Author's Note: Ok first off, the disclaimer: I do not own any part of Warcraft or World of Warcraft or the Character's there-in. Nor do I own, Twinky, Azidan, or any other named character in this story outside of Liseiltha, those characters are owned by their respective account holders, I'm just playing with them in my twisted sense of fun.
Edit: This story has changed from when I first began writing it, as many stories often do. As you can see, it is no longer going to be in two separate stories, but one continuous one. Though I do not wish to spoil it for those who are just now coming into this story, let's just say that there are more elements to this story than even I first intended. With that in mind, Please sit back, relax and enjoy the story.
Thirdly, no flames please, I know that lore-wise it's a bit butchered, and I know that I probably have messed up somewhere in someway. This story has not been beta-ed it is in it's raw form. Constructive criticism is welcomed.
Anyway onto the show...
Chapter 1: A Few Old Friends
Liselitha sat on the tip of the snow covered mountain, looking over into Icecrown Citadel. She saw as the numberless Scourge crawl, blundered, and stumbled along doing as their master bid. Below, her Netherwing Drake hunted the small game that was sparse in this ice filled hell. Unbidden memories danced in her vision, while echoes of the past played havoc in her mind. The first sword she forged, followed by the Culling with a different, more powerful weapon. "I can't leave, Uther, I am under orders from Silvermoon...Though I will probably need to confess my sins afterward." Another upsweep of the wind blows that memory aside for a more hurtful and sadistic one.
"Unsettling, isn't it?" She looked up to find Tirion Fordring standing over her, Ashbringer in it's sheath. "Very. It is like watching termites getting ready to infest a tree, You can kill one, hell you can kill a hundred of them, but until the leader is killed, they will still infect the tree." Tirion nodded absently and she returned to watching as the masses of undead prepared their walls for a conflict they all knew was coming. "You know, there is a place for you amongst the Argent Crusade, Liselitha. We could use your sword. Any pupil of Uther must be inclined to work for the greater good." Liselitha shook her head. "I would join you and your men, Tirion. But I believe that I am not welcome amongst them, former pupil or not. The Silver Covenent and The Sunreavers have made it quite clear that we are only here for one purpose, the downfall of the Lich King. Afterwards, everything returns to status quo." Tirion shook his head, he knew she spoke the truth. The fact that some could lay down their hatred and distaste for a former enemy did not mean all could. He had seen it in both sides, Varian with his condescending towards even former allies and Garrosh, who was barely reigned in by Thrall. Even within his own ranks were there some discrimination by human officers against former members of the Horde, and vice versa. He studied the tiny Blood Elf, she was smaller in stature than he remembered, a side affect of the fel magic that had been infused to her people. However the plate she wore made up for her lack in height. He could feel the magic that pulsed and coursed through the metal, this was not plate meant for killing, but for healing. "You have changed." She smiled up at him. "I no longer strive to punish those who have betrayed the Light. Instead I use it to heal those that would work towards the greater good of Azeroth." A hint of sadness swept through her, clouding her eyes. "The Culling?" She nodded. "I had been under orders from Silvermoon City to help Arthas, investigate and stop the plague from spreading into our lands." She shuddered. "I killed innocent people, Tirion. I watched as our forces killed men, women, and children, whose only crime had been ignorance. I begged Uther beforehand to let me confess afterward." She was shaking now as the memory hit her full force, the acrid smell of the undead burning, men, women, children screaming, begging her to save them.
"Did you get to?" She was thankful for the interruption It was disturbing what lengths some people to strive to in order to protect their people. "Of course. I didn't go with Arthas to Northrend, but instead returned to Silvermoon and gave a report. But I was also grieved. " A tear slid down her cheek. Tirion put a hand on her shoulder. "What we do in the name of Justice, Peace, and Honor, can sometimes carry a heavier weight than those things we do that we know is wrong. You were acting in the best interests of your race. No one can blame you for that." Liselitha chuckled. "But then so was Arthas, when he took up the blade Frostmourne." Tirion nodded. "That is true, but the difference between you and Arthas is that you feel remorse and sorrow for what you have done in the past. Arthas doesn't. You have kept your compassion and all that makes your soul whole. Arthas has lost sight of this and as such shall face the void of oblivion when he is killed." Liselitha nodded in agreement, then stood. "I must return if I am to be in the arena tomorrow. I must rest." Tirion frowned in thought. "Why are you so intent on facing him, Liselitha." Heaving a sigh Liselitha turned back toward him and for an instant her eyes flashed their once dark blue. "Because I loved him once, and he betrayed me. He took my sister along with Sylvannas and turned her. Though not into a banshee, but the same dark twisted being that he had been before The Lich King." Tirion looked at her in horror. "Have you spoken with Dorian Mograine or Koltira Deathweaver?" She looked sadly at the frozen snow. As if sensing his mistress's distress, her drake reappeared at her side. "They told me she had not reported in since the incident at Light's Hope Chapel." Tirion nodded. It was possible that the former ranger, Lor'eal, had fled back to the Lich King, refusing to believe that she had been betrayed by her master. Tirion clapped her on the shoulder, "If there is anything you need, I will be happy to help." Liselitha simply nodded then mounted on her Drake. "Oh one more thing, Liselitha. If you should happen to 'run into' Varian Wrynn again, I suggest you apologize profoundly for your rudeness earlier today." At this Liselitha laughed. "If he calls me rude for asking to have a private conversation with an old friend, then perhaps it is not I who needs to be retrained in manners." At Tirion's confused look, she smiled. "I was on the grounds today when noticed him and Jaina Proudmoore taking a stroll. I apologized for interrupting and asked Lady Proudmoore if she would like to meet at the Legerdemain Lounge later this afternoon for a cup of tea. The King decided at that point to draw his sword, threaten me with the wrath of the alliance if I ever so dared to speak to Jaina again. I reminded him that we were on Argent Tournament grounds and that any bloodshed outside the tournament would be frowned upon by you. I then proceeded to apologize to Jaina and told her that I would be staying in the Legerdemain Lounge versus The Filthy Animal, if she should wish to catch up on old times. I seem to recall her yelling at King Wrynn about being rude to old friends as I left on my scouting trip." For some reason Tirion wasn't surprised. He would have to speak to Jaina alone about the incident in private. Though he wondered briefly if the mage would make the trip to the Legerdemain Lounge.
O.O.O.O.O
Liselitha landed on Krasus Landing and gave instructions to her drake to find a place to sleep. Her drake hated the stables, not that she blamed him any. They were both free souls who enjoyed the feel of the wind blowing around them as they flew. Summoning her horse she made her way to the lounge where she was staying. Her friends didn't understand why she chose to sleep where the alliance had easy access to her rooms, and therefore her life, instead of the security of the Filthy Animal. She really couldn't explain it herself. But the Legerdemain reminded her of the old days. When humans and elves had fought together and died together. Of the days when she was under the instruction of Uther and the most she had to worry about was that day's sparring match with Arthas. Those days were long gone, but it was nice to relive the good times once in a while.
She reigned in her horse as she came to the entrance to the Legerdemain Lounge. Tying off the reigns, she made sure her horse was near the watering trough, then made her way inside. Tables and chairs were arranged around the small common area, while a bar with stools ran the length of the northern wall. A party of humans, a dwarf, and a gnome sat near the bar at one of the tables. Judging by the cat-calls and whistles they were making at the barmaids walking around, they were well on their way to being drunk. It was best not to sit near them, so she opted for the table closest to the door. Pulling her cloak around her, she waved one of the barmaids over. "May I help you?" Liselitha nodded. "What meals are available tonight?" Relief passed through the barmaid's eyes as she started listing off tonight's "delicacies." It looked like another night of choking down mammoth meat. "Oh but we've also gotten a rarity, Springpaw from Eversong Woods." Her mouth watered at the mention of food from home. "How much?" The barmaid then frowned. "They're asking for 10 gold pieces on that one ma'am." Liselitha sighed, her gold was needed to repair her armor which was costly enough. Not only did she have to pay a blacksmith, but a skilled enchanter to reconstruct the intricate spells that enabled her to surge with mana. "We'll take two plates of the Springpaw." Liselitha looked up to find a cloaked figure that showed no sign of her identity. The barmaid nodded and quickly hurried to the kitchen.
"It must be of dire need to speak with me for someone to buy such a costly meal for the both of us." The cloaked figure nodded and as they sat a small amount of white robe became visible under the cloak. "I thought I was to be gutted if I so much as looked at you, Lady." Jaina Proudmoore wasn't surprised that Liselitha recognized her. "Varian can be...overzealous at times." Liselitha nodded. "We both knew an overzealous man once. Your King needs to be careful or he could turn out almost exactly like Him." Jaina took the barb in stride. Liselitha had much to resent Varian Wrynn for. "I'm sorry, Liselitha. You have ever stood by your people." Liselitha scoffed at that. "A people who are now shunned and hated by our very blood." Liselitha looked outside where two members of the Kirin Tor who happened to be Quel'Dorei stood debating over something. "Yes, mage, one is arguing about the stench of the Horde and how her former people have fallen. While the other merely offers counter examples, no true defence." Jaina blushed. She had known of Vereesa Windrunner's hatred of the Blood Elves, but did not know of the others distaste. "Have you spoken to Vereesa since..." Jaina stopped at the look in Liselitha's eyes. A pain so potent and powerful eminated from the blood elf that it was almost too much to bare. "No. I do not wish to, nor will she tolerate my presence longer than necessary when I am reporting to her husband." So there it was in a nutshell. The Blood Elf in front of her was fighting a battle for enemies that hated and despised her, all because she chose to stand with her people and her Prince in a time of need.
Thank The Light that the barmaid returned with their meals. "I hope you enjoy. It looks like you haven't been home in a while." She turned and started for the table with the drunken men. Time passed as they ate and made small talk. How were things at home? How were the missions in Northrend? Did either one have news that the other didn't know about? And so the evening continued until the drunk party started to make trouble for their waitress. "Get off me!" Liselitha sighed. She had hoped for a quiet night and not another reason for Vereesa to send her personal guards to question her...again. But the fight in the corner started getting louder, drawing the attention to the building fight. The Innkeeper was no where to be found, probably pointlessly arguing with the Silver Covenent Guards about aiding her in removing the men in question. She stood and pulled her mace from her side.
"Liselitha?" Jaina questioned. "You might want to get out of here, Lady. Things are about to get very loud and I doubt that it would look too kindly on you if you were found here." Jaina nodded and quietly slipped out of the door while the attention was still on the conflict on the other side of the common area. Making her way through the gathering crowd, she made her way to the table she had purposely avoided earlier. "Tch, just like a pack of rabid animals waiting for a sickly deer to succumb to it's illness." Upon reaching the table, she noticed that one of the men was holding the barmaid tightly to his chest while another was forcing her to rub her hand up and down his pants where his cock started hardening. The crowd started laughing and jeering at the misfortunate barmaid. Anger came, but instead of rashly attacking the foul human, she redirected her anger by slamming her mace onto to the table, creating a very loud crash and damaging the table.
"Is there a problem here, Gentlemen? I just heard the lady ask you to let her go." Immediately the crowd started to disperse, if there was to be a fight between the Horde and Alliance, they would not be here to be arrested and questioned. One of the men looked her up and down. "This ain't your bushinessh, Blood Elf." Liselitha looked at the men. A human warrior, human warlock, human paladin, dwarf hunter, and gnome mage. "It makes it my business if one of my 'brothers' does not adhere to the code of The Light." The men laughed at that. "I ain't no brother to a Blood Elf, you betrayed us." Humans and their ignorance. But there was no point to arguing with drunken men, the safety of the girl came first. "Look, let the girl go before I'm forced to fight you over the issue." That did it. The warrior let go of the barmaid to draw his sword, while the other four fumbled for weapons. They were so far gone that she had time to cast repentance on one and hurl a holy hammer of justice at another. Suddenly the sound of plate on cobblestones began and started getting louder at as squad of Silver Covenant soldiers made their way to the inn. In a cry of rage, the warrior charged Liselitha in an attempt to disarm her. But where he was slow from alcohol consumption, Liselitha was clear headed and blocked the blow with her shield. Back and forth they dueled, Liselitha staying on the defensive, maybe if there were witnesses to her not actually hurting any of the men, the call later tonight would be somewhat gentler. Suddenly there were soldiers holding the Warrior and her apart. "Alrighty, what's all this, then? You two know that Dalaran is sanctuary to both Alliance and Horde." Liselitha broke from the hold that the Silver Covenant soldier had on her. "Nothing, sir. Just a small disagreement over manners." She lifted her mace from where it had fallen when she had been grabbed and made her way to her room. The Innkeeper would likely require payment for the damaged table, but so far there had been no move to remove her from the inn, despite how many fights seemed to find her here.
Once in her room, Liselitha took off the heavy plate and made her way onto the bed. She could expect Vereesa's bully-boys to come again tonight, she just hoped that they would leave too many marks this time. Refusing to sleep until Vereesa's personal guard came, Liselitha instead looked herself over. Scars deep and heavy crossed her back like a sadistic game of tic-tac-toe. Suddenly, Uther's word came out of no where. "You'll find that betrayal will leave deeper scars than those of any battlefield." And that had been true. Sure her body was covered with tiny scars from her battles, and a not so small scar given to her by Arthas. But none of these stood out like the ravaging scars that made her back look like it had been through a meat grinder. "Scream for me, you traitor-elf bitch." She shook the memory away.
"You know showing off your battle scars does nothing to make me feel pity for your kind." Liselitha turned to find, not the Silver Covenent guards she had been expecting, but Vereesa Windrunner herself. "You are still a child, Vereesa, if you think I look for sympathy." Liselitha pulled her grey tunic back over her head. "Tch, with all the trouble you've caused me, I seriously doubt you just happened to leave your shirt off by accident." Counting slowly to ten, the Blood elf let the anger flow through and then out of her like a tidal wave. "Vereesa, you were not there. While you and your husband were off uselessly negotiating with the alliance, our borders were ransacked, our blood spilled, and the fount of our power destroyed. Then to add insult to injury, your beloved Alliance branded us as traitors for seeking help." Vereesa raise her hand to slap the Blood elf, not because she had said something wrong, but because she was completely right. "You can hit me till your heart is content, Vereesa. But that will never take back the atrocities that happened." Liselitha sighed tiredly, "Your Alliance is far from perfect, Vereesa. You ally yourself with our cousins of old and those that betrayed us to the hands of the scourge. Who is the more fallen? The one who learns from their mistakes and rises up despite them, or the one who clings to old ideals and beds with the traitors of her blood?" Vereesa back handed the blood elf. "The Alliance tolerates your Horde here because there is a greater evil than petty differences that must be dealt with. But rest assured, things will go back to the way they were after the Lich King has fallen, and the Alliance will triumph." Vereesa turned and stormed from the room. Liselitha felt the sting of hatred that had been in that slap, really she was getting used to it. She fell onto the mattress and went to sleep and she dreamed.
O.O.O.O.O.O.O
She looked around. She was in Silvermoon City, in the house she grew up in as a child. She heard the patter of feet outside her door. "Lis! Are you still getting ready? You need to hurry up! They'll be here any moment!" She looked in the mirror and found herself to be around twelve years old. She opened the door to see the elaborate blue rugs and gold accents that highlighted her house. She took a step out, in place of the faint smell of the dead that still lingered in Eversong Woods was her mother's wonderful home cooking. Thera Sunweaver smiled as her daughter descended the stairs. A feeling of longing swept through Liselitha. It had been years, even since before Arthas' attack that she had seen her mother. "Liselitha, are you ok? There's nothing to be nervous about. The human, Lord Uther only wants to speak with you. You don't have to make a decision right now." Her mother had misread the pain that had crossed her face, or did her dream self look nervous? She didn't know. All she knew was she wanted to pull her mother into a tight hug and never let go. "Yeah, Lis. It's not like you're having to face Sylvannas Windrunner herself..." Lor'eal chuckled, nervous about her own career path. Lor'eal, alive,well, not a Death Knight. She felt herself smile when she wanted to cry, apologize, beg for forgiveness for not protecting them. They sat at the table in the kitchen and their mother served them a meal fit for princesses.
Suddenly, their father came through the door escorting two people that most people knew on sight. "My apologies, love, for the late arrival." Thera only smiled at her husband and waved the three of them to the table. "No apologies necessary, Aerith. Please, sit. Would you care for some breakfast? I know the travel from Lordaeron can be tiring." Sylvannas thanked Thera and began serving herself, then motioned for Uther to do the same. "Thank you, My Lady. You set a fine table." Thera nodded and glowed at the compliment. Aerith took a drink from his goblet of wine. "And may I introduce my daughters, Liselitha and Laur'eal..."
Author's note: You'll learn more and more about Liselitha as she "dreams." Please R&R.