Music: Hope composed by Brunuhville

https://youtu.be/h3RV8Y-Rf3E

The journey for revenge had taken so much longer than Tiene had anticipated, but finally, she was here. Home. Her beloved Quel'thalas.

Standing now at the very place she wanted to be, her heart trembled nervously. Imprisoned for ten long years, and fighting for another two after that, she could not help but fear Camnath had grown weary of waiting for her. The thought that his spirit was no longer waiting in the meadows frightened her. Unable to cry since becoming a demon hunter, it did not stop the back of her throat burning fiercely from the unshed tears.

As part of Illidan's army, Tiene had done what she had needed to do. Justice now served - her true love avenged. The source which had stripped her of her family and husband was finally eliminated.

Now it was time to join her loved ones.

Not a day had passed, even when entrapped within the felblood, that sweet visions of Camnath did not cross her mind. As always, he had kept her focused.

When finally the Illidari were released, by Maiev Shadowsong, the very one who had imprisoned them, Tiene's final battle had begun.

Standing in the meadow, she considered her life. 

A lynx lay snoozing under a nearby tree, content, its belly full. It gave way to memories of her youth. She had spent long hours watching and idolising the felines - their fluidity and gracefulness, and their precision during the hunt. She sighed.

Her eyes panned over the spires of Silvermoon; her home, a long time ago, it seemed. Many a happy memory lingered there too from when she was growing up. She wasn't particularly liked as a kid by some of the other youngsters but looking back, that was trivial, and it didn't ruin her childhood per se.

Her family were her world; her father, a talented leather-worker and armourer (and legendary rogue): Duthan, her handsome Farstrider brother and Inaris, the amorous warlock. And Lor'themar, the only survivor of her close-knit family.

She then smirked, recalling her early training with the Students of Shadow. Inevitably, her thoughts drifted to Camnath and his initial awkwardness around her. Even now, it made her feel all coy, warm and almost giddy.

Their separation orchestrated by Sauren never dampened Tiene's feelings for her beloved Camnath. If anything, it perhaps strengthened the love she felt for him, even though she had believed he had forgotten her.

And Belore did work in mysterious ways, as finally they were reunited, albeit under tragic circumstances.

Tiene tried not to think of how short a time they had together, but it could not be avoided, for here she was, hanging on to his dying words, a promise yet to be fulfilled.

A soft breeze caressed her cheeks, and for a moment she thought she heard a voice whisper over the meadow. Forever...

Her demon vision scanned the grasses and trees, searching for a sign. Was Camnath here? Was he still waiting? Nothing showed for her, and with a trembling sigh, she looked at the vial in her hand.

The apothecary promised it would be quick with very little pain. She chuckled to herself, knowing that would not be the case. She expected pain, but she would welcome it, for it would be her last.

With one final look towards the Sunfury Spire and a silent, heartfelt farewell to her brother Lor'themar, she popped the cork of the small bottle and drank its contents. The tiny glass container slipped from her fingers.

In her other hand, she held the lock of Camnath's hair. Her thumb stroked the ebony strands, and she lifted it to her lips. "Please find me, my love," she whispered. "I am ready to join you now."

A dull ache spread from her belly up, the first signs of the poison doing its work.

The breeze stirred again, sweeping past her, playing with her hair. It rustled through the flora and the trees before finally washing over a sizeable flowering shrub to her left.

A soft smile curved her lips as butterflies rose from the shrub in their thousands. They came toward her, circled once, then flew towards the spires of Silvermoon and back out over the meadow.

A pain like inner fire shot through her. Another flared, and another. It now felt like she was being ripped apart from the inside, out. The poison was acting quickly and becoming more painful by the second. It made her stagger and frequently spasm, with pitiful moans escaping her. She clutched her stomach and desperately scanned the meadow for the kaleidoscope of tiny wings, but they were nowhere to be seen.

The pain intensified.

"Camnath!" she breathed. "Find me. Please!" Her bottom lip quivered - she was maybe going to the Nether alone after all.

Music: Reverie – composed by BrunuhVille 

https://youtu.be/wnjB7GvO-Q4

Her legs gave way, and she fell to the ground, cushioned by the soft, vibrant grass. The sensation of pins and needles ran rampant through her limbs then gave way to numbness. Her wings spasmed, stirring the small seedlings where she lay, and her breathing started to hitch.

An image formed in her mind:-

A young girl was hunkered down, watching a lynx stalking a young deer. She waited patiently, anticipating the moment the cat would make its move. A bolt of fire shot past her head, and the deer collapsed.

The girl spun around and behind her stood a handsome warlock, smiling, teasing her. It was her brother. The girl stomped past him, furious, as the warlock laughed gently.

Suddenly she saw the girl being swirled around by another young man. This one had fair hair and a smile to die for. He too was the girl's brother, but he was a Ranger. Beside him stood his friend and oddly enough, he was the girl's 'adopted' brother.

The two Rangers were looking at the young boy standing beside the girl. They were assessing the ebony-haired elf who trained with her at the Students of Shadow. He was the boy with the beautiful mouth who stole a kiss from her in the meadow.

Clouds swept over the image.

Tiene, back in the present, could feel the life draining from her body. The pain was now acute but strangely sublime. It was as if all her burdens were being lifted from her shoulders. Her spectral vision was starting to fail now, and she feared the worst - Camnath was no longer waiting. Then movement from her right commanded her attention.

But, the memories unfolded once more:-

The girl was in her father's workshop, trying on exquisite armour he had made especially for her. He was a master craftsman, and a lot of love went into making the girl's armour. He hugged her for the longest time.

Next, she saw the girl at a wedding. She attended the event with her father and brothers along with the ebony-haired boy. The girl was so happy. How handsome the boy was, and so charming. He was about to kiss her as they stood on the beach. Oh, he was angry when they were interrupted.

A stab of pain gripped her again, causing a mist to cover her memories briefly. After a moment, the pain eased a little, and the visions returned:-

It was years later, and the girl was no more a youngling or naïve; she was preparing for her wedding. Many people attended the celebration. The ebony-haired elf was waiting at the altar for her. He was so dashing, and his eyes were full of love. When they were announced married, butterflies rose from a garland around their shoulders.

The image was swallowed as a piercing pain sliced through Tiene once more. She cried out, woeful, but her voice was weak, barely a whisper.

She tried to focus on the movement she saw moments before.

The kaleidoscope had returned, moving towards her. And within the sea of colour, another shape loomed. Tiene smiled, the effort, almost too much. But nearing her, a figure walked with a slow, steady stride and long ebony hair rippling behind him.

Tiene's heart slowed to a whimper, its rhythm melting into the air.

From her body, bright green wisps snaked and twirled, rising on the currents, and meeting the kaleidoscope. The butterflies fluttered around her in their thousands, like a rippling multi-coloured voile, absorbing the ghostly tendrils, drawing them from her.

Tiene's vision, fading rapidly now, just caught sight of a hand reaching through the mass of tiny wings. The butterflies then parted, swirling, rising on high, and the face she loved so profoundly came toward her, his beautiful mouth smiling. "Tiene," he whispered. "My love. I am here."

The sigh of a hundred distant voices left Tiene's lips for the last time.

The kaleidoscope rose from her still form and took flight over the meadow. Behind them, the body they left was no more a demon hunter.

Tiene's demonic wings, tattoos, horns and eyeless sockets were no more. She was once again the golden-haired Sin'dorei, Tiene Firefury. Illidan had absorbed the demon from her, allowing her pure form to join her husband.

Kneeling beside her, the spirit of Camnath Sunspear gently stroked Tiene's hair. He lifted and cradled her spirit within his arms. "Wake now, sweet lady. Our wait is over. Our future begins. Welcome home, my darling Tiene."

Tiene's lips parted in a soft smile, the sound of his voice pulling her through from the void. Her eyes opened to see Camnath smiling down at her, his ebony hair loose over his shoulders.

She reached out and touched his face; he was beautiful, and there was so much love in his eyes. His mouth covered hers in the softest of kisses.

Tiene's emerald eyes, once more bright, shed tears for the first time in twelve years. But, these were tears of utter joy. There was no more sorrow, no more emptiness. Now, she was complete.

Finally, Tiene Firefury was all she could be.

                     ___________________________________________________________

Thank you for reading!!!

All comments, advice and suggestions are most welcome. Should you like this chapter, please be kind enough to vote, it would be most appreciated.