Author's Note: Hey there! So this is my very first fanfic, so I would greatly appreciate any (positive and/or negative) critiques! Also, I'd like the point out that the characters in this story are, well, out of character. Frankly, I find Jaina's personality to be a bit dull in the lore, so I tried to add some flare. Moreover, Finnall Goldensword, Jaina's sister, is not an original character. She's actually in the lore, so Google her if you're curious : ) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the World of Warcraft universe.

Chapter 1

Hi. My name is Jaina and I've been sober for around, I don't know, 2 hours, maybe. Actually, scratch that. Struggling to prop myself up on my elbows, I notice the room still spinning around me. Great! Just what Theramore needs: a drunken wench of a ruler.

Why did I let my sister talk me into last night? Oh, that's right, because I'm a moron.

I'm schooled in every form of magic known to Azeroth. Hell, I can fry a man where he stands, but I still can't figure out how to say 'no' to Fin.

I surrender to the stubbornly rotating walls and collapse back into the heavenly pillow below me. Maybe Theramore could do without me for just one more hour. Oh, sleep, how beautiful you are…

"Sis! Hey! I'm glad to see you're alive after last night." I spoke too soon. My sister, Fin, comes barging through my bedroom doors. "Those Dalaran gypsies sure didn't school you in how to handle your ale, that's for sure!" She skips over to the window and quickly pulls open the curtains, allowing the morning's sunlight to fill the room.

"Ah! Get out of here, Fin!" I bury my face into the pillow to shield my sensitive eyes. "Just a few more moments of sleep…"

Everytime Fin visits all the men in Theramore flock to her. I have secretly always been a tad jealous of her, though I'd never tell Fin that. Like she needed anymore of an ego boost! Her hair is the color of pale grain, her eyes are a deep sea blue, and she has a very ethereal quality about her. She must have gotten all her good genes from her mother. Yes, I said "her" mother. In case you didn't know, we're half-sisters, but that doesn't matter much to me. Having a sister is like having a best friend that you can never get rid of, and for that I'm thankful.

Frowning at my attempt to stay in bed, Fin stomps her boots until she reaches the side of my bed. "Up and at 'em, lazy bones!" Suddenly, she rips my pillow and blanket from me in a rogue-like quickness.

Wait, did I say I was thankful? I meant cursed!

"The gods you're incessant!" I sit up against the headboard trying to gather some composure. "How is it you drank just as much as I did, and you're prancing around here like a goddamn spring rabbit?"

Grinning, Fin throws the bedding onto a nearby chair. "It must be my warrior training!"

Warrior training my ass. I would tell her it's her elven blood, but Fin is very sensitive about her half high elf heritage. She never forgave our father for hiding her birth, but that's a whole 'nother story. I'm just glad I have her as a sister.

In fact, I really owe her for last night. Every year around this time I start to feel my energy draining and my moods slip into melancholy. And every year Fin is here, ale in hand, ready to help me laugh my way through this rut.

Why do I get so upset around this time of year, you ask? Well, you know that feeling when you lose something important, something you can't live without? You see, it was this time 5 years ago that I lost something, well, someone, very dear to me. And to this day, I feel as if it's my fault. I wasn't strong enough to save him.

****Flash back to the night before****

"Sis, we discuss this everytime! You couldn't do anything to save him!"

"What if I could have? What if I convinced him to leave Stratholme and wait for another solution?"

"What if blah, blah, blah! Jaina, there was no way you were stopping him from slaughtering those people. You knew him better than anybody, once he made a decision, not 500 battle-ready orcs could stop him. You have to stop blaming yourself for this! It's been 5 years, let him go, Jaina."

"I know, I know! I try to tell myself this, but I just don't believe it. "

"What's past is past. It's not like you could do anything about it now."

Fin notices me steadying my gaze at a no particular spot on the wall. "Jaina, please don't tell me you're thinking what I think you're thinking." She shakes her head. "He is not still alive!" she adds forcefully. "Everyone knows that when he merged with Ner'zhul inside of the Frozen Throne we lost him for good. He's not there anymore, Jaina. Only the dark shaman survived the merge. If he was at all the man he used to be, he couldn't do such grotesque things. The Lich King is all that remains."

I break my gaze with the wall to stare into Fin's eyes. "I know. He's never coming back."

Fin gives me a sympathetic look before walking over to large sac she brought into my room. Pulling out a jug of ale, she flashes me a mischievous grin.

****A few hours later…***

"I am sho not carin' 'bout him anymore! He made hi'own choices. I am shoo over 'im!"

Fin straightens up in her seat and slaps me heartily on the back. "That's the spirit! He could have chosen to leave Stratholme and stay with you, but no! Instead he chooses some junk sword over a my beautiful and powerful sister. So who needs that bastard of a troll anyways?!"

"Troll! Ahahaha! He did look like a troll! A fugly troll! "And his penish washn't even that big!"

"You don't need that small penised troll!" Fin grabs the jug of ale and begins refilling my cup. "Here, drink up!"

"Yeah!" I take another gulp of the delicious golden liquor. "Down wif da chode troll! Cheers!"

****End Flask Back****

I shake my head trying to forget the shenanigans that went on last night.

"Fin?"

"Yeah, sis?"

"Thanks for last night."

"Don't sweat it, Jay. No need to thank me." Fin smiles at me sweetly and places her warm hand on my own.

I sigh heavily and decide there's no more time for holding up in my room, sobbing over lost love. My people need me.

**** Two weeks later.. ****

"Lady Proudmoore, with all due respect, you can't possibly be thinking of an alliance with the orcs! Those blood thirsty dogs cannot be trusted!"

"Silence, commander! We must do what is best for our people, and combining our efforts in Northrend with the Horde will strengthen our attack on the Scourage."

"We'll see what the council has to say about this!" Commander Wilford storms out of the office, making a show to slam the doors harder than necessary.

The fool! He'd have our forces divided over some petty race war that I care nothing about? I've had it with these troublesome politics! Life was so much simpler as an apprentice in Dalaran.

"Well," I say out loud to no in particular, "I guess it's time for some much needed sleep."

Drifting away, I dream of happier times…

"Arrrrrgggh!" I yell in frustration. This spell is so tedious! A cloud of smoke fizzles in front of where I sit at my desk.

I glance around the room and spot the fire place. I point my left hand towards the timber and imagine a flame. In seconds, a hearty fire is warming the room.

At least if I fail at my studies and become a washed up wannabe mage, I'll never go cold. Take that fate!

I snap my head suddenly towards the sound of rustling at my window. I head over to investigate and notice someone climbing up the ancient brick to my room.

"Just what do you think you're doing?"

"Uh, climbing through your window, what else?"

The golden haired boy pulls himself up using the window ledge and swings himself into my room in one fluid motion. Landing on his feet perfectly, he glances at me and flashes a toothy grin.

"I can see that." I give him my most unimpressed look. What a show off! "I mean, why are you here?"

He strides over until he's standing mere inches away from me. "For this." Quickly, he leans forward and bends down capturing my lips with his.

I should be studying! I should be resisting temptation, but my traitorous body has other plans. Instantly, my eyes close and I part my lips giving him entry.

To my surprise, and dismay, he retreats from the kiss. I frown to show my disappointment. This jerk thinks he's going to come pester me whenever he wants then deny me? No way!

"Jaina." His voice breaks me from my thoughts. "I came here to tell you something of grave importance."

"What is it? You can tell me anything."

He takes a step back and turns away from me. "Be ready," he says monotonously.

"Ready? Ready for what?" I ask with some concern in my voice.

"I'm coming for you, my love."

"What? You're already here, you fool. Or did you miss that whole scene of you barging through my window while I was trying to study?" I shift my weight to one leg and place my hands firmly on my hips. "Seriously, why are you acting so-"

I'm cut off by him whipping around quickly, closing the space in between us. He grabs at my throat and holds it firmly with freezing fingers.

Shocked, my body is frozen stiff. I stare at him in confusion. "What the hell are you doing?!" I manage to choke out.

"I'll be coming for you, Jaina. Be ready."

I spring up in my bed gasping for air. Chest still heaving, I can feel the cold wet sensation of sweat soaked sheets on my skin. I glance around to make sure no one's in the room.

What the gods was that?

For the first time in 5 years, I say his name out loud.

"Arthas."