Everything was settled. Mabon was glad Bjorke was so good at planning. She even had arranged a boat for them. She would meet her momma and the twins in Menethil, and they would leave from there. There was just one more stop she needed to make, one last person to say goodbye to.

As she made her way through Ironforge, she kept thinking over what was happening. It was like a nightmare come true. By the time she reached the Inn where Ander was staying, she was sobbing. She raced up to his room and pounded on the door.

“Mabon! What’s wrong?” He gently pulled her in the room and closed the door.

She took a few gulps to try to catch her breath, but was unsuccessful. She flung herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, sobbing on his chest. He held her close, stroking her hair, waiting for her to tell him.

“They.. they… “ she stammered, “They want to take my babies! They are too young to train.. and he says they have to go… and they just learned how to walk… and he says they have a destiny… and it’s just so horrible!”

Ander was hopelessly confused by the jumble of words. “Who wants to take your babies?”

Mabon looked up at him, her face wet with tears. “The Keepers of Time. They want the twins to start training with them.”

Still confused, Ander wiped a tear from her cheek. “Slow down, Mabon. Start at the beginning.”

She took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. “The twins, Arminas and Finnall, have a Destiny to fulfill. The Keepers of Time want to take them to start training for it. Kel says they have to go, that it’s what’s for the best.”

“How old are they?”

“They just started walking! They are just babies!”

“And he says they should go? They should be with their mother.”

Mabon nodded. “That’s what I told him! But he says they have to go!”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m taking them away. I won’t let my babies go. I’m leaving today.” She looked up at him. “I didn’t want to leave without seeing you.”

“I’ll come with you. I’ll do everything I can to keep you all safe.” He smiled at her.

“I can’t ask you to give up your life for us!” she protested, still in his arms.

“Haven’t you figured it out yet? I came back for you. I love you, Mabon. I always have.”

Mabon tilted her head, trying to figure him out. “You’ve never said that to me before.”

“I was young and foolish when I left. I didn’t realize how I felt until it was too late. But I’m not losing you again. When do we leave?”

“Mabon, I need to see you. Can you meet me in Stormwind?”

Normally, Mabon would be thrilled to hear from her husband, but something in his voice brought back that feeling down her spine that she’d been avoiding. She headed for Stormwind, her stomach in knots, and a feeling of dread.

Kel’s face was calm, but she could see in his eyes that she wasn’t going to like what he had to say. “Hello, love.” He kissed her on the cheek, and held out the chair for her.

“Kel, what’s wrong?” Mabon needed to know, not willing to wait for niceties.

He hesitated for just a moment. “I received a letter from the Keepers of Time. They want to get Finnall and Arminas started on their training.”

“But they are just babies! They barely know how to walk? How can they go for training?” Mabon’s voice was shrill, her anger and fury surfacing.

“This is their Destiny, May. The Keepers know what they are doing. Besides, years may pass for them, but it may be just days to us. They will be fine.” He was calm, and firm.

“How will they feel, growing up without their parents? Kel, they are too young! We can’t let them take our babies!”

“Mabon, they are coming in three days. We have no choice.”

She jumped to her feet. “We do have a choice! We are their parents!”

Sighing, Kel tried to reason with his young wife. “This is what is best for them. They must fulfill their Destiny. They need to start their training.”

“How can you sit there so calmly, willing to give away our children? They need to be with us, with me!” Tears were streaming down Mabon’s face.

His face turned firm. “They are leaving in three days, Mabon. They will start their training with the Keepers of Time.”

Mabon sank down into her chair. How could he do this? What kind of man could give away his children like this? She stared at her hands in her lap, unable to look at him. He rose, and kissed her cheek again. “It will be fine, dear. They will be back with us before you know it.” She nodded, not lifting her head. “I love you,” he said, then turned and left.

Mabon waited until she heard him leave, then wiped her face. A gleam in her eye merely hinted at the idea that had come to her. She did have a choice, and she was going to make it.

Mabon opened her mail to find a poem with a flower attached to it. She sniffed the rose deeply as she read the words. Blushing, she tucked it away in her pocket, and smelled the flower again. How sweet! She saw the clock in the square, and realized how late it was! She would have to run to get to Ironforge in time. Why hadn’t she checked her mail sooner?

Panting as she raced up the stairs, Mabon nearly tripped over Dipper, as she had called her rabbit. It had just popped into her head as she remembered the time she and Ander had gone skinny dipping. She had told Kel about it, early in their courtship, but had fudged the details a bit. She hadn’t thought her new suitor would appreciate knowing that they had been a bit older than just children at the time.

Ander was sitting on the railing of the balcony. When Mabon stumbled, he turned. “Are you alright, Mabon?”

“I’m fine, just hurrying too much. Sorry I’m late.” She smiled at him, embarrassed.

“I hadn’t noticed. I was just sitting here thinking.”

She joined him on the balcony. “Thank you for the poem, and the flower.” She looked out over the promenade of Ironforge, and her thoughts turned to Kelandros, and the love letters he used to send her. Tears filled her eyes, and she tried to blink them away, but Ander saw them anyway. She turned away as he laid a hand on her shoulder.

“Tell me what’s wrong, Mabon.” His voice was kind, and patient.

Mabon shrugged, trying to compose herself again. “I’m just… so lonely. He said once his training was finished, he would set up a leatherworking shop, and we would be together more. But… “ Her voice trailed off, as she was unwilling to speak unfavorably of her husband.

“A woman as beautiful as you should never be left alone for too long.” He lowered his voice to a whisper, “You never know what might happen.”

Mabon gasped, blushing as she stepped away from him.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” His grin belied his words. His silly, lopsided grin that always made Mabon laugh.

“I… I… don’t know what to say, Ander.” She tried not to look at him; tried not to think of how close they used to be; how hurt she was when he left, how sorry she was that she never told him how she felt because she was so young.

Gently, he reached out and turned her face to him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. If I had stuck around longer, things may have turned out differently.”

She shook her head. “You don’t know that. And besides, we were so young. I was only 15 when you left. I didn’t know what I was feeling.” She looked up at his eyes, and that glint was there. The same glint he used to get just before he pulled her hair and ran away. Instinctively, her hand went to her hair, and he laughed, as if knowing her thoughts.

“I’ve missed you, Mabon. I’ve thought about you a lot over the years.” He stepped away from her, and turned to look over the balcony. “I’m going to try to find my parents. I’m sure they think I’m dead by now.”

“Oh, Ander, that’s great. I’m sorry I didn’t keep in touch with them after they left Lakeshire. Maybe Daddy knows how to get in touch with them.” Mabon bent down and scooped up the rabbit, nuzzling her face into his fur. “The twins just love Dipper! Arminas growls as he chases him!” She laughed. “Thank you again for him.”

Ander turned and smiled. “Anything for you, Mabon.”

Mabon returned to the dress shop a few days later to pick up her dress, and found the same man just coming out of the tavern nearby. “Why, hello! Fancy meeting you here again!”

The man smiled at her. “Hello, Mabon. It’s wonderful to see you again.”

She startled at the use of her name, then looked at him again. “Ander? Is.. is that you?” His grin confirmed that he was, indeed, her childhood friend. “Ander!” Mabon threw her arms around her friend, hugging him tightly. “It’s so good to see you! I… I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you before.” Mabon bit her lip in embarrassment.

“That’s alright. I didn’t say anything, in case you didn’t remember me. It’s… been awhile.” He looked her up and down, grinning. “You’ve grown up.”

Mabon blushed deep red. “You have, too, Ander. I like the beard.”

“Are you busy? Would you like to have a drink and catch up on old times?” He looked at her expectantly, afraid she would say no.

The dress forgotten, Mabon nodded. “I’d love that.”

He picked up a box at his feet, and they headed into the tavern. They were laughing over tales of childhood exploits when Mabon noticed an odd scuffling noise from under the table. “What’s that, Ander?”

He looked a bit sheepish. “Poor thing. I’ve been lugging it around, hoping to run into you.” Mabon raised an eyebrow at him as he put the box on the table. “Open it.”

She lifted the latch and peered inside. A pair of bright eyes looked back at her. “OH! A bunny!” she exclaimed. Lifting him out of his hutch, she held him up to her face. “He’s so cute! Ander, this is for me?”

“Yeah, I … uh… yeah.” He stammered, not knowing what to say. “I was so surprised to see you, especially since… well…. “ His voice trailed off and Mabon looked at him quizzically. “I’ve missed you, Mabon. Been thinking a lot about you lately.”

She wasn’t quite sure how to respond, so she merely nuzzled the rabbit’s fur. “Oh, he’s so soft. I can’t wait to show him to Kel.”

“Who is Kel?” Ander asked, as his face fell.

“I am,” came a voice behind him.

Mabon leapt to her feet, dropping the rabbit. “Kel! I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

Kel looked from the man to his wife. “Obviously not.”

“Kel, this is Di’Ander Halloran, a friend of mine from when we were kids. Ander, this is Kel, my – “

“Her husband,” he interrupted pointedly.

Her time in Desolace passed without incident, but Mabon could not shake the feeling of impending doom. She tried to put the feeling aside, and decided to head to Ironforge. There was a new dress shop there she wanted to look at. It was tucked away in a odd section of town, but she just couldn’t find it. She looked around, puzzled, and a young man asked if she needed help.

“I was looking for a new dress shop, and I can’t seem to locate it!” Mabon grinned, realizing how frivolous her situation was.

The man smiled, and nodded. “I can show you where that is, M’lady.” He turned and led Mabon to the shop, bowing to her when they arrived.

“Thank you, sir.” Mabon smiled at him. Something seemed familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it.

She entered the shop, and soon forgot the encounter. The shop had many pretty dresses, and she found a beautiful brown one she really liked. The fit wasn’t quite right, but the shop keeper said she could alter it, and have it ready in a few days. Mabon bought the dress, and headed for home. She was eager to see her children, and her husband.

As Mabon headed for Desolace, she had mixed feelings. It was good to be back in the field again, however, this area was not her favorite. She never could understand why Bjorke liked it so much. There was good mining to be found, and work to be done, so that made it the logical choice.

With the twins settled into a routine with their nanny, Mabon was free to do as she pleased. Although she would prefer to spend time with her husband, he had been very busy lately, and was unable to accompany her.

Mabon kept busy, mining ores, helping to find lost items for a dwarf in the Explorer’s League, but felt ill at ease. Was it just the gloomy place? Was it her own loneliness? Momma had always told her to listen to those uneasy feelings, but Mabon pushed them aside and went about her work.

“Come on, Mouse. Let’s go exploring.”

“Good morning, love.” Kel smiled at the peaceful figure in his bed, her hair wildly spread on the pillow, her soft skin shimmering in the morning light.

Mabon woke to find her husband bearing a tray of breakfast. He readied the table for them, as Mabon slipped a gown on. Ravenous, she quickly sat down, filling her plate with fruit.

“Hungry?” Kel chuckled at her. Her appetite never ceased to amaze him, yet her figure was as slim as ever.

She grinned at him, blushing slightly. “Well, I had a busy night.” Kelandros was very patient and loving, and their time together bonded them more closely as husband and wife. It was a journey of discovery, and May could not wait for the next adventure.

After breakfast, they kissed their children goodbye, leaving them in the expert care of surrogate “aunts” in Moonglade. Kel led them to the lake, up to his favorite spot for diving in. Mabon slipped off the robe she wore over her swim suit, and yelled “Last one in is a rotten egg!” and raced for the edge. Kel was just a second behind her as they hit the water. He grabbed her waist as she headed for the surface, and they came up together.

“A rotten egg?” Kel’s face held confusion at her expression.

Mabon giggled. “It’s something Momma used to say when we raced.” Mabon loved to swim, and it seemed like ages since they had been in the water together. They swam, and played, then headed for the waterfall, for the secluded spot behind it. Kel wrapped his arms around May, pulling her close to keep her warm. She rested her head on his strong chest, and listened to his heart beating. Time stood still there in the dark recess.

After awhile, Mabon’s stomach rumbled, and Kel laughed. “Good thing I brought along a lunch for us, love.” She blushed as he led her up the bank to the picnic spot he had picked out.

The sunlight filtered softly through the dense trees, and glinted like gold on Mabon’s damp hair. Kel watched her as she laid out food for them both, arranging everything just so. She looked up at him and smiled, the patted the blanket next to her. Picking up a ripe berry, she held it to his lips. As he opened his mouth for the succulent fruit, May caught a glimpse of his fangs, and a shiver ran down her back.

After lunch, Mabon had an idea for a game for them to play. She knew how much her husband loved to hunt, and how much she loved to hide, so she proposed a game of Hide and Seek. “If I win and you can’t find me, then you buy me a new dress… any dress I want!” Mabon was thinking of the very expensive dress that Kel had grumbled about when she suggested she might buy it.

“And if I win?” A broad smirk spread across his face, and his eyes gleamed with mischief.

Mabon shrugged. “What would you like, my Husband?”

His voice low and husky, he said simply, “You.”

She grinned. “You wait here, and count to 30.” Once his eyes were closed, Mabon sprinted off, planning to win this merry game.

Mabon waited for Kel in the town square as he asked. She saw him coming out of the auction house, and her heart fluttered. He was so handsome and she noticed several women turn to look at him, but he only had eyes for her. As he approached her, a grin on his face, Mabon noticed he had his hand behind his back.

Smiling, Mabon said, “Hello, Husband.” It was her favorite term of endearment for Kelandros; she was still as thrilled to be married as when he first asked her.

Kel drew his hand from behind his back, and gave the wrapped box to Mabon. Her face lit up, and he grinned wider. He loved giving her presents, just to see the look on her face.

She took the box, and shook it, listening to the rustling sound it made. “Shall I open it now, or later?” Before he could answer, she tucked the box in her bag. “Later.” Kel chuckled at her. She certainly knew how to make the most of a simple gift.

“I have the outfit you bought me in my bag,” she blushed. Her guildmates teased her about how much clothing she had, but in truth, Kel had given her many of the outfits. He nodded, his mouth suddenly dry, and motioned for her to follow him. He led her up to a quiet spot, overlooking a waterfall.

Mabon slipped on the outfit: a short leather top, and very short pants, barely more than a loincloth. “I can’t believe this is armor! I could never wear this out and about!”

Grinning, Kel said, “You could if you were less modest, love. But then, there would be too many men that I’d have to kill. So perhaps it’s just as well you don’t.”

Her blush colored not just her face, but spread down her chest as well, much to Kel’s delight. “No, Husband. This is for you alone.”

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her gently. “And I am a very lucky man, indeed. Now, open your other present. I want to see that one on you, too.”

Mabon dug through her bag, and pulled out the box, shaking it again. She ripped off the paper, and pulled the box open. “Oh, Kel! It’s beautiful!” She held the shimmering white dress up to herself.

Kel smiled at her, happy she liked her present. It was getting harder and harder to find a dress she didn’t already own. “Put it on, love.” He stood, and turned around, knowing how shy she was, even with him.

Mabon slipped off the leather armor, and pulled the silky dress over her head. It fell in soft folds around her feet, hugging her body perfectly, as if custom made. “Ok, darling, you can look now.”

Turning to face her, Kel looked at his beautiful wife. She could wear a sack and still look good, or as he often told her, wear nothing at all. In two steps, she was in his arms again.

“Thank you, Kel. It’s so lovely… and so soft!”

“Only the finest for you.” He ran his hands over the fabric. “Yes, it is soft. You know, this would look even better up in Moonglade. It’s been awhile since I’ve been up there.”

“Oh, Kel! Yes, there would be plenty of people around to look after the children, and you and I could spend some time together!” It had been a long time since they had been alone for more than just an hour or two.

“I’ll make the arrangements, then, love.”

“Feel like an adventure, love?” Kel put his arms around her, hugging her from behind. His voice was deep and husky, and Mabon wondered just what kind of adventure he had in mind.

“With you, husband? I’d love to!”

“I have some business with some elves holed up inside a place called Dire Maul. It is quite dangerous to get to them.”

Mabon grinned. “I’ll keep you safe, my darling. Don’t worry!” She turned in his arms and kissed him, then pulled away to ready her gear.

As they headed up to the main building in Feralas, they saw a pair of ogres, huge and smelly, guarding the entrance. Kel shifted into his feral cat form, and signaled Mabon to see if she could stun one of the ogres, so they could attack the other. Mabon knew he was quite capable of taking on these two by himself, but she did need the practice. She slipped into shadow, and crept up behind one, hitting him hard on the back of the head, dazing him. Kel attacked the other, and Mabon slipped behind that one to get him, too. That job done, they rounded on the other, dispatching him quickly as well.

Together they made their way towards the inner sanctum, where the elves were. Several times, Kel attacked, and Mabon just stood and watched, forgetting to jump in. He was truly magnificent to see in action. She loved watching him – the way his muscles rippled under his sleek, black fur, the slashing of his claws, his snarls and growls. It was fascinating to her, how different he was from humans, being able to change form.

There were times when his voice reminded her of his fighting forms: the way he spoke when he was angry, or when just woken up, or when he was deep in the throes of passion. Mabon giggled at the thought, and realized she needed to catch up to him.

Kel bought the items he needed, and showed Mabon around the library. The musty smell kept making her sneeze, and the books were all in Darnassian, and she quickly became bored. He chuckled at her, and asked what she would rather do instead. Mabon’s eyes twinkled as she told him she had a new outfit. His voice took on that husky tone that reminded her of his feral side as he suggested she change here in the library.

“These librarians are quite busy with their books. They will pay no attention to us.”

Mabon looked around, blushing furiously, but nodded. She slipped behind a bookcase to change, then showed Kel her new outfit. It was more like a swimsuit than armor, but Aska had said that many priests and mages did in fact wear this mageweave set in the field.

The look on Kel’s face told her that he liked her outfit very much. With the quickness of his cat form, he took her in his arms, and kissed her deeply. A noise came from deep in his throat, and Mabon felt a thrill down her spine. She couldn’t help but feel the grand adventure was about to begin.

Tel’Anar Mi’Stradel had organized the event, and all the models were gathering outside the Temple of Elune. She went over the categories to determine which models would be in each. The Battle Gear category seemed rather popular, however, Mabon did not yet have a matching set of armor. She did have the Stormshroud chest piece and pants that Kel had made her, and although she loved the way it looked, she did not have the full matching set.

Mabon asked sheepishly if they were allowed to model more than one outfit per category. Tel’Anar tried to hide a smile, and answered that if time permitted, then yes. Mabon looked around to find all eyes on her.

“Just how many bags of clothes do you have, Mabon?” asked Lady Fallon.

“Um, just five, oh, and um… Momma holds onto a few things for me, too. But don’t tell my husband! I told Kel it was just three bags.” Mabon blushed and grinned.

“What was that, my love?” Kelandros strode up to the staging area, smiling at his wife.

“Nothing, dear. Just talking about dresses.”

“Of course! I should have known.” He chuckled.

Mabon hugged her husband, then pulled him over to a secluded area. “Kel, I brought my swim suit to wear for the show, but I wasn’t sure if you thought that was ok.”

A look flashed over Kel’s face as he thought of her in the swim suit. “As long as I am the one you go home with, my love, I have no objection.”

Mabon giggled and hugged him. “Of course, husband. Now, turn around and block the view as I change.”

Just then one of the other models appeared, a male dwarf. “This area is occupied.” Kel nearly growled at the man, who quickly trotted off.

Slipping on her first outfit, Mabon said, “Thank you, darling. I knew I could count on you.”

Finally, it was time for the show to start. Kel had chosen a seat near the stage, in front. The judges were lined up on the other side of the walkway. Tel’Anar announced each model in turn, and they walked down the walkway, turned and walked back to the stage. Lady Fallon said she was very nervous, but Mabon thought she was so beautiful that everything she wore looked amazing. Her natural grace showed as she glided down the walkway.

When it was Mabon’s turn, Kel caught her eye and winked, and Mabon’s smile lit up her face. She did love wearing pretty clothes, but Kel was definitely her favorite audience. She didn’t even hear the applause or cheers of the crowd, thinking only of her handsome husband.