Duty Calls.
After allowing the fisherman to return home to Stratholme, Uther and the others were escorted to Quel'Danas on Halduron's ship; the rest of the fleet held their positions to not alert any fanatically loyal Que'dorei that the navy had turned against their prince. Halduron lead them from the docks into the Sunwell complex, passing the encamped regiments of Silvermoon's army.
"These men and women shouldn't be sitting around here, they should be helping our allies in the south." Alleria growled quietly. "What reason could he possibly have for holding them back at the other end of the Eastern Kingdoms from where they are needed?"
"The Prince wishes to keep us safe." Halduron said simply, but Alleria laughed at the notion.
"Wishing to keep our civilians safe from the ravages of war by sheltering them here I can understand, but doing this with our soldiers? Men and women who've sworn to give their lives in defence of our lands, how is protecting them from harm helping us?"
Halduron had no response, and they walked in silence until they reached the outer doors to the Sunwell temple itself. The guards stationed outside quickly moved to barr their path as they approached.
"General Brightwing, your orders from the Prince were clear," the captain of the guard looked down her nose at the three figures standing beside Halduron.
Uther and Arthas had accompanied Halduron ashore when the ship docked, ensuring they looked the part of two respectable Paladins of Lordaeron; Uther closed the faceplate of his helmet, reasoning that his glowing eyes might incur questions that would take too long to answer. Alleria had insisted upon joining them, going against her part in Yrel's plan, but her desire to save her sister meant she was unwilling to play a 'lesser role'. She also elected to keep her face and identity concealed for as long as she could, knowing what it could mean if her people learnt that she was among them once again.
"You were to remain with the fleet and watch for any Legion forces encroaching from the south," the woman continued. "Why have you defied your orders, and who are these people you clearly wish to bring before our Prince?"
"The Legion are far to the south, we both know this Captain Liadrin, and my time was being wasted endlessly sailing around this island." Halduron said flatly. "And when their ship approached under a white flag, as the commander of our fleet, I felt it was my responsibility to ensure them safe conduct to parlay with the Prince."
"Parlay? Has the Alliance declared war on us?"
"We just want to ascertain why Silvermoon has isolated itself at the same time as the Legion's invasion," Arthas stepped forward. "There are those who feel the timing is… worrying, especially in light of word we received that the enemy sent agents out to sew discourse through the factions of the Alliance."
"And who are you to speak so boldly?"
"Arthas Menethil, Prince of Lordaeron." Arthas bowed. "I have come to speak with Kael'thas as a fellow Prince of our peoples, to understand what has transpired here to cause such behaviour, and ask that the brave people of Silvermoon stand with the rest of the Alliance in pushing the Legion from our world."
"Arthas? The Prince who slaughtered his own people? Was there no one else the Alliance could send instead?" Liadrin smirked. "Who are your companions?"
"Just a Paladin of the Silver Hand sent by my father, and a Ranger of your people who was in Lordaeron when word reached us." The prince said quickly. "May we speak with Kael'thas?"
"Strange. I was not aware we had sent any Rangers out before closing our borders." Liadrin eyed the hooded Alleria, but the former Ranger-General kept her face shrouded and said nothing. "Have you come bearing arms?"
"It wouldn't be in good faith if we came with weapons," Arthas gave a wry smile. "I and my fellow Paladin are unarmed, but I cannot say the same for…"
"I'll keep my weapons on me," Alleria said coldly.
Liadrin made to protest, but Halduron intervened.
"If she tries anything, I'll slay her where she stands. You have my word, Captain. Now let us past."
Liadrin and Halduron glared at each other for several tense moments, before the Guard Captain relented and stepped aside to let them pass. Halduron gestured for Arthas and the others to go before him, lingering a moment before walking past Liadrin. Once they were inside, the doors closed shut behind them, and they were granted a moment of reprieve.
"This plan your friend concocted is madness!" Halduron said in a low voice, not wanting his voice to carry. "The Prince is no fool, he'll sense your deception in an instant!"
"Let's just get this over with, every second we waste is spent in the enemy's favour," Alleria cut in.
At that moment two figures emerged from a side room; one was dressed in black robes with silver patterns inlaid in the material, while the other was garbed in deep scarlet robes with vivid gold trim, which matched his long golden hair.
"Ah, Halduron," Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider spoke calmly, signalling for the other elf to leave them. "Do you have something to report?"
"Emissaries from Lordaeron have arrived to speak with you, my prince," Halduron gave a low bow as the Prince approached.
"Oh?" Kael'thas turned to regard Arthas and the paladin beside him. "Does King Terenas think sending his disgraced son to speak with me convincing enough to allow his people to take shelter within our lands?"
Arthas glanced to Uther, who gave a slow nod to show his support.
"The Kingdoms of Lordaeron wish only to learn why you have closed your borders and isolated your kingdom just as the Legion invades to the south." Arthas clarified. "Surely you can understand that the timing…"
"You are too young to remember what happened during the last war," Kael'thas interrupted. "Stormwind held out against the Horde, giving everything they had to protect their people, but…"
"King Llane was assassinated by someone he trusted," Arthas interrupted. "I remember that, Varian was a guest of my father's until the war ended."
"I told them that King Anasterian was assassinated," Halduron said quickly.
"Are you trying to justify your actions by invoking the assassination of King Llane?" Arthas laughed. "The Legion are not at your door, they've almost reached Stormwind, every race is rallying to push them back, and you're holding your armies here where they're useful to no-one."
"Fighting the Legion head on is little more than a meat-grinder," Kael'thas waved a hand dismissively. "This war will not be one of attricion, the enemy's numbers are limitless, ours are not."
"So you're trying to save your people from dying on the battlefield, side-by-side with the other races?"
"Still young, impetuous and naïve, I see," the prince chuckled. "Do you not think I have a plan, a reason for why I'm holding my people away from the slaughterhouse?"
"And where does Lady Sylvanas Windrunner fit into this plan of yours? It was you who recalled her to Silvermoon, despite your father ordering her to stay away for your people's safety."
There was a flicker of something on Kael'thas' face, before the Prince responded;
"My father did not understand the importance Lady Windrunner has in our society, our Ranger-General turned Paladin is seen as a hero, and in these times of war the people need heroes to feel hopeful."
"Do you know why your father ordered Sylvanas to not return to Silvermoon?"
"I do…"
"Then surely you understand why he asked her to stay away?"
"My father… Was mistaken, he ignored the needs of our people…"
"What are you planning to do with Sylvanas? It's clear you have one, but you have yet to indicate what it is, and whether it will help the Alliance, or just the Quel'dorei."
Kael'thas gave Arthas a condescending smile, as he stated;
"My plan will bring salvation to those who are worthy, and save this world from the Legion's fire."
"Traitor!" Yrel appeared from nowhere, her mace held aloft as she charged towards Kael'thas.
Th Quel'dorei prince was completely stunned by the sudden appearance of the charging Draenei; but he recovered quickly and threw the Vindicaar back with an arcane shockwave.
"It seems you have not been wholly honest with me," Kael'thas said coolly, watching as Yrel rose to her feet. "You did not come to parlay, you think me a traitor, so you've come to kill me!"
He quickly sent a wall of icy vapour out before him, the mist solidifying around the feet of everyone it encountered, holding them in place. Jaina was the only one who managed to shield herself from the spell, revealing herself with a shimmer before summoning a water elemental at her side.
"Ah Lady Jaina, still sneaking around with Arthas I see," Kael'thas laughed, summoning three fiery orbs in his hands. "You know you'll never beat me in a contest of spellwork, surrender now and I may let you and your friends bear witness."
"Bear witness to what?" Jaina asked, keeping her composure and ignoring the Prince's attempt to verbally wound her.
"The salvation of Azeroth."
"We'll stop you." Arthas smashed his mace into the ice binding his feet, but it only reformed when he took a step forward.
"Stop me? Did you honestly believe I would have this little discussion with you without knowing your true purpose for being here? This was merely a distraction, while my trusted advisor readies the ritual. I'm afraid that you're far too late to do anything but bear witness to the end."
Suddenly, the door Kael'thas and his advisor had emerged from burst open, and Lor'themar Theron stumbled out, half-naked and badly bruised.
"The Prince has gone mad! He plans to summon Kil'Jaeden into our world!" Lor'themar exclaimed.
The Prince merely tutted at the Ranger-General's words, shaking his head like the man was a misbehaving child.
"My plans are now reality, Lord Kil'Jaeden will soon enter this world and cleanse it of all impurities," Kael'thas smirked. "And the Quel'dorei shall ascend to new heights of greatness."
"A false promise," Yrel spat. "The Deciever will twist your people into monsters like he did to his own people, my people."
"Ah, now your kind are familiar to me," Kael'thas turned to her. "The resemblance between you and my lord is uncanny. But your words mean nothing, for I wouldn't have made this bargain were it not for Lord Uther's actions."
He turned to Uther, and everyone froze at realising the Prince knew he was present.
"Your power has grown since the last time we spoke, and you no longer carry the taint of undeath upon you."
Uther opened the faceplate of his helmet, so the two were staring into each other's glowing eyes.
"Do you remember your time as my lord's servant? As the Lich King?"
"That was not me. I died in the battle against Deathwing, and only returned to the lving when the Dragon Aspects chose to resurrect me a few days ago."
"Hmm. A pity. I have you to thank for making this possible." Kael gave a slight shrug. "It was you that allowed me to speak with Lord Kil'Jaeden, and now my people will be spared from the fire and allowed to ascend to even greater heights of power."
"A tainted promise, you have doomed your world for the sake of power and your soul will suffer for eternity." Yrel bristled.
"My soul is a small price to pay for the salvation of my people."
"What about your father's soul?"
The mentioning of his father caused Kael to pause.
"His death is a tragedy, but he will be remembered in the new age, a martyr…"
"He was murdered! And instead of using it to rally your people against those responsible, you're hiding away and planning to join…"
"Sunstrider! Cease your prattling and complete the ritual!" A deep booming voice shook the very walls.
"At once, Lord Kil'Jaeden." Kael'thas bowed toward where the voice had come from. "My father was a fool for thinking the Legion could be defeated conventionally, they are too powerful. Only by joining them can my people survive and become greater than before."
Uther realised the truth, and it horrified him.
"You killed your own father, didn't you?" He breathed as Kael'thas turned to leave.
"You despaired about Azeroth's chances of winning, and when the Deciever offered you a poisoned chalice, you were all too eager to take it." Alleria pulled her hood back, meeting her prince's gaze. "Anasterian stood in your way, so instead of listening to someone far wiser than you, like a petulant child you struck down the only thing standing in your way, even though that obstacle was your own flesh and blood."
"So the rumours were true," Kael'thas regarded Alleria with a withering gaze. "You returned to die with the rest of this world."
"Better to die fighting, than roll over like a dog." She spat. "Who did you frame? Which poor soul did you tarnish with your sin?"
"A nobody whose death will not be mourned."
"Traitor!" Halduron exploded with anger at hearing his prince confess to killing his own father.
The prince only laughed, waving his hand and summoning an arcane barrier between himself and his accusers.
"You cannot stop the future; you've come too late." Kael announced. "While we've been talking, my new apprentice Dar'Khan has finalised the ritual to bring Kil'Jaeden into this world. By standing here you will be the first to be sacrificed to his might, so sorry Lady Alleria, it seems you've come all this way just to die."
"Only two people will die today; you, and your lickspittle pawn." Alleria growled.
Kael'thas simply turned and walked away, leaving them isolated in the entrance chamber. The door that the prince and Dar'Khan had entered from suddenly burst open, and a half-naked, heavily bruised and bleeding Ranger-General staggered out.
"Lor'themar!" Alleria breathed, rushing to his aid. "What did they do to you?"
"Alleria!" he gasped, his words muffled by his swollen lips. "They were trying to make me see things their way by beating it into me; when bribery and threats of violence didn't sway me, they resorted to more physical means."
"Is there another way to the Sunwell chamber? We need to stop the ritual before my sister is sacrificed." Alleria pressed, aware that time was against them.
"No. Before he locked me in there, I heard him ordering all other entrances sealed." Lor'themar shook his head, though it was clear even that movement pained him. "There's no other way in."
"What do we do?" Arthas looked to Uther for guidance; the aged Paladin only stared morosely at the shimmering barrier.