Eleeria Silverwing

The Wedding

The dress sat on a rack in her dressing room, and Eleeria sat in a chair before it, gazing at the expanse of fabric with something like disbelief written in her features. The wedding gown was traditionally Sin’dorei — golden gems accented the white, red, and russet colors reminiscent of fall. She hadn’t worn a wedding dress the last time — just her ceremonial Blood Knight armor. But Weleria had insisted on dresses this time, and so here hers sat: lovingly tailored by her sister, designed by her mothers, the dress was perfect.

And Eleeria could not help but feel a rush of happiness at the sight.

Finally. Finally, finally, they were getting married in front of their friends and family. Eleeria had never had a planned, proper wedding. Weleria had had two now; perhaps it was not so exciting as the novelty had worn, but to Eleeria there was nothing more wonderful. She would walk down the aisle with her bride and finally curl her hands around that commitment which she had so dreaded in years past. To think she now embraced it with open arms was almost amusing to her. Perhaps it simply had to be the right person — but no.

Eleeria leaned back in her chair, the rollers in her hair heavy as she leaned them back against the cushion.

No, though Weleria was most certainly the best match Eleeria could have made for herself, it wasn’t her that inspired such a change. Eleeria knew that it came from within — a slow-evolving life change that had finally blossomed into complete results. How long had it been, since she had told her therapist how unhappy she was as an assassin? How long since he had suggested she find something else — since Ethalarian had gifted her the light that had become most precious to her? Years, now. And here she was: Knight-Lord of Quel’thalas, General of the Horde. An accomplished Blood Knight and soldier, a medic of particular devotion to her patients. So much had changed that Eleeria scarce recognized herself, most days.

And yet, it was a welcome change. As Eleeria heard the telltale sound of toddler feet hitting the stone floor, accompanied by a war cry of sea monster!, she opened her eyes and arms to welcome her daughter into her lap. Dressed in azure and silver as a proper little lady of House Silverwing, Lairen’s dress was fluffy and roomy for the four year old to scurry about in. And currently, she seemed most insistent that she show off all of her best sea monster growls and roses to her minn’da before the wedding.

“Who’s this sea monster in my lap!”

“Roaaaaaar! Hisssss!” Lairen bared her teeth at Eleeria, who did so in turn, flashing sin’dorei fangs at one another before it turned into a giggle. “Mum says I look like a demon!”

“You’re not a demon, you’re my beautiful baby sea monster.” Eleeria stood, her toddler in her arms and perched on her hip, as she moved over to her dress. “What do you think, Lairen?”

“Yours is prettier than mine...” the four year old frowned, and Eleeria couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Tell you what: when it’s your wedding, you can wear the prettiest dress. Okay?”

“Mhm.”

“You want to run and tell your Mum something?” Lairen’s eyes lit with excitement, and she nodded. She loved being the bearer of grim tidings. “Alright: run off and tell her that I’m excited to see her.”

Eleeria sat her daughter back down on her feet, and the four year old took off running down the hall again, leaving Eleeria alone with her dress and her thoughts.

“Well...” she put her hands on her hips with a delicate sigh and smile. “Let’s do this, then.”