Iylldrraen took comfort in the silence of the morning, of his lover and her endearing consideration of him, displaying her affection with the simple actions such as bringing him coffee. He didn't drink it, too intent on the approach of their purpose, but he did smile, tilting his head, cupping her chin and kissing her. That same arm draped over her shoulders, agile fingers sifting through her hair and tickled a few of her tendrils. His lips found her ear, whispering to her as his forehead rubbed against her temple.<br/><br/>“I love you, Aelena. I'm glad you're here with me.”<br/><br/>His face lingered close to hers, gently sniffing at her skin, rubbing his nose gently against her cheek; she had found the bath he made for her. He skin was still warm and smelled like the forests around Darnassus. In spite of the dire circumstances of their situation, he smiled because of Aelena. He wasn't the only one, and it honestly didn't bother him. He knew how the men aboard the ship must look at her, but he realized it was a respectful look of desire and appreciation rather than base lust. His golden eyes returned to the approaching shore, much closer now.<br/><br/>Gently taking Aelena's arm and placing it in his, he guided her from the rail and back to their quarters. Once inside he removed himself and moved to their nightstand and, lifting it, removed several pages of parchment. Sitting on their bed, he beckoned Aelena to him. Once she was beside him again, he began to show her the pages, his thoughts on their objective.<br/><br/>“I've been thinking about the worgen we will face, and more importantly, if they indeed pose a threat to the people of Hillsbrad. I have been thinking back to the first worgen, of the Druids of the Scythe, and of Goldrinn, the Ancient. If they are influenced by mere human magic, we should be able to convince them to either coexist with the people of Hillsbrad or relocate. If they know about the Druids of the Scythe and Goldrinn, however, they may believe it is their purpose and right to rule the people, and even transform them because they believe they are superior.” Pausing, he reached into his pack, pulled a hidden flap that he knew Aelena would know about, and pulled out a small steel case in the shape of a vial. “In this case is a vial of my frozen blood. I know you are familiar with my order of druids and how they resolve conflicts of interest, but the Druids of the Scythe are different; they are primal, and if these worgen follow them, they will require a physical challenge to be issued, almost like a wolf pack, to take leadership, and I could be bitten.” Iylldrraen paused again, seeing the growing concern on Aelena's face.<br/><br/>Setting the case down he pulled her close and held her. He didn't want to continue, because he knew that she knew what he was going to say. He had to explain everything to her, just in case something bad did happen. “You know there has been no experimentation with druids and worgen, at least none that druids know of, and the only result of one biting the other has been the individual reverting to a primal, rabid state before death. In this case are instructions, purly experimental, that may reverse the process if I am affected. They will not attack you because you are a shaman, and your shamanism binds you to this world and the spirit world; not only would it be pointless, but all true druids view it as a crime against nature to slay one such as you.” He knew this was much to suddenly expose Aelena to, but he could see that she, even he, was not the impetuous or obstinate youth they once were and could bear such instruction.<br/><br/>Pausing once more, he cupped her face and kissed her long and deep, savoring the feel of her lips, breaking the kiss just as quickly before hugging her. “I love you Aelena, now, just as I did when we first me, and just as I always will, regardless of my state.”<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>