Ethan knocked on the farmhouse door. The sun had not shown itself yet, but it was light enough to see. Both Ethan and Stub yawned sleepily while they waited. Neither one liked getting up early, but it had to be done. Ethan was determined to make up for his mistake. He did not like disappointing anyone.

Shortly after he knocked, the door opened. Ethan stared at the person inside.

Tirion Fordring stood there. Before he could say anything, Stub pushed past Ethan and entered the house without hesitation.

"Highlord, I-" Ethan started.

The old man gestured for the boy to come in. Ethan did so, rather uncomfortably. The farmhouse was rather nice, much better than the barracks Ethan slept in. The main room had nice soft chairs and tiny tables. A few shelves in the corner held books. He had gotten used to manmade buildings, though if given the choice Ethan would much rather sleep in a cave.

"Are you hungry? I was just making breakfast."

Now Ethan could smell something really nice and followed Tirion willingly into the small kitchen. He saw pancakes, eggs, and most importantly, strips of bacon in a pan. Stub stood there, sniffing appreciably toward the food but only dissuaded by the hot flames in the hearth.

Ethan immediately pulled Stub away and sat at the small kitchen table. "Yes, sir. I would very much appreciate some breakfast. But shouldn't I do whatever my punishment is first?"

The older man turned around and smiled at the boy. "I believe that can wait, but I won't torment you with apprehension. You have done well in taking care of the horses at the stables, including my dear Mirador. I spoke with your teachers as well and they tell me you are a good student who does everything he is asked without complaint."

Breakfast was nearly finished and Tirion put a plate of food before Ethan and himself. Stub wagged his tail furiously and the older man gave the hyena his own plate as well. Ethan tried to eat slowly but he was hungry. Stub had no restraint and devoured every crumb off his plate within a minute.

Halfway through breakfast, Tirion stopped eating. Out of respect, Ethan put down his own cutlery and stopped eating as well.

Tirion folded his arms and started to speak on the reason Ethan was there. "I could use some help, not only around the house but also in dealing with others. Too many people want my opinion on too many things. You understand?"

Before he could respond, The Highlord gave Ethan a stern expression. "This will not be a fun job. It requires a lot of hard work."

Ethan swallowed before nodding. "Yes sir. I will do my best!"

"Good. Now as soon as you are done eating, I want you show me how well you can write."

By the end of the day, Ethan regretted agreeing to help the Highlord. He was the envy of all paladins, being able to personally help the great Tirion Fordring, but the Highlord did not embellish. After making sure Ethan could write decently, the Highlord tested him on practically everything else a person could learn. Mathematics, swordplay, history, and everything else.

Not only that, but Ethan's other chores were also still in effect. He still needed to take care of the horses in the stables and attend his training. The boy's entire body ached by the time dinner came around and he ate in silence for the most part. After that, Ethan did not even go to evening prayer. He collapsed in his bed, barely noticing when Stub hopped up next to him and curled up. The boy wearily flung one arm over the hyena and passed out.

The next day appeared to be worse. While old, Tirion Fordring seemed to be in better shape than Ethan. Ethan helped the Highlord with his own duties around the farmhouse. Even though he was a paladin, Tirion maintained a small farm. He grew some vegetables in a small garden. There were chickens, pigs, and even a cow. The Highlord even found a job for Stub. Ethan and the hyena cut down trees for firewood. Using an old horse harness, Stub dragged the heavy logs back to the house while Ethan cut the wood.

Ethan refused to complain even when he got a painful splinter in one of his hands. If he asked the Light could heal the wound but as the High Cleric said, the Light should not be used for frivolous or selfish reasons.

The Highlord approved or so it appeared. After lunch, he gave Ethan a much needed break. As always, when Ethan had free time, he took Stub out into the forest to relax. Forests calmed Ethan. Mountains were nice as well, and to the north were snow capped mountains much like in Drustvar. They reminded him of home though here in the healed part of the Plaguelands. The forests here were made up of pines. Ethan preferred trees with leaves that would turn orange, yellow, and red in the fall. He enjoyed jumping into piles of freshly fallen leaves.

Stub did not mind the strong smelling trees. He loved running around, grabbing sticks or chasing deer.

Greenstalker had been right when he sent him away. Ethan needed to be with others of his own kind, even if he did not like it at first. And the Plaguelands sorely needed someone to take care of them. Though farmers were starting to return to the area, it was hard to grow much.

A tiny sapling grew near Ethan. It's tiny needles were yellowed and diseased.

While selfish to heal his own pain, Ethan knelt down next to the sapling and asked the Light to help. A softened glow appeared in his hands and he touched the feeble sapling. It seemed to perk up straighter and the yellowed needles started to fade into a green color, though it was not as green as the other trees.

Ethan smiled at the sight. Stub came rushing forward to his friend and sniffed the tree curiously. Then, he moved to the side of the tree and lifted one leg.

"Stub no!"

The hyena made a cackling sound as the boy shooed him away. Ethan sighed before checking the time by looking at the sun. If he did not leave the forest soon, he would be late. After wrangling the hyperactive hyena and putting him up for the day, Ethan went off for his training.


Jaina sent an apprentice to inform him. An apprentice. If he had the time to hide the body, he would have simply snapped the youth's neck without a second thought. He felt like snapping Jaina's neck as well. Theramore had changed more than just Jaina's hair. Instead, he accepted the letter given and let the apprentice walk away alive. The letter confirmed his worst fear.

Sapphire had been attempting to enter the Emerald Dream with the aid and supervision of a seasoned druid. Yet she not only was not in the Emerald Dream, but she was no longer even in Kalimdor. She somehow went from Moonglade across the ocean to the Plaguelands. Infested with feral undead roaming for a meal, rogue necromancers looking for fresh material and overzealous knights looking to prove themselves, the Plaguelands were no place for a wayward child to end up.

Arthas wasted no time. He returned to Moonglade. After informing Kiefer of the problem, the two of them started readying themselves. A few weeks ago Arthas had managed to get a hold of a complete set of plate. It was acceptable, but Arthas dearly missed his old armor. Worse, he desired Frostmourne, whole and unshattered. Instead, he had not only managed to lose Sapphire but of course the only piece of Frostmourne he knew of. The one imbedded in his daughter's heart with only a layer of muscle, fluid and fat between it and Sapphire's lifeblood.

As Arthas finished buckling the last of his new armor, someone knocked on the door.

"Enter," He said, expecting it to be Kiefer. Lethumo entered his bedroom. To Arthas's surprise, the night elf wore travelling clothes.

He scowled. "Going somewhere?"

Lethumo raised his eyebrows. "Apparently the Plaguelands. Kiefer told me."

Arthas just shoved Lethumo against the door and brushed past him.

"You are not coming with us."

All Arthas imagined was his corpse on the fungus riddled earth, intestines hanging out while ghouls feasted on his face. No, he would not last a day. Lethumo's mouth went agape and it took him a second to start speaking. He stumbled after Arthas and jumped in front of him. Kiefer peered out of his own room, as equally prepared as Arthas albeit in a different way. Reagent pouches and a spellbook hung from his belt.

Lethumo put his hands palms up toward Arthas. "Wait wait wait! I can help."

"You? Helpful?" Kiefer sneered.

The night elf jerked back with an offended look.

"Yes! I speak six languages, am a master of diplomacy, and...can fight if I need to."

He sounded so unsure, Arthas knew that the elf would be a problem. Lethumo enjoyed comfort. The Plaguelands held no comforts. Which was why he was confused as to why the night elf even wanted to come with them.

"Is there a reason you wish to come?" Arthas demanded harshly.

Surprisingly, Lethumo did not even flinch at his rough question. The elf stood firmly between Arthas and the door.

"Because I care about you...I mean Sapphire, of course! She must be so scared and I feel like it is my fault. I should have been watching over her more carefully. Please let me come?"321`

If he cared enough about Lethumo's feelings, Arthas might have told the elf that it was not his fault and encouraged him to stay for his own safety. However, suddenly there came a thought. Lethumo could be right. Sapphire alone and scared? What if she turned into that beast again? Lethumo's singing, though lackluster, comforted Sapphire.

Arthas approached the elf until they were standing inches from each other. Lethumo's heart fluttered. It beat so hard that Arthas wondering how the elf could hear himself think.

"You may come, but I will leave you to the dogs if you show weakness."

The night elf nodded. "I understand."

Arthas shoved past him once again this time exiting the house. While Sapphire had enjoyed the stay in Moonglade, Arthas barely tolerated it. He only stayed for his daughter's sake and now felt relieved to leave the place for a final time. Cerelial would take care of Sapphire's belongings until he could safely send them to their proper owner. Among them, Sapphire's unopened birthday present lay forgotten for a time.