"Is she ok, Momma?" Bradly frowned.
"I hope so. I still say I should take her out into greater Teldrassil, and let her breathe the air there."
"I think that's a good idea." Tyrande nodded. "The inn in Dolanar would be a good place for her to rest."
"I was in such a frantic pace, I completely forgot the cats." Elunara sighed. She blinked. "Oh, mother, you remember Savage?"
"Yes?"
"Uh, he and Yoona have mated."
"Oh, dear. I'll send you one of the saber handlers when the time comes."
"Uh, ma'am?"
Everyone looked over at the sentinel by the door. "There's a strange pair of cats out here. One looks like a Darnassian Saber cat, but the other..."
Darguni ran to the door. "Momma, Savage is pitching one of his fits."
Elunara sighed. "I guess they found me. Savage is such a baby." She picked up Lydia and made her way outside. "Yes, yes, you big baby. I'm here. I thought you were busy with your girlfriend." She reached down and scratched his head. Savage rubbed up against her.
"Boys, climb on Yoona."
"What?" Bradly goggled.
"Mother, can you help them?"
Elunara climbed on Savage's back.
"Without a harness?" Tyrande raised an eyebrow.
"They can handle a short jaunt. Just grab on to her fur."
As they rode out of Darnassus, Bradly had to yell. "THIS IS SO COOL!"
"I think she should rest here for a day or two, breathing in the rich air." Elunara sighed and brushed a hand over Lydia's hair.
"I will send a runner back to Stormwind, contact the girl's family, and yours." Tyrande nodded.
"Thank you. This isn't how I intended to return." She sighed.
Tyrande put her hands on Elunara's shoulders. "And yet, you made a grand entrance anyway." She kissed the top of Elunara's head. "Trying to save this little girl."
"I can't seem to help myself." Elunara looked over at the boys playing with the cats. "Plus, I'm pretty sure... Bradly fancies himself in love with her."
"Oh, dear."
"I know, right?" Elunara laughed. "Doesn't matter. I seem to be drawn to helping this girl... first her legs, then her lungs..."
"Wait, this is the same child you healed before?"
"Crazy isn't it?"
"This poor child is... a bit of a disaster, isn't she?"
"Maybe that's why she appeals to me. She's had a hard life, just like everyone tells me I had."
"Everybody tells you?"
"I never felt bad about anything that's happened to me. I think it would be best, if I gave you my books to read, so that you may truly understand me."
"I would like to."
She fiddled with a lock of the girl's hair. "She'll be just like me. Her life will be difficult, but she'll come out so much stronger than everyone else. I just know it."
"Your confidence in her warms my heart."
Tears ran down Lydia's face, as she listened to them softly talking.
"Bless you, Elunara." Tears streamed down Linda's cheeks.
Elunara shrugged. "You're welcome, I guess."
"I don't understand you." Thomas sighed. "You do and do, and don't like to be thanked for it."
"Because I haven't figured out why I keep doing it?" She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "Lydia needs to stay here for a few more days while her lungs heal and breathe in that rich air. I'll make sure your absence is covered." She stood up.
Lydia reached out and grabbed her leg. "No! Please, stay."
"Kiddo, I have to get back to my family."
"Please? I'm afraid."
"Ok, there will be no playing that card." Elunara smacked her hand. "You're stronger than you think you are. If you never stand in the face of fear, you will never be stronger than the fear. I don't even think you're afraid at this point."
"But, what if the spores come back?"
Elunara shook her head. "They won't."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because I said so. Look, you don't need me. Your family is here, and Tyrande herself has offered to watch over you."
"No!" Lydia sat up. "They're not good enough, I want you!" She crossed her arms.
"No!" Elunara jabbed a finger at Lydia. "I will NOT continue to be nice to a little brat. I'm not going to bother telling you to apologize for your cruel little mouth. I thought better of you until you started whining. Now own up or shut up, because I am through." She turned and walked out.
Tyrande followed her out. "What was THAT?"
"She's starting to depend on me more than her own parents." Elunara rubbed her forehead. "I've noticed it before, and I've tried to push her back on to her parents, but then something else goes wrong, and we're back to square one. I don't need another kid, and she has a set of perfectly good parents that love her. I can't let her think I'm willing to replace them."
"Oh."
Both Tyrande and Elunara looked back at Linda.
"Oh, I was so worried... we... offended you." Linda choked on her tears.
Elunara rushed over and helped the woman sit down. With a sigh, she wrapped her arms around Linda. "It'll be ok."
"I'm so horribly sick of crying." Linda sobbed. "But every time I turn around, it's something else. I just can't take it anymore."
"Please stop. I'm so sorry for all of this."
Linda buried her face in Elunara's shoulder. "It's not your fault." She whimpered. "All you've done is help."
"I'm sorry. I didn't want her to cling to me, but she has. It was never my intent to replace you." Elunara sighed. "Kids just don't understand how much they can hurt you."
Tyrande sighed and looked away. "That much is true." She whispered.
"I'd rather her be hurt by me, than have you hurt by her. I'm leaving. I'm taking my boys with me. I want her to think about what she did wrong. They'll be beyond pissed at me for taking them, but its best."
"Now, I wish you wouldn't leave." Linda sniffled.
"No matter what she says to you, don't let it hurt." Elunara wiped tears off of Linda's face with her thumb. She kissed Linda's cheek. "I'll see you when you come home, ok?"
Linda nodded.
Elunara walked to where the boys were playing. "Come on, we need to go home."