Lor ' themar Theron : In the Shadow of the Sun In the Shadow of the Sun is a short story in the " Leaders of the Horde " series by Sarah Pine and the grand prize winner of a creative writing contest held by Blizz ard in 2009 . The winning submission differs from the official " In the Shadow of the Sun " , which is published on Blizzard ' s Battle . net . Lor ' themar Theron : In the Shadow of the Sun ( Battle . net ) . The surface of Lor ' themar ' s desk had ceased to be visible underneath all the paper piled on top of it . Reports , missives , orders , and inventories teetered precariously in stacks he had long since stopped trying to organize . All of them were related to the short yet brutal war over Quel ' Danas and the Sunwell . None of them was currently on his mind . In his hand he held a single unopened envelope . Stamped into its violet sealing wax was a great eye , the symbol of Dalaran . It seemed to glare at him accusingly , reminding him of all the other similar letters he had received and discarded . He cracked the seal and removed the neatly folded parchment inside . By now Lor ' themar recognized the even , meticulous handwriting adorning the page . Archmage Aethas Sunreaver had requested an audience with the regent lord numerous times recently , but Lor ' themar had deliberately ignored him . Since the events on Quel ' Danas he had desperately tried to forget the rest of the world , but he realized the world would force itself upon him eventually . Lor ' themar sighed and leaned back in his chair . This letter was much briefer than its predecessors . This time Aethas had not asked , but had simply stated a date and time of arrival . Lor ' themar ran his thumb along the paper ' s rough edge . He had a good idea what Aethas was going to propose , and he was not yet certain how he wanted to answer . Lor ' themar was not any surer of his thoughts by the day Aethas was scheduled to arrive . As he made his way through Sunfury Spire to the front hall where the archmage would appear , Halduron stopped him , holding out a small bundle of soft crimson wool . Lor ' themar took it and held it up as it unfolded , beholding a regal golden phoenix upon its field : the Silvermoon City tabard . " No , " he said curtly , shoving the garment back at his friend . " You should wear it , " Halduron pressed . " What does it matter ? " he answered , striding forward . " Anyone in the service of Silvermoon may bear it . " " It is the symbol of state , " Halduron called after him . " You are the head of state . You should look the part . " " I am the regent lord , " Lor ' themar said , continuing to walk away . " Not the king . " " That is not the point , Lor ' themar . You look like a Farstrider . " Lor ' themar froze mid - step . " I am a Farstrider , " he replied , more sharply than he intended . " You were a Farstrider . " Halduron sighed . " You cannot ever be a Farstrider again , Lor ' themar . We know that for certain , now . " Lor ' themar bowed his head and took a deep breath . " We are going to be late , Halduron . " He walked on , and after a moment ' s pause he heard Halduron ' s footsteps on the floor behind him , following . Rommath was already awaiting them in the hall , leaning heavily against his staff and staring vacantly toward the far wall . He glanced at Lor ' themar and Halduron as they entered , a flicker of disapproval crossing his face , but he turned back again without speaking . There was a time when he would have disputed Lor ' themar ' s choice to present himself as a ranger far more aggressively than Halduron had , but not anymore . For all the thorn in his side that Rommath had often been , Lor ' themar could now find only pity within his heart for the mage . Kael ' thas ' s final betrayal had taken its greatest toll on his most loyal advocate . The air in front of them shimmered , gleaming violet — the unmistakable mark of arcane magic . A moment later a burst of bluish - white light illuminated the hall , and Aethas materialized in front of them . He straightened , brushing off his robes , and Lor ' themar could not help but notice how silly he looked . The elegant rich - purple mageweave of the Kirin Tor clashed horribly with his coppery hair and refused to fall properly across his slender frame . From his letters — and third - party rumors — Lor ' themar understood Aethas to be idealistic yet shrewd , and far too young for the position he had carved for himself in Dalaran . Then again , most of the elder sin ' dorei magi were dead . In the end , Lor ' themar supposed that Aethas ' s ambition was a good thing . At least someone among them still had hope . " Welcome home , Archmage Sunreaver , " he announced . Aethas flashed a smile . " Thank you , Lord Theron , " he answered , bowing graciously . " Would that I were returning to stay . " " Of course , " Lor ' themar replied diplomatically . " Your correspondence has familiarized me with the intent of your visit . Come this way ; my advisors and I will hear your appeal . " Ordinarily Lor ' themar would have led them all to the stately meeting hall at the north end of the palace . It was an impressive chamber designed specifically for this purpose . The day was clear , however , and the horizon as sharp as a shard of glass . The isle would be visible across the channel . Lor ' themar almost wished never to see Quel ' Danas again , so instead he took them to an alcove east of the main court , overlooking the domed , shadowed rooftops of Silvermoon City . They sat , and Aethas began . " I am here on matters of utmost importance — ones that concern us all . I am quite sure you are aware of the reason the Kirin Tor have relocated to Northrend . " " Malygos , yes , " Lor ' themar answered . " What is it you want ? " Aethas shook his head . " The blue flight ' s power and menace are far greater than even we first thought . I want to formalize our involvement with the Kirin Tor . It is imperative that the magi of Quel ' Thalas and Dalaran again work side by side , as we had for many years in the past . " " No . " Aethas started in irritation , a scowl deepening at the corners of his mouth and between his brows . The voice of dissent had not been Lor ' themar ' s . Turning to the speaker , he said , " I asked the regent lord . Not the grand magister . " Rommath laughed so bitterly , it sounded more like a cough . " Well , then , let the regent lord deign that I am fit to speak . " " I daresay we shall hear your opinion eventually in any case , " Lor ' themar said , schooling his wry tones as best he could . " Go on and say your piece . " Rommath ' s eyes glinted even in the well - lit room , which should have dimmed their glow . " How generous of you , Lor ' themar , " he replied , never shifting his gaze from Aethas ' s face . His voice sounded like a coiled snake : low and fierce and dangerous . " Did Modera send you with a statement before you left , Aethas ? You do not exactly sound like yourself . Your words drip of her false diplomacy . At least she dares not set foot here herself . She has that much of sense . I suppose I should be grateful for small mercies . " " Modera agrees with me on these matters , " Aethas answered stiffly , not rising to Rommath ' s bait . " She agrees with you , " Rommath mused , " or , rather , you agree with her , for I doubt they would send you here to speak on their behalf had you half a mind of your own . " " Damn it , Rommath . " Aethas ' s patience snapped . " Do you have anything useful to say , besides personal insults ? " " You are blind , " Rommath replied evenly , assuredly . " They bit off more than they can chew , and now they find themselves facing both Malygos and Arthas . They are afraid , as they should be . They need aid beyond their own capacity — and to whom have they always turned regarding matters of the arcane ? Oh , yes , to us . The members of the Kirin Tor will swear up and down that you are indispensable to them , that your skills are invaluable . The moment you become inconvenient , you will be discarded . " He cocked his head to the side , one long ear twitching almost imperceptibly as his eyes slid first to Halduron , then to Lor ' themar . " Ask them . They know . But not as well as I . " Aethas stared blankly back at Rommath . " Quel ' Thalas and the Kirin Tor have been allied for over two thousand years , " he said . " Since we joined formally with the Horde , things have been strained , but — " Rommath laughed again , loudly this time . " Since we joined the Horde , " he repeated . " Of course . That ' s somewhat awkward , I imagine . And do you , Archmage Sunreaver , remember exactly why we sought to join the Horde ? " Aethas did not answer , but he looked Rommath straight in the eye , unflinching . " A monumental betrayal , " Rommath said , his voice nearly a whisper . His eyes glittered with seething anger that nearly a decade had failed to quell . " In Dalaran , " he continued , " beneath the ever - watchful eyes of the Kirin Tor . " " They really had nothing to do with — " " I assume you mean , " Rommath interrupted , " that the Kirin Tor did nothing . Did nothing to prevent it , did nothing to stop it . And instead " — his voice began to rise — " left us to rot in the prisons beneath a city many of us called home as much as ever we did Silvermoon . A city our own crown prince had served as faithfully as his own homeland for longer than a human lifetime . A city we fought and died for , and at the request of the Kirin Tor . A city within whose walls they would have watched , in silence , as we all swung from a hangman ' s noose . Their city . " " The Kirin Tor find themselves under new leadership , " Aethas replied , and Lor ' themar felt that his controlled tone spoke well of the young archmage . " That is a lie , and you know it , " Rommath said . " Rhonin may be their figurehead , but Modera and Ansirem remain on the council . These are the same people who happily turned their eyes away when Garithos sentenced us to death . They can all rot in hell , or better yet , in Arthas ' s army as Scourge , " he scoffed . " Let us hope that none of the Council of Six ever ends up under Arthas ' s sway , Rommath , " Halduron said quietly . " Despite your obvious disdain for the Kirin Tor , you seem to be rather well informed , Grand Magister , " Aethas said . " Which would be one of the reasons I am the grand magister of Quel ' Thalas and you are not , I would think , " Rommath retorted . " And as grand magister I will never order my magi to service in the name of the Kirin Tor . Never . " Lor ' themar ' s fingers twitched against the smooth table top , and his mouth hardened . Rommath had walked a thin line , and overstepped it . " That is enough , " Lor ' themar said coolly . " You do not possess the authority to issue such ultimatums . It will be my decision whether to send our forces to Northrend — and if I so choose , you and your magi will follow orders . " Now , " he said , standing , " it is clear that to continue this will result in nothing more than petty bickering , and by all means , if the two of you wish to go on in such a manner , feel free . I , however , do not care to waste any more of my time . I would hazard the ranger - general feels similarly . " I have business in the south , " he continued , " and I had planned on leaving tomorrow . I do not think I shall disrupt those plans . You are welcome to stay , Archmage , but I may be gone a number of days . " Aethas did not reply , but nonetheless failed to successfully mask his irritation . Lor ' themar was more than content to let him be upset . He turned to leave . " There are those who will go to Dalaran whether you will it or not , Regent Lord , " Aethas ' s voice called out across the room . Lor ' themar paused and turned to face him as he continued . " Give me at least the blessing to speak on behalf of the regency of Silvermoon , and I will see to it that the interests of the sin ' dorei are protected . " Rommath snorted in response , but said nothing . For a moment Lor ' themar considered Aethas ' s request , but the younger elf was in no position to bargain . They all knew well that Aethas ' s skills in statesmanship were far outclassed by the other men in the room . " I shall have a servant show you to your quarters , Archmage , " Lor ' themar said . Aethas had left graciously enough , sparing one or two mean looks in Rommath ' s direction . The grand magister had appeared resolute , but Lor ' themar could see the sway in his step and the lines of exhaustion that had resettled heavily upon his face the moment Aethas had gone beyond sight . Carefully Lor ' themar had noted Rommath ' s fragility ; his will could be bent . Once , in the past , Lor ' themar would have called it ignoble to even consider using such a thing against another . Now he recognized its necessity . Alone , he sat by the window in his quarters and mulled over the afternoon ' s debates . Absently he twisted the long curtain between his hands as he stared across the spire ' s gardens , hearing Aethas ' s determined voice in his head . There are those who will go to Dalaran whether you will it or not . Lor ' themar could not deny that truth , but privately he agreed with Rommath ' s disdain . How could he trust Aethas to faithfully represent the regency when he already cloaked himself in the dress of the Kirin Tor and stamped their seal upon his correspondence ? Aethas was committed to the Nexus War : that much was clear . How many others would he convince to follow him ? And how far was he , as regent lord , obliged to protect his people when they forged into ambiguous territory ? The cloth stretched and began to fray beneath Lor ' themar ' s ungentle , unconscious attentions . He failed to notice . " I am not sure , " Halduron confessed to him later that evening . He had found the regent lord still sitting by the window , staring sullenly into the sunset . One glance had sent him wordlessly to the liquor shelf to generously fill a glass for his old friend . Now the ranger - general sat across from him . " I believe his intentions are honest , " Halduron continued . " I just do not know how far we can trust honest intentions , even among our own people . " Lor ' themar stood and went to the shelf to top up his drink . " I worry that if we give him authority to act on our behalf , he would — intentionally or not — promise something from us that I am not willing to give . " Lor ' themar paused and looked toward the carved ceiling . " Then again , if enough sin ' dorei follow him to Dalaran , he will end up their de facto leader anyway , and I am loath to have him acting as such without obligation to the cro — Silvermoon . " " It would be better if Rommath were not so stubborn , " Halduron mused . " He lived in Dalaran for a long time ; he bears the archmage title himself , you know . He has enough experience with the Kirin Tor to know how to handle them , and enough loyalty to his country that I believe we could trust him . He would be an ideal liaison for Aethas . " Lor ' themar smiled faintly at Halduron ' s words . " Well , is that not a strange thing , to hear you speak well of Rommath ? " " I never approved of that business with M ' uru , or the formation of the Blood Knights , no , " Halduron admitted . " But that is behind us now , and we have no more reason to doubt him . If he were going to betray us , he would have done it when Kael ' thas . . . " The words drifted and froze in Halduron ' s throat . Neither of them spoke for a long moment . " Well , " he added finally . " He would have done it then . " " So what do you think ? " Lor ' themar changed the subject and returned to his seat by the window . " What should we do about Aethas and Dalaran ? " " Aethas considers himself a member of the Kirin Tor , " Halduron replied . " And I can think of a number of others who would be pleased to bear that mantle again as well . If the Kirin Tor want to admit blood elves , we cannot stop them from doing so . " " No , we cannot , " Lor ' themar answered . He was silent a moment . " However , it is my instinct that we should eschew official involvement in the Nexus War . Aethas should report to us periodically , and we should give him a clear set of boundaries . But those who wish to offer their services may do so under the banner of the Kirin Tor — not Quel ' Thalas . " One corner of Halduron ' s mouth twisted up into a sardonic smirk , and Lor ' themar pretended not to notice the melancholy in his friend ' s eyes . " What was that you said this morning about being a Farstrider ? You sound more like a king every day , Lor ' themar , " Halduron remarked . From where he sat , Halduron could not see the way Lor ' themar ' s fingers tightened around his glass . A few days later Lor ' themar , atop his hawkstrider , picked his way through the northern foothills of the Eastern Plaguelands . He winced to look at the land ; he was an elf , and , moreover , a ranger — a child of the open woods , of clear water and golden leaves . The sight of the cracked , foamy soil and withered trees of eastern Lordaeron twisted his heart and nearly made him retch . Such would be the fate of Quel ' Thalas if not for his people ' s unrelenting vigilance . Lor ' themar looked behind him . Three Farstrider honor guards followed , taken at Halduron ' s and Rommath ' s insistence . " By all means , " Halduron had said , " you should not be going at all — I thought for sure you would give up this silly notion when Aethas decided to drop by . But I can see that nothing I can say will stop you , so you are at least going to take an escort . Do not argue . " Rommath had wanted to send a few of the Blood Knights , which was out of the question . " They will not be well received , " Lor ' themar had pointed out . And nor will I , he added silently . Fortunately Rommath had not pressed the point . At last the ridge he sought came into view . At a glance it would seem to be just another jutting projection on a low , rocky face , but he knew better . He drew his mount into a sharp turn , picking out the path , and continued up at a quick pace . There was no point in stealth , for the scouts would already have seen them . As he expected , about halfway up the winding trail two figures suddenly materialized from behind the rocks . Their blades clashed as they barred the way , the sound echoing violently into the eerie stillness of the Plaguelands . " Who would come to Quel ' Lithien Lodge ? " one asked . Lor ' themar looked down at him evenly . " Do not be an idiot . You know who I am . " The other looked him straight in the eye . " That does not mean you are welcome , Lord Theron . " Lor ' themar unsheathed both of the swords he wore across his back . The Quel ' Lithien guards ' knuckles whitened around their own weapons , and he saw one twitch his fingers slightly , readying the signal of attack to the myriad others who were surely hidden throughout the terrain . Silently the regent lord tossed his blades to the ground , then loosed his bow and quiver and dropped them as well . He motioned for his escorts to do the same , and when they had done so , he raised an eyebrow . " Is that convincing enough of my honest intent ? " The first Lithien scout spoke again . " Tell us why you have come . " " I have news for Ranger Lord Hawkspear and High Priestess Skycaller , " he said . " Regarding … " He cleared his throat . " Regarding Prince Kael ' thas . " The guards considered this a moment , one briefly glancing at the other , but for the most part their eyes never left Lor ' themar — eyes still blue and untainted , Lor ' themar could not help but notice . At last one guard jerked his head toward the ridge . " Fine , then , " he said , " the ranger lord can decide what to do with you . Follow me . " The other snapped his fingers and , as Lor ' themar had predicted , half a dozen more Lithien scouts jumped out from various gullies and fissures in the rock to collect the arms he and his guards had left in the dirt . Silently , Lor ' themar followed them . At the top of the trail , nestled among the boulders and dry brush , Quel ' Lithien Lodge rose in front of them . Its fine wood siding had faded and pitted , undoubtedly due to the ravages of the plague , and the Farstriders had camouflaged its beams with rotting foliage . Lor ' themar ' s stomach pitched strangely as the lodge came into view , and he tried not to think of the days when its surroundings had been green and his visits greeted with delighted shouts , not angry blades . Those days were lost . He handed his hawkstrider to one of the scouts . She collected it and left him with a suspicious glare . One of the rangers who had stopped him on the trail had run ahead into the lodge . As Lor ' themar watched , the ranger returned , trailing two elves he had not seen in several years . " Lor ' themar Theron . " High Priestess Aurora Skycaller ' s voice was measured and not a little unkind . " I must admit I am surprised to find you here . " " You have some nerve , " Renthar Hawkspear said cruelly , " to show your face . I should have a dozen archers turn you into a pincushion . " The words stung , even though he had expected them . He closed his good eye and slowly opened it again . " I have news , " he said simply , " that you should know . " " You could not have sent a letter ? " Renthar sneered . " Would you have read it ? " Lor ' themar answered , and the small twitch at the corner of Aurora ' s lip and the deepened scowl across Renthar ' s face told him what he already knew : they would not have . " I did not come all this way because of something trivial , " he said at last . " Will you at least hear what I have to say ? " Renthar and Aurora eyed him wordlessly , then turned and walked into the lodge . Lor ' themar followed , painfully aware of the high elven eyes watching him as he passed . The Farstrider outposts of the Eastern Kingdoms had never been lavish , but Quel ' Lithien ' s austerity was sobering . A number of the walls were scored deeply from some sort of blade and the dark stains trod into the floorboards were surely blood . Yet the elves clearly took pride in the lodge ' s keeping ; the curtains , though worn , were carefully hemmed with even stitches . The ancient map of eastern Lordaeron nailed to the wall had been heavily annotated , but in elegant script , with not so much as a single blot of ink upon its yellowed parchment . A strange little ache grew inside of Lor ' themar as he saw each of these things , as if he had rediscovered a forgotten lover ' s letter . He had lived the life of a Farstrider , in a past that seemed so distant now as to be nothing but a dream . " In here , " Renthar said , jerking his thumb toward a small room and banging the door open with a shove . " Close it behind you , " he told Lor ' themar without looking back . Lor ' themar sat across from Aurora . Renthar swept several scraps of bloodied leather armor off the narrow table before sitting next to her , and it almost made Lor ' themar smile vaguely , the way they stared him down like judges at a tribunal . " You said you had something to say . " Renthar ' s voice cut the stillness . " So say it . " " Several weeks ago a number of the Sunfury forces returned to us . " Renthar ' s and Aurora ' s eyes rounded with disbelief . It gave Lor ' themar a smug , but hollow , satisfaction . " By the Sunwell , " Aurora said softly . " I cannot say I ever thought they would . " " So , then . " Renthar ' s eyes glittered strangely — he almost reminded Lor ' themar of Rommath . " Are you here on the prince ' s orders to offer us an official apology ? " " I might be , " Lor ' themar answered , " if he were alive . " If either of the high elves in front of him had looked shocked before , it was nothing compared to their expressions now . The color drained from both their faces . " Explain , damn you , " Renthar demanded . Lor ' themar took a deep breath and began to outline the events of the recent past . He had not entirely anticipated how painful it would be to relay the story , especially to two people who so thoroughly despised him . He drew the words from his throat , one by one , sometimes forcefully . He had to spit them across the room to get them out at all . When at last he had finished , he blinked once , as if waking up . " The Sunwell is thus returned to us , " Aurora said . She turned her face to the window . " Yes , " Lor ' themar replied . The Plaguelands ' absolute , dead silence fell across them . Lor ' themar bowed his head , reliving his own moment of comprehension , when the last dust of battle had settled on Quel ' Danas and the Sunwell had shone majestic and proud once again . He had stared into it with the same paralyzed expression that had now etched itself into Renthar ' s and Aurora ' s faces , and had found no joy in its glow . He had never dreamed the price of its return could be too much to pay . Aurora ' s voice startled him . " I had wondered why the pangs of the addiction felt so eased lately . I have not needed . . . help . . . to cope . " " The magic in the Sunwell is different now , " Lor ' themar said . " It may take a while for some to adjust . " " Some , yes . " Aurora reached her hand up and seemed to grasp something that Lor ' themar could not see , twisting it between her fingers as if it were a long ribbon . " I am a priestess of the Light . I know this magic . " " It was a great gift , " Lor ' themar heard himself say . Aurora looked sidelong at him , and he knew his lack of conviction had not gone unnoticed . " If the prince is dead , " Renthar said , " then what will become of the crown of Quel ' Thalas ? " " Kael ' thas himself decreed that Anasterian will always be the last king of Quel ' Thalas . The crown is unclaimed . " Renthar narrowed his eyes . " And if someone were to lay such a claim ? " " There are none alive with any right to it . " Renthar looked him right in the eye . Lor ' themar matched his gaze just as fiercely . Renthar Hawkspear could doubt him in any way but this one . Aurora spoke again . " I suppose this is what you came to tell us of . " " Yes , " Lor ' themar replied . " Then feel free to leave , " said Renthar . Lor ' themar closed his eye . " There is one more thing . " This would be the hardest . " Is there ? " Renthar ' s voice was flat . " Well ? " " Since the Sunfury have returned to us , " Lor ' themar began , " and our position in the Ghostlands is more … secure … the Farstriders are finding themselves stretched a bit less . They — I — would send you regular supplies . " Lor ' themar had become accustomed to the mockery of those he could not please , but he had not fully anticipated the pointed sting that Renthar ' s laugh elicited . Even Aurora ' s face , normally so controlled and serene , flushed deeply with undisguised contempt . " Five years we rot here , thrown out of our homes at your behest because we refuse to suck magic from living things like vampires . " Renthar began to rise from his seat , leaning across the table , truly shaking with rage . " And now you want to offer aid ? After all we have been through , you come now ? After what the Horde did to us in the name of that bastard human who called himself ranger ? How blind do you think I am , Lor ' themar ? I should kill you . I should kill you and send Sylvanas your head ! " Even through Renthar ' s outburst , Lor ' themar latched onto one word and held fast . Ranger , he had said , and not just any — a human ranger . As far as Lor ' themar knew , there had only ever been one . " I thought , " he began slowly , " that Nathanos Marris died to the Scourge . " Both Aurora and Renthar turned slowly to look at him , their faces as cold as ivory dolls . For the first time since he had arrived for this confrontation , Lor ' themar heard his heart hammering in his ears , the lump in his throat making it difficult to swallow . Aurora spoke first . " He did , " she said . Lor ' themar stared hard at Aurora ' s face . There was something else here , something lurking like a shadow in the corners of the room , and he would know what it was before he left . " He did not become Scourge , " she said . " Sylvanas did always take a strange pride in him , " Renthar muttered , looking away . " It should not be much of a surprise that she would call him to her service before Arthas had the chance to sway his will . " ' We come in the name of the champion of the Banshee Queen , ' " he quoted . " That is what they said when they arrived . ' You have something that belongs to him . ' " Renthar turned again to face Lor ' themar . " We held a copy of the registry detailing Marris ' s acceptance into the Farstriders . They took it by force , and slaughtered any of my rangers they could find . Horde , Lor ' themar . Including Forsaken . Sylvanas ' s people . Your allies . " Lor ' themar could not speak ; he did not trust his voice not to shake . " Once I would have gladly laid down my life at the ranger - general ' s request . " Renthar ' s voice filled with unbearable bitterness . " We are no longer her people . And nor are we yours . " " Renthar , " Lor ' themar started , " for all our differences , you know I would not have — " Renthar laughed , interrupting him . " You send us here to be ignored , inconvenient as we are , and then dare to be shocked when we suffer ? There are no curses foul enough to describe you , Lor ' themar . I know whose troops sit in Tranquillien , Regent Lord . I wonder how many of your own , sin ' dorei rangers , they have killed beneath your very nose . Deal with the devil as you please . I can only hope that you get what you deserve . " Now go , " he said quietly . " Send supplies if you wish . I will return the bearers ' hearts to you , wrapped in their own tabards . " Lor ' themar stood and turned to leave . They had caught him off guard , and the walls around him no longer held the assurance of solidity . He saw Aurora stand and stare him down , her chin high and defiant . Neither she nor Renthar spoke another word , and it seemed as if the sheer force of their hatred pushed him from the room . He had no reason to fight them . He could , perhaps , offer his palms in penance , but they would only spit upon them , and in truth he could not find it in his heart to fault them . If he had held any hope of atonement before — and perhaps he had — the Plaguelands ' desolation had smothered it , as it did all that lived and dreamed . These bridges had burned long ago , his own hand setting them to flame . All three of his guards sat waiting in the front room , surrounded by quel ' dorei rangers with arrows nocked in their bowstrings . He walked straight outside ; his rangers followed silently . In the yard a Quel ' Lithien scout held the reins of their hawkstriders , and another carried their weapons . Lor ' themar took his things , swung into the saddle , and turned back to where Renthar and Aurora stood watching . The impulse seized him to say something , anything , to bridge the gulf that stretched between them , but whatever words he intended dried and crumbled to dust in his mouth . He turned his hawkstrider away and did not look back . As they rode upward through the Thalassian Pass several hours later , it began to snow . They passed through the gates that demarked the southern boundary of Quel ' Thalas with hardly a glance . Once their arches had soared , golden and white , seeming to leap out of the rocks themselves and cascade to the ground like a waterfall of marble and amber . Arthas had laid them , like everything , to waste . Dark banners of the Scourge still hung high from the ramparts , snapping and popping above their heads in the mountain wind . " Lord Theron , " one of his escorts called , " you should wear your cloak in this weather . " Lor ' themar did not respond . He could not possibly become any more frozen than he already felt . The snowflakes drove into his face and rubbed his skin raw . Halduron and Rommath awaited Lor ' themar in Silvermoon upon his return . So did Aethas , much to Lor ' themar ' s chagrin . When Halduron looked at him and said , " Well ? " Lor ' themar simply shook his head . Halduron raised his eyebrows as if to ask , What did you expect ? Rommath did not meet his eye . " How did they react to you ? " Aethas asked . Lor ' themar turned to stare at him . " Five years ago I threw them out of the homes they had fought for every bit as fiercely as anyone in Quel ' Thalas today , " he answered . " How do you think they reacted ? " Aethas winced . " Vereesa Windrunner is married to the new leader of the Kirin Tor . She is not fond of me , or those I represent . I had hoped … because you were a ranger … " Aethas shrugged . " I thought maybe you could help us bridge that gap . I suppose not . " Lor ' themar scowled at the mention of Vereesa ' s name . " You suppose correctly , " he said . That afternoon he relayed to Halduron the details of his trip to Quel ' Lithien in between gulps of Eversong wine . " Of course they were going to treat you with contempt . You always knew that , " his ranger - general reprimanded him . " Honestly , I do not know why you bothered to go at all . " " You would have done the same , " Lor ' themar answered , and Halduron frowned . " You know me too well , " he said at last . He slouched in his chair and stared out the window . " They did not know about the Sunwell , " Lor ' themar said . " It was right that I went . " " Whom are you trying to convince here ? " Halduron asked , bemused . " Halduron , " Lor ' themar said quickly , " do you remember Nathanos Marris ? " " Of course , " he said , frowning . " So what ? " " Aurora told me he was raised as undead , " Lor ' themar replied . " Sylvanas called him to her service . He is known as the champion of the Banshee Queen . " Halduron leaned back in his chair , balancing on its rearmost legs and resting his palms behind his head . " Funny , that , " he said . " Sylvanas was always championing him . Kae — er — some — were not keen on letting a human train with the Farstriders . Myself included . " " The rangers at Quel ' Lithien were attacked by a group of Horde in the name of the Banshee Queen ' s champion , " Lor ' themar said finally . He drained his glass of its contents and set it on the desk . " Many of them were killed . " The front legs of Halduron ' s chair came down to the floor with a bang . " Why would he want to attack Quel ' Lithien ? " Lor ' themar shrugged . " Quel ' Lithien had a copy of the Thalassian registry where Sylvanas gave her final word admitting him into the Farstriders . Apparently he wanted it . " " So he sent his subordinates to attack them ? Over a book ? " Halduron ' s voice filled with disbelief . " That is what they told me . " " Are you sure they were not lying ? " " It occurred to me , " Lor ' themar admitted , " but if ever Renthar Hawkspear was anything , it was principled . " " And I cannot imagine Aurora being dishonest a day in her life , " Halduron added . He sighed heavily . " Do you think Sylvanas knows ? " Lor ' themar shook his head . " I do not know . " " Do you think she would care , if she did know ? " That was the question Lor ' themar had been dreading . " I do not know that , either . What if she does not ? " He covered his face with his hands . " They were her rangers . " " They were yours when you exiled them , " Halduron said quietly . " Actually , they were yours , " Lor ' themar snapped back . He bristled a moment in fury , but then his shoulders sagged . Renthar ' s words echoed ghostly in his head . You send us here to be ignored , and then dare to be shocked when we suffer ? " I never wanted to see them dead , " Lor ' themar said at last , cringing to hear the plea in his own voice , " but I could not afford to lead a nation divided … " A heavy hand on his shoulder made him lift his head . " I know , " Halduron said , placing a refilled glass in front of him . " Get a hold of yourself . " His voice was gruff , but not unkind . " We always knew it was a risk to trust the Forsaken . But who else ever offered to fight for Quel ' Thalas at all ? " Lor ' themar lifted his glass . The afternoon sunlight shone through it and turned its contents a rusty red , like the soils of the Plaguelands . Lor ' themar tapped his fingers against his desk , dully recounting his notes from the various meetings with Aethas . He would have to give the archmage a definitive answer either today or tomorrow . He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger and glanced toward the wine on the shelf . A knock on the door disturbed his thoughts . " Yes ? " he answered . The courier hastily bowed and addressed him . " Lord Theron , your presence is requested in the hall . " Lor ' themar frowned . Halduron and Rommath would have come themselves , and Aethas probably too , at this point . " I am not available , " he replied flatly . " My lord , " said the courier , " the Banshee Queen will not wait . " Lor ' themar felt his heart sink into the pit of his stomach . He rose to his feet . " No , " he said quietly , " of course she will not . Show me to her . " The courier turned on his heel , but not without one uneasy glance at the regent lord . Lor ' themar steeled himself as he followed . He took the minutes that they spent walking to the front hall to collect his thoughts . During the years he had now spent ruling Quel ' Thalas , he had found it to be very nearly a physical action , the way he had to draw the mantle of authority about himself . He could feel the change , right down to the tips of his fingers . In front of Sylvanas he would need all the resolve he could muster . Halduron and Rommath joined him silently as he walked . The ranger - general ' s face was hard . Rommath was more detached ; he knew what to expect , but his horror was distant and impersonal , unlike Lor ' themar and Halduron ' s . To them , Sylvanas ' s fate was a wound ripped raw again every time they saw her , and its pain had yet to dull . In the hall where she stood , the light seemed to fade ; it was not that it dimmed or dulled but that it collapsed and sunk into the space she occupied , as if even sunshine faltered around her . The ferocious white glow of her eyes threw the pallid skin of her pinched face into even greater relief . Her Royal Dreadguards flanked her , clutching blackened blades in their skeletal hands . All Lor ' themar could hear as he entered the hall was the echo of his own footsteps , and even that seemed to fade unnaturally quickly in the presence of the Banshee Queen . " What brings you to Silvermoon , Sylvanas ? " he asked . " I have just returned from Orgrimmar , " she said . Her voice scraped against the walls . As her mouth moved , Lor ' themar could see the flesh around it crack and peel like a long - discarded snakeskin . " Arthas has dared to strike at the heart of the Horde . " Lor ' themar ' s mouth went dry , and a great tide of unease began to rise in his chest . Sylvanas paused a moment , scrutinizing his face for a reaction . He clenched his teeth but remained quiet . " The attack was successfully repelled , " she continued . " But Arthas is only toying with us — we must bring the war to him . Warchief Thrall at last sees what we have long known . " Her eyes glittered with a dangerous eagerness . " The Horde prepares for war . And the sin ' dorei , Lor ' themar , constitute a portion of the Horde . " Her words hit him like stones . He knew what she was asking , had always known that this day would come . And yet , as he stood in the hall , suddenly conscious of how its grand space swallowed him , he found himself unable to respond . " Lor ' themar . " Sylvanas ' s words shattered around him in impatience . " We go to destroy Arthas — once and for all . " Slowly , Lor ' themar shook his head . " I appreciate that you and Warchief Thrall wish us to join you on the initial front in Northrend . But we are stretched too thin . We have already received a similar request from the Kirin Tor , but I cannot in good faith send our forces north . Since the events at Quel ' Danas — " " This is not a request , Lor ' themar , " she interrupted . Her eyes flashed red in anger . " You will send troops . They will accompany the Forsaken . " " Sylvanas , " Lor ' themar said quietly , " we have just fought a civil war . What can we possibly have to give ? " " Have you forgotten who is responsible for the state of Quel ' Thalas in the first place ? Who is ultimately to blame ? " She searched his face for a reply , and when he gave none , she continued . " Well , I , at least , have not ! My vengeance will not be denied , and you will give what I demand of you : the sin ' dorei rangers and magi , as well as the Blood Knights . " " We cannot spare them , Sylvanas . " Her flaking lips curled into a sneer . " Then you can hide here like a beaten dog if that is indeed your will , Lor ' themar . Though if you believe anything can come from it , you are a fool . Do you think Arthas will be content to ignore you whilst you wait here and lick your wounds ? Do you think I will tolerate such cowardice ? I would warn you : those who do not stand with the Forsaken stand against them . And those who stand against the Forsaken will not stand long . " For a while now my people have stood guard in these lands , and it is by my hand that you have any place within the Horde . You will aid us in Northrend , or I shall cease to aid you in Quel ' Thalas . " In the south , near the Plaguelands , where the Scourge still ran rampant across the Dead Scar despite every effort , they could not afford the loss of Sylvanas ' s troops . He had not lied to Aurora and Renthar when he had said that their position in the Ghostlands was more secure , but he was not so naï ve as to think it could be held by Thalassian forces alone . Without the Forsaken , Tranquillien would fall . And what , then , would follow ? For the second time since he had returned from Quel ' Lithien , he heard Hawkspear ' s words in his memory . We are no longer her people . If Lor ' themar was honest with himself , he could not deny that he had known it all the while . " Send my exhausted people to find more death in Northrend , or risk losing Quel ' Thalas to the Scourge once again . " From far away he heard his own laugh , and it sounded more like one of Rommath ' s . " There is no choice here , Sylvanas . " The Banshee Queen eyed him dispassionately . " I will expect your forces at the Undercity in two weeks , Lor ' themar , " she replied . " I will not be disappointed in this . " " Yes , my lady . " She turned to leave . " How can you do this ? " Lor ' themar registered the desperate anger in Rommath ' s voice with a sort of dull surprise ; the grand magister seemed still to believe somewhere that Sylvanas could be made to negotiate . " This is blackmail ! " Rommath continued , the knuckles of his fists paling as he clenched them around his staff . " It was you who pleaded to aid us in the first place ! We never asked for your assistance ; you gave it of your own free will ! How can you call yourselves our allies in one breath and hold our lands for ransom in the next ? " Sylvanas considered him a moment , somehow managing to look down upon him though he was taller than she . " You were never required to accept my offers , " she said . " You chose to . All I ask for now is the will and power to defeat our greatest foe . " Rommath glared at her in sheer hatred , but Lor ' themar spoke before he could . " Is there anything else you wish to discuss , Sylvanas ? " To his own ears he sounded defeated , bereft of will and passion . Discuss , a little voice taunted him . As if there could ever be any discussion with the Banshee Queen . " No . I am finished here , Lor ' themar . " " Shorel ' aran , Sylvanas , " he said . Her eyes flashed at the Thalassian farewell , and she said nothing more . Lor ' themar watched her go with listless interest ; he looked only because there was nothing else to see . He felt as brittle as a blade of grass in a frost . As Lor ' themar turned he noticed with distaste that Aethas had appeared at some point during the meeting . It vexed him that the archmage had witnessed his humiliation , but he had little strength left to concern himself with pride . Even through his daze , his mind was already preoccupied with lists . He was familiar with war . Halduron would summon Captain Sunbrand and Lieutenant Dawnrunner . Rommath would notify the magi ; he could also represent the Blood Knights while they sent word to Liadrin . Aethas would indeed have his chance to prove himself . Lor ' themar wandered back down the hallway as if in a dream . " Lor ' themar ! " He stopped and turned to the speaker , trying to tame his face , to appear attentive or interested . In truth , he was exhausted . He wanted nothing more than to return to his desk and be alone , to busy himself with necessary , mindless tasks and forget for a while what had transpired here . As usual , Rommath would not let him have his way . " Lor ' themar , " he called again as he caught up to the regent lord . " You cannot seriously — we do not — " " You heard her , Rommath , " Lor ' themar interrupted . " We go to Northrend or we lose Forsaken support — and likely the rest of the Horde ' s as well . So we go . " He turned to leave again . " There are still soldiers in the infirmaries from Quel ' Danas ! " Rommath continued . " We have not even held a proper service for the dead — by the Sunwell , Lor ' themar ! " " We do not have a choice , Rommath ; do you not understand that ? We do as Sylvanas asks or we quite possibly lose all of Quel ' Thalas south of the Elrendar River ! " " So , let it go ! " Rommath shouted , and Lor ' themar froze in shock . Slowly he turned back once again , catching sight of Halduron ' s equally startled face as he did . " Let it go ? " His voice started to rise . " Do you know how many elves — sin ' dorei and quel ' dorei alike — died to defend that land ? How many continue to die ? And you say I should just let it go ? What the hell is wrong with you ? " " They would rather have died in vain than have given their lives just so you could turn into nothing more than the puppet of some — some monster , in the name of their sacrifice ! " Lor ' themar could not believe what he was hearing . Rommath glared at him , not in anger or contempt , but in wild and shockingly uncharacteristic desperation . During all of Lor ' themar ' s tenure as regent , though he and Rommath had argued on many counts , Rommath had never lost his composure or poise . Now he practically shook . Out of the corner of his eye , Lor ' themar noticed that a small crowd had gathered . He had no wish to cause a scene . " Do not fall for her threats , " Rommath said quietly , and Lor ' themar realized in horrified awe that he was pleading . " She will only use you . " Lor ' themar clenched his fists in resentment . " I will do whatever it takes to protect Quel ' Thalas and its people , " he stated . " Even if it means being used . And you will obey my orders . Do I make myself clear ? " " And how long do you think you can play this kind of game ? " " As long as I need to , " Lor ' themar answered , unflinching . Rommath had run up against his obstinacy , and the regent lord would not be easily bested . He straightened and stared Rommath down . Rommath stared back for a moment , but his whole body seemed to sag . He closed his eyes . " Another leader of the sin ' dorei once said something very similar to me , Lor ' themar , " he said softly , looking away . " I did not argue with him then ; indeed , at the time , I thought him right . " Lor ' themar ' s blood ran cold . " We buried him on Quel ' Danas , " Rommath said . He sighed heavily . " I will notify Lady Liadrin and Magister Bloodsworn of your decision , Regent Lord . I will report back to you with their preparations . " He left without another word , his shoulders hunched . Barely able to think , Lor ' themar blankly watched the grand magister ' s receding figure until it disappeared around a corner . " Lor ' themar . " Halduron ' s quiet voice startled him out of his trance . He turned to his friend only to find the ranger - general regarding him strangely , as if seeing him for the first time . Lor ' themar wanted to shake him , to yell at him to stop looking like that . " What are the regent lord ' s orders ? " Halduron asked . His formality was unnerving . " Send word to Farstrider Retreat and Farstrider Enclave , " he answered . " Tell them what has been decided . " Halduron nodded , leaving him with a final , unreadable glance . Lor ' themar looked around , one dark scowl sending the servants and palace guards scurrying back to their respective duties . The only person who remained in the hallway was Aethas Sunreaver , who refused to be ignored . " If you are going to Northrend , will you also support the Kirin — " " The Kirin Tor can do whatever they damn well please — it is no concern of mine , " Lor ' themar snapped . " But seeing as any number of sin ' dorei forces will shortly be heading north , I expect many of them will likely end up on your doorstep . You will do what you can to aid them , Aethas . Now go find Rommath . I am sure he will have much use for you . " Lor ' themar ' s contempt finally bested him . " I suppose you should be pleased , Archmage . " Aethas shook his head . " It is true I wished to acquire your support in Northrend , Regent Lord . But not on these terms . Believe me when I say I would rather have seen you agree of your own free will , not because of — " " My free will remains intact , thank you , " Lor ' themar interrupted him again , smarting from the sting in Aethas ' s words . " And it is still by my will that Quel ' Thalas is ruled . " " Of course , my lord , " Aethas answered , bowing slightly in conciliation . But as he raised his head , Lor ' themar could see that the apology did not extend to his eyes . Seething , Lor ' themar turned on his heel and left him there , standing alone beneath leaden banners of red and gold . Journal of the Regent Lord , entry 83 I cannot remember the last time I told anyone such a bald - faced lie , even since I was forced into politics . But I did lie to Aethas , and he knows it , and I know it , and anyone who heard me say it knows it . My will means very little , in fact . I can pretend my power is real , but in the end , it is all an act , and none of it is honest . I can wash my hands of it , play martyr , be victimized , and accomplish nothing , or I can fight and victimize others in my turn and thus become the essence of all I have battled . If I have ever rationalized my choices using any other logic , I was certainly lying to myself . Hawkspear was right : I deal with the devil indeed , but the Sunwell may never have been restored had we not sunk to those levels . He and Aurora can sleep soundly , knowing they have never compromised their ethics , but if they deny that they prosper in the wake of those who have , then they delude themselves as much as I . Here I find myself so close to believing that the ends justify the means . But the ruins of the Magisters ' Terrace will haunt me forever , reminding me of the fate I tempt with that thought . This is the line I walk , finally knowing that the actions I take in necessity are nonetheless indefensible . Those truths can never be reconciled , but sometimes I can hold them both side by side and almost understand . I might call this revelation profound if I were ignorant enough not to realize that I am only learning what Kael ' thas , and Anasterian before him , had also learned in their turns . All we can do is walk the road we are given with such dignity as we can muster , each to our own glory or demise , and pray that there yet remains something of our own hearts when all is said and done . By the Sunwell , I hope that there will remain something of mine . Lor ' themar Theron : In the Shadow of the Sun ( Creative writing contest winner ) . Lor ' themar stared at the letter upon his desk . The envelope ' s broken seal glinted strangely and seemed somehow to reflect his gaze through its deep violet wax . He sighed and lifted the parchment again , ignoring the ridiculous introduction and scripted lettering meant to flatter . It was upon the second page , subtly cached within a number of meandering sentences , that Aethas Sunreaver had announced his visit . It was phrased nonchalantly , but Lor ' themar now had seven years of practice in these matters and had become quite good at teasing apart such political communications . Halduron had been unimpressed . " Not even a request , " his old friend and colleague had said , scowling . " He ' s just decided to show up , has he ? " What Halduron had not known was that Aethas had , in fact , requested audience with the regent lord several times over many months , and , uneager to confront him , Lor ' themar had deliberately ignored his pleas . More recently there had been a good excuse , but Lor ' themar still physically winced to think upon the events that had transpired at Quel ' Danas . They , and their consequences , were still far too near . He let the page fall back onto his desktop . Aethas had bad timing ; Lor ' themar had planned on traveling the day after the archmage would arrive , and he doubted he would feel compelled to postpone his original plans . That was Aethas ' loss . Lor ' themar sighed . The parchment slid through his fingers as once had the long wooden shafts of Farstrider arrows . He had a good idea of what Aethas was going to ask when he arrived , and he still did not know how he wanted to answer . Days later he stood among the red - and - gold draping in the front court of Sunfury Spire , Halduron and Rommath flanking him on either side . On his way down Halduron had stopped him , proffering a small bundle of soft crimson wool . Taking it , Lor ' themar had held it up as it unraveled , beholding a regal golden phoenix upon its bloody red field : the Sunstrider tabard . " No , " he said curtly , shoving the garment back at his friend . " You should wear it , " Halduron pressed . " You are in charge , you know . " " I am the regent lord , " he answered , striding forward . " Not the king . " " You may as well be , " Halduron called after him . " There is no one else to take your place . " Lor ' themar did not look back . The truth of Halduron ' s words nipped at his heels , sharp and unrelenting , as the ranger - general followed him to court . For now , at least , Lor ' themar clothed himself in the green of the Farstriders . Once Rommath would have protested and cited it unseemly for the regent to show favor toward one branch of the Thalassian leadership versus another . These days the fight had drained from the grand magister , pooling away in little eddies that left him hollow . Even now he stared vacantly into the hall , leaning so heavily onto his staff that Lor ' themar could almost see him tremble as though he stood on a sheet of ice . For all the thorn in his side that Rommath had often been , Lor ' themar could only find pity within his heart for the ailing mage . Kael ' thas ' final betrayal had left Rommath the most cold and barren of all . The air in front of them shimmered , flashing violet — the unmistakable mark of magic . A moment later a swirling , bluish gate appeared , hovering impressively above the hall ' s pale ceramic tile . Aethas materialized through it , stumbling clumsily as he stepped into sight , his own awkward mannerism tarnishing the regality of his spell . He regained his composure quickly , sweeping his robes around him as he straightened . Lor ' themar could not help but notice how silly he looked ; the elegant rich purple mageweave of the Kirin Tor clashed horribly with his coppery hair and refused to drape properly across his slender frame , making him seem like some small child playing at filling a grown man ' s place . Lor ' themar only thought briefly of whose place that had been before he remembered and , shrinking from the memory , violently drowned the thought in his mind . " Welcome home , Archmage Sunreaver , " he announced , and he could still surprise himself at the skill with which he portrayed authority . Aethas flashed a nervous smile and seemed even more absurdly young than before . " Thank you , Lord Theron , " he answered , bowing graciously . " Would that I were returning to stay . " " Of course , " Lor ' themar replied , arranging his face to appear distant . " Your correspondence has familiarized me with the intent of your visit . Come this way ; my advisors and I will hear your appeal . " Ordinarily Lor ' themar would have led them all to the stately meeting hall at the north end of the palace : a chamber decked in cerulean and jade overlooking the sea . This day , though , shone clear and sharp as a shard of glass , and through the colonnade the isle would be visible across the channel . To avoid looking at it , Lor ' themar seated them all in an alcove to the east of the main court , facing instead the tiled and sun - shadowed rooftops of Silvermoon City . Aethas started without a moment ' s hesitation . " I am here on matters of utmost importance — ones that concern us all . I am quite sure you are aware of the growing threat in Northrend . The Kirin Tor wish to address it . " " Arthas has always been a threat , " Halduron interjected evenly . " Why come to us now ? " Aethas shook his head . " It ' s not only Arthas , anymore , " he said . " It ' s Malygos as well . Krasus — Korialstrasz — has informed us of Malygos ' intent to end all mortals ' use of magic , once and for all . " " And the Spell - Weaver would do that in what manner ? " Lor ' themar asked . " By killing us all . " " I see , " Lor ' themar answered , sitting back into his chair . Seven years he had dealt with naught but death . Aethas ' words lacked impact . " The Kirin Tor oppose him , " Aethas added . " Naturally , " Lor ' themar replied . " I want to formalize our involvement with the Kirin Tor , " Aethas stated firmly . " Many members of the Kirin Tor would consider it not only prudent , but imperative , that the magi of Quel ' Thalas and the Violet Citadel again work side by side , as we have for many years in the past . " " No . " Aethas ' irritation shone plain on his face , a scowl deepening at the corners of his mouth and between his brows . The voice of dissent had not been Lor ' themar ' s . Turning to the speaker , he said , " I asked the regent lord . Not the grand magister . " Rommath laughed , a low , bitter sound that rattled and shook in a mouth unused to mirth . " Well then , " he answered ; his voice was sharp with acrimony . Its sudden keen edge put Lor ' themar on his guard . " Let the regent lord deign that I am fit to speak . " " I daresay we shall hear your opinion eventually in any case , " Lor ' themar said , schooling his wry tones as best he could . " It may as well be now . " Rommath ' s eyes glinted , brilliant chips of jade , even in the well - lit room that should have dimmed their glow . " I daresay you are not wrong , Lor ' themar , " he replied , never shifting his gaze from Aethas ' face . His voice recalled , to Lor ' themar , a coiled snake in the grass : low and fierce and merciless . " Tell me , Archmage , " Rommath began , " did Modera send you with a statement before you left ? Your words drip of her false diplomacy . At least she dares not set foot here herself . She has that much of sense , I see . " " Modera agrees with me on these matters , yes , " Aethas answered stiffly , thankfully wise enough not to rise to Rommath ' s bait . " She agrees with you , " Rommath mused , " or , rather , you agree with her , for I doubt they would send you here to speak on their behalf had you half a mind of your own . " " Damn it , Rommath . " Aethas ' patience snapped . " Do you have any useful criticisms to voice , or are you content to sit and insult me ? " " You are blind , " Rommath replied evenly , assuredly . " They fear to face both Malygos and Arthas , and rightly so . They seek aid beyond their own capacity — and to whom have they always turned regarding matters of the arcane ? Oh yes , to us . The humans of the Kirin Tor will swear up and down that you are indispensable to them , that your skills are invaluable . The moment you become inconvenient , you will be discarded . " He cocked his head to the side , one long ear twitching almost imperceptibly as his eyes slid first to Halduron , then to Lor ' themar . " Ask them . They know . But not as well as I . " Aethas stared blankly back at Rommath . " Quel ' Thalas and the Kirin Tor have been allied for nearly two thousand years , " he said . " Since we joined formally with the Horde , things have been strained , but — " Rommath laughed again , loudly this time , mocking peals that rolled like angry waves on a stormy sea : sharp - peaked and cold . " Since we joined the Horde , " he repeated . " Oh yes , of course . And do you , Archmage Sunreaver , remember exactly why we were forced into such a pact ? " Aethas did not answer , but looked Rommath straight in the eye , unflinching . " A false accusation , " began the grand magister , " and a monumental betrayal . " His eyes glittered with seething anger that nearly a decade had failed to quell . " In Dalaran , " he continued , " beneath the ever - watchful Violet Eye . " " The Kirin Tor had nothing to do with — " " I assume you mean , " Rommath interrupted , " that the Kirin Tor did nothing . Did nothing to prevent it , did nothing to stop it . And instead , " his voice began to rise , " left us to rot in the prisons beneath a city many of us called home as much as ever we did Silvermoon . A city our own crown prince had served as faithfully as his own homeland for longer than a human lifetime . A city we fought and died for , and at the request of the Kirin Tor . A city within whose walls they would have watched , in silence , as we all swung from a hangman ' s noose . Their city . " " The Kirin Tor find themselves under new leadership , " Aethas answered , and Lor ' themar felt that his controlled tone spoke well of the young archmage . " That is a lie , and you know it , " Rommath replied . " Rhonin Redhair may be their figurehead , but Modera and Ansirem remain on the Council . These are the same people who happily turned their eyes away when Garithos sentenced us to death . They can all rot in hell . " He laughed cruelly . " At least Arugal suffered a deserving fate . " " For someone who claims to care so little , you seem to be rather well informed , Grand Magister , " Aethas said . " Which would be one of the reasons I am the grand magister of Quel ' Thalas , and you are not , I would think , " Rommath retorted . " And as grand magister I will tell you this : I will never send my magi to service in the name of the Violet Citadel . If you want official support in Northrend , Archmage , you will have to convince the regent lord to overrule me . " Lor ' themar ' s fingers twitched against the smooth table top as his mouth hardened . Rommath had walked a thin line , and overstepped it . " That is enough , Rommath , " he said coolly . " You do not possess the authority to issue such ultimatums . It will be my decision whether to send our forces to Northrend — and if I so choose , you and your magi will follow orders . " Now , " he said , standing , " it is clear that to continue this will result in nothing more than petty bickering , and by all means , if the two of you wish to go on in such a manner , feel free . I , however , do not care to waste any more of my time . I would hazard the ranger - general feels similarly . " I have business in the south , " he continued , " and I had planned on leaving tomorrow . I do not think I shall disrupt those plans . You are welcome to stay , Archmage , but I may be gone a number of days . " Aethas did not reply , but he was not such a skilled diplomat as to successfully mask his irritation ; it shone through in his face clear as a clarion call . Lor ' themar was more than content to let him be upset . He turned to leave . " There are those who will go to Dalaran whether you will it or not , Regent Lord , " Aethas ' voice called out across the room . Lor ' themar paused and turned to face him as he continued . " Give me at least the blessing to speak on behalf of the regency of Silvermoon , and I will see to it that the interests of the sin ' dorei are protected . " Rommath snorted in response , but thankfully said nothing . For a moment Lor ' themar considered Aethas , but the younger elf was in no position to bargain . They all knew well that Aethas ' skills in statesmanship were far outclassed by the other men in the room . " I shall have a servant show you to your quarters , Archmage , " Lor ' themar said . Aethas went graciously enough , sparing one or two black looks in Rommath ' s direction . The grand magister appeared resolute , implacable as a mountain , but Lor ' themar could see the sway in his step , the lines of exhaustion that resettled heavily upon his face the moment Aethas was beyond sight . Carefully he noted Rommath ' s fragility ; his will could be bent . Once , in the past , Lor ' themar would have called it ignoble to even consider using such a thing against another . Now he recognized its necessity . Alone now he sat by the window in his office , a place in which he spent more time these days than his own home , and recounted the afternoon ' s debates in his mind . Absently he twisted a long roll of the curtain between his hands as he stared across the Spire ' s gardens , hearing Aethas ' determined voice in his head . There are those who will go to Dalaran whether you will it or not . Lor ' themar could not deny that truth , but privately he agreed with Rommath ' s disdain . How could he trust Aethas to faithfully represent Quel ' Thalas when he already cloaked himself in the dress of the Kirin Tor and used their stamps upon his correspondence ? Aethas was committed to these Nexus Wars ; that much was clear . How many others would he convince to follow him ? And how far was he , as regent lord , obliged to protect his people when they forged into ambiguous territory ? The cloth stretched and began to fray beneath Lor ' themar ' s ungentle attentions . Had he noticed , he would have found it a fitting metaphor for the state of his convictions these days . " I ' m not sure , " Halduron confessed to him later that evening . He had found the regent lord still sitting in the window staring sullenly into the sunset . One glance had sent him wordlessly to the liquor shelf to generously fill a tumbler for his old friend . Now the ranger - general sat across from him , deftly rolling a swatch of bloodthistle with practiced ease . " I believe his intentions are honest , " Halduron continued . A quick snap of his fingers lit the end of the bundle with a small flare . He inhaled deeply and sighed , hooking his arm around his knee and sending a gust of pungent smoke into the darkening sky . " I just don ' t know how far we can trust honest intentions , even among our own people . " Lor ' themar stood and went to the table to refill his glass . " I worry that if we give him authority to act on our behalf that he would — intentionally or not — promise something from us that I am not willing to give . " Lor ' themar paused and looked toward the carved ceiling . " Then again , if enough elves follow him to Dalaran , he will end up their de - facto leader anyway , and I am loath to have him acting as such without obligation to the cro — Silvermoon . " " It would be better if Rommath were not so stubborn , " Halduron mused . " He lived in Dalaran for a long time — he bears the archmage title himself , you know . He has enough experience with the Kirin Tor to know how to handle them , and enough loyalty to his country that I believe we could trust him . He would be an ideal liaison for Aethas . " Lor ' themar smiled faintly at Halduron ' s words . " I do believe it ' s a red - letter day , " he said , " to hear you speak well of Rommath . " " I never approved of that business with M ' uru , or the formation of the Blood Knights , no , " Halduron admitted . " But that is behind us now , and we have no more reason to doubt him . If he had been going to betray us , he would have done it when Kael ' thas … . " The words drifted and froze in Halduron ' s throat . " Well , " he added finally . " He would have done it then . " " So what do you think ? " Lor ' themar changed the subject and returned to his seat in the window . " What should we do about Aethas and the Violet Citadel ? " " Aethas already considers himself a member of the Kirin Tor , " Halduron replied . " And I can think of a number of others who would be pleased to bear that mantle again , as well . If the Kirin Tor want to admit blood elves , we can ' t stop them from doing so . " " No , we cannot , " Lor ' themar answered . He was silent a moment before he continued . " However , it is my instinct that we should eschew official involvement in the Nexus War . Aethas should report to us periodically , and we should give him a clear set of boundaries . But those elves who wish to offer their services may do so under the banner of the Kirin Tor — not Quel ' Thalas . " One corner of Halduron ' s mouth twisted up into a sardonic smirk , and Lor ' themar pretended not to notice the melancholy in his friend ' s eyes . He rolled the stub of bloodthistle between his fingertips . " I daresay you sound less like a ranger and more like a king every day , Lor ' themar , " he remarked quietly . From where he sat , Halduron could not see the way Lor ' themar ' s fingers tightened around his glass . A number of days later Lor ' themar , atop his hawkstrider , picked his way through the northern foothills of the Eastern Plaguelands . He winced to look at the land ; he was an elf , and , moreover , a ranger — a child of the open woods , of clear water and golden leaves . The sight of the cracked , foamy soil and withered trees of eastern Lordaeron twisted his heart and nearly physically made him retch . Such would be the fate of Quel ' Thalas if not for the magisters ' and priesthood ' s unrelenting vigilance . Lor ' themar looked behind him . Three Farstrider honor guards followed , taken at Halduron ' s and Rommath ' s insistence . " By all means , " Halduron had said , " you shouldn ' t be going at all — I thought for sure you ' d give up this silly notion when Aethas decided to drop by . But I can see that nothing I could say will stop you , so you ' re at least going to take an escort . Don ' t argue . " Rommath had wanted to send a few of the Blood Knights ; that was out of the question . " Their presence will only incite , " Lor ' themar pointed out . Even more than my own surely will , he added silently . Fortunately Rommath had not pressed the point . At last the ridge he sought came into view . At a glance it would seem just another jutting projection on a low , rocky face , but he knew better . He drew his mount into a sharp turn , picking out a path where the untrained eye would have found none , and set up at a quick pace . There was no point in stealth ; the scouts would already have seen them . As he expected , about halfway up the winding trail two figures seemed to materialize from behind the rocks . Their swords clashed as they barred the way , the sound echoing violently into the eerie stillness of the Plaguelands . " Who would come to Quel ' Lithien ? " one asked . Lor ' themar looked down at him evenly . " Don ' t be an idiot . You know who I am . " The other looked him straight in the eye . " That doesn ' t mean you are welcome , Lord Theron . " Lor ' themar unsheathed both of the long swords he wore across his back . The two guards ' knuckles whitened around their own weapons , and he saw one of them twitch his fingers slightly , readying the signal of attack to the myriad others who were surely hidden throughout the terrain . Silently the regent lord tossed his blades to the ground , then loosed his bow and quiver and dropped them , as well . He motioned for his guards to do the same , and when they had done so , he raised an eyebrow . " Is that convincing enough of my honest intent ? " The first Lithien scout spoke again . " Tell us why you have come . " " I have news for Captain Hawkspear and High Priestess Skycaller , " he said . " Regarding … . " He cleared his throat . " Regarding Prince Kael ' thas . " The guards considered this a moment , one briefly glancing at the other , but for the most part their eyes never left Lor ' themar ' s — eyes still blue and untainted , he could not help but notice . At last one jerked his head toward the ridge . " Fine then , " he said , " the ranger lord can decide what to do with you . Follow me . " The other snapped his fingers and , as Lor ' themar had predicted , half a dozen more Lithien scouts jumped out from various gullies and fissures in the rock to collect the arms he and his guards had left in the dirt . It had been many months since Lor ' themar could remember feeling so vulnerable or out of place , but doubt was a luxury he could not afford . At the top of the trail , nestled among the boulders and fading brush , the Quel ' Lithien lodge rose in front of them . The fine wood had faded and pitted , undoubtedly due to the ravages of the plague , and the Farstriders had camouflaged its beams with rotting foliage . Lor ' themar ' s stomach pitched strangely as he looked upon the structure , and he tried not to think of the days when its surroundings had been green and his visits greeted with delighted shouts , not angry blades . Those days were lost . He handed his hawkstrider over to one of the scouts ; she collected it and set off to the stables , leaving him with a suspicious glare . One of the rangers who had stopped him on the trail had run ahead into the lodge . As Lor ' themar watched , the scout returned , trailing two elves he had not seen in several years . Unexpectedly his heart quailed to look upon them , and he set his teeth , squaring his shoulders . He stood , motionless ; he would neither stare nor let any of the myriad emotions he felt seep through in his face . " Lor ' themar Theron . " High Priestess Aurora Skycaller ' s voice was measured and not a little unkind . " I must admit I am surprised to find you here . " " You have some nerve , " Renthar Hawkspear said cruelly , " to show your face . I should have a dozen archers turn you into a pincushion . " The words stung even as he expected them . He let them roll across him and settle in the dirt at his feet . " I have news , " he said simply , " that you should know . " " You couldn ' t have sent a letter ? " Renthar sneered . " Would you have read it ? " Lor ' themar answered , and the small twitch at the corner of Aurora ' s lip and the deepened scowl across Renthar ' s face told him that no , they would not have . " I have not come all the way from Silvermoon out of caprice , " he said at last . " Will you hear what I have to say , or shall I turn around and leave ? " Renthar and Aurora eyed him wordlessly , then both turned and walked into the lodge . Lor ' themar followed , painfully aware of the numerous pairs of high elven eyes watching him as he passed . The Farstrider outposts scattered across the Eastern Kingdoms had never been lavish , but Lor ' themar could not remember when Quel ' Lithien had ever looked so austere . A number of the walls were scored deeply from some sort of blade ; the dark stains trod into the floorboards were surely blood . Yet the elves clearly took pride in the lodge ' s keeping ; the curtains , though worn , were carefully hemmed with even stitches . The ancient map of eastern Lordaeron nailed to the wall had been heavily annotated but in elegant script , with not so much as a single blot of ink upon its yellowed parchment . Looking upon these things , Lor ' themar felt a strange hollow grow inside of him , as if he had rediscovered a forgotten lover ' s letter . He had lived the life of a Farstrider scout , in a past that seemed so distant now as to be nothing but a dream . " In here , " Renthar said , jerking his thumb toward a small room behind the stairwell and banging the door open with a vehement shove . " Close it behind you , " he told Lor ' themar without looking back . Lor ' themar took his seat across from Aurora . Renthar swept several scraps of bloodied leather armor off the narrow table before sitting next to her , and it almost made Lor ' themar smile vaguely , the way they stared him down like judges at a tribunal . " You said you had something to say . " Renthar ' s voice cut the stillness . " So say it . " There was no point in delaying . " Several weeks ago a number of the Sunfury forces returned to us . " Renthar ' s and Aurora ' s eyes rounded with incredulous disbelief . It gave Lor ' themar a smug , but hollow , satisfaction . " I ' ll be , " Aurora said softly . " I cannot say I ever thought they would . " " So then . " Renthar ' s eyes glittered strangely — he almost reminded Lor ' themar of Rommath . " Are you here on the prince ' s orders to offer us an official apology ? " " I might be , " Lor ' themar answered , " if he were still alive . " If either of the high elves in front of him had looked shocked before , it paled before their expressions now . Lor ' themar watched in silence as the color drained from both their faces . " Explain . " Renthar minced no words . " Explain , damn you . " With a feeling akin to the one that sat in his stomach before rushing into a fight , Lor ' themar began outlining the events of the recent months . He had not entirely anticipated how difficult it would be , how painful , to relay the story in coherent words and sentences strung together as a timeline , especially in the presence of two people who so thoroughly despised him . He drew the words from his throat , one by one , sometimes forcefully ; he had to spit them across the room for fear they would instead be swallowed and lost . When at last he had finished , he blinked once , as if waking up , and a long silence settled between the three of them . Lor ' themar had often heard that the sharing of tragic events could help ease their pain . In this case he found it untrue . It felt as if a lifetime of moments had passed before Aurora ' s voice , ringing heavy and dull , finally broke the stillness . " The Sunwell is thus returned to us , " she said , and turned her face to the window . " Yes , " Lor ' themar answered . They said nothing . Lor ' themar was fairly certain he knew what thoughts would be running through the high elves ' heads , if any of their former hopes had matched his . Despite the differences that grew between them now like briarthorn , he felt certain that they had . In prior days they had all marched and trained and danced under the same banners of red and gold , all worn the same phoenix device upon their chests in service . And , when the last dust of battle had settled on Quel ' Danas and the Sunwell had shone majestic and proud once again , he had stared into it with the same paralyzed expression that now etched itself into Renthar ' s and Aurora ' s faces , and he had felt nothing . " I wondered , " Aurora spoke again , and the sound of her voice startled him , " why the pangs of the addiction felt so eased , lately . I figured that I was simply learning to ignore it , at last . " " The magic in the Well is different , now , " Lor ' themar said . " It may take a while for some to adjust . " " Some , yes . " Aurora reached her hand up and seemed to grasp something that Lor ' themar could not see , twisting it between her fingers as she might a long ribbon . " I am a priestess of the Light . I know this magic . " " It was a great gift , " Lor ' themar heard himself say . Aurora looked sidelong at him , and he knew his lack of conviction had not gone unnoticed . " If the prince is dead , " Renthar suddenly said , " then who wears the crown of Quel ' Thalas ? " " The crown is unclaimed . " Renthar narrowed his eyes . " And if someone were to lay such a claim ? " " There are none alive with any right to it . " Renthar looked him right in the eye . Lor ' themar matched his gaze and would not be cowed . Renthar Hawkspear could doubt him in any way but this one . Aurora spoke again . " I suppose this is what you came to tell us of . " " Yes , " Lor ' themar answered . " Then feel free to leave , " said Renthar . Lor ' themar closed his eyes . " There is one more thing . " This would be the hardest . " Is there ? " Renthar ' s voice was flat . " Well ? " " Since the Sunfury returned to us , " Lor ' themar began , " and our position in the Ghostlands is more … secure … the Farstriders are finding themselves stretched a bit less . They — I — would send you regular supplies . " Lor ' themar had become accustomed to the mockery of those he could not please , but he had not fully anticipated the pointed sting that Renthar ' s laugh elicited . Even Aurora ' s face , normally so controlled and serene , the face of a priestess , colored deeply with undisguised contempt . " Six years we rot here , thrown out of our homes at your behest because we refuse to suck magic from living things like so many vampires . " Renthar began to rise from his seat , leaning across the table , truly shaking with rage . " And now you want to offer aid ? After all we have been through you come now ? After what the Horde did to us in the name of that bastard human who called himself ranger ? How blind do you think I am , Lor ' themar ? I should kill you . I should kill you and send your head to Sylvanas myself ! " Even through the ringing in his ears , a small , rational part of Lor ' themar latched onto a word of Renthar ' s and held fast . Ranger , he had said , and not just any — a human ranger . As far as Lor ' themar knew , there had only ever been one . " I thought , " he began slowly , " that Nathanos Marris died to the Scourge . " Both Aurora and Renthar turned slowly to look at him , faces carved and cold like ivory dolls . For the first time since he had arrived for this confrontation , Lor ' themar heard his heart hammering in his own ears , the lump in his throat making it difficult to swallow . Aurora spoke first . " He did , " she said . " He was raised to march among them . " Lor ' themar stayed silent but fixed his eyes upon Aurora . There was something else here , something lurking like a shadow in the corners of the room , and he would know what it was before he left . " He did not stay Scourge , " she said . " Sylvanas did always take a strange pride in him , " Renthar muttered , looking away . A long silence stretched before he spoke again . " It should not be much of a surprise that she would call him to her service . " ' We come in the name of the Champion of the Banshee Queen . ' That , " he added , " is what they said when they arrived . ' You have something that belongs to him . ' " Renthar turned again to face Lor ' themar with eyes as hard as lapis . " We held a copy of the documents detailing Marris ' acceptance into the Farstriders . They took it by force , and slaughtered any of my rangers who happened into their paths . Forsaken , Lor ' themar . Sylvanas ' people . Your allies . " Lor ' themar could not speak ; he did not trust his voice not to shake . " Once I would have gladly laid down my life at the behest of the ranger - general . " There was an unbearable bitterness in Renthar ' s voice . " We are no longer her people . And nor are we yours . " " Renthar , " Lor ' themar began , " for all our differences , you know I would not have — " Renthar laughed , long and clear and sharp as a dagger . " You send us here to be lost , to be ignored , and then dare to be shocked when we suffer ? No matter what the curses that accompany you to hell , Lor ' themar , they will never be sufficient . I know whose troops sit in Tranquillien , Regent Lord . I wonder how many of your own , sin ' dorei rangers , they have killed beneath your very nose on Thalassian land . Deal with the devil as you please . I can only hope that one day the devil will come for you . " Now go , " he said quietly . " Send supplies as you wish . I will return the bearers ' hearts to you wrapped in their own tabards . " Lor ' themar stood , though he could do naught but turn and leave . They had caught him off guard , and the walls around him no longer seemed real , no longer held the assurance of solidity . He saw Aurora stand , a ghost of pride , and stare him down , chin high and defiant . Neither she nor Renthar spoke another word , and for the first time the sheer force of their hatred hit him hard in the chest . He had no reason to combat it . He could , perhaps , offer his palms in penance , but they would only spit upon them , and in truth he could not find it in his heart to fault them for such . If he had held any hope of atonement before — and perhaps he had — the Plaguelands ' desolation had smothered and snuffed it , as it did all that lived and dreamed . These bridges had burned long ago , his own hand setting them to flame . All three of his guards sat waiting in the front room , half a dozen quel ' dorei Farstriders surrounding them with arrows notched in their bowstrings . He barely even turned his head . He simply walked straight outside ; his rangers followed silently . In the yard a Quel ' Lithien scout held the reins of their hawkstriders , and another carried their weapons . He took his things , swung into the saddle , and turned back to where Renthar and Aurora stood watching . The impulse seized him to say something , anything , to bridge the gulf that stretched between them , but whatever words he intended dried and crumbled to bitter dust in his mouth . He turned his hawkstrider away and did not look back . As they were winding upward through the Thalassian Pass several hours later , it began to snow . They passed through the gates that demarked the southern boundary of Quel ' Thalas with hardly a glance . Once their arches had soared , golden and white , leaping out of the rocks themselves and cascading to the ground like a waterfall of marble and amber . Arthas had laid them to waste , as he had everything in Quel ' Thalas . Dark banners of the Scourge still hung high from the ramparts , though the mountain winds had by now riled them into little more than sinister ribbons . None of the elves had ever bothered to try to remove the banners , and Lor ' themar would not do so now . Their tatters whipped in the flurries , snapping and popping above their heads like oak branches cracking under sheets of ice . " Lord Theron , " one of his escorts called , " you are missing your cloak . It would be wise to wear it in such weather . " Lor ' themar answered only with his silence . He did not imagine he could be any more frozen than he already felt . The snowflakes drove into his face , needle points of cold , and rubbed his skin raw . Halduron and Rommath awaited Lor ' themar in Silvermoon upon his return a few days later . So did Aethas , he noted with more than a little chagrin . When Halduron looked at him and said , " Well ? " Lor ' themar simply shook his head . Halduron raised his eyebrows as if to ask what did you expect ? and Rommath did not meet his eyes . Unexpectedly Aethas was the one with several questions . " How did they react to you ? " he asked . Lor ' themar turned to stare at him . " Six years ago I threw them out of the homes they had fought for every bit as fiercely as anyone in Quel ' Thalas today , " he answered at last . " How do you think they reacted ? " Aethas winced and sighed . " Vereesa Windrunner is married to the new leader of the Kirin Tor . She is not fond of me , or those I represent . I had hoped … because you were a ranger … " He shook his head . " I thought maybe you could help us bridge that gap . I suppose not . " He shrugged . The scowl that appeared on Halduron ' s face at the mention of Vereesa ' s name did not escape Lor ' themar . He turned to Aethas . " You suppose correctly , " he said . Later that afternoon he relayed to Halduron the details of his trip to Quel ' Lithien in between gulps of whiskey . " Of course they were going to treat you with contempt . You always knew that , " his ranger - general reprimanded him . " Honestly , I don ' t know why you bothered to go at all . " " You would have done the same , " Lor ' themar answered , and Halduron frowned . " You know me too well , " he said at last . He slouched in his chair and stared out the window . " They didn ' t know about the Sunwell , " Lor ' themar said . In the light , the amber liquid in his glass shone for all the world , like the fount of which he spoke . " It was right that I went . " " Whom are you trying to convince , here ? " Halduron asked , bemused . " Halduron , " Lor ' themar said quickly , " do you remember Nathanos Marris ? " " Of course , " he answered , frowning . " But what does he have to do with any of this ? " " Aurora told me he was raised as Scourge , then freed by Sylvanas , " Lor ' themar replied . " He is known as the Champion of the Banshee Queen . " Halduron leaned back in his chair , balancing on its rearmost legs and resting his palms behind his head . " Funny , that , " he said . " Sylvanas was always championing him . Kae — er … some … were not keen on letting a human train with the Farstriders . Myself included . " " The rangers at Quel ' Lithien were attacked by a group of Forsaken in the name of the Banshee Queen ' s champion , " Lor ' themar said finally . He drained his glass of its contents and set it on the desk . " A number of them were killed . " The front legs of Halduron ' s chair came down to the floor with a sharp bang , and though Lor ' themar did not look over , he could sense Halduron ' s eyes boring into him . " Wasn ' t Nathanos in Renthar ' s company ? " he asked . Lor ' themar nodded . Halduron continued . " Why would he want to attack Quel ' Lithien ? " Lor ' themar shrugged . " Quel ' Lithien had a copy of the Thalassian registry where Sylvanas gave her final word admitting him into the Farstriders . Apparently he wanted it . " " So he sent his subordinates to attack them ? Over a book ? " Halduron ' s voice filled with disbelief . " That ' s what they told me . " " Are you sure they weren ' t lying ? " " It occurred to me , " Lor ' themar admitted , " but if ever Renthar Hawkspear was anything , it was principled — which is why he opposed Rommath ' s teachings on the arcane tapping in the first place , of course . " " And I can ' t imagine Aurora ever being dishonest a day in her life , " Halduron added with a sigh . He went on to ask the question Lor ' themar had been dreading . " Do you think Sylvanas knows ? " Lor ' themar shook his head . " I don ' t know . But that ' s not the important question . " " No , " Halduron answered . " The important question is , if she did know , would she care ? " " And if she does know , and does not care . " Lor ' themar covered his face with his hands . " They were her rangers . " " They were yours when you exiled them , " Halduron said quietly . " Actually , they were yours , " Lor ' themar snapped back . He bristled a moment in fury , but then his shoulders sagged . Renthar ' s words echoed ghostly in his head . You sent us here to be lost , to be ignored , and then dare to be shocked when we suffer ? " I never wanted to see them dead , " Lor ' themar said at last , cringing to hear the plea in his own voice , " but I could not afford to lead a nation divided … . " A heavy hand on his shoulder made him lift his head . " I know , " Halduron said , placing a refilled tumbler in front of him . " Get a hold of yourself . " His voice was gruff , but not unkind . " We always knew it was a risk to trust the Forsaken . But who else ever offered to fight for Quel ' Thalas at all ? " Lor ' themar lifted his glass . The afternoon sunlight shone through it and turned its contents a rusty red , like the soils of the Plaguelands . A few days later Lor ' themar sat at his desk dully recounting his notes from the various meetings with Aethas . He would have to give the archmage a definitive answer either today or tomorrow . He had an idea of what he was willing to do , but he was almost certain Aethas would not be satisfied . No one ever was . He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger and glanced toward the whiskey on the shelf . A knock on the door disturbed his thoughts . " Yes ? " he answered . One of the couriers hastily bowed and addressed him . " Lord Theron , there is a person of some importance waiting to see you . " Lor ' themar frowned . Halduron and Rommath would have come themselves , and Aethas probably too , at this point . Had Liadrin returned from Shattrath ? If so , she could wait . " I am not available , " he replied flatly . " My lord , " said the courier , " the Banshee Queen will not wait . " Lor ' themar felt his heart sink like a stone to the pit of his stomach . He swallowed and hoped his face did not appear as pale as it felt . He rose to his feet . " No , " he said quietly , " of course she won ' t . Show me to her . " The courier turned on his heel , but not without one uneasy glance at the regent lord . Lor ' themar steeled himself as he followed . He took the minutes that they spent walking to the front hall to collect himself , to remember his presentation . During the years he had now spent ruling Quel ' Thalas , he had found it to be very nearly a physical action the way he had to draw the mantle of authority about himself . He could feel the change , right down to the tips of his fingers . It had gotten easier , of course , as time had passed , but where Sylvanas was concerned , it seemed all his careful diplomacy and guarded authority shrank and failed before the force of her presence . Halduron and Rommath joined him silently as he walked the hallway , and this time Halduron did not try to convince Lor ' themar to wear the Sunstrider tabard . The ranger - general wore a hard face . Rommath was more detached ; he had met Sylvanas before and knew what to expect , but his horror was distant and impersonal , unlike Lor ' themar and Halduron ' s . To them , Sylvanas ' fate was a wound ripped raw again every time they looked upon her , and its pain had yet to dull . In the hall where she stood , the light seemed to fade ; it was not that it dimmed or dulled but that it collapsed and sunk into the space she occupied , coalescing instead into her eyes — not blue like the quel ' dorei she had once been , or even green like the sin ' dorei , but red like the flame of a funeral pyre . Their glow threw the pallid skin of her pinched face into even more horrific relief . She did not come alone , of course . A number of what Lor ' themar assumed were Royal Dreadguards accompanied her , their blackened blades no less cruel for their condition . They awaited him in silence . All Lor ' themar could hear as he walked into the hall was the echo of his own footsteps , and even that seemed to fade unnaturally quickly in the presence of the Banshee Queen . There was no point in showing her to the meeting hall as he had Aethas , no point in doing anything but addressing her as she stood . She had no patience for such formalities . " What brings you to Silvermoon , Sylvanas ? " he asked . She fixed her gaze upon him . " I have just returned from Orgrimmar , " she said . Her voice scraped against the walls . As her mouth moved , Lor ' themar could see the skin around it crack and peel like a snake ' s , as if it were made of brittle parchment . " Arthas has dared to strike at the heart of the Horde . " Lor ' themar ' s mouth went dry , and a great tide of unease began to rise in his chest as he realized what was coming next . Sylvanas paused a moment , scrutinizing his face for a reaction . He clenched his teeth but remained quiet . " The attack was successfully repelled , " she continued at length . " But Arthas is only toying with us — we must bring the war to him . Warchief Thrall at last sees what we have long known . " Her eyes glittered with a dangerous eagerness . " The Horde prepares for war . And the sin ' dorei , Lor ' themar , comprise a portion of the Horde . " Her words fell upon him and clattered to the floor like stones . He knew what she was asking , had always known that this day would come . And yet , as he stood in the hall , suddenly conscious of how its grand space swept up and above him , swallowing his presence , he found himself unable to respond . " Lor ' themar . " Sylvanas ' words shattered around him in impatience . " We go to destroy Arthas — once and for all . " Slowly , Lor ' themar shook his head . " I appreciate that you and Warchief Thrall wish us to join you on the initial front in Northrend . But we are stretched too thin . We have already received a similar request from the Kirin Tor , but I cannot in good faith send our forces north . Since the events at Quel ' Danas — " " This is not a request , Lor ' themar , " she interrupted . " You will send troops — they will accompany the Forsaken . " " Sylvanas , " Lor ' themar said quietly , " we have just fought a civil war . What can we possibly have to give ? " She held his gaze , unrelenting and without compassion . When at last she spoke , the words hissed between her teeth in cruel phrases . " Have you forgotten who is responsible for the state of Quel ' Thalas in the first place ? Who is ultimately to blame ? " She searched his face for a reply , and when he gave none , she continued . " Well I , at least , have not ! My vengeance will not be denied , and you will give what I demand of you : the sin ' dorei rangers and magi , as well as the Blood Knights in which you all seem to take so much pride . " " We do not have such things to give , Sylvanas . " Her flaking lips curled into a contemptuous sneer . " Then you can hide from all the world like a beaten dog if that is indeed your will , Lor ' themar . Though if you believe anything can come from it , then you are a fool indeed . Do you think Arthas will be content to ignore you whilst you wait here and lick your wounds ? Do you think I will tolerate such cowardice ? I would warn you : those who do not stand with the Forsaken stand against them . And those who stand against the Forsaken will not stand long . " For a number of years now my people have stood guard in these lands , and it is by my hand that you have any place within the Horde . You will aid us on the shores of Northrend , or I shall cease to aid you in Quel ' Thalas . " Lor ' themar swayed upon his feet as if buffeted by a gale . In the south , near the Plaguelands , where the Scourge still ran raw across the Dead Scar despite every effort , they could not afford the loss of Sylvanas ' troops . He had not lied to Aurora and Renthar when he had said that their position in the Ghostlands was more secure , but he was not so naïve as to think it could be held by Thalassian forces alone . Without the Forsaken , Tranquillien would fall . And what , then , would follow ? For the second time since he had returned from Quel ' Lithien , he heard Captain Hawkspear ' s words in his memory . We are no longer her people . If he were honest with himself , he could not deny that he had known it all the while . His mouth tasted acrid , as if he had just chewed a swatch of kingsblood . " Send my exhausted people to find more death in Northrend , or risk losing Quel ' Thalas to the Scourge once again . " From far away he heard his own laugh , and it sounded more like one of Rommath ' s . " There is no choice here , Sylvanas . " The Banshee Queen eyed him dispassionately . " I will expect your forces at the Undercity in two weeks , Lor ' themar , " she replied . " I will not be disappointed in this . " " Yes , my lady . " She turned to leave . " How can you do this ? " Lor ' themar registered the desperate anger in Rommath ' s voice with a sort of dull surprise ; the grand magister seemed still to believe somewhere that Sylvanas could be made to negotiate . " This is blackmail ! " he continued , trembling in his fury , the knuckles of his fists paling as he clenched them around his staff . " It was you who pleaded to aid us in the first place ! We never asked for your assistance ; you gave it of your own free will ! How can you call yourselves our allies in one breath and hold our lands for ransom in the next ? " Sylvanas considered him a moment , somehow managing to look down upon him though he was taller than she . " You were never required to accept my offers , " she said . " You chose to . All I ask for now is the will and power to defeat our greatest foe . " She shifted her eyes to fall upon Lor ' themar . " I could ask for more , if you like . " Rommath did not try to conceal the hatred in his face . " Is there anything else you wish to discuss , Sylvanas ? " To his own ears he sounded defeated , bereft of will or passion . Discuss , he had said ; a little voice taunted him . As if there could ever be any discussion with the Banshee Queen . " No . I am finished here , Lor ' themar , " she answered . " Shorel ' aran , Sylvanas , " he said . Her eyes flashed at the Thalassian farewell , and she said nothing more . Lor ' themar watched her go with listless interest ; he looked only because there was nothing else to see . He felt cracked and brittle as blades of grass in a frost . Lor ' themar turned to leave and noticed with distaste that Aethas Sunreaver had appeared at some point during the meeting . It vexed him that the mage would have seen him so debilitated in the face of the Banshee Queen , but he had little strength to concern himself with pride . Even through his daze , his mind already ran with lists of tasks . He was familiar with war . Halduron would summon Captain Sunbrand and Lieutenant Dawnrunner . Rommath would notify the magi ; he could also represent the Blood Knights while they sent word to Liadrin . He thought — eyes darting back to where the archmage stood , mouth agape — that Aethas would indeed have his chance to prove himself . Lor ' themar wandered down the hallway as if in a dream . " Lor ' themar ! " He stopped and turned to the speaker , trying to tame his face , to appear attentive or interested . In truth , he was exhausted . He wanted nothing more than to return to his desk and be alone , to busy himself with necessary , mindless tasks and forget for a while what had transpired here , and what it meant . Rommath would not , as usual , let him have his way . " Lor ' themar , " he called again as he caught up to the regent lord . " You cannot seriously — we don ' t — " " You heard her , Rommath , " Lor ' themar interrupted . " We go to Northrend or we lose the Forsaken ' s support — and likely the rest of the Horde ' s , as well . So we go . " He turned to leave again . " There are still soldiers in the infirmaries from Quel ' Danas ! " Rommath continued . " We have not even held a proper service for the dead — by the sun , Lor ' themar , we barely even know what happened there , or why ! " " We do not have a choice , Rommath ; do you not understand that ? " Lor ' themar began to anger . " We aid Sylvanas or we quite possibly lose all of Quel ' Thalas south of the Elrendar River ! " " So let it go ! " Rommath shouted back at him , and Lor ' themar ' s eyebrows rose in shock , a lance of fury piercing his chest . Slowly he turned once again to Rommath , catching sight of Halduron ' s equally startled face as he did . " Let it go ? " His voice started to rise . " Do you know how many elves — sin ' dorei and quel ' dorei alike — died to defend that land ? How many continue to die ? And you say I should just let it go ? What the hell is wrong with you ? " " They would rather have died in vain than have given their lives just so you could turn into nothing more than the pawn of some … some demon in the name of their sacrifice ! " Lor ' themar gaped . Rommath returned his glare , not in anger or contempt , but in a kind of wild desperation that he had not previously seen in the grand magister . He had an agitated look about him , with eyes widened and dark hair falling tangled across his shoulders , almost like some hunted creature . During all of Lor ' themar ' s time as regent — though he and Rommath had argued on many counts — Rommath had never lost his composure or poise . Now , though , he practically shook . Out of the corner of his eye , Lor ' themar noticed that a small crowd had gathered . He had no wish to cause a scene . " Don ' t fall to her threats , " Rommath said softly , and Lor ' themar realized in horrified awe that he was pleading . " She will only use you . " Lor ' themar clenched his fists in resentment . " If playing the pawn for now is what I must do to ensure the ultimate survival of my people and Quel ' Thalas , then it is what I must do , Rommath , " he stated . " And I will do it , and you will obey my orders . Do I make myself clear ? " " And how long do you think you can play this kind of game ? " Rommath searched his face , imploring . " As long as I need to , " Lor ' themar answered , unflinching . Rommath had run up against his obstinacy , and the regent lord would not be easily bested . He straightened , lifting his chin as he remembered Aurora had done , and stared Rommath down . Rommath stared back for a moment , but he could not match Lor ' themar . His whole body seemed to sag . He closed his eyes . " Another leader of the sin ' dorei once said something very similar to me , Lor ' themar , " he said softly , looking away . " I did not argue with him then ; indeed , at the time , I thought him right . " Lor ' themar ' s blood ran cold . " We buried him on Quel ' Danas , " Rommath said . Lor ' themar did not answer . He would not — he could not — think upon the implications of Rommath ' s words . For a long moment there was silence , until , at last , Rommath turned away . " I will notify Magister Bloodsworn and Lord Bloodvalor of your decision , Regent Lord . I will report back to you with their preparations . " He left without another word , his shoulders strangely hunched as if against a cold wind . Unable to quell his roiling emotions , Lor ' themar stared blankly at the magister ' s receding figure until it disappeared around a corner . " Lor ' themar . " Halduron ' s quiet voice startled him out of his reverie . He turned to his friend only to find the ranger - general looking at him strangely , as if seeing him for the first time . Lor ' themar suddenly wanted to shake him , to yell at him to stop looking like that . " What are the regent lord ' s orders ? " he asked . Lor ' themar stared , but Halduron was not being facetious . " Send word to Farstrider Retreat and Farstrider Enclave , " he answered . " Tell them what has been decided . " Halduron nodded , leaving him with a final , unreadable glance . Lor ' themar turned to the various servants and palace guards milling about , one dark scowl sending them scurrying back to their respective duties . When he looked up , he could not suppress a gasp of exasperation as he saw Aethas Sunreaver had not departed with them . Lor ' themar eyed him contemptuously . " You should be pleased , Archmage . " Aethas started in surprise . " So you will support the Kirin — " " The Kirin Tor can do whatever they damn well please — it is no concern of mine , " Lor ' themar snapped . " But seeing as any number of sin ' dorei forces will be heading north shortly , I expect a portion of the magisters will likely end up on your doorstep . You will be well placed to aid them , Aethas . Now go find Rommath . I am sure he will have much use for you . " Aethas frowned . " I do not think this will end well . " Abruptly Lor ' themar turned on his heel and faced him . The archmage ' s words had struck a deep nerve . " It will end how we will it to . " Lor ' themar left him there , standing alone beneath leaden banners of red and gold . What I told Aethas was a lie , of course . My will , in fact , means little . I can pretend my power is real , but in the end , there is nothing honest here . Either you can wash your hands of it , play the martyr , be victimized , and accomplish nothing , or you can fight and victimize others in your turn and thus become the very thing you battle . If ever I once rationalized my choices using any other logic , I have certainly come to see the fatuity of such claims . Captain Hawkspear was right : I deal with the devil indeed , but the Sunwell may never have been restored had we not sunk to levels of atrocity . He and Aurora can sleep soundly knowing they have never compromised their ethics , but if they deny that they prosper in the wake of those who have , then they delude themselves as much as any sin ' dorei ever has . Here I find myself frighteningly close to stating that the ends justify the means . The day that I would dare take that perspective , one would only have to turn me upon the ruins of the Magisters ' Terrace to demonstrate the folly in such a claim . This is the line I walk , finally understanding that the actions I take in necessity are nonetheless indefensible . Those truths can never be reconciled , but sometimes I can hold them both side by side and accept their individual validity . Such a revelation might be called profound if I were ignorant enough not to realize that I am only learning what Kael ' thas , and Anasterian before him , and every other who has ever been tasked with honest leadership , has also learned in his or her own turn . I do not think it can be taught . All we do is walk the road we are given with such dignity as we can muster , each to our own glory or demise , and pray that there yet remains something of our own hearts when all is said and done . By the sun , I hope that there will remain something of mine . [ Signed ] Lor ' themar Theron Regent Lord of Quel ' Thalas in the year 6937 [ Thalassian calendar ]