The Beginning: The Battle of Mount Hyjal

With the Darkspear Trolls joining the Horde, the Horde gained a large number of excellent scouts. Leiluo held another selection among them, reorganized a force, and took it to Astranaar. The remaining Darkspear scouts were split up and assigned to the various legions. The largest number went to the Blasted Lands, which was effectively an exclave at this point. The Horde could only strengthen the Blasted Lands' own defenses as much as possible, since it would be difficult to send aid there if the Alliance launched an attack.

Before Leiluo could reach Astranaar with the scouting party and Warchief, he received news from the city: Gul'dan had made his move—and a major one. He had launched a fierce assault on Mount Hyjal while also sending troops into Felwood and Ashenvale.

This time, Gul'dan wasn't just going through the motions. The Undead had deployed all their powerful units, including Death Knights, Abominations, and Liches. Among the demons, aside from the three cannon-fodder types, Doom Guards, Dreadguards, and Abyssal Lords had all appeared. In no time, the defenses of Mount Hyjal were on the verge of collapse, and much of Ashenvale and Felwood had been occupied. Gul'dan's forces were even advancing on Astranaar.

To spare Astranaar from the ravages of war, Tyrande and Malfurion led their troops out of the city, hoping to stop the Undead and demons. But no one could have imagined that they would not only fail to defeat them, but would instead be surrounded by Gul'dan's army.

With Leiluo away, the Horde forces had not followed Tyrande and Malfurion into battle. The burden of defending Astranaar fell squarely on the Horde warriors—or, more specifically, on Gul'dan. As Leiluo's deputy, he had to take command whenever Leiluo was absent.

Jaina was also nowhere to be seen. The Alliance had