It just got to me that I have forgotten about someone - but I'll fix it right away. There's nothing my pen can't do! (insane laugh)
'Lok'tar, Warchief!' a grunt called.
Thrall turned from the peon he was about to give a task, finding the other orc more important. He was, after all, a scout that had just returned from the Barrens. The peon can wait.
'Throm-ka, warrior.' he greeted him. 'What news to you bring?'
'Wierd, Warchief. I've just seen a strange creature sitting in the Barrens.'
Thrall blinked. 'What creature?'
The grunt described the Big Hairy Thing as best as he could, careful not to miss any detail. He said about it's appearance, of it sitting just like that and hugging a centaur, and that everything else most strongly avoided it. The shaman listened closely with great interest and even bigger amusement. When the scout has finished his very accurate description, Thrall said:
'I've heard that many strange things happen lately... Can this be the cause of it?'
'Beats me, Warchief.'
The shaman sighed. 'Keep an eye on it. I don't want anything funny to happen here as well.'
'Da'bu.'
***
Meanwhile, in Ashenvale all the leaders of night evles, Blood Elves and Naga gathered by the Norddrassil on Mt. Hyjal to discuss the latest events.
'I'll say shortly.' Illidan said. 'This is ridiculous!'
'I agree with you, brother.' Furion nodded. 'But it doesn't change the fact that this creature is interrupting everything.'
'If we only knew where it comes from or what it actually is...' Vashj added.
Kael sighed. 'How can we know that?'
Tyrande shook her head. 'The only thing we know about this monster is that it's invulnerable to physical damage and is capable of crossing an ocean...'
Silence fell. None of them had anything to say, yet all where deeply in thought about the Big Hairy Thing. There were so many unanswered questions about it... They remained motionless, except for Vashj, whose snakes waved from either sides of her head and hissed once in a while. But still no one spoke. They had to face it.
They were stuck.
The uncomfortable silence was broken by a running archer. She stopped by them panting. They all turned and stared at her, even the blind eyes of Illidan, and awaited her to speak.
'Shan'do...' she breathed. 'You must... aid us... the grove... is being... attacked...'
Frution stood up at once and grabbed his staff, followed by his beloved Tyrande and his brother Illidan. And the demon was followed by his faithful servants and friends, Kael and Vashj.
'Who is it?' the druid asked firmly.
The archer looked into his calm eyes with her own. They showed weariness, grief and despair. Cold sweat wetted Furion's forehead as he saw those feeling in his sister elf. She swallowed audiably and whispered, apparently not able to pronounce the name louder:
'Kil'jaeden...'
***
Arthas enjoyed the poisoned air of his homeland all the way to the Capitol from the coast. Lordaeron, unlike Northrend, was very familiar. Here he grew up, met his first love, met also Kel'Thuzad - though in rather unfriendly circumstances. And of course here he became, or more like announced himself king.
Now these lands, both human Lordaeron and elven Quel'Thalas were entirely his. Even if Kel'Thuzad didn't win the Capitol, what he truly doubted, he'll aid him himself and the rebel will have no chance at all.
He and few of his warriors passed the once green and cheerful lands. Now everything was covered in the black and dry blight, small green clouds floating over it. The blight caused all nature to die. There were no plants around, only black leafless trees, and no animals but carcasses and skeletons.
Arthas went forth, wanting to see his friend as soon as possible. When he left this land he said that he can't tell if he ever returns. If Kel'Thuzad received his letter, he should be expecting him now.
Finally they arrived at the darkened stone walls of the Capitol City. The two necromancers that were guarding the main gate from top of the wall spotted him and recognised at once.
'By Ner'zhul...' one of them managed to say. 'King Arthas!!'
The gate opened few moments later, so that the knight and his troops didn't have to stop and wait. They entered the city, welcomend warmly by all undead that saw them.
When they reached the main square, in front of the palace, Kel'Thuzad came.
'Greetings, King Arthas.' he bowed. 'I've been expecting you.'
The knight gave his stag, the famous bony cow, to the nearest necromancer and turned to the Lich. He was smiling.
'Good to see you, my friend. I missed you. And I see you made a good job with defeating the rebel.'
Kel'Thuzad laughed softly and shook his head. 'It's not like that, my king.'
'It's not?'
'The city was empty, when we arrived.'
Arthas blinked a few times. 'Excuse me?'
'I have no idea. I suppose they might have fled before that monster I wrote you about...'
'Ah, yes.' the knight admitted. 'I forgot to tell you something important.'
'Yes, my king?'
Arthas carefully chose his words, wondering how his friend will react to the bad news. Yet it has happened and Kel'Thuzad ought to know. As well as the rest of the Scourge.
'You see, Kel...' he began slowly. The Lich didn't react, though no one has ever called him like this. 'I know where that thing came from.'
'You do?' the Lich seemed sort of amused.
'Well, yes, it came out of a meteor.'
'A meteor?'
'Believe it or now, one fell. In the very center of the Ice Crown.'
Kel'Thuzad seemed to read the thought few times over and over. Wait a minute, the Ice Crown Glacier... in the middle of it was...
'The Frozen Throne?' he asked in disbelief.
Arthas closed his eyes and shook his head. 'There's nothing left of it.'
If the Lich had legs to stand on, he'd now fell over. Or if he had a body, he'd faint.
'This can't be...'
'I'm afraid it is...' the king sighed. He smiled wearily. 'But I still have this.' he patted the Frostmourne. 'And the power of Ner'zhul within me.'
'Will it be enough?'
'We'll send a messenger to get us reinforcements from Northrend. We must end this war - and we'll begin with destroying Iliidan's followers.'
Kel'Thuzad, not completely recovered yet, bowed. 'As you order, King Arthas.'
***
BAKOOM!!!
When the heroes approached the night elf grove, Kil'jaeden had already taken Shandris hostage. All of them stopped suddenly, seeing him holding the unconsious ranger three feet above the ground by her cape.
Illidan threw his blades away and took a few steps towards the demon. Furion quickly looked around to see no signs of battle except few wounded elves... including Shandris.
The Hunter walked closer and said firmly:
'Let her go, Kil'jaeden. It's me you're after.'
The demon laughed shortly, but sharply enough to cause most of the elves to shiver.
'Really?' he asked, though without much sense in context. 'And if I do free her?'
The Hunter took a deep breath. 'You'll have me.'
'NO!!!' Kael bellowed and rushed forward, but was stopped by Furion and Vashj, who dragged him away from his master. 'No, Lord illidan, you can't be punished!!!'
Kil'jaeden grinned on the young one's determination and asked softly: 'And why is that?'
Such a tone is defineatly not normal for a demon. The prince swallowed loudly and froze in place. Yet his own voice was still sharp and furious. 'He tried to obey your orded! He nearly lost his life for you!' he yelled.
Vashj, seeing her friend's reaction, decided to support him and added: 'If it's so important, why didn't you destroy the Throne yourself?'
Kil'jaeden growled. Furion and the others guessed that there must be something preventing him from doing it, but the demon's pride won't allow him admitting it.
It seemed that he was about to say something, but Fate - and of course I, the cruelest of cruel authors - didn't want that to happen. A cloud of black smoke began closing up behnd him, followed by another. Though the red demon seemed too absorbed by his hostage and enemies to notice. He didn't even blink, when the heroes gazed high up on the clouds.
And suddenly the first of them crushed with Kil'jaeden's head, giving loud 'auch's with three different voices. The second cloud also collided with him, giving more yells, this time with more than a dozen voices.
Kil'jaeden disspeared, cursing cloudly in his own language, while loads of various creatures fell from the sky, also cursing. There were Blood Elves among them, as well as banshee, goblins and... a dreadlord?
'What the...?' Kael breathed.
'Ah, prince Kael'thas.' one of the figures said, straightening up. It was all black from head to toe, but one could recognise and elf in it. Probably a mage. 'It's me, Windrunner.'
The prince blinked. 'Sylvos? Where were you?!'
'Well, my prince, you see, that tornado...'
'... took us to Khaz Modan.' a sorceress finished.
Illidan held his laugh, while Furion and Vashj nodded, smiling slightly. Kael cleared his throat and asked:
'And who are these undead with you, Sylvos?'
The mage seemed a little nervous, but in any case he replied:
'This Ranger, my prince, is actually my sister, Sylvanas...' the girl bowed.
'Oh...' Kael mumbled. 'I didn't know you're undead...'
'Happens.' the Ranger answered shortly.
Sylvos went on: 'These banshee are under her command, as well as Varimathras...'
'Who?' Vashj asked.
The dreadlord took a step forward. 'That would be me.'
All the eyes turned to him in disbelief. No one trusted dreadlords, of what Varimathras was well aware, but sometimes a superior can save your ass. Sylvanas said, breaking the silence:
'He's a loyal servant, there's no need to worry.'
'Really?' Illidan replied sharply.
'We've got a bigger problem now, Hunter.' the Ranger added firmly. 'I want to be your ally.'
The heroes looked at one another and finally Tyrande, who remained silent so far, asked:
'Sylvos, can we trust her?'
The mage simply nodded.
'Very well then.' Furion said. 'We accept your offer.'
Sylvanas smiled and suggested to take care of the Big Hairy Thing first. There were murmurs and questions, but after a short while they all agreed.
When they were about to leave and rest, a huntress emerged from the woods.
'Ishnu-dal-dieb, Shan'do.' she said. 'Sorry for interrupting, but an orc messenger just arrived.'
***
The Big Hairy Thing finally ended it's journey in the Barrens. What will happen next? Can the heroes defeat such monster? What do the orcs want from the night elves? What will Arthas do? Where is Maiev?
Don't I ask too many questions? Find out in the next chapter of THE BIG HAIRY THING!
END OF CHAPTER FOUR
'Lok'tar, Warchief!' a grunt called.
Thrall turned from the peon he was about to give a task, finding the other orc more important. He was, after all, a scout that had just returned from the Barrens. The peon can wait.
'Throm-ka, warrior.' he greeted him. 'What news to you bring?'
'Wierd, Warchief. I've just seen a strange creature sitting in the Barrens.'
Thrall blinked. 'What creature?'
The grunt described the Big Hairy Thing as best as he could, careful not to miss any detail. He said about it's appearance, of it sitting just like that and hugging a centaur, and that everything else most strongly avoided it. The shaman listened closely with great interest and even bigger amusement. When the scout has finished his very accurate description, Thrall said:
'I've heard that many strange things happen lately... Can this be the cause of it?'
'Beats me, Warchief.'
The shaman sighed. 'Keep an eye on it. I don't want anything funny to happen here as well.'
'Da'bu.'
Meanwhile, in Ashenvale all the leaders of night evles, Blood Elves and Naga gathered by the Norddrassil on Mt. Hyjal to discuss the latest events.
'I'll say shortly.' Illidan said. 'This is ridiculous!'
'I agree with you, brother.' Furion nodded. 'But it doesn't change the fact that this creature is interrupting everything.'
'If we only knew where it comes from or what it actually is...' Vashj added.
Kael sighed. 'How can we know that?'
Tyrande shook her head. 'The only thing we know about this monster is that it's invulnerable to physical damage and is capable of crossing an ocean...'
Silence fell. None of them had anything to say, yet all where deeply in thought about the Big Hairy Thing. There were so many unanswered questions about it... They remained motionless, except for Vashj, whose snakes waved from either sides of her head and hissed once in a while. But still no one spoke. They had to face it.
They were stuck.
The uncomfortable silence was broken by a running archer. She stopped by them panting. They all turned and stared at her, even the blind eyes of Illidan, and awaited her to speak.
'Shan'do...' she breathed. 'You must... aid us... the grove... is being... attacked...'
Frution stood up at once and grabbed his staff, followed by his beloved Tyrande and his brother Illidan. And the demon was followed by his faithful servants and friends, Kael and Vashj.
'Who is it?' the druid asked firmly.
The archer looked into his calm eyes with her own. They showed weariness, grief and despair. Cold sweat wetted Furion's forehead as he saw those feeling in his sister elf. She swallowed audiably and whispered, apparently not able to pronounce the name louder:
'Kil'jaeden...'
Arthas enjoyed the poisoned air of his homeland all the way to the Capitol from the coast. Lordaeron, unlike Northrend, was very familiar. Here he grew up, met his first love, met also Kel'Thuzad - though in rather unfriendly circumstances. And of course here he became, or more like announced himself king.
Now these lands, both human Lordaeron and elven Quel'Thalas were entirely his. Even if Kel'Thuzad didn't win the Capitol, what he truly doubted, he'll aid him himself and the rebel will have no chance at all.
He and few of his warriors passed the once green and cheerful lands. Now everything was covered in the black and dry blight, small green clouds floating over it. The blight caused all nature to die. There were no plants around, only black leafless trees, and no animals but carcasses and skeletons.
Arthas went forth, wanting to see his friend as soon as possible. When he left this land he said that he can't tell if he ever returns. If Kel'Thuzad received his letter, he should be expecting him now.
Finally they arrived at the darkened stone walls of the Capitol City. The two necromancers that were guarding the main gate from top of the wall spotted him and recognised at once.
'By Ner'zhul...' one of them managed to say. 'King Arthas!!'
The gate opened few moments later, so that the knight and his troops didn't have to stop and wait. They entered the city, welcomend warmly by all undead that saw them.
When they reached the main square, in front of the palace, Kel'Thuzad came.
'Greetings, King Arthas.' he bowed. 'I've been expecting you.'
The knight gave his stag, the famous bony cow, to the nearest necromancer and turned to the Lich. He was smiling.
'Good to see you, my friend. I missed you. And I see you made a good job with defeating the rebel.'
Kel'Thuzad laughed softly and shook his head. 'It's not like that, my king.'
'It's not?'
'The city was empty, when we arrived.'
Arthas blinked a few times. 'Excuse me?'
'I have no idea. I suppose they might have fled before that monster I wrote you about...'
'Ah, yes.' the knight admitted. 'I forgot to tell you something important.'
'Yes, my king?'
Arthas carefully chose his words, wondering how his friend will react to the bad news. Yet it has happened and Kel'Thuzad ought to know. As well as the rest of the Scourge.
'You see, Kel...' he began slowly. The Lich didn't react, though no one has ever called him like this. 'I know where that thing came from.'
'You do?' the Lich seemed sort of amused.
'Well, yes, it came out of a meteor.'
'A meteor?'
'Believe it or now, one fell. In the very center of the Ice Crown.'
Kel'Thuzad seemed to read the thought few times over and over. Wait a minute, the Ice Crown Glacier... in the middle of it was...
'The Frozen Throne?' he asked in disbelief.
Arthas closed his eyes and shook his head. 'There's nothing left of it.'
If the Lich had legs to stand on, he'd now fell over. Or if he had a body, he'd faint.
'This can't be...'
'I'm afraid it is...' the king sighed. He smiled wearily. 'But I still have this.' he patted the Frostmourne. 'And the power of Ner'zhul within me.'
'Will it be enough?'
'We'll send a messenger to get us reinforcements from Northrend. We must end this war - and we'll begin with destroying Iliidan's followers.'
Kel'Thuzad, not completely recovered yet, bowed. 'As you order, King Arthas.'
BAKOOM!!!
When the heroes approached the night elf grove, Kil'jaeden had already taken Shandris hostage. All of them stopped suddenly, seeing him holding the unconsious ranger three feet above the ground by her cape.
Illidan threw his blades away and took a few steps towards the demon. Furion quickly looked around to see no signs of battle except few wounded elves... including Shandris.
The Hunter walked closer and said firmly:
'Let her go, Kil'jaeden. It's me you're after.'
The demon laughed shortly, but sharply enough to cause most of the elves to shiver.
'Really?' he asked, though without much sense in context. 'And if I do free her?'
The Hunter took a deep breath. 'You'll have me.'
'NO!!!' Kael bellowed and rushed forward, but was stopped by Furion and Vashj, who dragged him away from his master. 'No, Lord illidan, you can't be punished!!!'
Kil'jaeden grinned on the young one's determination and asked softly: 'And why is that?'
Such a tone is defineatly not normal for a demon. The prince swallowed loudly and froze in place. Yet his own voice was still sharp and furious. 'He tried to obey your orded! He nearly lost his life for you!' he yelled.
Vashj, seeing her friend's reaction, decided to support him and added: 'If it's so important, why didn't you destroy the Throne yourself?'
Kil'jaeden growled. Furion and the others guessed that there must be something preventing him from doing it, but the demon's pride won't allow him admitting it.
It seemed that he was about to say something, but Fate - and of course I, the cruelest of cruel authors - didn't want that to happen. A cloud of black smoke began closing up behnd him, followed by another. Though the red demon seemed too absorbed by his hostage and enemies to notice. He didn't even blink, when the heroes gazed high up on the clouds.
And suddenly the first of them crushed with Kil'jaeden's head, giving loud 'auch's with three different voices. The second cloud also collided with him, giving more yells, this time with more than a dozen voices.
Kil'jaeden disspeared, cursing cloudly in his own language, while loads of various creatures fell from the sky, also cursing. There were Blood Elves among them, as well as banshee, goblins and... a dreadlord?
'What the...?' Kael breathed.
'Ah, prince Kael'thas.' one of the figures said, straightening up. It was all black from head to toe, but one could recognise and elf in it. Probably a mage. 'It's me, Windrunner.'
The prince blinked. 'Sylvos? Where were you?!'
'Well, my prince, you see, that tornado...'
'... took us to Khaz Modan.' a sorceress finished.
Illidan held his laugh, while Furion and Vashj nodded, smiling slightly. Kael cleared his throat and asked:
'And who are these undead with you, Sylvos?'
The mage seemed a little nervous, but in any case he replied:
'This Ranger, my prince, is actually my sister, Sylvanas...' the girl bowed.
'Oh...' Kael mumbled. 'I didn't know you're undead...'
'Happens.' the Ranger answered shortly.
Sylvos went on: 'These banshee are under her command, as well as Varimathras...'
'Who?' Vashj asked.
The dreadlord took a step forward. 'That would be me.'
All the eyes turned to him in disbelief. No one trusted dreadlords, of what Varimathras was well aware, but sometimes a superior can save your ass. Sylvanas said, breaking the silence:
'He's a loyal servant, there's no need to worry.'
'Really?' Illidan replied sharply.
'We've got a bigger problem now, Hunter.' the Ranger added firmly. 'I want to be your ally.'
The heroes looked at one another and finally Tyrande, who remained silent so far, asked:
'Sylvos, can we trust her?'
The mage simply nodded.
'Very well then.' Furion said. 'We accept your offer.'
Sylvanas smiled and suggested to take care of the Big Hairy Thing first. There were murmurs and questions, but after a short while they all agreed.
When they were about to leave and rest, a huntress emerged from the woods.
'Ishnu-dal-dieb, Shan'do.' she said. 'Sorry for interrupting, but an orc messenger just arrived.'
The Big Hairy Thing finally ended it's journey in the Barrens. What will happen next? Can the heroes defeat such monster? What do the orcs want from the night elves? What will Arthas do? Where is Maiev?
Don't I ask too many questions? Find out in the next chapter of THE BIG HAIRY THING!