Alleria's Attitude
As usual, Alleria stood outside waiting for Sylvanas's return. However, this time she took longer than expected. Retrieving the newly issued mana crystals shouldn't have taken this long.
Suddenly, her pointed ears caught a familiar sound of footsteps. The bushes parted to the side. The person the leader of the Windrunner family had been waiting for had returned.
"It's taking longer than before. If you don't show up in another fifteen minutes, I'll have to go find you alone."
The person bowed deeply. "Please forgive me, sister. I just encountered some complicated and trivial matters, but I have already taken care of them."
Sylvanas carried a Sathoryl and a quiver full of arrows. As a skilled Ranger, Alleria felt as if the Elf standing before her was herself. Besides Sylvanas, Vareesa and Lirath were also there. The four of them had once galloped together under the bright, beautiful sun, Lirath playing his harmonica while the three sisters danced hand in hand.
Everything is no longer bright and beautiful, but life has not only left them with despair.
Alleria reached out to Sylvanas, but in the end she only gave her sister a reassuring smile. "Just don't make me worry anymore," she said. "Alright, tell me how Vareesa is doing, and what's the situation in Silvermoon City."
Alleria expected Sylvanas to simply tell her, as usual, that everything was fine, and reiterate that Vareesa was already familiar with the duties of Ranger-General, that Silvermoon City was being rebuilt, and so on. But Sylvanas frowned. "The situation... is a bit complicated, my sister."
Alleria's smile vanished. What did "complex" mean? Was someone challenging Vareesa's position? Or had Arthas returned?
"Little Moon misses you very much," Nathanos continued. "The Sin'dorei trust the Windrunner family implicitly. But there are also some who would like to see you step forward."
Alleria smiled. "Let me guess, it's the surviving nobles and my former subordinates who are complaining, isn't it?" She shook her long blonde hair. "I should indeed stay at my post without worrying about being questioned."
"I believe you will be back on the front lines in the future, sister. But I have another, more complicated situation to tell you." Sylvanas held Alleria's hand, her eyes darting around for a moment. "Vareesa has encountered a problem."
"What problem?"
"Well, do you remember Veronalara, who once served as your Ranger?" Sylvanas thought for a moment, then decided to make up a lie to subtly probe the question.
"Of course I remember." Alleria's expression darkened considerably. Veronalara had defended the first line of defense against Arthas, and ultimately died a glorious death in battle.
"She's back, but..."
"She's back!" Alleria exclaimed in surprise, her sister now wearing an enigmatic expression on her tanned skin.
"But she's dead," she said, and as if to make sure Alleria understood her meaning, she added, "She's become a monster like Arthas."
"This is impossible!" Alleria took two steps back, but she already believed it was entirely possible. Suddenly, fear gripped her. What if Nathanos also died on the battlefield and was resurrected by the Scourge ...
... The Sunwell is above, so this must not happen.
"What's she coming back for? To attack us like Arthas did?"
"No!" Sylvanas shook her head, but her eyes never stopped observing her sister's expression. "According to her, she has regained consciousness and is no longer a minion of the Scourge. She has returned and longs for the recognition of her people."
"No!" Alleria was completely surprised by Sylvanas's resolute attitude; her sister had rejected the idea without the slightest hesitation.
"We can't trust her. There's absolutely no evidence to prove what she's saying. Maybe... this is Arthas's conspiracy."
"But what if it's true?" Sylvanas hoped her question would elicit Alleria's sympathy. She continued, "Veronalara died protecting our people; she was a hero, and now she's suffering just like us. Are we just going to stand by and do nothing just because she's become Undead? Are we going to shut her out? That would be so unfair to her!"
"This is not the same thing at all, Sylvanas. Have you forgotten Arthas? He was a revered Prince in life, but now? His name is a curse, a nightmare for everyone." Alleria paused. "Veronalara will be remembered forever for everything she did for Quel'Thalas! But... she should be lying in the ground!"
"Why?" Sylvanas's overreaction startled Alleria. "Can't you see it's Arthas's scheme? He's using the corpses of those fallen Elf to humiliate us, just to see how we'll treat them."
"So we should take them in and show Arthas what mercy is? Do you want the Sin'dorei people to stand with the monsters that have stolen their bright future every day? Do you want them to live in nightmares all the time?"
"No! I believe there is a way to have the best of both worlds."
"Have you forgotten why we are Sin'dorei now, and not Quel'dorei?"
"Of course I know that we call ourselves that in memory of our fallen compatriots."
"People are more eager for revenge than remembrance!" Sylvanas's eyes widened slightly. The word "revenge" had actually escaped Alleria's lips. The Ranger's consciousness flashed back several years to his sister's hatred for the Horde.
As with every conversation before, Alleria accurately read her sister's expression. "I know what you're thinking right now, Sylvanas. I can tell you clearly, if I become Undead, I'd rather end it all myself than let anyone else see me twisted. I want them to remember me only for fighting for them, not... not for talking in taverns about me becoming the Sin'dorei's most hated enemy!"
Sylvanas's brows furrowed, revealing a look of despair. Was this Alleria's attitude?
"Tell Vareesa that the Ranger-General must make the safest choice for the people. Let Veronalara ...let her leave this place."
"How... how can I tell him?"
Alleria glanced back at her sister. "Let her go, and never come back." The Windrunner leader walked into the cabin.
Never come back?
Never come back!
Forever!!!
Nathanos's expression was calm, yet even more indescribable.