Thank you for the reviews and story alert additions! I really appreciate it. Keep them coming! =)
To address a concern posed by "K": I am fully aware that Night Elves cannot be warlocks or mages in the game. I also understand why this is having read much of the lore about both elf races and their views on Blood Elves for not being able to control their arcane addiction. However, consider the very worthy canon character Illidan, who was in fact a Night Elf (at least he was born one) and he has magical abilities beyond druidism. Plus, there is a VERY logical reason for Amathan's powers, I promise! You just have to keep reading. =)
Sorry this chapter is long...it was longer, but i condensed.
Muah!
The Blood Elves were somewhat slow in returning to their prince with the foul news of Amathan's displeasure. They were not looking forward to Kael's anger, but at the same time, they were not welcome in these parts and felt anxious to be behind Horde lines. After several attacks, pleas for safe passage, and the death of one messenger, the troupe safely made it back to Tempest Keep. Kael'thas was awaiting his men, sitting in his lavish throne room after several hours in service to Illidan and his minions.
"What news do you bring, commander?" the royal asked.
"Sire, Lord Amathan was very uncooperative. He hardly glanced at your offerings, deciding that Princess Alcmene is worth far more to him," the commander responded. Kael had known to anticipate such a bold reply from his old rival. They had frequently stumbled upon one another during various wars and battles, always with the same sense of arrogance and pride for one's faction.
"Very well. What are his terms?" Kael asked reluctantly. He hated that he, a prince, had to submit to the will of an Alliance Lord. He did not fully understand the mind of his rival, but he knew enough about him that Amathan viewed him as a threat. Their bickering was rooted in an entanglement far deeper than the sides they had taken.
"He demands that you face him in Darnassus. It appears he wishes to have a rematch of your last encounter. The winner of the duel will take the princess," replied the commander.
Kael'thas thought intensely after he had dismissed his messengers. He would consult with his council, but they would tell him what he already knew. It was unwise to venture to Darnassus at this time. A large, protective army would draw too much attention while a small, secretive operative would leave the prince unprotected if attacked by a large force. Plus, he knew what Amathan wanted: not a duel but a fight to the death.
He sighed as he leaned back in his regal throne. Without a doubt, he loved Alcmene as his one and only sister. He knew from Jahnin's reports that she had grown into a lovely and strong elf, capable of many feats. She was a blossoming paladin and a captivating woman. As much as it pained him to envision, he knew that she was capable of holding Amathan off for some time. Kael knew him too well; he knew he wouldn't harm her. Amathan had a weakness for beautiful women, as did Kael, and that might be the key to Alcmene's safety. Though it hurt his affectionate and brotherly side, he knew that this was best for the progression of his people. Alcmene would have to understand that if anything were to happen to him now, to whom would the Blood Elves turn for guidance? Time was too precious for them and he was so close to achieving his goals with Illidan and his promise of an arcane cure. If he left now and was captured or killed, all of his dedication would have been for nothing. He was not planning to abandon Alcmene by any means, but he could not endanger their entire race for her. If he did so and his people were let down in the process, he might no longer be so revered by the Blood Elf community. They might overthrow him if his actions were not in the best interest for all elves. He had to keep their loyalty in mind for without it, he would no longer be a prince.
He cursed himself for being torn between his people and his blood, thinking this should have been an easier decision. He was her brother and the only family she had left. It was wrong for him to leave her alone like this, but he told himself over and over that it was for the best and that she would understand. All he could think to do was continue sending messages to Amathan in hopes that Alcmene might get to him mentally or that he would finally cave and agree to meet elsewhere.
The prince returned to his bedroom for the night after writing another letter to his sister. As he began to shut the doors, a few scantily clad girls approached him, jumping in the doorway.
"May we join you this evening, Your Highness?" one of them asked sweetly, tucking her hair behind her pointed Elfish ears. The other two giggled.
"No, not tonight," he choked, gripping the door tighter. He was not in the mood for their silly female tendencies.
"Awww but why not Sire?" one wondered, giving him a very sad look.
"We could make your night so much better," the third suggested, reaching to pull teasingly on his cloak. Kael tore his arm away from her grasp and stepped backwards.
"No, I am not in the mood tonight. Go away," he demanded as he shut the doors in their faces. He turned and pressed his back to the doors. From the other side, he could hear the disappointment in the girls' voices, but he did not care. Once he knew they were safely out of earshot, Kael slumped to the floor. A memory of long ago had been weighing on him, but he would not allow himself to recall it until now, in the safety of his privacy. He closed his eyes and titled his head back against the door, drifting back into his past.
Kael'thas was standing elegantly on his balcony, looking over his beloved city of Silvermoon the morning before he was to depart for his extended stay in Dalaran. He would be away, furthering his magical studies for some time and wanted to take a final look at his home. His people were a strong and proud race, capable of anything. Kael knew that one day, he would be the leader of these exquisite people and felt nervous at the responsibility. Would he make them proud? Would he be well liked? What if he didn't know how to handle his duties? So many questions and possibilities floated through his young mind as he stared into the hustle of the city's life. His father, King Anasterian, had assured him he was following in his footsteps, sure to become a fine king. Kael wanted to address his concerns more specifically with his father before he left, but he couldn't muster up the courage. He did not want his father to think he was weak.
A sudden sound of laughter from within his chambers caught his attention. Kael turned to see his lovely little sister prancing towards him with a smile. Neither Alcmene's short stature nor her young age could restrict her vivaciousness. She laughed as her blond locks bounced with joy behind her. Seeing her lessened his tension, at least momentarily.
"Kael!" she squealed as she jumped on him. His name had been one of the first she'd ever said, which made him beam with pride. He lifted her into his arms for a loving embrace. Today would be the last time he would see her for quite a while, possibly years.
"Hey 'Mene," he said with a laugh, calling her by her childhood nickname. She pulled away from him to show him her pouty face.
"Minn'da says you leave today," she somberly muttered.
"Minn'da is right. Your big brother must go away to learn more about magic! Its just what princes do," he retorted as he placed her back on the ground.
"Do princesses too?" she asked, looking up at him with wonder-filled eyes.
"Yes, they can. Do you wish to one day study magic little one?" he asked.
"Uh huh! I want to be a mage just like you Kael! Pretty soon I'll be fighting the bad guys right beside you!" she cried as she danced around, pretending to fight and wave an imaginary wand.
"I'd say you have the heart of a paladin instead," he suggested, patting her head.
"What do they do?" she asked.
"They fight with swords and some magic too," he said, smiling at her again. She loved magic, as all of their people did.
"Maybe…" she thought. "When will you be back?" she asked. Kael sighed.
"So many questions! In no time at all, you'll see," he assured her.
"But, who will check my chambers at night for demons?" she wondered, a sad look upon her face.
"Don't worry," he responded with a smirk. "I'll check it three times before I leave. I won't ever let anything happen to you." She smiled and hugged him once more. Alcmene then pulled away, beginning to fight her imaginary foes again.
"Hi-yah! No one messes with my big brother! Take that!" she yelled, kicking and flailing. Kael'thas laughed heartily at the sight, savoring his last moments of family cheer before he departed.
"All right little lady, that's enough," came an older female voice from nearby.
"Minn'da, Ann'da!" she yelled, running towards their parents.
"Its time, my son," a deep, booming male voice uttered from the shadows. The frame of his father was difficult to make out. Hesitantly, he stepped forward towards his family back into his quarters, preparing for a somber goodbye.
As he stepped closer, the outline of his parents was all he could see as he withdrew from his memory. Suddenly, he was back in his present room in Tempest Keep, sitting awkwardly on the cold marble floor. Coming back to reality hurt his head and his heart. He recalled the words he had spoken to her before he left:
"I'll never let anything happen to you."
Ridden with emotion from his nostalgia, Kael soon became a sight that he would never allow another living being to see as his eyes began to glisten. Though he did not make a sound, the prince felt his cheeks become damp and his head heavy. The roles of being a wise ruler and a loving brother were as opposing as the Horde and Alliance at this juncture. Overwhelmed with his obligations, Kael'thas lowered his head and silently wept.
Alcmene was going mad. She hadn't been allowed out of her room expect for sanitary purposes for days. Usually she had been permitted a walk in the nearby forests, but apparently Amathan felt the need to deprive her of such a luxury this week. Sometimes if she stared at the walls long enough, she could have sworn they were closing in on her, enveloping her in a shroud of loneliness. Thought it angered her that Amathan had weakened her to this level, she was not above crying out to the guards that she wanted out. She had read and reread the letter from her brother, telling her what she had expected more or less. He had called her "Mene" in the message, a name that he hadn't called her in forever. The name evoked a whirlwind of memories that she assumed she might as well face. She thought hard and remembered the last time she had actually heard her brother's voice.
Several days after the Scourge attack, Alcmene was brought to her brother's side. He had returned from his studies abroad and was eager to see her, to make sure she was alright. Unlike the rest of their family, she had been spared, not by choice, but by fate. Their mother had locked her in a small, sealed compartment to avoid the attackers' blades. After they had left the city in ruins, she had been freed by a servant. He was a young man named Jahnin.
Upon seeing her, Kael'thas could plainly see she had been traumatized by the account. The luster was gone from her aura and her eyes were overflowing with sadness. He bent down and spread his arms wide to receive her. She was relieved to see him, but upset for not understanding why this had happened to their family. She buried her face in his shoulder, crying pitifully.
"Why, Kael, why?" she cried. He patted her back gently as he held her.
"There is an evil in the world 'Mene, an evil that even I do not understand," he replied. "But as we learn and rebuild, we shall find answers."
"But Minn'da...Ann'da..."she whispered. It was hard for such a young elf to understand death.
"I know sister. I will miss them dearly. They would want us to perserve though. We cannot allow ourselves to give in to the darkness," he said. "Here, Minn'da would want you to have this." He placed a glimmering gem on a golden chain around her neck.
"It is for me?" she asked curiously. Surely an item of such value must be kept away someplace safer.
"Yes little one. Wear it as a testament to our family and our love for our parents."
Later that day, she watched as her brother gave a proud and passionate speech to their people. The most meaningful of lines rendered a wave of applause.
"We,the survivors are no longer simply Quel'dorei. We shall call ourselves Sin'dorei, in memory of those who fell. Their strength and effort shall from this day forth me preserved in our name!"
Over the next few weeks, she recalled Kael helping the surviving elves while she remained in the palace. She would often look outside to see her people gathered in bands, trying to make sense of what had happened. Kael was often among them, making sure they were as well as they could be for the conditions. Many suffered from strange withdrawal symptoms due to the loss of the Sunwell. The prince had discovered that unless this ailment was addressed, their race would perish. Soon, she heard whispers that many were planning to leave while others wished to stay and rebuild. It was decided that though Kael must venture out into the rest of the world, she would have to remain in Silvermoon City until he could find a new haven for their people. He later explained to her the basis for this arrangement.
"But I want to be with you!" she stomped her feet in displeasure.
"'Mene, it would be very unsafe for you if you were to come with me. I cannot risk your safety," he replied to the small girl, holding her close now.
"But what if they come back?" she wailed, beating on his back.
"I have left Jahnin in charge of you and have given him specific instructions should you ever fall in harms way. One day, once I can find a cure for our people, I will send for you little one. Until then, no one can know of your existence. That is why I have kept you hidden from our survivors. Only those who must know your identity," he said calmly, holding her tightly. She did not want to let go, but he pulled away gently after several minutes of embracing.
"Shorel'aran, 'Mene," he whispered in her ear, planting a kiss on her forehead before he rose to depart. She held back the tears as she watched her brother leave with his followers to begin a quest for a cure.
She tried to run after him, but she was restrained by her guardians. When he turned to take one last look at Alcmene and his home, she could not contain her sorrows for being such a small girl. Her emotions engulfed her and she cried for hours, remaining in the last spot he had held her.
Her dream intertwined with reality as she felt the harsh thud of the wall in her room. She looked around, realizing she had been acting out her memory and had been walking across the room, ending when she hit the wall. Slightly embarrassed, she wondered if anyone had heard her if she had been reciting her past thoughts. No one came to check on her nor did anything sound unusual outside her room, which led her to believe she had not been overheard.
Around noon, her usual meal was placed near the door. She began to eat slowly, but was distracted by Amathan's voice coming from the hallway. Her heart beat faster at the thought of getting out of this solitary confinement. Dropping her food, she scurried to the door and pressed her ear up to it. She waited, but the door did not open. She sighed loudly and beat the door with her fists.
"Amathan!" she cried out, hoping he would hear her. She hoped he would find something to use her for, something she could do besides sit here and waste away. Thinking that he had ignored her, she sulked back to her food. She was startled when the door lock turned and the warlock himself entered her room. She gazed at him with longing eyes, hopeful eyes.
"Screaming my name already, are you?" he snickered as he unlocked the other door, the one with passages to his chambers. She had never been through them, but she knew from the guards that they lead to him.
"I beg you, please let me out of this room. I am afraid I will lose my sanity if you do not," she said concerned. He paid her little attention as the swung the door open.
"Come then," he beckoned, stepping in the corridor towards his room. She followed eagerly, perhaps too eagerly, anxious to see where he was taking her and what he planned to do with her. The hallway ended at one of his smaller rooms she had been in before. To the right was his bedroom and to the left was the bathroom they shared.
Amathan reached into a box on top of one of the nearby tables and removed something. She curiously tried to walk closer so that she might see what he held. Suddenly he turned with a small dagger in his hand. Her eyes widened and she stepped backwards, afraid.
"You said you wanted out, so here I am giving you an opportunity to enjoy a more...engaging activity," he said, sliding his finger along the smooth top of the blade.
"What besides killing could possibly involve a dagger?" she asked.
"It's necessary, don't worry. Its more for...encouragement," he assured her. "Come here." Slowly she walked towards him, knowing if she did not, he would come to her with whatever he wanted or throw her back into her room. Once she was about a foot away from him, he reached out at touched her waist with his left hand. He held the dagger in the other, analyzing her clothing. It was a simple robe of gray and blue that he had provided her with. It would be easily shrugged aside. He reached upward and began to pull the material away so that her shoulders were exposed. Then, he shoved her down so that she was kneeling in front of him. She gasped and looked up at him, confused. He gathered her hair and pulled it to one side behind her head, lightly caressing her skin with the blade.
"First, I must teach you your place. When addressing me, you should know better than to be so informal. You refer to me as Lord, Sir...or, my favorite, Master," he breathed huskily. "Understood?" he asked. She nodded, which was not the reply he desired. "Understood?" he emphasized, pressing the blade to her neck.
"Yes...Master," she whispered, feeling the potential of his weapon.
"Now that's better," he said as he relaxed his hand. He abruptly grabbed her by the back of the head, pulling her closer to him. "Can you prove to me you've learned your lesson?"
Alcmene was beginning to envision where this scenario was headed. Though she knew submitting to his desires would gain her favor with him, she was not sure she was ready to do so just yet. She was unexperienced and nervous, uncertain that she could please him. She swallowed hard, an obvious display of her concern.
"My Lord, I...do not think I will satisfy you," she said softly, looking up at him once more.
"You'll do fine," he coaxed her, stroking her jaw with his thumb. Deciding that she would rather this ordeal be as swift as possible rather than drawn out, she reached her shaking hands toward his belt on his robe. He laughed as he grabbed her hands.
"Anxious, are we?" he asked, pushing her hands away. She stared at him, baffled.
"I just want this to be over," she muttered with a look of anger.
"Why? So you can return to your precious room? I thought this is what you wanted," he teased.
"I wanted out, but not to be subjected to...this!" she said, glancing at his nether-region.
"So picky for a prisoner," he muttered. Once again he pressed his blade to her neck. "I think we ought to change that."
She cried out as he cut her, not too deeply or firmly, but enough to bleed. She was shocked, for she had assured herself he wouldn't actually harm her. She touched her neck in an attempt to stifle the pain and assess the damage done. After glancing at her hand, then up at the emotionless warlock, she bit her tongue and closed her eyes, hoping there was a reason for this beyond Amathan's pure amusement. While she was not paying any attention, Amathan sneakily removed a vial from his pocket and collected several droplets of her blood. He then pulled a small section of her hair taught from the root, effortlessly cutting it loose with one swift motion. She felt the tug and again looked up at her captor, this time falling backwards as he shoved her away gently. She stared at the samples from her body that he now held in his hand.
"What..." she couldn't even form a question, she was so stunned.
"More specimens to send to Kael," he smirked. "The more I send concerning you, the more it will infuriate him. I have to taunt him as much as possible. That's half the fun, you know."
Alcmene could not believe him. He had set her up, made her assume she was positioned for defiling, and then laughed it off? She was furious. Full of vile thoughts, she stood up and crossed her arms.
"And what's the other half? Teasing me, Master?" she asked angrily.
"Actually, yes," he replied. "You provided an entertaining display of elf pride, innocent beauty, and ardent disobedience. Somehow, that makes a very interesting combination."
He smirked as he left without a farewell. He found it amusing that she gave such futile resistance to him. He could tell she would not be the type to wholeheartedly resist him should he ever press further, even though she was a proud paladin. She knew that it would be easier for her if she did not protest. A pang of guilt struck him, for he did feel slightly sorry for traumatizing her on her knees, but not really. He was having fun with her. As long as he could restrain himself, he knew the fun would continue.
Not sure where to go, she sat alone in a chair for several minutes after he left, wondering if he was returning. A few guards soon came for her to escort her back to her room.
As she recanted the events in her mind, she knew she had to use what she knew about her captor to her advantage. He had weakened her and made her more docile, something she had to do to survive essentially. However, she decided to be sly and be an opportunist. She knew enough about the Night Elf to know he liked women. A lot. Rather than display her current condition upon their next meeting, she would try to mask her emotions while playing on his weakness. Lord Amathan was not the only one with tricks up his sleeve.
'At least today was interesting," she supposed. "But there is more to come."
She smiled as she thought of what she had planned. It would be her turn to show Amathan was she was made of. She would be in control, at least somewhat. It would be her moment. Her "revenge".
Later that evening when she was to bathe, Alcmene entered and proceeded as usual. Once she was submerged in the tub, she began to sing softly, then gradually louder. All of her life, she had been instructed in singing. Her teachers praised her for her vocal abilities and her peers envied her natural talent. She'd selected a song in Darnassian, obviously, hoping that Amathan was in his bedroom. She used his bathroom, since her room was connected to his, but if he were anywhere else in the mansion, her efforts would be in vain.
The maids attending to her raised eyebrows and watched her curiously, but said nothing. She had a lovely voice and she knew the song perfectly. Her effort was flawless. Had she been disastrous or had Amathan forbade her from singing, they would have objected. However, they continued to fold and clean, enjoying their captured lady's song. It was a pleasant change to the usual and awkward silence.
Meanwhile, Amathan was in fact in his bedroom, beginning his evening with a human whore on his lap. She moaned into his ear and sighed when he touched her, causing him to be rather excited for the events to come. Suddenly, he heard a beautiful, unfamiliar voice coming from nearby. He blinked and turned his head, trying to identify the sound. It was musical, a song he hadn't heard in many years.
"Its nothing," whispered the woman, nibbling his ear as she rubbed his chest. Completely distracted by the mysterious sound, he shoved her off of him and stood up, walking towards his bathroom door. The human let out a gasp of shock and watched him walk out on a very promising prospect, at least for the time being.
Amathan stared at the source of the lovely song: his prisoner. She was turned in the tub so that she could not see him standing behind her and she continued to sing. The maids noticed him and nodded, but Alcmene did not see this, for her eyes were closed as she washed her hair. He waved his hands to dismiss them and they left at once. The princess dunked her head under the water elegantly, continuing her song as she rose to her feet. Amathan was mesmerized at the sight of her backside. She was like his own beautiful nymph, glistening with droplets of water as she sang. Slowly she stepped from the tub and retrieved a towel to wrap herself in, so engaged in her song that she did not notice the maids were gone. Amathan was surprised she could not detect his presence behind her, as all elves had acute hearing and sensory perception.
As she neared the fogged mirrors, she wiped a small portion clean so that she might see her face. She concluded her song and sighed, slumping on the counter slightly. Apparently Amathan had not heard her or was too busy with something else to have noticed. Her breath had refogged the mirror, so she angrily took her hand and this time spread her hand over a larger area, attempting to clear the entire mirror. When she did, she glanced in the reflection at a dark figure behind her and gasped.
Amathan chuckled as he walked towards the frightened, soaking girl. She turned to face him and clutched her towel, a futile attempt to display her modesty and nobility. They both knew that if he wanted, he could have had her stripped and on the floor by now. She composed herself, realizing that him seeing her half naked like this was really the only outcome of her plan. Silently she cursed herself for not thinking this out better. What else was he to think? It appeared as though she had lured him here like some kind of enchanting sea witch, her intentions seeming much more inviting than she had meant for them to be.
"Why didn't you tell me you could sing?" he inquired, slowly stepping closer to her.
"I didn't suppose you'd care," she replied matter-of-factly, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
"Your voice was slightly distracting, as it is rather good," he said as he crossed his arms. "So distracting in fact that you made me run away from my nicely planned evening."
"What do you mean?" she asked, innocently. He smirked.
"Let's just say I won't be having any fun anymore and its all your fault. For that, I think I deserve to see more of you than what I did already," he sneered, coming even closer to her. She gasped.
"Why didn't you announce yourself? You saw me indecently!" she rebuked. He laughed at her childlike remarks.
"I am very familiar with feminine anatomy, princess. It wasn't anything I hadn't seen before…or anything I planned on never seeing again…" he said menacingly as he narrowed the gap between them.
Rather than think of a witty remark, she winced and prepared for whatever he might do to her, fearing the worst. She felt his harsh hands on her toweled hips, then his breath on her throat as he lifted her onto the counter and bent down to be more level with her. Her hands tightly clasped onto the top of the towel near her bosom, holding it in place to cover herself. She scrunched up her neck and shoulders in discomfort and unfamiliarity, as the sensation of his touch was tickling and sent goosebumps down her body. As he gripped her sides and pulled her towards him, he growled into her neck near the wound he had made earlier. Something was telling him now wasn't the time for this. He was fighting an invisible battle with himself over whether he really wanted to take her here and now. She pressed one hand to his chest, as if to lengthen the time and space between them before their bodies touched. He could feel her resisting, something that for some reason, he did not find suitable for her. This confused him. He had loved to see other women pleading no, fighting him off playfully. She was not vocal in her resistance, nor did she try and pry him away, but he could sense it. Slowly he pulled away from her. Her eyes drifted up to his, confused as to why he stopped if he was so intent on getting even. He turned and headed for the door.
"Did I do something wrong?" she asked softly, unsure of what else to say as she pulled the towel tighter across her chest. He shook his head.
"Not now," he said, having rethought the scenario. "I cannot indulge myself on you like this. It would make me appear weak. But from the sound of things, you didn't want me to stop."
"You've left me desperate…I wasn't even going to try and fight you," muttered Alcmene, astounded by her own words. Her entire purpose of the whole ordeal had just been exterminated. She hoped that her confession would stop him. She'd do almost anything not to be alone again. He paused only momentarily.
"I assure you, entering that realm is something you are not yet ready for."
She was somewhat relieved that he had not followed through with desire right then and there, but she was left baffled by this ever-bewildering creature, wondering if she really would have asked him to stop had he persisted.
After several days apart, Amathan decided to join Alcmene for her morning walk. It wasn't yet time for his scheduled drills with his men, so he decided it would be an interesting way to start the morning. Whether he did or did not see her, she still dominated his thoughts. This infatuation he seemed to have upset him, but he assured himself it was only natural. She was beautiful, charming, and unconquered territory. What man wouldn't desire her?
He quickly caught up to her and her two guards. She turned around, surprised to see him. She bowed her head.
"My Lord," she acknowledged politely.
"Princess," he responded. "Come, let us walk."
Alcmene was a bit surprised by his decision, as she had not seen or heard much from him in nearly a week. Well, she had sort of heard him. A few nights, she could hear vividly the details of what was occurring in his bedroom, since there wasn't much distance enclosing the intimacies that went on in there. Sometimes it had been hard to sleep with the moaning and screaming concubines. She would never admit it to him, but it made her almost curious.
The pair walked on without speaking for a moment, the guards a safe distance behind.
"Sir...about the other evening in the bathroom…" she began.
"There is no need for words on this subject," he interrupted harshly.
"I just wanted to apologize," she said faintly.
"There is certainly no need to be sorry. My night wasn't ruined after all," he said with a sly smile. She rolled her eyes, trying not to envision what likely occurred after they'd both left the bathroom.
"So I take it you are enjoying your time alone? My men have heard no complaints from you," he said casually changing the subject.
"I am content with my conditions. I read the books you provide and attempt to improve my language skills. I also do a lot of sleeping," she replied.
"And no doubt a lot of dreaming then?" he asked. She did not answer for a moment.
"Yes, I suppose I do. I imagine what life will be like for me once I am freed…if I am freed. Kael'thas does not want to risk his life for me, for our people would be leaderless if anything were to happen to him. It is a painstaking decision I cannot blame him for making," she said.
'Spoken like a true princess,' he thought to himself as they rounded a corner of the path, now headed back for the city.
"Might I ask what you plan to do with me now that Kael has decided not to come for me at the present time?" she inquired.
"I haven't decided yet," he replied with a grin. Suddenly, his grin faded as he saw a large creature approaching from his peripherals. It was moving fast, headed right for them. He turned to face the creature and to protect Alcmene. She gasped and stepped back as Amathan blasted the animal, killing it with only a few attempts. He analyzed the beast, looking for clues about why it attacked. His eyes then grew wide with surprise.
"This is no youngling. I fear we are being attacked by something far greater," he assumed, turning to look back into the forest from which they came. Just as he suspected, a swarm of Scourge was headed straight for them. She gasped and gripped his arm tightly in fear. He turned and pushed the princess back towards the town.
"Guards, take her! Send for help!" he commanded, heading towards the pack. The princess watched over her shoulder as she ran, observing as the warlock began casting. She watched as long as she could, but soon they were out of the woods. The men rounded up as many other guards as they could find. Alcmene stood in fear, protected only by one guard now. Anticipation spread over them both as they watched several of the Scourge stumble out of the forest and into the outskirts of Darnassus. The guard braced himself for an oncoming attack when Alcmene had an idea. After all, Amathan had said the charm weakened her power. Though she hadn't been imprudent enough to think she could fight her way out of the city alone, she wondered why she hadn't thought to simply remove it before.
"No, go help! I can fight!" she cried, urging the guard to go.
"But princess, my orders…"
"Shindu fallah na!" she cried, forgetting this guard probably did not speak Thalassian as well as Amathan did. "Our enemies are breaking through! They need us!" she pointed to the falling Night Elves and the Scourge invaders heading for the town.
"But I am ordered to protect you!" he yelled.
"I am not some defenseless damsel!" she replied with vengeance. With her words, she yanked her charm off of her neck and placed in it her robes. Running towards the attackers, she grabbed a sword from a fallen Night Elf and charged. The guard stared, dumbfounded, but ran after her into the Scourge as well. Alcmene released her frustrations on these nimbisels, displaying her long hidden paladin abilities. She cast several judgment spells, corruptions, and arcane torrents as she wielded, viciously and bravely fighting. Though they were much more skilled warriors than she had ever encountered before, her passion gave her strength. It was not until she was surrounded that she felt anymore fear from these creatures. She realized she was outnumbered and contemplated her options. When one of the Rattlecage Skeletons attacked, she had no choice but to defend. Another blow came from another and then another.
Her hopes brightened when she saw Amathan's minion headed her way, slashing several of her enemies. His assistance was a bit late however, considering how many attackers were now upon her. She healed herself with her Holy light, but the attacks were coming too swiftly now. Before she fell to her knees, she saw Amathan nearby, fighting off his own attackers. In a last resort to save herself, she blasted her foes with the last arcane she could muster, catching Amathan's attention. He killed his opponent and ran toward Alcmene to offer his assistance.
With the help of his minion, Amathan cleared a path toward Alcmene. He conjured a Rain of Fire spell, sending crash after crash upon the Scourge. The Night Elf finished off the surviving attackers with Shadowbolts as he made his way to the fallen girl. He bent down to examine her better, fearing that he had been too late. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was shallow. He slowly lifted her and carried her to a nearby building and summoned for a medic.
"How did this happen?" he raged, using his first aid skills to intervene before the professional made it to her side.
"She wanted to fight, My Lord. I could not stop her..." the guard trailed off. Amathan growled in frustration, knowing there would be a time to deal with him later. He glanced over her wounds as the medic tended to them, his eyes stopping on her chest. He saw that she had removed her necklace. She had placed it in her pocket, allowing his minion to still detect she was in danger. It would have fared worse for her had she not thought to remove the item.
As the medic worked on her, Amathan watched in hopes of seeing a sign of improvement. Suddenly her eyelids fluttered softly, her eyes rolling in various directions.
"Alcmene," he said sternly, as if to say she had better snap out of this foolishness.
"Ma...mast..." she stuttered, as she glanced around her.
"Yes, I am here. You're safe now. Don't give in," he encouraged as she struggled with her strength. He held her hand tightly and placed another on her shoulder. Though the sight likely seemed affectionate, Amathan was not concerned about the thoughts of his men. All he cared about was her.
"Ah-am-ama.." she whispered before falling back into the darkness.
Ann'da-Papa
Minn'da-Mama
Shorel'aran-Farewell
Next chapter: Still in the works, haven't started typing yet, but chances are it will be much shorter and more..ahem...naughty.