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 18

"You have sent for me, My Lord?" Arlandria said at the edge of the desk that Prince Kael occupied.

Kael'thas Sunstrider looked up for the first time upon hearing Arlandria's words. He looked terrible, pale and sickly. It looked as if he had not slept, eaten or hardly moved from where he sat in days. Strewn across the table were maps, books, letters and hastily written notes.

"Yes, of course," said the Prince, setting his quill down. "To get to the point quickly, I have made arrangements for everyone to depart from these lands. Our destiny must be reached elsewhere."

"Excuse me, My Lord?" Arlandria said aghast.

"You know as well as I do that if we remain here we will surely die," said the Prince in a strained voice.

"But My Lord, our people are not prepared for an exodus, their minds and hearts still remain here," Arlandria said.

"There is nothing here!" said the Prince in an agitated tone.

Arlandria stopped herself from protesting further and incurring more of his anger. It was obvious that the Prince was slightly unhinged. In this state he did not seem at all like himself. Arlandria lowed her head a bit and looked at the stone floor.

"Where would you lead us, My Lord?" Arlandria asked.

"I have made arrangements for our forces to join an Alliance of humans. They desperately need our assistance fighting against the Scourge. Among them are mages of the Kirin Tor that have promised to help with the magical needs of our people," Kael said.

"Humans!? They would use us as cannon fodder! The alliances of the second war are dead, they care nothing for us! Don-" Arlandria said before being cut short.

"Enough!" Prince Kael said, standing up shakingly from his deskchair.

"But My Lord," Arlandria continued on. "Our people are not prepared to be sent back into a war."

"I know what is best for my people, not you! As rightful King this is my order for you to prepare your soldiers for departure," Kael finished venomously.

Arlandria stared into her Prince's eyes and knew with full certainty that he was making a terrible mistake. This rash action was so unlike one from the noble house of Sunstrider. Whatever forces of worry,despair or grief that swelled inside of Kael were causing him to act in such a manner. For the first time Arlandria kept a defiant stare into her superior's eyes.

"You are not my King yet," Arlandria said in a low tone.

The anger in Kael's face disappeared and he slightly recoiled, as if he had been struck by a heavy blow. Arlandria's insult had clearly found its mark on Kael's psyche. Prince Kael closed his eyes and sat back down in his chair. He leaned forward and partially covered his face in his hands.

"What would you have me do?" Kael asked in a morose tone, though it sounded much more like him.

"Do what you must My Lord," said Arlandria. "But please do not force our people into further bloodshed."

"You wish to remain here? In these squalled ruins waiting for nothing?" Kael said.

"Our people have rebuilt themselves from the ashes before. I know we can do it again," Arlandria said.

"This time is different," said the Prince.

"Each time is different, and we have endured," responded Arlandria.

Prince Kael remained silent for a few tense moments before saying. "Then I will give them the choice, but I will make clear what happens under each option."

"Thank you for your understanding, My Lo-" Arlandria said before being cut short again.

"You may go," Kael said.

Arlandria left the temple despaired and worried about the fate of her people. With the Prince in such a state he could easily lead them to destruction in his mad quest to save them. She walked down the pathways to her headquarters, receiving bows and salutes from all soldiers that passed by. Once within she rested her head on the desk and tried to think of what was best. All the while, unbeknownst to Arlandria, a cloaked figure stood in the distance waiting for her.

End of Chapter 18