(2024-10-12) Dedicated to the Goddess

Details

Author:	Disknight
Summary:	Dane accompanies Velrin to the Temple of Elune to bear witness to her induction into the Watchers.
Rating:	T for Teen

Dane stood on the edge of a ceremonial chamber located deep underneath the Temple of Elune in Darnassus. He was led down by a group of other night elves including a pair of priestesses, two watchers, a warden, and of course Velrin herself. The path down was reminiscent of the druid barrows he had been in before. The way was covered with roots and the dim light strained his human eyes. It was clear that this place was not intended to host any non-elven visitors, and the elves he followed didn’t appear to have any intention of slowing their descent to help accommodate him. His heavy ceremonial greaves rapidly collected mud from the descent into barrow, an acceptable consequence, but he maneuvered himself with enough grace to avoid dirtying any other pieces of his armor. Venturing into night elven lands was always something of a culture shock. Himself, and his own people, maintained a respect for nature, but only so long as it could be bent to their will, and BE utilized. The night elves moved with the natural order, and made room for it.

The chamber itself at least was a little better. The moonwell at the center of the small round room filled the space with a faint white-blue glow that illuminated an altar at the far end of the room that the warden stood in front of. She was flanked by a pair of other watchers, one man and one woman. The two priestesses positioned themselves on either side of the moonwell and Dane stood to the side just to the right of the entrance, umbra crescent in hand. He couldn’t help but jostle the weapon ever so slightly, testing its weight and balance as he waited in the most subtle of movements.

Velrin was dressed in a mooncloth gown and stood at the front of the well. The warden spoke a word firmly in Darnassian and the priestesses immediately knelt down and began to chant prayers over the water of the well in a haunting harmony. Immediately after, Velrin folded her hands reverently in front of her chest, stepped forward, and waded into the enchanted pool. The water grew deeper and deeper as she made her way down into the center of the moonwell until she was submerged up to her waist. The chanting of the priestesses continued until suddenly Velrin joined in with a slow, soaring melody that rang out overtop of them. He couldn’t understand the words, but something about the tone of the music conveyed a sense of mystery but also urgency. He knit his brow and stayed silent, observing.

However, Velrin’s song cut out almost out of nowhere. The room felt strangely quiet now even though the priestesses continued to chat with one another. Now the warden called to Velrin once more. The warden spoke several lines to which Velrin responded “shai” in affirmation. The warden nodded and the priestesses ceased their chanting to join Velrin in the moonwell. Each one held Velrin gently by her side and submerged her into the luminescent waters with coordination speaking to centuries of practice. The surface of the water was barely disturbed and the only sound it made was the faint trickle of the water flowing off of Velrin’s hair and body as she was brought back up to the surface. The priestesses then each took one of Velrin’s hands into their own and guided her up and out of the moonwell to stand before the warden. Velrin reached up to her neck to undo the clasp of the gown, let the soaked garment fall to her feet, and then stepped out from it. The priestesses quickly moved in with soft, white towels to dry her. Atley averted his gaze until Velrin had been made decent again by the priestesses. After the priestesses were finished, the watchers stepped forward and adorned Velrin in her green chimera skin armor, now more richly decorated with owl emblems.

“It is unheard of for an outsider to bear witness to one of the rituals of the Watchers.” Warden Oceansong now speaks in common but keeps her focus on Velrin for now, “However, hearing from our sister here how much our new allies from across the sea have done to guide and inspire her, I have deemed it fitting to allow this exceptional mortal into our midst.”

Atley respectfully inclines his head. “I come to represent Stormwind’s support, and my own support of Velrin as a friend and ally.”

“Come.” Warden Oceansong beckons Dane to her side.

Atley nods and grunts, looking quite out of place in his gold and blue regalia as he marches up to Warden Oceansong. “I present an umbra crescent for the Watchers’ newest member. It is of mithril, interwoven with thorium” He raises the circular, razor sharp instrument and taps at engravings he’d made along the blade on both sides, like mirror images.

At what would be 12 o’clock on a timepiece is the carving of what looks to be a volcanic peak. “For Shadowmoon Valley, one of our earliest and most triumphant missions together, facing the ancient foe Illidan and his armies.” He lowers his finger to 4 o’clock, where a small cluster of sharper, more steep peaks remained. “For the Storm Peaks of Northrend, and her challenging the mighty foes of Ulduar.”

Lastly, he dragged his armored finger to what would be 8 o’clock, turning the blade left and right to display the matching emblems on each side of the weapon. Here, Nordrassil was unmistakably etched into the blade. “The world tree, Nordrassil, to commend Velrin’s efforts reawakening and reuniting the Ancients. I present this weapon to her,” Atley solemnly holds the umbra crescent out. “It has yet to be named,” he growls fondly, but respectfully. “I leave it to you, Watcher.”

Warden Oceansong bowed slightly as if in reverence for the weapon itself while she took it from him with both hands. Her lips curled up into a slight smile. “You have performed many feats together it seems.” Warden Oceansong spoke, “For a human to have served even a few short years alongside another must mean much to you.”

“To me as well.” Velrin spoke up herself before quickly bowing her head, “Ma’am…”

Atley grunted and inclined his head.

“I name this weapon Rul’Serrar, the bond blade.” Warden Oceansong held the umbra crescent out to Velrin. Her hands delicately cradled it, holding it from the inside of the ring, “Take it as your badge of office, and let it serve as a reminder to your responsibility to protect not only the forest, but all of Azeroth.”

Velrin took the blade in her hand and held it in front of her. With the weapon of a Watcher in hand she struck quite the imposing figure. Atley faintly widened his glowing blue eyes under his golden helmet, but otherwise kept quiet.

Warden Oceansong held out a hand “May it be blessed with the eye of Elune, that your quarry may never escape from your hunt.” Her hand glowed silvery white as she waved it in front of the weapon. The edges of the blade and the engravings along its face shimmered as the light enveloped them and slowly faded away. “Now go, watcher, and continue our eternal vigil.”

“By the strength of Elune.” Velrin said firmly.

With that, the ceremony was concluded. All the participants came to Velrin to quickly bow and offer their congratulations before they took their leave. Before long it was just Vel and Dane left in the ceremony chamber, “Thank you for doing this for me.” Velrin said, getting a little misty eyed.

Atley grunted and looked around. “The honor was mine to behold all of this.” He looked back to Velrin, and firmly clasped her on her new shoulder pauldron, giving her a brief shake. “You’ll wield this weapon well. May Stormwind and Darnassus enjoy a camaraderie such as ours for years to come.”

Velrin nodded and smiled wide. She looked at Dane like she wanted to give him a big hug, but she’s holding back.

Atley could sense it and scoffed faintly with amusement, taking his hand off of her. “Let’s be off then, mm?” he growled, glancing around at the cave, eyes lingering on the moonwell in stoic thought.

“Yes, I’ll take you to one of my favorite shops to celebrate.” Velrin said cheerfully, “I hope you like spider.”

Atley grunted.