The trio rode hard in to the south. They passed straight through the Burning Steppes into Duskwood. Finally they crossed the boundaries of Stranglethorn Vale on the sixth day. No one spoke. No one made a sound, just pushed onward. The grunts and huffs of their horses came from near exhaustion. The druid could feel the heavy weight of the troll as he leaned up against her back with his arms draped loosely about her waist.

Kaelin's heart threatened to burst from her chest. She prayed against all that Kor'alli would be at his brother's cabin. Kaelin had no way of knowing for sure, but deep in her heart, she knew that the hunter would be there. She only prayed she would not be too late.

Bypassing the busy port of Booty Bay, they galloped up the small hill that lead to the small cabin of her memory. The elves slowed their exhausted horses as they neared. Light glowed in the small window and smoke streamed from the chimney. Kaelin stopped her horse as she looked on the various mounts tied up in the front.

Tied to the post were two raptors, one black and one violet. Next to them, a large grey Kodo bull that stamped impatiently. By the front door were two snowy leopards that had both gotten to their feet, growling. Behind them, a familiar red raptor that eyed them curiously.

Kor'alli is here! She thought excitedly. She glanced at her brother with tears in her eyes. His expression did not change when he nodded soberly at her. The door opened when the owners were alerted of their presence by their pets. The first to emerge was a blue skinned troll with green hair and no tusks. He looked somewhat odd to her, but all that really mattered is he was pointing a bow at her.

From behind him, a human came forward also wielding a bow. A human? Following her were two female Blood Elves that looked oddly similar. They formed a defensive half circle around the intruders when he finally exited the cabin. His crossbow rested at his side.

Kor'alli had changed very little in five years. But the change was massive. His once sparkling ruby eyes seemed dulled and lined. As if a part of his soul had died. Her heart clenched. He looked much older now. There was no care free, some what childish smile on his face, or in his eyes. He stood as a silent sentry on the doorway fully armored and looking impressive. His Mohawk had gotten a little jagged and on the bits of skin she could see bore new scars.

Kor'alli observed the two horses and their three passengers in silence. One he could not see very well as they were heavily shrouded and leaning against the smaller of the two riders. The human, Cassandra, murmured something to her mate and his long time best friend, Jah'ren. The hunter, without turning to Kor'alli repeated in Orcish in deep tones what she had said.

"'Dose be Alliance mounts, mon. Three ridahs." Just then Kor'alli's raptor leapt out of line and raced forward. The troll stood dumbstruck. He gave no command for him to attack, and Trakkor certainly has never disobeyed him before. The rider with the passenger tensed at the approaching raptor. Kor'alli readied his bow should the rider lash out at his pet.

Trakkor stopped by the rider's leg, his long snout sniffing her excitedly. He let a high whistle and chirp and rubbed his muzzle on her shin. Several gasps could be heard. Kaelin reached down and stroked the raptor's head. Kor'alli stepped forward and met the silver eyes beneath the hooded cloak.

"Kor'alli…" came her smooth voice. She reached up and lowered her hood. The blood elves began whispering to each other animatedly. The troll eyed the night elf with something akin to distrust. That caused an awful ache in her heart.

"Kae… Whay ya be here?" She looked at him oddly. Then he remembered that she could only speak very little Orcish. He glanced at Jah'ren, who translated for him. Kor'alli frowned when tears filled her eyes.

She began speaking rapidly in common. He was unable to follow. He hoped Jah'ren could understand her. By the time she finished her explanation, her quick words slowed and turned into sobs. Jah'ren and Cassandra inhaled sharply at one point. He turned to them demanding the translation.

Cassandra was at a loss for words. He could see the tears shining in her amber eyes. Jah'ren struggled only a few times in his translation. "She- she say dat dey foun' him in da dungeons o' Scholomance in da Plaguelands. Da monstahs there torture an' test on him. When dey foun' him, he be a… dead? No, dat's not it, a… fo'saken. Dey rescue him an' tried ta get him home befo' it be too late, mon. He- he be dead, mon… Jah'ren is sorreh."

The troll's eyes snapped to the passenger leaning up against the elf. Kaelin had her face in her hands, sobbing. Koralli reached up to the cloaked figure behind her. She caught his hand and met his eyes, her own filled with sorrow.

"Im so sorry, Kor'alli." She said in rough Orcish. He clutched the still figure and pulled them down. He feared to look and see what he already knew in his heart. He knew instinctively that this was his brother's body. He saw the elf dismount and kneel beside him. He thanked her silently for not letting him deal with this alone.

Kor'alli lifted the heavy shroud away to peer on the face of his brother. His gut clenched. The eyes of his twin were empty. No breath passed his pale lips. And though he knew before he even looked at what the shroud concealed, that did not stop his very breath from rushing from him. Tears blurred the vision of his dead brother. His heart beat against his ribcage like a jackhammer. He could distantly hear the sound of someone releasing a wail of protest. Then he realized that it was he that cried in despair. Desperately he clutched the body of his twin tightly to his chest as cries of anguish rang in his ears.

The group gathered shared in Kor'alli's mourning, each sniffling and wiping their eyes. Kor'alli, still clinging to his brother, had quieted some. Kaelin felt is if she were at a loss. He would not welcome her in comfort. So she watched the troll, idly wiping her eyes for fifteen minutes. When Kor'alli had stopped crying and remained still, she stood and reached into the saddle bag.

Glancing over at the green haired troll, she held out an envelope and a beaded necklace. She spoke slowly; the emotion in her voice caused it to be thick. "He-he wanted you to have this. H-he wrote this for you too… It is written in your language so I can not read it. I think it explains what happened to him. I'm so sorry." The forlorn hunter looked up at her with swollen eyes when Jah'ren translated. He accepted the necklace and letter.

"Kor… wha'cha wan ta do wit' him. Do ya wan' ta bury him here, mon?" Jah'ren asked lowly. No words left the hunter's mouth, just a brief nod. Jah'ren nodded and gathered the others to find a place to dig the grave. Even Kaelin's brother helped. Kaelin watched in silence as little puffs formed before the hunter as he breathed the cool night air. She shrugged out of the cloak she wore and draped it around the troll.

Kor'alli looked up again to thank her, but froze when he saw the mark on her shoulder. He lifted a hand to touch the healing mark. She remained silent as he brushed the tender skin. He pointed to his brother, then to the mark. She got the message and nodded. A flash of a smile graced his lips. He seemed heartened a little. The hunter stood with his brother in his arms.

Several hours later the group said their goodbyes to Jandi at his final resting place beneath a willow tree at the edge of the property. Jah'ren and Kor'alli sang a sorrowful song of passage in Zandali. The group adjourned to the cabin, giving Kor'alli and Kaelin peace to say their farewells.

They stood together, arm in arm. She made a noise causing him to look down at her. "Kor'alli, j duti wha surdati." He smiled sadly and returned his attention to the stone that marked Jandi's grave. Inscribed on it was his name, tribe and the hunter's code: Hunt, live, forest, sky. He looked back at her and tightened his grip on her waist.

"I love ya too, mah sistah." He turned to join the wake that was being held inside the cabin. Kaelin stopped him. She pulled a slip of parchment from the pocket of her leather pants. He watched curiously as she held it out to him. Taking the paper he turned it over. On it was a photograph of a young troll whelp. His brows shot up and he looked in her eyes. She was smiling and nodding. He smiled and wrapped her in his arms.

Giggling she led him into the cabin to join the wake. She and Karl were introduced to Jah'ren and those present in his little tribe, including Cassandra, Talandriel and Sylvania. As they drank to Jandi's memory, Kor'alli told stories of their childhood. Jah'ren had a few of his own. Kaelin shared the news of Jandi's son and the photograph.

Kor'alli turned to Kaelin with a smile. Much of the light he once had, returned to his eyes. "Kae… You and mah nephew, Kor'jin, ya come an' live here. Kor'alli be takin care of ya from now on."

THE END

Jah'ren, Cass and the two blood elves belong to my dear friend Luna Ardere. Thank you for all the reviews and I hope you enjoyed this story. I have. Thanks for reading! ~Darkspear Kor'alli