Taking Thelsamar: Part 2

Athrodar sat in silence the whole time Victoria slept, playing one word on repeat the whole time. 'Dad.'

He didn't know if she meant it or if it was a slip up and he couldn't ask her as she was resting peacefully by his side. He could however use this time as a way to get used to her being around.

After not paying her much attention in the past, he never really noticed her appearance. His first thought after noticing her hair was blonde, was that she could have passed for Sylvanas' and his daughter if they were alive.

She had all the features of an elven beauty, at least that's what Athrodar heard the women of his race were described as by humans he had met on the road. When a few strands of hair fell over her face, he brushed them behind her ear which made her shift in her sleep.

He smiled a little when she held onto his cloak tighter, lightly placing a hand on her head which seemed to calm her down from whatever she was dreaming about.

That was until a horn was blown in the distance. It was quiet, but Athrodar recognised it as a Forsaken war horn. He shook Victoria lightly to wake her up. "It's time." He whispered to her, looking over to Velonara who had heard it as well.

"Let's get moving!" The Dark Ranger yelled, helping up several members of their group. "The attack is happening now!"

That stirred Victoria out of her sleep state, sitting up quicker than Athrodar could have imagined, hazily looking around the forest before she heard the third and final horn blow. "It's happening?" She asked Athrodar, being pulled up onto her feet when he took hold of her hand.

"Yes, now pick up your sword and wait for the rest of them to get ready." He picked up his cloak and threw it around himself, pulling up his hood once it was secured on him. "Stay near me, only leave if we're being attacked from behind."

She nodded her head, picking up her sword and sheathing it, only to take out her bow. "I'll find Sylvanas if that happens."

"No!" He hissed, placing his hands on her shoulders and looking at her. "You will find Velonara and she will take you to Sylvanas, got that?"

She nodded once more. "Got it! I'll find Velonara."

Once everyone was ready, Athrodar led them on the southern flank of Thelsamar, only to stop them when all he could see was fire being thrown at the town by mages. "They're not attacking." He muttered, looking back at Velonara.

"They must have barricaded themselves in." She told him, stopping by Athrodar's side. "I think they're smoking them out of their houses."

Athrodar began to grow a menacing grin on his face, unsheathing his sword and etching runes onto the blade. "I don't think they will mind if I start to freeze them out as well."

Victoria watched as his eyes began to glow brighter as well as the air temperature suddenly beginning to drop. "What's happening?" She asked as Athrodar began to make his way towards Thelsamar.

"He's doing what comes naturally to him." Velonara replied. "He's held off being a Death Knight for a year and now it's finally coming out."

Athrodar forced his blade into the ground when he neared Thelsamar, sending out clouds of frost from the hilt of his sword. Under the clouds of frost was also a path of ice, creeping it's way towards a nearby building.

Victoria watched the cloud of frost expand quicker than she thought possible, widening her eyes in awe of Athrodar's power. "I.. I had heard rumours..." She looked over to Velonara who was enjoying the power he was flexing. "Are they true?"

Velonara nodded slowly, widening the smile on her face when the cloud of frost covered the first building. "They're all true. He's the former Prince of the Scourge and the most powerful Death Knight minus the Lich King himself."

Victoria returned her gaze to Athrodar, holding onto her bow with both hands and watching the cloud of frost engulf another building. "Why does he hide from this?"

"Some say he is afraid he will turn into the Lich King. Others think he is being modest and wants to just be a ranger whilst trying to avoid this power."

The young ranger frowned at her. "What do you think?"

"I think it's both." She folded her arms, watching as a group of dwarves ran out the first building, only to get trapped between the inferno the mages were creating and the path of ice Athrodar had summoned. "All I can say is we're lucky to have him."

"Is that ice?" Sylvanas looked over to Clea who shrugged back. "Who sent in frost mages?"

"I think it's coming from Athrodar's group." Viraleth said, frowning at the frost. "They don't have any mages though. The closest they have are the two Druids with them."

Clea looked up and over to Sylvanas who frowned at the growing cloud of frost. "You don't think...?"

"Athrodar.." She muttered, looking back to Clea. "Tell our mages to hold back. Viraleth," she turned her attention to the chief scout, "go to Saurfang and tell him to pull back his mages."

"My Lady?" Viraleth tilted her head a little. "Are we sending in our warriors?"

Sylvanas shook her head. "We're holding back and letting Athrodar do his thing." She began to smile, watching the cloud of frost engulf another building. "Tell him to send archers in and to only let loose an arrow if they see the Alliance."

Clea watched Viraleth ride over to Saurfang, looking back at her Queen. "I'll get the archers ready."

Sylvanas watched her Dark Ranger-General ride off towards the awaiting army, turning her attention back to Thelsamar. "I wonder what made you break your own oath, my love." She whispered to herself.

"Is that frost?" Lor'Themar asked, riding towards her. "We didn't send any frost mages forward, did we?"

She shook her head. "It's Athrodar. I don't know what caused this, but I'm letting it run it's course." She pulled on the reins of her skeletal horse, slowly moving forward. "I don't think it's anything serious."

Lor'Themar watched Viraleth move from Saurfang's group to their group. "We could have just sent him in if he's going to clear it on his own."

"He's not a weapon." She told the Regent Lord, glancing over her shoulder. "He doesn't usually do this, which is why I'm a little worried something has happened."

"It's probably nothing." Lor'Themar said, trying to reassure her. "He's been stuck in camp for a week, remember." He smirked when she narrowed her eyes at him. "Perhaps he is just letting off some steam... Or frost."

"I hope that's all it is."

Athrodar pushed his blade further into the ground, sending out a gust of icy wind that cleared the cloud of frost around the village. "And now, they'll freeze." He muttered, gripping onto the hilt of his sword tightly and pulling it out of the ground.

"Is he done?" Victoria asked, looking up to Velonara.

"I don't think so. His eyes are still glowing brightly and he's facing Thelsamar." She saw him raise his sword, pointing it towards the town. "Here we go."

Athrodar smirked, straightening his arm and pointing his sword directly at the town, making the runes on the blade glow brightly before summoning a snow storm around the town.

Victoria looked up at the sky the moment a snowflake fell in front of her. "Is it snowing?"

As the snow began to fall faster, many of the flakes began to glow blue and become attracted to the blade, making the weapon glow as a blue flame materialised on it.

The moment the flame grew big enough, he looked over his shoulder. "Get back!" He yelled, his voice having an echo to it that sounded eerily like Arthas.

Once they were far enough away, he plunged his sword deep into the ground once more, sending out a pulse of frost that quickly blanketed everything in a thick layer of snow.

Letting go of his sword, he stood up straight and looked at what used to be Thelsamar. The town had all but been destroyed by the pulse of frost he let out as well as covering it in the snowy aftermath.

His knees buckled as his legs suddenly became weak, falling to the ground as his whole body began to shut down and hibernate after using too much of his energy.

Sylvanas watched the whole thing from atop her mount, quickly kicking it into action. "My Lady, where are you going?" Viraleth called out, watching her Queen ride off towards Thelsamar.

She stuck to the outside of the town, riding as fast as she could towards Athrodar and being followed by the rest of the Horde going at their own pace.

Once she reached the southern flanking group, she climbed off her mount and ran to Athrodar who was laying on the ground, eyes closed and unmoving. "What happened!?" She yelled, holding onto him.

"I don't know, my Lady." Velonara told her honestly. "He just collapsed after doing... That." She pointed to the town next to them.

"He's exhausted." Sylvanas said, stroking his face lightly. "What triggered this, huh?" She kissed his forehead, moving him up so his head was resting on her. "What made you use this much power?"

As the rest of the Horde walked around either side of the town, Victoria sat down with Sylvanas and took Athrodar's hand in hers. "I didn't know he was the Prince of the Scourge." She said, keeping her voice low.

"He didn't want to be." Sylvanas smiled and let out a small laugh. "He still doesn't. He tries to stick to being a ranger, only using his Death Knight ability to freeze arrows."

The young ranger looked down at Athrodar, brushing a thumb across his fingers. "He's so cold."

Sylvanas nodded. "I know. This isn't the first time he's done this. Though, I don't understand why he's done it now." She looked over to Victoria. "Can you think of why?"

"He told me his greatest fear, watched me sleep and I may have called him dad." She saw Sylvanas widen her eyes after telling her what had happened whilst they were waiting. "Do you think any of that could have triggered something."

The Banshee Queen frowned. "The first time, it was an inner turmoil. He was stuck in a love triangle with three women, me being one of them." She shrugged her shoulders. "Perhaps calling him dad may have triggered something, but I don't know."

As the first group of Horde showed up, two Druids landed behind the Banshee Queen, reverting back to their Tauren forms. "Warchief, an Alliance army was spotted near Dun Morogh and coming this way, though they turned back the moment an unnatural snowstorm destroyed this town."

Sylvanas thanked the two Druids and looked down at Athrodar, stroking his hair this time. "That was it, wasn't it? You were trying to scare away the approaching Alliance army."

As more Horde showed up, Sylvanas sent scouts south to keep an eye on the Alliance army that almost caught them unawares. She had also ordered several of her Forsaken to erect her tent so she could put Athrodar in a bed so he could recover.

It didn't take long for the tent to be put up and have Athrodar placed in the bed, Sylvanas leaving Victoria to watch over him for now. "I need to sort a few things out." She told her before leaving the tent and finding Viraleth.

"My Lady." The Dark Ranger said, saluting her Queen.

"Send word to the Grand Magister. I need this snow cleared by his mages." She looked around the their new campsite, shaking her head at the amount of snow. "I think Athrodar overdone it."

Night had fallen and most of the snow had been cleared out. Sylvanas had been coming in and out her tent to check on Athrodar, stopping at one point when she found Victoria curled up next to him asleep, smiling to herself at how cute she found it.

That was until she heard Athrodar gasp before he unsheathed his dagger and held it tightly in his hand. She began to run over to him, extending out a hand to Victoria who had been woken up and now looked scared at what he might do.

"It's okay." She muttered to Athrodar, keeping her hand extended out to Victoria who was now watching him. "You're safe, you're with me. Your Sylvanas is here."

He dropped the blade in his hand, being pulled into a tight hug by Sylvanas before moving his arms around her. "I heard him." He whispered, tightening his grip around her. "He called for me to return home."

"But he's dormant?" Sylvanas pulled back a little and looked into his eyes. "Can you hear him now?"

He shook his head, not even acknowledging the other elf in the room. "I don't hear him now."

"Hear who?"

Both Sylvanas and Athrodar looked over to Victoria. "The Lich King." They said in unison.

Athrodar returned his attention to Sylvanas who placed a hand on his face. "It's not safe here."

When she saw him begin to sit up, Sylvanas pushed him back down. "It's safe here, I promise you. Now lay back and rest, you've used up a lot of your energy."

Athrodar held on to her arm as soon as she was about to leave, looking for the first time, at least to both women there, as if he was scared. "He said my name. He was only calling me back."

Sylvanas stared wide eyed at him, taking hold of his hand. "And you say you only heard him whilst you were unconscious?" She watched him nod, looking over to Victoria. "Leave me with him."

Once she had left, Sylvanas sat down next to him and moved him to her chest, lightly stroking the top of his head. "What happened for you to do what you did?"

"She called me dad and it got me thinking. When I actually began to look at her, I figured she could have actually passed as our daughter if we were both alive right this second." He closed his eyes and sighed. "I began to feel that connection to her you told me about."

"And it caused you to do all of that?" She asked, rubbing the top of his arm.

"That and I saw what the fire mages were doing and I wanted to help. Except, I lost control and my natural Death Knight craving for pain and suffering took over." He shook his head, closing his eyes tightly as a tear rolled down his cheek. "I tried to fight it... I.. I just couldn't."

She kissed the top of his head, slowly rocking back and forth. "It's okay... It's over now. I don't want you to use that kind of power again unless you have to."

"I don't want it." He muttered, feeling his body begin to weaken once more. "I just want to be a ranger."

"I know." She whispered to him, feeling pained once more as this was something else that was hurting him in some way. "I'm here for you, whatever you need."

A few more hours passed by and the two of them remained in the bed, Athrodar was sleeping and Sylvanas had curled up next to him and draped his arm over her. She was watching him sleep peacefully and smiled, knowing the vial of liquid worked.

Victoria had returned to the tent to check on Athrodar and that's where she found the two of them. "How is he?"

"He's recovering. Though I think it will be at least a full day before he's back to his usual self." She rolled over and looked at Victoria who sat on the chair next to the bed. "How are you?"

"Still a little shocked." She smiled a little. "If I had known he was the Prince of the Scourge, I maybe wouldn't have yelled at him on the first training day."

"He doesn't like to be called Prince, by the way. Just warning you." Sylvanas felt Athrodar move a little, spooning her from behind and feeling him kiss her neck. "Speaking of..."

"If this is what you call a normal life, waking up next to you, I might be okay with it." He kissed her neck again, looking up and over to Victoria. "I apologise for scaring you earlier. Force of habit to grab my dagger when I feel I'm in danger."

Victoria just smiled at him. "It's okay. I'm just happy you're still here."

"And where is here? I remember destroying that town." Athrodar began to climb out of the bed, walking towards the exit of the tent and looking around at the Horde camp that seemed to have sprung up out of no where.

"I set fire mages on the task of clearing out the snow you threw everywhere." Sylvanas stood beside him, helping him stay on his feet. "But it's as you said, that town is more or less gone."

Athrodar felt a sharp pain in his abdomen, placing a hand over his scars. "I'm fine." He told Sylvanas when she asked him if he was alright. "It happens when I do that." He nodded towards a destroyed building.

"Then I'd have to say; stop doing that." She smiled and leaned into him, the pair of them looking at their new camp and change of scenery. "We're on Ironforge's doorstep." She told him, looking up and seeing him smile.

"To think, a year ago we were fighting to keep our borders safe." He kissed the top of her head. "Now we're leading the Horde to Ironforge."

"And I owe it all to you, my love." She placed a hand on his face and gazed into his eyes. "We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you."

Victoria watched them press their heads together, smiling at the simple action and moving towards them, trying to hug both of them the best she could. "This... This is what I wanted."

Sylvanas moved an arm around her, keeping her other one on Athrodar's face. "I love you." She whispered, looking down at Victoria. "Both of you."

Their time together was interrupted when shouting was heard in the camp, all of them noticing it was coming closer to them with every passing second. Athrodar walked out the tent first, quickly followed by Sylvanas and Victoria.

"Let go of me! I said I was the Queen's spy!"

Athrodar widened his eyes when he saw Elaria and Luna being dragged through the camp and towards them. "Let them go." Athrodar commanded, watched the pair of them get pushed onto the floor. "What happened?"

"The Alliance nobles and leaders are gathering in Stormwind." Elaria said, picking Lunarii up the moment she stood up. "Apparently it's to discuss a ceasefire."

Athrodar looked around the camp, watching a quickly growing crowd of curious onlookers. "Come inside, we'll discuss this further."

As both Elaria and Lunarii entered the tent, Sylvanas sent Victoria in there with them whilst keeping Athrodar outside. "We're not going to accept it, are we?"

Athrodar shook his head. "No. The Horde are still thirsty for blood and they want to quench their thirst soon." He looked over to her. "A ceasefire would cause an outrage."

"Good." She said, grinning. "Let's get you inside and on a chair before you collapse again." She began to drag him in the tent, knowing he was using all of his strength just to stay standing.

"Where's my sister?" They heard Serathea shout before she burst into the tent. "Elly.." She whispered the moment she saw her sitting on the bed beside Lunarii.

"Sera!" She yelled, throwing herself at the Death Knight. "I'm sorry for yelling at you. It was just so much to take in, in such a little amount of time."

"It's okay, baby starlight, I'm here for you now."

Sylvanas cleared her throat, making the two of them split apart. "What else are they discussing?"

Elaria took hold of Luna's hand and recieved a nod in return. "They're talking to Dalaran and the Kirin'Tor. I think they're trying to get them on their side."

Athrodar looked up at Sylvanas who stood next to him. "Send a letter to Vereesa. Tell them why we've gone to war. Perhaps she can keep the Kirin'Tor out of this war."

"I know my sister. She won't want to fight us, not whilst I lead the Horde." Sylvanas looked over to Elaria. "We can't keep you here. Even if you're a spy for us, the rest of the Horde may want to kill you just for looking like an Alliance scout."

Elaria nodded slowly. "Hey, I understand. I'd fight them off and win, but that would put both Luna and I in danger."

"There's a lodge nearby, it looked empty." Athrodar stood up slowly, being helped by Victoria. "If it's not, I'm sure you'd take it from the owner."

The Night Elf smirked. "Thanks." She stepped towards Athrodar and hugged him. "Is Thal nearby?" She whispered to him.

"She went back home shortly after we took the Wetlands. She's a mother after all." He pat her on the back, splitting from their hug. "I'm sure Serathea or myself will visit you if you plan on staying there for a while."

Serathea placed a hand on her sisters arm. "Come, I'll escort you out the camp so you're not attacked."

"Come on, let's sit you down." Victoria helped Athrodar to the chair once more, letting go of him when he shrugged her off.

"I'm tired, not old." He grumbled, reaching the chair and sitting down.

"Which is perfect for me." Sylvanas cooed, sitting on his lap. "You're younger than I am and as we no longer age, I get to keep this young, wild Buck."

Victoria looked away when they kissed, rocking back and forth on her heels. "I'm going to go find a place to uhm... Train." She looked back to them momentarily, looking away again when Sylvanas began to take off her breastplate. "Okay, I'm going now."