King Llane was not yet sixty years old. He was strong and had a ruddy complexion. Having reigned on the throne for many years, he had long since developed a habit of commanding respect without anger. Varian felt fear from the bottom of his heart.
Upon seeing Varian, King Llane, recalling his rebellious son's past behavior, was filled with rage. However, considering that Varian had just recovered from a serious illness and might not be able to withstand the shock, he temporarily suppressed his anger.
"Varian, we are to form a marriage alliance with Silvermoon City. Go back and prepare."
"A marriage alliance?"
Varian slowly recalled that King Terenas of Lordaeron was old and had abdicated in favor of Prince Arthas a few years ago.
Under the leadership of this new King, Lordaeron underwent great changes, becoming increasingly prosperous with a full treasury and a strong army.
The power of the King Lordaeron made the High Elves of neighboring Quel'Thalas restless.
Although Lordaeron did not show any desire to expand its territory, the High Elves could not sit idly by and wait for their doom. So they formed a marriage alliance with the Kingdom of Stormwind and signed a defensive pact.
King Llane said indignantly:
"Kael'thas is a playboy, and my daughter cannot marry him. Unfortunately, King Anasterian only has one descendant, so he has agreed to marry one of our noble ladies to us as a princess."
Varian wanted to ask the noblewoman's name, but out of fear of his father, he didn't dare to breathe and could only listen obediently.
King Llane thought for a long time before saying, "I heard she's the second of the three Windrunner girls."
"Cough cough!"
Varian's face turned pale upon hearing this. The second of the Windrunner Sisters —wasn't that Sylvanas? What a coincidence!
King Llane glanced at Varian and said unhappily:
"Although that woman is a bit older, even older than your great-grandfather, she is, after all, a member of the High Elf race. She's only just come of age. What, are you going to complain?"
Varian shook his head repeatedly. "I wouldn't dare!"
King Llane snorted coldly, "I knew you wouldn't dare. Go back and prepare to marry into Silvermoon City?"
"What, marrying into the family?" Varian was slightly taken aback; this wasn't what he had expected.
King Llane said angrily:
"Look at yourself! How many years can you stay with her? By the time you're old and buried, she'll still be young, beautiful, and radiant. Do you think she'll stay a widow for you? Hurry up and go back and pack your bags. We're leaving tomorrow."
Varian dared not object to King Llane's decision and could only return home to pack his belongings. Early the next morning, escorted by Ser Lothar, he boarded a ship and headed for Silvermoon City.
Political marriages are inherently politically motivated; whether they bring happiness or not is irrelevant.
In Silvermoon City, Varian met Sylvanas. She was beautiful, charming, and exuded an aura of majesty and dominance. However, due to his unpleasant experience, Varian felt nothing for Sylvanas.
Similarly, Sylvanas looked at Varian with disdain.
Their marriage existed in name only; they never even held hands.
As the Ranger-General of Silvermoon City, Sylvanas is extremely busy and rarely seen throughout the year.
Varian was quite content with his leisurely life, spending his days strolling the streets, walking his birds, and attending various dances. He lived a carefree and wealthy life, and before long, he became drinking buddies with Kael'thas.
On this day, General Blackmoore of Durnholde Keep presented King Anasterian with a gift of equal value, which was said to be a strange creature never before seen.
Kael'thas found Varian, and the two went to see him with great interest.
Varian encountered this strange creature inside a sturdy iron cage.
Green skin, a strong body, a ferocious face, two sharp fangs, and that familiar cruel expression— Varian was shocked; it was Thrall.
In the Parallel Worlds of Azeroth, there was no Orcs invasion, so the Orcs were completely unfamiliar to them.
The High Elf elves speculated about Thrall's origins, but finally a group of well-read scholars asserted with certainty that he was a mutated Forest Troll.
This peculiar mutated creature feeds on meat and possesses immense strength, capable of tearing tigers and leopards apart. It can even hold its own against elite scouts among the High Elves, leaving people in awe.
Only Varian was filled with unease. While Thrall was demonstrating his skill in tearing apart tigers and leopards, he secretly winked at Varian.
He recognizes me!
Varian, suspicious and Varian, made an excuse to send the Guards away at night and went alone to the iron cage to carefully examine Thrall, who was imprisoned inside.
Thrall also stared intently at Varian, chuckling coldly.
"Who exactly are you?" Varian asked nervously.
Thrall scrutinized Varian, then asked smugly, "Do you remember the 100,000-strong army of Undercity? Do you remember the Dark Lady Sylvanas?"
"You!"
Varian was so shocked that he took several steps back. He first realized that his brief experience King was not a dream, but a real experience, which made him feel a wave of fear.
The Orcs invasion and the Scourge are real phenomena in Parallel Worlds.
What are you doing here?
Although he was filled with confusion, Varian, mindful of his noble status, did not care.
After all, he was a member of the family of the Ranger-General of Silvermoon City, a nobleman of great status, while Thrall was just a slave who had lost his freedom and could be killed at any time.
Thrall grinned and exhaled a terrifying aura.
Varian's expression changed; this aura was all too familiar.
The Undead of the Scourge.
The Thrall before them was not a living being, but Undead creature that had been resurrected after death.
Thrall grinned maliciously, "The Lich King Arthas, on his behalf, sends his regards to you."
Moonglade, Temple of Remulos.
Bright moonlight shone on the earth, and the Emissary stood before the Moon Goddess, carefully gazing at the precious jewel before him.
The experiences of Varian in the Parallel Worlds were presented one by one within the orb. The Thrall of the Emissary gazed at Thrall in his Undead state, lost in thought. He didn't understand what this meant.
"Do you understand now?" Elune, asked.
The Emissary shook his head and whispered, "Your subordinate is dull-witted."
Elune, spoke with an air of majesty:
"Countless worlds, countless Timelines, countless possibilities—before the final chapter arrives, all worlds will perish, ultimately merging into a single world from which Azeroth will be born. The Scourge's counterattack has begun. If we do nothing, in the near future, they will disrupt most of the Parallel Worlds, bringing us unexpected trouble."
The Emissary was confused; he was not yet able to comprehend the mysteries of time and space. But he knew what to do: simply listen to the Moon Goddess's will.
The Moon Goddess said solemnly:
"We must do something. I went to great lengths to resurrect Tirion Fordring, the only being in countless Parallel Worlds, and now he can finally be put to use. If all goes well, he will become the new Lich King."
After the Battle of the Wrathgate, the Horde, with Varian's help, conquered Undercity.
For a long time afterward, although reports of victories in Northrend continued to arrive, neither the Alliance nor the Horde took any military action.
On this day, Robbie, sitting on the Frozen Throne, felt an indescribable tremor.
A thunderous roar resounded as a Giant Star, imbued with endless shadows, descended from the sky and landed near the Sindragosa's Fall.