Chapter 35

Many Moons Later…

"Ja! Ja!"

I turned at the little girl's voice, grinning and bending over to scoop the toddling orc into my arms, her golden eyes alight and her little tusks adorned with gems. Her hair grew in a shock of midnight, and her warm toned skin blended beautifully into Silvermoon.

"Hey there, sweet girl," I said softly, kissing her forehead, before I balanced her on my hip to look out the window with me, over the court.

"Elvi need Ja!" Shad exclaimed, her speech slurred.

I smiled, nodding in acknowledgement.

They could not figure out why Shad was lame, but my suspicions were that the portal changed her, took away her mind.

We were all changed.

I moved through the halls and around the corner, to see an exhausted Elvira balancing twin boys on her hips, while a toddler threw a tantrum behind her.

"Magna Jade, please tame my monsters," Elvira was exhausted, but motherhood looked beautiful on her-her twin boys had been born a mere week before, and I had returned home from Draenor just in time to see her little girl born.

I set Shad down, and was just pulling out my discipline face when a courier raced in, out of breath and panicked, "Legion!" He squawked.

My bones crackled and my muscles stiffened, and my magic-dormant for so long-flared to life. They're Back.

"My lady?" Elvira's hand was on my arm, and I looked into her concerned eyes.

I turned to the courier, the weight of warrior falling heavily upon me, "How long do we have until they're upon the court? Where is my father?"

"They've broken the gate into Quel'Thalas, Reagent Lady, and they march through the Ghostlands now. Your father is in the war room delegating. He needs you at once!"

I nodded, "Get My maiden and the children down into the bunker. You have the Princess' wards here, treat them as such," I growled, before I turned and knelt down to be level with Shad, taking her face into my hands and pressing my lips to her cheeks, trying to calm her.

"Wha wrong, ja?"

"Some very bad things are coming, my frost wolf," I whispered, "I need you to be good, and go with Elvi, okay? She will care for you." When Shad nodded, I stood, handing her to the courier and sending them off.

I raced through the halls in the opposite direction, to the spire-I shed my robes as I ran, leaving them scattered on the stairs, and burst into my chambers, ripping open the chest of armor.

I paused, breath catching-

She looked elated, "A bond, a child, a future…Do you think we're worthy of such a thing?"

I nodded, sure of it, "Our lives have been hardships. We deserve happiness, if only for a moment."

If only for a moment.

I stepped into old boots and quickly laced my vest, going to the mirror and opening to the connection to Stormwind.

Anduin came into view, and he started at my appearance in the mirror, "jade? What's wrong? You're-." he stopped, seeing my armor, and his entire demeanor changed, "They've come."

I nodded, pulling my loaded quiver over my shoulder and hoisting the royal bow in my hand, old muscles kicking into gear like my last battle was yesterday.

"Leave the way open-I will tell Father then join you. What of Shad? Elvira's children?" Anduin was already switching into his armor, eyes alight with fire that we had hoped to forget.

"Already sent them to the bunker. Father is delegating, I have to join him. Hurry!"

With that, I turned away and raced out of the room, down the stairs and through the palace, nearly crashing into whoever got in my way.

The doors to the war room wrenched themselves open at my arrival, and eyes turned to me as my magic raced into the room, and Father looked heartbroken.

"So your magic has awoken, along with the warrior," he said, and I gave a terse nod.

"Stormwind has been contacted about the demon presence, and Anduin will be coming through shortly." I said, "How big is the invasion force?"

"Big," Halduron said, his face twisted with rage, "We've already had casualties. The rangers are trying to hold them back, to give us time to evacuate the villages. The bunkers were a wise idea on your part, my Lady. But I'm afraid there isn't enough room."

"I will contact the Forsaken," I said, turning to a courier, "Get a missive to Sylvanas, ask her to open her ley lines so that we can portals open and evacuate. Also request reinforcements. I will see if Teir is listening." I spoke quickly, and watched the missive get flown out the window as my words finished, and sent a boost to it.

"We have nearly all military in the realm on the move to intercept the legion, and the mages are shoring up Silvermoon's old defensive barriers. Far striders are already bringing in the civilians into the court." Father said, and I nodded, looking at the map on the table quickly.

"Liadrin, get your blood knights ready to move, I'll teleport you out there immediately," I heard Liadrin's affirmative, and she left the room, "Rommath, I want their way littered with so much shit that it's like a pig pen out there. We have some old toys from the Siege of Orgrimmar, get on that."

Rommath left, and I looked to Halduron, "Any rangers you have left, I want them either on spires as lookouts or getting the catapults ready. Any Far strider entering the city with a civilian will be turned around to flank them as best they can." Halduron left with his orders, and I looked up to see Father looking at me with a face filled to the brim with emotion, but I couldn't focus on that now.

"Get missives out to every major force we know of. Azeroth will know that the legion is coming, and see who can portal in reinforcements. Go!"

The room was nearly empty now, and I ran a hand through my hair, breathing deep and slow, when I felt him enter the room.

I turned, and my Princeling stood there, grim but determined.

"Anduin," I said softly, jumping up to him and wrapping my arms about his shoulders, relishing in his presence.

His ring hung on a chain around my neck, the beautiful thing a mixture of ruby and sapphire, and I felt it warm against my skin in his embrace.

"Father knows what's going on. The Dwarvish units in the area are going to blockade the realm, and sneak in where they can to cut off the source of the invasion." Anduin said, and I looked to Father, who would alert our forces not to attack the short, burly soldiers.

"I have to reach Teir," I said shortly, and Anduin turned me so that my back was to his front, bracing me with his body, and I closed my eyes.

Teir?

Silence.

Teir!

Nothing.

Teir Windrunner don't ignore me! The Legion is on our doorstep and-

Portal me through. I grinned as Teir's voice broke through, and immediately wrenched a portal from Undercity open, and in seconds Teir stepped through.

My friend looked horrific, her hair was matted to her skull, you could see the contours of nearly every bone, and her breathing was a shallow, rattling sound. Her eyes were burning with dull fire, and her skin was flaking horribly in places to reveal bone.

"By the light Teir," I whispered, and she merely shrugged.

"Demons. Where." Her voice was gruff from misuse, and I made a note to ask Sylvanas what Teir had been doing these last few months.

"Crossing through the Ghostlands now," I said, and she gave a nod, unsheathing her axes-her arm was tarnished and filthy, the metal not even glinting in the light-and left the room without another word.

"Losing Ken destroyed her," I said softly, hurting for her, but only for a moment.

There was no time for that.

"Princeling, you need to go bolster our forces, give them as much strength as you can-they have to hold until our defensive measures are up. Father, go with him. Protect him please," I looked to Father, who wore a face that held both distaste and affection, and with a nod, the two most important men in my life were out of the room, and I had a moment to breathe.

I flexed my hands, calling for the Mist, and was stymied when only a paltry amount came to me.

"Smother the demons, protect our land," I spoke in the dead tongue, and the Mist flickered almost apologetically.

A silhouette formed, faceless, and spoke in a rasping voice, "We protect our sacred clearing, my lady. We must protect it."

I cursed, then dismissed the Mist with a wave-I cannot call upon it then.

"My Lady, my knights are ready."

I saw Liadrin, followed by a team of knights, and nodded, "I will port you into Fairbreeze Village. Give them hell."

With that, I teleported them out of the court and into the fray.

I left the war room, moving through the bustling staff, and I found the head of the Palace Guard getting maids down into the bunkers.

"Guard!" I barked, and every guard in vicinity straightened immediately, called to attention.

"I admire your care for my staff, but I need every able body slowing those demons down." I said, and the head bowed low.

A message must've been triggered when I called for attention, because soon I had dozens of guard around me.

"Brace yourselves. I will send you into Fairbreeze village. Protect this court at all costs." I watched the nod ripple through them, and sent them out.

A drop of blood splashed against the back of my hand, and I sighed, wiping at my nose-too much magic after so long is…taxing.

A courier came racing up to me, missive in hand, "My Lady! Lady Windrunner has opened her ley lines and will start sending deathguard through when citizens are sent!"

I nodded, sending a silent prayer up in thanks, "Gather the maidens, and any civilian brought into the court that you can that can't make it into the bunker. Have them come to the west balcony. Now!"

I turned and made my way for the balcony, gathering any staff I found along the way, and I wasted no time in getting the portal open, ushering the innocents through quickly.

A portal opened beside me, and death guard began to filter through, interspersed by dark rangers and apothecaries, laden with concoctions that reeked.

"We standby for orders, Reagent Lady. Lady Windrunner has placed us under your personal command," the ranger in front said, and I nodded, readjusting my stance minimally as the flow of civilians increased.

"Is the Undercity equipped to take my people?" I asked, giving a reassuring smile to a little girl who stared at me over her mother's shoulder.

"Lady Sylvanas immediately began erecting tents and makeshift quarters for them in the upper city, with the rest of the death guard on round the clock watch. My ranger battalion is personally combing the majority of Lordearon for any other legion presence." The ranger responded, and I relaxed marginally-they won't be trapped in that vat of foul smells and death, then.

"My lady, they've crossed the River!"

I growled, "Come on!" I encouraged the running, "Move move move!"

They hurried, and a mage tapped my shoulder, "We can take over manning the portal. Defend your Court, my lady."

The two undead took up posts on either side of the portal, powering it, and I turned to the remaining forsaken at my disposal.

"I will port you to Tranquilen. If it moves and isn't friendly it dies." I was pissed.

"Understood. Form up deathguard!" They quickly made ranks, and I got them off to give the legion hell.

"Hold the portal ladies, until five minutes has passed without another refugee coming. Be on standby for more transport." The mages nodded, and I stormed through my Palace, the empty halls eerie-I have never seen my home so empty.

I reached the front entrance, and looked out over the rest of the court, where catapults waited and reserves were being prepared.

I turned to the Palace, focusing on protection, and felt smooth, silky wards go up under my hands-we have wards over the court, and the barrier, but just in case.

I turned and made my way down the steps, soldiers saluting as I walked past, and the wind brought me the first hints of sulfur.

I froze, focusing on taking in deep breaths through my mouth-I am not on Draenor.

This is my home.

I ported to outside the court's walls, and the battle came into clarity.

Already, the roads were shored up, and I smirked to see Rommath had utilized the traps accordingly, because a line of them, easily four yards thick, surrounded the court, and they were all set to be fatal.

I moved over them carefully, and nocked four arrows as I continued down the road, following my nose to the smell of sulfur.

I came around a corner-

Demons. There were thousands, and my forces looked miniscule in comparison.

Don't lose heart.

I fire my arrows, taking down a felguard, and sent forth a wave of magic, knocking more off their feet.

The energy of the soldiers nearest me increased immediately, and I heard them shout "For Silvermoon!" as they launched back into the fray.

I alternated quickly between firing arrows and sending out magic, until I switched to twin blades in melee, slicing through demons quickly.

"My Lady! The Barriers!"

I heard those words, and my entire body hummed with rage.

I whipped around, "Magic wielders, hold the barriers!" I yelled out, breaking into a sprint for the city.

The demons had heard the distress call, and I cried out as a fiery ball of fel energy crashed into my spire, sending it topping over into the court.

"How dare they touch my city?!"

I was furious, and they will pay in souls.

I turned to the advancing forces, and I felt my jaw snap as I took a breath and ate.

Screams came from the demons ahead, and the smarter elves got the fuck out of my way as I ate through the demons, and I felt the magic tumble through me, vile and volatile, and I called out for aid.

"Clean the magic! Use it to fuel the defenses!" I screamed, and hands locked onto my arms as the mages took up my task, and we all began the arduous duty of cleansing fel magic.

"Silvermoon must hold!" I roared, and I saw Anduin coming towards me, slicing through any demon in his way, and then he was in my bubble, grounding me and easing the wounds the magic was rending on my soul.

"Teir left the battle-she thinks she saw Kenlora. She is hunting." Anduin said, and I jerked my head in a nod, taking in the last of the magic with an aching hack.

The demons were defeated, the city held.

We won this battle.

I turned, and saw-

"Elvira?" I broke away from Anduin, going to my lifelong friend quickly, "What's wrong? Elvi?"

"Shad!" she sobbed, and my vision tunneled, "She wanted to help! She-she-remembered weapons in your room and she-we couldn't catch her-oh Jade!" she fell into me, sobbing, and I stood there stiff as a board.

Then I ran.

I blasted through the forces between me and the city, my heart thundering in my ears, and I must've been screaming, because people made way as I raced through the court, to the ruins of the spire.

"Shad!" I screamed, looking for her little head, her eyes-

She was laying face up on the ground, an arrow piercing her chest.

"Shad!"