The Watchers

Chapter 3: Kael Returns

Landfall was an easy word to say, given what was going on. It had seemed those loyal to Kael had this skirmish all planned out to the letter. Blockades and guards posted everywhere a long the shoreline, ships, stolen from the time of the great Pilgrimage, mages ready to lay down their lives in the name of an elf who should of died in Outlands. Maiev frowned as she stood out over the upper deck trying assess the situation further. There was word of a break in the barricade in the Ghostlands, but even that would prove to be a dangerous trip. That part of the forest was still in turmoil, a deep reminder of what the Sin'dorei lost in the battle against Arthas.

She closed her eyes. One of her boots clicked gently against the wooden floor. Thigh high Iron boots adorned her long legs, patterns of leaves and vines traveled up her boot length. They were high heeled, of course, she wouldn't have them any other way. Her skirt was just two pieces of fabric, as light green as spring grass, giving her the look of a fallen harem girl. Her chest piece was a vine pattered metal bra that showed most of her cleavage. It was much different from her Warden attire, which she had destroyed after the fall of Illidan.

Upon her head was an silver mask. It hid hid her face. It too was as ornate as the rest of her armor. Her long purple hair, free to flow behind her in a high ponytail. She flexed her talon-like gauntlets. She had to admit, it felt good to get back into the heavy security of plate and mail. It made her alive, alert and normal.

Appolo and Eolande stood a bit behind her. Appolo had settled for a battle mage's robe. It wasn't as ornate as Maiev's. It was a tight form fitting black robe with gold trim. In his hands was a silver staff with a floating red crystal on the end of it. Over his eyes was a black cloth, a universal sign the boy had no sight. Eolande was dressed in a deep purple and silver robe, it looked just like Appolo's. His long dark blue hair flowed freely about his face. On his belt was a beautiful decorated silver dagger, a choice of Warlocks.

"Boys..." Both perked at the dark tone of Maiev. "If things get too bad, you are to run. I don't care if I fall but I want you two to take who you can and get out." Both nodded. Appolo seemed worried as he heard the sickening sound of Ghostlands... Angry spirits, Undead and death. The smell made him over his mouth, hoping breathing through his silken cloth glove would help the nausea he felt in his stomach. Eolande frowned, snaking a hand around Appolo to grab his other hand and squeeze, letting the Blood Elf know it would be all right.

The ship made land fall at a temporary base set up by the Farstiders. The Ambassador knew her work was done, for now, and went about to meet with other diplomats that had escaped the fate of Silvermoon. Rangers saluted Maiev as she and the boys stepped off the ship. "Lady Shadowsong." A scrawny young white haired Blood Elf came up to her. "By the Sunwell you made it. We were starting to worry."

She smirked a little, fangs poking through her mouth. "It takes a lot more then a tree to keep me down. So... Do we have a way of getting to Silvermoon?"

"Well... Everything is pretty much sealed off from within. Whatever the traitor prince has planned, it seems he wants nobody leaving or coming. We could possibly get in through the water system..." He paused in thought. "I had sent a scouting team a head to see if there is any possible safe way inside." Maiev looked around, taking note of the civilians, guards, defenders, but not seeing the one person who mattered to her.

"She stayed back there, didn't she?" Her glare turned to the young elf. He straightened. "Princess Kisella stayed back, yes. She was hoping to settle this matter without innocent blood shed..."

"Naive little Kaldorei..." Snarled Maiev. "The man has gone insane! He has sold his soul to the Burning legion but yet she refuses to give up on him! Just what is she thinking!" Maiev knew her companion had been in mourning over the loss of Kael for quite some time. Both of them were still scarred over the loss of their mates. Silently, she whispered a prayer to Elune for the protection of her friend.

~*~

The blood curling screams of fallen soldiers filtered through the city. Mana crazed elves attacked without warning, taking out anything magical they could get their hands on and feasting on it's essence. The Fel-Elves seemed to be lost in their euphoria of Fel magic as they attacked with little remorse to their kinsmen. Paladins, last line of defense, could feel themselves weakening with the loss of the magical space creature that supplied them their magic.

Silvermoon was in chaos. Kael had taken the time to summon his phoenix pet that set parts of Silvermoon on fire. He seemed to be entranced with the sweet lust-like feeling of burning the traitors he once protected. His long blonde hair was faded to a dull disgusting dirt yellow, his eyes sunk deep into his head as large black circles rested under his sockets. His skin was a sickly, almost, deathly white. His body looked as if it was rotting away. His robes were torn and faded, a large crystal has either been shoved or was placed inside his chest. It was the only thing keeping him from turning into a full Wretched.

He chuckled softly as he and a few of his trusted guards walked up the long ramp to the throne room. Even in his weakened state he could still feel her... He licked his lips hungrily, sensing her fear. It was as beautiful as it was when he had taken her hostage in Tempest Keep. He wanted her to understand the legion at first, wanted her to come with him, be his Moon flower, but she refused his offer time and time again. Then he made her. And Appolo was born, and she had fled with his son.

He remembered the blasted distraction she had used. When the Horde had attacked the Keep, to kill him. She was freed from her silver cage and ran. When he had tried to stop her she drove her own sword into his chest and he tumbled into a ravine...

Thankfully he was found by his loyal healers... But his heart needed to be repaired. It was encased in the crystal, but nobody was ready for the side effects it would have on their king...

The entryway was quiet, void of the trainers and mages that would of been there. Blue curtains flowed in the breeze. Kael'thas was on alert, knowing full well she would take advantage if he dropped his guard. Snarling at the game she would DARE play on him, he threw out his hand and the curtains went up in flames. His eyes reflected the flames, dead as they looked. He walked into the throne room to see it empty as every other place. He smiled and held his arms out to his side, as if he were offering greeting.

"My own queen is not here to welcome me home?" He turned to take a seat on the throne, throwing his hand out to dispel the flames. He closed his eyes, feeling quite tired from the spell casting he had done. "My beloved... Why must you defy me so?" He opened his eyes as his guards were on the floor. Standing a few feet away was heavily armored Night Elf. She was dressed in the exact same outfit as Maiev, except her helm was a circlet.

"Give them back the crystal creature. You know the Paladins cannot survive without it." his heart went out to her. It was probably painful to see her living husband sitting before her. "The Master needs the creature. He needs it to come into our world. My beloved, I only do what is best for our people. For our daughter and son." He lied, his people betrayed him as much as she betrayed him. "You look pale my night blossom." He stood up smiling. "Why don't we leave this place and go to someplace more secluded and talk..."

He was not surprised to see her draw her weapon. Kisa's eyes narrowing. "You have no right to be calling me anything. My mate is dead... I put him down..." She held back her tears. "I don't know what you are but this charade ends now!"

~*~

Silvermoon burned into the night. Those that had come to help came too late. Appolo could sense it all and it overwhelmed his senses. He wobbled a little, falling into Eolande. The half breed smiled a little, soothing the his young friend. Maiev frowned her eyes taking in all the destruction that laid before her. Kael'thas was ruthless and cruel, probably worse then anyone she'd ever encountered. Bodies laid in the streets, survivors carefully coming out of hiding places. Silvermoon was silent as people worked to put out the flames.

Maiev made her way through the crowds and the chaos to the throne room to see Silvermoon Royal guards and a few healers working on the injured. She had half expected to see the broken body of her friend, but thankfully, she sat in the throne with only minor injuries. In her hands was a piece of tattered cloth. Her silver eyes dulled as she looked up at Maiev. "He's...."

"Hey, come on now.." Maiev smiled a little. "It isn't him. Just a walking corpse.." She smirked, taking away the piece of fabric. "Hey Kisa, don't worry. I am sure it's just those darker forces at work. Now buck up, you got people who need help." She watched as she got up, feeling pity for her as Kisa got up and started directing people to take care of who remained. Maiev wouldn't know what she would do if she ever saw Illidan, in all his glory, standing in front of her...

Maiev buried those feelings for now and followed Kisa outside the throne room. "What can I do to help you...?"

Kisa looked to Maiev, tears in her eyes. "There is nothing you can do... By the way, welcome home..."

AN: Sorry for the late update! 8 months and one week, soon my little girl will be born! RnR but be gentle! It took me 6 times to re write this chapter!