Chapter Two: Ages Pass
The Night Elven colonies did not last long.
For one thing, the Highbourne had settled to the north, and there were many hostile trolls. Pressed from all sides, it was a harsh fight for them to stay in the west, so far from home. Eventually, news came from the east and the Night Elves withdrew entirely. Illidan did not find out what it was, and he did not care.
The only remnants of night elf influence were a few races taught shamanism. So much the better; the last thing these people needed was Malfurion Stormrage.
Centuries passed, and the memory of the Night Elven settlements faded. Illidan, having left them quickly, lived a nomadic life. He spent his days on high mountains. He was contemplating the mysteries of the universe and practicing his power. Now and then, he would go down into the woods and fields and see if he could find someone worthy of recruiting.
But there was no one.
Forest Troll warbands. And Highborne who had every reason to despise him.
So, Illidan waited and watched.
Now and then, he saw battles waged between troll chieftains, watching as they grew in power. For his part, Illidan kept to himself, practicing his spells and movements. He taught them to grow in power. And during his time, he sometimes would go down and speak with locals.
He came to know these lands very well, and he used infernal magic-less and less.
Over time, he even began to wonder if there might be more to his brother's beliefs than he had thought. So he walked among the villages and spread news. Often he would give good advice or warn of coming danger. During this time, Illidan became aware of a race called humans.
They were a kind of mediocre middle-ground, with none of the traits of any other. Yet they were able to use virtually all talents. Illidan gave them a head start and taught them a bit about fire and woodsmanship. He also suggested that they be fruitful and multiply. They will go to many different places to avoid extinction.
Illidan also taught the various races how to fight, and each one took after him in a different way. The humans fought with swords and soon began to wear armor and shield. At the same time, the trolls preferred ranged combat and avoiding a direct attack. Humans learned to use bows, though not in the same way as elves.
Illidan did not make friends.
Instead, he kept a roundabout circuit, rarely interacting with anyone more than once.
"Are you a god?" asked a boy.
Illidan laughed and felt real mirth. "Oh no, not yet anyway. I'm just a dark wanderer trying to keep things going well.
"You won't see me again after I leave here."
"Then let me go with you," said the boy. "There's nothing here."
"Very well," said Illidan. "But I will not teach you any magic."
"I didn't know you had magic," said the boy.
Illidan laughed again.
They walked together, and time slowed to a pleasant crawl. He taught the boy how to move silently and how to fight. Together they did battle with a number of deadly races while wandering. And eventually, the boy became a mighty King who unified the people around him in time.
He married a beautiful, golden-haired woman, and they had many beautiful blonde children. There were many wars fought in his name and in others, and he went to death an image of the splendor of the Kings of men. He came to death with tranquility. His children had children, his Kingdom was secure, and his enemies respected him.
Only Illidan was left outside.
That was the problem with happily after. If you knew for sure it had happened, it had passed you by. The boy's name was Arathor, and he became the gold standard for the petty Kings who grew up afterward. The Forest Trolls raised leaders of their own, and the civilizations advanced.
Then came the high-elves.
They came upon the trolls in the north as they rested. No one knew where exactly they had been hiding, but their onslaught was brutal. Flames were unleashed upon the trolls, who were taken by surprise. A long period of relative peace had left most people unprepared. Within a matter of weeks, whole villages had been slaughtered.
They took no prisoners, the flames of their magic killing everyone they met.
Illidan did the only thing he could. He went among the trolls and convinced all of them to gather their forces and meet the high-elves. The resulting confrontation was brutal, as the battle waged for three entire years. Innumerable were the corpses on both sides.
The trolls hurled spear and axe while the high-elves unleashed waves of flame.
More than ever, Illidan saw their point.
Ambassadors from the high-elves went to the humans. They offered promises of power, of teaching the humans arcane magic.
"Do not trust them," said Illidan to each King. "They have given you no assurances that they will keep their word. Their actions speak for their character, and you do not know the nature of their power."
"They are dying," said the humans.
And Illidan considered this. "Go to their aid.
"But I should caution you not to accept any gifts. Fight enough to save them and secure peace. And no more. There may be more to this than we think.
"If you do take any magic, I shall look over it first to ensure it is safe."
"You know magic?" asked a king.
"Yes," said Illidan. "And I watched it rip the world asunder. Do you see that sea out to the west? That came as a result of magic.
"Only a fool would dabble in it without care. You must be very careful."
And the Kings listened.
The High-elves, in the end, were given support only to defend their land already gained. And the Kings took their spellwork anyway. A large part of what the high-elves had taken was given back. Yet they were allowed to keep a large part of their war gains.
Mostly because over the past few decades, they had completely depopulated them. And from there, they built themselves a green, controlled paradise. One nobody was allowed but them.
Illidan was disgusted by the high elves and pursued no more association with them.
And he was about on the verge of giving up magic entirely. But he had to look over the scrolls and techniques and confirm there was no treachery in it. There was some items as well. However, these eventually stopped coming as the humans built themselves a city called Dalaran.
Apparently, it had very good spellwork.
It turned out that their spellwork had lost a lot of finesse to it.
Illidan took each one apart and sent the Kings notes on the subject. There were a number of trapped items, and he dealt with each when he arrived. But his attention was soon drawn away to the trolls. The trolls were bitter about what had happened. Having been cut off from all vengeance, they were bitter.
"You must avoid fighting the humans if possible," said Illidan. "If a full-scale war breaks out, the high-elves will take advantage. The humans are, at present, trying to learn more about them. You should help them with this.
"Once you understand your enemy, you will be prepared to face him if you and the humans maintain diplomatic relations. The high-elves cannot play you against one another. It would also be best to unify, just as the humans have."
"We'll be trying it, Illidan," said Zul'jin. "But mark my words, a war is coming. Ya might want to be talking to some of their Kings."
Illidan nodded. "Who is power now?"
"Well," said Zul'jin. "Dat's up in the air. You've got Graymane and Terenas, and Thoras too. Graymane has hated Terenas ever since he worsted him with a bunch of peasants and be looking for round two.
"Thoras is likely to come in on Terenas' side, but Stormwind is to the south. He is having a claim to it and will press it if he gets a chance. Once he does, it'll be bad days.
"Llane is out of the way and has Ironforge between him."
"The nations have gotten big," noted Illidan. "How?"
"Da guardians of Tirisfal have been doing it," said Zul'jin. "Aegywynn set up a lot of marriage meetings."
"I don't know who these guardians are or what they believe," said Illidan. "But if they are meddling in royal politics, I think I'd better become more involved myself.
"Where is the court of King Terenas?" asked Illidan.
"I'll have some of my boys lead ya there," said Zul'jin.
King Terenas had a very nice court. It was situated in a massive structure of stone, an entire city. The largest on the continent, and when Illidan arrived, he was glad to see the door was open to them as always. Moving through the streets, he came to the palace and was immediately halted.
"Name please," said the guard.
"Illidan Stormrage," said Illidan.
"...I've never heard of you," said the guard. "What species are you? I haven't seen your like before."
"Illidan Stormrage," said a voice. "Is that really you?" Illidan looked up and saw a blonde boy who reminded him of old times. "Are you saying that you're the Illidan Stormrage? The one who engineered the downfall of so many villains. The one who set up the basis for Dalaran and engineered the entire political order.
"We had no idea you were still in the world."
Illidan laughed. "And where else should I be?
"I come when called. From the sounds of things, humanity has had little need of me, so I have not come."
"Well, we've heard of you from the Forest Trolls," said the boy. "But many dismissed you as a nature spirit. A sort of guardian of the land."
Illidan Stormrage laughed hysterically. "Ah, I am quite sure they will say so. Who are you boy? What is your name?"
"Arthas Menethil, sir," said Arthas. "Let him in, Falric, Marwynn. Father will want to speak with him."
"First," said Illidan, as the spears were pulled to either side. "I should like to know a lot more about recent events. You are the Prince, are you not?"
"Yes," said Arthas. "Though, Father has been delaying teaching me swordplay. I am trained in many other skills."
"That will have to change," said Illidan. "But first, I will need you to tell me everything you know of recent events in the world."
Arthas did tell him everything he knew.
It turned out that he was a very intelligent boy. He knew virtually everything about the various nations, nobles, and such. And more importantly, he was very good at working with the servants. They liked him, and he was courteous at all times.
By the time they reached the throneroom, Illidan had learned more in moments than years.
"Lord Illidan," said King Terenas, standing up. "You honor us by your presence."
"What do you mean I honor you by my presence?" asked Illidan. "Do you mean that my presence bestows honor upon you? Or that the honor of my presence burdens you? Or that the honor of my presence is a nuisance that much be shut away at once?"
King Terenas shrugged. "All of them at once, I suppose."
"Well, I won't be long," said Illidan. "I believe a full-scale war is about to happen. I am not sure of the exact nature of it. But things are starting to get tense. The forest trolls are concerned about being invaded and bristling for a fight.
"And you are more familiar with politics than I."
"I am aware of this," said King Terenas. "And efforts are underway to stabilize relations.
"Why do you come to me?"
"I believe your son should be sent to Stormwind as a hostage," said Illidan.
"What?" said Terenas. "Why?"
"Doing so will ensure that Thoras Trollbane cannot attack Stormwind," said Illidan. "And vice-versa.
"This will mean Gilneas cannot move against you.
"The balance of power will be maintained, and you will have more time for negotiations with the elves."
"I have no desire to break up my family," said King Terenas.
"Then stop being King," said Illidan. "I have been wandering the wilds of this land for... I think, a few hundred years. Everyone I meet is dead by the time I come back to their villages. I've seen wars and entire civilizations fall to pieces.
"You are a King. A ruler of men.
"To be a King is to be alone."
"Father," said Arthas. "It need not be forever only until things are more stable. We could call it a... visit."
King Terenas nodded. "Yes, I suppose it would be a good chance for you to learn swordplay at last."
"Then we will leave immediately," said Illidan. "Take such companions as you can, arm yourself and meet me at the docks.
"We have work to do."
Illidan had the feeling things were about to get interesting at last.