Two months later...
The journey to Northrend had been long and tiresome. They had been on the zeppelin for a solid two weeks. However, the Lich King had surfaced again, and the Warchief demanded fresh soldiers to take up arms against the threat. Trisen leaned on the edge of the deck, looking out over the vast ocean. There were other races mingling about, but none came close to her. She didn't mind, though. She was feeling too nauseated to speak to anyone.
Over the roar of the wind, Trisen heard footsteps come across the wooden deck. She looked up to see two Blood Elf males walk towards her. One was a red-head, the other blonde. The red-head looked to be a warlock, while the other seemed to be a hunter. Trisen turned away again, hoping they would walk by.
"Excuse me," someone said.
Trisen turned again, seeing the warlock and hunter standing beside her. "Yes?" she asked.
A look of shock, horror and relief washed over the warlock's face. "It is you," he breathed.
Trisen frowned. "Beg pardon?"
"We finally found you," the warlock said.
"I'm sorry. Do I know you?" Trisen asked.
"Tris, it's us. Rodonov and Tomparis," the warlock said.
"Who?" Trisen questioned, her confusion deepening. "And, how do you know my name?"
The hunter stepped around the warlock. "We're your brothers, Tris," he said.
The wind suddenly felt extremely cold. Trisen stared at the warlock and hunter in stunned silence.
"What?" she whispered.
"We lost you in the Scourge war," the warlock began. "Along with our parents. The Lich King stole you from us. I'm Rodonov, and this is Tomparis. We've been searching for you for years. Ever since we found out that the Death Knights defected."
Trisen slowly shook her head. "I don't know you," she breathed in regret.
Rodonov looked like he had been stabbed in the stomach. "Tris, please. You have to remember," he begged, taking her hands. "We're your family."
Trisen shook her head again. "I don't know you," she repeated. "I can't remember."
"Hey!" someone suddenly yelled. "Get away from my wife!"
Rodonov and Tomparis turned to see a mage storm up to them. His hands were glowing with arcane power.
"I said, get away from my wife," the mage demanded.
"We mean her no harm, sir," Tomparis said, turning to face him.
"Who are you?" the mage snapped.
"Rodonov and Tomparis Stormrider," the young hunter answered.
The mage halted in his tracks. "Did you say Stormrider?" he asked for confirmation.
"Yes, sir," Tomparis replied.
"My name is Stormrider," Trisen said.
Rodonov nodded. "We're your brothers," he said. "You're our little sister." He reached into his robe's inner pocket and pulled out a picture. "See? This is us before the war."
Trisen looked down at the photograph. It showed her with two boys and their parents. Overwhelming sorrow crashed down on her. She put a hand to her mouth as she fought back tears.
"We're your family, Tris," Rodonov whispered.
"I can't remember," Trisen repeated.
"That's okay," Rodonov said. "We'll help you remember."
Trisen walked through Warsong Hold. They had been stationed in Northrend for a number of weeks now, and there was still no word on the Lich King. She hoped that maybe she would be able to get some information from the Warchief. She approached the war room, but stopped outside when she heard raised voices on the other side.
"I don't take kindly to failure, General," Hellscream was saying.
"He has taken out our forces at every turn, Warchief," the stationed General said. "We can't get close enough to take him out."
Trisen stood up straight and entered the war room. The General and Hellscream turned to see who had walked in. The Warchief looked like he was about to murder someone.
"I did not send for you, Death Knight," he snarled.
"I know, Warchief. But, I couldn't help but overhear," Trisen said.
"What do you want?" Hellscream demanded impatiently.
"A chance to redeem myself," Trisen replied.
The two Orcs fell silent. Hellscream narrowed his eyes.
"Go on," he said.
"Your men don't know Icecrown, that's why the Lich King has been able to best them at every turn," Trisen explained. "But, I do. I can lead a small group into the citadel and take out the Lich King."
"You want to lead?" Hellscream asked tauntingly. "Why would I trust my men to your care?"
"Actually, Warchief, I have a team of my own picked out," Trisen replied. "We may be small, but we're strong. We can rid Azeroth of the Lich King. I can promise you that."
"I win again," Zorrion declared, revealing his cards.
"You're cheating," Tomparis complained.
Zorrion chuckled evilly as he scooped the gold towards him. "If you can't afford to pay, then don't play," he stated.
Traylon rolled his eyes, but looked up when the door to the barracks opened and Trisen walked in.
"Hey, Tris, how'd it go?" he asked.
Trisen didn't say anything as she walked over to a closet and opened it. Traylon caught a glimpse of his wife's old Death Knight armor. Trisen took out the helm.
"Tris? What are you doing?" Traylon asked.
"Gear up, boys. We're taking on the Lich King," Trisen said.
The men stopped their card game and looked at her. "Beg pardon?" Zorrion asked.
Traylon got to his feet and walked over to her. "What'd you say?"
Trisen turned to face him. "We're taking on the Lich King," she repeated.
She took her armor out of the closet and went behind a changing curtain. Traylon looked over at the others. Zorrion shrugged. Traylon turned back to the curtain.
"Tris, what do you mean we're taking on the Lich King?" he asked.
"Hellscream has given me permission to lead a small group into Icecrown," Trisen explained as she strapped on her armor. "It's time Arthas was brought to justice for his crimes."
"Sis, it's suicide," Rodonov stated.
Trisen walked out from behind the curtain, dressed in her full navy blue armor, her helm tucked under her left arm.
"The Lich King has haunted my nightmares for far too long," she said. "He needs to pay for what he's done." She looked at each male in turn. "So, who's with me?"
Zorrion stuck his hand up. "I'm in," he chimed.
"My bow is yours to command," Sairexanaris said.
"Well, no sister of ours is going into Icecrown without us," Rodonov said, putting a hand on Tomparis's shoulder.
Yazzoo sighed. "Well, someone needs to heal your asses," he said.
"You wield shadow," Trisen told him.
"I healed before I went to shadow," Yazzoo answered. "I think it's time the old healing tomes were taken out and dusted off."
"And, you're not going in there without me," Traylon declared.
Trisen smiled. "I wouldn't dream of it," she said.
The winds of Icecrown bit cold and hard. The small group stood beyond the main gate of the citadel. They knew the plan, they knew the dangers. Trisen had given them a run through of what they would be expecting. There were monsters and guards between them and the Lich King. It wouldn't be an easy fight. However, they stuck by her, each one as determined as the next. They had met up with Tirion Fordring at the gates. The human had agreed to accompany them on their quest.
As they started through the frozen planes of the citadel, Trisen couldn't help but wonder if she would see someone she once knew. Not all Death Knights had defected, some still remained loyal to Arthas. An old flame being one. Determination fueled her axes as she took down guard after guard. But, she knew she wasn't alone. She had her family with her, both new and old.
It was a long, treacherous battle to the summit. The wind was even colder up above. Tired and sore, the group approached the throne of the Lich King. Arthas sat up above. Bolvar Fordragon hanging by chains above the throne. Trisen felt a reassuring hand on her shoulder. It was now or never.
"Your reign of terror ends here, Lich King," Trisen yelled over the wind.
"You dare set foot in this place, traitor?" the Lich King sneered. He stood up from his throne and walked down the stairs. "And you, Tirion Fordring, how desperate you must be."
"The girl speaks the truth," Tirion said. "Your reign ends now."
The Lich King raised Frostmourne. Icy power blasted from the blade, encasing Tirion in ice. "I will deal with you, after I teach this traitorous knight a lesson."
Trisen tightened her grip on her axes. With a battle cry, she charged forward, blades at the ready. She swung her weapons at Arthas's chest. He deflected with his own sword. The area echoed with a resounding clash of metal on metal. Arrows, arcane blasts and fire balls flew through the air. Trisen could feel Yazzoo's healing spells fill her with energy.
"I raised you from the dead," the Lich King said. "I gave you new life. And, this is how you repay me?"
Trisen locked blades with her former king. "You stole me from my family. Warped me into an instrument of destruction. I was a noble warrior before you ripped me from my grave. I owe you nothing!" she screamed.
She was thrown backwards as Arthas blasted her back with a frost blast. She landed hard on her back. The Lich King's eyes glowed a deeper blue. Frostmourne began to pulse with a greater power.
"Then, I shall take that which you hold most dear," the Lich King said, raising his sword.
A mighty blast burst from Frostmourne's blade. Trisen covered her head in her arms. Pained screams echoed all around her. Trisen looked up just in time to see Traylon and the others collapse, lifeless. The Lich King turned his back, facing Tirion. He began to speak, but Trisen didn't hear what he was saying. Her eyes remained locked on Traylon's motionless face. Then, suddenly, dark energy began to flow from Frostmourne into his body. With sickening horror, Trisen knew what Arthas was doing. He was going to bring her family back as Death Knights.
Somewhere, she could hear ice shatter. However, she wasn't paying attention. Trisen grabbed her axes, shot to her feet and ran full tilt at Arthas's back. With a scream, she leapt into the air. The Lich King swung around, his blade striking Trisen in the chest. She collapsed to the ground in an ungraceful heap. She panted for breath, looking up to see Arthas stalk up towards her. The dark energy still seeped from Frostmourne's blade.
"This is how you repay your king?" the Lich King asked. "You live to serve me, girl."
"I serve the Horde," Trisen declared.
"If that is your wish," the Lich King said. "Now, you will witness the dark rebirth of my new army." He raised his sword.
"No!" Tirion yelled.
Trisen ducked as Ashbringer tore through Frostmourne, shattering it into fragments. The hilt fell to the ground as the shards scattered to the four winds.
"It ends here, Arthas," Tirion said, raising his sword. Golden energy flowed from the blade. "Arise, heroes. Your fight is not over yet."
There was a blinding flash of light. Trisen looked up when she heard a groan. Traylon pushed himself up, shaking his head. One by one the others began waking up as well.
"What happened?" Zorrion moaned, getting to his feet.
"That was unpleasant," Sairexanaris commented.
"Now, heroes!" Tirion called. "The Lich King...must...fall!"
As her family began firing off arrows and blasts of energy, Trisen snatched up her weapons and charged the Lich King again. Tirion had Arthas trapped in a cyclone of energy. Heavy boots slammed across the frozen ground. Blue eyes blazed with untamed anger and hatred.
"Now, Trisen!" Traylon shouted.
Trisen launched herself at Arthas, axes coming down, embedding deep into his chest plate. The Lich King roared in pain as the steel struck flesh. The cyclone dissipated and Trisen and Arthas fell to the ground. Traylon hurried over to his wife and helped her to stand. Trisen looked down at the motionless form of the Lich King. She reached down and pulled her axes out of Arthas's chest. Traylon led her over to where the others were waiting. However, they turned when they heard Arthas speak. The ghostly figure of his father knelt beside him.
"Only darkness...before...me," Arthas whispered with his last breath.
Trisen felt something stir inside her as Arthas's body went limp. She watched as Tirion picked up the crown.
"Tirion?" she asked.
"The burden...must be mine to bear," Tirion said.
"Tirion!" came a harsh yell from the throne. "You hold a grim destiny in your hands, Brother. But, it is not yours to bear."
Everyone turned to see Bolvar Fordragon sitting on the throne. Tirion stared at him in stunned shock.
"Bolvar?" he asked in disbelief. "By all that is holy. The dragon's flame..."
"Sealed my fate. The world of the living...can no longer comfort me," Fordragon finished, his voice a deep hiss.
Tirion walked up the stairs, staring at the man before him. Fordragon gazed up at him.
"Place the crown on my head, Tirion," he said. "Forevermore, I will be the chain of the damned."
"No, old friend," Tirion denied, turning his back. "I cannot."
"Do it, Tirion!" Fordragon commanded. "You and these brave heroes have your own destinies to fulfill. This last act of service...is mine."
Even from down below, Trisen could see the turmoil in Tirion's eyes. She knew the price that had to be paid. But, as Arthas's father had said, there must always be a Lich King. Tirion turned around to face Fordragon again. He held up the crown.
"You will not be forgotten, Brother," he said.
"I must be forgotten, Tirion," Bolvar declared. "If the world is to remain free from the tyranny of evil, they must not know what happened here, today."
Tirion nodded reluctantly. Slowly, he raised the crown as Bolvar bowed his head. Tirion slipped the crown over Fordragon's head. Almost instantly, the ground began to shake and the winds increased. Traylon and the others fought to keep standing up. They looked up to see two flaming eyes gazing out from behind the crown. Ice began to inch its way over the throne.
"Tell them only the Lich King is dead," Bolvar instructed. "And that Bolvar Fordragon...died with him."
With those final words, the ice completely encased the throne and Bolvar with it.
"Now, leave this place," the haunting, booming voice of the new Lich King ordered. "And, never return."
Reviews are welcome, flames are not