Broken Antler Fen for every child who was ever born to pain and asked why

I'm not even going to try to explain how he is here.  Massive hand waving

Ashlar wasn't a solitary wolf. Being without a pack was terrifying, but there was also something quietly exhilarating about his first trip into the world alone.  The first time he'd been with baba, and after Legion he'd been running home.  Now he was out here exploring the world himself, trying to find his place in it (if such a place existed).  He'd told mama and baba he'd come home before winter if he could not find a place to stay, promised them he'd make sure he was safe.  But for now, he reveled in the newfound freedom of being an "adult".  Even if he didn't feel like one.

The lanky adolescent was thinking about his siblings, and wondering how much they'd grown since he left.  He was grateful he hadn't left his parents alone, but they'd made it all the harder to take this step.  He'd doted on them.

Ashlar was too caught up in this line of thinking to notice Illidan resting nearby.  Blissfully unaware, he skirted the edge of the trees.  He'd been on the lookout for a meal, but with this level of attention, success likely would be a while off.