Chapter 3

**Araatris:** Yami plays in the main room, tossing a ball from hand to hand and trying to ignore his mother’s raised voice. “I’m not taking no for an answer!”

**Rhoelyn:** The spymaster growls, “Nysse, I won’t tell you where he is! If I tell you, you won’t sit still and Snowbird hasn’t given you clearance yet.”

**Araatris:** “It’s been almost two weeks, Specter,” she growls back, angry tears in her eyes. “You have to give me more information. This wasn’t our plan!”

**Rhoelyn:** Yami winces and focuses on the ball. Morthis admonishes, “Plans change. You tell me that every time something goes wrong. They’ll check in.”

**Araatris:** She sniffs, much to her embarrassment, unable to keep her voice from thickening as tears choke her. “Morthis, we both know it’s been too long!”

**Rhoelyn:** The night elf on the other end is silent and then sighs. “I don’t have anyone to send. The organization is spread thin with the invasions.”

**Araatris:** “Then send me. I’ll go find Rhese and Kaerryn.” She wipes at her eyes. “I’m doing much better, and you know nothing will stop me, anyway.”

**Rhoelyn:** There’s a creak and Nysse imagines Morthis leaning back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. “I have conditions. First, you can’t go alone.”

**Rhoelyn:* “Second, you take a healer. I won’t put you or the children at risk. Third… I’ll disavow any knowledge of letting you go if the twins ask.”

**Araatris:** “A… healer?” Nysse blinks at the doorway to the other room as she hears the main door click open. She lowers her voice. “I can’t take Snowbird.”

**Rhoelyn:** Morthis speaks firmly, “Then pick someone else, but that’s the deal. Call me back when you know.” The stone goes silent and Nysse rubs her face.

**Araatris:** “Ishnu ethera, little light.” Rhoelyn’s voice from the other room is accompanied by the rustling of packages, and Yami says, “Let me help, min’nu.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse tucks away the stone and walks to the doorway. She leans on the frame and watches them with a smile. “Rhoelyn, how much did you buy?”

**Araatris:** The priestess smiles at her as she hands packages to Yami, an expression so like her brother’s that Nysse’s heart aches a bit more from worry.

**Rhoelyn:** The huntress’ smile falters for just a moment, but it’s enough. Rhoelyn frowns in concern. “Sister, is something wrong?” “I just miss Rhese.”

**Araatris:** “Ah…” Rhoe says it softly, brushing a hand with grateful tenderness over Yami’s shoulder as he relieves her of the last of the packages.

**Rhoelyn:** “Do… do you think I could travel a bit? I’m feeling anxious idling here.” Nysse strides over to Rhoelyn, capturing her in a hug. “Please?”

**Araatris:** The priestess pulls back, brushing her sister’s hair back. She looks Nysse up and down, a furrow between her brows. “You have improved…”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse nods. “I do feel better, Rhoe. You’ve helped, but it’s hard for me to stay still this long when I’m worried. Some fresh air would help.”

**Araatris:** “We can go for a wal-” She stops when Nysse shakes her head. “No, something more than that, Rhoe. Maybe… maybe a trip to another city?”

**Rhoelyn:** Rhoelyn searches Nysse’s face. “Where are you thinking, sister? Stormwind? Your illness strikes suddenly. What if we run out of medicine?”

**Araatris:** “You can make more for me, can’t you?” the huntress says, biting her lip as she watches her sister’s reaction. “Well. Dependent upon where… yes.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse frowns. “Rhoe, I’ve taken you away from the temple enough. Make a few extra and I’ll… I’ll take an’da. We’ll be back before you know it.”

**Araatris:** The priestess brushes a nervous hand along Nysse’s sleeve. “Your… your father? Stormwind is far if you need me. Perhaps you could go to Astranaar.”

**Rhoelyn:** “I’ll have a blinker hearth for Darnassus. If anything happens, I’ll be back in a heartbeat. I promise.” Nysse smiles reassuringly.

**Araatris:** After a long perusal, Rhoelyn nods and gives her an uncertain smile. “If you’re quite sure, Nysse. I wouldn’t wish you to be anxious. And Yami?”

**Rhoelyn:** “How would you like an assistant? I know you travel a little. If he does well, Rhese and I will talk about more.” Nysse smiles lovingly at Yami.

**Araatris:** The boy jumps, guilty of poking into the packages Rhoelyn brought, but the priestess just smiles at him. “I would be honored to have his company.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse hugs Rhoelyn and kisses her cheek before tugging her to Yami. “Now what did you bring home before our little light dies from curiosity?”

**Araatris:** The distraction works entirely, and her fashion-loving little sister smiles brightly. “Oh! You are going to be so pleased. Yami, hand me that one?”

**Rhoelyn:** The boy passes over the one in front of him and Rhoelyn pulls it open. “I saw it and I could not resist.” She pulls it out so they can see.

**Araatris:** The fine tunic has Nysse’s favorite shades of greens and browns sewn into a shape that drapes so as to be generous around the belly when needed.

**Rhoelyn:** “T-that’s beautiful, but…” Nysse blushes and touches the fabric. “Please don’t tell me you went shopping for me. I’m not even showing yet.”

**Araatris:** “Of course I did.” The priestess laughs softly. “You must indulge me, sister. You give me so few opportunities. But that one is for Yami.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse replies softly, “I look forward to wearing it then.” She picks up the package Rhoe indicates. Yami bounces, “May I open it, min’nu?”

**Araatris:** “Please do, darling boy.” Rhoe flicks a hand at him, sometimes looking a little more like the princess Leo calls her than she realizes.

**Rhoelyn:** “Thank you!” He pulls it open haphazardly and stares in. Yami grins broadly up at Rhoelyn and hugs the package. “Really? This is for me?”

**Araatris:** His aunt nods, flicking a glance at Nysse. “Do you like it?” He pulls out the leather cuirass, too big for this form, but made for a young man.

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse pales as Yami takes his teenage form. He grins excitedly. “I love it! Min’da, isn’t it nice?” His mother summons a weak smile. “Y-yes…”

**Araatris:** The priestess watches Nysse’s reaction, eyes wide. She flushes, realizing her mistake. “I-It is to protect you, darling boy, if they come back.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse leans over and kisses his cheek. “Why don’t you keep it in your room until we can teach you to put it on?” She brushes his hair back.

**Araatris:** He smiles and holds the grey and blue leather against his chest, measuring it along his adolescent form. Finally, he hops up. “Yes, min’da!”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse waits until he leaves to speak softly, cutting off Rhoe, “He’s growing too fast. He could be a toddler again, but… it’s not the same.”

**Araatris:** The priestess fidgets. “I am sorry, sister. I should have asked you. He is your baby, yet he can choose to be otherwise with troubling ease.”

**Rhoelyn:** “He would have been asking soon anyway. There’s just so much to adjust to at the moment.” The huntress grasps Rhoe’s hand. “Thank you.”

**Araatris:** Her sister blinks at her, smiling softly. “For what, Nysse? I have upset you; that was hardly my goal.” She squeezes her hand.

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse listens to Yami chat to himself in the other room. “You want him to be safe. How can I stay upset when your heart is in the right place?”

**Araatris:** Rhoelyn glances toward his room, her brow furrowing. “If he chooses to move more quickly than we want, I do not… I do not know what else to do.”

**Araatris:** She sighs and rubs at her cheek. “I want to see him protected, but I should be discouraging him… Rhese will probably scold me better than you do.”

**Rhoelyn:** The huntress shakes her head. “No, sister, I had a bow in my hands from when I learned to walk. I want him to have the same chances I did.”

**Araatris:** “No one would let us have weapons as children, and when we needed them…” The priestess still shudders a bit at the memory, even after a century.

**Rhoelyn:** The young woman pauses and blinks, looking down at her stomach thoughtfully. “No wonder he became a druid; a weapon that can’t be taken away.”

**Rhoelyn:** “His way to protect his family. I’m always learning something new…” Nysse smiles and presses her hand against her belly.

**Araatris:** Rhoe smiles and leans forward to kiss her cheek. “You understand. Rhese is never helpless.” Yami skips back into the room, once more a young boy.

**Rhoelyn:** He hugs them. “Thank you!” The boy rests a hand on Nysse’s belly with a huge smile. “You’ll love our family. I can’t wait to meet you, too.”

**Araatris:** The huntress smiles and sniffles a little. “Sweetie…” Her sister takes the opportunity behind a loving smile to fetch yet another box.

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse quickly wipes her eyes and hugs Yami. “We love you, too, little light.” Rhoelyn hands her the box. “Sister, why don’t you open this one.”

**Araatris:** “Another? Rhoe…” The priestess looks completely uncontrite, and her younger sister grins shyly. “You’re enjoying this too much, aren’t you?”

**Rhoelyn:** Rhoe giggles, “Yes, I am. Please open it.” Nysse relents and opens the box, pulling out two small cloth bundles and unfolding them. “Oh Rhoe…”

**Araatris:** The tiny little cribclothes are softest fabric, a silk Leothir would approve of, and sewn with short sleeves and wooden buttons at the shoulders.

**Rhoelyn:** The huntress sobs and clutches the clothing close. “They’re beautiful and soft and wonderful… I… I…” She chokes up and ducks her head.

**Araatris:** Yami exchanges a look with his aunt before he wraps his arms around Nysse’s waist, cuddling her. “Min’da… You’re not supposed to cry.”

**Rhoelyn:** Hiccupping, Nysse frees a hand to rest on his head. “I… I can’t help it, sweetie. It just feels… more real suddenly. It… It makes me happy.”

**Araatris:** “Crying when you’re happy still doesn’t make sense,” he grumbles, even though he grins and hugs her tight. “Maybe the last box will distract her?”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse looks at Rhoelyn, “T-there’s more?” The priestess nods and gently takes the outfits and brushes her tears away. “One more, sister.”

**Araatris:** She lifts the last box, bigger and heavier than the others and passes it, watching as Nysse tries to open it through tears. The armor drops out.

**Rhoelyn:** Sliding to her knees, Nysse lifts it up to look at it. “I… It’s adjustable.” She gapes and then looks up at Rhoelyn. “How? Who?”

**Araatris:** The priestess giggles and settles down on the floor by her. “Come, sister. Before you, who do you think helped Rhese design his armor?”

**Rhoelyn:** “H-how does it expand?” Nysse looks at the armor, examining it closely. “It’s so beautiful. I can’t believe you had something made so quickly.”

**Araatris:** Smiling, Rhoe says, “Though we have not lived here for years, I still know many in the city. Here, you must see the clever way the scales mesh.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse watches as Rhoelyn shows her how to adjust the armor and runs her fingers over it. “Will… Will it fit now? Can I try it on?”

**Araatris:** The little healer smiles warmly. “I would very much like you to.” Yami grins and crawls into her lap like the audience at a theater. “Me, too!”

**Rhoelyn:** “Then I’ll be back in just a moment.” Nysse smiles and pushes to her feet, taking the armor with her when she slips to a back room.

**Araatris:** Rhoelyn wraps her arms around the voidling boy and leans her chin on the top of his head. “Much better than tears,” she observes. He nods.

**Rhoelyn:** A few minutes later, Nysse returns. “Oh… It fits so comfortably!” She turns for them. “And it doesn’t try to cut in at the waist at all!”

**Araatris:** After a long time where they both just stare at her, Yami claps and Rhoe joins in with a smile. They both laugh together when Nysse blushes.

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse admits, “I never even would have thought about needing new armor if you hadn’t mentioned it, sister. I… I really love it. Thank you.”

**Araatris:** Smiling up from the floor, Rhoelyn softly says, “It is my pleasure, Nysse. May it and Elune protect you through every mission. You and the babes.”

**Rhoelyn:** Sinking back down to the floor, Nysse hugs a sniffling Rhoelyn and Yami. “Elune has blessed me many times over to give me a family like this.”

**Araatris:** The healer, long an orphan with no family save her brother, makes a choked little sound and presses her face against Nysse’s shoulder, nodding.

**Rhoelyn:** Yami turns and hugs Rhoelyn, too, even as Nysse pats her back. She murmurs with a watery smile. “I thought I was supposed to be the one crying…”

**Araatris:** Wrapping her arms around them both  – them all -, her sister manages between sobs, “You can have the next turn.” Yami smirks and kisses her cheek.

**Rhoelyn:** Hours later, Nysse peers into her parents’ house. “An’da?” She leans in. “An’da, are you home?” She peeks back outside, still in the doorway.

**Araatris:** There’s a crash from the side of the house, and a familiar voice rains a hail of curses on whatever the situation is that has her blinking.

**Rhoelyn:** The huntress circles their home and peers around the corner where some of the siding has fallen on the ground and possibly her father’s foot.

**Araatris:** Sarren is still cursing as he crouches down and rubs his toes through his boot. He shoves a piece of siding away with more anger than productivity.

**Rhoelyn:** “Maybe you should leave that for min’da. She was always better with a hammer.” Nysse smiles gently and kneels next to him. “Are you hurt?”

**Araatris:** The hunter scowls at the tumbled-down wood around him. “It’s nothing that throwing around a few more planks won’t help, my star,” he says, sour.

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse giggles. “You could do that. Or you could invite me inside to talk.” She pats his hand and rises, waiting for him. “Come on, An’da.”

**Araatris:** Sarren relents with a chuckle. “Or I could do that.” He straightens and gestures simply. “Would you like to come in? Your mother made tea.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nodding, she walks around the building to the door. “Is she home? I didn’t see her in the entryway, but she might have been in the back.”

**Araatris:** He shakes his head. “You just missed her. She went up city to help with some clean out in the northeast. Apparently, someone was attacked.”

**Rhoelyn:** “She’s needed more than usual right now.” Nysse settles down at the table and fills their cups. “An’da, I have a few things to tell you…”

**Araatris:** Raising his brows, her father sits down across from her and leans his elbows on the table, cupping his mug between his hands. “Go on.”

**Rhoelyn:** His daughter ducks her head, swirling the liquid in her cup. “Do you like being a grandfather? I doubt you or min’da expected it so soon…”

**Araatris:** The man tilts his head, watching her discerningly. “Yes,” he says slowly. “Yami was a surprise, of course, but he is a good boy. Why do you ask?”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse blushes brightly and reaches for the sweetener. “H-how would you feel about two new grandchildren?” She busies herself adding it to the tea.

**Araatris:** His brows go back up. “Two? Are we planning ahead that far, little star?” Sarren smirks and takes a sip of his drink. “You’re being cryptic.”

**Rhoelyn:** Her voice softens, “I’m pregnant, an’da. With twins.” She stirs the sugar into her tea. “That’s why I’ve been so sick. It wasn’t an illness.”

**Araatris:** Blinking, he absorbs that for a moment. There’s not quite enough surprise on his face, which is explained when he says, “We wondered.”

**Araatris:** “Your mother was suddenly nauseous like that when she was expecting,” Sarren clarifies, smiling. “We were as sure it was an illness as you were.”

**Rhoelyn:** “R-really? I can’t imagine her being sick like that.” Nysse smiles, but it falters. “Rhese. He doesn’t know yet. They lost contact with him…”

**Araatris:** Sarren’s brow furrows. “What do you mean ‘lost contact’? I thought your… guy shoved those blinker things down all his agents’ throats.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse stares at her full cup of cooling tea. “He does, but he’s not answering. He doesn’t have anyone left to check on him. So… I want to go.”

**Araatris:** “Go… where, little star? Where is it that you think your mate is, exactly?” Her father watches her from across the table with a vague frown.

**Rhoelyn:** She ducks her head. “Morthis won’t tell me until I get a team. I wanted to ask you to come with me, but he says I need a healer as well.”

**Araatris:** Sarren rests his hand over hers on her mug. “Nysse, I’ll go wherever you need me to if it’ll help you. But maybe you should stay… the babies…”

**Rhoelyn:** Grimacing, the huntress frowns and chews on her lip. “I know, but… I need Rhese. I need to find him and bring him home. I’ll be careful.”

**Araatris:** He considers her, his golden eyes clear. Finally, he nods. “I understand. I’d do the same for either of you.” The hunter pats his daughter’s hand.

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse smiles in relief, finally relaxing “Thank you. Now do you have any ideas for a healer? Rhoe, Aron, and Cal are out. Too busy right now.”

**Araatris:** Sarren leans back in his seat, releasing her hands and folding his arms behind his head as he looks up. “What about Rhoelyn’s bondbrother, Relare?”

**Rhoelyn:** “Oh! I hadn’t… I suppose I can always ask.” Nysse smiles. “Thank you, an’da. Do you think I should wait until we get back to tell min’da?”

**Araatris:** Her father raises his head and blinks at her. “You’re joking, right? First, she’ll track us down and save us, then she’ll kill us for sneaking off.”

**Rhoelyn:** The huntress blushes and stammers, “Of c-course we’ll tell her about leaving and Rhese. I meant…” She looks pointedly down at her stomach.

**Araatris:** “Oh.” His eyes widen, but after a moment’s thought, he grins. “I’m not sure if the punishment would be less or worse if we didn’t tell her.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse giggles nervously. “You might need to worry more. The worse she’d probably do is put me on house arrest. She can make you fix the house.”

**Araatris:** Sarren gives a dramatic shiver, his eyes wide. “That’s too cruel, even for her.” When Nysse laughs, he smiles and takes her hand. “Little star.”

**Rhoelyn:** “I love you even if you’re growing up much too quickly for me.” He taps her nose. “Aaaan’da. I’m not under fifty anymore.” Sarren laughs.

**Araatris:** He grins. “Still… twins?” Shaking his head, he slips around the table to wrap her in a hug. “Congratulations. I couldn’t be happier for you.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse hugs him tightly. “Thank you. It’s a little overwhelming, but I’m happy.” He kisses the top of her head. “Should I come back for dinner ?”

**Araatris:** “Yes.” Sarren squeezes her before he releases her. “Bring the others, if you can tear Rhoelyn free of the temple. I’ll cook us something hearty.”

**Rhoelyn:** The huntress freezes and looks at her father guiltily. “Rhoelyn thinks we’re going to Stormwind so I can stretch my legs and ease my anxiety…”

**Araatris:** Brow furrowing, the hunter puts her at arm’s length, looking down at her guilty face. “And why would you lie to her? If Rhese is in danger, sh-”

**Rhoelyn:** “She’d be devastated if anything happened to him. And I didn’t lie… I just didn’t say where I was planning to go.” Nysse shifts uneasily.

**Araatris:** Her father’s tone is scolding. “Do you think she’ll be less devastated if something happens to him and to you, and she never had a chance to help?”

**Rhoelyn:** She winces, switching to Darnassian, “Daddy! I know, but missions are hard on her and she’d insist on going. She’s better helping here.”

**Araatris:** For a long moment, Sarren stares at her, considering, and Nysse bites her lip. But finally he relents, nodding. “You know her best, little star.”

**Rhoelyn:** “Thank you, Daddy.” Nysse raises on her toes and kisses his cheek. “I’m going to reach out to Relare and Morthis. I’ll be back for dinner.”

**Araatris:** Her father waves at her as she rushes out the door, dashing through the streets of Darnassus in her eagerness, her thoughts filled with her mate.