Tae'loren paused for several moments before entering the full chambers of Ae'oleth; each visit was bittersweet, for Ae'oleth had been part of Tae'loren's hunting party so many centuries ago. When Illidan had become the abomination that he now was, Ae'oleth had been given his own field command, and the two had celebrated through the night. However, the following week the two saw little to nothing of each other save for reading the others' reports. Then Ae'oleth and his patrol went missing, and finally, after centuries of demonic enslavement and entrapment, Tae'loren had his kin back. He suppressed his tears and strode into Ae'oleth's quarters.<br/><br/>The elf was still a remarkable being, slender, moving with elven deftness. He was performing one of many elven stretching techniques, one in particular that Tae'loren had always struggled with; even in his recuperative state, he was still a match for the best of the night elf hunters. “You know, sometimes I think you let yourself be captured just to show off that you were still one of the best, brother.” Ae'oleth continued to complete his stretch, having been aware of his brother's entry before he closed the door. Finally the ex-demon hunter turned, silently striding to Tae'loren, standing only a foot away. He then tilted his head, to which Tae'loren tilted his as they pressed their heads together. Their arms then rose, clasping hands as their eyes met.<br/><br/>That face. Tae'loren barely restrained his tears as he looked into those nearly colorless eyes. It was Ae'oleth's face that was scarred most from the fel demon magic; his eyes still tainted with an eerie green hue, his skin still a bit tight around his bones like a shrunken mask, and his ears, once high and proud were slightly slumped as though weighed down. He was on the mend, though, for that smile that spread across his lips as Tae'loren arrived could not be missed. It vanished, though, when he listened to the hesitation in Tae'loren's voice. “You do not come with good tiddings.” “No. I need your help, in Black Temple.” Ae'oleth reeled as though struck, and a wild, rabid look swept his face. Though he was still partially blind, he other senses were far more keen than any other being. “You, you would subject me to that vile place again?!” he rasped, for his voice still had not recovered. Before Tae'loren could reply, Ae'oleth tilted his head and snorted. “You stink of fel magic, and of blood elves!” Once more, before Tae'loren could offer any reply Ae'oleth was upon him, spinning and swinging, forcing Tae'loren to back away step by step until he felt the wall.<br/><br/>The hunter's instinct forced his body into action, and as Ae'oleth attempted another strike he felt the harsh impact of Tae'loren's hand across his face. Ae'oleth stopped a moment, shaking his head. “Is that what you think, Ae'oleth?” Crouching down he clutched Ae'oleth's shoulders, appearing to struggle with him, while he deftly pressed his lips to his ears. “do you think I'm here by choice?” Ae'oleth stopped, motionless, sudden concern in his eyes. Lips began to move, yet this was imperceivable to any not trained in the hunter's art of communication, and would appear as though the two were simply panting from exhaustion. “They are holding you captive, brother? Where, and I will vanish from this place and return with their hearts!” Ae'oleth was trembling with rage, but Tae'loren's hand steadied him. “I am, but willingly. They are not all bad, and they may know how to defeat Illidan and his fel magic. We need to get to him, though. I have not been to Illidan's chambers, but you have.”<br/><br/>Ae'loeth paused to consider what his kin asked of him, then noticed a charm of the Kirin Tor tucked into Tae'loren's tunic. The hunter noticed and subtly nodded. Ae'oleth sniffed softly, raising an eyebrow slightly. “You have claimed the heart of one?” he mouthed. Tae'loren nodded again. Ae'oleth rose suddenly, retrieving his armor and weapons. “I will aid you,” he spoke aloud. “so long as you walk by my side.” The two embraced tightly before leaving the quarters and out of the stronghold.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>