Give a dog his bone - short story

[Quiv]

This story introduces the daughter of Rendir and Salaina, Aylee. You can see my sig to see these toons.

"I'm going to Everlook to pick up some things, I'll be back in an hour or two!" Salaina yelled, her voice trailing throughout the house. Rendir was tucked away in a back room, tending to some leathers and hides he was planning on selling.

"Alright! I'll be back here! Doing.. stuff..." Rendir heard the door close, but never broke his concentration from his work.

Time passed, and things were quiet as Rendir steadily worked on his hides. Not a sound was heard, and nothing could break his fixation. That is, until he heard the ever so light footsteps coming down the hall. Closer and closer they tip toed, until they were right outside his door.

"Hi Aylee." He said nonchalantly. Aylee huffed at being caught.

"You're no fun, can't sneak up on you." Rendir smiled, pointed to his long elven ears, and continued his work. "Oh I'll scare ya someday."

Rendir smiled, "Whatcha ya need, baby?"

Aylee walked over and plopped her arms and head on his shoulder, watching him work. "My birthday is coming up, daddy."

"Yes it is..." Rendir replied, trying to clean a particular stubborn piece of leather. "17 wonderful years next month."

"Yeah but... I know what I want, and I need it now." Rendir laughed at boldness.

"What do you need so badly?"

"A pet." She replied. Rendir stopped and looked up at Aylee puzzled.

"A pet? Baby you got hundreds of pets, you bring them home every day."

"No no, a special pet. Only one you can get for me. You can tame anything can't you?"

Rendir chuckle a bit as he continued his work. "A lot of things, I guess. Some critters are just too stubborn though... like your mother." Aylee laughed.

"I don't know why you're laughing, you're the same way..." Rendir continued. "Always running off and staying in the forest---" His voice trailed and he stopped for a moment. He turned to look at Aylee.

"You need this now because you're going somewhere next month, aren't you?" He said to Aylee. She leaned off his shoulder and shied away to a stool against the nearby wall. "Aylee..." he pleaded, but he knew it was no use. He spun around and looked at her. "Tell me about the pet."

"Well..." she perked up, "When I went to Azuremyst-"

"You've been to Azuremyst?!" Rendir interrupted.

"Yeah, about 6 times now."

"Baby, that's alliance territory, you can't just..."

"Daddy, stop worrying. I can take care of myself." Rendir sighed and motioned for her to continue. "I saw this beast there, it was big like a bear, but had a worg's head!" Rendir looked puzzled at her. "But thats not all, it had TWO heads!"

"Two heads? Aylee, have you been sneaking some of daddy's junglevine?"

"No daddy, I've seen a couple of them up there! Their coat is silvery white, they are so beautiful! I tried to tame one but it was more interested in eating me."

Rendir sat back in his chair considering this creature. He had heard of large two headed creatures that skilled beast master's could tame, but they were fiery behemoths in the heart of the mountains, not some furry two headed dog.

"OK..." Aylee squeed loudly, jumped up and hugged Rendir tightly. "...whoa now, theres some things we have to figure out. I am going to busy today selling these leathers in Orgrimmar. We will have to do it tomorrow." Aylee bounced around in excitement.

"There is one thing..." She said, her excitement coming down. Rendir looked at her curiously.

"I can get us there and back safely, but my friend has to go with us."

Rendir exclaimed in disgust. "I am not going on a trip with that boy."

"He has to, daddy! He has a hearthstone that can take us there!"

"A hearthstone? How did he... You know what? I don't want to know. Aylee, you know I don't like him."

"You just don't like him because he's undead." Aylee huffed, crossing her arms and sitting on the stool again.

"I don't like him because he's shifty. Don't trust rogues, nary a one. Steal you blind while you're watching."

"He's different daddy. Just give him another chance! I can't tame this thing by myself, I might get hurt. And Skags is the only way I can get out of that place." Aylee knew just what to say, and Rendir knew if he didn't help her, she was going to get herself hurt trying to tame this beast.

"OK he can go..." Aylee squeed again. "...but he better stay out of my way and keep his mouth shut."

"We have to meet him in Tirisfall, is that OK?"

"Fine, I can secure us a port tomorrow."

"Thanks daddy!" Aylee hugged him again and ran out of the room. Rendir spun around in his chair and went back to working on his leathers. A few minutes passed.

"What was that about." Salaina said as she walked in and sat on the same stool.

"Oh hey, you're home." Rendir said, a little surprised at how quickly the time passed. "Aylee wants me to tame her a pet for her birthday." He said as he stacked the leathers.

"Her birthday isn't for another month."

"I know, I know... I just can't tell her no."

Salaina smiled. "She as tough as an old oak board until she wants something from you, then shes as sweet as pie... and you melt in her hand." but he didn't reply, only looked down.

"We're going to Azuremyst." He finally said.

"Azuremyst?! That's-"

"Alliance, I know. I told her that. Shes been there several times apparently. Saw a white two headed beast, big as a bear with heads of a worg."

"Kurkens. They're dangerous, Ren."

"You've heard of them?" Ren turned to Salaina.

"Yeah. You can probably tame it."

"I've never tamed something with two faces before." Rendir said, scratching his head.

"When are you going?" She asked.

"Tomorrow. Probably going to be gone all day." Salaina acknowledge his words, and got up quietly and walked to the door.

"Do you want to come to?" Ren asked. Salaina shook her head slightly.

"She didn't mention me coming. I need to stay here anyway, make sure Sol and Ollis don't tear the place down."

Rendir saw the hurt in her eyes, stood up and walked over to her. Putting his arms around her, "She loves you, Salaina. She's just... stubborn."

After the short embrace, Salaina walked back toward the kitchen and Rendir filled his satchel with his load of hides and leathers.

Walking toward the kitchen, satchel over his shoulder, he walked up toward Salaina. "I will be back a little later tonight." Salaina kissed him on the cheek and Rendir left.

Salaina walked outside a few moments later to tend to some of the animals, when she saw Aylee playing in the snow with Emilee, Rendir's snow white frostsaber.

"Aylee, I need to talk to you!" Salaina yelled. Aylee's annoyance with being disturbed was apparent as she walked over.

"What?" Aylee said sharply.

"Your father told me about your trip tomorrow."

"Great..." Aylee exclaimed. "And I guess you talked him out of it?"

"No, no..." Salaina continued. "I know someone on Azuremyst. I can arrange a port and safe passage until Ren can tame it for you. I don't know how you've gotten there in the past, but this is much safer."

Aylee cocked her head a little. "You're... helping me?" Salaina shook her head and smiled a little.

"Th-Thanks, mom." Aylee finally responded after a few silent moments of shock. "That's really nice."

Aylee turned and walked back over to Emilee, and begun playing with her again. Salaina watched them for a moment, not sure how to feel about the moment.

"It's at least a step.." she said to herself. "a step in the right direction."

[Quiv]

The following day, Rendir was loading his backpack up with everything he was going to need for the trip. He slung his taming staff around his shoulder, and headed outside where Aylee and Salaina were waiting on him.

"Hurry daddy! Skags is waiting!"

"Skags? The boy is going?" Salaina said with surprise. Rendir shot her stern look that only made Salaina laugh. "Have fun, sweetie." She said, unable to contain her laugh.

"Daddy, hurry!"

"OK OK Aylee, I'm coming." Rendir gave Salaina a quick kiss.

"You sure we can take the port?" He asked her.

"Just come back here, and it will be ready."

Rendir and Aylee rode to Everlook as swiftly as they could. A couple of wyvern's had already been rented for the trip to Orgrimmar. The flight was short, as the wyverns simply flew over and around Mount Hyjal.

Landing in Orgrimmar, they took an elevator down to the Drag, where Rendir led Aylee down into the Cleft of Shadow.

"Surkin is down here, he will give us a portal to the Undercity to pick up Smacks-"

"His name is Skags." Aylee corrected. Rendir ignored her correction, choosing to wave to Surkin.

"Surkin, we are here for the portal." The old orc grunted a return greeting. "We will only need it open a few minutes, just long enough to bring a friend through. Outside the ruins will be fine."

The orc mage nodded as he summoned the portal. Rendir dropped the fee into a nearby bowl, and as soon as the portal was erected, they stepped through. Space twisted around them, shifting and moving. A mere moment later, the pair stood at the gates to the ruins of Lordaeron.

"Skags!" Aylee yelled. "Hurry, were here!" She continued yelling as they walked a bit down the street. Some nearby bushes rustled, catching Rendir's attention. He turned to watch them, and out emerged a gangly looking Forsaken.

"I see you've brought your old man." Skags said as he stepped up to them.

"Old?" Rendir retorted. "I'll show you what old means." Skags looked him puzzled.

"You're threatening me with your age?" He scoffed. "What's next, a harrowing tale of senility?"

"Skags, stop it!" Aylee said sternly, shooting Skags a harrowing look of her own.

"Listen, Stigs." Rendir started. "You're here because Aylee wanted you here, but please understand one simple fact." Rendir leaned in closer. "I don't like rogues, I don't like you. Stay out of my way, and things will be alright." Rendir turned and started walking back toward the portal.

"Better watch your back, old man." Skags remarked.

Rendir spun around, drew his bow, notched an arrow and aimed it straight at Skags. Skags hunched down and thew his hands up.

"You think I'm joking?" Rendir said.



"Cool out! Can't you take a joke?" Skags pleaded.

"Stop it! Both of you!" Aylee yelled. "Daddy, you're going to be nice to Skags on this trip, you understand me?" She turned to Skags. "And you don't antagonize him like that, he will shoot you. Now, both of you, in the portal."

Skags turned and headed to the portal without much persuasion, but Rendir stood there. "Aylee..."

"No daddy, just put up with it. For me." she said, and headed to the portal. Rendir sighed, and followed.

Emerging on the other side of the portal, the three were back in Orgrimmar. They headed back up to the wyvern's pad, paid for a return trip and flew back out to Everlook.

By the time they reached home, Salaina already had her friend ready with a portal created for Azuremyst. A tall lanky nightelf, but in ceremonial robes, brilliant green hair pulled back in a ponytail.

"This is Ausmin." She announced, introducing him to the group. Ausmin simply bowed, and spoke something in a language only Salaina understood.

No one responded, and after a quick reading of their faces, Salaina could already tell there had been some words between them.

"The portal is there..." She pointed by a nearby tree. Aylee and Skags lumbered over and quickly jumped in.

"Salaina I'm gonna kill him." Rendir said.

"No, you're not Ren, give him a break. He's young like her."

"Well he's got a smart tongue."

"Just go and hurry back. I don't wanna be here worrying all day." Another brief kiss, and Rendir stepped through. Ausmin followed them through as well.
-------------

The beautiful landscape of Azuremyst Isle came into view. Ausmin had ported them to a remote location, surrounded only by trees and bushes.

"Do you know anything about this beast, Ausmin?" Rendir asked.

"Not much is known at all, friend. They came with the Wildkin I have heard, not much else." Rendir nodded.

"I cannot protect you from the Peacekeepers." Ausmin said. "And be wary of the Stillpine furbolg, they are staunchly alliance and will attack you on sight."

"Thank you Ausmin. We hope to return shortly." Rendir replied. "Aylee, Snugs, let's go."

"Skags" the irritated forsaken corrected. "You tell me not to antagonize him?" He said to Aylee. Aylee pushed Skags along.

As they walked through the island, heading to the cave where these beasts were found, nary a word was said. Rendir kept a watchful eye out, making sure to steer clear of the strange creatures he saw, as well as the Peacekeepers and Furbolg he was warned about.

"Daddy, look!" Aylee whispered. "A ravager! Like the ones I told you about!" She pointed over to the creature in the distance.

Rendir observed the creature. "How strange looking."

"Not strange, daddy, beautiful." The beast had a large toothy maw, spines that protruded from it's green and purple back. It walked on 4 legs more like a spider's than anything.

"They look vicious." Rendir remarked to Aylee. "You haven't got near them have you?"

"Oh they are incredibly vicious and mean. I have tamed one before." Aylee announce proudly.

"You can tame those things?"

"Ravagers, daddy, not things! And yes, they make wonderful and loyal pets! I have heard they came from Draenor, and many other species live there. I can't wait--" Aylee cut herself off.

"Can't wait for what?" Rendir asked inquisitively. Aylee stammered.

"For you to tame my new pet! Hurry, I have seen one close to here before." Aylee ran up ahead a piece.

"Yeah assuming the old man doesn't get eaten first." Skags retorted from the back.

"Careful there, Snicks, once I tame this thing, you could be his lunch."

"Oh yeah, he would prefer a bag of bones over a nice succulent meaty elf." Skags sarcastically replied.

"Well, you know what a dog does with a bone..." Rendir replied with a smirk.

"What's he going to do, bury me? Yeah, that didn't work the first time."

[Quiv]

Skags was becoming more and more agitated, but Rendir couldn't hold back laughing at his reply.

"I see one!" Aylee announced from up ahead, pointing in the distance.

"Aww it's so tiny! Think it's a baby?" She asked.

Rendir peered at the creature. "I guess so... we aren't near the cave yet," Rendir point to a crude map Ausmin had given him. "It must have wandered off. If he is here... his mother could be near by."

"No daddy, the full grown ones, you know when they are close. The are so big, the ground shakes." Aylee stopped talking for a moment. "See, no shaking. We have to help it before the furbolg kill it!"

"Hmmm.." Rendir considered. "Stay back here. Skags, you... hey where is he?"

"Over here, you deaf old man." Skags said from behind a bush. "I am not about to get attacked if mommy comes home to you messing with her cub."

"Whatever, it's better for you to stay out of my way anyhow." Rendir said as he started to get up. Aylee put her hand on his shoulder and stopped him.

"You used his first name..." Aylee said and smiled at Rendir. He acknowledged her, and slowly walked toward the creature, sneaking from tree to rock. Even if it was a baby, it was still monstrous.

With an inhale and exhale to calm himself, Rendir pulled the staff from his back and walked into the clearing. A sharp whistle grabbed the beasts's attention. The left head growled, the right made a ferocious barking/growing sound.

"Which head do I look at?" Rendir said to himself in a panicked realization. "I don't know which head--" but the beast charged. Rendir held his ground, steeled his nerves, set his eyes on the beast's right head and used his staff to whomp the left. The rampaging creature came to a halt as it whimpered from the strike.

"No don't hurt him, daddy!" Aylee yelled from far back.

"Quiet Aylee... daddy's working." Rendir had the right head mesmerized in the stare, but still left snapped and growled.

Suddenly, the inate power from within Rendir rose out, the familiar warmth and red glow encompassing his body. The left head of the creature stopped snarling and locked eyes with Rendir's. He raised his staff to the left head and gently touched it.

"Now or never..." he thought to himself as he took a step closer.

"Oh I can't watch this part." Aylee said to Skags and she turned her head away.

Another step closer. Rendir reach out his left hand, keeping the staff firmly planted against the right. Another step. And another. Finally, Rendir rested his hand on the creatures right head, and the creature submitted.

The glow faded from Rendir, as he was able to pet both hands on the heads of the beast. It was then the beast turned from ferocious to playful, using both head to try and lick Rendir's face. He was amazed and how quickly it took to him.

"Hold on fella, I want you to meet your master." Rendir stood and signalled to Aylee and Skags.

"Aylee, he did it." Skags told her. Aylee jumped up to look, and with another squee got up and dashed to her father's side, Skags slowly in tow.

"Oh he is so amazing daddy, thank you thank you thank you!" Aylee knelt down to pet the beast.

"I am going to name this head Khoa, and this head Shae." Rendir smiled watching his daughter play with her new friend.

"Not bad, old man. You still got some life in those old bones yet." Skags said as he walked up to them.

"Thanks Stigs, that means a lot coming from a... a fossil."

"Listen, for the last time, it's Skags. You got it right once, I know that elf brain of yours can do it again."

Rendir smirked and stared at Skags. "Oh Khoa, Oh Shae." The beast perked up as Rendir pointed to Skags.

"Sic'em!" The beast turned it's attention from Rendir to Skags and growled. Skags began to step backwards.

"Not cool, man..." Suddenly the beast started running. Skags turned and sprinted in the opposite direction, around trees and rocks trying to get away from the creature. Finally, he bounded up a tree and climbed onto a high hanging limb. KhoaShae followed him, leaning up against the tree, snarling and barking.

"Call it off! This isn't funny!"

Rendir was laughing too hard to pay attention, Aylee laughed a little to as she called the pet back to her side.

Skags hopped down. "You're on thin ice pal." He said as pulled out his hearthstone. "You can use the Night Elf to get home, I'm out of here." And with that, he activated the magic of the stone and vanished.

"That was so mean daddy." Aylee said, still laughing a bit herself. She knelt down and patted the beast. "But thanks. He's beautiful."

"Anything for my baby girl." The 3 started walking back to find Ausmin.

"What do you see in him?" Rendir casually asked.

"No, daddy, don't start."

"I am just curious, baby. He's... not even alive. How are you going to raise a family-"

"A family?!" Aylee stopped. "No no, daddy... not that at all. He is a friend, that's all, I swear!" But Rendir didn't seem too convinced as he continued walking.

"He's.. he was married. You know... before." Rendir finally stopped and looked at her.

"I thought he was young?"

"He is.. he married young. If you could stop insulting him for a minute, you might could hear his story sometime. What he remembers of it anyway." Aylee walked up to her father. "I was hoping you would at least try to get along with him. You know, for my sake." And she walked on past.

Rendir hung his head in guilt. "I'm sorry, Aylee. I will do better next time, I promise."

She turned around as Rendir walked up to join her. "OK daddy. Next time." Rendir cringed at the promise.

"Now..." Rendir said as he pulled Aylee's head close and kissed the top of it. Aylee hugged him. "Let's go home. See if we can figure out a place to keep this little fella."

Aylee's face suddenly turned pale as she looked behind her father and pointed, backing away from the hug.

"Daddy look! The mother!" She shrieked.

Rendir's eyes widened in shock, he grabbed his bow, spun around and pulled an arrow taut...

...only to see nothing there. He dropped his hands and looked around, only to hear Aylee laughing as she walked off.

"Told you I'd scare ya."

[Kylah]

Wonderfully written I loved how he kept messing up Skags' name ^^

[Lupis]

I like Skags. He's awesome. xD
Very nice!

[gigandetsgirl]

Oh my gosh Everything about this was just... AWESOME!!! I love Skags so much, and Rendir's... relationship with him is utterly hilarious. This was SO amazingly written. I loved seeing the relationships Aylee has with her parents in action... man, she really is a handful I can't wait to read more - I want to know what Skags' history really is!

[Airwyn]

Oh I love it!!! Wonderful job all the exchanges between Rendir and Skags made me laugh

[Silivren]

Skags! <3 /secretly hopes Aylee and Skags are a couple because they'd be soooo cute together!

[gigandetsgirl]

Skags! <3 /secretly hopes Aylee and Skags are a couple because they'd be soooo cute together!

I know!!!!!!!!!! I'm a Aylee/Skags fan... sorry Ren!!!

[Silivren]

Forsaken need love too! <3

[Quiv]

Haha thanks everyone. I liked Skags but didn't realize he would be such a hit He has quite a history with Aylee, but not that kind of history... at least not yet. I may look more into it Honestly I kinda ruled it out because I didn't know how it would really work, the logistics and all

[gigandetsgirl]

Well, when it comes down to it, there is always the good ol' adoption route! Now THAT would be a cute, mismatched family...

[Quiv]

Freaky

I was just thinking about Rendir and Salaina adopting a child and Ren taming it a white moth. I liked your story of the adopted Draenei so much, I considered it.

And now, out of the blue, you suggest it for a family I haven't really seriously considered. Coincidence? Fate? Spooky! lol

[gigandetsgirl]

Hahaha! That's awesome. We are getting into each other's heads! Ren and Salaina adopting would be sweet, too - that would be very near and dear to Salaina's heart. I'm just sure it wouldn't be an undead

[Litlemouse]

Hehe I read it, and I must say: @ Skags and Rendir xD