Know Your Enemy.
The two Paladins appeared just outside the gates of the city, and Uther took a moment to stop and look around at the Lordaeron countryside that he hadn't seen in a long time; Sylvanas was not blind to the importance of the moment, and didn't remind him of their ticking clock, instead standing at his side and saying in a gentle tone;
"It hasn't changed that much in your absence."
He turned to look at her, his glowing eyes seeming to be looking right through her.
"Everything has changed."
"Take it from someone who's lived longer than even you have, change is natural and inevitable," she reassured him. "Your homeland is still safe, thanks to your efforts; it has not been razed by Orcs, ravaged by the undead plague, or burned in dragon fire."
"But it may be victim to fel fire if we don't act." He noted, turning to walk into the city. "I don't know what villainy the Legion has planned here, but it cannot come to pass. As you've said, the people of this kingdom have suffered enough already."
"I've heard you humans saying suffering builds character."
"Then I must be quite the character."
Sylvanas glanced sideways at him, her eyes being drawn to his glowing eyes. Despite the joy she felt in having her mentor, and perhaps closest friend, back from the dead, she felt a little perterbed by his glowing eyes contrasting with his aged facial features.
They crossed the drawbridge to the Royal Keep and were unapproached as they walked toward the grand imposing doors, only being stopped when they attempted to enter the throne room.
"Halt! Who seeks an audience with the king?" a guard asked, the Lordaeron sigil emblazoned on his chestplate.
"Lady Sylvanas Windrunner of Silvermoon, and Lord Uther of the Silver Hand," Uther made the introductions.
The guards immediately moved to a defensive stance, drawing their weapons on him.
"Lord Uther is dead, the king himself declared it."
"The Light has brought him back in this hour of need," Sylvanas said quickly, stepping between her mentor and the guards. "Let us speak with King Terenas, he will want to see his friend has returned with his own eyes."
"The king has called a council of Lordaeron's leaders, he has said a war is coming..." one of the guards looked to his compatriot with uncertainty.
"He said the Legion are..."
"They're invading as we speak, and you are wasting valuable time in holding us here." Uther bristled, making Sylvanas look at him sharply. "I am the same man Terenas knew before, and Lordaeron needs every hero it can muster if we are to win the war to come. If I appear to be a threat to him, if I am not wholely the man I was, then I have no doubt Lady Sylvanas here will slay me before I can do any harm. Now let us pass."
Again the guards shared uncertain glances between each other, before opening the doors for them to enter. Inside the king of Lordaeron was pacing before his throne, dressed in cream coloured robes with the crown perched atop his silvery grey hair. Terenas Menethil II was clearly deep in discussion with four figures, all who had their backs to the door but turned at hearing them open; the king's face went from one of concern, to disbelief at what his eyes beheld.
"Lordaeron must truly be blessed by the Light!" he breathed, before pushing past the other leaders to approach the newcomers. "Or do my eyes deceive me this time? Uther? Is it really you?"
"It is, my king." Uther dropped to one knee. "I have been blessed by the Aspects with new life, and new purpose."
"Thank the Aspects!" Terenas beamed, before pulling Uther to his feet and embracing him. "Your counsel at this time is sorely needed."
"They did not bring me back just to advise, old friend," the Lightbringer chuckled softly, only parting when Terenas did as any noble lord would if embraced by their monarch. "I intend to lead the Alliance to victory."
"I take it this is not a simple visit to see me then?" Terenas joked, overjoyed at seeing Uther alive after everything that had been relayed to him. "Your timing is impecable."
"The Legion are here." Sylvanas cut to the chase. "The Dark Portal is open once again, and right now there is just an army of Titan constructs holding back the tide."
"We've come to rally Lordaeron's armies for war, a war for the very survival of Azeroth." Uther finished. "Others have been sent to rally the other races too, we do not stand alone in this fight."
"I want to believe you, old friend, however..." Terenas began, before another leader spoke up.
"The original Alliance is barely able to unite when called."
King Genn Greymane turned and folded his arms across his broad chest.
"Alterac's in dissaray, Stratholme is still reeling from Arthas' culling and the plague, the Kirin Tor have closed themselves off, the Wildhammers have gone to Ironforge en masse, and then there's Kul Tiras and Quel Thalas's responses to Terenas' summons." King Thoras Trollbane listed.
"How have they responded?" Sylvanas tentitively enquired.
"They haven't." Terenas rubbed the bridge of his nose. "The fleet hasn't been seen since Daelin's campaign against the pirates ended, and I've sent messengers to Silvermoon, but the gates to Quel'thalas have been closed to outsiders."
A blonde woman, who'd been standing close to the throne, rushed over and put an arm around the king and a hand on his shoulder to comfort him; it took Uther a moment to recognise her, and when he did, he couldn't stop himself from also doubting what he was seeing.
"Calia?" he breathed.
"Hello, Lord Uther," she smiled timidly. "Even with your eyes glowing it is relieving to see you are alive and well again. Is my brother..."
"He's alive, we parted ways after the Portal opened and he was sent with Sylvanas' sister to check on Stormwind's readiness for war. I must admit I'm surprised to see you present in this war council."
"After what my brother did at Stratholme..." Calia cleared her throat at mentionning the subject, "I became the heir to the throne, despite never being trained for it..."
"I felt it best she learn at my side," Terenas concluded, moving with his daughter back toward the throne. "I am not the man I was, nor have I been blessed with new life by higher powers, and I am prepared for what is coming. But I will not leave the future of my kingdom in doubt, until Arthas can redeem himself for his actions, I must look to my daughter to carry on the rule of this kingdom when I am gone."
"May we pray that day is years to come, my king." Alonsus Faol bowed low, before turning to Uther. "If you had not said it was the dragons who were responsible for your resurrection, I would thank the Light; you were always strong with weilding its power, and now it shines from your very eyes, a symbol of its power in you."
Uther smiled at the comment, before embracing his former mentor and friend.
"If we can focus on the crisis at hand please gentlemen," Genn growled. "You say the Legion are here, and you have come to 'rally' the forces of Lordaeron for war, as you can see we are ready, but we don't want to march south only for trouble to stir in our absence."
"I was told the Trolls here were no longer a problem?" Uther looked to Sylvanas confused.
"The Trolls are not the problem, nor are the escaped Orcs as 'Warchief' Thrall ensured they have all sailed east," Thoras noted, his voice barely hiding his dislike for either race as he spoke of them. "Alterac, however, is a different story."
"I thought the former kingdom was being watched after Lord Perenolde's betrayal during the Second War?" Sylvanas inquired. "How can it cause problems if its a ruined state?"
"Since Aiden Perenolde was imprisoned and his lands stripped from him, Alterac has fallen into civil war, with two people seeking to assume lordship of the valley." Terenas explained, reseating himself on the throne.
"Aiden's son, Aliden, came to Gilneas and begged for my help in winning their little civil war," Genn growled. "Promised me he was not as corrupt as his father."
"And a man claiming to be Aiden's nephew, Isiden, who offered to merge our two kingdoms together if I helped his claim to the position of Lord Perenolde of Alterac." Thoras sighed.
"Neither claimant has come to me with their requests," Terenas noted with irritation. "Most likely because it was my decision to arrest Lord Aiden for his crimes and throw the Perenolde name into the mud."
"I was the one who made the pronouncement as I recall," Uther corrected.
"But you answer to me, as your king and your friend."
"There is a third option, a third candidate to inherit the Perenolde name and lands, Aiden's only daughter, Beve." Alonsus piped up. "When her father was arrested she quit her studies in Dalaran, and came to the monastery to be a priestess instead. She prays every day for her father, and hopes by devoting herself to the light she may absolve her father's sins."
"Do you believe she would make a better ruler of Alterac?" Sylvanas inquired.
"Possibly, she has sworn herself to the teachings of the Light as an act of penance for the actions of her father, so she would not follow his example," Alonsus pondered aloud. "But she has shown no support for either side in the civil strife, and if the people viewed naming her to her father's title as imposing his desires above their own, the warring sides may unite to oppose Lordaeron instead of each other."
"Could this wait until the Legion is dealt with?" Sylvanas blurted without thinking. "I'm sorry but as we're here discussing politics, the Legion are likely gaining ground against the constructs of Ulduar."
"I will not march south only to find Alterac holding a blade to our back." Terenas said boldly, before reclining; "I fear my days of fighting are behind me, so while I will issue a royal order for Lordaeron's forces to gather and prepare for war, I'm afraid it will not be me leading them into battle."
"Will you send word for the Knights of the Silver Hand to lead in your stead?"
"I was hoping you would, old friend." The old king gave a rueful smile.
Sylvanas was surprised to see Uther takenaback by the suggestion.
"I would be honoured, my king, but after... After I fell to darkness I feel that entrusting me with such a responsibility would be a mistake."
"Do you fear you'll fall again?" Thoras inquired.
"Ask the Silver Hand to lead, they have not lost any of their humanity and are among the noblest men I know." Uther said quickly, and Sylvanas could tell he wished to move on from the subject, so she asked the other two monarchs present;
"Will Gilneas and Strom follow their king's example and rally their men for war?"
"Gilneans are not cowards, we will not hide from this threat when we know it will come for us regardless."
"Since the Second War ended I've been eager to test my skills again," Thoras chuckled heartily. "And Trol'dakar is thirsty for demon blood."
"I will issue a royal edict for the people of Andorhal and Stratholme, those willing and able to fight must do so immediately, for king and country." Calia said quickly. "They may be hesitant, so offering the choice to fight rather than forcing them, may be better for future relations."
"My daughter is a fast learner," Terenas caressed Calia's chin. "While you wage war in the south, we will oversee a solution to the Perenolde problem."
He rose to his feet, and stretched his arms out as he declared;
"But now it is late and I wish to retire for the evening. Lord Uther, Lady Sylvanas, you are welcome to stay in the royal apartments as my guests; perhaps you will dine with us tonight and share stories of your most recent exploits?"
"We would be honoured, my king." Uther looked to Sylvanas, who gave a slight nod of encouragement.
"We will send word to our kingdoms with word to rally for war," Genn said, conferring with Thoras. "Lord Uther, we shall see you on the battlefield."
"I look forward to it."
All eyes turned to Alonsus, who simply smiled.
"I will return to the monastery and dispatch priests skilled in healing to accompany the soldiers. I will also pray to the light for salvation and guidance in these dark times, but I fear things will get darker before they get light again."
The others nodded in silent agreement, before parting ways; Thoras, Alonsus, and Genn strode out the main doors of the throne room, while Calia, Terenas, Uther, and Sylvanas made for a door just behind the throne, which lead into the royal apartments.
They were halted by a loud crack coming from behind them, and all eyes turned to see a Quel'dorei elf in jet black and silver robes standing in the middle of the throne room.
"Ah, finally a messenger from Silvermoon," Terenas beamed, approaching the figure. "Are your people ready for war, messenger?"
"We are, your grace, but that is not why I am here." The figure said in a gentle tone that dripped of something more. "My lord has requested I seek out the Lady Sylvanas Windrunner immediately."
"Does the king have need of me?" Sylvanas cautiously asked.
"I do not know the details, my lady. I was simply instructed to seek you out and bring you to him at once. It is apparently of the utmost importance, but I know little more than that."
"I was told by the king himself to stay as far from Quel'thalas as I can," she noted, but the messenger dismissed it;
"Times have changed, and our king requires someone of your... Reputation to aid him."
Sylvanas looked uncertainly to Uther, who gave his usual reassuring smile.
"Go, your people need you, the war will likely still be raging when we meet again."
"Don't kill all the demons before I get there," she laughed, before embracing him, an act made somewhat awkward by their plate mail armour.
"I never got your name, messenger."
"Drathir, your grace. Dar'khan Drathir." The elf bowed, before teleporting himself and Sylvanas away.