Author's Note: First of all, I don't own any of these characters. They belong to Blizzard.
I want to inform you that this won't be the casual love story of Arthas and Jaina you would expect. This story will a little melancholic, darker, grim or even sad at some points. This story will probably get better in the end but the start will be unusual gloomy. Don't be shocked at first, hopefully, you will continue to read this story.
Chapter One - Rebirth
Jaina's POV
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes before I exhaled. My breath was cold, which was normal considering where I was at the moment. I was standing in the middle of a large staircase in Icecrown Citadel. Why I was there was a legitimate question. Of course, I was there to help the heroes getting rid of a dangerous threat. A dangerous threat for all life on Azeroth and for Azeroth itself. The question, I asked myself, was: Do I hope anything else than to achieve the death of the Lich King? The death of the former love of my life?
That was a legitimate question and there was only one right answer for that. Of course, I do.
Of course, I hope that I could save him. Save Arthas Menethil. That sounded as impossible as bringing forever lasting peace to Azeroth. Trying to save Arthas from the grip of the Lich King sounded almost impossible, it was almost impossible for me because I already tried it and failed. But I won't give up. Not again. Not this time. I have to save him, somehow. I don't know how but there must be a way, right? I can't believe that he is gone forever.
Others would advise me against trying to save him and from trying to talk to him. They would counsel me against getting in the near of the Lich King. They would tell me that the risk would be too high, that Arthas could hurt me and even kill me but I don't believe them. I don't believe that he would do this to me. He may not be the man anymore, he once was but I refuse to believe that he was fully gone. There must be a small part of him, of the good Arthas Menethil, which should still exist in this so-called Lich King. I just have to reach him. This shouldn't be too difficult. I mean, I have already tried it once but... Whatever. This time, I will be successful. I was pretty sure about that.
I took another deep breath before I climbed step after step of the long and icy staircase. Each step felt like a heavy burden, like a difficult task I had to accomplish. My legs were heavy, my breath icy and my body felt cold. It took a lot of strength for me to climb this staircase but finally, after a few minutes of arduous walking, I finally reached the last step of it.
I came to a small room. In the middle of that room was a small teleporter which would bring me to the top of Icecrown Citadel. This teleporter was guarded by three ugly ghouls. These miserable creatures were smaller than me but they were pretty fast and deadly. I knew I shouldn't underestimate them, that's why I waited carefully for them to make the first move.
The ran towards me as soon as they noticed me. I froze the ground beneath them, making sure that they couldn't move from their spot. I lifted my staff in the air and send a frostbolt at the first ghoul, killing it immediately. I annihilated the second one with a small fireball and the third one with an arcane blast. I burned the corpses of these foul creatures, making sure that no necromancer could raise them again.
3 for Jaina 0 for the Scourge.
I looked around, making sure that no one else was around or could follow me. I walked to the teleporter and stopped in front of it. I took a deep breath, conflicting with my inner self if I should really risk this. I decided that the chance of saving Arthas, no matter how low it is, is always worth a risk. I don't think that I could ever be happy without my Arthas. Without my Prince. Without the love of my life.
I had to risk it. He wouldn't kill me and raise me. Wouldn't he? I mean I always mattered to him. If there is still a small part of the good Arthas in the Lich King, then he wouldn't do me any harm. I may sound foolish but I actually believed that.
I tightened the grip around my staff, stepping in the teleporter. I found myself on top of the Citadel at the next moment. My breath stopped when I recognized what was awaiting me.
My Arthas... I meant the Lich King was standing in the middle of the icy platform, surrounded by the twenty-five corpses of the mightiest heroes from Azeroth. I couldn't believe that Arthas managed to defeat them alone. I knew he was powerful but I hadn't expected him to be that powerful. Twenty-five against one sounded like an easy fight but the truth was that it had been an easy fight for Arthas, considering that his massive and heavily dark-grey armour was barely damaged.
I turned my head, a shocked sound escaped my lips when I recognized Highlord Tirion Fordring who was locked in an ice pillar. The Lich King didn't seem to have recognized me. He seemed to be busy with turning these fallen heroes into his new undead elite force. I couldn't tell how long he was casting this spell but I was pretty sure that he needed a few more minutes to complete the resurrection spell. There was my chance. I could approach him and talk to him, trying to reach the good part which still existed in him.
I walked forward, slowly at first but I became faster with each step I made. I almost reached him when I heard the shattering of ice and the loud cry of Tirion. I turned around and noticed that Highlord Fordring, somehow, had managed to get free out of his prison. He rushed towards Arthas with the intention to kill him.
I couldn't allow that. Killing the Lich King would mean to kill my Arthas and ruining my chance to save him. I could not allow that. Arthas may have done a lot of horrible things. He may have been responsible for the death of millions. He may have killed his own father and doomed his own kingdom but it was the Lich King, the orc Ner'zhul who had forced him to do that. The Arthas I knew was still a part of the Lich King and striking him down would mean that I would never get him back.
The Lich King still hadn't recognized the old paladin who was about to attack him. I have to warn him. I MUST warn him or Arthas would be gone forever.
"ARTHAS" I cried. "BEHIND YOU. WATCH OUT!"
Arthas turned around immediately, interrupting the cast of his spell. He recognized Tirion at the last moment but managed to block his attack. I noticed Tirion staring at me with furious eyes. He was giving me a glare which told me 'Why did you do this child? Why did you warn him?'
Tirion and Arthas were clashing their swords together. I shouted to Arthas that he should stop fighting, that there was still hope for him, that I believe in the good in him. He ignored me. He didn't even look at me, instead, he defended himself against Tirion's tries to take him down. Tirion did his best but even with Ashbringer, he wasn't able to keep up with the Lich King.
I had to watch in horror how Arthas overpowered Tirion and rammed Frostmourne through his chest. Tirion spat a large amount of blood out, his gaze rested on me, his eyes searched for mine but I looked away. I felt like I was frozen. I couldn't move, I couldn't do anything to help Tirion. My mouth was opened but no sound came out of it. I could only stand there and stare at the icy floor while Tirion made his last breath before the Lich King drew his cursed sword out of the body of the Highlord and flung his corpse on the ground.
What have I done? Tears ran down my cheeks. How could I have been so foolish to believe that I could reach Arthas good side? I thought what I would have been able to talk to Arthas and convince him that it was never too late to get back to the good side. Now I have to face the horrible consequences, which I didn't want to imagine at this moment.
Arthas watched me, an amused smile on his lips. His icy blue glowing eyes observed me.
"Thank you, Archmage Proudmoore" he shouted with his cold, emotionless and deep voice.
Archmage Proudmoore? How he was calling me already told me how he was seeing me. He wasn't seeing me as his former lover, instead, I was one of these heroes he would raise and make them to loyal servants of the Scourge.
It was not too late for running. Retreating was not a shame at this point. I turned around quickly, running towards the teleporter but Arthas stopped me. Somehow, he managed to prevent me from moving further to the teleporting platform. I turned my head, looking at him. He had lifted me in the air with magic, while he pointed Frostmourne at the fallen heroes.
"I have to thank you Jaina" he said. The way how he pronounced my name increased the worry in me. Cold shivers ran down my spine when his piercing blue eyes stared at me. It felt like his gaze would penetrate me and look through me. It felt very unpleasant, I had to say. My heart was beating rapidly in my chest, my throat was dry, my breaths were quick and uncontrolled.
"Without you, that mortal bastard would have slain me. You did an important favour for the Scourge. You didn't only save my life you also allowed the Scourge to continue to exist and act under my command. I will reward you for this favour with another favour, my dear" he shouted. He looked at me with a wide grin on his lips.
"About what kind of a favour are we talking about?" I stuttered and tried to get free out of his magical grip, without success.
"You will find out soon enough Proudmoore" he answered. I wanted to say something in response. I wanted to try to talk to him once again, trying to reach his good side but somehow, no sounds slipped out of my mouth although I have formed the right sentences in my mind. I heard heavy footsteps behind me. I didn't know who was coming but I was sure that I wouldn't like the presence of this person or these persons.
"Take her and bring her to the room" Arthas commanded and turned around. He shifted his attention back to the fallen heroes and continued to raise them. I didn't know what was awaiting me in THE room but I was at least sure that I wouldn't like it. Tears ran down my cheeks when I tried to convince Arthas one more time but he totally ignored me and didn't even looked at me when these creatures dragged me away.
I woke up later. I didn't know where I was and how much time had passed since one of these creatures had knocked me out. I looked around, my eyes were trying to recognize something but it was so dark that I couldn't even see my hand in front of my eyes. That would also require that I could move my hands in front of my face, which I couldn't because they were bound behind my back to an icy column. I was shivering, feeling very cold.
I recognized that I was totally naked. I wasn't wearing any piece of cloths. My head was hurting, the only sound which was hearable in this room was the sound of my own breaths. I tried to move my arms but the shackles held them in place behind my back. I couldn't do anything except thinking over the decisions I made during the past years.
How could I have been so foolish to think that I could change Arthas? I could have helped him much earlier. Now it was too late to help him. Another tear ran down my cheeks when I realized that it was too late to save Arthas. The Arthas I once knew and loved was gone. Corrupted by the cursed runeblade Frostmourne. Corrupted by the soul of the wicked orc shaman Ner'zhul.
I could have saved Arthas before he would have been corrupted. I could have stopped him and convinced him that purging Stratholme was the wrong way. I also could have gone with him to Northrend and prevent that he picks up Frostmourne, or at least I could have stopped him from killing his father and his own people, not to mention Sylvanas Windrunner and the high elves. I regretting now that I had made the wrong decisions.
I should have stayed with Arthas no matter what would have happened. I shouldn't have left him at the moment where he had needed me the most. Dammit, I even have promised that I would never let him down and never refuse him. I had broken my promise, no wonder why Arthas wouldn't trust me anymore. No wonder why my attempts, to reach him, have turned out to be failures. Now, I was at the mercy of the Lich King, hoping that he wouldn't torture me or worse... What have I done? I have done everything wrong and now I have to live with the consequences of my failure.
"Oh, Arthas... Oh, dad... I'm so sorry. I have failed you both" I whispered, more tears ran down my cheeks. I wish I could wipe them away but the shackles prevented that. I was staring at the floor, full of sorrow. I felt sadness, anger aimed at myself, grieve over the loss of Arthas and many over negative emotions. I stared at the floor for a while, feeling guilty because of my failure.
Suddenly, I heard heavy footsteps. I didn't look up at first because I know that I wouldn't recognize anyone in the dark. I only looked up when my eyes recognized that the room lightened up. I saw the Lich King entering the room. The Lich Kel'thuzad and a few members of the Cult of the Dammed were following him.
"Is she ready?" asked Arthas with his thundering voice.
"Yes, my master. She is ready for her transformation" responded Kel'Thuzad and rubbed his bony hands together.
Transformation? Have I heard it right? What does he mean with transformation? He wouldn't do this to me, would he? He wouldn't turn me into an undead. I was not even sure right now. The Arthas I knew was gone so everything could happen. I stared at the floor, avoiding Arthas piercing gaze and Kel'Thuzad's scornful smile.
The Lich King came closer to me. I knew, without looking at him, that his gaze rested on me and his lips formed a satisfied and sadistic smile. Tears ran down my cheeks when the monster, who once had been my beloved Arthas, stopped in front of me and put his cold gauntlet under my chin, lifting it up so that I was forced to look at the part of his face, which wasn't covered by his massive helmet. I flinched when his hand stroked my cheek. He pulled his hand away and took the gauntlet off, dropping it. A loud dull sound was hearable when it hit the ice-cold floor. His ice-cold hand ran through my blond hair, toying with my locks. I just watched him because I wasn't able to do anything else.
"I have promised you that I will give you a reward for warning me" said Arthas and continued to toy with my hair while he observed my nude form.
"Do you... Do you free me?" I stuttered and stared in his blue eyes, doing my best to hold my gaze.
"Do I free you?" he asked irritated. "Of course, I will free you. Free you from the limiting shackles of mortality. I will offer you immortality, power and the chance to rule over Azeroth with me. You will become my queen if you prove to be worthy enough"
I felt that my throat had become even drier than it already was. I opened my mouth, wanting to protest, wanting to tell him that I don't want to die. That I don't want to become one of his servants. But I couldn't. Again, no words came out of my mouth. The only sounds I produced were sobs and cries.
"Don't cry Jaina. Together, we will rule over this world. You will be my queen. You just need to prove your worth to me. But first, let me free you from this disgustingly weak form" shouted Arthas and lifted Frostmourne, pressing its icy cold blade against my cheek, leaving a small cut in my face. He lowered the blade and pressed the tip against my belly. I couldn't see my face but I was pretty sure that it showed pure fear. My body was shaking, my mouth was dry and my breaths short and uncontrolled. I felt fear. Fear of dying, fear of becoming one of his mindless servants, fear because I would never meet my Arthas again.
He thrust his blade through my abdomen. I spit a large amount of blood out. He put his hand on my forehead and muttered a few words in an, for me, unknown language. The pain I felt, was unbearable at first but it became weaker and weaker like my vision which blurred out slowly until I lost my consciousness.
I woke up later on a soft bed in a sparsely furnished room. I sensed immediately that my head really hurt but no pain came from other regions. I sat up and looked at my upper body. I was naked, my skin was very pale and had a slight tinge of blue. To my great surprise, no wound was visible in my belly, not even the smallest scar. I spotted a mirror with an ice-blue bordering at the end of the room. I stood up and walked to it slowly, regarding my reflection curiously.
My entire body had a slight blue colour. My eyes were glowing blue, not in the same tone as the eyes of the Lich King but in a similar one. Most of my hair was pure white, only a thick strand of hair had another colour. It was a dark purple strand of hair which stood out of my beautiful white mane.
I was shocked by my drastic appearance change. I pressed the palm of one of my hands against my cheek, trying to find out if my body was still warm. To my disappointment, I was icy cold. As cold as Arthas' hand when he had touched me. I didn't find any fitting words to describe how I was feeling right now. I felt so many emotions at the same time. Disgust, anger, hatred, sorrow, grieve even amazement.
Indeed, I felt amazed by this strange look. It required a few minutes of starring to recognize the entire beauty of this body. I may don't look as beautiful as I once had been in life anymore but I have to admit that I still look very beautiful. At least that. It would have been a disaster if my beauty also would have been robbed away from the Lich King.
I was still angry with the Lich King. Angry that he had raised me as one of his pawns. I would like to tear his stupid head from his body if I would get the opportunity for that. I knew that he was too strong for me. I knew that I wouldn't be able to have vengeance for what he had done to me.
It was a wonder what I was able to have these, for a normal servant of the Scourge, forbidden thoughts. Normally, the Lich King would make sure that his servants would follow his rules without hesitation by raising them as mindless servants. But he didn't seem to have risen me as a mindless creature. Either he still cared for me or he does that to give me the chance to prove my loyalty and worth.
Well, I didn't really know his reasons and I didn't want to know or understand his motives. I was just glad that I could act freely. Of course, I have to serve him but I still have my personality, or at least what was left of it.
I regarded my naked body one more time. I frowned when I recognized another change. Did my body grow a little in size? I swear that I was larger than before. At least my boobs seemed to have grown. In life, I would have been happy to notice such a change because all men love big boobs.
Now, I really didn't care about such a meaningless thing. As if I would ever find someone again who could love me. I was undead, still attractive but undead and the man I had loved so much was gone. I don't think that I will ever be capable of feeling love or any other positive feeling, not to mention desire or lust.
I turned around and studied the room one more time. Besides a few pieces of furniture, the bed and the mirror, nothing else was standing in this room. No carpets, no paintings, only a small wardrobe. I walked to the wardrobe and opened it. Only one outfit hung in it.
It was a beautiful blue and white dress which seemed to start from my waistline and should reach to my ankles. There was also a wide blue cape made out of thick fur and a metal breastplate which could cover my chest. I put it on and regarded myself in the mirror. I looked beautiful and mighty in this outfit. Half of my breasts and my belly were exposed, for whatsoever reason. I didn't care at all that these body parts were exposed. I didn't care at all what will happen to me. I had nothing to lose. Arthas was gone. I was undead and my family still hated me because I was jointly responsible for the death of my father. It couldn't get any worse, at least I thought that.
I walked back to the bed and sat on it. I have met a lot of more or less friendly undead creatures, so-called Forsake. They were serving under Sylvanas Windrunner, the Banshee Queen, and fought against the Scourge.
Most of these creatures had decomposed appearances and they really stunk. I have only talked little with a few individuals which weren't stinking that much. They had told me that they didn't need to sleep, eat or drink.
My case wasn't different. I looked dead, I felt dead and my body was dead too. My heart wasn't beating anymore and I probably wouldn't be able to digest any kind of food.
I waited for a few hours, doing nothing except staring at the ceiling. I could have left my room and could have walked around but I found no joy in doing these things. If the Lich King wanted to see me then he should send someone after me.
Someone knocked at my door after a few hours had passed. I didn't hesitate and got up, walking to the door in a casual tempo. I opened the door and regarded the person who was standing in front of this room.
It was a female undead human who was about one head taller than me. She had long hair which colour was similar to mine, except that she had no purple strand of hair. She was wearing a massive armour which was coloured in a red and black colour scheme. The shoulder plates, the chest plate, her bracers, the area which covered her upper tights and the two massive swords she was carrying on her back were mainly coloured red while the rest of her armour had a dark grey, almost black colour. Except for her head and her neck, her entire body was covered by armour. Her skin was very pale and she had red glowing eyes. I had to say that she was beautiful, in her own way. I had never admired the beauty of other girls and women and I wouldn't start with that in undeath.
"Who are you?" I asked casually and regarded her one more time.
"I am Selania Wildreaper. I'm one of the commanders of the master's armies"
A high ranked member of the Scourge. What does she want from me? I asked myself and continued to look at her with an uninterested expression on my face.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"The master wants to see you" she responded with a strict voice and eyed me from the head to my feet.
"And what if I don't feel to be in the mood to see Arthas?" I asked curiously. Her first response was not verbally but physically. She flipped me around with such force and pressed me against the wall that I hit my head against it. I didn't feel pain but the wound, caused by the impact of my head against the wall, felt really unpleasant.
She pressed her body against my back, pressing my face against the shapeless wall. "First of all, we don't call our master by his first name. And second, you have to obey him and fulfil each of his tasks and demands. Only because you have been his whore in life, before he had become the Lich King, doesn't mean you could play like you were the boss. Is that clear?"
"Clear enough" I hissed, ignoring the little spikes which were pressed against my face.
"Good. Now, where we have agreed to all points, I would request you to follow me Jaina Proudwhore" she responded and giggled which sounded like the noise a dying animal was making. She let me go and pushed me to the ground, laughing herself silly when she regarded me standing up slowly. I felt an unnatural hatred for this woman but I ignored it and walked passed her. I would like to ram a sharp ice splinter in the woman's face, so angry she had made me, but I didn't because I knew that it would just make things worse for me.
I had no other choice than follow her. A bunch of ugly undead creatures were staring at us while we were walking through the long and wide corridors. I refused to look at Selania, instead, I stared at the slick ice-walls. We walked for a while until we reached the teleporter which would bring us to the top of this fortress. I stopped in front of the platform and hesitated for a moment. I was about to step on it when Selania pushed me forward, causing that I fell on the ground as soon as we arrived on the top.
My face met the icy ground. I ignored the laughter from Selania as I stood up and adjusted my outfit. I shot a deadly glare at her but made it even worse. She didn't stop to laugh over me until we got close to the icy stairs which would lead to the Frozen Throne, on which the Lich King was sitting.
He looked mighty and powerful as always. His massive and firm armour covered his body, the Helm of Domination covered most parts of his face. He was staring at us, Frostmourne in his right hand while his other hand rested casually on the armrest of his throne. Arthas size was so little compared to the gigantic ice column which stood behind the Frozen Throne.
I knew he was very powerful. He had been a strong paladin before he had claimed Frostmourne. The power of the cursed blade had made him even stronger, stronger than I could ever imagine. I didn't know what he was really capable of but I considered him as one of the strongest warriors who currently existed on Azeroth.
I had guessed that the Lich King would order us to step closer to him so that we could listen to his orders but instead, he was shouting with his fearsome and very loud voice. "Jaina Proudmoore. It's good to see that your transformation was successful. How do you feel?"
How do I...? I never thought that the Lich King would care about the feelings and thoughts about his minions. Again, I was wrong about him. I have never actually witnessed how he treated his other servants but I was pretty sure that he was treating me differently, in a better way I hoped.
I looked at him, noticing that he was excepting an answer. The corner of my eyes recognized Selania who was giving me a dangerous and, at the same time, threatening look. It seemed that I had been lost in thoughts and hadn't answered the question immediately which made Selania upset, thinking I would disrespect her master. No. OUR master was the fitting term. The Lich King, on the other hand, stayed calm and regarded me with a wide smile on his lips. I didn't know why he was smiling. Was he smiling because of me or because of another reason? I didn't know and I didn't really care.
"I'm fine" I responded. It was a lie, of course, it was. I didn't really know how I should feel at the moment. I should be angry and full of hatred like every undead creature who had been raised to life and wasn't affected by the Lich King's control. On the other hand, the Lich King would expect that I would be honoured to serve him, like most members of the Scourge were. I don't really want to serve the Lich King but I guess I had no other choice. At least I was glad that I was not under his full control and could have a personality, unlike most of the members of the Scourge.
"Are you sure?" he asked. His voice contained no emotions but I was sure that he was doubting my response.
"Yes, A... I mean my lord. It's not easy to get used to this body but I was pretty sure that I get along with it sooner or later" I replied and looked at him, showing him my respect.
"Good. I have the perfect task for you to get used to your enhanced body and test what you are capable of" he shouted.
"What should I do master?"
"I want you to go with Commander Wildreaper and her troops to the Shadow Vault and retake it. Our enemies are still occupying it. I want to have my territories back. For that, you need a strong weapon. I have ordered my most talented servants to forge a weapon which would be worthy of your skills" he lifted his hand a little and a magical wand appeared in front of me.
The wand was almost as tall as me. The handle was made out of pure, infusible ice. Above the tip, which looked like the tip of a trident, floated a huge and shapeless blue crystal. The crystal was taller than my head and I was able to see my reflection in it. I noticed that my right cheek was burst from Selania's mistreating, meaning that I had to look for a necromancer who could fix this.
"Take it and shatter our enemies with it"
"I will. Thank you, my master" I said and bowed to him. I didn't want to bow to him but I had no other choice or my face would meet the floor again.
"That's all I wanted to her. Now you can do whatever you want. Commander Wildreaper will inform you when the mission will start" the Lich King shouted and turned his gaze to Selania, meaning that he had dismissed me. I looked at him then at Selania who was giving me a malicious smile. I turned around and walked to the teleporting platform. I didn't know what exactly I would do with my 'free time' right now. I assumed that the best was to practice with the staff before I use it in combat.
I went to the room, I knew was used as a training room for death knight's, mages, necromancers and other spellcaster and fighters. I walked to the training dummies and started to shot frostbolts at them. It worked very well, only the protection spell which had been spoken on these dummies, protected them from getting destroyed by my magic. I create fireball after fireball and shot them at the dummies. I practiced on more spells I had used in life like arcane abilities, various frost and fire abilities. I practiced for a few hours, finding out that I was a lot stronger than I had been in life.
I found out that being undeath had its advantages as a mage. I could cast more spells in a short period of time without getting exhausted too soon. My spells were a lot stronger and I was even capable of necromancy, meaning I could heal the wound in my face with ease.
I kept practicing until I was really exhausted after a few more hours. In life, I only would have been able to practice only half of the time. I was very satisfied with myself. I will prove the Lich King that I will be worthy for him, that I will be worthy enough to be his queen. I may not be able to be together with the Arthas I once had known but at least I wanted to be together with this version of Arthas, hoping that I could reach the good side in him one day.