What Could Have Been
Two young Tauren find love in a place where such love cannot be.
Deep within the wilderness of Feralas once was a vibrant tribe of Tauren that lived in peace among the land. Life was tough among the tribesmen. They were struck with many hardships and to keep their tribe from dying out, they were forced into marriage at an early age. They needed all of the offspring they could birth to help fight against the constant threat of Ogres and Gnoll. No one seemed to be in disagreement with this ritual and those who did, kept their opinions to themselves or risk banishment.
The traditions of the tribe were very important to them. If one were to fall in battle or be victim of illness, they would be brought to the sacred hill of Zana, named after the beloved Mother, the one who brought prosperity to the tribe who unfortunately perished on a devastating raid of demonic forces. They would then be wrapped in ceremonial gauze to be cremated. The ashes would be taken by the Grandfather of the tribe and he would take them and plant them into the ground along with an acorn, so that they would one day be the food of a great tree.
Komin wiped a tear from his eye as the watched the blaze of the pyre. The young Tauren's mother had passed away from a deadly illness that was not treatable by the shaman of the tribe. His best friend was by his side, head down in sadness. Ryen was his name. He looked over to Komin and placed a hand on his arm to comfort him. Komin turned and quickly buried his face into Ryen's neck, sobbing gently. The friend wrapped his arm around the mourning bull's shoulder and patted him on the back gently, shushing him quietly. He looked around quickly to see if anyone had noticed Komin's outburst, but luckily they were all focused on the flames of the pyre. He speedily led him down the hill and brought him inside of his tent. Sitting the bovine down on his own bedding, he knelt in front of Komin, placing a hand on his shoulder and looking him straight in his face.
Komin kept his face down, staring down at the hooves of his friend until his chin was lifted up by the tauren. He still had tears in his eyes as he looked into Ryens eyes. He was brought memories of his childhood with him by his side. Together they could take anything on! Even as they grew older, their friendship was never compromised. In fact, as each day passed, it seemed to grow stronger. As he looked into Ryen's eyes, he could now see love for the one he had always called a friend. Komin closed his eyes and leaned forward, slowly. Soon, he felt the lips of his love against his as they were brought together in a passionate, but gentle, kiss. Pure, fiery passion filled the air as lust soon took the couple. They were bonded together through their makings, and they were now forever.
Outside, the crowd was returning back from the funeral of Komin's mother. The Chieftain walked with a heavy heart. He wanted to find Komin and show him all the comfort that he could give to the orphaned tauren. He made his way to where he suspected he would find the young bull; Ryen's tent. Walking inside, he was braced with the strong scent of arousal and intercourse. Fury struck the Chieftain he lay witness to the scene of the two lovers in each other's arms, the obvious evidence of sex all around them. The massive tauren grabbed the two by the horn and pulled them to their feet. He dragged them outside and threw them to the ground, the a crowd of tauren turning and gasping in disgust at the two. The Chieftan signaled to one of the tauren among the others and he quickly walked up, seizing and pulling the two up by the arms roughly.
Komin knew what the punishment was for an this kind of act. Dread filled his heart as he knew what was soon to come. Not a single other noise could be heard as the Chieftain hefted his mighty axe onto his shoulder. Sympathy was no longer felt for young Komin. Only hatred and disgust. It would soon be over for the two. But suddenly the rough grip on Komin's arm was released, causing him to fall onto his hands and knees. He looked over and saw Ryen clamping his jaw onto the one who was holding them. He let go and shouted to Komin, "Run! Run as far away as you can! I will always be with you!" Komin quickly scrambled to his feet and ran as fast as he could. He didn't look back, he couldn't. He knew what his fragile eyes would see.
Eventually, he stopped. He turned around to see his beloved captive once more by the massive bull. The Chieftain had his axe over his head, and Komin's eyes clamped shut quickly before he could see what had transpired. He let out a cry of anguish as he fell to his knees. Tears ran fluidly from his eyes, soaking his muzzle as he whimpered in sorrow. His love... His friend... The one who had been there for him all of his life... Gone... He wanted with all of his heart to go back, to have them take his life as well, but his mind wouldn't allow him to do it. He knew that Ryen wouldn't want him to do it. He would want him to live on.
And so he did. He wandered through the wilds, surviving off the heart of the land. He stayed away from civilization and from others, knowing how cruel they could be. Every day when Komin woke up, he remembered. He remembered to keep Ryen in his heart and in his soul. He would always remember. He saw what his life could have been. What SHOULD have been. The only thing that kept him from ending his life was remembering Ryen's name.
And thus, Komin lived on.