A/N: Please note that this is of course Fan Fiction, therefore the events described would be slightly deviated from the orginal telling.

And nope, I in fact do not own Warcraft or anything else I write about.

Chapter 7 Surrounding Death II

They both removed their long cloaks and silently bound a child in each. The most difficult part coming as Arlandria removed the arrows from her daughter's back. They both spared one look of eye contact as they both lifted a covered child into their arms and walked back onto the path. Looking around, they both noticed how alone they were.

By now, many of Arlandria's tears had stilled, she found strength next to Sylvanas. Both were still very weakened by the defilement of the Sunwell, and were left to only think of the damage to all other Elves in Quel 'Thalas and around all of Azeroth as they walked on. Eventually, Arlandria began talking.

"I would have never believed that this could happen," she said.

"I would not have believed it either," Sylvanas said, "But it has."

"For everything you've done Sylvanas, thank you-," Arlandria begun.

She was cut short as they both quickly turned around in a panic.

They pathway that lay behind them was rapidly intensifying the stamping hooves of many horses. An exchange of glances was enough for them to jump off the path together and run through the forest. Fear was now their fuel as their exhausted, magically deprived bodies were about to fall apart under the force of their full-speed dash.

"Arlandria," Sylvanas choked out, nearly out of breath. "We must hide your children here, we will come back for them."

Uncertainly but hastily Arlandria agreed, and they gently placed their bodies in a shaded area beside the exposed roots of a large tree.

Running along much lighter now, yet their speed was not much more improved. The sounds of the horses continued to grow louder and louder. Sylvanas and Arlandria were dodging trees and jumping over roots as the forest grew denser and wilder. Though however far off the path they now were, the echo of hooves kept coming closer.

They both continued to run faster and faster, but it was no use. Behind them they could hear the horses maneuver over roots and shuffle around trees, the horsemen seemed to know exactly where they were.

"We cannot outrun them," Arlandria wheezed, trying to catch her breath.

They made it to a small clearing before Sylvanas raised her hand to stop. She turned slowly to Arlandria and said, "I know...there is no point anymore in running."

Sylvanas unclasped her bow in one swift motion. Arlandria thought to protest, but didn't, there was seemingly no escape from the ensuing death. She reached for her bow as well but Sylvanas quickly steaded her hand.

"I need you to hide," said Sylvanas.

This time Arlandria did begin to protest, "No, I cannot le-," she began.

"There is no reason for us both to die out here, our people need a leader!" Sylvanas said quickly.

"Then let me fight them," Arlandria pleaded.

The horses were nearly upon them now, their stomping hooves were deafeningly loud. Without another word Sylvanas pushed Arlandria with all her might, sending her back into the dense shade of the forest.

"Do this for me Arlandria, please," Sylvanas said as she pushed her further in.

Arlandria ran a few steps before stopping to look back. Sylvanas ran to stand closer to the center of the clearing with an arrow pulled back taughtly in her bow.

Within seconds several horsemen rushed out from the trees and into the clearing directly in front of Sylvanas. She had only enough time for one good shot. The arrow was released towards the man in front with long white hair. No matter how exhausted Sylvanas was, her aim remained true, yet it was of no use. Her arrow dissipated in a cloud of dark smoke that appeared in front of the rider.

Arlandria pulled back an arrow on her own bow at the sight of Sylvanas defenseless. More than ten horsemen charging directly at her. Though she did not let go, Sylvanas half turned to grasp her sword that hung behind her, and Arlandria swore that one of Sylvanas's eyes looked reproachfully at her. Holding her sword gracefully in front of her, the riders stopped, barely out of striking distance. The horsemen spread out, but did not attempt to surround her.

"I have been looking for you," the man spoke in a deep, icy voice.

"Then congratulations butcher," said Sylvanas carrying a spiteful tone.

"Where are the others with you?" the man said looking around.

"Perhaps it was the ghosts of all those you killed," said Sylvanas.

"I control the ghosts," the man returned.

When Sylvanas did not respond, the man went on.

"Or I suppose the children who lay back towards the road are yours? And that you carried them yourself?"

"I may as well have," jested Sylvanas.

The horsemen lost his patience and realized it was useless to continue the conversation. He drew a fearsome icy blade and jostled the horse to quickly close the distance. Sylvanas slashed through the chest of the demonic horse, but its momentum and the beast's lack of ability to feel pain would not stop it as the attack otherwise should. His sword cut deeply across the length of Sylvanas's back as her position stood at the end of her swing. She fell to the ground and the white haired man loomed over her, then he let go of the reins and dismounted off his horse. The slash in the horse seemingly did not effect it, many of its bones were already exposed.

Arlandria had an arrow pulled, ready to fire, but Sylvanas was looking at her as she crawled slightly away, her head slowly shaking no.

"Just kill me butcher," said Sylvanas, not turning to look at him. "I deserve a clean death."

The blood that ran from her back was already soaking the ground around her. Laughing, the man strode forward with his sword extended outwards and said.

"But that is not what you will recieve!"

He stood over her, muttering in some strange language and slightly twirling his blade. Sylvanas began to scream, and her screams became more and more distorted in sound. Then her body fell lifeless and from her body arose a wailing banshee. Arlandria covered her mouth in horror, trying to stifle her desire to scream.

The man seemed pleased with himself as the banshee of Sylvanas recognized him as Master. Her body was lifted by another horseman onto his horse as they all turned to leave. The spectral form of Sylvanas floating above the ground behind them as they rode away. Arlandria moved out of the woods and into the clearing when it was safe to do so.

She stood and silently prayed for the salvation and deliverance of her General's soul. Her grief reached profound new levels as everyone and everything in her life was rapidly disappearing. Looking down among the blood and hoof prints, Arlandria saw a locket with a large blue jewel inset. Her promises to Sylvanas would be kept in full. She set the locket into her back pocket and said,

"The war has just begun."

End of Chapter 8