This is my first Warcraft based fanfic, so please go easy on me _ I've been playing WoW since 06, so I have a familiarization with the lore and characters. Been wanting to write something like this for a little while, but couldn't really find a 'gap' within the game lore to allow it. I know some people who play the game aren't too fond of the movie, given the changes in the lore, but it gave me a chance to write what I had been wanting. I tried to keep to as much of the original aspect(s) as I could.

So forewarning: if not a fan of the movie, don't read the story.

*Note: 11/21/2017 - After reading through the story a few days ago, I noticed several typos and goofs. With that, I've been going through each chapter and editing it. Chapters 1-6 have been 'fixed' thus far.

Life within Karazhan is changed for its occupants and the Guardian when a young woman unexpectedly comes into their lives.

1 - Hopes and Dreams

Warm rays from the overhead sun bathed the underlying Stormwind City in its brilliance. It was mid-morning, and already the trade district was bustling with life. Market goers, both residential and visiting the city, went from merchant to merchant. Some carried baskets while others shoulder bags full of vegetables, bread, cloth and other goods. Voices conversing and negotiating prices flooded the streets. Meanwhile, armed guards patrolled the district for the occasional thief trying to steal one's coin pouch. As was every day in the city.

Sitting off to the side and out of the way of people walking through the immediate district vicinity were two young women. One of the women had reddish-brown hair and blue-green eyes complimented by her turquoise colored robe. The other was blonde with silver-blue eyes. Her robe was mostly red with yellow and white accents along its edges. She busied her hands with crafting a thin, gold chain.

The blonde gave a sideways examination of her companion eating an apple and staring off towards a large statue. It was of a man, an esteemed mage, known as The Guardian of Azeroth. The statue towered above the center of the trade district, casting its shadow upon those passing beneath it.

The blonde paused in her workings to shift her focus between the other woman and the statue. "It's a question if you've even blinked since we sat down, Niveah. All you've done is sit there and stare at that thing, eating your apple."

Another hefty bite of the rich red apple left a dribble of its juices down the second woman's chin. She wiped at her mouth with the back of her hand, tucked within its sleeve. "I'm going to go there, Cassia."

The blonde was about to resume working on the gold chain but stopped at hearing the statement. She returned her gaze to her friend. "You're going where?" No answer came. "The Ivory Tower? Why?"

Niveah swallowed her bite of apple and slimmed her dreamy-eyed stare down on the statue. "Why not? I have two weeks left in my break from my studies, and I want to do something more than sit around. Not that I haven't minded sleeping in occasionally or not doing a single thing during the day..." She sighed. "I want to do something memorable. See something new. I've read about the tower of Karazhan and have even seen illustrations of it in a few books since doing my studies." The young woman took another bite, smiling to herself. "I'd like to go see it. Who knows, maybe even draw it."

Cassia snorted a laugh. "Hate to break it to you, but the Guardian doesn't particularly like uninvited guests in his tower."

"I didn't plan on going inside. I could care a less about it. I'm only concerned with seeing the outside of it...just to say I've seen it." Niveah ignored the disbelieving stare she was receiving. An idea popped into her head, and her eyes widened in excitement. "Come with me, Cassia! It'd be fun! You and me going off on an adventure like we always talked about?"

Cassia's expression morphed into skepticism. "I don't know, Niv. That's a far bit to walk by foot, and it would take quite some time."

"We wouldn't be walking on foot, silly! We would borrow a couple of my father's horses. They're too old for farm work, but still very much travel worthy." Niveah's eyes sparkled with the hopes of her companion saying yes. "Come on, Cassia, it would be fun!"

Cassia frowned. "I can't. Not this time. I still have my own studies to do at the Cathedral."

Hearing that made the hopeful smile fade away into a frown. Though she was sad about her idea being rejected, she couldn't blame her friend. Every since knowing her when they were little girls, it was always Cassia's hope and dream to be a field medic on the battlefield. After losing her father in an unfortunate attack from trolls, she wanted to do whatever she could to avoid someone else experiencing the loss of a loved one. Niveah respected this and nodded in acceptance to the answer.

"Another time then," Niveah forced out behind a smile.

Cassia met her friend's disheartened smile and gently took her hand. "Next time. I promise."

"Good. Because I could use a personal field medic to tend to my wounds. You know how clumsy I can be." The two women laughed to themselves.

Cassia attached one last loop to the gold chain and held it up. "Here. Take this with you." She wrapped it around her friend's wrist and latched it closed. "I was going to make a necklace of it and try selling it for a bit of silver, but," she exhaled. "I think it would look better as a bracelet for you. Something to keep with you in your travels."

Niveah's eyes started to water up, and she wrapped her arms around the other's neck. "Thank you, Cass. I love it!" She rolled it around on her wrist, frowning. "I don't have anything to give you though."

"Not yet, anyway." She patted her friend on the back. "When you draw that picture of Karazhan, draw one for me too."

Niveah laughed. "Done."

Next morning came later than Niveah would've liked. She was up shortly before sunrise and securing her travel bags to her horse's saddle. The wind sailed through the fields of Westfall as crickets chirped. She could hear the front door of her parents' house open and close, her mother appearing around the corner a moment later. In her hands was a small linen bag. The front of her dress and apron were covered in flour as the aromas of freshly baked bread wafted out of the house.

Niveah smiled at her mother holding out the bag and accepted it. "You know I always love your special recipe baked bread." She could see her mother trying not to tear up. "I'll be fine, Mom. I promise."

"You better," came an older man's voice behind Niveah. The young woman glanced over her shoulder to see her bearded father come into view. He gave a pat to the pinto horse's neck, continuing. "Ol' Patches, here, is a good horse. She's still got some get up and go to her, too. Just give her a little nudge in the sides and make sure you're holding on tight, or she'll leave you laying in the dirt."

Niveah gently patted the horse's neck. "Thanks, Papa."

The house's door opened and closed, again, followed by the pitter patter of little feet running around to the side. A little boy, roughly eight in age, came into view. His head full of bright red hair was tossed about on his head meaning he had just woken up. He took one look at Niveah and held out a crudely folded letter.

The young woman took it, curious. "What's this, Davin?"

The little boy answered. "It's for the Guardian." Niveah's jaw dropped, and her eyes widen. "Can you please give it to him?" She wasn't sure how to answer as her chest burned in emotion. Davin opened it and began reading out loud. "Dear Guardian, you are my hero. I want to grow up to be just like you. I hope to meet you one day because you have a big statue in the city. Yours truly, Davin Hawthorne." His little hands splotched in ink folded the letter back and handed it back to his big sister. "Momma helped me write it this morning."

Niveah's panicked eyes met her mother's apologetic ones. Her father spoke up. "Come on, Davin, help me feed the pigs." The boy happily nodded and ran off towards the barn behind the house.

Once Davin was out of ear range, Niveah whimpered. "Mom! I can't give this to the Guardian! I told you and Papa I was only getting close enough to see the details to draw it! I can't just go knocking on the door and deliver this!" She held up the letter.

"I know, sweetheart. You don't have to actually give it to him."

"And do what? Lie to Davin? I can't do that!" The young woman fanned her face with the letter to try and calm her racing nerves.

"Well, surely you know someone in Dalaran who can deliver it for you?" There was a level of motherly desire to fulfill her child's dream.

Niveah shoved the letter in a travel bag and mounted the pinto, Patches, before someone else could request something outrageous from her. "I better get going before I lose any more time in the day."

She lightly snapped the reins, and the horse started to trot off. She had been looking forward to today so much that she hardly got any sleep last night. Now, she was leaving with a heavy weight of guilt on her shoulders. How was she going to pull off her brother's request? What would happen if she didn't? She wasn't one to disappoint people, especially her family and close friends.