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sanguinaryrose · 8 months

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Miss Shadowsong? - An 8.3k word OC (Sorrel Sunstrider) x canon (Maiev Shadowsong) work.

What started as a short exercise kinda snowballed back in April/June, and I've been heavily procrastinating about posting it anywhere and finally have today. Oops on taking so long, but also meh. Starts off sad, but has a happy ending.

There's some Sindassi (original name for Thalassian) in there that I don't remember what it was but I'm pretty sure it was just sad sapphic noises.

Warnings include: Intoxication (consensual, causes a bout of anxiety, one chapter only, nothing too terribly important happens so feel free to scroll past it)

Chapters divided in the post, but posted all at once so have fun with this big boy.

... Maiev took in every curve of her body, the way her her face crinkled as she smiled while talking to her, the way she had smile lines, small crows feet, the bags under her eyes finally beginning to ease after so long of being stressed and worried...

Sorrel paced idly in front of the warden's cage, hugging herself and biting on her lip as tears threatened to stream down her face, the cold biting her soft, exposed skin. "Oh, it's horrible, Miss Shadowsong." Her captive audience rolled her eyes, "I don't-" "He dropped a mana bomb on a settlement- One that had nothing to do with what that monster did to us." Now that.. That caught Maiev's attention. "He what?" "There were civilians. All I could think was 'that was us, what are you doing, please stop' but I was stuck, in shock and.." Maiev's stomach sank. Were they Night Elves? Her wardens? Was- "And I felt afraid of him. I.. For the first time, felt afraid of my husband."

Sorrel stopped her pacing, idly messing with her hands for several long seconds before she turned to stare the Night Elf in the eyes. "Am I awful? For not stopping him? For feeling this way? For.." She looked down, exhaling sharply. "For being afraid of the man I promised to love?" It was a lot to chew on from a relative stranger, one who mocked your every word initially and one who so casually stood aside and let her husband's troops capture her and steal the victory she had so close straight from her hands. It raised the question- Was she bad? If Maiev had to decide, yes, she was, she was just as bad as Kael, inaction is just as bad as action here, but- "I know what you're thinking. You'd put me to death with him, wouldn't you?"

Maiev didn't respond. Not for disagreeing, mind you, but rather because she would. She would have the prince and his lady put to death for their crimes. "I.. I would too." Sorrel sighed, clutching her staff to her chest. "I'm sorry for burdening you with this." She turned her back, about to leave, only to get tugged back by her cape. "Hey!" She whipped around as much as she could, the caged watcher staring her down through her helm, her clawed gauntlets threatening to shred the cape. "Were they Night Elves." It wasn't a question but a demand, a threat, of if they were, Sorrel may not leave the cold, damp prison Illidan had locked her in. "No." A weight lifted off of Maiev's shoulders, though she did not release the priestess from her clawed grip and instead dragged her closer. "Let go." "No. Come here."

The warden's tone wasn't aggressive, but hushed and somewhat panicked. "Help me out of here, priestess." Sorrel swallowed nothing, her throat feeling particularly dry. "I can take you somewhere safe. Keep you away from the slipping insanity of those around you, keep-" "Maiev." Sorrel's voice was soft, doing her best to keep a steady tone, though the growing unease was likely able to be tasted by anyone in a 50 mile radius. "I can't." She unclipped her cape and turned to the warden, and with fear gripping her arm, trying to pull her away, took the night elf's armored hands in hers. "I.. Don't know why. But I think everyone's wrong here. I think you need to let Illidan go. I think Kael'thas needs to be taken out of power. I think Vashj needs to find a place away from here for her people, and I think Illidan needs to.. To man up. Do what he needs to do, return the temple to Akama and return to Azeroth. This isn't his world. He is but a false prince, just as Kael has become."

As Sorrel spoke, Maiev felt her throat closing, panic bubbling up in her, silently begging her to stay, to get her out, away from Illidan, away- "But I promise, Miss Shadowsong," She withdrew one of her hands from the warden's cage, the warmth and kind touch of another person disappearing nearly being enough to make the warden cry out, begging her to come back, to hold her once more. "I'll come back." In the warden's armored hand, Sorrel put a wrapped bushel of grapes. "Ration these- Carefully I don't know when I can come back next, and I figured you'd.. Go mad without decent food." She wasn't cruel. What Illidan wanted to do was awful and she couldn't keep her mind in tact in letting the warden live only through magic, and even then, only by the skin of her teeth. "I'll bring something different next time. Just.. Don't make anyone angry. Keep your head bowed and mouth shut, as much as it hurts. If I ever stop, assume someone found out or I'm.." She looked at the wall, almost distantly.

She bent down after releasing the warden's hands fully. "I'm sorry." Sorrel waved the warden off as she took the cape into her hands, "I just-" "Don't. I came to you asking an actual question, and you.." She didn't answer. "You gave me an answer- A nonverbal one, but.. I asked for it. Thank you." "No, it wasn't about that. For.." She sighed, unwrapping the grapes, inspecting them to get a change of scenery, if only temporarily. She had to eat them, after all, it was that or.. That or near starvation. "For grabbing you. I.. I'm sorry I scared you." "It's okay. I forgive you." She pat Maiev's shoulder before backing away. "I'm sorry I can't help more."

All of this, it raised the question in Maiev's mind once more, was the priestess bad? Or rather was she trapped in a bad situation, a web of evil people, unable to- "I'll see you soon, Maiev. Just don't make anyone angry."

Sorrel was only as confident as she was to slip to the Warden’s Cage after everyone had fallen asleep, save two select guards, Illidan’s most trusted, Ophelia, who she could easily pay off with high quality Quel’dorei alcohol, and the ever-vigilant Sinira, who Sorrel believed never slept and was also kind enough to keep her mouth shut. That was, unfortunately, the easier of the tasks. She had to sneak away from the progressively more paranoid Kael’thas, one, and two, sneak approximately two hours away- And that was while on the back of the maddened Raven Lord she had tamed whilst traveling to the Black Temple.

She was lucky- Much luckier than most. She was able to hold her confidence in the face of direct opposition, looking a demon in the eyes and saying she's on direct orders from Lord Illidan himself. The ride out took about two hours and the ride back would likely take a bit longer, but it was worth it to talk with someone who was at least somewhat sane, somewhat able to hold a coherent conversation with her.

She'd been sneaking to see Maiev for several weeks now, and she thought that, personally, they'd grown close. She'd consider her an acquaintance. As she stabled the Raven Lord, commanding him to sit, the priestess cast several spells to muffle any conversation Maiev and her had. "Miss Shadowsong?" She quietly called as she walked to the cell. The warden seemed to be asleep, and that was okay. It must be hard to sleep, and she didn't want to bother her if she didn't have to.

Using a simple teleport spell to, well, teleport the fruit of the week (three apples) into the Warden's cell, Sorrel felt more than pleased with them not exploding all over the prison and waking the watcher (and also making her to be an enemy against Illidan in his eyes.) She sat herself down on a nearby rock and rummaged through her bag before getting to work writing in a rune-touched journal in letters that simply did not exist- Something only her eyes could read.

Week 4 of interacting with Miss Shadowsong.

She's become more receptive to my kindness, less hostile as a whole towards me. Should I mention Kael'thas, Lady Vashj or Lord Illidan, she flips and becomes outwardly hostile, giving me short, curt, one word responses.

I've learned she had a partner of sorts ten thousand some-odd years ago who went by 'Sin.' I have reason to believe that 'Sin' is Sinira, due to what Sinira has told me in regards to a partner that she used to have who was 'but a shadow.' Normally, I love riddles, but these two are a bit much.

There was a quiet shift- The warden was just adjusting in her sleep, she supposed. She felt a bit uncomfortable seeing Maiev, even with her back turned, without most of her armor- Especially her helmet. She'd admittedly imagined her to look a fair bit different, and she didn't realize the fluff on the back of her helmet was her actual hair. She was much, much smaller than she'd imagined as well, and her hair was a stark white, just like her own. She'd never really seen a normal Night Elf before this, she'd realized, as she was mainly called in to tend to freshly transformed Demon Hunters, and Kael was careful to keep her away from battlefields, avoiding showing her corpses. She never was 'okay' in seeing corpses she couldn't redeem. She couldn't help but wonder if Maiev thought the same of her, being an outlier. Most Blood Elves by now had green eyes, and even before their reliance on fel, they had blue. She herself was an outlier- White eyes. Reliant on a higher power, rather than a lesser one. As for hair, most were shades of gold, red, and brown, but she had similarly white hair. Taking a small handful of her own hair, she compared it to Maiev's, at a squinty distance. Maiev's hair, it had more bluish undertones. Sorrel’s own hair, on the other hand, had.. A lack thereof.

I'm beginning to wonder if Maiev feels a sense of kinship with me as I do her. Of course, this is likely just projection. When I look at her, I see a sad reflection. Someone I could have easily become should I let rage guide my hands.

Sorrel's right ear swiveled slightly as she picked up on Anzu making disgruntled sounds while she wrote.

As I sit here, looking at Maiev's glaives less than a breath away from me, I wonder if I could protect myself like a Demon Hunter does. Like Maiev had to. I suppose that is what makes us- me, rather, so different from most on this world. I hold my head high regarding the fact that I've not harmed a single being in my life. Those like Illidan, even my husband now, they've had to kill to survive. Even Elves half my age have had to make the heavy call to take a life, but I've yet

"Priestess?" Maiev groaned, groggy and struggling to shake herself out of a deep sleep. "Yes, Miss Shadowsong?" "It is you." "It is." Maiev mumbled something Sorrel couldn't quite pick up before falling back asleep. Something about 'missing her company.' She could only hope her presence could help the watcher get some rest.

to be required to make that decision. I fear who I will become after I am forced to draw my first blood.

The priestess shut her journal momentarily, studying Maiev intently, how her sides rose and fell rhythmically with each breath she took. She never was a fantastic artist, but she wished she'd studied anatomy more. To try and show those she cares about how she sees them. Her words were beautiful, she thought, yes, but few can take their friends and loved ones and turn them into gorgeous paintings to hang upon their wall.

Before she could reopen her journal and get back to writing, Anzu began fussing about something or another. Odd. Anxiety bubbled up in Sorrel. It could so easily be nothing, but just as easily it could be something. She did her best to try and get a read on who it was. It wasn't Illidan or Kael or any Naga, nor was it a demon as she'd convinced them thoroughly (or so she thought) of her being sent by Illidan to keep an eye on Maiev.

She couldn't keep her anxiety down, and it wasn't easing up. Carefully moving into a hiding spot, Sorrel focused her energy onto Anzu, and then into seeing through his eyes.

It was one of the newer Demon Hunters. Sorrel sighed, briefly relieved, seconds before a new sense of dread filled her to her brim. Oh no. She scampered up the ramp out as fast as she could, meeting the freshly blinded hunter halfway, scaring her and her sighted sin'dorei escort. "AGH!" The Night Elf yelped, bounding several feet back like a startled cat. "You! And your bird! Agh!" She pat her chest several times, presumably to soothe the pounding in it. The sin'dorei was significantly less impressed. "I'll wait nearby when this.. Gets settled." She vaguely motioned to.. Well, everything. "What are you doing?" Sorrel questioned, gently turning the hunter towards her, rather than her bird.

"Oh! Um. Lord Illidan sent me to tend to the warden. 'Ensure Maiev does not get any smart ideas.'" She parroted, about to walk past the priestess. Sorrel immediately fell back on her days in school acting. Quirking a brow, Sorrel grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "What? That's-" She tilted her head. "That's odd. I think he's just forgotten he sent me here for the same reason." She thought she sounded sure. "Oh, okay! Oh.. Huh? Wait- He.. Forgot? Is his short term memory not so good anymore?" The blue haired demon hunter questioned, bringing her hand to her face with a head tilt. "Yeah, um.. He's just really stressed recently. Worrying a lot with new recruits and whatnot." "Ohhh.." She replied with a knowing nod. "I get it. Think it's that thing you've been talking about?" She questioned with a point.

"What? Post-Traumatic Stress?" "Yeah, that." "Oh, absolutely. Surviving a war, 10,000 years in a cage, finally being let out, and then going into another war.." She shook her head. "It's rough. Really rough." "Oourrgh. Yeah, that sounds bad. Alright! I'll let him know. Thanks for not chewing me ou-" "Wait! Don't!" Sorrel grabbed the stranger's arm, accidentally gripping a fresh tattoo, "Ow!" "Sorry! Um! Don't, though! Really, it's.." She let go of the hunter. "It's bad if you tell him he was wrong. Kael got into a shouting match with him for about an hour, some time ago." A complete truth, actually. "Just hang around outside the temple for a few hours." "Oh I think I heard the tail end of it. A few days ago, right?" "Yeah. Kael said he gave him the wrong times, Illidan said he didn't, Kael knew he was right, Illidan thought he was right.."

The night elf clicked her tongue, spinning around, about to call out to her companion. "Oh, hey, before I leave, what's your name? I know the voice, but, uh, not the name. Or face. But, I'm getting better with that magic sight!" She shot some gunfingers at Sorrel, a goofy grin on her face. "Oh! It's Sorrel. Sorrel Sunstrider." "Ohh, you must'a been that lady standing besides Kael'thas! It's nice to properly meet you, Sorrel!" "It's nice to meet you too, uhh…" "-more." The hunter interrupted. "More?" "No! Uhh-more. Amoure!" "Ohh! That's a beautiful name, Miss Amoure." "Thanks! Anyway, I'll see ya." Giving Amoure a polite wave off and a soft Sindassi send off, Sorrel returned to her position, unable to shake the frightened expression.

"Priestess?" Maiev spoke up, now fully armored, reaching for a glaive that wasn't there. "What happened?" She certainly worked quick. "It was just a hiccup. Don't worry." She motioned towards the iron maidens, "I put your food in there?" Maiev briefly looked excited, initially going to try the gate, before realizing what she meant. "Magic?" "Yes ma'am." Maiev sighed, unable to mask her disappointment. "I appreciate it. What are they, this time?" She asked, a rhetorical question as she reached into the maiden, pulling out the bundled fruit. "The Botanica is coming along well. Kael'thas has me try every fruit once it's deemed safely edible." Maiev hummed, piercing the flesh of one of the apples with her gauntlet, taking her helmet off to take a bite from the fruit. On instinct, Sorrel looked away. "Sorry-" She swallowed. "Does it bother you seeing people eat?"

"No! No, it isn't that, just.. It feels like I'm seeing someone nude, when I look at you without your armor. When you were asleep, I tried not to look too much. I made sure you were alive, mind you, but." She cleared her throat, uncomfortable. Maiev snorted, going at the apple. "What did you talk about up there?" "Oh, it was just a bit of confusion. A demon hunter came when Illidan sent me." "In that case, why did you look so worried?" "Would you be scared if a volatile, powerful man were to be told he was wrong?" Maiev stopped chewing, thought for a moment, and eventually replied with a simple, "Good point." She'd finished the apple soon enough, and tossed the core in Sorrel's field of vision, the priestess casting a quick spell to all but disintegrate the thing in holy fire.

"You were asleep for some time, so.." She packed her things, keeping an eye on the ramp. "I do need to go earlier than usual." Maiev nodded. "You will come back though. Right?" "Have I missed a meeting yet?" "Right?" "Yes, Miss Shadowsong. I'll be back." She nodded, waving the warden off. "Stay safe." Sorrel whispered over her shoulder with a small, bashful wave, before leaving the warden's sight, a view that never failed to fill the Night Elf with immeasurable dread.

Maiev had been struggling particularly hard to not snap at and lash out at Illidan or his lackeys when they next came to gawk and cackle at her like hyenas. Ophelia especially bothered her, as she'd often run her horns along the bars that kept her trapped. How she wanted to saw all of their horns off. The only solace was her.

Quiet and elegant, full of grace. She was what came to mind when Maiev thought of a priestess. Hearing the familiar sound of Sorrel casting silence spells filled her heart with a sense of excitement and peace. "Priestess?" Maiev called as Sorrel began making her way down the ramp. "I'm here, Miss Shadowsong." If she had a tail, she'd be wagging it like mad. "I am glad to see you, priestess." Sorrel's expression was distant. She looked upset, and as Maiev processed her face, her excitement dropped.

"Priestess Sunstrider..?" Maiev had never used her surname before, and Sorrel sighed on hearing it. Sitting herself down on the rock she used as a seat to spend time with Maiev, the priestess stared blankly at the wall. "Kael'thas said he was done." Momentarily, Maiev got excited. Did that mean Sorrel would be more willing to let her out? To- "We're leaving soon. Something happened, Miss Shadowsong." Sorrel's bad ear was weaker than usual, and her cryptic words weren't helping the growing dread. "Eredar are such vile creatures." Sorrel stared the warden's glaive down. Maiev wished she could get inside the priestess' head, wished she could understand what was going on. "I don't know when or if I can come back, but." Sorrel got up, holding a bag positively stuffed with various fruit, passing it to the warden through the bars. "I enchanted all of these myself. They'll never go bad. I'll try to teleport food to you, but I don't know if I'm strong enough. Tempest Keep is.. So far away."

Maiev's stomach sank, she wanted to vomit, to cry and beg her to stay, to not leave her to the wolves, how helpless she felt in being forced to rely on someone else for her sanity. How positively angry she felt at Sorrel for not releasing her, for not fighting to stay, for- "Please don't leave me here." ..Damnit. Sorrel sighed, crossing her arms. "I.. I wish I could get you out. But I can't. I have three young children to tend to, and in letting you out, I'd be putting a target on Kael and my children's backs."

Maiev reached through the bars and took a small handful of Sorrel's hair in her hands. It was the closest the two had ever been since their first interaction- If Sorrel had stepped any closer, they'd be breathing one another's air. It was the first time Maiev had been able to catch what Sorrel smelled like and in spite of everything, she managed to smell absolutely resplendent. "Are you sure?" Maiev asked, releasing the priestess' hair. "There is nothing that can be done? Y-You are unable to say something to convince Kael'thas to stay? To-" "I'm sorry. I.. There's nothing I can do. He's dead set on getting away." She swallowed around nothing as Sorrel spoke, unable to stop her bottom lip from quivering. "Please don't go." Sorrel took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Maiev." "Sorrel?" She whispered, trying to will her to stay, to come back and hold her and-

As the priestess retreated she stole one more glance back at the warden, who was freely crying beneath the helmet, though her posture dare not show it. "I'm so sorry. If you get out.. Please come find me at Tempest Keep. It's in the Netherstorm. I won't forget you. Thank you, for.. Listening." She didn't want to linger, Maiev supposed, as she quickly walked up the stairs, recognizing the rhythmic thumping of her mount carrying her away.

Maiev didn't quite recover emotionally from Sorrel leaving. It'd been several weeks, and she kept one fruit in particular. A single peach, it was the closest smell to Sorrel's, and it was the one thing that kept her from losing her mind.

Demon hunters came and went, some joined by their horns, some alone. She overheard plenty of conversations. Most of them went in one ear and out the other, mostly disinteresting to the warden, but one caught her attention. Filled her with dread and made her re-find her voice.

"Did you hear about Tempest Keep?" A hunter asked, making Maiev focus in on the conversation. "Yeah. Heavy stuff. You don't think Lord Illidan is at risk too, do you? And, man, poor Sorrel." Poor Sorrel? "Illidari." She rumbled, the first word spoken in months, something that startled both demon hunters. "So you're not dead!" The larger of the two, a havoc one, she supposed, spoke. The lesser of the two hushed him, approaching Maiev. "What is it, Shadowsong?" Her arms were crossed as her whip-like tail idly lashed. "What of the priestess, Kael'thas' wife?" "..You mean Sorrel? How do you know her?" "We briefly interacted on Azeroth." "..Right." The Illidari turned. "She's around. Illidan keeps her close. Convinced he needs to watch her- Convinced he-"

Maiev's arms shot out from behind the bars of her cell, dragging the demon hunter close by her tail and wing. "You!" Maiev pointed towards the larger Illidari, who was now stanced up, unsure of what to do, mostly. "Tell Illidan to send Sorrel here now or else." "You can't hurt me!" The woman scoffed, about to pull away, quickly eating her words as the watcher switched her grip from her arms to her throat. "Maiev- We can't make him do anyth-" She was interrupted by a warning squeeze, cutting her off.

"Send for the priestess." Maiev repeated, her hands shaking. "Now." "I'll call your bluff." She replied. "I can smell and feel your fear. Sorrel's so deeply against violence, Maiev." The warden's hands were so deeply unsteady now. "It'd be awful for her. After watching her husband die, seeing his corpse, having to see one of her friends near-death at the hands of the Maiev Shadowsong." Maiev let go of the Illidari, snarling obscenities under her breath. The hunter quickly ripped away from her and dashed to the other end of the space. "I'm telling Illidan about this." The larger of the two said, ascending the ramp. The lesser of the two nodded, settling herself on the ramp herself, watching Maiev like a vulture as she began to pace, quick to lose herself in her thoughts.

She would get out of there. Sorrel had asked her to find her, and by Elune she swore she would. Illidan would not crush the one good thing on this forsaken world, the one good thing she had left in her life. She swore it.

Sorrel shook. She was convinced to try smoking some by a few demon hunters while they ate, and she took maybe a hit or two too many. She quickly scurried to her quarters, shutting the door and exhaling a shaky breath as she dispelled any light producing magic, bathing the room in darkness. She didn't even notice the figure standing by the door as she shut it, crawling into her bed and laying flat on her back, her arms stiff at her sides as her chest rose and fell in a way indicating dread or anxiety or some form of unadulterated fear.

Maiev didn't have time to make her presence known before there was a rhythmic knock-knock-knocking at the door. "Sorrel?" "Sinira?" "Are you alright? You ran off pretty quick once it started to hit." Honestly, she wasn't okay. She was freaking out. Sorrel couldn’t muster a proper response, not for several seconds. “Um..” She breathed, slowly bringing a hand to her face. “I will be..?” “Okay, hon, well..” Sinira opened the door, approaching the priestess’ bed slowly. Maiev felt the blood drain from her face. She prayed to Elune, to whatever higher power that this wasn’t actually Sinira. That she didn’t threaten the previous love of her life with death, that she didn’t side with Illidan of all elves, that- “I brought you some cake and water.” Sorrel slowly sat up, her ears pinned back more than they usually were, even when she was upset or stressed. “I just wanted to make sure you got to try some. Also, you.. Really need to drink, especially when panicking.”

Sorrel nodded, unable to find her voice to say ‘thank you’, though she did mouth the words. “You’re more than welcome, High Priestess. I’ll check on you in the morning.” She backed away from Sorrel, and turned to the door and froze. Maiev’s heart might as well have stopped there, and clearly Sinira was shocked with what she was seeing as well. Neither of them moved. They both clearly saw each other. Taking a deep breath, Sinira turned back to Sorrel. “I’m going on an extended hunting trip starting tomorrow. I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

Rather than acknowledge Maiev, Sinira quietly let herself out of the room and quickly walked away from the Priestess’ private quarters. Sorrel picked at the cake with the fork that Sinira had provided, though she found it difficult to find her appetite, even with the munchies driving her forward in even considering eating. She was going to drink though. She remembered clearly how often Kael’thas had to remind her to drink because she’d gotten so terribly fixated on writing or reading. It was something that gave her a sense of comfort, it was simple and comforting and something that reminded her of better times, before everything.

Putting the cake to the side, Sorrel slowly lowered herself onto her side, moving in ‘slow motion’, fearful that should she move too fast, something would break. But even as her anxieties grew higher and higher, she had a bout of inspiration. This was a very similar sensation, it hit her, as to when she’d eaten some special brownies that Fraeja had made, and it also made her realize that this wasn’t the first time she’d gotten too high. She got up, rubbing her arms, briefly pacing about her room, before laying back down. She’d remember it, she promised herself. A letter, she’d write, to Maiev. And Kael and everyone she loved but couldn’t express it to.

Her hands were cold. She was cold and frightened and- “Priestess.” “Yes, Miss Shadowsong?” She replied on instinct, squeezing her eyes shut. It was a dream. A dream, please, just let it be a dream. Just let it be a peaceful dream, giving her the chance to talk to her. “Are you alright?” The bed shifted behind her. “I’m afraid.” “Of what?” Sorrel thought, for several seconds. “Of Illidan.” She spoke after far, far too long. “He hasn’t hurt me. But I fear when I no longer appear as useful to him. When he deems me a threat to his position as the Lord of Outland, if- When he finds out I’m..” She began trembling. “I’m your friend. You can’t protect me from him. Kael’thas can’t protect me from him.” Maiev’s stomach sank. Sorrel had been disheveled before around her, startled and in shock, but never properly afraid.

Maiev put her hand on Sorrel’s shoulder, the priestess letting out a shaky breath. “Before Kael’thas..” She cleared her throat. “Passed away. I began thinking. I don’t want to be called a blood elf. I.. Can’t carry that weight on my shoulders. I love and respect and can’t begin to thank those who fell protecting Silvermoon, but.. What about the innocents? Those whose blood was spilled because they simply happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their blood, it shouldn’t be worn as a symbol of respect or pride, it should be given a quiet place to rest, a quiet-” She shook her head, getting up and grabbing the cup of water, downing half of it in a few gulps. “A quiet.. Safe rest. Away from the bloodshed. Away from the painful memories of what happened to them.” Sorrel had never been quite so heavy before, and it hurt Maiev to hear her inner thoughts, to hear how her anxiety only worsened since she last saw her. “Well you can’t very well be a night elf.” She replied, flat. It made Sorrel giggle, something that made Maiev’s stomach swell with pride in knowing she had made her smile in such a dark moment, knowing that she had made her giggle even. She wanted to hear it more.

“Of course I can’t. I was thinking of just referring to myself as a high elf. I considered sun elf, but..” She snickered. “It’d be a lonely existence. And a bit on the nose. I wonder if any of Kael’s ancestors thought about calling themselves that.” Was she crying? Sorrel raised a hand to her face and sighed. “I wish we could’ve met on better terms. Maybe if I were born over 10,000 years ago and also was a night elf, I could’ve done something to make a change. Save you from chasing Illidan.” Maiev’s heart broke damn near in two at the sentiment. “You wouldn’t want to do that, Priestess.” Sorrel hummed. “I disagree. I didn’t like seeing you all caged up. You know, the whole location was actually.. Named after you. It was called the Warden’s Cage.”

Maiev frowned. “I wasn’t aware, no.” Sorrel sighed. “It wasn’t right. Two wrongs never make a right. It shouldn’t have been you being punished alongside Illidan. It could’ve been Tyrande. It could’ve been Malfurion. It didn’t have to be you.” The watcher couldn’t find the words to reply. Sorrel waited for several seconds, before continuing. “It could’ve been anyone. It could’ve been split into shifts. You shouldn’t have effectively become his sole babysitter for ten thousand years. Do you know how long that is for someone like me?” Sorrel rolled onto her back, watching the ceiling. “The oldest elf in all of Quel’thalas died recently. Kael’s father, and he was 3,000. That’s considered senior for us. I think he should’ve retired, let Kael become king, but Kael was happier in Dalaran, and he never recalled my prince.”

As Sorrel ran her mouth, Maiev took in her appearance. For the first time, unobscured, up close and personal, Maiev had a chance to study the high elf. She had pure white hair, beautiful, freckle-kissed skin and a gorgeous face. Her personality was just the cherry on top, frankly. “Do you regret anything, Maiev?” The watcher was taken aback by the sudden question, as she was admittedly lost in the tones and hums the priestess made as she talked to herself. “I..” She couldn’t think of anything off of the top of her head that wasn’t related to her anger with tending to Illidan for as long as she did. “I stopped seeing my first betrothed because of Illidan.” Sorrel hummed. “They must’ve been lucky.” “How do you mean?” “Well.. You’re you. You’re a good listener, to start. Even if it’s because you’ve no choice, you still retained what I told you.”

Even if it was just a dream or daydream, it was comforting. It made her anxiety start to subside and gave her the ability to begin drifting off. The two chatted off and on for several hours and not once did Sorrel open her eyes, though towards the end of their discussion, when Sorrel was struggling to form sentences, she rolled onto her side, facing away from the warden. “I’m sure in actuality, it’s just Al’ar in bed with me. But I need to ask-” She yawned, pulling her pillow into her arms. “If you’re real.. Would you hold me? Please? I just.. Can’t sleep alone. Not anymore.”

Maiev knew she’d have a hard couple of days moving forward. This simple act of kindness, even if it was per Sorrel’s request, would be good for both of them, she thought, as she put her arms around the priestess. “Ow.” Sorrel mumbled, shifting away. “Your armor hurts.” “Sorry.” She wasn’t comfortable taking it off- Not so close to Illidan and where an Illidari could hypothetically walk in at any moment. “I’ll do it one day.” Maiev finally spoke, unprompted. “But you need to wait.” “Okay.”

“Promise?” Sorrel pulled her blankets over herself. Snuggling into them, the priestess looked positively at peace. “I promise.” And it, just like coming to find her, was a promise she wouldn’t be quick to break. Especially not to someone who’s shown her such unadulterated kindness, not requesting anything more than a hug and a promise through it all.

Ophelia had all but commanded Sorrel to ‘stay put’ in her room, with her children as soon as Illidan took note of troops from the Alliance and Horde banding together to try and storm the temple. Illidan had sent most of his hunters off on a mission, one to try and secure a demonic ship from what Sorrel could understand. As she sat with her children behind her, crouching while facing them, her body acting as a shield if need be, she kept her head on a constant swivel around her room, especially when the footfalls of no less than 20 men approached her quarters. Her heart might as well have stopped as she felt the surges of magic flowing throughout the temple as Illidan took his final stand, and just as quickly as she had felt it, she felt something worse, something much more frightening.

Nothing. Those footfalls came and went once more. And after so long, one pair of footsteps approached and stopped. Sorrel wrestled her cape off and put it over her children, wielding a tome Kael’thas had once given her in case of an emergency. “Priestess?” A familiar voice called out. She didn’t know what to do. “Miss Shadowsong?” She answered, before the door slowly creaked open.

On the edge of the frame, she saw the familiar gauntlets of Maiev though she dare not believe it to be her until she let herself into the room, several Night Elves awkwardly standing around behind her. “Are you alright?” Sorrel felt tears well up in her eyes. “What did you do, Miss Shadowsong?” Maiev acknowledged the 3 smaller elves and nodded for Sorrel to follow her. “..My children will be alright. Right?” “No harm will come to them, or you.” Sorrel backed towards the children and steadied herself before she faced them. “These nice women will keep you safe. Okay?” She chirped, holding her hands out for a pinky swear. The older of the two linked pinkies wordlessly and huddled closer to one another as she rose to her feet and turned to face Maiev, following the warden through the temple.

Maiev did her best to keep her focused on her, but it was impossible to not acknowledge the carnage as she approached the pinnacle. “Oh.. Oh, Maiev. What did you do?” “This.. Was not my work.” Unfortunately, she silently added. “Heroes of the Horde, Blood Elves, Orcs, Tauren, Undead, they did this.” Sorrel got cold feet as she approached the pinnacle. The scent of blood was thickly hanging in the air and what remained of Illidan’s magic was fleeting.

“His hunters were captured.” Maiev knew the pained expression meant she knew Illidan was no more. “Do I have your blessing to say goodbye? To Illidan, to..” She motioned vaguely. “Yes. But I ask you cast no spells until we return to the Broken Isles.” Sorrel tilted her head. “We?” Maiev rested her hand on Sorrel’s shoulder. “I will not cast a mourning mother away. Your children, are they..” “No. Kael’thas and I never had a chance to..” She cleared her throat. “I was tending to them until I could get them to Silvermoon safely.” Maiev nodded, thinking on what to do in regards to this before softly asking, “Do you want them to come to the Broken Isles with us?” “No, I.. I don’t think it’d be good for them. They need to grow up around Blood Elves. Know where they come from.”

“Give me some time to think, I’ll have to figure out how to get them back safely. Say your goodbyes. You deserve it.” Even if they do not, she thought.

Sorrel took deep breaths as she ascended to the pinnacle. Akama offered her a polite nod, and she returned in kind. The broken had been a voice of reason in her darkest moments and often counseled her when she needed guidance her faith could not provide alone. “I am sorry.” He started, taking in a deep, almost pained sounding breath, though the priestess quickly cut him off. “No, Akama. You did nothing wrong. He was mad. His insanity was destroying a place that should’ve been a safe haven for you and yours, something of beauty. He lied to you. I am sorry you had to tolerate it for so long. If you ever need help in this- All of it, cleansing the temple, cleaning this up, I’ll stay until-” “No, High Priestess. I cannot ask that of you. Thank you for the offer.” Sorrel nodded. “You’re welcome. Thank you for your kindness, Akama.”

Akama said something in Eredun, a kind of ‘you’re welcome and blessings to you’ Sorrel had learned, before taking his leave to spread the news of Illidan’s defeat to his people, leaving the Watchers to clean the mess that Illidan had made. Sorrel didn’t want to see him. But she knew she had to. To close this dark, bloody chapter of her life and try to make a new one.

As she approached Illidan’s crumpled form, all she could focus on was him, she didn’t even initially take note of the Illidari surrounding them. “Oh, Illidan.” She sighed, getting on her knees by his head, stroking his head like a mother to a child who just had a nightmare. “Perhaps now, you’ll find peace.” She leaned forward and rested her head against his. “You don’t need to run or fight anymore. You can rest.”

As she rose to her feet, her stomach sank seeing the trapped faces of those she’d loved, laughed with. None hurt her more than Ophelia, though, her beloved. Her voice was shaky as she approached the night elf, who looked as though she could’ve been sleeping. “Anar.. n'dath a'asto're ethala osa. N'dath osa neph'o ishura lo anar alah anoduna su shar shari'adune. Anoduna su tal anar osa andu tal anu, anoduna su t'ase'mushal. Do ri adore.”

Maiev quirked a brow. She’d never heard most of these words past the last three she uttered. ‘Do ri adore.’ “Why are you-” One of her women put a hand on her arm, shaking her head, cutting the warden off.

As she took in the rest of the Illidari, she recognized many faces. But one was missing- Among all of the men and women she counted, she couldn’t find Sinira. “Maiev?” She wasn’t sure what she was going to say as the warden made her way to her side, uncomfortably hovering a hand over her shoulder. She wanted to tell her about the missing demon hunter. But when she spoke- “I’m ready.” Was all she could muster.

Maiev sighed, pulling Sorrel close. “It may not feel it.” Sorrel started, losing her arms under Maiev’s cloak as she wrapped them around the warden. “But.. I think you’ll find a new hunt soon enough. There is always evil in the world.” She looked up towards the warden, who was staring intently at Illidan’s body. “Your story does not need to end with him, as much as the world seems to want it to. Just like my story will not end with Kael’thas, despite my affiliation with him condemning me to death alongside him.”

The warden nodded, not really processing the priestess’ words, before releasing her. “Go to your children and pack your things. I’ll send watchers to escort you shortly.” Sorrel replied with a quiet ‘okay’ and left the pinnacle, leaving the watcher to her thoughts and Illidan’s body.

It’d been several days since Sorrel had fully settled into her quarters in the Vault of the Wardens after unpacking everything. Maiev had been awkward, initially. Not in the same way she’d been when they first began interacting but in a new way. Sorrel thought she recognized it, but she didn’t want to assume things. Assuming things is why so many awful, awful things had happened in her interpersonal life.

“Miss Shadowsong?” Sorrel cooed from outside of the warden’s private quarters. “Priestess?” Maiev replied. Taking it as the ‘it’s alright to let herself in’ signal, Sorrel sat down on the warden’s bed by her. She was reading, and as much as the Sorrel had wanted to be nosy, it was in Kaldorei. She had never quite understood it, despite the similarities to Quel’dorei. “Did you know that I’m a sin-eater?” Maiev raised a brow, shutting her book. “What?”

Sorrel faked a gasp, “And here I was pouring my heart out to you while you were in that cell! I remembered so much about you, and yet-” She dramatically fell back onto Maiev’s bed, covering her face, “You won’t even remember that? How cruel, Warden Shadows-” “Hey! I’ll have you know you never mentioned that!” Sorrel snickered, pulling herself back up. “I know. I just wanted to see if you knew that.”

Maiev was relieved she was wearing her armor, because her face certainly felt much warmer than usual. Being able to breathe easily so close to Sorrel, to touch her, to- “So, sin-eating is a bit of a ritual of sorts.” “What happens during it? Can you perform it for me?” “No, and I hope to never have to.” Maiev initially felt hurt, before she realized what she’d said entirely. “Wait, why?” “Well, sin eating, I suppose it’s a high elf thing. I was the only priestess willing to become one. So, after someone dies, we get these big feasts set up after the funeral. I approach the body and eat from the feast laid out before them by taking the food over the body- Like,” She put her hand on Maiev’s chest and pushed her onto her back, adjusting to be kneeling at her side. “Like, pretend you’re a body for this, right?” She took Maiev’s book and set it adjacent to her. “I take the food from one side of the body,” She set the book in her lap. “To myself. And eat it. And in doing so,” She helped Maiev sit back up. “I eat their sins. It’s a super spiritual thing.”

Maiev’s brain was shot in being touched so kindly by Sorrel and she was kicking herself for wearing her armor at all- If she’d just been willing to relax without it for just a few moments she’d have been able to feel her in a way she’d never felt her before, in a way she’d been longing for. “Unfortunately, it made most of my people deathly terrified of me. Save the two Sunstriders, their advisors and my family, most of the High Elven society greatly shunned and feared me in day-to-day life.” “Why?” “Well, I didn’t absolve them of their sins, right? I ate them. And, according to our beliefs, as a result, I carry their sins on my shoulders. No one called upon me for weddings- Only funerals. It was a lonely life, but, well, I was always a shy person,”

As Sorrel spoke, Maiev took in every curve of her body, the way her her face crinkled as she smiled while talking to her, the way she had smile lines, small crows feet, the bags under her eyes finally beginning to ease after so long of being stressed and worried, the- “Y’know. Growing up looking so different compared to my peers. It’s a bit tragic, but this isn’t about that.” “I want to hear about it.” “Sure, but after I- Wait. Really?” Sorrel tilted her head, blinking several times and looking up at the watcher like a confused dog, head tilt and all. She perked up a fair bit. “Really?” She repeated. “Of course. Just- Finish talking about sin-eating first.” “Oh, right. So, uh, I only really got called out for funerals. I made sure they were beautifully taken care of- See, I used to have this garden I tended to. Before eating the sins of someone, I’d give them a flower from it.” “What flowers did you grow?” “Oh, jeez, let me.. Think for a second.” As she scrunched her face up to think, Maiev could feel a certain swelling in her heart, one that made her put her hand over her armored chest. It drew Sorrel out of her thoughts. “Are you alright?” “Yes- Just. Continue?” Sorrel watched the warden’s movements carefully for several seconds, and determined she was probably just emotional after everything. Again, trying not to assume anything.

“Well, I grew five types in all sorts of different colors. Lilies, carnations, gladioli, roses and dahlias. It was up to the family to choose a color, but if they didn’t want to, I’d ask the youngest involved to pick their favorite color. I’d also give any kids a flower to try and, y’know, make it not as.. Awful for them.” Maiev nodded, hung up on every word she spoke, every syllable. She was relieved to see Sorrel so comfortable talking to her and just relaxing around her. It made her feel better about everything. It made her feel better about herself.

“So, I’d take them a flower, have them hold it, and eat their sins, offer my condolences to the family, then go home. When I went to train my magic prowess at Dalaran, I took a break from being a Sin-Eater, but those who knew me, they kept their distance. I was okay, though. I had Kael, and I was happy, even if it was well before we were seeing each other.” Sorrel laid down, looking at the warden like she was a shooting star, gorgeous and with a power she would never fully understand. “Your armor is gorgeous, by the way. I’m not sure if I ever said that.” “..Yeah?” Maiev replied, contemplating if she should take it off and be more casual with her friend or not. “Yeah. It’s..” Sorrel looked for the words before settling on a simple, gentler comparison. “Whenever I see your armor in particular, it makes me feel safe. It makes me feel like I can retreat into something and be protected.”

Elune stop her beating heart. Maiev’s face was red under her helmet. She felt hot- Properly hot- And wasn’t sure what to do. She wanted to cool off, but she didn’t want to- “Oh, right, you wanted to hear about my tragic loneliness, right?” “That’s correct.” “Oh, Maiev, you don’t need to be so formal all the time. To me you’re not a warden. You’re a good friend. Especially right now.” She pat Maiev’s leg and Maiev begged Elune to make Sorrel keep her hand there, begged her to- She withdrew it and laid on her side by the watcher. “So.. It’s not really as sad as I make it out to be. Don’t get me wrong, kids are awful, and I stuck out like a sore thumb, so it was especially awful..”

Sorrel and Maiev (mostly Sorrel) talked on and on, well until the moon had risen into the sky, peeking in through the window in Maiev’s quarters. Sorrel watched the moon, now settling into a calm silence with the warden. “Miss Shadowsong?” Sorrel asked. “Priestess?” Maiev replied, taking note of how especially gorgeous Sorrel looked in the moonlight. She looked beautiful in the sunlight, yes, but in the moon she looked like an angel- A proper angel. Her hair reflecting light like a halo, her eyes being moondrops themselves.. “Would you want to come to my room tonight?” She hesitantly put her hand on Maiev’s. “..Spend the night with me?”

Maiev’s mouth went dry. She sat in silence for several seconds, studying Sorrel’s face to see if it was a joke, a lie, a way to humiliate her as she had been before by cruel women and men in her life, but she detected no such thing in Sorrel’s expression, in her words. “Are you sure?” Maiev answered, her voice soft, quiet, filled to the brim with fear of an answer she would not like. “I’m positive. I’d love to share a bed with you, Maiev.”

Thank you for reading this far! Sin eating is a real thing btw it's very cool.

#fanfic #world of warcraft #maiev shadowsong #oc x canon #canon x oc #Technically. TECHNICALLY. she's a SI of sorts. But I consider her more an OC :>#Intoxication #lesbian #bisexual #wlw

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