The Reluctant Worgen Pt2

It’s been just over two months since Priestess of the Moon Alathea returned to Darnassus with Alieca, the worgen woman that she saved. When High Priestess Tyrande said it would be difficult to help the woman, she had no idea how right she was. Alieca is an eight year old girl thrown into a twenty year old woman’s body. Even though she remembers the basics of life, such as walking and talking, she has no memories from her past. The only reason she knows what her name is, is that she was told what it was. Teaching her about her new body was a challenge for both Alathea and Alieca. The fact that she was flung into an adult’s body was one thing, but teaching Alieca about her worgen side was completely different. Thankfully, Alathea had the aid of the druids to teach Alieca a method to shift her forms. One fateful evening, Alathea is visited by High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind.
“Ishnu’alah, High Priestess. I trust this day sees you well.” Alathea bows before her guest.
“Indeed sister.” Tyrande give a bow in return. “I hope it does you as well. I was in the temple, and I became curious about your young friend, the woman that you saved. Is she well?”
“She’s quite well, actually. The first little bit was… a challenge, but she learns quickly. I swear she is blessed by the Goddess. She’s able to make a friend out of almost anyone. She has an affinity for plants. She can identify a herb or flower very quickly, and tell you what its uses are. She has also learned how to sew as a hobby, and is quite adept with it.”
“I understand that she’s quite adept in other things. I understand that you have brought her into the priesthood with the latest group of initiates.”
“Um, yes High Priestess. She has chosen to walk the path of Elune, and as fate would have it, one of the initiates chose to become a warrior instead, leaving an opening for someone to join.”
“And train under you?” Tyrande quirks a brow.
“Yes, High Priestess…”
“I see. So you took her instead of one of our own. Would she not be better off with her own kin, or perhaps the humans of the Eastern Kingdoms?”
“Actually no. She feels somewhat uncomfortable around the worgen from Gilneas, and I tried to bring her to Stormwind a short time ago during one of their markets. She had an episode…”
“An ‘episode’ you say?” Tyrande leans against the wall, crossing her arms.
“Um, yes…” Alathea rubs the back of her head. “I believe it was the large number of people in close quarters, along with all the loud noises and new surroundings. She had an anxiety attack and was unable to stop herself from shifting. She ran off into the mage quarter and hid in a bush.”
“She always seems to be able to find a bush of some sort, doesn’t she?” Tyrande cracks a smile.
“Yes, she does.” Alathea chuckles softly. “She seems to be a little embarrassed by her other form, but she’ll grow out of it. I have to say, she loves the outdoors. She’s even found a place to call home. Her ‘house’ is under a large cluster of tree roots near the watch house. She also seems to truly enjoy watching the Sentinels preform their drills.”
“So tell me, how are her skills as a priestess?”
“Remarkable really. She shows promise with her healing skills, and her ability to control her shadow aspect is quite remarkable. She’s able to manipulate her powers in such a way, that she’s able to render her opponent unconscious rather than injuring them.”
“Interesting. Not very practical, considering the current state of affairs, but fairly impressive none the less. I trust she is following the rules and tenants of our people?”
“Of course, High Priestess. She shows the upmost respect for our culture and uses every bit of proper etiquette.”
Just as Tyrande is about to speak, a human woman with long red hair pops her head into the room. “Hi hi Miss Alathea! I’ma go out and play with some of the kids, okay?”
“Um, yes Alieca, of course you can. Go ahead.” Alathea says, slightly surprized.
“Thank you Miss Alathea!” Alieca says with a big smile. “Oh! Hi hi Miss High Priestess!” She gives a quick bow before running off. Tyranda raises an eyebrow and looks at Alathea, who just smiles and shrugs.


Alieca laughs as she gets tackled by a horde of Kaldorei children. “We got you Miss Alieca!” The group bursts out of laughter. The group make their way down to the edge of the water near the temple and settle down for a rest.
“Miss Alieca,” one of the children asks, “how come, if you’re from Gilneas and all, you don’t look like the other people from there? Shouldn’t you be all furry and stuff?”
“Because I don’t like being that way.” She says matter-of-factly. “It’s kinda scary some times, and it just feels weird. I like looking normal to. Makes me feel good being just like this.”
“Hey! I got an idea!” One of the older children cut in. “Let’s go see Alegorn! I hear he knows how to make those chocolate cookies from the human lands!” They all cheer in agreement and start to make their way to the cookhouse. As they walk, a few of the older children talk to each other in Darnassian. One of the older girls, Selica, chastises them for being rude by talking so that Alieca can’t understand, but Ali just pretends not to notice. As they approach, the air begins to fill with the scents of fresh bread, cooking meats, and other things that make the mouths of the group begin to water. They walk up the ramp to the cookhouse where Alegorn and the other chefs are busy preparing different meals.
“My my, what’s this?” Alegorn says, looking up from his cutting board. “A swarm of hungry mouths?”
“Ishnu’alah Chef Alegorn,” Selica says, “We were just wondering something. We heard that you learnt how to make some treats from the humans, chocolate cookies. We were wondering if you had any, and if we could have some.” She smiles.
“Well, I do know how to make them, and I indeed have some prepared…” he looks the group over, “But I’m a little shorthanded at the moment. If one of you is willing to help, I’ll gladly give you all some to share.”
“Alieca will help!” one of the older children shout. “She likes helping!” The group cheers as Selica shoots a glare at the on that spoke up.
“Does she now?” Alegorn asks, looking at the woman.
“Um, yah. I like to help.” She smiles.
“But, Miss Alieca…” Selica looks up at her.
“It’s okay Seli. I can have some later.” Alieca nods.
“Very well then, it’s a deal.” Alegorn says, moving to a shelf. He takes a box down and hands it to one of the children. The child goes running off cheering with the others in close pursuit, with the exception of Selica.
“I can stay and help to…”
“It’s okay Seli, you go ahead. I’ll catch up with yous later.” Alieca smiles at her. The girl goes off after the others. Alieca looks at Alegorn “Okies, what would you like me to do?”
“Hmm… Alieca was it? Yes, I’ve heard whispers about you. The one Priestess Alathea brought to us?” He smiles at her. “It wasn’t very nice of the others to just volunteer you like that.”
“It’s fine. I would have helped anyways.” She nods smiling, seemingly unaffected by the children’s behaviour.
“So be it. The first thing you shall aid me with is preparing some ribs. It’s almost lunch hour, and the Sentinels tend to get rather grumpy when they have to wait for a meal.”
“I’m gona help make lunch for THE Sentinels?!” Her eyes widen.
“Of course. Are there any other Sentinels here? After they are all fed, I will teach you how to make the chocolate cookies. That way, you can come by and make them at your leisure.”  He chuckles as he watches Alieca bounce with excitement. Once she finally calms down, they begin to cook.


“Why are you all always so mean to Alieca?” Selica asks the children as they lay in a field next to the temple. By the time she had caught up with the group, all but one of the cookies were eaten.
“Because she’s weird.” The older girl says. “She’s a grownup, but she’s always trying to play with us. Grownups don’t play, they work.”
“Well my mother plays with me. Is that weird?” Selica retorts.
“That’s different. That’s your mom. Ali’s just a weirdo that pretends to be a kid.”
“She doesn’t pretend to be, she actually thinks she is one.” One of the other children speaks up. “My mom is a priestess in the temple. I went to see her one day, and she was talking to someone else about Ali. I feel kinda bad for her.”
“Not bad enough to save her a cookie…” Selica grumbles, the other child frowning. “Can you all just be a little nicer to her please?” Most of the children agreed, but a few remained silent. After a while, Alieca comes skipping along, humming a little tune. The children all look at each other and the youngest one speaks up.
“Umm… Miss Alieca, we kinda ate all the cookies… We’re sorry…”
“Here…” Selica holds up the last one, “you can have mine.”
“Nah, it’s okay.” Alieca says with a smile. “I’m full. Mister Alegorn and I made too many ribs. The Sentinels couldn’t eat them all, so we helped. Plus, Mister Alegorn taught me how to make the cookies. Once they’re done baking, we can all have some!” The children sit there for a moment, stunned. Then, they all start to laugh, giving little cheers.
“So, what are we going to do until they’re ready?” Selica asks.
“I know! “ The younger child says. “Let’s play Sentinels, Druids, and Trolls!” They all agree and start figure out who’s going to be on whose team when the older child speaks up.
“The only way Alieca is gona play with us, is if she’s on the Troll team.” A few of the older girls agree.
“But, I wanted to be on the Sentinel team…” Alieca says, sounding disappointed.
“Yah well, you’re only human… sort of. Only Kaldorei can be Sentinels. And you can’t be a Druid, because that’s the boys’ team.” The older girl states.
“Oh… Okay…” Alieca says, dejectedly.
“Well, you should be on the Troll team to…” Selica says, trying to defend her friend, “because you sure do smell like one!”
“I do not!” the girl shouts, the other children begin to giggle.
“You’re right…” Selica says thoughtfully, “You smell more like… a murloc!” The children erupt into laughter as the older girl stomps off, a few friends chasing after her. Selica grins and turns to her friend. “You okay Miss Ali?”
“Yah… Thanks Seli.” Alieca smiles. Selica jumps on Ali, giving her a hug.
“So, whose gona be on the Troll team then?”
“I will be.” Alieca says.
“But, Miss Ali…” Selica looks up.
“It’s okay. Someone has to be on the Troll team, right?”
“Alright… Well, I’m gona be a Troll to!” Selica says with a smile.
“Me to!” shouts the youngest.


The war has been going well for the Trolls. The Druids are almost completely wiped out, and the Sentinels are down to half their numbers. All that remains for total world domination is the one final stronghold, the temple. The Troll Queen watches as her forces move around to take the temple from the rear in one final grand assault, keeping only a young shamaness with her for defence. “My Queen! I see movement over there!”
“Scouts…” Queen Alieca looks over. “Let’s have ourselves a good meal before the final battle.” She looks down to her little friend, both giggling. They go and hide in a large bush, ready to ambush the ‘scouts’. As the other children pass by, Ali and her friend jump out shouting “Troll sneak attack!” The two girls scream and start running off, splitting up. “You gona be making a nice stew!” They all laugh as they run, but the fun comes to an abrupt end as an armored arm is held out in front of Alieca’s head. With a loud crack Alieca falls to the ground, shifting uncontrollably into her other form as she drops, blood running down from her nose. She looks up through teary eyes at a worgen man clad in plate armor, wearing the colours of the Gilnean army.
“Oh, ello poppet. I’ve been looking for you…” The man growls as he grabs Alieca by the throat. “Guess this will be easier than I thought. Time for this monster to meet its fate.” He slowly picks her up, fingers tightly wrapped around her throat. “Time to go home, you little bit…” his words are cut short as three arrows sink into his armor, the tips just scratching his skin.
“Excellent shot Outrunner.” A woman’s voice says. The man looks and sees two Sentinels standing there. One has a bow drawn and trained on him, the other standing there with a small child holding her hand. “You might want to put the woman down soldier, unless you want a true demonstration of my sister’s accuracy with the bow. She once shot an arrow through the eye slit on an orc’s helmet at just over fifty yards.”
“Sixty-three and a half yards, Huntress.” The other corrects, keeping her bow steady.
“Alright then… Seems I got no choice in the matter…” the worgen growls, dropping Alieca to the ground.
“Good boy.” The Huntress says, mockingly. “Child, the Outrunner will escort you and your friend to the Temple. Priestess Alathea will attend to you. This person and I well be along shortly.” The man glares at Alieca as they walk away.
“Who was that guy Ali?” the young girl asks, reaching up and taking Alieca’s hand.
“I… I don’t know…” Alieca sobs. “He… looks familiar… But I don’t remember from where…”


“Miss Alieca!” Selica yells as she tackle-hugs Alieca, almost knocking her into the waters of the moonwell in the center of the temple.
“Child…” Alathea sighs, “please remember where you are. The temple is our…”
“Alieca!” the other children yell as they swarm into the temple. Alathea sighs again as she covers her face with her palm. Alieca is quickly bombarded with questions: “We heard what happened! Were you scared?”
“Are you okay Ali?”
“Did you punch him back?”
“This is what you look like when you’re a wolf-lady? Cool!”
“Guys! Knock it off!” Selica commands. All the children fall silent. Alathea and the Outrunner just look at the girl and blink. “Now Ali, are you okay?”
“Yah, I’m okay. Miss Alathea fixed my nose up alright.” She fidgets slightly “And yah… This is how I look.”
“That’s right, that’s how she looks. Just like a monster.” Alieca cringes as she hears his growling voice again. “A big, bad, scary, monster.”
“Well now,” Alathea grumbles, “what brings you to our shores captin…”
“Ah.” The man interrupts, “That’s Colonel now. As for why I’m here, it’s simple. I’m taking her home so she can be properly punished.”
“Punished for what?” the Sentinel demands. “And where’s the Huntress?”
“Don’t know where she went, and I don’t bloody well care. All I care about is seeing her in the gallows. Oops, spoiled the surprize.”
“Amau diel dur anoduna!”
“Easy Outrunner.” Alathea places a hand on the Sentinel’s shoulder. “Be mindful of your words.”
“My apologies Priestess…” she says, blushing slightly as she remember the children.
“Now Colonel unless you have actual charges against her, you will leave the temple, and Alieca will remain here.”
“Oh, you want charges do you?” the Colonel grins, “Alright. How about some murder charges? She killed one of MY men when we went to subdue her, plus the man we found there with her. You know, the one she just started to eat.” He looks over to Alieca, whose ears are folded back, her eyes wide and teary. “There’s a plethora of other charges I can come up with, but the cannibalism is my favourite.”
“That is quite enough!” Alathea says angrily.
“Well, you asked.” The Colonel chuckles.
“That was all before the ritual. Alieca had…”
“I don’t bloody well care! Your ‘Alieca’ here is just a mask. She’s a beast! A man eating monster! And I’m going to see the bitch hung!” the Colonel growls, baring his teeth. The Sentinel quickly knocks an arrow and aims at the man.
“At ease Outrunner.” The Huntress orders as she enters the temple. “I think you’ve wasted enough arrows for one day.”
“As you say Huntress…” the Outrunner replies, slowly lowering her bow, but keeping the arrow ready.
“Now Colonel, tell me, exactly who ordered you to come half way across the world to our city and arrest this young girl?” the Huntress asks.
“My, superiors…” the Colonel responds.
“Is that so? That’s odd, because your officials here haven’t heard anything of the sort.” The Colonel remains silent as the Huntress continues. “Actually, I have an order here from your superiors here, for you to return to your post which, it seems, you abandoned. Also, I have an order for you to leave Miss Alieca alone.”
“Oh really?” Alathea quirks a brow.
“Indeed. Apparently the Colonel here has been pushing to have her drafted and placed under his command. When that failed, he tried to have her expedited from here as a criminal. Of course, that failed as well seeing as no one is accountable for what they may have done while under the influence of the curse. Now Colonel, why is it you want her so bad? It can’t be because of the death of a simple solider?”
“He was NOT a simple solider!” the Colonel roars. “He was my brother! She will pay for his death!” He turns to grab for Alieca, only to find that she had gone, leaving the children to give him sour faces.
“Well Colonel,” the Huntress smirks, “it looks as though she has eluded you again. I’ll give you ten minutes to leave our city of your own accord.” The man growls as he turns and leaves.
“Where, did she go?” Alathea looks around and approaches the children.
“Seli snuck her out when the Huntress was talking.” says the youngest. “Um, Priestess Alathea… Is what the bad man said true? Ali doesn’t seem like a monster…”
“That’s because she’s not child.” Alathea assures them. “Now, where did they go?” The children all point out the doorway. Alathea shakes her head slightly with a small smirk and heads out. The two Sentinels approach each other, giving a nod.
“That child will make a fine Sentinel one day.” The Outrunner says with a smirk.
“Indeed.” The Huntress nods, looking towards the doorway.
“Hm. So would that woman.”
“Oh really?” the Huntress quirks a brow. “How so?”
“She’s strong in spirit. Just needs to mature a little more.”
“I’ll pass your suggestion to General Feathermoon herself. Perhaps she’ll start a whole unit of worgens.” The two give a slight chuckle as the head off to make sure their ‘guest’ makes it to the next boat.


Alathea runs along the stone walkway of the Temple. She has a good idea where Alieca would have run off to. As she passes through the city, she comes across two familiar faces, one of which happens to be sitting on the ground. “Priestess Wintershade? What on earth happened?”
“I was trying to find that out for myself sister.” Adellwyna Wintershade replies as she stands. “I was on my way to my units drills, when I was knocked over by a worgen woman running as fast as the wind. This young one here was with her and, if I’m not mistaken, was about to explain what was going on. I believe that woman was crying?”
“It’s a long story sister.” Alathea sighs.
“Priestess Alathea,” Selica says looking up at her, “I know Ali isn’t bad! Please say you’re going to protect her!”
“Perhaps,” Adellwyna politely cuts in, “I’ll hear the story another time. I’m already late for our drills, and it’s out last one before we leave for Ironforge.”
“Oh yes of course. Your unit was selected for the Alliance military parade? Please, don’t let us hold you up any further. Elune smile upon you and your unit.” Alathea bows.
“May she aid you in your troubles.” Adellwyna returns the bow and leaves.
“Now Selica,” Alathea looks at the girl, “I’m assuming her usual spot?”


Alathea and Selica approach the tree where Alieca made her home. They duck under one of the roots and sit next to a wall made from cloth scraps. They can hear Alieca sobbing inside, but wait for her to acknowledge them. After some time, Alieca sniffles “Is… is it true, Miss Alathea? Did… did I do, what he said I did?”
“Ali…” Alathea sighs, “It’ll be hard for you to understand this… When I saw you for the very first time, it wasn’t really you… There was something else in control of your body. A primal being that was locked away by the ritual. IT did what the Colonel told you about. NOT you. Do you understand any of what I’m saying?”
“There’s a monster that lives inside of me, and you locked it away…”
“Um, yes… Sort of…”  Alathea blinks.
“And the monster looks like this…” Alieca says, looking down at her hands.
“Ali…”
“I don’t want to look like this anymore… What happens if the monster comes back? Will I have to go with the bad man?”
“The monster is gone forever Ali, and I will never let that man take you away. As long as you’re here, or around a Sentinel or another priestess, you’re safe.”
“But…” Alieca sniffles again, “what if you’re wrong? What if the monster does come back?”
“It won’t. But, if I’m wrong and it somehow does, then I will get you back.”
“I’ll help to Miss Ali!” Selica states, placing a hand on the fabric wall. “You’re my friend, and I’ll always help you. I’m not going to let some dumb monster hurt you!”
Alieca starts to cry again and jumps at the two, ripping down the cloth wall, hugging them. Looking like a patchwork ghost, she nestles herself in between the two. “I don’t ever want to be a monster. I’m gona try to never let anyone see me like this ever again.” Alathea sighs and uncovers Alieca’s face.
“Listen to me, my young one. It doesn’t matter what you look like. People will see you as you are, a beautiful person. Not as you were.”
“But Priestess,” Selica looks up, “if Miss Ali doesn’t want to be like this, can’t we try to fix it?”
“Can you?!” Alieca looks up, eyes filled with tears and hope. “Can you find a way to fix me?!”
“Well…” Alathea looks at the two, knowing full well that there is no way to remove the curse. No way for Alieca to be fully human again, aside from divine intervention. Saying so though, would crush the spirits of the poor girl. She hopes that what she’s about to say will bring Ali some sort of peace. “There’s nothing we can do yet. I do know that there are a few druids studying the curse, looking for a way to lift it. They’ll find a way to make you human again Ali. I promise that when the cure is found, you will be amongst the first to receive it. BUT, it will take time to find.” She hopes that Elune will forgive her for this.
“That’s great!” Selica cheers, hugging Alieca around the neck. “You need to do something now to celebrate!” Alieca just smiles and nods.
Alathea turns her head, looking outside the tangle of roots. She sees something that gives her an idea. A unit of Sentinels preforming drills. “I know. How about seeing a, sort of a parade Ali?”
“A parade?!” Alieca perks up.
“Yes, but it’s not here. It actually starts in Ironforge.”
“Ironforge?” Alieca’s ears droop.
“Yes, and you’ll have to go there on your own. I have far too many duties here to attend to.”
“Okay… But you can go, right Seli?”
“I don’t think so Miss Ali…” Selica frowns. “My mama doesn’t like me leaving the city, even when I’m with her.”
“But… that means I would be alone… “Alieca wimpers.
“No you won’t Ali.” Alathea puts a hand on Alieca’s cheek.
“Elune will be with me?”
“Well yes,” Alathea chuckles, “but that’s not what I was going to say. You see that unit of Sentinels over there? They’ll actually be in the parade. If anything happens, they’ll protect you.”
“Okay, I’ll try.” Alieca smiles and nods.
“Good. I know it’s been difficult for you, having to grow up so quickly, but we’ll be here for you Ali. Always.”
“I know!” Selica perks up. “I can make you a special charm for you! It’ll protect you from all the bad stuff in the city! But…”
“But what?” Alieca looks at her.
“Well, for it to work, I need to write down your full name, and you kinda only have part of a name.” The group falls silent for a few moments before Alathea smiles.
“Well then, let’s pick one for her.” Alathea gently strokes Alieca’s hair. “Let’s see… It should help describe her spirit a little bit. Now, our Alieca here is always joyful, caring, and full of love. She is always smiling, and she moves with the grace of a dancer when she weaves Elune’s light.”
“And according to that lady Miss Ali ran over, she runs as fast as the wind.” Selica giggles.
“Wind dancer?” Alieca asks. The two Kaldorei look at each other and smile.
“Alieca Wind-Dancer. Perfect.” Alathea nods.
“It even sounds like a Kaldorei name!” Selica cheers, hugging Alieca tightly.
“Wait… I ran someone over?” Alieca blinks. The other two just laugh. The group sit there quietly, watching the Sentinels going through their drills. After that, Selica goes home for the evening, giving Alieca one last hug for the night and a kiss on the cheek. Alathea stays, even after Alieca is able to shift her form and falls asleep.
“My young Alieca Wind-Dancer…” Alathea whispers softly, running her fingers through Alieca’s hair, “There are so many wonderful things for you to see out in the world, and I pray that I have prepared you for the things that aren’t so wonderful. I know Elune has something planned for you, and I hope I’m doing the right thing by letting you be on your own.” She sighs and begins to quietly sing an old Kaldorei lullaby. Alieca smiles in her sleep, dreaming about her future adventures. Even still though, there is something that weighs heavily on her heart. With no memories of what it may be, her smile disappears and she begins to murmur one word in her sleep;
“Mama…”


End of Part 2