A short adaptation of one scene in Warcraft III.
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The prince had returned from Northrend. Dispatches came ahead of him, proclaiming victory on the frozen continent. Bells welcomed him in all the towns, flowers strewn in the path of the defender of the people. Loud was the acclaim.
Perhaps some wondered at the extreme reduction in his forces. Had the war been so costly? Perhaps they wondered at his attire, dressed in black with a sword at his side, instead of the war hammer of a paladin.
Those who fled south told us the story.
How the prince approached the throne room with only three of his soldiers.
In the midst of his business, the king looks up to see a broad shouldered knight stepping through the doorway to the throne room. The man has his head bowed in respect as he moves towards the throne. The king frowns.
"Arthas, Lord Uther told me what you did. I am displeased that you did not follow his advice."
The prince raises his head just slightly, enough to see the man sitting on the throne. "Uther was wrong. But I have not come here to be chastised by you, father."
Sensing something extremely wrong, the king stands up and glares down at his son. "What is the meaning of this then? Have you forgotten your place?"
Arthas raised himself to his full height. For the first time the king received a full view of the paleness of his son's skin. "No indeed father. It's just that I've come to succeed you."
Frostmourne flashed into the air, and the king's crown fell to clatter harshly on the tiled floor. The prince's death knights drew their own runeblades and made short work of the guards, courtiers and ministers who remained in the palace. Screams abruptly cut short as the blades cruelly removed the souls of their victims.
In the north, an army of undead marched on the city. Those with any wisdom fled.
It was these who came south with the news. The capitol is overrun. Death marches upon us. And at its head is our most trusted champion. Our Hero. Our Prince.
Our Betrayer.
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Dedicated to JCAE; the best Warcraft 3 author on the site (In this author's humble opinion), for her reviews of my massive undertaking 'Darkness o'er the Land'. Many thanks for your support! Hope you enjoy this slight offering.
Trev