Part 1: The Council of Nighthaven

A lone owl cried out as the night's sky cast its velvet gloom across the isle of Moonglade. The Druid's slept peacefully in their Den's, wandering the Emerald Dream thoughtlessly as they slumbered. The pale shine of the moon illuminated the surface of the Lake Elun'ara, and the gentle evening's breeze swept through the forests where the deer frolicked joyfully with their young. Upon the centre of the isle sat the secluded village of Nighthaven, and along the path to the town came a lone, cloaked figure, riding upon a stag. The individual made his way slowly towards a large building, situated next to the village moon well , and dismounted outside of it's door. He walked towards it and pushed it open. Inside, there were two people sat at a table. The first, a Night Elf with long, flowing dark green hair and beard, donned in ceremonial Druid robes. His name was Fandral Staghelm, the Depute-Archdruid. The second was a Keeper of the Grove, with half the body of a Night Elf, and half of a stag. He was the Keeper Remulos, one of the sons of Cenarius. When he saw the figure arrive, Fandral got to his feet immediately.

"You are late, Shando," he said.

"Forgive me, Fandral," replied Malfurion Stormrage with serenity, performing a deep bow before him. "Greetings. And you too, Remulous. I have not had the pleasure of seeing you in quite a while."

"Elune adorei," replied Remulous with a smile.

Malfurion pulled back the hood, revealing his own face. Atop his head came two horns, and a long blue beard sat at the bottom of his chin.

"You offer no explanation for your lateness?" said Fandral, bluntly.

"I had matters of import to attend to," he replied.

"More important than the fate of our people?"

"The fate of our--?" stopped Malfurion. "Fandral, what exactly is this meeting in aid of?" he asked, having had no prior briefing, other than that he was to meet with the council this night.

"Take a seat."

Malfurion did so.

"As I am sure you are aware, Malfurion, the World Tree was badly damaged during the battle of Mount Hyjal, five years ago."

"It is funny you should mention that, as it is related to the reason for my lateness. Indeed. The World Tree was badly damaged, but I have just returned from Hyjal, and as I surveyed the area I took note that the Tree's roots were healing well."

"That as it may be, Malfurion, the fact is that this tree was our source of immortality. When its energies were channelled to fell Archimonde as he made his ascent, this source disappeared. We Night Elves are mortal once again, Shan'do."

"Indeed," he replied calmly.

"Indeed?" exclaimed Fandral, rasing his eyebrows. "That is all you have to say of the matter?"

"I am well aware of the state of our immortality, Fandral."

"But how could you let this happen, Malfurion? Surely you knew the repercussions?"

"Yes, I did. It was necessary for the energies of Nordrassil to be used to save Azeroth from the wrath of the Lich King. It was a sacrifice that had to be made, brother."

"Fandral, this banter is futile," said Remulos, speaking for the first time. "What happened at Hyjal is done, and we cannot change it."

"Of course. Forgive me, Remulos," said Fandral apologetically.

Malfurion sighed quietly. Why was it that Fandral obeyed the word of Remulous so readily and yet he, the Archdruid was met with such hostility?

"The purpose of this meeting," he began, at last, "is to decide how we proceed from here."

"I have already decided, Fandral. Though it goes without saying, I am happy to hear your suggestions."

"Good. Then I shall get straight to the point. Malfurion, do we have the means to summon a new World Tree?"

"Yes. Yes, we do. Although it would require a multitude of the most powerful Druids in the land, a new World Tree could indeed be grown."

"Very good. In that case, I assume we have your consent to begin the procedures immediately?"

"Absolutely not."

"What?"

"A new World Tree could be grown, that is true, Fandral. But Nordrassil still stands strong. The only purpose of growing another would be to restore our lost immortality. Nature would never bless such a selfish act."

"THEN WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST?" shouted Staghelm, jumping to his feet once more and slamming his bulky fists on the surface of the table. He stared straight at the Archdruid, making no attempt to hide the raw anger contained within his eyes. Malfurion sighed wearily.

"I will not discuss this with you when you are screaming in my face, Fandral."

Fandral turned his back to him and held his face in his hands, taking a moment to regain his composure. He turned back round.

"Malfurion, you will simply let your people wither away and die?" he asked, slightly more calmly.

"No. I have every confidence that given time, the Goddess will restore upon us our immortality. As I said previously, a new World Tree would not be blessed."

"Because it is a SELFISH ACT?" he cried, letting his voice rise again. "What nonsense! We Druids strive to protect this world from the evils which inflict harm upon it day by day. We cannot do this if we DIE FROM OLD AGE, FURION!"

The Archdruid sat silently for a moment, and then spoke again.

"Do not worry, Fandral. I have every confidence that Elune will not abandon us to such a fate."

"Perhaps she will not. But understand this," he began.

"The Goddess cannot save us from everything, Shan'do. Perhaps it is time you started taking responsibility for your people instead of leaving things to mere chance!"

This time it was Malfurion's turn to get angry.

"Do not take that tone with me. I am the Arch Druid of the Kaldorei, and I shall not have my word taken in such graceless disregard!"

He got to his feet.

"I believe we are done here, Fandral. If that is all, I shall bid you farewell."

And with that he turned around and began walking back towards the doorway.

"And you too, Remulous. Elune be with you, both," he said, without turning back round.

"Malfurion! Don't do this!" shouted Fandral after him.

"I am sorry Fandral, but it shall not happen."

And then he was gone.


And there goes Part 1! Quite a short opening to the story, but things are going to start getting longer. Anyway, this is something which I've had on my mind for quite a while now, a somewhat continuation of the main Warcraft story. It pretty much starts off from where Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne left off. The events of World of Warcraft are basically ignored so I've got some freedom, but I'm using a few of the plot points seen in that (in this case the whole new World Tree thing) because they just fit well in the plot. Anyway, this story isn't just going to be about Malfurion and the Night Elves (in fact, if the whole thing stays fairly consistent with the rough plan I've got going, they take a major backseat to the events overall), so you'll be seeing Jaina, Thrall, Sylvanas and the rest of the Warcraft 3 crew a bit later on, along with a few old skool Warcrafter's... (think Warcraft 2: Beyond the Dark Portal), as well as a character only seen in the novels (haven't actually read them so I hope I don't butcher them) and one person who we know exists but have never actually seen before...

Please leave a review and let me know what you think so far.

Anyway, Part 2: The Call of Cenarius will be up ASAP!