The Wine Family's Story, chapter 3
If you would prefer to read the whole thing on Ao3, here is the link:
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
I hope that works. Anyway, onto the chapter!
A few years after their return, Cherwine was old enough to start her apprenticeship. Hopefully with a military trainer, rather than a profession trainer or trader. She was standing in front of her bed, dithering on what she should wear. Formal? Workout? Casual? Which would make the best impression? As Cherwine looked at her options, Mialwine entered the room.
"Hi, Cher'! You excited?" She asked, bouncing on her toes. Cherwine turned around, arms falling to her sides. "Hey. More nervous than anything, really." Mialwine wrapped her arms around Cherwine's waist. "You'll be okay." She said, with all the confidence innocence could muster.
Cherwine tousled her sisters hair, causing the headband to fall out, to Mialwine's annoyance. "Hey!" Cherwine laughed.
Ellemir walked into the room and leaned against the door frame. "What's up kiddo? You ready yet?" The human mage asked. Cherwine frowned and shook her head. Ellemir craned her neck to see what was on the bed. "Outfit dilemmas, huh? Well, good thing you got me!" The redhead strode into the room, looked at the outfits Cherwine laid out, and started rummaging in her closet. "Mialwine dear, come hold things." Mialwine dutifully walked over and held her arms out helpfully. Cherwine simply shook her head contentedly.
Damon also decided to check on the teenage apprentice-to-be. "Hey- oh, Ellemir, you don't need to over-analyze her gear. C'mon, we're leaving soon."
Ellemir huffed. "It's an important ceremony, Damonpike! Let me dress the girl up!" She held up a tunic against Cherwine. Damon rolled his eyes as Cherwine shrugged.
Kyttin stepped into the room. "Ellemir, darling, it's been 15 minutes. The tank can only be patient for so long." The druid said. Ellemir stepped back and put her hands on her hips. "It's okay. I've just finished anyway, dear. What do you think?"
Cherwine stood in front of her mirror, small gems braided into her hair, and a long dress with sheer sleeves that showed off her arms, and a skirt dyed rich colors swirling all around. Kyttin grinned. "You're beautiful kiddo. C'mon. Let's go show you off to the town."
It seemed almost all the city was surrounding the courtyard of the Temple of the Moon when they arrived. Of course, most of the city was, in fact, there. Kyttin ushered Cherwine to the center with the other few Night Elves her age, while Mialwine waved from Damon's shoulders.
"Thank the Light we got here in time." Ellemir whispered to the druid. "We very nearly didn't." She replied.
Cherwine stood nervously in her gorgeous dress, hoping she didn't look incompetent. A gong sounded, and Cherwine stood straighter.
The tailor stepped up first. He set a hand on a white-haired girl's shoulder, and took her with him to stand at the edge. Her family cheered. Next was the enchanter. She chose a golden-eyed young man. His family clapped and shouted his name.
There were only about 30 or 40 teens. The ceremony went on for a while, and no one approached Chewine. The hunter trainer chose a silvery skinned boy with azure hair. There weren't very many left. Cherwine's anxiety started to climb. She didn't dare turn around for comfort from her family. She couldn't show that she was worried. She looked down. A pair of boots appeared in her vision. Cherwine's eyes widened and her head shot back up. A woman with black hair and shadow markings stood in front of her. "Hello. My name is Niella Moonshadow. I'm the rouge trainer." She said quietly. She rested her hand on the violet-haired girl's shoulder. Cherwine walked with her to the edge of the courtyard in a daze. She saw Ellemir and Kyttin hugging each other while Mialwine bounced on Damon's shoulders. Damon had a huge grin as he held Mialwine's ankles.
The last three teens were chosen. Nobody was left out. The sisters had heard horror stories from other kids about some teens who never got apprenticed. Cherwine now suspected that these stories were made up. (They were.)
When the last trainer stood with their apprentice at the edge of the circle, the gong sounded again.
Suddenly everyone was talking and swarming the teens. Niella tapped Cherwine's head. "Meet me at sunrise the day after tomorrow in the Warrior's district. All the military apprentices train together." Cherwine nodded. Niella gave a half-smile, and walked away.
Cherwine got tackled by Kyttin a second later. Ellemir was holding Mialwine's hand while Damon stood proudly next to her with his arms crossed. "We're so proud of you sweetheart!" Ellemir said.
"Let's go. We're headed to the fancy inn for a celebration dinner!" Damon said, marching out of the temple.
The patchwork family sat in a corner of the loud, bustling inn, talking merrily. Cherwine sat awkwardly, doing her best to not get food on her sleeves. Mialwine, Kyttin, and Damon roared as Ellemir told a story of her childhood. Cherwine just smiled.
Eventually, they all calmed down. "So, Cherwine," Kyttin began. "I'm sure you know about the expectations of you after your apprenticeship is finished." Cherwine nodded. "I act as a guardian of Azeroth and as a soldier of Teldrassil and the Alliance." She said.
Kyttin held up a finger. "Well, that's the duties that come with it. Buuut, there's also something else." The druid said. Cherwine's brows furrowed in confusion. "You'll be able to get your markings. You'll be a full adult, kiddo." Kyttin elaborated, tapping on her own red butterfly markings around her eyes. Cherwine nodded. She'd actually forgotten about that in the face of the Apprenticeship Ceremony. The parents chose their daughter's markings according to their personality and profession, so that it would suit them best. Sons didn't get face markings. Why? Tradition. Supposedly.
After they ate, they returned to Kyttin's house. The trio of adults tucked the girls into bed before retiring themselves.
The future had just begun.