Tael'loren didn't take her offered hand, but he did take the blindfold as he rose. He tied it meticulously as she watched on. Elariel found that, despite his apparent skill at tying the fabric around his eyes, her fingers twitched in eagerness to help him. In the short time that had passed she seemed to have developed a preliminary sense of comfort with the Night Elf. Even though he was certainly dangerous, and she did still know that he could present a threat to her, but in his presence she was able to settle into herself.<br/><br/>Now that Tae'loren was blindfolded once more, she took a selfish moment to observe him. Her eyes eagerly raked over his body, drinking in the way that his clothes were draped over his frame. She could tell, through the cloth and leather, that he was well built beneath. His bluish skin was well used on his hands, but his wrists appeared less use-worn, and she wondered if the rest of him was also so smooth. His masculine angular face was enticing, as was the way his chin was slightly raised, polishing of a countenance of pride and grace. Then, eye still covered, he shifted so that his feet were shoulder width apart and he clasped one his arms behind his back. His words seeped deep into her and she was pleased that the blind fold was on to hide the way her lips parted in surprise.<br/><br/>From his stance it was clear that he had made his decision.<br/><br/>His stance was one that warriors of old used to use; one that had long been relinquished to those who serve within her race. The Sin'dorei military now stood with arms beside them; proud and ready to serve, but no lesser than any other individual. Seeing Tae'loren standing in such a manner before her was somewhat of a surprise, and judging by the way her gut clenched she enjoyed the power.<br/><br/>"Thank you brother," Elariel returned respectfully. Taking a deep breath to steady herself she stepped beside him and grasped his bent elbow in her hand.<br/><br/>Elariel then concentrated on the meeting that was about to come. She ignored the warmth of Tae'loren's elbow against her skin and realised that it had been too long since she'd bedded a man; that was a perfect and logical explanation for her reaction to her captive. She led him out of the cottage and across the fields. The sun was down and she had to concentrate that slight bit harder to ensure that she did not lead him through a ditch. He had made her day that much easier by his subservience; she had no intention of disrespecting that.<br/><br/>When Elariel and Tae'loren arrived at the barn once more there was a fire roaring within and it was populated by five other bodies. As soon as the doors swung shut behind them the males in the room looked up. Teirn, dark of hair and bright of eyes looked up, his lips parting in shock as he skinned the beast that would become their dinner. Roe'nor and Neras looked more annoyed than anything else. Solarius, strikingly good looking with his white blond hair and violet eyes, smirked at Elariel once he had assessed her captive.<br/><br/>"So it's true!" Laughed Aidyn as he strode over to Elariel. He stood very close to Tae'loren as he inspected him thoroughly. "Roe'nor and Neras said you'd found yourself a toy but I scarce believed them."<br/><br/>Aidyn was teasing, as usual, but Elariel did not think Tae'loren would appreciate his overly familiar jesting at his cost. He was just as short as Elariel, but he had a fire in his eyes that showed that he was not to be underestimated.<br/><br/>"He is no toy, " Elariel told Aidyn calmly with a look of disapproval. She reached up and tugged at the knot on the blindfold so that it fluttered away from Tae'loren's lovely ashen blue skin. "I'm sure he will introduce himself properly in time. For now though, we need to sit and talk."<br/><br/>Aidyn winked at Elariel playfully before he slipped away. The others, with some amount of muttering, settled themselves in a ring around the fire. Teirn was the only exception, remaining in the corner to butcher the poor creature with the skill and finesse of a child wielding a blade for the first time. Elariel walked over and sat on one raw wooden bench, guiding Tael'loren over with a gentle hand in the crook of his elbow and encouraging him to sit beside her.<br/><br/>"It seems that Elariel found this one traipsing through the Black Temple. She somehow believes he could aid us," Roe'nor informed the group grimly, always the one to cut straight to the point. Elariel gave him a terse nod and resolved to take the conversation before he twisted the situation.<br/><br/>"I saw Tae'loren several days ago making his way around the Temple. I watche dhim and realised that he was the one culling Illidan's forces. He wsa the reason they had increased their guards. Today I followed him into the temple proper, getting further with him than any of us have gotten before, and managed to escort him back to our compound. He knows the temple, he knows Illidan, and he knows how to deal with his forces," Elariel spoke with all of the conviction that she felt. The others didn't seem entirely convinced by her words, but at least were willing to listen.<br/><br/>"If something does not change we will fail our-"<br/><br/>"Elariel!" Neras cut her off with a growl and a glare. She returned his stare with equal animosity.<br/><br/>"You know it's true. He and I are the only ones that  have actually been in the Temple. You should have felt it in there," Elareil looked at the group, her eyes glowing with excitement, "the power, though foul, was overbearing. It was strong, real and pungent..."<br/><br/>"And what use is this Night Elf to us?" Solarius asked, eyeing the Night Elf with contempt.<br/><br/>"I thought he would be able to aid us." Elariel responded plainly, looking at the handsome male with her chin high in the air and her gaze unaverted.<br/><br/>"We don't need help," Roe'nor spat.<br/><br/>"Hate to say it, but I think Elariel's right," Aidyn said with an apologetic nod to Roe'nor and Neras. "Night Elf, will you help us? What will you want in return?"<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>