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Act II: Burning World
Chapter 1: Old War
XXX
Five years have passed since the Eastern Kingdoms were forced to war against a dire threat that threatened their very existence - the Scourge. A malicious collective of undead humans, elves, mages, villagers, buried dead, innocent souls and other creatures of the world unfortunate enough to fall prey to them. A force not measured in numbers but by the fear they spread - an army without limits, as their fallen foes are forced to join their ranks; a force that grows larger with every battle fought.
None have had their strengths tested more than the Kingdoms of Lordaeron and Quel'Thalas. One has had half of their kingdom nearly pulled apart in the chaos and the other almost torn apart. Their old beliefs and comforts shattered - the human' might and faith tested against rotting flesh and bone; the elves attitude of supremacy nearly costing them their home and their lives. Victory however grazed their people, as both kingdoms escaped destruction, scarred but alive - yet in their success loomed a failure, Stromgarde. Once the shining capital of the mighty Arathor nation, first kingdom of the humans, now its people killed or driven away, as Stromgarde' fall turned their historic city into an undead fortress - one that has survived the skirmishes and battles against it throughout the years.
In the years that has passed, several kingdoms have felt the sting of instability as well - Stormwind having experienced a handful of unrests in its lands; the Khaz Modan mountains home to civil war as the inventing gnomes were driven from their home and forced to seek aid from their dwarven brethren; the industrious nation of Gilneas going silent in the last few weeks as rumours of undead activity are heard from beyond the Great Wall.
However all isn't lost to the dark tests of time - with old beliefs broken, new ones have grown in their wake. The old Alliance re-made into the Grand Alliance - a true union of nations against the tide of darkness that seeks to destroy them. Greatest change being in the kingdom of Lordaeron - the one to bear the brunt of the Plague and the Scourge has become the beacon of hope for many: called home by the thousands of Stromgarde' people, the people of Lordaeron itself and the recovering high elves of Quel'Thalas.
...War has a funny way of bringing together people from all walks of life - a fact best known by the current rulers of Lordaeron: King Arthas Menethil and Queen Sylvanas Menethil neé Windrunner...
Another winter had passed, as Sylvanas heard the birds chirping again and the signs of melted ice covered the landscape of Lordaeron. It was getting warmer each day: farmers were returning to their lands, miners were returning to the mines and fishermen returning to their ships and sea.
Winter had been a weird conception for Sylvanas, as her homeland was always sunny and warm. This change of season came a little as a suprise to say the least, yet she had learned to enjoy the seasonal festivities that this new season brought. Luckily as well was that the winter cold wasn't even comparable to the cold of Northrend - five years there had been silence, with the only undead activity happening around the former city of Stromgarde or the rumours from Gilneas. But none of the kingdoms allowed the chance to grow weak again at the show of low activity.
"I win!" cheered a young girl' voice down in the courtyards, that warmed Sylvanas' heart - sweet as a plum, hair golden as the bright Lordaeron sun, wearing the gray and blue crested attire of Lordaeron that was tailored and suited for her need, the bloodline of Menethil and Windrunner in her veins, her five-year old daughter, Princess Alleria Lianne Menethil.
"Beat that," giggled Alleria, jumping around the young-boy of the Stormwind bloodline, Anduin Wrynn.
"How can you do that four bullseyes in one shot. You're cheating!" said Anduin, shocked at the archery target - he had two bullseyes and Alleria had four again.
"Am not," replied Alleria, sticking her tongue out at the eight-year old prince. "Your skills stink."
"Your only five," exclaimed Anduin.
"And your only eight," replied Alleria, in her trademark warm smile. Already five of age and the young girl was already showing potential in archery.
"Oh by the Light..." sighed Anduin, falling onto the grass and discarding his bow.
"Don't you mean - your right," giggled Alleria, showering him with grass.
"Whatever."
"Oh come on, don't be so sour. I wanna ask grandpa something - its a subject you like," said Alleria, tugging on Anduin' sleeve. "Come on!"
"Fine," replied Anduin getting lead into the palace garden by the young princess.
Sylvanas during the whole time observed and cracked a few laughs at the sight - Prince of Stormwind and Princess of Lordaeron indeed; if they kept this up then they'd be a couple before they reached adolesence.
Meanwhile in the palace garden, an old king was resting in his chair, enjoying the last moments he was entitled to in this world - he was old and for these last few years he was feeling the age upon his body, but not his mind. These last years gave him the chance to enjoy the things he had been to busy or unable to do before.
"Grandpa?"
Which that was one, as Terenas opened his eyes and saw the little form of Alleria near his chair, along with the young Stormwind Prince Anduin - she was the next heir, she was a half-elf by her mother, but she was still her beloved granddaughter; the blood of Menethil still distinct under her elven features and blue eyes.
"Yes my dear?" asked Terenas, as Alleria and Anduin sat down on the ground.
"Well...um...we wanted to...ask you...regarding the Light?" asked Alleria, a bit shy as usual around people older than her.
"What do you want to know, my dear?"
"Well...you know...mommy is very good with her bow...and daddy is very good with the Light?" said Alleria. "...and...me both too?"
"Yes..." nodded Terenas. Alleria was still growing yet she had already shown great skill with a bow like Sylvanas and was blessed by the Light as well, like his son Arthas.
"I was wondering...can we mix up both?" asked Alleria. "Like daddy does."
"Mix up both?" thought Terenas - Arthas was a paladin, combing martial prowess with the Light. But Alleria' thought, it was unheard of.
"I've heard that paladins, were once priests and clerics that took up the sword to protect their lives and their people. Can't me and Anduin pick up a bow instead?"
"My word..." muttered Terenas - combining the powers of Light and the bow, was the youth mind an interesting thing. "...my dear...that sounds...amazing. Did you come up with this yourself?"
"Anduin had helped in the idea, since he's wanting to be more of a priest, than his warrior-father," said Alleria, to the silent Anduin.
"It's...not that I don't...I feel like I'm not cut out for the hard battle-life like my father. I feel more at ease when I wield the Light to help people than swing a sword. But I do realize the need to defend myself, which is why I choose archery," spoke up Anduin.
"I understand. I myself had chosen the ways of the priest during my youth and I'm not ashamed of what I did," replied Terenas. "But what young Alleria proposed - the Light and the bow - you two could be the makers of a new age."
"You heard that?" asked Alleria excitedly.
"Is...is it possible?" asked Anduin unsure.
"Young one - when the paladins were first formed, we feared that their brutal warrior nature might shackle them and the Light would reject them. It was a gamble then, but look how that turned out - and you two, your idea, the natural and spiritual ways intertwined, I believe in it to be a reality - and I'm certain we'll see more of your vision in the future."
"Thanks grandpa," replied Alleria, hugging Terenas, her grandfather.
"Anytime dear."
"Come on now. Lets go play," giggled Alleria at Anduin.
"But our-"
"-come on! Please?" asked Alleria in her most adorable look.
"Okay. What do you want to do?"
"Catch butterflies, come on. I saw a bunch of them near the rose bushes," said Alleria dragging Anduin along. Terenas happily smiling at the sign of affection, it gave him happiness that his few years were graced by joy and love.
Back at the palace, two men were 'getting along', like their children in their own way.
"Come on! Bring it!" taunted Arthas, blocking Varian' blow with ease.
"You've gotten better!" replied Varian, charging again.
"I've learned!" said back Arthas, blocking Varian' charge. Then struck at his rearguard.
"Not enough," taunted Varian, side-stepping away, just like Arthas wanted as he rammed with his entire body and brought Varian to the floor.
"I think it was enough," laughed Arthas, helping the downed king up. Varian was still strength, might and skill against his foes, while Arthas pursued a more finess and precision way of swordmanship for himself - suffice to say, Arthas wasn't getting his butt kicked like during his youth any more again.
"I'll admit. You're better," said Varian, sheating his blade. "...for a paladin."
"Never to admit defeat."
"Never to give up," fixed Varian.
"Yeah?" asked back Arthas, getting close.
"You boys done playing around?" asked the Queen of Lordaeron, coming through the door.
"Almost," replied Arthas, kissing his queen as she arrived next to him. "What have you been doing?"
"Just watching our kids," replied Sylvanas. "And I'll say that our little Alli is very excited around a certain boy."
"Anduin?" asked Varian.
"Yup," confirmed Sylvanas. "They seem to be having fun together."
"Alleria Lianne Wrynn? Not a bad name," said Arthas, earning him a slight slap.
"Oh you - they're just two kids, two heirs, having fun like they should be," said Sylvanas. "And you are acting like they're getting married in the next few years."
"Guess that leaves only the location," teased Varian, causing the two men to laugh and for Sylvanas to roll her eyes in dis-amusement, a slight grin on her lips all the same. That was until an owl appeared in their window, carrying a note.
"A note?" asked Sylvanas suprised, retriving the note and noticing the seal on it. "It's from Stormwind."
"My lands? Did something happen?" asked Varian.
"Wait..." replied Sylvanas, reading the note as the full shock hit her. "Oh no!"
"What?"
"The...Dark Portal! It's has re-opened," replied Sylvanas in horror.
XXX
News traveled fast around the Eastern Kingdoms nowadays - as by far, almost every kingdom had heard of the dangers, an emergency summit called up, a mere day later. Their dreaded, long forgotten fear of the Dark Portal was confirmed - thought to be destroyed long ago by Khadgar and the Alliance Expedition that had sacrificed itself and stayed on the other side to close the portal, once and for all. A sad fact to realize that it wasn't enough.
"Are the rumours true?" asked King Galen Trollbane, representing the Stromgarde remnants. "They have returned?"
"Indeed - checked, twice," replied Varian. "It has re-opened and already our positions at Nethergarde Keep are under attack."
"We must respond immediately to this threat, less we be overrun again," spoke Antonidas, warning of the Second War.
"Agreed, but we can't charge in. We have other enemies at our borders as well," added Arthas. "Also what of the Gilneans?"
"Bah! Our message was delivered, no response still from the Stubborn King," cursed Varian.
"That isn't good," added Arthas worried, while Sylvanas next to her was worried as well - her new duties, due to her being queen.
"I propose the four strongest kingdoms send forces," said Arthas then - having thought a response. "Lordaeron, Quel'Thalas, Stormwind, Khaz Modan."
"Aye!" added Magni in approval. "It's bout time - we have been playing all hail and mighty for a long time, I think its time to put our coins and steel, where our mouths are. I fer one, am not wanting a repeat of the Second War, the dwarves stuck in our own homes. The dwarves march alongside ye!"
"Stormwind included!" added his childhood friend, Varian.
"Agreed..." said Prince Kael'Thas Sunstrider as well, one who hadn't changed much throughout the years, but had come to terms with ruling a nation.
"What of the rest?" asked Admiral Proudmoore.
"Stromgarde, Kul'tiras and Dalaran - would secure our borders," replied Arthas.
"What?" asked King Galen suprised that his people weren't going to war.
"King Galen - your people had done enough in the Second War. You must also understand that you aren't as numerous as before," spoke Arthas, hinting at the loss of Stromgarde. "But I also need you to watch over Stromgarde - its your city, you know those lands best. I need your people the watch us against the Scourge."
"...very well," replied Galen. While he wanted to lead his people beyond the Dark Portal like his father, he had to realize his people weren't as many anymore and they had lost their capital and lands - a bitter task, yet a necessary one as he accepted the task of being watcher.
"Admiral Proudmoore. I might be asking much, but can your ships patrol our AND the Gilnean coast?" asked Arthas. "I don't like some of the rumours I am hearing."
"We...would be strechted thin, I'm afraid..." spoke the Admiral, recounting his fleet size and troubles. "We have had several engagements with pirates and goblins over the years. Our forces have been battered."
"What if you had our entire fleets?" asked Prince Kael, having been passed the idea by the young woman at his right.
Standing next to him was Jaina Proudmoore, dressed in a more formal dress than would suit a mage of her skill - Kael and Jaina were slowly proceeding with their own relationship, as Jaina had become close-advisor to the prince, yet they weren't as rushing as Arthas and Sylvanas. Hostility towards high-elves and along with that half-elves was slowly dissipating around the world, as several high-elves and humans had settled down after the Third War that had decimated both their kingdoms - a half-elf being princess to a human kingdom, with a high-elven mother as queen; that also helped to lessen some attitude among elven kind, as more and more half-elves were born into the world.
"What do you mean?"
"What if you had the combined fleets of Quel'Thalas, Stormwind and Lordaeron at your disposal? Would that be enough?" asked Kael. "A united fleet."
"It would," replied the admiral, having done a few calculations in his head. "Would that suit the rest?"
"Yes," replied Varian.
"Indeed," added Arthas. "Pouring our fleets together under a strong leadership could work - giving us a strong response incase of attack from the frozen wastelands."
"Then that's settled," spoke Varian. "We march for war!"
"If I may speak? One notice?" asked the aged archmage. "The Kirin Tor are pouring our knowledge on how to lastly seal and close the nexus-gateway between the Dark Portal and our world. We'd ask any available mage to join us at Dalaran for this."
"Understood."
"Of course."
"Sad but true - we march for war," said Arthas, rising from his seat. "We'll converge on the Dark Portal in two days time. Prepare for war in all its demand - we have had experience before, let us not let it go to waste again. This meeting is now over."
With that the Alliance ambassadors started to leave back to their own kingdoms, during that time Arthas took his leave, along with Sylvanas.
Arriving at their bedroom, where he sat down onto the bed worried. It had been a great day, only to be replaced by another challenge - the Prophet' words ringing all too true.
"It's going to get bad," sighed Arthas, removing the royal crown from his head and settling it on the cupboard - sometimes it did felt like an extra burden.
"I know - I had a taste of the Second War long ago," replied Sylvanas, sitting onto the bed as well, trying to comfort him.
"Can we win a second time?"
"You aren't alone in this, none of us are anymore," replied Sylvanas, kissing him and laying her head on his shoulder. "We'll get through this, all of us. You, me and Alleria included."
"I hope so," said Arthas, hugging her, feeling a bit more confident than before.
"I know so."
XXX
A/N: Five years passed summary: Stromgarde is the new Undercity, while the survivours have created a new settlement in Eastern Lordaeron; Gilneas is in 'deep bad water' to say anything; Kul'tiras is active; Jaina and Kael aren't fully 'hitched' yet, but are slowly getting to it; high-elves aren't as much whiny towards their half-elven kin, because I'know alot of Third War veterans got 'hitched-up' to eachother; Arthas' and Sylvanas' child is Crown Princess Alleria Lianne Menethil, a half-elf and friendling of Prince Anduin Wrynn - whom both might be the firsts to combine the ways of the Light with the ways of the bow. Good idea, summary and story?
Please review.