Cairne Bloodhoof cracked his neck as he listened to yet another request from one of his people. He considered their words. "I agree with this. You should handle it as you see fit."
"Thank you, wise one." The man turned and left.
A strange sound pricked his ears, as his strong nose picked up an odd scent. Patiently, he tracked the mysterious visitor as he went about his day. He knew, without a doubt, that if this intruder meant harm, they would have struck any time. Still, they bided their time. He paused in his duties, as he could have sworn he heard a piece of paper. Scratching noises confirmed his belief... his intruder was taking notes of some sort.
Perhaps they were waiting for him to sleep. The ignorant one would soon be surprised. He tapped his hoof on the floor in annoyance as he debated how best to handle the situation. Lightning quick, he shot his hand out and grabbed where he felt the intruder sat. She yelped as he grabbed her by the shirt and hauled her up. To the floor clattered a notebook and pencil.
"What are you doing?"
He almost dropped her when she spoke in his language. "Please forgive me, I was just drawing." She said.
"I know your kind. You are a Night Elf."
"Please..." She did not struggle in his grasp. "Just look at my notebook."
With a frown, he scooped up the notebook and stared down an image of himself. Blinking, he looked back at her. "What?"
"I... I have a goal in life, to draw everyone I can. If you flip through my notebook, you can see I've already convinced Vol'jin and Thrall to sit for me. I admit I'm a little terrified of trying to draw Sylvanas, but I just might have to do it." She rubbed a hand over his arm. "If you sit me down, I will stay right where you put me. I promise. I only wish to draw."
He eyed her with suspicion. "Why should I trust you?"
"Because you hold in your hand, the one thing I value the most."
"Your life?" He snorted.
"My notebook. My life is meaningless without my drawings." Which was the most honest she could be, even with herself.
After blinking at her for a moment, he gently sat her down. When she sat down and picked up her pencil, he turned his attention to her notebook. Flipping through, he could feel the heat rising to his face. "This is... graphic."
She shrugged. "How can I truly know my subject, if I do not see all of him?" She smiled up at him. "All I wish... is to draw. You may bind my feet, you may bind my hands. All I ask... is that I have enough wiggle to use this hand to draw you." She held up her hand. "When I have what I want, I'll leave you be."
He considered her words as he flipped through the book. "I see no reason to bind you." He passed the book back.
"Thank you very much." She stood and bowed. Getting comfortable on the soft furs, she smiled at him again. "I hope to do you justice."
Later that night, he blinked at her. "Are you finished?"
She held up her book. "I have done my preliminary sketches." Wiggling, she frowned. "I don't suppose I could have a few days to refine my sketches?"
"But, where would you sleep?"
After a look around, she pointed to the far corner. "There is just fine for me."
"But, that's just bare floor."
"I have dealt with worse to get my sketches."
He tugged a fur off of the pile and put it in the corner. "That will do better."
She blinked at it for a moment. "Thank you, you're very kind." She smiled up at him, before curling up on the fur.
Once again, the heat rose to his face. He tugged a blanket off of a stack, before placing it on the sleeping Night Elf. After watching her for a moment, he went to his own bed.
Curious, she ran her fingers over the edge of the blanket. The kindness was completely unexpected, but certainly not rejected.
"Sir, forgive me for questioning... but is it advisable to have a Night Elf as a pet?"
Cairne shook his head. "She is not a pet, she is... a guest."
"Isn't that a little...?"
"Odd?" He snorted. "Very." He looked back at the creature currently feverishly drawing in her sketchbook. "I trust her for now."
By midday, his curiosity got the better of him. "May I see what you have... er... I never got your name, little one."
"Elunara." She held her book up.
Peering through, he considered. "These are very impressive."
"I like to get my base work down and then add in the fine details." She smiled at him. "Perhaps I can get some... intimate ones?"
The heat went straight to his face. "Perhaps we can discuss that another time."