[IC] Freedom is never free.
Somewhere in the upper levels of Warsong Hold, a pregnant female troll writhes in restless, fitful sleep.
Beside her, a Sin'dorei sits, dull gaze trained on the tormented form at his side, left hand occasionally drifting to smooth over blue hair, murmured comforts in Thalassian falling upon deaf ears.
The lullabies didn't work. The potions only worked to force those nightmares away for a few hours at a time. He didn't dare keep her under its effects constantly, since he had no idea if it would damage her unborn child. It was cold and he hadn't had more than a few hours' sleep since they brought her here.
His entire right arm was wrapped in bandages and felt like it was on fire. Shark-like teeth had sank nearly deep enough to scrape bone, mutilate flesh, cripple his hand. Frankly, he was sorely in need of a bath and a change of clothes.
But she was free.
Unfortunately, freedom was never free. There was always a price. In some cases, hidden costs.
He hadn't expected her to break like this. Hadn't expected the severing of that mental link to cause such intense suffering. Was it worth it? Was freedom worth this? He'd asked himself this a dozen times over. Time and time again. Had he gone too far?
She was terrified and empty.
He was miserable and homesick.
Her friends were mourning.
His lovers did things he wouldn't ask of anyone.
Her sanity was crumbling.
He could feel his own strength faltering.
One thing kept him going. Not the child. Not his promises. Only a name. A memory. a borrowed life.
Meridas.
He would not fail her again.
Beside her, a Sin'dorei sits, dull gaze trained on the tormented form at his side, left hand occasionally drifting to smooth over blue hair, murmured comforts in Thalassian falling upon deaf ears.
The lullabies didn't work. The potions only worked to force those nightmares away for a few hours at a time. He didn't dare keep her under its effects constantly, since he had no idea if it would damage her unborn child. It was cold and he hadn't had more than a few hours' sleep since they brought her here.
His entire right arm was wrapped in bandages and felt like it was on fire. Shark-like teeth had sank nearly deep enough to scrape bone, mutilate flesh, cripple his hand. Frankly, he was sorely in need of a bath and a change of clothes.
But she was free.
Unfortunately, freedom was never free. There was always a price. In some cases, hidden costs.
He hadn't expected her to break like this. Hadn't expected the severing of that mental link to cause such intense suffering. Was it worth it? Was freedom worth this? He'd asked himself this a dozen times over. Time and time again. Had he gone too far?
She was terrified and empty.
He was miserable and homesick.
Her friends were mourning.
His lovers did things he wouldn't ask of anyone.
Her sanity was crumbling.
He could feel his own strength faltering.
One thing kept him going. Not the child. Not his promises. Only a name. A memory. a borrowed life.
Meridas.
He would not fail her again.