Stepping over the threshold, Drew instantly noticed Gwenmora had applied the woman's touch to the hunter's lodgings. It was even cosier than he remembered.

You could actually see out the windows now without having to strain your eyes  or rub a clear spot on the panes and they all had curtains, held with decorative tie-backs. The armchairs had been freshened up and plump brightly coloured cushions rested in their crooks. Even the rugs had been replaced, no more threadbare ones in sight, just rich, deep-piled luxury underfoot.

The dining table had a crisp linen cloth draped over it and a small vase of fresh cut flowers. A new sideboard was positioned near hand and plates were neatly stacked in small piles on its surface. Cups were hung by their handles from small hooks and glasses sat neatly in a row under them.

The glow of the fire gave the whole room a very welcoming ambience. A small pile of logs sat at the right on the hearth in a basket and an iron companion set on the left. The large solid mantle was free of clutter and an enormous Dun Morogh landscape, its focal point the great mountain fortress Ironforge, hung on the chimney breast. A fond reminder no doubt of home for the dwarves.

As Erik closed the door behind them, he grunted to Drew and eyed his boots. Drew instantly understood, removing them and placing them next to the door where a coat rack also stood. He hooked his jacket over it for good measure. He also placed the carrier bag of baby goods down beside it. Erik then ushered him over to one of the armchairs.

Just as he was about to sit, Gwenmora emerged from the small hallway that led to the rooms at the back of the cottage. Drew instantly straightened again as she neared.

She held the now pristine teddy bear in her hands. Her mouth in a proud smile she looked up at him. "There's nae need tae stand on ceremony lad. Although..." she threw a quick glare at Erik, "...it's awfy nice tae see someone has manners when a lady enters the room."

Erik muttered under his breath.

Gwenmora handed the teddy bear over to Drew. He smiled when he saw it. It looked as good as new. "Thank you, very much Gwenmora."

     "Gwen!" she said. "I prefer jist Gwen."

     "Okay. Then, thank you, Gwen." He bowed lightly, further indicating his gratitude.

She suddenly seemed to go all coy and a strange little chortle came from her. Erik grunted and with arms crossed he huffed at Gwen's reaction.

Drew noted the hunter's sulk and suppressing a smile, sat himself down in the armchair.

     "Git the lad summat tae drink then, why don't ye!" Gwen barked at Erik.

Still grumbling under his breath, Erik went through to the larder and came back with two tankards and a skin of Dwarven Ale. Gwen just stared hotly at him her hands back on those hips.  With a deep sigh, he returned from the larder once more, a third tankard in hand. When he handed her a full tankard, then she smiled at him.  She settled herself down in the other armchair as Erik poured ale for Drew and himself.

     "Thank you," Drew said as he accepted the ale. They all drank heartily.

Gwen leaned on the arm of her chair and looked at the human next to her. "Sorry aboot afore, Drew.  Wi' the frying' pan, ah mean." 

Drew hitched his right foot up so it rested on his left knee and relaxed back into the armchair. "Quite understandable," he said. "You can never be too careful."

     "Ma thought's exactly," she replied, shooting another judgemental look at Erik.

     "Och, wumin! Yer perfectly safe oot here and ye ken it!" Erik took another long draught of his ale.  "It's no as if ye cannae look efter yersl' is it? Drew can attest tae that." A small ripple of laughter spread between them.

Drew was curious to how things had been since he left. "So how's everyone been faring since the defeat of the Legion?"

Erik scratched at his beard and sat on the poufe facing  him. "Well, tae be honest, it's a bit tough fur folk still."

Gwen sighed. "Aye," she nodded in agreement with Erik. "The fight hud dragged oot fur such a long time, ah think a lot o' us are still regaining oor strength."

     "Yeah, well, it would take time to recover from that," Drew said. "I was only involved briefly really, but it was intense and a lot of good people were lost."

The dwarves nodded and they all sat in silent reverence for a moment or two.

     "How's things bin back hame fur ye lad?" Erik spouted.

Drew's mouth twitched. He knew Erik was referring to returning without Sarah the last time. It was still hard to shrug off more recent events however, namely three others who were now roaming Azeroth in search of the Horde. He decided he should keep that bit of information to himself for the time being, at least from Erik. He knew he would need to come clean though with Sarah. And Khadgar. 

     "Surprisingly, I was quite efficacious, in that I managed to convince our managers she has just upped sticks and moved abroad.  They were none too happy, although there isn't really much they can do. They asked for a forwarding address, but I said I didn't know who her friends over the water were or where she was actually living. What I didn't consider, was her flat. I've kept up the rent for it even though I know she's never going to come back.  But, I need to go over that with her. I mean, everything she owned, is still there."

Erik nodded. He thought highly of Drew for trying to do right by Sarah in their homeworld.  It was no mean feat trying to cover for someone at the best of times.  It was a testament to their friendship.

Gwen looked on in silence over the top of her tankard as Erik and Drew continued chatting.  Erik updated him on some of the other individuals the lad had met on his last visit.  

Events involving Sarah, and eventually Drew, had all started  long before Gwen had met Erik.  She had of course heard stories about the mysterious woman from another dimension who had been instrumental in saving King Varian's life on the Broken Shore.  The way she had been vehemently defensive about Illidan Stormrage, the Betrayer had also reached her ears.   And of course, the most frequent line of gossip about this strange woman, was that she had won the heart of the most eligible batchelor in Azeroth.  Archmage Khadgar.

Gwen had never met her until the Auction was announced.  As a means to raise some much needed financial support for those who had hit particularly hard times following the Legion invasions it appeared by all accounts to be an innovative and fun way to do things.   When the opportunity to speak with Sarah arrived, Gwen was more than impressed by this now hybrid, half human, half demon hunter individual.   It was obvious this woman felt deeply for the all people, not only those in Stormwind, but in Azeroth as a whole.

Gwen had jumped at the chance to be included in the Auction.  It had after all been a long and hard slog during the attacks on Azeroth. Tending to those injured, homeless, grieving, lost and desperate individuals who had fought so bravely during the war, eventually tired one out. She had travelled the length and breadth of the continent with like-minded individuals, assisting the druids of both the Cenarion Circle and the Expedition.  Together, they had given aid and support to those who had suffered. 

So the opportunity to discard the old leather and cloth working attire in favour of a pretty, colourful and flattering dress, was a must for Gwen.  Plus the possiblility that she might be wined and dined by some tall and handsome warrior, be he human, or perhaps the more exotic night elf was a major attraction.  She even considered a worgen as a potential beau for the evening - purely out of curiosity.  She couldn't help wonder if they ate with utensils or simply buried their snouts in a bowl on the floor.  Once she really mulled that one over though, she decided a worgen was not desirable company after all.  As it turned out of course, it was none of the above who won her.  It was Erik.  

Sarah had been delighted it was the hunter dwarf who had bid successfully on Gwen and congratulated both of them enthusiastically.  The human was obviously very fond of Erik, making a great fuss of him.  They had developed a strong bond.  

Erik had proved to be the perfect gentleman that evening.  Attentive, mannerly, polite, complimenting Gwen many times on how lovely she looked.  She ended up quite taken by the red-haired hunter.  As they stood at the door of her family's home, he was very gallant and kissed her hand. His beard had tickled the back of her hand, making her giggle.  It took Gwen the blink of an eye to decide this one wasn't going to get away, so she told him she would up at his cottage the next morning.  His eyebrows had crawled up under his unruly red mop and she was certain his mouth was open under the plaited, wiry facial hair.  She then nodded goodnight, turned and closed her door firmly before he could object.

Erik's laughter pulled her from her reverie. Blinking she glanced between the two men trying to catch up on what subject their conversation had reached.  

     "An' apparently she near shredded his han'," Erik roared, near spilling his ale. 

     "Ouch!" Drew commented. 

     "He's no very gid at the nappy changin' neither..."

     "Now ye ha'd yer wheest, Erik Longmaster," Gwen scolded him as she instantly realised the poor Archmage was the topic of his mirth. "Dinnae ye be disrespectin' that man."

Erik puffed out his chest, instantly defensive. "Ah'm no disrespectin' onybody, wumin. He laughed aboot it himsel' when he telt me."

     "Even so. I'd like tae see you try an' change a bairn's nappy."

     "Oh ye wid, wid ye!" he was still annoyed at her reprimanding tone.

     "Aye! I wid!"

Drew shifted on his chair.  The couple's little spats were amusing, though if he wasn't mistaken, he thought there was a small hint of hope in Gwen's words.  Watching Erik's face, as the last comment sunk in, it seemed he too had got that impression.  The hunter dwarf was suddenly lost for words and chewed, involuntarily, on a long wayward, whisker from his moustache.

     "So, erm... they live in Stormwind now?" Drew ventured.

     "Eh?" Erik mumbled, still staring at Gwen.  Their eyes were locked.  

     "Sarah and Khadgar," Drew explained.

With a quick shake of his head he turned his attention back to Drew.  "Aye! Though Khadgar keeps his apartment in Dalaran fur when he's attending' business wi' the Kirin Tor.  I dare say yer keen tae see them though?"

Drew nodded and smiled his appreciation. 

     "Right then, ah'll tak' ye roond in a wee while, yince ah skin them rabbits."  Erik turned back to Gwen. "Wid ye mak' yer prize winnin' rabbit stew fur oor dinner, Gwen.  I wis tellin' Drew how gid it is, afore?"

The female dwarf smiled at him. "Of course, Erik. Ah widnae huv oor guest gan hungry now, would ah?" Then, her voice, a little softer. "Nor you, fur that matter, dearest."

Erik grunted, but his eyes displayed pleasure at her comment. He rose from his seat and went to prepare the conies.

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