Galen and Sylvanas had encamped their armies at the foot of a mountain directly east of Eagle's Nest.
A sizable lake bordered their encampment, fed by a waterfall that cascaded down the mountainside from the northwest like a silver-white thread.
Galen and Sylvanas strolled along the lake, admiring the magnificent waterfall. Galen, to his credit, refrained from reciting poems about waterfalls plunging three thousand feet and resembling the Silver River falling from the heavens.
"Have you been avoiding me these past few days?" Sylvanas asked softly, her eyes fixed on Galen's expression.
"No! That's not possible!" Galen nearly jumped, as if she had touched a sore spot.
In truth, after arranging the joint defense of Quel'Thalas, Sylvanas and Alleria had set aside their worries, focusing on awaiting news from Prince Kael'thas and conserving their energy for a major battle.
Galen had proposed to Highlord Kurdran that his army and the Farstrider forces be stationed near the Wildhammer town.
He also requested Kurdran's permission to build a fortress to the east as a base.
After Kurdran agreed, Galen pretended to be busy with the fortress's construction, trying to avoid being alone with Sylvanas.
He was still unsure how to proceed.
He had secretly kissed her while she was drunk and been caught. It was an explosively awkward situation!
That day, the troops had found this campsite to the east, which Galen had carefully selected.
Backed by mountains and close to a water source, it reminded him of a High Elf sanctuary in the Hinterlands.
Sylvanas, seizing the opportunity while her elder sister was arranging the Farstriders' encampment, had pulled Galen away.
With no escape, Galen had no choice but to obediently accompany Sylvanas to admire the waterfall.
"If not, then not. Why are you so agitated? Feeling guilty?"
The ranger-general studied Galen's attempt to hide something, a playful expression on her face."I just... I just..." Galen stammered.
"Hmm? Just what?" Sylvanas pressed closer, her manner decidedly forward.
Sylvanas was becoming increasingly certain that this human boy was a novice in these matters.
Although she had no romantic experience herself, she had observed plenty, and her personality was relatively strong, making her much more decisive than Galen.
"I just wasn't prepared for what to say!" Galen blurted out.
He had already kissed her, so what could he do?
"What were you preparing to say? The day before yesterday, after I was drunk..." Sylvanas paused, and Galen's ears perked up, his heart racing with anticipation."I didn't see you preparing anything!" Sylvanas said, and the pressure shifted entirely to Galen.
"Sylvanas, listen to me. I acted impulsively..."
"Am I beautiful?" Sylvanas interrupted, staring intently at him.
"Very beautiful!" Galen swallowed hard, answering without hesitation. At that moment, his survival instinct was paramount; otherwise, his future might be hellish. "That's why I couldn't help but kiss you! Sylvanas! You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I couldn't help myself!"
Galen decided to be direct. His affection for her was genuine, encompassing both pity and love. He pitied the Banshee Queen who, in the original timeline, was killed by Arthas while defending her people and resurrected as a banshee, forever separated from the living and existing in Azeroth as one of the Forsaken undead. He also loved her for the time they had spent together. This outstanding High Elf woman was truly exceptional, and he loved her beauty, strength, and resilience.
"Giggle!"Sylvanas laughed, sounding like a happy little hen, finding this human truly interesting. Her heart was also soaring.
Galen was not only strong but also quick-witted—a rare combination, even in the High Elf kingdom. Moreover, Sylvanas felt that Galen was much stronger than Prince Kael'thas.
She was impressed by Galen's assertive handling of the domestic nobles."The women of the Windrunner family are not so easily won, Galen. I have high hopes for you! Keep it up!" Sylvanas said playfully, her words laden with meaning.
Galen was momentarily stunned, wondering what Sylvanas meant."By the way, Galen, what kind of water did you give me to drink that day?"
"Ah?"
Sylvanas's abrupt change of topic caught Galen off guard. Just a moment ago, the atmosphere had seemed exceptionally intimate, so why the sudden shift?
"That was diluted Spring of Life. I had some in my collection." Though confused by the rapid change, Galen answered honestly. He was genuinely perplexed by matters of the heart, and his feelings for Sylvanas were complex; he needed time to sort them out.
At least for now, Sylvanas didn't seem to reject him.Well, the opportunity is promising, and the road ahead is long and arduous!
"Spring of Life!"
"Yes, it's the spring water that replenishes vitality.
"No wonder, Sylvanas thought, finally understanding.She had drunk more than Alleria that day but had woken up early, feeling refreshed—much better than Alleria, who had a splitting headache. Moreover, she had noticed that the old scars on her body had faded after washing, an unexpected effect of the Spring of Life.
Galen gave me Spring of Life to quench my thirst, Sylvanas thought, feeling a little sweetness in her heart.
"Is there any more?" Sylvanas asked.
"Yes, I have a lot stored!"
Sylvanas suddenly felt a weight lift from her heart.
The lifespan issue that worried her elder sister was now largely resolved. While Sylvanas didn't care about the lifespan difference between herself and Galen, it would be even better if she could remove her family's objections!
"Give me some," Sylvanas said, holding out her slender, fair hand. "Keep the rest for yourself; it's very precious!"
Galen took out another portion of the spring water and handed it to Sylvanas, thinking, Precious? I have a whole pool of it—enough to use for afforestation!
Sylvanas left with the new bottle of spring water, intending to share this precious liquid with her elder sister. No woman, even a female general, truly accepts ugly scars; she simply forces herself not to care.Galen remained alone by the waterfall, the water cascading from the mountain and crashing onto the lakebed near the forest with a thunderous roar.
"The pines were roaring on the height
The winds were moaning in the night
The fire was red, it flaming spread
The trees like torches blazed with light!"
What great poetry! Why didn't I think to show off my knowledge just now! How annoying!