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 Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 12:10 pm
Sighing softly, he leaned his weight against the cave opening and looked up to the sky. It hadn't been long after she'd left that he'd gone to visit Cortana and his daughter, feeling it would be good for Coridan to spend time with them. On the way back, father and son had seen Shoshana's family and shared in the blessing that his old friend was a grandmother now. It made him miss the little winged mare more, though, and he'd taken his leave, letting Coridan stay with them awhile longer to play with the new foals.
Now Illidan was alone with his thoughts and all of them kept turning back to Doan. Where was she? Was she alright? Had she found her daughter and no longer needed him? The stallion frowned slightly at the last thought. He didn't want to not be needed by Doan. He wanted very much for her to need him as much as he had discovered he needed her. It had been a long time since he'd found feelings for anyone, true feelings. He didn't want to be left alone again.
Where was she?
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 5:51 am
It had been hard. Leaving had been hard and no matter how many days she tried to forget, the thoughts came rushing back in one large swell that only served to crush her spirit more. The week she left she had spent every day mourning the death of her old friend, Anais. Once that week was up, each day came with a new realization. The fears that had plagued her, the worries about losing everyone she cared about, had only been a desperate manifestation of her grief. Now that she had said a proper goodbye to the mare who had made such an impact on her life, she began to understand just how foolish she had been.
And yet, she couldn't bring herself to return to Illidan's side. The experience had left her feeling like nothing more than a child, despite her age, and like a child she was nervous. She had spent countless days that turned into months wandering aimlessly, no longer looking for her daughter and no longer imagining that she could possibly be worthy of seeking new friendship. It was only now, months later, as she stood in the apple grove where Illidan had taken her to eat that very first day before they set off on their journey that she understood. She needed him. And now, well… she was back.
She was not alone, however. On a night less than a month after she left, she had made a stupid mistake. She had spent the night with a stallion she hardly knew. A few weeks later she began to recognize the fatigue of new motherhood and soon after that her belly began to show. By now Doan was very heavy with foal, nearly ready to give birth. And she was scared. Not of being a mother, no, she knew the joys that could come of that, even if they proved as fleeting as her first. She was scared Illidan would be upset with her.
Still… she couldn't keep her legs, as weary as they were, from moving again, up away from the grove and toward where she knew the cave would be. There was no turning back now. She had to see him, she had to apologize, and if it came down to it, she had to be ready to prove all of her feelings for him. If she told him she loved him, would he accept it?
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Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 8:28 pm
The stallion squinted in the distance, watching the shape approaching. A very familiar shape at that. His heart beat a little faster as he watched the mare approaching. She'd come back. To him.
As she got closer, Illidan noticed something was different about her. Had she gained weight? Walking down the path from his cave, he went to meet her, no longer able to wait for her to come to him.
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Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 1:31 pm
It had been hard to keep her head up. For multiple reasons. But as she neared the cave, knowing from the ground that she was getting closer and closer, she had to look up. She had to see if the stallion she was seeking was there. So much of her wish that he would be standing at the top waiting for her.
When she finally lifted her gaze from the dirt, her heart skipped a beat. It was more than she had hoped, he was coming down towards her. An expression of relief washed over her and she willed her legs faster. That is, until she was hit with a previous realization and her lips tilted downwards again. She still had to tell him what happened. She was still worried.
"Illidan..." she called in a soft voice, eyes narrowing gently.
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 8:23 pm
"I'm glad you have returned," Illidan said, stopping as the mare reached him. "It has been too long." He looked her over, taking in her condition. "I see that you have much to tell me." Moving to stand beside her, he laid a wing across her back gently, walking with her. "I have some news for you, too."
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 8:40 pm
An obvious look of surprise settled on her face as he spoke, but she simply tucked her wings down and let herself relax for a moment. There was a sense of comfort in the normalcy. It was enough to make her think that things could go back to the way they had been and she shouldn't have worried. It was enough that under the protection of his wing, she smiled and closed her eyes, sucking in a deep, soothing breath.
"Yes..." she finally muttered, eyes still closed for a few different reasons. "I'm... not sure where to start." Again she seemed uneasy, shuffling a bit as they walked back towards the mouth of the cave. It seemed awkward now to just blurt all her feelings out as she had been hastily planning. She fell silent again, a look of uncertainty in her eyes when they opened.
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 8:51 pm
Illidan walked alongside the mare quietly, but as they approached his cave, he cleared his throat. "Coridan has moved away to a swamp. Something about finding the mare of his dreams. It's just you and I now." He looked down at her. "Until you have the foals." Ah, yes. He'd noticed now that they were side-by-side. He found himself not exactly caring who the father was, only that she was home... and apparently had brought him a family. He couldn't be upset, after all. It wasn't as if he didn't have children with another mare.
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:04 pm
"I see." While her thoughts were mainly occupied with the stallion at her side, she had to admit that she had mixed feelings about hearing of Coridan's departure. She had hoped to see him, too. In their time together, he had become so much like a son. But she felt a flutter in her chest at the news of this 'mare of his dreams.' If he could be happy with a lover, she was glad for him. Lowering her head slightly, she tried to smile. "I hope he's well."
When Illidan mentioned the coming of foals, the smile she had been attempting to summon died immediately. "The foals..." she repeated, testing the word. Well, it was now or never. "I'm sorry," she muttered, not knowing his feelings on the subject. "I didn't mean for this to happen, but-" She stopped walking and looked up at him. "For the lives of my children, I don't regret it." The look in her eyes asked him to understand. She still hadn't spilled her true feelings for him yet, but first she had to be sure he would accept her unborn foals.
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:18 pm
"Things happen, love," Illidan chuckled. "I can't fault you for bringing children to me when I've had children with another as well." He nuzzled her neck. "You're home and you're safe. How could I be upset? I see these new ones as a gift." He shrugged a bit. "I've gone from having nothing to suddenly finding myself with a large family--" He grinned at her. "--and a lovely mate." Or at least he hoped he had her.
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:35 pm
Was it really so simple? For a moment her expression was full of surprise. When he nuzzled her she could barely move, only vaguely return the sentiment. It wasn't until he called her his mate that she was finally able to will back a smile to her face, a gentle, but obviously grateful one. Not only had he accepted her children, but also... It was more than she could have hoped for. In the end, he felt the same way for her as she did for him, after all.
"Right." The word was strained, but with a happiness that almost sounded as if she would cry. "A family." Doan laid her face against him. It had been a long time since she could remember feeling so glad. "I love you, Illidan," she admitted. And though her hair had fallen in her face, the tone of her voice betrayed the smile she wore.
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:51 pm
Illidan's eyebrows went up at her statement, then his expression softened. "I love you, too, Doan. You had a long journey in arriving here. Are you hungry?" He lead her a ways off the path to where there was some grass and a lone pear tree.
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 10:00 pm
A renewed breath left her as she pulled back again. "I'm glad." Hearing him say it made it all the more real. She had finally found the place where she belonged. Moving along with him to this new destination, she nodded, looking a bit sheepish. "It has been a while since I ate." In her excitement and nervousness, she had ignored the grumbling of her stomach as it demanded sustenance for multiple lives now. Looking up at the pears, she canted her head. She had put on too much weight and could no longer flutter up to reach like she could all those months ago.
"I have a feeling about this one," she continued, looking back at him to see if he would get a fruit for her. "My last pregnancy..." she hesitated, but only for a moment. "During my last pregnancy I didn't gain as much. I think there are a few in there this time."
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 10:10 pm
"All the more to love," the stallion chuckled, giving his mate room to eat. "However many there are, I'll love them all as I love you. They're my family, too, now." He tucked his wings close. "No matter what happens, I'm here. Always will be. Sorry, Doan, but you're stuck with me now." He grinned at her.
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 10:21 pm
Between bites she couldn't help but laugh gently, herself. This was the first time in a long time that she felt comfortable with the idea of having a family. It was such a warm feeling. "I know," she assured. "Just as you and Coridan are mine. And... Hong Yen Ha and Illitana, too. Though I've not met your daughter and you've not met mine..." There was and probably always would be a sadness when she spoke of her missing child, but the happiness she felt now was enough to rid her of too much gloom. She didn't want him to worry.
Glancing up at him again, she smiled. Stuck? Well, she supposed that was doable. "I guess that's not such a bad thing." She laughed again.
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 10:31 pm
"I hope not, since always is a long time," Illidan laughed, coming closer. "I'm glad you're home, though. It was too quiet here alone. With Coridan gone, I've had a lot of time to think." He sighed softly. "I wish I'd gone with you, or been better at convincing you to stay. I can't say I'm unhappy with the impending children you've brought back with you, though. I just missed you being close by."
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