Chapter Text
'So many have come,' thought Padmah, feeling a warm glow inside. She stood in the doorway of their hut and looked over the Middle Rise, where a fire was burning and wooden tables and benches had been set up for her guests. It was the evening of her 15th birthday, and the day after tomorrow, she and Bérun would set out on their Journey.
She had popped inside to fetch her cardigan, for the night had become cooler. Now she enjoyed a moment of peace away from her guests and took the opportunity to take in the scene. It was a beautiful set-up here on the majestic bluff of the Middle Rise. The younger people, mostly her friends from around Thunder Bluff, were grouped close to the fire where some played on instruments and others were dancing. The older generation was seated at tables or wandering around, drinking wine and meeting old acquaintances. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.
It was just a shame that her grandmah and granddahd couldn't come, although in a way, it was only fair. After all, Bérun had celebrated his own 15th birthday without his grandparents, too. It was as cumbersome to travel from the South Barrens as it was from Durotar, and their grandparents were getting on in years. As well, Bérun had lost both his grandmothers. Randia Mithrilhoof had succumbed to a fever last year, and the year before Ellóren's mother had passed away as quietly and unobtrusively as she had lived her life, after an illness that had drained all her strength in under two weeks.
'But the blood elves have come,' thought Padmah now, and a smile lit up her face. Mirillie and Pingur were her favourites amongst her mother's friends, and she was good friends with their son Nelithar, who looked dashing as always with his black hair and flashing green eyes. He had chosen the class of Rogues and just started his first year of training.
Tonight, he mostly kept the twins out of trouble by showing them tricks with his daggers and going into stealth in front of their eyes. Golgan and Ma’julu were fascinated and kept requesting certain moves, and for a while even forgot to run around chasing each other with burning branches from the fire.
Elsie was there, dancing in a typical Tauren formation with Dannu. Padmah was overjoyed that she had made it possible to come. Elsie had had to bow out of a dungeon assignment to be here, and Padmah appreciated it all the more as she knew how busy Elsie was in this her last year of training.
Padmah loved the quick-eyed young Hunter and felt almost as if she were her own sister. She also admired her dedication to her people. A few moons ago, Elsie had announced that she wouldn't go on to fight in the war after her training but instead walk in her grandfather's footsteps and be a wandering storyteller. Ellóren was worried because the world was so much more dangerous today than it had been in her parents' time, but at the same time, she was deeply moved and proud of her daughter for choosing this path.
Elsie had always been fascinated by stories and learned a number of them from her grandmother Elleena when she was still alive. She intended to pick up more on her travels and tell them to her scattered people, lest they be forgotten one day.
Padmah's eyes wandered to the tables and found her parents who were sitting next to Ellóren as usual. It was strange trying to imagine what it would be like not seeing them for a year. She was very excited and looking forward to her Journey, but at the same time she knew she would miss her parents dreadfully.
Padmah had gone through a rather stormy phase about a year earlier, during which she seemed to constantly be at cross purposes with her mother, the way young girls often are. More recently though, they had become good friends again and Padmah felt she could tell her mother anything. She would miss this closeness.
Her parents' friends were seated at the table next to them. There were a couple of Hunters from her father's old guild and also some people from Gaia. Next to Miri and Pingur sat the Orc Barlak, a Shaman who had taught Padmah her first spells last year, after she had practised contacting elementals for years, the way he had shown her when she was eleven.
Padmah walked over to the tables and joined Barlak.
“So, young lady, how’s your practice going?”
In place of a reply, she put her hands together and felt a tingling as water energy build up between them.
”Very good,” praised Barlak, and she returned his smile. “As soon as you’ll start training, your mana will increase and then you'll manage a full healing wave in no time.”
”I can't wait. And I want to learn a proper lightning bolt instead of just sparks.”
”You will, soon enough.”
All at once, Bérun appeared by her side. “There you are! We've been looking for you. Come dancing, will you?”
”You're only ever doing your formations.”
”We're not. Look, they're all dancing in pairs now.”
She smiled at Barlak, who nodded at her as she got up. Together they walked over to the fire, where they were greeted by a school friend.
“Padmah! D'you want to dance with me?”
”I beat you to it,” said Bérun smugly and took Padmah's hands. The music was full of earthy rhythms, and they were soon swept away by its energy.
Padmah threw her arms around Bérun when the piece ended. “Can you believe the day has come?”
He squeezed her tight. “Not quite. I'll believe it when we're on our way to Bloodhoof Village.”
They went to sit down together and were soon discussing their travel plans for the hundredth time.
A distance away sat Revnah, her gaze resting on her daughter. “Just look at her,” she said to Sa'jun, “15 years old and all ready to leave us.”
”You were 15 when we met.”
“And you were a dashing young Hunter with the most beautiful pet I'd ever seen.”
They were silent for a moment and thought of Sa'jun's black panther Nora, who had been his trusted companion throughout his training and raiding years. Her death had signalled the end of his raiding career as there was no other pet he trusted so completely. When he went on hunting trips for leather these days, he took a wolf he had tamed in Ashenvale.
Then Revnah turned to Ellóren. “I remember our own Journey so vividly whenever I look at our children these days.”
Ellóren smiled. “Sometimes I still feel like the giggling teenager I was then. I can't believe it was so many years ago. We're 41 now! And Truon's been dead for 16 years.”
Revnah looked at her friend and thought that she for one didn't look 41. Ellóren was in immaculate shape and still trained young Warriors in all three specialisations. “The day one of my trainees can beat me in a duel is the day I'll retire,” she was fond of saying. So far, there was no danger of that.
“I don't actually feel much older,” said Revnah now, “except that I find more grey hairs every week.”
Sa'jun put his arm around her and she leaned her head against his shoulder. So far, she mused, they had both aged well. Sa'jun looked leaner and more sinewy these days, but he was in good shape from the hunting. Revnah still had a lovely figure, although her body had softened a bit and was decidedly rounder in some places. Sa'jun loved it and as long as her wider robes still fit, Revnah didn't mind.
Her eyes were still on her daughter and Bérun. “I understand that they want to do something we didn't, but I'm not convinced they ought to go to Northrend,” she murmured.
”It's not as dangerous as it was in our day,” said Ellóren. “There's still Scourge up there but without the Lich King – the old Lich King – they’re not as strong. I hear it's like the rest of Azeroth now, where mobs will not recognise the uninitiated as a threat.”
Youngsters and people who had never chosen a class were perceived as harmless by the various dangerous creatures of the world and so they wouldn't attack them unless they wandered directly into an enemy's cave or village.
“I hope you're right.” Revnah sighed, but then she had the good grace to laugh. “I'm beginning to sound like my own mahm, always worried about my daughter. If nothing else, this shows me that I'm growing old.”
Ellóren giggled. “I'm more selfish than you. The thing I'm most worried about is being alone again after all these years.”
“Look at it this way: Finally the young ones are out of your hair and you'll have far more time to spend with us. It'll be our best times yet.”
”As if you two needed me to annoy you even more,” said Ellóren, at which Sa'jun winked at her.
“Oh yes, you're terrible! But maybe we'll put up with you if you agree to look after Golgan and Ma’julu sometimes.”
”Don't say that, she might choose not to visit after all,” giggled Revnah.
“Come to think of it, it's way past their bedtime,” said Sa'jun, but then they were interrupted by Padmah and Bérun who had come over to them.
“Hello, my goddaughter,” said Ellóren. “Are you having fun?”
”I am! It's a great party.”
Sa’jun grinned. ”Well, it's good of you to come see your old parents.”
Revnah said: “It's not a good time though, I was just about to round up the twins and try to wrestle them into bed.”
”Let me do that,” said Padmah.
”Yes, and I'll help,” added Bérun.
Revnah smiled from one to the other. “It's nice of you to offer but really, I wouldn't do it to you. This is your evening.”
”Of course it is,” said Padmah, “and that's exactly why I'll have an easier time persuading them to come quietly. I have the sister-who's-about-to-leave bonus.”
Sa'jun grinned. “'Come quietly', now that would be the day. But if you insist, go and try your luck.”
”Thank you, my big daughter,” said Revnah, and Padmah leaned down to give her a hug.
They had only taken a few steps away from the table when Ma’julu shot past them. Padmah just about managed to catch Golgan by the arm when he followed a second later.
“Stop!”, she cried and miraculously, Ma’julu turned around.
“Listen, you two, it's getting late. You know…bedtime.”
”Noooooo!”, cried Golgan and Ma’julu began to negotiate: “Not now, Pady. We were racing ‘cause Golgan won't believe that I'm faster.”
”He's not,” said Golgan.
Padmah looked into their imploring faces and couldn't suppress a grin. She was trying to think of a good argument when Bérun chipped in.
“But who was going to be the referee? If you don't have a referee, you'll just end up arguing again.”
Padmah put a hand on Ma’julu's shoulder. “All right, you two race from here until you pass the Herbalist's hut, and Bérun will be the referee. After that, we go inside. Understood?”
”Understood!” The twins ceremoniously got into position while Bérun jogged over to the Herbalist's hut.
“On your marks – get set – go!”, yelled Padmah, and the two of them were off. Amused, she watched them shoving each other, trying to gain an advantage. 'They're as bad as each other,' she thought fondly and then realised that she would miss her brothers, too. Damn it, just when she was completely happy, she had to think of all these dampeners.
She walked over to the Herbalist's where Bérun made a big show of considering his decision.
“Ma’julu was the first to set his foot across the finish line,” he said and Ma’julu was already starting to cheer when Bérun continued: “But he shoved Golgan one more time than Golgan shoved Ma’julu, so it seems obvious that both of you are equally fast. You share the win!”
”Oh,” said Ma’julu, but he wasn't in a position to argue. Golgan grinned from ear to ear.
”Come on, now,” said Padmah.
They all turned towards the hut and she murmured: “Quite the diplomat,” from the corner of her mouth. She felt Bérun’s suppresed laugh more than she actually heard him.
The twins were already chatting about different things.
“I'm going to be a Rogue like Nelithar,” declared Ma’julu.
”You want to be something different every week,” said Padmah.
”I still want to be a Hunter like dahd,” piped up Golgan.
”But that's boring,” said Ma’julu. “Rogues can do all these amazing things. I'll learn stealth and stab people in the back!”
”Admirable goals,” said Padmah straight-faced, and this time Bérun laughed out loud.
“You know,” he said then, “you should choose a class that you like for its role and its tradition. Because if you think about it, every class has outstanding abilities in its own way. If that's all you look at, you’ll find it hard to choose.”
”What outstanding abilities?” Ma’julu was listening now.
”Well, you already mentioned a Rogue's stealth,” said Bérun as he stepped inside the hut. “A Druid can shapeshift, I believe that's fascinating. Shamans can talk to the elements and command lightning and waves, even small earthquakes. Priests like your mother can control enemies’ minds, and your father tames wild beasts within minutes.”
Ma’julu pulled a face. “I'll never be able to decide. I want to learn it all!”
Padmah smiled. ”You've got time to find out what you really want, four whole years. Now off to the water pump, I want to see you both washing your ears.”
For a few minutes, there wasn't time to talk as the twins splashed water all over the kitchen and had to be reminded to actually wash. Finally they were reasonably clean and dry and ready to climb into bed.
“So, did you like my birthday party?”, asked Padmah.
”Very much”, said Golgan and Ma’julu added: “You'll miss our birthday this year.”
Padmah felt a tugging at her heart. “I'll write to you. No matter where I am, I'll get a letter to you for your birthday, although you’re two terrible pests and I often want to strangle you.” She smiled as she said this. “Now, do you have a hug for me?”
They both did, and they even gave her a kiss on the cheek, something they usually scoffed at as being a 'childish' thing to do.
“Now be quiet and go to sleep,” said Padmah gently.
“Good night!” Bérun closed the door behind them.
~~~
He woke up at the first light of day and wondered why he felt so expectant. Then he remembered that it was the day of their departure – today he’d set out with Padmah, all on their own! It would be such an adventure. He was wide awake and jumped out of bed to wash in the corner of the main room.
Bérun was just getting dressed when Ellóren entered the hut, hot and puffing from her daily morning training. “Where’s my grown-up son?”
”Not quite grown up yet,” said Bérun from his room. “I'm here, nearly done.”
”Give me a minute,” said his mother and disappeared into her own bedroom. Bérun closed the string on his backpack and looked around. Here he had grown up, first sharing with Elsie and then on his own. He had spent many hours sitting on the bed with Padmah, talking or playing cards and always, always making plans for the future. Now the first part of that future had arrived and he was about to leave his room behind. Bérun took a deep breath and carried his backpack into the main room.
When Ellóren joined him a few minutes later, the tea was almost ready. “And here's some toasted bread," said Bérun, balancing two plates.
"I can't believe you're actually making breakfast, today of all days," marvelled Ellóren. "I thought you'd be far too excited."
"I am, but it's also the last day I'll be able to make breakfast for you." Bérun sat down next to her, handing her one of the plates.
Ellóren reached out and placed her hand on his. "You're very good," she said warmly. "And don't get up now, I'll get the tea."
A minute later, she put two mugs on the table in front of them and gave him a knowing smile. "How are you feeling?"
Bérun smiled back. "I can't describe it. I still don't quite believe it's actually happening. I'll be spending a year with Padmah, exploring the world. Excited doesn't cover how I feel!"
Her smile widened. "I know I keep saying this, but I'm so much reminded of the time when I left Thunder Bluff for my Journey with Revnah. It was a gorgeous day in early summer, much like today. I only hope your Journey will be as memorable as ours was."
Bérun studied her face. "You’ll be all right, won't you?", he asked in a low voice.
His mother looked up, startled. "Of course I will! My own parents sent me on my Journey after they had lost Cairne and thought they’d never see him again. How ashamed I would have to be of myself to burden you with worry, I who have two children who know where I am and will always come back to me."
"Your parents still had each other, though," said Bérun in the same low voice.
"And I have Revnah and all my friends, plus our family in Mulgore. Bérun, you’re so very considerate but for now, you must forget about me. This is your time. I’ll not allow you to mar this experience with anything."
He nodded slowly, as if processing what she had said. Then he finished his tea, swallowing heavily and getting up. "I think I'll be off then."
"Give the Mulgore bunch my love."
They hugged for a long time. Much as she tried to pull herself together, her throat constricted.
"I’m so proud of you, Bérun, and if your father is with the Ancestors watching over us, then he’s proud of you, too."
"Take care, mother. I'll write from Bloodhoof Village."
He turned and folded back the entrance flap to their hut. Morning sunlight streamed in and for a moment, Ellóren saw only his silhouette, a dark shape against the brightness outside. She caught her breath; for a heartbeat, she could have mistaken him for Truon. She choked up and had to clear her throat before she was able to say: "Walk with the Earthmother, son."
Bérun was fighting back tears of his own as he stepped outside. He didn't look back and instead walked straight up the winding path to the Middle Rise. He wasn't planning on going all the way to the hut where Padmah lived, though, as he had taken his leave from her parents the previous evening. Besides, one tearful good-bye was all he thought he could bear right now.
From a distance, he watched her stepping through the door with her backpack over her shoulder. Then she turned back and threw her arms around her mother's neck again.
"I was determined not to cry," sobbed Revnah, "What a silly old goose I am. You’ll be all right, my beautiful, wilful daughter."
"I'll miss you so much." Padmah cried openly and sounded a lot less confident than usual. She turned to her father and embraced him next. Sa'jun didn't even try to hide the tears that were running down his face.
"Dahd, the next time we meet I'll really be your big girl."
"You'll be 16 and a grown woman." Sa'jun shook his head in wonder at his own words. What had happened to his little daughter? Did she really have to leave already?
Then he forced himself to let her go. "Spirits be with you, Padmah."
Trying to be brave, she smiled weakly and turned away, and that’s when she saw Bérun on the path. She all but ran to him.
"I'm sorry, but I think I need a hug."
He put his arms around her, lifted her off the ground and swung her around in a circle. "We're going on our Journey,” he said. "We're off to see the world."
This time, her smile wasn't forced. "Let's go."
They set off down the path, avoiding his mother's hut and heading straight for the lift down to the plains of Mulgore.