New Beginnings
A Princesses of Warcraft Tale
By Jorge Quiñones
Disclaimers: Cinderella, Lady Tremaine, Jacques, Gus, Lucifer, and all things referencing the classic 1950 Disney movie Cinderella are property of The Walt Disney Company. Ner'zhul, Arthas Menethil, Frostmourne, the concept of the Lich King, the Death Knight, and the Deathcharger are property of Blizzard Entertainment. Fourteen years of Warcraft, and going strong! The story elements written within this fanfic are my ideas and belong to me. This was written for fun, not profit. I'm just borrowing the characters for a while. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I'm enjoying writing it. We fanfic writers thrive on feedback, and all comments/questions/flames/etc. Are welcome. Thank you, and enjoy!
Chapter Seven
The maiden and the knight stood regarding each other, she with guarded apprehension and he with something akin to pride. The knight's smile was the sort that came easily to one used to setting his subjects at ease. His expression was wholly one of a master observing his pupil on the verge of some great realization. His deathly pallor and preternaturally glowing eyes did nothing to lessen this demeanor. Although not disturbed by his features, Cinderella found herself growing more and more disquieted by the deafening silence.
"Who are you?" she all but blurted out.
Cinderella quickly closed her mouth and cast her eyes towards the earth. The stranger was obviously a man of station and Cinderella grew fearful that her query would be construed as insolence.
The stranger's smile broadened to reveal pearly white teeth. His voice was sonorous with a strange harmonic quality that gave Cinderella that impression of two voices speaking as one.
"We are Ner'zhul. We are Arthas Menethil. We are many, but we are one."
Cinderella's eyes widened in alarm as a single word seared itself into her mind's eye: Legion. She unconsciously took a step back, fighting to suppress the shiver that shot up her spine.
"What do you want?"
Despite the evident bulk of the massive runeblade, the knightly being easily picked up the weapon and closed the distance between him and the young maiden. Cinderella noted in passing that with every step he took towards her, she found herself more and more at peace. The being that had identified himself as Ner'zhul-Arthas reached out a gloved hand and gently brushed a stray lock of hair that had rested along Cinderella's cheek.
"Long have we searched for one who could claim our power, one who could wield our strength to bring justice and order to a world where none exists. You called us. Through space, through time, through the Nether itself, your rage and your pain called to us."
The knight's voice was soothing, almost hypnotic. Cinderella shook her head in a vain attempt to clear the fog that had begun to settle in her mind. It took her a moment to realize that the greatsword was being held out to her with the blade resting along the knight's arm, his hand supporting the cross-guard. The hilt of the mighty runeblade beckoned her, bid her take the weapon as her own.
"We offer you the power to seek the retribution you so rightly deserve." he intoned, the patience of ages unwaveringly holding the massive sword up.
Time slowed as Cinderella found herself holding the great weapon in her petite hands, though she could not recall having taken it. Despite its size, Cinderella easily held the sword aloft, the keen blade becoming an extension of her arm. She closed her eyes as the essence of the weapon filled her very being. Mellifluent words whispered at the edge of Cinderella's subconscious as the runeblade's power coursed through her blood, wooing her with the promise of even greater power.
Cinderella breathed a single word; a name spoken with a reverence befitting the sentient weapon's strength: "Frostmourne."
Eyes the color of a clear midday sky met with eyes that smoked an eldritch blue. Although the knight did not move his lips, Cinderella heard his words echoing in her mind.
"Do you accept?"
Cinderella tightened her grip on Frostmourne as any hesitation she might have felt melted away with the soothing voice of the runeblade.
"Yes..." Her answer was barely audible, spoken with a breathless desire she had never before felt.
The knight smiled his easy smile and closed his eyes. His face and neck, the only parts of him that were unarmored, dissipated into the night sky. The now vacant armor clattered upon the earth in a heap of plate and fabric.