Chapter 2: Year 35 - The Legion War

"Unfortunately, the Legion still attacks Azeroth. It only happens one or two years later. Azeroth, having accepted and lived by the global peace treaty in the past two years, is more willing to work together but, due to less war efforts, is even less prepared than the main timeline. The conflict between worgen and forsaken still fires up during the Legion invasion."

Chromie's guest looks sceptical. Is this the end of the peaceful era?

"Do not fear. Many people despise this race conflict, not many take part in this war. Due to more moderate people in leading positions and the relaxed situation between the factions, this race conflict never becomes another faction war. That results in heavy losses for both forsaken and worgen. Nobody wins this conflict."

Chromie lifts an eyebrow and compresses her lips.

"It gets worse, though. Tirion, Varian and Vol'jin still die during the first Legion encounter. However, the old paladin can be saved and is brought to a sickbay. His wounds and burned skin look severe. Unexpectedly, his last wish is to see his old friend Eitrigg once more. The orc is brought to the paladin and sits down next to him, even touching the dying human's shoulder. Eitrigg witnesses Tirion's passing and bids him farewell. They embrace each other, talk like an old couple. When the paladin thanks and honors the orc for what he has done and how much his presence meant to him, Eitrigg weeps and mourns his life-long friendship with his human blood brother."

The gnome lady takes a deep breath before she continues. Scenes like this always make her very emotional.

"Tirion is buried near his home. A statue which depicts him sitting near the waterfront of Theramore reminds the people of the paladin. Eitrigg sits next to it almost every day, talks to the skies and mourns quietly. Sometimes, walkers take a seat on the rocks and speak to the old orc but they cannot make him smile very often. His laughter is silenced after the loss. "

"Poor Eitrigg. I feel so sorry for him," her visitor comments.

"Yes, his remaining time is filled with sadness. Not even his son can cheer him up for long anymore. I believe he is so sad that even his body responds to it. He dies only a couple of months later, being a very old orc. His ashes are spread in Outland by his son. To his remembrance, a statue is placed next to Tirion's, to remind the people of the very first human-orc friendship, besides Thrall and Taretha, and their life-long bond."

Her spectator looks up once again.

"And so, his journey ends. May Eitrigg find rest in that timeline. He deserves it. A true legend of the Horde and a wonderful man. But… what about the others?"

"Thrall falls into depression after Vol'jin's death, so does Jaina when Varian is killed. Their relationship is very difficult and they hate each other for a while, even arguing about who cares for their children. Khadgar takes over this task when nobody else is around. Peace is in danger as the factions and races accuse each other for their losses during the Legion invasion. Even the neutral Guardians of Azeroth, a faction which was founded after the siege of Orgrimmar in that timeline, get swept up into the conflict. Thrall drinks a lot of liquor during the mourning phase, sometimes doubting that the peaceful years were a lie. He even argues with Khadgar one evening. They sit at the bar of a Dalaran tavern, with a heavily drunk orc stumbling and slurring. Look, they are about to leave..."

"Would you please stop drinking for a moment? You had enough for tonight," Khadgar asks demandingly.

"And please take a bath. You have always been neat and clean for an orc. Is the situation so unbearable for you that you cannot even care for yourself anymore? You will go home now and I will take the bottle…"

In the moment the mage puts his hand around the half-filled bottle, Thrall grunts like he has not grunted into a human face in ages. With baring teeth, he pries the wine out of Khadgar's hand and leaves the place.

"Later that night, Thrall lies in the tub with the bottle still in his hand. His eyes are moist. I have never seen him so desperate. He is unable to fulfill his duties and asks Khadgar to lead the Guardians. The human mage agrees."

"And the prince?"

"Anduin of course mourns his father and is confronted with many problems. People use this situation to influence his mind. They make him believe it was the Horde's fault that Varian died when they retreated from the battlefield. Meanwhile, Khadgar calls for Baine who helps the Highmountain tribe in their lands. When the bull arrives, the mage asks him to visit the prince and care for him after the young king retrieves his father's sword at the Broken Shore. The tauren laughs as he already had the same idea now that his duty in Highmountain is done and soon travels to Stormwind. However, when Baine enters Anduin's room, the young king reacts with hostility. Have a look."

"No. No! First you leave my father to die and now you want to murder me?! Leave this place, monster!"

"Anduin, calm down. Why in the name of the Earthmother would I do this? We are friends and I came here to care for you."

"LIES!" Anduin shouts and throws a big glass bottle at Baine. The bull holds his arm in front of his face. The bottle shatters and cuts his skin. In the same moment, Baine feels a hand grabbing his head. However, it is not visible. Anduin uses a spell at his enemy.

"My king, I am not your enemy! You can trust me," Baine speaks up and makes some steps towards his scared and confused friend. With every step, the mental pain gets worse. He yells.

"Do you really want to make me attack you?! This is not you, Anduin! Whoever told you what happened at the Broken Shore lied to you. I was there, at the front… and I am here to tell you the truth. Calm down, my friend. Please!"

Anduin's entire body is shaking. He only gradually notices the innocence and pain in the bull's face. When he finally calms down, the mental grip ends. Realizing what he has just done, rattled by grief and mistrust, by despair and helplessness, he sinks to the floor and bursts into tears. Moments later, he falls into soft arms. Baine joins the embrace and solaces his small friend.

"Why would I ever want to hurt you? We are friends and I know what that means... Yes, mourn as much as you need to. When you feel better… we will talk."

"Baine… I do not know what to do… I just do not know… Help me."

The bull looks into blurry eyes.

"But Anduin. This is why I am here. I am here because of you. You are not alone. Remember when you solaced me after my father was murdered? I never forgot how you cared about me back then and I will remain at your side until you feel better."

The prince wipes off some tears and turns around in Baine's embrace. He grabs the bleeding arm and closes his eyes. Not only does the tauren feel tears soaking his fur, he all of the sudden notices a warm aura around the wound.

"I am sorry, Baine."

"There is no need to apologize."

"Although Baine clashes with Genn the first afternoon, even causing the worgen to declare war, the bull stays in Stormwind for two days and helps the king wherever he can. It visibly does Anduin good to have him around. Thankfully, the war never happens and Genn sees himself expelled from Anduin's team of advisors."

Chromie's listener feels relieved when he sees how the king regains his sanity and mental strength.

"One evening, Khadgar confronts Jaina after he cannot find Thrall. The orc has not answered or received any of his calls and missed a meeting. They have a dispute about her loyalty, her grief and her unreasonable hatred and behaviour ever since Varian's death.

"He is your husband, Jaina! He is your family. As if he ever wanted this situation to happen. He did everything to prevent something like this. Your husband never wanted to hurt his family. I watched Thrall when we attended to our duties as Guardians. He worked as long as his body could carry his head, sometimes falling asleep on a desk. For us! For you! It has been two months since Varian died. You cannot mourn and be angry with everyone forever. And do I need to remind you that your Thrall also mourns a fallen friend? Do you realize how he has felt ever since Vol'jin died? He turned into a mental wreck and even had a mental breakdown in front of me. Jaina, for the sake of your family and your people, I ask you to search for him and make up. It cannot go on like this!"

"In the following night, Jaina finds Thrall on the floor of a closed bar. Empty bottles are scattered around his body. With one half-full bottle in his hand again, he leans at a pillar and gazes into space with blushed eyes. The orc does not notice his 'little girl' until she takes the bottle out of his hand and takes a big slug. For the first time in months, they snuggle up to each other. It still takes weeks and several debates until they can settle their dispute."

"Can you tell me about the war and how it progresses?"

"Sure. The war against the Legion lasts for five years, with some more and less intense battles. Dalaran is the home of Thrall and Jaina during that phase, with Kalec and Pained protecting Theramore. In the final battle on the planet Argus, the forces of Azeroth, including the heroes of the past, have to witness the ultimate sacrifice to victory. Khadgar confronts the demon lord and bursts into pure Light, taking the demon's life with him. His sacrifice marks the end of the long war. One would almost think Azeroth sighs in relief. A monument is built in Dalaran to honor the mage's victory. The Legion never attack Azeroth again in Thrall's life."