Crossed Paths

"Get out and don't bother coming back, slut!" the furious brown haired blood elf innkeeper bellowed, before slamming the door to his inn shut.

Raising her middle finger to where he had just been standing, Yousha frowned. "What an asshole…"she muttered, steam spiraling off into the wind with every word she spoke.

Wrapping her thick hooded fur cloak around her body even more. Yousha approached her wind rider, gently stroking it behind its large pointed ears. "He honestly wasn't that good. I've had way better than him." She smirked feeding the creature a few slices of meat she'd snagged on her way out. "At least I didn't have to pay for my stay!" The mage laughed.

Suddenly the door to the inn slammed again, angry footsteps trudged through the snow. "I think we better make a move, baby." Yousha said quietly, quickly pulling herself onto the sadle of the light blue furred wind rider.

The large creature yawned, before running towards the closed doors and bursting out of the stables, causing wood and straw to fly everywhere. The mischievous mage laughed loudly as her mount started to take flight off the edge of the cliff, giving a little salute to the raging innkeeper, the sharp cold winds whipped at her flowing gold hair and fur cloak.

After flying for several hours, nothing was in sight but grey skies and a thick blizzard, both of them were starting to tire with the amount of traveling they'd been doing.
Tugging on the reins, making the wind rider turn right and land down on a large Cliffside. It was still windy and ice cold, but that was expected of Northrend. It was a little more manageable now that they weren't traveling intensely against the weather. "C'mon sweetie…" Yousha panted a little, sniffing. Her nose, red from the bitter snowflakes that felt like they were slicing against the soft skin on her face. The creature gave an uneasy moan, its fur wet and starting to become encrusted with snow. "I know, I know. We'll find somewhere to camp." The mage jumped off of her mount, pulling the reins over its head, and making her way up the large icy Cliffside.

Yousha was abruptly stopped. Looking over her shoulder she frowned a little at the large creature. "What is it?" All of a sudden large clumps of snow and ice crumbled in front of them as a large black skeletal dragon landed onto the Cliffside. Roaring loudly, extending its wings as dark orange flames whipped and flicked around the inside its large torso.

Eyes widening in shock, Yousha was suddenly scooped onto the back of her wind rider, as it immediately started to take flight onto a safer part of the cliff just above the dragon. As it landed, Yousha jumped off straight away holding her arms out beside her, curling her fingers as she started to mutter words of magic, flames spiraling around in her gloved hands. The enormous beast slowly rose up from its original position on the cliff landing in front of the mage, growling with immense anger.

A little stunned in awe and fear, Yousha eventually snapped out of it, sending large flames that spiraled towards the monster.
The enraged beast gave out a pained cry, before it opened its mouth building up flames and sending them flying towards the mage.

Quickly holding her arms above her head, and looking up to the sky, Yousha muttered a spell of protection, forming a light blue glowing shield around her, which managed to absorb most of the damage. Burns stung on her skin and her body was aching, not only from fighting but also from the cold and tedious traveling she had been through. The blood elf pulled out a small glass bottle that contained a syrupy red liquid. Biting onto the cork, and spitting it out, Yousha downed the healing potion in one, her minor cuts and burns healed instantly. Again she continued to cast powerful fire spells against the dragon, slowly weakening it, but it was doing the same to her.

The beast managed to raise a large skeletal claw, and smack the weak mage, sending her flying. It roared again at her, collapsing a little, making the ground shake.
Slowly raising herself from the snow, Yousha panted heavily, blood trickling from her head, staining the pure white snow. "Okay…" she gasped. "Now I'm pissed." Standing up fully, holding her arms up beside her, the mage shouted magical words again, a frown darkening her features. Flames started to curl and lick around her arms, bellowing the final word and holding her arms out in front of her, humongous flames flew towards the dragon engulfing it completely.

The monster looked up at the grey sky, giving one last blaring roar before its bones started to crumble as it finally died.
Yousha had fallen to her knees panting with fatigue. The wind rider bounded over to her, trying to support her with its body. "I'm okay…I'm okay." Yousha whispered, reaching up to climb onto her mount.

As they slowly made their way across the cliff, they managed to find their way onto what looked like a path. Following the path they discovered a small cave which they clambered into.

Wrapping her damp fur cloak around her tighter and snuggling into her wind rider that was curled around her, they both attempted to keep warm. The mage's eyes started to become heavier, she was about to drift off to sleep until she snapped awake again from a little growl and a nudge. The small baby raptor which her closest friend had given to her, had poked its head out from the thick fur bag which was tied to the saddle of her mount. "I'm sorry sweetie." Yousha croaked. Her throat was sore and she could taste blood. Scooping the little raptor into her hands, she hugged it close to her body, again wrapping the cloak tighter around her. All three of them started to drift off into a slumber.

"…Me?" A gentle voice echoed. "Excuse…me?" It was soothing and deep. "Ma'am? Hey!"

Yousha's eyes snapped open and there was a tall red headed male blood elf, looking down at her, his hand on her shoulder shaking her awake. "H-huh…?" She grumbled, rubbing at one of her eyes. Noticing that the blood elf was dressed in silver and gold plate armor. A paladin.

"Thank the light! You're alive!" He sighed smiling greatly with relief.
Yousha frowned at him a little with curiosity. "…Who are you…?" She asked, her eyes searching him.

"Oh! I'm no harm ma'am. I was just traveling by and noticed you lying here, half frozen from the snow." He reached down offering the mage a hand.

Slowly accepting the help to stand up, Yousha stumbled down again, but before she could hit the floor the paladin luckily caught her. "Th-thanks…" she said weakly. Her whole body was starting to shiver again. And pain ached all through her bones from her previous battle.

"Goodness!" The paladin called out with worry. "You're injured badly!" He said arching his eyebrows, noticing where blood had seeped through Yousha's robes.

Carefully he sat her down again, took off his large fur cloak, and laid it on the snow ground. Picking the woman up again, he sat her down on the cloak.

"W-what're you doing…?" Yousha murmured.

"Healing you." He said, kneeling down in front of her. Peeling back her cloak, the paladin frowned a little, hovering his hands over the mage's torso. Muttering holy words of the light, he casted a healing spell. Filling Yousha's body with warmth and comfort, relieving it of the pain completely.

Now that she saw his face completely, Yousha had to admit, he wasn't that bad looking. Smirking to herself, as her soft glowing emerald eyes met his.

"What?" He blinked.

"Nothing…" Yousha paused, the smirk fading, feeling a slight blush on her cheeks. "What's your name?" She asked as the paladin finished healing her.

"Rentharian. Rentharian Lightwill." He grinned at her. "And you?"

"Yousha. Yousha Dawnstrider." She smiled.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Yousha." He offered her his hand again. She accepted it, and he helped her to her feet. "How're you feeling?"

"Revived." She smiled. Blushing at his soft pale skin, and gentle eyes. His dark red hair stood out from his pale complexion. "W-well…My energy isn't completely restored…But I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of the nearest tavern?" She grinned.

Rentharian chuckled. "Come on." He turned picking up his cloak and re-attaching it. "Here, give this to your wind rider." He gave Yousha a small bag, containing some meat. "It should keep his strength up a little longer.

"Thanks." She returned his smile. Walking over to her wind rider, Yousha offered him the meat in her hand, which he happily devoured, licking her glove clean afterwards. The mage giggled, scratching the creature behind his ears. She tucked the baby raptor back into the thick fur bag, tying it tightly.

As Yousha walked out of the cave, she stopped still in shock. Rentharian grinned, waving at her. He was mounted up on a large white hippogryph.

"Wow…" She gasped. "She's beautiful."

Rentharian laughed a little. "She's a great flyer. Here." He tossed Yousha some rope. "Tie that to your saddle, in case your wind rider can't keep up."

The mage did so, and pulled herself up onto her mount, who roared a little. Running straight away, and jumping off the Cliffside.

"Woooaaahh!" Yousha screamed a little, quickly grabbing a hold of the reins.

Rentharian chuckled, as he too followed, jumping off the Cliffside. "He's very competitive!" He called out to the other blood elf.

"Oh! Just a bit! He gets a little pissed when you doubt his strength." Yousha shouted over the wind.

Laughing loudly, Rentharian called back. "Come on! Lets head to the Grizzly Hills, that's the closest place!"

They soon flew off into the blur of the grey sky and snow.

-------------------------------------

The warmth of the inn filled Yousha's soul, as the numbness started to subside in her fingers and toes.

Both the blood elves sat at a round wooden table, filling their stomachs with a hot deer stew and ale. The muttered conversations and crackling of the large fire place filled the inn, creating a comforting and relaxing atmosphere.

"Holy shit, that was the best stew I've eaten in ages!" Yousha sighed, leaning back in her chair, placing her hand on her slightly bulging stomach.

Rentharian chuckled. "I'm glad to hear." He sipped at his ale. "If you don't mind me asking, Yousha. But…What on earth were you doing on a Cliffside?"

The mage sat up and leant forward onto the table. "Well…I'm travelling. Taking a break from home. I made a few mistakes with an innkeeper, stumble across a corrupted dragon and then have a little nap in a cave. The usual y'know?" She took a few gulps from her ale, placed it back onto the table, and looked up at the paladin. "What?" Yousha asked.

"…Well…That doesn't exactly sound normal…" Rentharian blinked.

"Honey, I'm far from normal!" Yousha exclaimed.

"A corrupted dragon, you said? What was it doing that far away from Dragonblight?" He pondered.

"Honestly. I have no idea. Maybe it just got lost? Or was looking for something?"

"Hmm...That is a little odd, but I have heard of wondering dragons."

Yousha laughed a little as she took another swig of her drink. Slamming the tankard on the table. "Can I get another?!" She called out to the barman. Who grinned at her, pouring another tankard full.

"A-are you sure? That ale is pretty strong…" Rentharian blinked a few times in shock at the woman.

"I'm absolutely positive! I can hold my drink. Don't worry." She winked at him before grinning up at the barman who placed the tankard on the table.

"Here you are." The large tauren smiled.

"Thanks." Suddenly, a little brown scaly head popped up from Yousha's lap. It squawked. "Oh hey there sweetie!" The mage cooe'd at the raptor hatchling. Looking back up at the barman. "Could you get my a small bowl of that stew for this little guy?" She smiled.

"Of course, dear." The barman smiled again, turning away to go and retrieve some food.

"Who's this then?" Rentharian gestured towards the scaly creature.

"Oh, him? He doesn't actually have a name yet. I suppose its just 'Sweetie' at the moment." Yousha giggled. The raptor squawked again. Jumping up onto the table, and running over to Rentharian. He nuzzled his head onto the paladin's arm.

"Well isn't he just lovely." he patted the raptor's head gently, before looking up at Yousha. "Where did you find him?"

"He was a gift from a very close friend of mine…" Yousha trailed off, looking down at the ale in her tankard.

"Oh…And…Where is this friend now? If you don't mind me asking."

"I don't know. It's a long story. But it's partially why I'm travelling in Northrend. I'm just being hopeful that I might stumble upon him and say 'Hey!" The mage smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry…" Rentharian looked at her sympathetically. It was a shame to see such beautiful features saddened.

"Here's your stew!" The barman interrupted, placing a small wooden bowl onto the table. Immediately the little raptor ran over, and shoved its mouth into the bowl devouring the stew. Specs of gravy splattered around it.

Yousha gave a little giggle, and stroked the raptor on the head. "Thank you." She smiled up at the tauren.

"My pleasure." He returned the smile, and walked off.

Yousha looked back at Rentharian. "Oh, there's no need to apologize! It's not like you did anything!"

He paused for a moment. "I know…" Letting out a large sigh, Rentharian sat up, finishing off his ale. "So then. Where're you headed after this?"

"Oh…" Yousha blinked. "Um...I'm not actually sure." She lied. She was originally heading to Dragonblight, to see if she could find that moody old dragon, Syxairu, and if maybe he'd seen Vekusen anywhere. But now that Yousha had met Rentharian, there was this feeling in her gut that was telling her to stay with him a little longer. And not the usual one night stand feeling. No. She trusted him. He had saved her life after all.

The paladin chuckled a little. "Well…I'm headed back to Orgrimmar. If you want to come, too?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Sure!" Yousha beamed. "Just as well that I'm a mage!" She giggled.

Later that evening, when they had both gone to rest in their separate rooms. Yousha lay in the small white tub in front of the large fire. She had positioned her clothes over the large rack in front of the blazing flames that absorbed the icy water particles from the cloth and fur.

Letting out a sigh and smiling to herself, she leant her head back against the edge of the tub. The little raptor was curled up on a large plump pillow on a chair squawked at her. Yousha turned her head slightly to look at him. "You like him too?" She raised her long eyebrows. "He's different from any other guy I've met…He reminds me of…" Yousha trailed off, staring back up at the ceiling. "Well…I don't want to end up looking like a prune!" She giggled to herself. Reaching over at the large fluffy white towel, the mage stood up, water running down her skin, splashing over the sides a little. Wrapping the towel around her she stepped out of the tub, and finished getting ready for bed.


The next morning after a quick breakfast, Rentharian and Yousha portaled their way to Orgrimmar, their mounts behind them. The setting of Grizzly Hills, soon blurred and twirled around until it swirled into red, grey and sandy brown colours of Orgrimmar, which soon became clear again.
---------------------------------

Orcs, trolls, blood elves, undead, tauren and goblins swarmed the city, some on many different mounts trotting and running by. Large dragons swooped over now and then, before slowly landing, forcing people to move out of the way, so that the ignorant rider could just pop into the bank or the auction house.

Yousha and Rentharian kept their mounts in the stables just outside of the city, they made their way through the crowd of people who surrounded stalls and shops.

"So what is it you're looking for?" Yousha spoke loudly over the crowd.

"Oh, I'm just picking up supplies." He called back. Rentharian stared at her for a moment, capturing her neutral features, admiring her soft pale skin that glowed ever so slightly in the sunlight, and the way her dark long lashes swooped up and down every time her gentle emerald eyes blinked. Snapping out of his slight daydream, Rentharian quickly looked away as Yousha looked in his direction, his cheeks blushing slightly.

The mage blinked at Rentharian for a moment. 'I could've sworn he was looking at me…' Yousha thought to herself, frowning slightly. This man was definitely different to any other men she'd met for the past few years. It was comforting, and filled her up with warmth, causing her heart to flutter. She smiled warmly at him, even though he wasn't looking.

Later they had decided to split up for a while to gather their own supplies, and would meet in the small inn for a bite to eat.

Yousha had already filled a couple of her bags with potions since she had ran out of them from her previous battle. After browsing a couple more stalls, displaying beautiful trinkets, Yousha couldn't decide what she could buy for Rentharian as a 'Thank you for saving my life' gift. Chewing frustratedly at her bottom lip she eventually spotted a gold-chained bracelet, with a small gold feather charm attached to it. Smiling to herself she spoke to the tradesman at the stall, and after some hard bargaining, she eventually got it to a decent price.

It was about quarter past four when they both met each other at the inn and took their seats at a large brown circular table in the corner and ordered their food.

Taking a few large gulps of the cooling ale, Yousha gasped, placing the tankard down on the table. "Oh!" She blurted out, reaching into the small leather bag that was tied to her belt. Pulling out the small bracelet, she smiled at Rentharian, heat rising in her cheeks. "A little something for saving me life." She laughed nervously.

Rentharian's eyes widened in surprise, he slowly reached out and took the bracelet. "Thank you so much, it's beautiful…" He started to chuckle slightly after taking off his glove, and hooking it around his wrist.

Yousha had her elbows propped up on the table, her fists either side of her cheeks, smooshing them slightly. Her ears twitched a little. "What? What's so funny?" she couldn't help but smile herself.

"Well…" Rentharian paused. "It's just that…I bought you something as well." His cheeks flushed slightly. He picked up the small paper bag, and pulled out a small bunch of peaceblooms. "I know they're very common, but that's all they had at the stall." The paladin's long ears drooped slightly with embarrassment.


"Oh, no, no! They're beautiful!" Yousha happily accepted the flowers, stroking her gloved fingers at the soft and petite glowing petals. The warm sunny memories replaying in her mind. Children's laughter, their little feet splashing in the stream. Lying in a circle surrounded by the glowing white petals.

The paladin sat there, resting his cheek against his hand that was propped up on the table. Admiring Yousha's alluring features, as she dazed off into a small daydream, he did too. "So! W-what are we eating?" Her voice perked up, snapping Rentharian out of his daydream.

"U-uh, um!" He blinked several times, sitting back in his chair. Picking up the thick paper menu from the table, his eyes scanning it. "W-well, apparently their boar steak is suppose to be good." Rentharian looked up from the menu at the woman, who was scanning the menu too.

"Hmm…I think I'll have that then!" she placed the menu down, beaming at the paladin, who returned her smile, and ordered their meal.

Later that evening, as the sun set creating a mix of warming orange and rich maroon which soaked everything in sight. Both of the blood elves had finished drinking at their table and were making their way up to the rooms that they had paid for. They both stopped at the door to Yousha's room.

"Thanks for everything, Rentharian. Really, if I hadn't been found out in those mountains I would've frozen to death, or not had enough energy to make it through the storm." She smiled.

"It's not problem. I'm actually really happy to have met you." He chuckled a little, blushing slightly.

Yousha smiled, looking at her feet. Taking a deep breath through her nose, she thought to herself. 'Well! I might as well give it a try!' Swiftly bringing her hands up to Rentharian's cheeks, and reaching up on her tiptoes slightly, she pressed her lips softly against his, her eyes closed.

The paladin's eyes widened at Yousha's sudden movement, but he smiled, kissing her back and closing his eyes, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close.

----------------------------------------

Six months after that evening. Yousha and Rentharian had been travelling together, and had eventually made their way back to Silvermoon, so Yousha could introduce him to her friends Klyra and Thor'Demar as well as her parents.

It was a usual relaxed evening in Silvermoon, and the couple were walking hand in hand down some steps. Yousha was dressed in a simple cotton dress, the top half white and the bottom half blue, with a brown leather belt, whereas Rentharian wore a green shirt tucked into some high waisted slim black trousers.
They sat at the benches with different coloured flowers that filled the evenfall air with their sweet aroma.

The mage sighed deeply, leaning back on the bench. "I love evenings like this." She smiled.

"They're better when I'm with you, my love." Rentharian kissed her on the head.

Yousha happily nuzzled into the kiss, holding hands with Rentharian. She soon let go as he stood up, facing away from her, sighing. "What is it Ren?" She asked.

The paladin turned around smiling warmly down at her. "Everything is better, when I'm with you." he laughed breathlessly. Reaching into his pocket, and slowly moving down onto one knee. "Which is why, Miss Yousha Dawnstrider. I would love to spend the rest of my life with you. Like this." He opened the small box, revealing a small gold ring that swirled around the edges of the dainty clear diamond that glinted in the eve light.

Yousha stared at the ring for a moment. "Rentharian…" She whispered. Looking back at him, tears silently sliding down her cheeks, as smile appeared on her face. The mage grabbed him, kissing him deeply. "Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!"

They embraced each other for a long moment, before Rentharian slipped the ring onto Yousha's slender finger, kissing her again.

Two weeks later, and the wedding was already in action. It was held in the Court of the Sun in the city. A long red carpet was laid out from the mountain to the steps of Sunfury spire. Rows of golden chairs on either side of the carpet were filled by friends and family of both sides. On the front row of Yousha's side sat, her mother, and her two best friends, Klyra and Thor'Demar. At the end of the carpet, stood the priest, in his red and gold robes and Rentharian in his paladin armour with a white that had been shined to look its best, with a white and gold silk cape that fit under his large shoulderpads and attached to the top corners of his breastplate.

Eventually, the chatter died down as the small band started to play music, as Yousha made her way up the carpet, her arm linked with her father's. She was dressed in a long white dress, with golden swirls. The swirls on her forearms merged into white lace from her elbow to her wrists. A long white veil was clipped into her curled and propped up hair, it flowed down the back of her head to her shoulder blades, and the front covered her face, just an inch below her chin. She gripped tightly onto the large bouquet of peaceblooms.

As they stopped at the end of the carpet, next to her husband-to-be, Yousha's father, held her gently at arms length admiring her beauty, his eyes welled slightly.

"You look beautiful, my dear." He kissed her cheeks.

Before her father took his place next to his wife, Yousha stood there for a moment. Her eyes widened as she looked over her father's shoulder. Seeing him. Standing there in a black suit. His long black hair shining in the sunlight. That friendly and warming smile he always pulled. Vekusen. Yousha blinked, her eyes glazed over with tears, the vision of him blew away with the gentle breeze. She smiled to herself before turning to face Rentharian who was smiling warmly down at her. He gently pulled back her veil, once again admiring her mesmerising features in the sunlight. They held hands and turned to face the priest, who began his speech, and their vows. As their friends and family applauded and cheered, the new husband and wife stood there for a moment, time stopped as they held each other.

"I love you." They both exchanged before pressing their lips together, sealing their bond 'till death do they part.