Emerald Aspect.
Part III: Windmills of Your Mind.
"Ysera!" Uther called as Onyxia managed to catch up with the possessed Ysondre, and Sylvanas who was clinging to her back. "What was the meaning of that?"
"Time is of the essence, you cannot waste it with the elves petty troubles" Ysera said. "You must free the last of my kin from the Nightmare, and then help my brother, Nozdormu's kin. Only with all three, can you face my fallen brothers; Malygos and Neltharion."
"I have been told by a, close source, that something is coming, something bigger than your fallen brothers" Uther said. "Is that what you were saying as well?"
"There is something in the Dream, a whisper of a darkness lying in wait, until the world is weak." Ysera said coldly. "Who told you?"
"It is complicated," Uther winced. "I shall explain eventually."
"What about Ysondre?" Sylvanas asked, quickly changing the subject.
"Does this sudden appearance mean you agree with her request?" Uther asked.
"Yes, until I say otherwise, she is in your charge." Ysera smiled through her daughter. "But do not make her do anything…"
"You can trust Uther, he still follows his paladin teachings," Sylvanas said, caressing Ysondre's scales, hoping it would appease the Dreamer possessing her daughter. "He would not do anything untoward."
"Alexstrasza's told me about your heroism, I just had to be sure." Ysera said, "I shall land Ysondre, before letting her retake control of her body. Good day champions."
As promised, Ysera landed on a rocky mountain outcrop, and Onyxia circled above.
"What… Where am I?" Ysondre asked, as she got up on to her feet and looked around.
"Ysera took control of you, she scared off the elves, and flew you here," Sylvanas said softly, caressing her scales. "And she agreed to you being under Uther's charge."
"Where were we heading?" Ysondre asked, as she took off and hovered by Onyxia.
"Darkshire, south of Stormwind," Uther said, before Onyxia flew in that direction, Ysondre followed.
"My lord, may I ask you something?" Sylvanas called, as the two dragons flew side by side. "You seem nervous about going to Darkshire, what's the reason?"
"It is not Darkshire that I am worried about; it is something else south of Stormwind." Uther stated. "Something connected to a painful memory."
"I'm sorry for asking," Sylvanas said quickly. "I was worried, that's all."
"It is no problem Sylvanas, I really should be stronger about the war," Uther said, before wincing at his slight slip up.
"I won't ask if you don't want to talk about it, I can see how it affects you." Sylvanas said quickly.
"Maybe I should get things off my chest, it might help me get over the horrors of the war, and the emotional scars I have hidden." Uther sighed. "But not up here, it is getting dark so we should land, Stromgarde is not far."
"I heard that place was overrun by Ogres and assassins" Onyxia said.
"Where and when did you hear this?" Sylvanas asked.
"When we were last in Ironforge, overheard some guards talking about it," Onyxia said.
"Well, we are more than a match for ogres and assassins," Ysondre smiled.
"No, we do not need to land on the ground, we can camp on the nearby mountain," Uther said quickly. "We do not need to create trouble for one overnight stay, and we certainly do not need to kill for it."
"Understood my lord," Ysondre bowed her head, and quickly landed on the top of the mountain.
"Mind out," Onyxia said, landing beside Ysondre as she transformed. "Do you think they saw us?"
"I doubt it," Ysondre said proudly. "They would likely be expecting an attack on the ground, not by air, plus the mountain is not theirs to control."
"Should we light a fire?" Sylvanas asked.
"Onyxia, get us some wood, Ysondre, care to find some food?" Uther asked, the two dragon women took off in different directions and flew out of sight.
"So, you want to talk about it?" Sylvanas said nervously. "If you want to of course. You've talked about it briefly in the past, but you never said any detail, what happened at the Dark Portal that traumatised you so much?"
"What's this about the Second War?" Onyxia asked, landing with a large pile of firewood in her claws. She dropped them near Uther and transformed.
"What's the Dark Portal?" Ysondre asked, dropping a cow next to the wood, before transforming as well.
"It is a portal to another world, but it has been sealed since the Second War," Uther said quickly, "and with good reason, only dark things lie beyond."
"Like what?" Ysondre asked brightly, sitting on the floor and looking eagerly at Uther, like a child expecting a story.
Sylvanas quickly set to work on the dead cow with her daggers, whilst Onyxia created a small fire. Uther sat by Ysondre and gave her a quick history of the First and Second wars, up to the Battle of Blackrock Mountain, a history mostly told from his point of view.
"… and that leads to the final battle, and it was probably one of the bloodiest in the Second War, and one of the more costly for the Alliance," Uther finished, as Sylvanas carefully set up a spit for the side of beef.
"If you don't want to continue that's alright," Sylvanas said softly, sitting beside Uther, and slowly turning the spit.
"No, I have held it in for long enough, I have replayed the events over and over again in my mind, and it has done me no favours." Uther sighed, slowly unfastening his armour. "We pushed the Orcs and their allies back down south, from the gates of Quel'Thalas, to their base in Blackrock Mountain, and that was where they made their last major stand."
"Wasn't my sister at that battle?" Sylvanas asked, as if remembering the fact. "Alleria Windrunner?"
"Aye, she was there, along with King Menethil II, Turalyon, Kurdran Wildhammer, Khadgar, Danath Trollbane and Anduin Lothar." Uther said, staring into the flames. "Brave warriors, all of them."
"What happened?" Ysondre asked.
"As I have mentioned, there were not just Orcs in the original Horde, there were Ogres, Trolls, some controlled dragons, and demonspawn in their ranks as well." Uther said, gritting his teeth at the memories. "Though by the time we shoved them back to the Spire, they had lost most of their additional support, especially their grip on the dragons."
"Who were on your side?" Ysondre asked. "In the final battle."
"Dwarves, Gnomes, Most of the Lordaeron Alliance, the Silver Hand and your sister's rangers." Uther quickly listed. "Though our numbers were limited, the Orcish numbers seemed limitless, as we suspected more were marching north from the Dark Portal."
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"We cannot win, there are too many" a soldier said nervously, as the Alliance army marched toward the mountain.
"Hold your courage men!" Lothar yelled. "We have stopped their march, now we have the advantage, we will not stop till they are gone from our world."
"The Light is with us men!" Uther added, hearing a cheer from the soldiers.
"Hey 'Lightbringer', fancy a competition?" Alleria asked quietly.
"This is not a game, we're fighting for our lives, for the very survival of our peoples," Uther said quickly.
"Spoil sport," she said dejectedly.
"Fine, whoever kills the most?" Uther stated, and Alleria nodded.
The army marched through the open doors of Blackrock Mountain, and immediately clashed with the Orcs waiting within. However the Orcish horde was unprepared for the shear force and numbers of the Alliance. The soldiers unleashed the pent-up anger they had against the Orcs to bear, and this forced the Horde back.
"Stay together men!" Turalyon yelled, as the soldiers began to spread out and butcher any Orc they came across. "United we will stand!"
"Kill them all!" Alleria yelled when they reached a large, open room filled with Orcs.
"Lok Tar Ogar!" the orcs roared.
Lothar led the charge against the reformed Orc line, and was quickly able to punch through and push the Horde back again.
"Stupid humans!" A brutish Orc roared from across a small arena. "You dare to invade my domain!"
"I am not afraid of you!" Lothar yelled back, the sounds of continuing battle echoing around them.
"Bring it!" the Orc yelled, leaping into the arena and taunting Lothar.
"Do not do it, he does not deserve an honourable battle," Turalyon and Alleria advised. "Think of the slaughter that monster has been responsible for, the last thing we should give him is an honourable end."
"Even the most monstrous can be capable of honour," Uther said coolly. "The Orcs have a code, they have honour, it must be why half their force vanished. But we do not see it because they come from an entirely different world, a different culture. If you rush to kill, then you are no different to these 'monsters' you despise so much."
"You believe these barbarians have honour?" Alleria laughed.
"In some form, it is clear from that Orc challenging you to a one-on-one fight, rather than using treachery and deception." Uther replied.
"How do you know this is not a trap?" Turalyon asked.
"The doors either side are shut, there are no other Orcs in sight," Uther pointed out. "I would take the Orc's challenge; we will guard your back."
"Why?" Lothar asked. "Why would you take his challenge?"
"If you win, the Horde is without their leader. If it seems that you are going to lose, we will jump in and stop it from killing you." Uther advised. "You still have allies, he stands alone."
"You cannot be serious?" Alleria laughed.
"General Windrunner, go and help our forces in the lower part of the Spire, your expertise is best served against the remaining trolls." Lothar commanded.
"Yes my liege." Alleria said flatly, giving Turalyon a kiss before hurrying away.
"I will accept Doomhammer's challenge, but I want you to ensure there are no traps," Lothar said, unsheathing his weapon. "Turalyon move to that door, Uther stay here, and I want our forces to work on surrounding them as quickly as they can."
"Yes my king," The two paladins bowed, before Lothar leapt into the arena, Doomhammer roaring in anger. "Bring it Orc filth!"
Uther watched as the aged king fought with equal ferocity to the Orc, his sword parrying and blocking the Orc's hammer skilfully. After at least an hour long uninterupted duel, he spotted something out of the corner of his eye, and managed to block a pack of Orcs swinging their axes at him. It had been a trap, not for Lothar, but for splitting up the heroes and allowing the Orcs to isolate them.
"All alone human!" Doomhammer laughed. "Your friends are finished, your allies are doomed, your world will fall, and it all ends here for you."
"The Light is with me! I shall prevail." Lothar said through gritted teeth. "Your actions will be judged!"
"You Die!" Doomhammer roared, raising his hammer above his head and slamming it down, shattering Lothar's sword as he tried to deflect the blow.
Doomhammer raised his weapon again, as the force of his sword shattering had knocked him to the ground. Uther blasted the Orcs back with a single swing of his Light-empowered hammer, but was forced to watch his mistake unfold before him in horror. Doomhammer smashed his hammer down, and shattered Anduin Lothar's skull against the stone floor.
"No!" Turalyon roared, charging into the arena, as Uther dropped down and faced off against the Orc warchief.
"You have lost!" Doomhammer laughed.
"Not when there are others to take up the charge, filth!" Alleria yelled, an arrow piercing Doomhammer's shoulder from behind.
Turalyon picked up the shattered sword, and the fallen hero's shield, and joined Uther in facing the Warchief.
"Surrender or die Orc, you have lost," Turalyon said coldly, as Alliance soldiers appeared on the balconies and at the entrance to the arena. "The Horde is finished."
Orgrim dropped his hammer, seeing that he was surrounded, and that the heroes were not broken by their leader's defeat.
"Sir, the Orcs are retreating south, should we pursue?" a soldier asked from the balconies.
"Drive them back to the hell from whence they came!" Turalyon commanded, and the soldiers cheered.
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The heroes met with Terenas and a contingent of soldiers fresh from Lordaeron outside the montain, they had Doomhammer in chains, and Lothar's body on a stretcher.
"Where is Kurdran?" Terenas asked.
"Moving to retake Stormwind, we have got the Orcs in full retreat." Turalyon stated.
"What about him?" Terenas asked, pointing at the chained Warchief.
"You are the king, it is your decision my liege," Uther stated.
"Kill him!" Alleria said quickly. "All Orcs are filth and should be eradicated!"
"She is right though, we keep him alive and it will just cause problems," Turalyon said quickly. "We've got enough Orc prisoners already; we do not need even more causing problems."
"No!" Terenas said suddenly. "We shall keep them imprisoned, and with Doomhammer in particular, if the survivors try to unite, we kill him as a warning."
"How do we know if they will cause more problems?" Uther asked.
"Let us just call it a precaution." Terenas said quickly. "But we still keep these vile Orcs prisoner, as there are enough Orc holdouts between here and Lordaeron to contain them. The knowledge we have so many of their kin, including their leader imprisoned, will mean they will not dare attack us openly." Terenas stated calmly.
The men cheered and quickly made their way to their camp.
"So how many did you kill?" Alleria asked, leaning against the large metal door as Uther approached.
"Ladies first" Uther smiled.
"One hundred and fifty." She boasted. "Mostly trolls though, but we agreed on numbers, not restricting it to just killing orc filth."
"One hundred and fifty? Not bad for a young ranger like yourself," he chuckled. "I got one hundred and sixty nine."
"Well done 'Lightbringer', though you deserve the title Bloodbringer for that total body count." She laughed.
"What is my prize for beating you?" Uther asked.
"This," Alleria kissed him chastely on the cheek, "and a round on me in Silvermoon when we end this war."
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"After that we did not fight beside each other that often." Uther said, finishing his story. "But we could not have predicted another assault from the Dark Portal. Turalyon and several others marched through into the Portal to end the threat once and for all. They did not return before more Orcs fled through into Azeroth, and the Portal closed itself."
"So… Does my family owe you a drink?" Sylvanas chuckled.
"No you do not owe me a drink. Just fighting beside a Windrunner again has been reward enough," Uther smiled. "You and your sister are so alike, it is quite uncanny."
"Well, we did grow up, train and work together on a regular basis" Sylvanas said, withdrawing a small sapphire pendant from around her neck. "She sent me this before she left, it's…"
"Part of a bigger necklace she once wore," Uther finished her sentence. "I remember it. She loved showing it off to us, as a piece of 'prime elven artistry, better than any human's work'."
"Yeah, she was very snobbish," Sylvanas said, blushing and looking at her feet.
"Well, she did soften, though mostly toward Turalyon" Uther chuckled. "Rumour was rife they had a son after the Portal closed the first time."
"I have a nephew?" Sylvanas exclaimed. "At least, I hope I do, it would be nice to have some family I could possibly visit."
"Why can't you see your sisters?" Ysondre asked.
"Well Alleria is trapped beyond the Portal, and Vereesa will believe the king's word about this" Sylvanas lifted up her chest piece, revealing the scar across her stomach. "And what happened at the Sunwell."
"What happened?" Ysondre asked, gently touching the scar. "I can feel the dark magic that left its mark."
"We will tell that story tomorrow, for now the sun has set, and we have got a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Uther said, stretching his arms above his head.
"My lord," Sylvanas said cautiously, watching Uther remove the bulkier pieces of his armour. "Is that why the Dark Portal haunts you so much? Because of Blackrock Mountain and Lothar's death?"
"In essence," He sighed, looking at the campfire mournfully. "I advised Lothar to fight Doomhammer one-on-one, I thought that the Orcs had honour, but that was not the case and it was a trap."
"You're not directly responsible for Lothar's death," She said quickly. "He knew the risks, and died a hero's death, facing his enemy in a honourable duel."
"I know, and Turalyon was prepared to pick up his sword when he fell, but one of the greatest heroes of the Alliance, the last blood of Arathi was killed, and I have a fraction of blame."
"Do not focus on regret, for it is deeper than any ocean, and you will drown faster the more you linger on the past," Ysondre said softly, almost in a dream.
"Thank you Ysondre," Uther smiled, lying on the ground with his rolled up cape as a pillow. "Will you two take turns watching out while we sleep?"
"Yes my lord" the two dragon women said, Ysondre quickly lying on the ground in the foetal position, while Onyxia looked out at the darkening landscape.
"Good night Uther" Sylvanas said softly, lying close to the fire. Uther saw her holding the sapphire necklace in her hands.
-AN-
I realise that the events at Blackrock Mountain are completely different in the lore, but the specifics are not known. In this version, all the known points are included; Lothar dies, Orgrim surrenders when the Alliance is not broken, and Turalyon rallies the Alliance to press on to the Dark Portal.