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 14

The pace of the Elves increased to a run as they passed into the secret tunnel leading into the royal keep. Enemy watchers were already seen on the retreat to warn the others and were out of range to be stopped. All of the riders on horseback and soldiers alike had to squeeze into the bottleneck as quickly as possible for the suprise attack to succeed. The two Archmages rode in front of the Prince with their staves pointed outwards like jousting rods, ready to fire spells at anything that passed across their sight. They quickly came to the enchanted door that barred the way, two powerful blasts of a dis-enchanting spell blew the door to fragments as they swiftly rode in.

The sight that greeted the eyes of all the Elves was nothing more than utter destruction. Most of the palace had been turned upside down, broken and then turned upside down again. Within the palace the sight of broken and discarded glass, furniture, food and armaments was everywhere to be seen. Priceless artifacts and ancient relics were now nothing more than rubbish as dozens lay scattered across the halls. However no signs of life were around as the Elves came to a halt in order for all to form up behind them and march again as one.

Arlandria could clearly see the look of determination for vengence upon Prince Kael's face. For a just split second, Arlandria believed she was looking at the Prince's father. When all assembled into a large block formation with no more coming out of the tunnel, they all charged again through the destroyed palace. They were all careful to be quiet, though it was nearly impossible when they were forced to step on and around so much debris. All came to a halt in the main hall, still as destroyed, nearly uninhabitable to any decent Elf. Nearly all looked around confused as to why there was nobody here, not even the Scourge.

"I need twenty Elves with me," Prince Kael called out.

Quickly the first twenty of his unit that was closest behind him stepped forward at the ready.

"I am going to search the upper floors," the Prince said to Arlandria. "Stay here and keep guard, do not send reinforcements up unless instructed."

"Yes My Lord," Arlandria said quickly with a salute.

The two Archmages always in front of the Prince went up the staircase on their horses with him and the other twenty soldiers running behind.

"Form a line four deep!" Arlandria called out loudly.

She was slightly suprised with herself at how much authority she could muster as the Elves quickly followed her order.

"Take up position on both sides of the staircase, bows at the ready!" she commanded as she took her own bow into her left hand.

Arlandria rode slowly across the front of the line, keeping her eyes and ears vigilant. It was not long before sounds of battle were heard on the floors above them. Though it seemed to be only the sounds of spells firing and mild short screams. Arlandria kept her eyes tuned for a runner to appear in a plea for reinforcements, but as the minutes past, none came.

It was for the best that no more were needed upstairs for those that held the main hall were quickly set upon by a frontal attack. The great staircase that led to the palace was shaking under the stampede of attackers coming straight for them. The doorway was shut but not sealed, keeping Arlandria from seeing them until they burst through nearly thirty yards ahead. Arlandria pointed towards the closest officer on horseback.

"Hurry to inform the Prince of an attack in the main hall!" she called to him.

The officer quickly spurred the horse through the opening of soldiers at the base of the stairs and rushed up as fast as the horse could carry him. As he reached the top of the landing the front doors slammed open with an arrangement of all types of undead bounding towards their line. Arlandria lowered her arm for the signal to fire at will as she began to fire from the top of her horse. The volley of fire was so intense that the undead could not close the gap as they struggled to hurdle over their fallen. The size of the attack was not as large as the Elves thought, they could now see the end of the formation entering through the doors.

Just then the Prince and two Archmages sprinted down from the upper levels and began to fire spells from the landing at the top of the stairs. Within the minute all action ceased with a massive pile of undead filling the hallway in front of them. Arlandria was suprised, she estimated the attack size to now be equal or less to their own small force. Perhaps the city was not crawling with Scourge as so many believed. The Prince with his two bodyguards rode down the steps towards Arlandria, all around the Elves took a moment to regain their breath and try to calm themselves.

"I apologize for summoning you My Lord," Arlandria said dutifully with a salute.

"Do not apologize, you made the right action. We had already finished searching the upper floors by the time your runner came anyway. It also appears," the Prince said as he surveyed the scene, "that you did quite well without me," he said with a smile.

Arlandria beamed with pride as she gave a slight bow. Perhaps proving herself would not be as difficult as so many imagined as well.

End of Chapter 14