytime into the late hours of the evening. Cineas was in his study, as he often was while Elenaris tended to be asleep by now. However, tonight she found herself rather restless, roaming the hallways for no particular reason. She came to the top of the large staircase that would lead down to the foyer, her hands resting upon the railing as she overlooked the darkened room below. The feelings came on slow at first, causing Elenaris to furrow her brow and bring her hands to now gently fall upon her swollen belly.

It was all in one quick breath that the quietness of the night was broken with a piercing cry that would echo throughout the manor. One hand returned to the railing in attempts to keep her weight up, failing to do so when a wave of pain hit her once again and she fell to her knees and then eventually down to her back. Something had been wrong, she knew it but she hadn’t prepared enough for this. Her cries for help continued up even after they all had arrived at her side. Cineas, Cindel, Pyrenious,Ebonheart, and even a few other stewards in the house staff. 

Ebonheart and Cineas quickly moved to scoop the Lady of the house up, carrying her quickly to their chambers to lay her upon the bed. Her breathing was heavy and her consciousness was in and out. Cineas moved to take hold of her hand, a grip that was reciprocated in force at first but slowly softened up until she let go all together. Cindel rushed to gather all the supplies Pyrenious needed for the delivery as the time had come to welcome the little Lord Duskhollow into the world. The little mage looked to Cineas, placing a hand to his shoulder as she offered a very solemn and requesting gaze before gesturing toward the door. 

He didn’t want to leave her, he didn’t want to leave his son, but with strict coaxing from Cindel and Ebonheart, he finally did so. Just as he stepped through the doorway, the large door was closed behind him leaving a resounding thud  that brought a pain to his chest. The night was going to be long, and it had only just began as his palms pressed to the wooden door briefly before the never ending pacing began. 

Come morning, they were to planning to have a new addition and in hopes that they weren’t losing another. 

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