Meeting

A sharp whistling wind? Nathanos rode his chestnut horse into Eversong Forest once more. The wind, which should have been gentle on his face, felt like the forest was mocking him. On his way here, he had rejected Turalyon's suggestion to abandon all his retinue. He had told Turalyon that the surplus manpower should be placed where they were needed, but his real reason for doing so was simply to have some quiet time to reflect while on his journey.

He remembered that Alleria often said this phrase, with a proud and sweet smile, "Eversong Forest remain beautiful forever."

But that's all in the past!

Nathanos shook his head; he was now the Alliance's messenger, and he remembered his duty.

"Halt!" A group of Elf Ranger stopped him in his tracks, Sauras language.

"You have set foot on the land of Quel'Thalas, human. If you cannot explain why you are here, then leave immediately."

Nathanos was disappointed by their attitude. He didn't answer the question immediately, but simply stared at the incessantly chattering elf leader. Had they already forgotten the days when they fought side by side? He wanted to ask that question, but the answer was immediately clear in his heart—who could say otherwise? After the humans helped the Elf drive away the Troll, the Elf 'Elf attitude towards humans gradually turned cold. Alleria's "symbolic" help when Lothar was still leading the Alliance was still being talked about.

"Where is Alleria?" he asked in a low voice, his tone commanding and warning. The Elf's ears twitched, clearly displeased.

"Are you asking me? And you're going to answer my questions? Also, what do you want with the Ranger-General?"

Humanity's attention once again turned to the Elf, who appeared to be a seasoned Farstrider, while the four Elf beside him were complete novices. Nathanos could tell from the way they held their bows that they were all inexperienced Ranger. Why were the rangers patrolling the forest inexperienced in battle? Nathanos even suspected that Alleria knew of his arrival and was using this method to torment him.

He gripped the reins tightly, and after a long standoff with them, Nathanos removed the Lo'gresh from his back. "Give this bow to your general."

The Elf captain took Lo'gresh, examined it carefully, then handed it to another Elf, whispering something to him. The Elf nodded, glanced at Nathanos, and quickly turned and left. The remaining elves remained wary of this uninvited guest.

An hour later, a more elite group of Ranger arrived, led by a curvaceous Female Elf. When she saw Nathanos, her eyes narrowed, but she quickly recovered, even flashing a smile.

"Ranger, return to your posts," she commanded, her voice loud and clear, declaring that her orders were not to be questioned. The Ranger nodded and left, leaving only her and Nathanos.

"It's a pleasure to meet you again, Nathanos!" Sylvanas, seated on a purple Hawkstrider, returned Lo'gresh to him. "Take it; I don't want to see it in anyone else's hands again." The Female Elf's smile remained, but Nathanos's gloomy expression made her feel that her smile was extremely rude.

"You come here..."

"I've come to find Alleria."

'Damn it!' Sylvanas cursed inwardly, but she forced a smile. She replied somewhat hesitantly, 'I'm afraid it's not the right time. She's not in a good mental state right now.' She answered truthfully, not intending to stop Nathanos from seeing Alleria.

"What... happened to her?"

Sylvanas sighed, her heart filled with worry for Alleria. "It's terrible. She's locked herself in her room for two whole days and hasn't eaten or drunk anything!" As she uttered the last four words, her face paled, as if she were the one suffering, not Alleria.

Sadness, bitterness, and fear flooded Nathanos's mind, but he forced himself to remain calm. Contrary to Sylvanas's expectations, he didn't show any anxiety or concern. Instead, he spoke to Sylvanas in a very calm tone, "Take me there. I'll make her better!"

The Female Elf showed a hint of surprise, studied him for a moment, and then nodded.

Windrunner Tower

Alleria opened her eyes from her sleep. She didn't want to be awake, because waking up meant hunger, but hunger wouldn't allow her to fall back asleep. The Female Elf bit her dry lips. If she opened her mouth, the servants outside would give her everything she needed, but she didn't; she even refused all help. After some time, there was another knock at the door, but this time it was different. No one asked if she needed food or water; the person outside just knocked. Then Alleria heard the click of her door lock. A few seconds later, the door opened. The Female Elf was about to yell "Get out!"—whoever it was, Vareesa or Sylvanas, she didn't want to see anyone right now. But what she saw wasn't an Elf, but a human. Her eyes widened, her mind filled with questions. Why was he here? What was he doing here? How dare he show his face before her?

Tears welled in the Female Elf's eyes, but she quickly glared angrily at Nathanos. "Guards! Throw him out!"

"They can't hear me!" Nathanos looked at her, his fists clenching involuntarily. Alleria's bloodless face and swollen eyes pained him deeply. "Sylvanas has transferred them all away; it's just you and me here."

"You're here to laugh at me? You're happy to see me like this, aren't you?"

The human seemed about to say something, but then stopped, and instead said, "I have joined the Alliance!"

"Really? Congratulations! But so what?"

Don't you want to know the reason?

"I don't care!" Alleria turned her head to look out the window.

Nathanos paused again, then continued, "There is something I think I should tell you." His words did not draw her attention again, but the Female Elf's heart was listening to what he had to say.

"Dalaran under attack! It's Death Knight, and... dragons!"

Alleria shuddered at the last word, a mocking smile spreading across her face. "What? Are you telling me that humanity has finally realized those beasts haven't been defeated, that they're still at large, and that the Alliance has finally had enough?"

"No." Nathanos moved closer and knelt down in front of her. Their eyes met once more. Throughout, Nathanos's tone remained calm, even though Alleria's haggard face was like a dagger piercing his heart every second. "The Alliance will stop the Horde, but that doesn't mean they will kill them all. The bad news I have to tell you is that King Terenas has ordered the construction of internment camps specifically to house those Orcs prisoners."

Upon hearing this, Alleria's eyes widened, and she gritted her teeth, grabbing Nathanos tightly and roaring, "Utterly foolish! This is impossible!" She was extremely agitated, shaking Nathanos violently with both hands! Unable to calm down, she was deeply tormented by frustration. Finally, she buried her head in Nathanos's arms and began to sob, "Why! Why? Why did they do this? Why didn't they kill them, why..." The Female Elf's tears soaked his outer garments, and then he heard words that almost broke his heart.

Why are you the one telling me all this?

The man felt his breathing suddenly stop the next second. In a panic, he hugged Alleria tightly, but he couldn't answer any of her questions.

"Is revenge really that important to you?" Nathanos whispered in her ear. The Female Elf did not answer him, but the way her hands were clenched tightly against Nathanos's chest told the human her answer.

"Then you will have such an opportunity!" the human said again. Alleria thought she had misheard. She pushed Nathanos away forcefully and looked at him in shock.

The human stood up and turned away, obscuring her face. "Turalyon has ordered the gathering of former allies to deal with the Horde and their new allies—the Black Dragons. If you hurry, perhaps you can kill them when Turalyon captures them and avenge all your losses."

Alleria struggled to her feet, her legs aching. She wanted to ask, "And what about you? What will you do?" but Nathanos answered her first, "I will be with you. That's why I joined the Alliance."

Suddenly, Alleria felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders. She stood there, stunned, her mind replaying countless times what the human had just said. The other person sighed, turned, and left, reminding her to eat before departing. She was now alone in the room, but this time, someone opened her door...!

Narrator:

I don't know if this is the right thing to do. I can't change her mind with words, and no one can, unless they can bring back everything she's lost. But I don't want her to continue down this path. What has hatred turned her into? She's right. I have no right to lecture her. I've often asked myself, if I lost the same things she did—my family, my home—would I have the same thoughts as her, would I want revenge? I think I would, but I dare not think about what that day will bring. If it does, then my first target for revenge should be myself, because I failed to protect everything I cherish. And I'm also lucky; I foresaw what this war might take from me, like her, so I'm prepared. I have the answer. I'm not sure why I'm doing this; my heart tells me I must protect her. She thinks I'll help her get revenge, but I've decided to stop her, in my own way, even if she ultimately hates me forever, even if I lose my life because of it, I'm willing to pay! Alleria ...