Tae'loren was touched by the genuine concern and pure affection Elariel offered him; such behavior he'd witnessed only in his animal companions and a few select friends. He knew the looks of Roe'nor and Neras all-too-well, but did not fear them, for he believed that Aidyn and Teirn were on his side now, and he believed that if Neras did try to attack the hunter unwarranted, even Solarius would step in, simply for his audacity to bungle their efforts.<br/><br/>Tae'loren fell in behind Elariel quickly when she motioned for him to follow her away from the others, and when they were back in her room he sighed. He knew she didn't believe that the actions he was taking were the best, but she also couldn't deny their effectiveness, for they were similar to the methods he used in taming his animal companions. The hunter had no concerns with submitting his hand to the tenderness of Elariel's healing ministrations, enjoying her delicate touch. He felt the slightest tremble in her fingers, lost to any but an elf.<br/><br/>He let her speak as she worked, knowing how difficult it must be for her to watch him submit himself to the likes of her colleagues, but the both knew it was necessary if there was ever to be any headway in defeating Illidan, much less forming some beginning of unity again between their respective cultures. Watching Elariel curiously as her eyes lit with sudden thought, he watched her as she soaked his blood into another towel, uttered a quick protective incantation, then split it and gave him half. His eyes glistened with forming tears for her act of love and loyalty.<br/><br/>Drawing two badges from her pack, both of which he recognized, he waited for them to pass hands, but first a passionate kiss would pass between them, one that had the hunter's arms tightly coiling about the mage's waist, drawing her body to his. His hold was firm, possessive, and loving; she was his lover and his friend, and he wanted her to know, by this potentially last hold, exactly how much she meant to him. Once she pulled away, for he was unwilling, she pressed the badges of both the High Elves and of the Kirin Tor into his hands. Placing them quickly in a pocket on his person, he cupped her face and held her. He needed to show her just how special she was to him.<br/><br/>“Hold still, my lover,” he whispered. “I must show you something.”<br/><br/>Locking his eyes with hers, he stared deeply into them, allowing his affinity for the wild to mingle with her affinity for magic. As the intensity of that stare increased, minute green flecks would appear in those golden orbs of Tae'loren, glinting mischievously. He waited for her comprehension of what he had shown her before he broke the bond, then gently stepped back.<br/><br/>“I will explain the 'how' when I return to you, but for now, I don't think you will need to worry too much about Roe'nor's blood magic affecting me, at least not to the extent that he would desire.”<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>