Outside a building in western Suramar several Illidari stood, keeping watch, ensuring none of the demonic outpouring in the region reached this seemingly safe enclosure.

The simple dwelling was similar to that which had once been home to the Stormrage brothers. This one thankfully, had survived the Legion's attacks and offered clean though simple shelter. Millennia before, Suramar had been truly beautiful. It's High Elven origins were bathed in tranquil blues, purples and jade. The city had contained exquisite architecture, peaceful canals, singing fountains and beautiful plazas.

In truth, and quite surprisingly, the vast majority of it had preserved the elegance of the Quel'dorei, High Elves - descendants of Night Elves. It still possessed a mystical serenity, and the memory of an ancient, yet noble race.

The only blots on the landscape were the huge fel vortex that drilled down into the palace, the long lost seat of Queen Azshara and the ruined Temple of Elune, which housed the Tomb of Sargeras.

Kayn stood silently as his Lord and Master carefully lay the body of Sarah Metcalfe down on a cot. Illidan stood quietly, studying the mortal. Here was a young woman, seemingly from another world, who had been willing to die for Azeroth. She was ultimately responsible for his resurrection from the Twisting Nether. Although he and his Illidari had sacrificed everything in their crusade to bring an end to the Burning Legion, he now felt oddly humbled by this out-worldly human. By what he'd drawn from her memories, she had succeeded in uniting many different factions, clans and races to fight together in that said same cause.

The naaru had deemed that one who was untainted by magic would serve well as the life force needed to bind Illidan's spirit with his body. The woman had offered herself, knowing that she would perish in the act.

He could have left her there, in the Twisting Nether - condemned her to roam in limbo forever more. She was nothing to him after all, other than a means to an end. But, as he'd listened to her desperate plea, heard her unshakeable faith in him and witnessed her utter disregard for her own mortality, he had made a choice.

As his spirit had hurtled down towards the altar with the woman's astral projection clasped to him, he had fused their spirits together. In doing so he had witnessed her memories, her thoughts, and saw the actions and decisions she had carried out, which had resulted in her being in his arms at that precise moment.

He had smiled at her indignation of the name "Betrayer" being used and how she had chastised those who had uttered it. Even his brother Malfurion, and Tyrande had been at the end of her reprimanding tongue. Ah, Tyrande. His ghostly heart had skipped a beat as memories of days long gone were stirred. But then they were quickly laid to rest.

He saw how she'd willingly trusted Arcaena after the failed attempt at rescuing him from the orc warlock. The Illidari had used her as "currency". The mortal had went out of her way to ensure others forgave and accepted the demon hunter. She and Arcaena seemed to have become good friends as a result.

He also felt the intensity which she felt for a man with silver hair. This man had fought beside her to help her reach the goal of bringing Illidan himself back to Azeroth. And, he saw something else, something even she seemed blissfully unaware of. He learned trivial things also such as her favourite food, colour, flower, even her name. All this was distilled in a matter of seconds before he was "reborn". The damage to her physical body however was unavoidable as he'd smashed his way out of the felblood prison.

He continued gazing at her small, ravaged form. Her face had escaped serious injury, only a few scratches, light cuts mainly to her forehead. He knelt beside her and carefully brushed aside some of the fabric of her tunic. It had been rent by the shards from the felblood crystal and much of it was held together by mere scraps of fabric. Likewise, her skin had been sliced and torn in several places. Some wounds were very deep; he could see some of her inner organs glistening, and blood still trickled, leaving thin tracks over her chest and abdomen. Other injuries were superficial and could have been healed to a degree that she would have had near invisible scars. He draped a sheet up and over her exposed flesh.

In the end, bonding with her spirit was what had kept her alive; albeit barely. But with it, came another cost for the mortal.

He grunted. "You said there were others, connected with her?" he spoke softly over his shoulder to Kayn.

"Yes, my Lord. A dwarf, Erik Longmaster, a man named Drew also from her world, a paladin, Vindicator Ocel, who -," Kayn stumbled a little over his next words. "Regrettably, he fell in battle at Mardum."

Illidan nodded solemnly. "And what of the man with silver hair, the one who approached the altar?"

"That is Archmage Khadgar."

Again Illidan indicated his understanding with a nod. "This ... Khadgar -" The leader of the Illidari repeated the name slowly. "He was her mate?"

"Yes, my Lord."

Illidan turned and moved over to the small window. It's light drapes fluttered in the soft night breeze. He looked out along the paved street, bathed in moonlight. Memories of home, times of innocence and laughter swirled below the surface of his now stern features. Part of him yearned for his life of old, yet he knew he had a destiny to fulfil. A destiny which almost didn't happen had it not been for the wounded female that lay on the cot behind him. He let his mind drift freely over the woman's memories and saw she truly felt as passionately about Azeroth and its people as did he. Her heart also beat fiercely for one person in particular. Another emotion he could readily comprehend. There was that one special person out there for him too. He inhaled deeply and turned to face his captain.

"Where is my first lieutenant?" he asked.

"She is still with the allies in Mardum, my Lord. They will be... grieving. She may be attempting to comfort them."

The great Illidan Stormrage paused for a moment. With a sigh, he moved back to injured woman. "Bring the allies to me," he ordered.

The captain of the Illidari bowed and turned to leave. Illidan called after him. "Kayn!"

The captain halted and turned to face his master once more, inclining his head slightly. "Yes my Lord?"

"Say nothing of what I have done - or am about to do."

Kayn bowed complaisance. "As you wish, my Lord." He turned and left, kicking off and flying back to the portal for Mardum.

When he was alone with her, the mighty demon hunter carefully sat on the cot beside her. "Sarah," he whispered. "I know you not, but I owe you – and your companions - much. And so, I ask that you will forgive me for what I am about to do."

He traced a taloned forefinger over her cheek, round her jaw and over her lips. Curling his taloned fingers around the sheet he pulled it away from her and cast it to the floor. His spectral vision inspected her exposed skin and then he peeled away the remaining fabric of her tunic. He took in her nakedness and the wounds that scarred her flesh.

The sigil of the naaru started to pulse on his forehead. His tattooed markings rippled the luminescent green. As they grew brighter, they altered hue until they were white gold. Soft small flares snaked out from his brilliance, like long elegant fingers, spinning and twisting in the air, almost dancing, before finding their way into the wounds on her fragile form. Illidan's fangs glistened as his lips curved in a slow satisfied smile. Her flesh cauterised, knitting together as the demon hunter's essence infiltrated her tissue, muscle and bone.

His sentries outside turned their heads towards the door as the glare emanated from the building, pulsing, humming, almost singing. A few moments later it faded. The night sky of Suramar was bathed once more only in the silver of moonlight and stars.

Kayn appeared back through the portal in Mardum and glided to where Arcaena stood in front of Khadgar, Erik and Drew. They had not moved since his master had led the Illidari through the portal. The demon hunters acknowledged each other with a nod and shared a silent understanding. The Illidari captain's lip curled in a subtle but informative smile.

Kayn spoke. "Khadgar, come. Lord Illidan knows the way."

"Can't you see we are grieving!" Drew said hoarsely, trying to contain his sorrow. He had just lost his best friend. His world had become so empty in the matter of minutes.

Kayn looked at Arcaena. He was ordered to bring them to their Lord. It seemed it would prove a difficult task considering their emotional state. Arcaena instinctively knew the captain was forbidden to say anything ... but she was not. She owed much to these people. Nonetheless, she would try to be discreet. "Your mages will tend to your fallen comrades, including Vindicator Ocel. They shall take them to Dalaran and await your instruction." She spoke kindly in her gentle night-elf tone.

The three men still didn't move, they merely mumbled a collective thank you.

"Khadgar!" Arcaena persisted. "Ask yourself something. Why do you think Illidan took Sarah?"

The Archmage flinched. Very slowly he turned to face the two Illidari. Tears stained his battle worn features. It was impossible to gauge what they were thinking with no eyes to discern emotions. "I do not know Arcaena," he replied in a broken voice. "But it is a cruel act for him to deliver, considering what she did for him. For all of us." His eyes were filled with pain and bitterness.

"Look around, Khadgar," she continued, sweeping her arm over the mountainous expanse. "Think! He did not carry the dead with him."

"What ... are you saying?" Khadgar breathed, eyes widening.

Drew clutched Khadgar's sleeve. He understood straight away. "My god! She's alive! Khadgar, Erik! Sarah's alive!"

The three comrades looked at each other, hope growing in their eyes once more. They stared back at Arcaena, who smiled in her characteristic curl-lip way. She placed a fore-finger to her lips, shushing them, then beckoned the way to the portal.

They helped each other up, and together with the two Illidari, they stepped through the portal to Suramar.

They approached the dwelling where Illidan Stormrage waited. Kayn led the way into the building. Arcaena followed closely behind then moved beside Kayn in front of a door leading through to an adjoining room. From within, Illidan spoke to his demon hunters. "Send in the one called Khadgar."

Drew started to protest. A hand on his shoulder stopped him. He turned and saw Tiene. She had been waiting outside for them to arrive also. "All in good time, Drew. Allow the Archmage to go first." Drew smirked and stepped back.

Khadgar walked through a gossamer veil covering the doorway. The room was spacious, with few furnishings and he immediately noticed the cot where Sarah lay. He stepped towards her.

A huge taloned hand pushed against his chest, stopping him from moving forward. He looked to his left and there stood Illidan. The half elf half demon looked menacing in the semi dark, like something from a nightmare. But when he spoke, his voice was unexpectedly gentle. "She lives, Khadgar" he said. "She was quite seriously injured, but I have tended her wounds."

Khadgar was grateful and his hoarse exhalation was accompanied by a sob of immense relief. "Thank you," he breathed.

"However..." the prime demon hunter continued."You must know, her survival is at a cost."

The Archmage looked at the cot, concern clutching his heart. He saw the sheet steadily rise and fall with her breathing; his panic eased somewhat. He looked back at Illidan. "What cost?"

Illidan stepped out from the shadows. Khadgar's eyes rose a good foot and a half up as he stared at the demon hunter's cloth covered sockets. The night elf features were still evident in his face for all he had mutated into more demon than elf. His voice was deep, and surprisingly soothing. "Did you know what was required of her, to restore me?"

"No, I did not," Khadgar lowered his eyes, a feeling of shame that he had been ignorant of what she had to endure. "I only knew it involved the naaru. Although, I sensed she was keeping something from me."

"Hmm." Illidan glanced between the two humans. "She told you not, because you would have tried to stop her."

"Yes! I would have. I ... I could not bear to lose her."

The demon hunter's lip curled in a smile. "That is as it should be, Khadgar. Do not feel guilt for loving her."

Illidan's sentiment surprised Khadgar. However, it did not deflect his earlier question. "What is the cost, Illidan?" he asked again.

The leader of the Illidari looked to where the young woman lay. He led the Archmage over to the cot. "In order for her to survive, I had to fuse my spirit with hers. I have healed her wounds with combined gifts from both the naaru...and myself. Understand this however - there has not been one of her kind for thousands of years, Khadgar."

Sarah lay peacefully, breathing softly, only one or two small cuts to her face almost healed completely. "What do you mean, one of her kind?" he asked nervously.

"She is still your mate. Still human ..." Illidan pulled the sheet down from her torso.

Khadgar's eyes widened as he saw the markings on her skin. They pulsed green. Fel green.

Illidan's voice floated on the air between them. "But, she is also part demon hunter."

 All comments, advice and suggestions are welcome. Should you like this chapter, please be kind enough to vote, it would be most appreciated.