The unforeseen

by Anne Shard (alias Odeena Skywalker)

Chapter thirteen: Return to Ashenvale

Maiev stumbled out of the portal as the already familiar nausea sensation assaulted her. However, at the same instant she felt a tug at her arm, and before she knew it she found herself lying on the ground as something thin and sharp pierced through her cloak, inches away from her shoulder. A moment later, the sounds of a fierce battle erupted all around her. The warden jumped to her feet, reaching for her dagger, but immediately had to dodge several spikes hurled at her by a massive demon which had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. She threw several knives at it, and one of them pierced its only eye, stunning it enough for a myrmidon to deal it a fatal blow.

But there were demons everywhere, and yet more seemed to be coming. Maiev spun around frantically, hurling poisoned daggers and dodging spikes and fireballs which seemed to come from everywhere at once. "What is happening?" she cried. "Where did all these demons come from?"

Illidan was no less confused than the warden. "I do not know!" he answered, slashing at a creature and literarily cutting it in two at the same time. A moment later, he jumped in the air as another creature charged him, and descended upon a third one, beheading it. At the same time, a green falme erupted around him, and his blades began to glow with magic.

Although Illidan's fighters seemed no match for such a force, soon the balance of victory began to lean on their side. Eventually, the remaining demons withdrew and disappeared into the shadows.

Maiev advanced towards Illidan. "Are you all right?" she asked.

The demon nodded, wincing slightly, "I will be. But... I do not understand... This portal was supposed to take us to my brother's camp. Instead..."

Illidan fell silent, and Maiev gasped in shock as realization dawned on her. "By Ellune..." she whispered. "No..."

The portal had indeed taken them to the place where the Night Elf camp had been. The tattered remains of the once proud ancients trees and the elven bodies that littered the ground told the story of what had happened here. Maiev fell to her knees, tears flowing from her eyes. "We... have come to late", she whispered, her voice broken. "By Ellune, we have come too late!"

Illidan bowed his head. A moment later, he tensed. "Wait", he said. "There is... something here..."

The Naga warriors had also caught an unfamiliar scent, and were becoming restless.

"Night elves..." a myrmidon whispered.

And as soon as it had spoken the words, one by one, Night Elves began to appear of the shadows. Many of them were wounded, and some were supported by others, too weak to stand. They said no word, but gathered around Illidan, and the relative protection that his forces offered. The demon motioned for his warriors to surround the clearing and stay alert, while at the same time he searched for a particular presence among the elves.

"Brother..."

It was the voice of Malfurion Stormrage; however, the Night Elf who had spoken had no resemblance to the proud and mighty druid that Illidan knew. His body carried countless wounds, and a fresh scar marked the left side of his face. His eyes were half-closed, and he was supported by a younger druid, whose features were also marked by a recent scar.

"...You have come at last."

Maiev ran forward. "Shan'do! "What has happened? How...?"

The druid sighed and bowed his head. "We... never saw it coming, Maiev. So fast... so many...We had no warning. We had no chance. Many of us perished. The ones you see... the ones that are with me... they are the last of our kind."

A single tear fell from his eye. Maiev closed her eyes, crying silently. "This cannot be..." she whispered.

For once, Illidan was at a loss for words. He had not sensed the elf that he was looking for, and feared to ask his brother of her. Eventually, he began, his voice merely a whisper, "Furion... Where is Tyrande?"

He knew, even before Furion had said the words, what the answer would be. "She is... no more."

It was as though everything around him was falling apart. The only one that he had ever cared for was no more... and this was all his fault. Had he hurried, none of this would have happened.

He had failed.

A deed once done cannot be undone.

He would make them pay. Every single one of them. They would all persih.

By his blades.

An unspeakable rage filled his mind. He spread his wings, and disappeared into the night.

"Wait!" Maiev cried. "Illidan!"

But there was no answer other than a hollow, distorted echo of her cry.

Author's Note: waves an 'I-Love-Italy' flag I think I found my muse! And guess what! She was in Italy all the time! I wrote like mad during my stay there, and as a result I have one new chapter ready, and two more in the works! beams at her muse ...eh, by the way, don't ask who she (or rather he) is, because I won't tell! chuckle (Pardon the rants. I'm on a coffee binge again...) Please review! ANd thanks for those who reviewed already are as follows:

Destro1990: Don't worry, it's OK as long as you do review in the end Thanks!

J CAE: To be honest, this is one of my first attempts at writing serious fanfiction, and I'm totally unfamiliar of the style - which explains the short chapters, plot holes etc. Hopefully with time I'll get better... by the way, if you read the next chapters, you'll see I put in some description here and there, too

drizztranger: Well send it in! The address is odeenakissmeyahoo.com

Hell-Flame-Narf: Thx 1000x!