Order through Disorder

by The Placoderm

Sithis have sent Cicero to Azeroth, free to roam around and live the life he wants. As soon as he goes there, the Nightmother released Cicero from his curse and restored his sanity. No longer the keeper of the Nightmother, his reasons for raising his blade will be all up to him. Contains: cringe, everyone being OOC, minor suggestive themes and violence.

19. Chapter 19

Chapter 19: The Elder Scroll.
(May contain structural errors and will be edited.)

Previous Chapter's story has been altered, read that before proceeding.

.

.

.

Cicero and Sylvanas were sitting on a bench adjacent to the back of the ship's bridge. Everyone except them and the ship captain were asleep.

Cicero casted clairvoyance. "We're close. You're all going home."

She turned to look at him, by now she knew how to sense melancholy in his tone of voice. "We're going home, Cicero. This is your new home, remember?"

"Oh, how I wish it would feel like it."

Sylvanas took a deep breath and exhaled. "Cicero, I've been thinking these past few weeks – I… I want you to come with me to Quel'thalas."

Cicero was shocked at what she proposed. "But what about your namesake? Your sisters, your whole family's legacy… Don't let it all go to ruin because of me."

She took his hand. "My sisters did the same by marrying humans."

"Yes, but the difference is, those men were noblemen and not marauding goons like me – "

She put her index finger on his lip. "You were, but are you still? No. Remember what I told you in Heartglen?"

He forced a smile in reply.

"Look, my gut tells me everyone already knows about us. Uther already suspected it when you first met him." She gripped his hand firmly. "We never did a good job hiding it." She sighed. "That's what happens if your feelings get the better of you… and I I'm glad it did."

"How could you even consider that, Sylvanas? You know what would happen if you and I – "

"I am the Ranger General of Silvermoon in great standing. I won't let the Sunstriders dictate who I should be seeing. My sisters never gave a hoot about them and went about with whatever they wanted and I'm going to do the same."

"Wouldn't that soil your family's legacy?"

"The Windrunner name will never be soiled despite what the elves of Quel'thalas think because just like my mother and my sisters, we have always served and protected them, whether they like it or not."

Cicero covered his face with his hands and doubled down. Sylvanas started to caress his back.

"Sweetie, It's okay. It's all going to be alright."

"I don't know what to think or say."

"Come with me to Quel'thalas, Cicero. I will appoint you to take Nathanos's place as Ranger Lord. We can hunt trolls and orcs together. We can go on adventures together just like you and The Dragonborn did in Skyrim except you won't be carrying massive cheese wheels."

He was silent for a moment then he straightened up and turn to meet her gaze. He put a hand on her face, feeling her soft warm skin. "Soon, my love… After I stop Arthas."

"Please, don't go back to Northrend." She said beggingly and flung herself to embrace him.

"I need to, Sylvanas." he said while stroking her long blonde hair. "Too many lives have been lost and a lot more will be if nothing is done: Frostmourne must be destroyed."

"I'll come with you, then." She said.

"Please don't, I think you need to stay in Quel'Thalas and defend it… just in case I fail. Medivh's prophecy tells of massive destruction of Lordaeron and your homeland."

"You're tugging on my heartstrings." She pouted. "We should not be thinking about that stuff now, but we should be celebrating the fact that we're finally coming home."

He smiled wryly. "If there's something The Imperial Legion taught me is that we must always think a step ahead." He gently pulled away and stood up. He looked behind the ship's bridge and can see the dark figure of dry land in the horizon. "We're getting close."

She stood up and went to join him looking silently at the horizon as the ship approaches the port of Startholme.

.

.

Aurius Rivendare, Uther, Vereesa and her husband Rhonin were waiting with torches in hand on a jetty on the docking ports. The scones and lanterns on the port were lit, mages from the cleanup party were also present to provide healing to the soldiers once they get out.

"There they are! I can see the ship!" said Vereesa.

Uther gestured some boatmen with lamps to go and escort the ship. When the ship got closer, the light from the lanterns of the escorting boats lit the hull of the vessel, they could make out a large dent on it.

"By The Light! I hope everybody's okay." Said Vereesa.

Rhonin nudged her and pointed at the ship. "Vereesa, look."

She saw figures of people hurrying to crowd up on the railings of the ship. Immediately, she could make out a shadowy figure of a person win long ears. All of a sudden, there was a small ball of light that appeared hovering over the figure's head, and what she saw was none other than her sister.

"Sylvanas! Lady Moon!" Vereesa cried out waving her arms. "It's me, Vereesa!"

Sylvanas was on the deck when she noticed her sister, her heart leapt in joy at the sight of her. She turned and saw Cicero standing idly and approached him. "Hold this for me, would you?" she handed him her bow and quiver before suddenly going overboard. "I'll see you on the docks!"

"What are you – " He ran towards the railings and saw her disappear in the water.

Cicero wanted to jump down too but he was relieved when he saw her resurface, she was swimming towards the jetty. Standing on the jetty were 4 people, among them he saw what looked to be an elf and 3 men. He guessed the elf was one of her sisters since there was no other way she could've been excited to jump overboard. He smiled, feeling happy for her.

.

.

Vereesa pulled Sylvanas up the wooden jetty and they immediately embraced each other passionately. Tears flowing on both of their eyes as they hugged.

"I've missed you so much, Little Moon." Sylvanas said.

"Oh, I missed you more. You got me so worried when Uther told me you went to Northrend."

"It's alright… I'm okay, Vereesa."

Rhonin, Uther, and Aurius watched the two hug it out while waiting for the ship to anchor at the dock.

"Lady Moon, what happened to your armour?" Vereesa asked commenting on her wearing plain clothes.

"Well, we needed to lighten the load for the ship as best as we can. All of us did. It was a huge risk to rid of most of our weapons, fortunately we didn't come across sea monsters on the way… thank The Light."

"Where's Arthas? Is he on the ship?" Uther asked anxiously.

Sylvanas's ears turned back and slowly met his eyes. "Sir Uther…I…"

"Oh, no." Uther said, knowing from the elf's expression that it was bad news. His eyes wide and his hands shaking.

"Sir, he's still alive, it's just that… he… he didn't come with us."

"Why?"

"Captain Falric was with him when he issued the order to depart."
One of the mages from the dispelling team approached her and handed a fleece. "Oh, thank you." Vereesa helped her sister with the fleece to cover herself up.

Uther continued. "Without him?"

"Yes, sir. Maybe you might want to talk to Cicero and Captain Falric about it, they know more than I do." she said.

Uther nodded. "Go get yourself warm now, Sylvanas." He pointed to a warehouse behind them. "There's some warm clothes and food in the warehouses the mages set up. Thank you for the news."

Sylvanas forced a smile and let herself get led to the warehouse by her sister.

The ship finally approached the dock. The soldiers inside crowded themselves on the deck and took their time to get offboard. They were all lead to the warehouses to receive dry clothing, food, and medical attention.

Cicero and Muradin sat on wooden crates nursing cups of coffee.

"Oh, Arthas, poor boy. I never should've led him to it." Muradin shook his head.

"T'was the sword, yes?" Cicero took a draught. "That thing is controlling him. But I believe Arthas is still strong enough to resist."

"Aye. But mind you, son. The human spirit can only take so much." Said the dwarf before taking a sip. Muradin changed the subject. "I've heard you lost your sword when you scuffled with Arthas, aye lad?"

"Yes, sir. But it wasn't a sword; it was dagger." He said and took another draught.

Muradin nodded. "We will be heading home to Ironforge shortly when my men get their fill. Say, how about we fashion you another blade, would you like that?"

"Thank you, sir. I would like that."

The dwarf finished his cup of coffee. "Very well, what would it be, a dagger?"

Cicero smiled. "Maybe I'll go for a…Longsword this time."

Muradin's brows raised. "A longsword? What's that? I've honestly never heard or seen one. Is that a sword the footmen use but longer?"

"No, sir. Let me draw you one." He took out his journal and tore a page off. He reached for his knapsack and fished out a rod of charcoal and started to draw an Oeakeshott-type longsword with a narrow-tapered tip and a spiked crossguard similar to the ones the Imperial Guards use in the White-Gold tower.

"By The Light." Muradin chuckled at his drawing. "I would argue for you to use something much bigger, lad. But, well… you're a strong capable warrior and a warrior knows what weapon is best for them, yes?"

"I'm flattered, sir."

Muradin took his drawing. "Well, this is going to be quite the challenge for me and my brother Brann to craft." He chuckled. "We'll have it ready in a week, lad."

"Thank you, sir."

The sound of boots was heard becoming louder with each step. The two looked and saw Uther alongside a blonde bearded man with silver armour.

"Greetings, Cicero. Greetings, Muradin." Said Uther.

Cicero clicked his heel and did a Legionnaire salute that surprised the paladin.

"Uh, nice to see you again, Cicero." Uther said.

"Uther, nice to see you again." Muradin said and went over to hug him.

"How are you, Muradin? I'm so glad you guys made it."

"Arthas, he's – "

"I know. Sylvanas told me lately. Do you mind if I talk to both of you in private?"

"No, not at all."

He nodded to the dwarf and turned to the redhead. "Follow me."

.

.

Uther led them to another warehouse. Inside, Cicero saw Sylvanas siting beside a circular table with an elf and a red-haired human. There was another table where Captain Falric and a familiar looking woman sat; that woman was Jaina Proudmoore. He noticed she had reddened eyes and she had a handkerchief in hand, he guessed she must've wept after hearing the news about Arthas.

"Everybody is here. Take a seat, you two."

Cicero nodded and went over to where Sylvanas and her sister sat to return her bow. He then went to sit beside Falric and Jaina.

Cicero faced her. "Jaina, I did what I can. I'm sorry."

"It's okay it's not your fault." She said then wiped her eyes with the handkerchief. "Captain told me you said there's still hope of saving him, yes?"

He put a hand to hers, holding it firmly. "Yes, there is. I know there is."

Uther spoke. "Now that everyone is here. Captain Falric, Mister Cicero, Sylvanas Windrunner, and Muradin Bronzebeard. Baron Aurius Rivendare wishes to apologize for the lack of a hero's welcome or a parade to celebrate your return, but considering the events that transpired it's safe to say none of you would even care for one."

Uther sat down on a crate. "Any of you, can you please tell me what exactly happened in the Northrend expedition. Don't worry, the building is shielded with a noise barrier cast by Jaina, no one can hear us outside."

Cicero, Sylvanas, Falric, and Muradin told Uther everything from the departure to Northrend, to Cicero and Arthas's fight on top of Mal ganis's necropolis. Sylvanas however never mentioned what Medivh told her.

Rhonin, Vereesa, and Jaina were shocked and awed at what they just heard.

"By The Light. I do not know how King Terenas would react to this." He sighed hard. "If that sword has any direct effect on Arthas's physiology as evidenced by the whitening of his hair and the change of tint in his eyes, then we could only imagine what he would look like now that it's been a month already… damn."

"Then I must destroy the sword, sir. I need to go back to Northrend." Said Cicero.

"You've done enough, my friend." Uther said. "But even if I would let you, without King Terenas's permission you're not going there."

He protested. "Sir, the sword's control on Arthas grows stronger every day, and according to Medivh – "

He held up a hand. "Respect the laws of our land, sonny. Arthas may be your fiend, but you should've known by now that he is the heir to the throne of Lordaeron. His father, King Terenas will make the final decision on what has to be done, alright? I meant no disrespect, but you should know your place. This matter falls into the hands of the leaders of the Alliance."

Cicero pursed his lips and nodded in silence.

Jaina jumped in. "Uther, can he and I just talk to King Terenas about it? If he's worried about resources, then Lordaeron can have the Kul Tiran navy."

"You can try to convince him, Jaina. I understand both of your concerns but The King decides what has to be done at the end of the day."

Jaina nodded.

"Cicero, one more thing." He looked at Cicero. "You're needed in Silvermoon."

Cicero's eyes widened. "Why? What do they want with me?" he said with his arms spread. Sylvanas gasped and was looking at him worryingly, fearing the worst.

"Kael'thas Sunstrider requested that you see him in person. Sylvanas should accompany you."

"I have a bad feeling about this. What if they do something to him?" Sylvanas asked.

"I'm not sure what their intents are, King Terenas never said them to me. I'm sure he'll be fine, but if something happens, The Order of the Silver Hand will come to his aid."

Jaina put a hand on his shoulder. "Please tell me you haven't assassinated anyone is Quel'thalas, have you?"

"No. Of course not."

"Then don't worry, you'll be fine."

.

.

.

The meeting ended at sunrise. Jaina and Uther were on their way to Capital City along with Arthas's soldiers; Muradin and his dwarves went home; Rhonin teleported to Dalaran; and Cicero and the Windrunners got in a portal to Quel'thalas.

The three of them were walking in the troll-infested woodlands of Eversong on their way to the main outermost Elfgate of Quel'thalas. As they walked, Cicero was silent since the end of the meeting.

"So, he's the lucky guy. Isn't he, Lady Moon?" Vereesa asked her sister.

"Yes, Vereesa, but I worry what repercussions in store for us when we enter the city."

"Sister, why? Why should you care about what those nonce from The Circle think? Fuck them." Vereesa looked at Cicero. "Sinu a'manore, Cicero. Well met. Tell me, where are you from?"

Cicero swallowed hard. "Uh, Stormwind, ma'am."

"Oh, so what do you do there?"

"I… uh… I'm a farmer and I uh… I bake bread."

"Cool."

Sylvanas put her palm on her face and giggled at his goofiness. "Drop the act, sweetroll. It's okay, you can tell her - she's my sister."

Cicero sighed. "No, ma'am. I'm not from Stormwind and I've never been there to begin with. I'm from Tamriel, I received my arcane and combat training as a Nightblade in our Legion. Nightblades are similar to your sister's rangers except that we use a lot of magic. I can tell you more, ma'am but my mind is preoccupied with some things. Sylvanas can tell you the rest."

Vereesa smirked and nodded. "I understand."

Sylanas told her everything she knew about him to her sister but she never told her about Cicero's Dark Brotherhood history. When they reached the Elfgate, they noticed there were elven guards and spellbreakers on standby.

"What's with all the guards?" Vereesa asked.

"I think we're expected here, and why would they be needing spellbrakers? unless…" She paused, gasped and turned to Cicero. "Stick close to me, and if anything happens, whatever you do don't attack."

Sylvanas suddenly heard a familiar voice. "Halt! By the order of the King."

The three of them turned around to see 3 elves suddenly appear out of a portal, 2 of them were robed and the other wore Farstrider armour. Sylvanas and Vereesa recognized all three of them. Cicero however could only recognize one, the elf who tended to him in the healing chambers.

"Kael'thas. What's the meaning of this? What's with all the guards?" Sylvanas said.

Kael'thas smirked while he looked at her. "Please don't panic, they're not for you." He looked at Cicero and nodded at him. "So, you're the Red Ranger of Stratholme everyone's talking about, hmm? Will you please kindly come with us, there's something we'd like to discuss about in private."

Cicero didn't say anything and stepped forward but Sylvanas grabbed a hold of his hand. Sylvanas hissed at Kael'Thas, showing her sharp canines. "Why? No, I'm not handing him over unless I'm guaranteed you won't do anything to him." She looked at the ranger next to the mage. "Lort'themar, are you in this too?"

Theron frowned. "I'm sorry, Ranger General. It's his majesty's orders."

Dar'Khan Drathir smiled wryly at her. "Please, Lady Windrunner. Hand over mister Cicero or you will be charged of treason."

"Treason?" Vereesa shouted. "So, this is the type of welcome my sister gets after everything she's been through these past few months?"

Drathir chuckled. "Why should I listen to what you have to say, Vereesa? You don't even serve Quel'Thalas."

Sylvanas and Vereesa then started to argue with Drathir in Thalassian.

"Enough!" Kael'Thas shouted. He gestured the guards and spell brakers to surround them and gave the nod for Lor'Themar Theron to draw his bow. "Vereesa and Sylvanas, please. The Circle is currently in a crisis right now and we need both of you of come to Silvermoon to oversee the security. Lor'Themar will be briefing both of you about everything you need to know."

Drathir extended a hand. "Cicero, please. Come quietly and no one gets hurt."

Cicero marched forward but Sylvanas grabbed him again. He turned to her. "It's okay. I'll be fine." He said and gently broke free. He approached the elves. "Here I am, sirs. Now let the Windrunner sisters go."

Kael'Thas gestured the guards to sheathe their weapons and waved 5 Spellbrakers over to come and shackle him.

"Come on, Kael. Is that really necessary?" Vereesa said.

Kael'Thas ignored her. He approached the redhead as he was being bound. "Forgive us, my good man." He turned to Sylvanas who was darting him with an angry stare. "We just need to make sure he isn't a threat to us. You can now enter the gate, there's a portal to Silvermoon inside that Drathir conjured up."

"Where are you taking him?" Sylvanas asked.

"I will be explaining everything soon, Ma'am." Said Lor'Themar.

.

.

.

Cicero was led to a dense forest in Eversong accompanied by Kael'Thas, Drathir, and some Spellbrakers and elven guards. He spoke very little whenever the prince tried to engage in a conversation with him.

"You know, you're making things a lot harder for yourself if you don't talk."

"I'm not supposed to be here. I'm supposed to be in Lordaeron to see the king."

"No, you're staying here until we sort out this mess, alright?" Said the prince. "Arthas can die in Northrend for all I care, in fact, I hope he does."

"You have no idea what dangers await – ".

"Don't know, don't care. The Ban'dinoriel can never be breached no matter how hard you try. With regards to Prince Blondie - that's Lordaeron's problem, not ours." He smacked his lips. "This however…" they stopped. "…is Quel'Thalas's problem and I believe you have something to do with it."

Cicero's brows furrowed. "Me? Was it about the creatures I killed?" he said recalling the trolls and ogres he slew in the forests months prior. "Or was it that…" he thought about his relationship with Sylvanas.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Okay, then. Follow me."

They went to an open area where a dome of 3 story in height was surrounded by robed elves. Tents were erected all around, the smell of boiling herbs and reagents filled the air. Cicero saw some elves arguing in their native language. He could recognize some of the words since he learned some basic Thalassian himself from Sylvanas and he guessed they were not saying nice things to each other.

"Shut up!" Drathir shouted at the clamoring elves.

"Does this place look familiar to you?" Kael'Thas said to Cicero, spreading his arms.

"No, sir. I swear." He shook his head.

"Really? Let's head on inside, then."

They went inside the dome and immediately Cicero's heart leapt at what he saw. There was a foxhole in the center surrounded by wooden scaffolding possibly for the elves to stand on while they studied the object.
Cicero's eyes widened. The object in the foxhole was something he recognized from his youth in the Imperial Library. He also saw three of them that The Dragonborn gave to Dexion Evicus in Fort Dawnguard. The object inside the crater was an Elder Scroll.

"By the Gods!... how? How in Oblivion did you get this?" he asked with anxiety in his voice.

"Don't play stupid with me, redhead. You know you brought that thing in here." Drathir said.

Cicero looked at him. His eyes still wide and his mouth ajar from astonishment. "No." he shook his head. "No, I don't remember anything about this."

"You're lying." Drathir asserted.

Cicero shouted. "Do you have any idea what this thing is?"

"Cut it out, both of you!" The prince shouted. He pointed a finger at the redhead, "You're angry – that means you're probably telling the truth. You, what do you know about this so called 'Elder Scroll'?"

Drathir chuckled. "Maybe it was a scroll written by elders?"

Kael'Thas grew tired of Dar'Khan and decided to slap him in the face. "Shut up!" he turned to Cicero "And you! Start talking!"

"I need to take a closer look at it. But first, take these shackles off me."

"Kim'jael!" he cursed and paused for a moment. "Alright, but if you so much as lay a hand on anyone here, I'll fry you." He waved the Spellbreakers to unshackle him.

After his bounds were undone, he slowly approached and walked down the crater towards the scroll. He knelt down and studied it. "According to what my teachers told me, an Elder Scroll is an object that contains past and future events in my homeland of Tamriel. Some scrolls even contain powerful spells, objects, and even supernatural beings trapped inside." He leaned close and wiped off some dirt on its surface. The elves began taking notes as they all listened and watched intently.

He continued. "How this scroll managed to get in here is very strange. It just doesn't make any sense, an Elder Scroll… in Azeroth?"

"Could your presence possibly constitute to it being here?" Kael'Thas asked. "Either way, none of us were able to lift the thing, be it through physical or magical means."

Cicero turned and stood. "Not even you, sir?"

Kael'Thas shook his head. "Hmm, hmm. Try and lift it if you can."

He turned his attention back to the scroll. He knelt and touched it. The elves were watching anxiously wondering if he could lift the object.

Cicero grabbed a hold of it and raised the scroll. The elves were in awe and they all couldn't believe their eyes. He studied the scroll in detail from the gems to the knurls until something written around the ends of the scroll made him shudder and gasp. – there were Daedric letterings on it.

"What's wrong?" asked the prince.

"This scroll must be disposed of." Cicero said.

"Why?" Kael said. "You said it contains power, what kind?"

"I don't know and I think neither should you. What I know from the letterings is that it's probably a form of forbidden history, power, or object contained within for all I know. Don't get any ideas, sir."

"Hand it over." Kael'Thas extended his palm.

"What are you going to do with it?"

"Destroy it."

"You cannot destroy an Elder Scroll no matter how hard you try, sir. I suggest leaving it in here or putting it somewhere with tight security… wait, didn't you just say you tried lifting this but can't?"

Drathir whispered something to Kael'thas. The prince and magister Drathir started to talk in Thalassian all the while giving glances at Cicero. As they continued to converse, he noticed the two were getting in a heated argument resulting in Kael'thas shoving Drathir off balance. The Magister got up, spat on the ground and stormed his way out.

"Pardon me for that. Where were we? Oh, I need you to take the scroll to Silvermoon Palace."

"No, I don't trust any of you. I'm taking this to Lordaeron, see if Uther's Silver Hand paladins can find a way to safely dispose of it." He said and picked up the scroll.

"That is a property of The Kingdom of Quel'Thalas! Now, I order you to take that scroll with us to Silvermoon Palace!" Kael'Thas shouted, bright green orbs appeared orbiting around his chest. He readied spells on both hands. The Spellbreakers unsheathed their swords and surrounded him.

"No, sir." He said and casted Stoneflesh on himself.

"Kill him!"

The spellbreakers closed it on him. Cicero casted paralysis on one of them but his shield extinguished the spell. Cicero gripped the scroll firmly and began to flail it on the elves, he was able to bludgeon 2 of them but he was ultimately overwhelmed. A spellbreaker snuck behind him and thrusted his sword through his back.

Cicero felt agonizing pain and he grunted loudly. He looked down and could see the point of the blade come out of his chest. The Spellbraker withdrew the sword and Cicero collapsed on the ground, bleeding. Despite being mortally wounded, he was able to cast healing on himself. Kael'Thas saw his wounds close.

"What? He shouldn't be able to heal himself. His mana should have been destroyed." He faced the Spellbreaker who stabbed him.

"Your Majesty, he doesn't even have mana, I never absorbed any. Should I cut his head off, sir?"

Kael'Thas raised his palm. "No, take him to Silvermoon, make sure Sylvanas never sees you guys dragging him in." Kael'thas stomped Cicero on the back of his head before he could completely heal himself. "Now, go. Make sure to shackle him before he wakes up. You don't want to end up like them." he pointed at the 2 Spellbreakers Cicero bludgeoned to death, their helmets caved in and dented deeply and their faces disfigured beyond recognition.

"What about the scroll, sir?"

"It stays here for the time being until we figure out how to move it."

The guards and Spellbreakers left and took Cicero with them. Kael'Thas bent down and tried to lift the scroll but again, just like the last time, the scroll refused to move. "Damn it!" he cursed.

"You okay, your grace?" one of the female elves inside asked.

"No." Kael'thas looked up and recognized who the elf was. "Liadrin. Nice to meet you, priestess."

"I'm worried about Dar'Khan, your grace. I think he may be up to no good." She said.

"Me too. He suggested to me that we use the Sunwell to harness The Scroll's power."

"By The Light, I've been in countless campaigns with him along with Ranger Theron. I know how egotistical that elf is. You know, when that Cicero fella mentioned that the scroll had forbidden power contained inside… I saw Drathir smile deviously. After he stormed out in rage a while ago, I saw him talking to Galell insisting that he follow him. I couldn't make out what they were saying through all the hubbub since you were apprehending the man."

Kael'Thas stared at the scroll. "Priestess, I'll appoint you as warden for this Cicero man's imprisonment. Make sure Sylvanas and Dar'Khan Drathir never get near his cell. Besides, you're the last person they would ask if they're looking for him anyway."

She nodded.

.

.

Capital City, Lordaeron.

Uther the Lightbringer, Jaina Proudmoore, and Captain Falric entered the throne room. The three knelt before King Terenas who was sitting uneasily. Princess Calia was standing next to the him.

"My Lord. We have returned from Stratholme to deliver some news."

"Rise." Said the king. "Let me hear it."

Jaina spoke. "My King… Prince Arthas did not come home with his men – "

King Terenas closed his eyes, feeling devastated. Calia gasped and clutched her bosom, her frightened gasp echoed through the Imperial chamber.

"My Lord, he's still alive." Said Jaina. "But…"

The king looked at her anxiously.

"…It would seem that…". she frowned and closed her eyes. "… I – I can't."

Uther continued for her. "Arthas, My Lord, according to Cicero, one of Sylvanas's soldiers, he had undergone a demonic transformation."

"It is true, my Lord. I saw him before my very eyes. I noticed his transformation began when he and Sylvanas retrieved a sword." Said Captain Falric. "I saw the sword, sire. It was so otherworldly, every part of it resembled… evil."

Terenas closed his eyes again with a painful expression. His heart began to beat faster. Princess Calia noticed her father was breathing heavily. "Father?" she said.

"My King. The sword's influence on Arthas grows every day, we must – ". Uther noticed something was wrong. King Terenas was reclined limply holding his chest. "Sire, are you alright?"

Calia shook him but he was unresponsive. "Father?"

"By the Light!" Jaina said and ran to his aid.

Uther quickly casted Holy Light on the king but it had no effect. "Falric, go get some help!"

Falric went out immediately alerting everyone in the palace. Within seconds, healers and herbalists flocked to the Imperial Chamber to tend to the King.

.

.

To be Continued.

Damn, I gotta write about Blood Elves now?
Anyway, I'll do my best to finish this story as fast as I can.