The Calm before the Storm

Fupy and I scurried across the path leading from the Elwynn forest into Stormwind. There was barely any light left in the forest, and the sun was slowly going behind the distant mountains. Fupy sighed longingly.

“Sherise, this is awesome!” She gave me one of her ‘you’ll be my friend forever‘ smiles, and hugged me. While Fupy was hugging me, I felt like I would be safe forever, at home. Her thick silver hair cast a shadow on the path, and her pigtails stirred in the breeze. As I hugged her, I felt like the happiness that filled me would never die, and that we would truly be friends forever. Then as if planned to break up the moment, there was cry. I saw a patrolling guard run toward the large stone gates of Stormwind.

“HORDE IN STORMWIND!” He cried, summoning even more guards from inside the Stormwind stronghold. I could just picture the beasts in my mind. There were orcs, undead, tauren, and trolls, all part of the group threatening to take down the allegiance. Orcs, the first type of horde, were mean green fighting machines, who carried clubs as weapons. If you were to smell their breath, you’d be dead within a minute.

Secondly, there are undead. Vile, mean, vicious, all of these words describe this mindless zombie. Then there are tauren, who are buffalo that walk on two legs, destroying everything in its path. And last but not least, the trolls, quick and nasty, but easy to take down. Okay, back to the story.

I quickly turned to Fupy. The color seemed to have left her face.

“Fupy, RUN!” I screamed. I grabbed her hand and pulled her along the path, toward the Stormwind gates. Her icy grip made me shiver. Her hands were practically frozen, and I could sense how afraid Fupy was. I heard a great roar behind me in a language that I could not understand. Orcs! I thought. I tightened my grip on Fupy’s frigid hand and ran faster than I ever had before. I was pretty young for a gnome too, so that may have been part of my sudden acceleration.

“Sherise, they’re gaining!” Fupy cried. My heart began to beat faster partly from being afraid, and from running as fast as I was. Even while running at top speed, a young gnome is no match for a fully grown orc. All of a sudden a huge, green figure dropped down from a tree in front of us. An orc! I thought. The orc’s gigantic green face was terrifying, and I could faintly smell his breath from were I was. His dirty white fangs gleamed, and his club was tightly grasped in his left hand, ready to strike at Fupy or me. I shrieked, hiding Fupy being myself. The orc’s suddenly swung his huge hand and it came down hard on my shoulder. It was such a hard hit that I thought that he would drive me into the earth! I fell to the ground, unable to breathe. Pain shot through my shoulder, causing me to cry out.

“RUN FUPY!” I shouted, barely able to speak. I saw Fupy darting through the forest, away from the stronghold, the orcs hot on her tail.

“SHERISE!” I heard her scream. I watched in horror as one of the enormous orcs picked her up with one hand, and began to run deeper into the forest. I couldn’t breathe. I faintly saw a figure coming up to me, touching me softly as if not to harm me. I flinched.

“It’s okay,” he said. “You’ll be alright.” Then I fainted.

I awoke to the singing of birds perched on an open windowsill. I was laying in a bed much too big for a gnome, and heard the deep breathing of a figure beside me.

“It’s about time you woke up!” said a strange yet familiar voice. I looked around as the world came into focus. I had seen the man before. Sitting in front of me with a book in his hand was a human. He had long blonde hair draped gracefully across his shoulders, and was wearing a common white shirt and Brown linen pants.

“It looked like you had a nasty encounter with orcs the other day!” he said, putting his book down on a side table near the chair he was sitting in.

“Err– yes,” I said unsurely. I was in a house with a man I hardly knew, so what else did he expect for me to say?

“Oh, so sorry, I’m Alonjudd,” he said, extending a hand. I reached out my arm to respond to his friendly gesture when my shoulder shot out with pain. I quickly pulled my hand back, rubbing my shoulder intently.

“Oh yes, your right shoulder appears to be sprained.” He spoke, motioning to the bandages that I suddenly noticed on my shoulder.

“I can see that.” I half laughed.

“Let me start over,” he began, “I am Alonjudd, part of the Alliance, so I won’t hurt you. I found you on the road to Stormwind late, three days ago. You’ve been sleeping ever since.”

“I’ve been out for that long?” I asked shocked.

“Yes, you have. Though occasionally you tossed and turned, saying strange words, like Fupy and–”

“Where is she?!” I responded.

“Pardon?” Alonjudd asked, giving me a confused glance.

“Where is Fupy?” I asked again.

“I don’t know, is Fupy a person?” He looked puzzled.

“No, well yes, she’s a gnome, and she was with me when I was attacked by the orcs!”

I sat up in bed, breathing heavily.

“I’m so sorry Miss…”

“Sherise.” I said quickly.

“I’m so sorry Miss Sherise, but there were no other people, or gnomes in this case, at the site where I found you.”

I panicked. Then I remembered seeing the enormous orc grab Fupy and carry her away into the forest.

“The orc! The orc took her away!” I sobbed. Alonjudd got up from his seat.

“The orcs took Fupy?” He asked, puzzled. By now I was crying so hard I could barely speak. I mean, how would you like it if your best friend was taken off by a clan of orcs, almost certain never to be seen again?

“Oh, Fupy! I’ll never see you again! Whatever will I do without you?” Tears spilled from my eyes, all over the bed. Alonjudd came and sat beside me on the bed.

“Sherise, it’s okay. The Horde has no business killing anyone from the alliance!” He patted my small head and tried to calm me. But still, I sobbed. I had a feeling deep inside me that at that very moment, my dear friend Fupy was being torn limb from limb by the hideous orcs.

“Sherise, calm yourself.” Alonjudd said, giving me his handkerchief. I tried to dab my wet eyes but I was shaking too much, so he dabbed them for me.

“Sherise, I will help you find Fupy!” He said, putting his hand on my knee. At that moment, I felt better than I had in these past few moments.

“You will?” I asked sniffling.

“Yes. We shall leave as soon as you’re healed.” He pointed to my shoulder.

So then it was that Alonjudd and I would set out on our heroic adventure to save Fupy from the orcs’ clutches. Within twelve days, my shoulder felt better, I had learned how to wield a dagger (a sword is much to big for a gnome), and we set off to save Fupy.

It was the first day of our quest. Alonjudd was on his noble steed, Fredrick, and was ready to depart. I had my backpack, full of apples, water, and several changes of clothing, along with a mining pick to sell incase my budget dropped. I was in a brand new set of clothes, and for the first time in my life, I was wearing armor. I had on a lose white shirt which was buttoned down the front, and a blue dress which had a lot of armor, but still improved my appearance.

“Okay, Sherise,” Alonjudd said sternly, “Lets begin our quest!”

The first step I took I was shaking so much that I fell over. Alonjudd began to laugh.

“Hey, you try walking!” I laughed. I was actually laughing! This made me smile even more.

I picked myself up and took another step. Then another. Until I was full on the road.

“Where to first?” I asked Alonjudd.

“Stormwind, then we take the tram to Ironforge.”

I had only dreamed about Ironforge! Deep inside the snowy tundra of Dun Moroh, a safe haven for the alliance. A smile spread across my face.

“Sherise, would you like to ride with me?” Asked Alonjudd, looking down upon me.

“Yes, please!” I said. I wasn’t still fully healed, so I suppose it would have been best to ride with Alonjudd. Even though I had never ridden a horse, I new that I was in for a treat. I tried to reach Alonjudd’s extended hand, but being as short as I was, I couldn’t quite grasp it. Alonjudd jumped off of his horse, laughing, and lifted me up atop of Fredrick. I felt like I could see everything from the top of Fredrick! Alonjudd leapt onto Fredrick once more, kicked him in the side, and we were off. Fredrick ran so fast that Alonjudd had to wrap his sword around me to keep me from falling!

“Only about five more minutes of this, and we’ll be in Stormwind!” he shouted. As he said this, we passed houses of country people, rocky hills, and ragging water falls, until the gates of Stormwind were in view. They were beautiful and tall, and I could make out a few statues beyond the entrance.

“Hold on!”

“WAHHHH!”

We sped up to reach the gate, and came to a stop inside the safe haven.

“I’m home!” I shouted, wiggling beneath Alonjudd’s sword.

“Yes, Sherise.” Alonjudd looked down at me, a smile on his face.

As we entered the city of Stormwind, I thought of my house hidden in the deepest parts of the city, and what amazing times Fupy and I had spent together in it’s protection. I thought I would start to cry; I missed my home so very much!

“Sherise, stay on the horse, and do not get lost.” Said Alonjudd, firmly. He got off of Fredrick, took his reins and began to walk. I gazed around me as I saw the familiar excitement filled Stormwind; the travelers at the mail box, the merchants selling bread and other goods, and remembered that I once woke up to it everyday. I wished I could visit my house, but I hoped more to save Fupy. All of a sudden, I heard a meowing. It sounded like something I had heard before, like my own kittens’.

“Bo?” I asked, looking around. “Kitty kitty kitty! Bo?” I saw Bo’s head stick up from the crowd.

“There you are kitty kitty!” I leapt off of Fredrick, and down to Bo. I picked him up and he began to purr loudly.

“Bo, what are you doing out of the house?” I asked. I saw that Bo was thin.

“Oh, I had forgotten to feed you all of these days!” I pet Bo, saying “I’m so sorry kitty Bo!”

“Alonjudd, can we stop–” I looked around. Alonjudd was gone. Fredrick was gone. I had a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. I quickly gave Bo some ham I had packed, which he ate viciously, than ran off. Obediently, Bo followed.

“Alonjudd!” I yelled. “ALONJUDD!” I was being forced to dart every which way through the crowd of travelers. Bo followed me. I soon came to a sign post. I knew that the tram was in the Dwarven district, so I followed a sign pointing in that direction, hoping that Alonjudd was there.

I darted through the Canals, and into the Dwarven district. There, the air was thick, with a stench of meat.

“I bet you’re still hungry kitty!” I said to Bo, who looked as if he were in heaven. It made me laugh. I quickly made my way into the tram station. There, I waited to see if Alonjudd would come.

I waited for what seemed like hours, and I soon became tired. I lay down on a bench, Bo curled next to me, and slept. I was exhausted, even though my journey had just begun.

I dreamt of Fupy, and how much I missed her. I saw her face and her smile, and I thought that in my dream I was crying. Then I spied something on her ear. A red ruby stud. Then I heard a faint, “Sherise!” I awoke with a start. Alonjudd and Fredrick were beside me.

“Where in light’s name have you been?” he asked. Since the humans praised light, they said ‘light’s name’.

“Alonjudd!” I sighed, putting my arms around his neck. “I’ve been here, waiting. What time is it?”

“Judging by the light outside, twenty three hours.” I sat up. Was it really eleven o’clock?

“That late?” I cried. Alonjudd nodded. I scrambled to pick up my bag and wake up Bo.

“Bo, kitty, we have to go!” Bo looked longingly at me.

“That your cat?” Alonjudd asked.

“Yeah, I don’t know how he escaped my house.” I said, giving him a chunk of boar meat. I stroked him under the chin. Then I remembered my dream. The ruby earring on Fupy’s ear.

“Alonjudd!” I exclaimed. He was so startled that I nearly knocked him over.

“Err– Yes Sherise?” He asked.

“In my dream,” I explained, “Fupy had on a red ruby earring!” I sat down next to Alonjudd. He looked as if he were thinking.

“Do you think–”

“YES!” I was flailing my arms.

There was an old gnomon legend about how leper gnomes would take over Gnomergon, and the gnomes would be forced to leave their beloved home. And it happened, about fifty years ago. The story told of how the rescuer of Gnomergon would have a red ruby stud in their ear, and that the stud would not come out. And I had seen Fupy with an earring EXACTLY like that in my dream.

“Yes, Alonjudd! That’s why the orcs wanted to take Fupy away!” I exclaimed. It all made sense now! All that the Horde ever wanted to do was overthrow the Eastern Kingdoms, so why couldn’t they start here?

All of a sudden, a train pulled up at the station. Still shocked at my discovery, I wobbled to get my pack up. Bo was finishing up the boar meat. I picked Bo up and walked briskly over to the tram, and got on. Alonjudd and Fredrick followed close behind. The tram was not closed in in any way, so you could fall off very easily. I sat down, and clung to Bo. Alonjudd steadied Fredrick. As the tram lurched forward, I took a final look back at the station.

“Don’t be afraid.” Alonjudd said smiling, and putting a hand on my shoulder. He was right. Riding on the tram would be the very least of my problems.

As Alonjudd and I pulled into the Ironforge station, a surge of excitement went through me. I was finally going to Ironforge, finally seeing where my kind, the gnomes, lived after they were pushed out of Gnomergon! The tram came to a sudden halt. I quickly got up from the space where I was sitting, and tried to get Bo to follow me.

“Now, stay close! I really do mean it this time!” Alonjudd said, pushing me off of the tram, and just in time! Just as I got onto solid ground the tram started speeding away. Alonjudd mounted Fredrick, and told me to hold onto the reins to make sure I wouldn’t get lost again. I clasped the reins and began to follow Alonjudd mounted on Fredrick.

“Now keep up.” He said.

We exited the tram area into a room with many gnomes, all of whom were making something, as gnomes do.

“Hey, how ya doin’?” One asked me as I passed.

“Fine, thank you.” I replied, jogging to keep up with Alonjudd. If all of Ironforge was like this, I really had had a different idea in my mind! Then, as to not be disappointed, Alonjudd led my into a huge room; The Great Forge!

“Now Sherise, this is truly Ironforge!” He sang. The room was huge, the ceiling at least forty feet high! There were shops every which way, and merchants walking the crowded walkways.

“Wow!” I said, looking around. I felt so small (hey, even if I am small already, I felt EVEN smaller!)

“Hop on!” Alonjudd said, grasping my arm and pulling me up.

“What about Bo?” I asked, looking at Bo who was helplessly trying to hop up onto Fredrick.

“Oh, yes!” Alonjudd hopped off of Fredrick, grabbed Bo, and then mounted again. “Heh– Here!” He said, dropping Bo in my lap. I held onto him tight.

“C’mon Fredrick!” And with that we were off, riding at top speed through the city of Ironforge! The wind in my face was chilling, but being inside the city filled my body with warmth. Fredrick suddenly came to an unwanted halt, sending me face forward off of the horse, into someone.

“Oh my gosh, are you okay?” She spoke beautifully, reminding me off the walks Fupy and I used to have. I rubbed my head and gazed up. Kneeling beside my must have been the largest night elf I had ever seen, let alone the only night elf.

“Yeah, thanks.” I said rubbing my head. She helped me up.

“I didn’t know gnomes dropped from the sky!” She laughed. She had dark blue hair and fair blue skin. Her eyes were a deep blue, and she had on a blue shirt and short brown pants. Beside her was a large white cat.

“I didn’t drop from the sky, I fell off of a horse!” I said, dusting myself off.

“Oh well then, it’s gone now!” She said.

“Not again!” I said, pouting. Fredrick was no where to be seen. But Alonjudd was.

“Sherise, are you okay?” He asked, running to me with Bo in his arms.

“Well, I am now!” I said, jumping with joy to see Alonjudd. “But where’s–”

“Fredrick? Oh, he’s inside the stables,” he explained, “I had not realized you had flown off since you were behind me, so when I took Fredrick into the stables,” he motioned to a building we were standing by, “I realized you were gone. I’m glad to see that you’re in tact!” Alonjudd looked up and his eyes met the night elf’s. There was an awkward silence.

“Ah, guys?” I asked, indicating that I was with them.

“Oh, yes, sorry Sherise.” Alonjudd said, his eyes still on the elf.

“I’m Darkserenity.” She smiled shyly, extending a hand.

“Alonjudd.” Said Alonjudd, still ogling.

“Nice to be of service.” She sang, walking away swiftly.

“ALONJUDD!” I screamed after a moment. He was still staring mouth open at the figure of the night elf that was walking away. Then it hit me (I’m slow, I know). “You like her, don’t you?” I smiled up at him.

“Well, uh, no…..uh…..look, there’s the gate!” He said, quickly changing the subject. All thought I new that anyone with half a mind could see he was crazy about this girl, and he had just met her!

I carefully hugged Bo to myself, and picked up my pack. Alonjudd did the same, trying to recuperate from what had just happened.

“Shall we?” He said, extending an arm toward the door.

“Yes, we shall!” I said, hopping merrily (thought a bit sore) toward the gates of the city Ironforge.

“Ah, the outdoors!” I said, spinning happily. Bo was catching snowflakes in his mouth, and Alonjudd was getting used to the bitter cold. I pranced along, happy to be out in the open, unlike most gnomes do. Gnomes normally sit inside all day, tinkering on some new project, whereas Fupy and I would take long walks in the open.

“You think this is great?” Alonjudd says, looking at me as if I were some deranged lunatic.

“Yeah, why?”

“It’s just…you’re a gnome.”

“So what?”

“Oh, never mind. I just haven’t met a gnome before who is willing to go exploring.”

“No, I’m in it for the walks!” I said cheerfully. The snow was coming down in white blankets, and already feet were on the ground. Alonjudd looked to the sky.

“Conditions are going to get worse.” He said, looking up nervously.

“What are you talking about?” I said, looking at what I called ‘wonderful walking weather’.

“Do you see those birds?” Alonjudd asked, pointing to the gate of Ironforge, in the distance.

“Yeah, so?” I asked, trying to picture what bird had to do with anything.

“That’s it. They’re flying close to Ironforge, which means that they do not want to come out which means,” he paused to take a breath, “The weather isn’t going to turn out very well.”

“No,” I said, “that can’t be right!” I was just being stubborn, I didn’t want the weather to ruin my walk. “They’re flying close to Ironforge because they smell the food!”

“I don’t know Sherise. I just don’t know.”

Later that afternoon, the wind picked up. The snow came down harder than ever, and I could see but three feet in every direction. Okay, I’ll admit it, Alonjudd was right.

“ALONJUDD!” I yelled, to make sure he could here me in the blizzard.

“Are you alright back there?” He yelled back, stopping to look behind him. I waved, but he could barely see me.

“I’m doing fine,” I said, “But a little tired. Where should we set up camp?” I screamed back to him.

“The tunnel should be just right here!” He yelled. And sure enough, there was a faint glow in the distance. Torches, I was sure of it. He grabbed my hand as not to lose me, and I held on tight. I couldn’t move though. I was half frozen and the snow was three feet high (keep in mind that I’m only eight inches taller than that). When he tried to pull me and I tried to move, he finally said, “Sherise, get on my back!” I grabbed Bo who was shivering, and with a great jump, made it onto Alonjudd’s back.

“Hold on!” He yelled, running at top speed, though it was more like galloping. We went on like this for several minutes, the torches looming closer and closer with every step, until both of us, exhausted, crashed onto the cold ground. I hopped off of Alonjudd’s back to give him some air.

“Alonjudd!” I yelled, panicking. I helped him up, staggering at his weight. With my last ounce of strength, I put his arm over my shoulder and carried him, more like dragged him, ten yards to the tunnel. There, we collapsed in a heap as the guard on duty came to our aid.

“What were ye’ doin’ outside in this weather?” He asked, his beard plated with snowflakes. I could only respond, “Walking.”

I awoke to what I figured was the following morning. It must have snowed all night, because the tunnel entrance was blocked off by the snow. I looked around and saw Alonjudd, snoring loudly next to me. Bo was curled up, half frozen, against Alonjudd’s cheek.

“Kitty kitty!” I whispered. Bo’s ears perked up. The color appeared to come back to his orange coat, which indicated to me that he was listening. Over near the entrance was the guard.

“Good mornin’ to ye’ lass!” He said cheerfully, tossing me an apricot.

“Good morning.” I said, gobbling up the Apricot.

“Nasty snow we had the other night,” he said.

“You can say that again!” I exclaimed, apricot juice dripping from my mouth. Alonjudd Stirred.

“Sherise?” He said, lifting his head.

“Alonjudd!” I ran to him, smothering him with hugs. “We’re not dead yet!” That last comment made the guard laugh.

“No we’re not, and that is a very good thing!” He half said half laughed, patting me on the head.

“Well ye’ two,” The guard said, “Where were ye’ heading in this kind o’ weather?” He asked, scratching his chin.

“Menethil,” Alonjudd spoke before I could respond. “We go from there to Auberdeen, and there we head south into Orcish country.”

“Yer kiddin’, right?” The guard laughed.

“No, really!” I said, standing up. The guard fell silent.

“ Yer,” He said, “Yer really doin’ ter Kalimdor?”

“We must,” I sighed. “Sit down, and I’ll tell you the story.”

We must have talked for hours! The guard listened to everything we said though, and did not ask questions until we were done.

“Wow,” he said, shaking his head. “I never knew of the Horde to take creatures from the city!”

“I told you, Fupy is the one who–”

“Yes, I know, I know,” The guard said grumpily, “But a gnome? Of all creatures… And you only had a dream, how do you know that it was true?”

“Sherise knows.” Alonjudd said, starling me. He had been thinking, not speaking.

“Well Sherise and Alonjudd,” the guard said after stiffly getting back onto his feet,“ I wish you the best luck, and hope.” He shook our hands. They were surprisingly warm for being stuck in a snowed–in tunnel. I looked at his face, a twinkle in his eye. Then as if he did not exist, he disappeared.

To this day, I have been shaky around guards, and have never touched them. Not even laid a finger on them.

“What was that?” I asked, petrified.

Alonjudd looked stunned, but managed to say, “ I really don’t know. I really don’t.”

“Well, lets do what he said, then!” I exclaimed.

“Right!”

“Bo kitty!” I said, picking up Bo. Then there was a stir in the snow at the main entrance. I quickly spun around, followed by Alonjudd to investigate. The snow moved again, more quickly this time, as if what ever was in the snow was approaching near.

“Take out your wand.” Alonjudd commanded, readying his own sword. I grabbed my wand from my side pocket, too terrified to do anymore.

“On my signal,” Alonjudd said, watching the snow become even more restless. “One, two, THREE!” The object came tumbling to the ground, clearly visible for Alonjudd and me to see. It was Darkserenity.

“We’re so sorry!” I said, giving Darkserenity a container of water. She was sitting up now, but still a little shaky from being hit with a wand and being cut.

“How’s your arm?” Alonjudd asked concerned, lifting up her sleeve to look at her bandaged wound.

“Oh, it’s sore, but I think I’ll live.” Said Darkserenity with a faint chuckle. “If it hadn’t been for Sherise, I probably would have died of blood loss.” She patted me gently on my head, as most people do.

“Well, do you think you can walk?” Alonjudd looked worried.

“Yes,” Said Darkserenity, slowly getting up. Alonjudd grabbed her arm to support her. I stayed out of their way to make sure if she fell, I wouldn’t end up like a pancake.

“There you go.” Said Alonjudd letting go. Darkserenity walked around as if nothing had happened. I just stared in amazement.

“I’m a druid, I can do things!” She said, flicking her hair out of her eyes sending Alonjudd into a ogling state.

“Come on!” I grabbed Alonjudd and Darserenity by the legs and pulled them forward. We came to the end of the tunnel, and were shocked to see no snow.

“It can’t be!” Darkserenity exclaimed, but it was. There were green growing fields for miles, and flowers growing in every direction. I sighed.

“Fupy would have loved it here.”

“Fupy is–?”

“Sherise, we’ll find her!” Alonjudd said powerfully, grasping my shoulder.

“Excuse me, but I–”

“I sure do hope so, Alonjudd.”

“WHO THE HECK IS FUPY?!” Yelled Darkserenity. Alonjudd and I looked at her in a way that told her to use her ‘indoor voice’.

“Fupy,” I began, “is the reason we met you.” I said calmly.

“Come on guys!” Alonjudd said, taking a step forward. Then we were off. The three of us, risking life and limb to save Fupy, who would some day risk everything to save us all.

“How are you today?” Said the owner of the Loch Modan Official Inn.

“Hungry.”

“Tired.”

“Turtle.”

“Turtle?” Alonjudd said, looking my way. I pointed.

“Turtle.” I repeated. I was pointing at an enormous spiked back turtle that was so close I could feel its warm breath on my face. Alonjudd slowly walked over to me, picking me up and putting me on his shoulders.

“Now will you please calm down?” Alonjudd asked, looking up at me.

“Yes.” I said, happily. I looked out the window. It was pitch black out, and a million tiny stars were twinkling in the night sky. I looked at the first one I saw and made a wish. But now I couldn’t tell you about it, could I, or it won’t come true?

“Room four and five, on your left.” Said the inn keeper.

“Thank you.” Said Alonjudd, putting ten silver, enough for all of us to spend the night, on the counter.

We barely made it up the stairs. We were so tired that we could barely talk, let alone walk. Darkserenity and I clambered into room four, while Alonjudd took room five. There, Darkserenity and I washed up, put on our night clothes, and crawled into the enormous four poster bed.

“Good night Sherise.”

“Good night DK.” DK. I liked it!

That night, I had another dream. I dreamt that Alonjudd was taken from his room, and I was left with Darkserenity, or DK. He fought off the monsters that were holding him, but he told me to run. He told DK to run too. He insisted upon it, since the beasts were multiplying. So we left the Inn.

I awoke to screaming.

“Sherise!” Darkserenity cried. “GET UP!” I sat up with a start. The Inn was filled with smoke. There were hurried foot steps outside. Big ones, of tauren.

“What’s going on?” I didn’t have to ask.

“Tauren! They’re taking over the inn!” Darkserenity quickly putt on a baggy shirt and some leggings. “Get something on, then grab your pack!” She shouted. I quickly darted over to my pack where I found a black robe. I quickly threw it on, slipping on my boots as I went. My hair which was down, I quickly tied up with some rope that was laying on the floor.

“Hurry!” DK said, grabbing her pack and throwing it over her shoulder. I did the same. Then, Darkserenity started to sing.

“DK, there’s no time for that!” But she didn’t stop. She merely put her hand up. Then through the commotion, I felt dazed. Her singing was so beautiful. I thought that the moment would never end, until she stopped, and reached out to me. I grabbed her hand with one of my arms, and Bo was tightly crammed in the other. DK kicked the window open.

“Follow me!” She said, glass shards flying everywhere. Then all of a sudden, a huge tauren burst into the room.

“RUN!” DK screamed. The tauren grumbled happily to himself in a different language, and hurried over to Darkserenity and myself. DK lifted me up and threw me out the window. This was the single most idiotic thing that anyone had ever done to me! Let’s see, get captured by tauren or break every bone in your body? I clung to Bo and my pack and prepared to the worst. Fortunately, I landed on Rashi, DK’s oversized white cat.

“GO!” I heard DK scream from above. So without warning, Rashi began to run. He ran and ran toward a tunnel that I could vaguely see in the night. I could still hear screams behind me, and began to cry. If I jumped off to get help, there’s no doubt that I would break a bone jumping off of Rashi. DK and Alonjudd past threw my mind. I hoped I’d see them again–alive! I cried and cried until we reached the tunnel, and that is where I began to drift off into a world of dreams.

“Sherise!” Alonjudd said in my dream. He embraced me. Beside him was Darkserenity, dressed in a beautiful white robe.

“Are we in Heaven?” I asked.

“No Sherise.” Darkserenity said, her long gorgeous hair tied up in a breath–taking bun. Sun light blasted at me from behind Alonjudd and Darkserenity. Where ever I was I was moving fast.

“Then where am I?” I asked Darkserenity.

“In good time.” And at that, I woke up.

The sky was crystal clear and there was a haze in the distance. The air was thick and muggy, and all around me were swamps and bogs. Rashi was still running, but at a slower pace. I could hear crows and bees, but saw no life but Rashi. The Wetlands! I thought, looking around. To my left were mountains and cliffs, to my right, the endless quagmire. As Rashi slowed, I began to see a sign post off in the distance. Rashi had just enough energy to take me to it.

“Rashi, to…THERE!” I said, pointing at the sign post. The exhausted Rashi quickened his pace to a sprint, then collapsed at the sign post.

“Good Rashi!” I said, petting him on the head. I read the sign post:

“Menethil!” I exclaimed. I knew that that was where Alonjudd and I were heading. I quickly got undressed and then put on my travelers robe which was a dark green, and brushed my hair clean. The I quickly braided it and set it into it’s normal buns, and started to walk. But suddenly Rashi perked up. I heard it too. It was singing, like DK’s! She was alive, and calling Rashi! This gave me hope. I headed opposite the rising sun while Rashi darted then opposite way, into the quagmires and into the abyss. That didn’t give me much hope at all! But still, I walked on, Bo for company. I walked and walked, still seeing no sign posts, until I thought I was completely lost, and sat down in despair. While sitting, several people passed, all of whom I asked for help from, but they were too caught up to answer. But then, a dwarf came to pass me. He said, “Is anything wrong?”

“Yes,” I said. “I think I’m lost. Could you lead me to Menethil?”

“Of course!” He said, helping me and Bo up. “I was just heading there myself!” I was overjoyed to here the word ‘yes’! I got up, brushed myself off, and began to follow the stranger.

“I’m Rammer, by the way!” He said when I caught up to his running pace.

“Sherise!” I said back. “Err– Why are we running?” Rammer stopped to catch his breath.

“Because,” he exclaimed, “There are hideous monsters in this part of the world. I don’t fancy becoming dinner for some hungry Muck–monster!” The though of being eaten made me cringe.

“No.” I huffed, catching my breath. “Shall we?” At that we began to run again, faster and faster still. I thought my legs would cave in! Fortunately, that didn’t occur.

Rammer and I ran for miles, taking short breaks in between, but only to catch our breath. Bo followed realizing that if he stopped, he would be eaten my some monster. We went on like this for many many miles, until gates came into view. Along with a giant Stinger Spider.

“Stay back!” Rammer said heroically. I did as he said. He took out his sword from his belt loop and ran at the monster.

“Run!” He called. “I’ll catch up!” I had only heard that too many times. I would not do as he said! I would fight the beast! I charged forward, wand in hand, a spell in my mind.

“Spotous!” I cried. The spider quickly ran from Rammer to attack me.

“Sherise!” Rammer cried. I cast my spell again.

“Spotous!” The spider flew back and then charged. I though I would be squashed by it’s enormous abdomen, but Rammer to the rescue! He flung himself in front of the beast and began to attack it.

“RUN!” He said again. This time, I listened. I ran as fast as my little legs could carry me. The gate that was once in the distance was now one hundred yards away, and I could feel the protection that it would bring me. I sprinted the extra one hundred yards, until I was safe inside the stronghold. I was safe!

“Why were you running so fast?” Asked a guard.

“Monster!” I managed to make out. The guard turned.

“Is there anyone else out there?” He asked. I nodded. He ran from the gates onto the path and into the abyss. I only panted and sat down on a bench. I heard a familiar meow, and turned to see Bo trotting up towards me from the outside world.

“Silly kitty.” I said, stroking Bo. All I could do was wish. Wish that none of this had ever happened! That Fupy was safe at home, like me. That I had never met Alonjudd or Darkserenity, and never had to lose them! Oh, how I cried for them, hoping that they were okay. I cried so hard that I put myself to sleep.

I awoke with a start. The sun was setting, and Bo was nudging me, as if to say “C’mon, let’s go! Our ship is waiting!”

“You’re right Bo!” I said, standing up. I picked up my pack and started to walk onto the harbor. Inside there were a few little shops, and a doc. I wanted the dock! I looked toward Bo, and he looked at me as if to say “Go ahead!” And so I took my first step toward the doc. I walked slowly over to the enormous platform, and found a guard.

“Boat to other world, sir?” I asked. He pointed to my right where a few people had gathered.

“Thank you.” I said shyly. The smell of the doc was of salt and fish. I could deal with it. In the distance, I could see a boat coming up, so I quickly scampered over to where the people were. One of them turned to me.

“First time out, kid?” He said.

“Yeah.” I said slowly. As the boat pulled up, I couldn’t help but wonder what life in the other world would have in store for me. I stepped onto the boat, feeling unsure, but soon grew accustom to the wobbling. I then ran up the stair case to the upper open area, followed closely by Bo, and climbed up onto the mast. There, I could see the whole village of Menethil Harbor! Oh, how beautiful it was with the sun light casting a shadow on it! The boat lurched forward. I stood up on the mast, my hair blowing in the wind, the salty air stinging my face. I looked into the sun light. I didn’t know how, but I knew that I’d see Alonjudd, Darkserenity, and Rammer again. I also knew that I would see Fupy. I just knew. Then wind blew and talked to me.

“Hello.” It said. “You will see your friends again, Sherise.” The harbor slowly started to fade away, off into the distance. My adventure was officially underway.

“I’m flying!” I yelled when I got into the air. It was the most dazzling sensation I have ever felt, apart from dragon fire. When we took off, Sunrise’s wings flapped once and I ebbed away from life I knew before, before all of this, before, my life as an Elf.

THE END