Peace

It is not my first deployment. Outland, Northrend, Hyjal, and many other places have been my home over recent years, and not once did I ever wish to linger in any of them. Always so anxious to return to my family, to our city, to Eversong. To my home.

But this place is different.

I am different here.

Our battalion was separated into dozens of different assignments, sent out with the native Pandarens to secure our positions, and their loyalty to us. The Pandaren have a visible joy that they take in each day. It would seem foolish, but for the fact that at the first sign of danger, the smiles and laughter disappear, and the warriors within them are ready.

They are happy. They are deadly. They do not hesitate to celebrate, or to fight. And they always follow their hearts, and their guts.

Around them, I feel as though I can be both, as well. Not just a soldier, a ranger, a warrior, or a commander. But also, Aellynne. The woman who loves flowers, music, laughter, and the sound of falling water.

I am different here.

Despite being separated from most of my battalion, Hallistus has continued to travel at my side, to fight my battles and serve out the same orders I have been given. He still persists in telling me I am beautiful, even on those days I arrive back at base camp covered in Killik ichor and blood, with twigs and dirt in my hair.

He sits with me late into the night, drinking tea at Shrine of the Two Moons. Looking at me with a kind smile and an odd sort of endless patience. I truly thought he would resent me for leading him into the slaughter at Theramore. But such feelings have not manifested in the weeks since.

He does not relish the combat we are continuing to engage in against the Alliance, but he also does not hesitate to shoot any who dare to raise a weapon to either of us, or our Pandaren allies.

I have been told that this land is saturated with negative energies, those dark shadows that seem to grow more pervasive each day we occupy it. But my own dark cloud has lifted, and left me. Perhaps to join the other shadows the Pandaren are so concerned about.

My daughter is expecting another child, and she has finally been convinced by her husband to resign as a Blood Knight. She tells me that they miss me in Silvermoon, and asks when I will be returning home. Many of the Sin'dorei are becoming increasingly concerned about the Warchief, and beginning to doubt his sanity.

I am not sure how to tell her that I am in no hurry to return. Such peace of mind I have not enjoyed in many long years, and my small bed in the inn feels more like home than Silvermoon ever has. I already can't imagine not waking up to the scent of incense and blossoms, the sight of the cloud serpents against the early morning sunrise, or the sound of Hallistus' voice as he greets me on his way out to patrol.

I am different here.

Here, I am happy.