Interlude (5)

When Arthas was missing, many things happened...

Armies could be seen marching towards Minas Tirith from Camelot, the castle of Paladins, and knights of Lordaeron. The one leading the paladins in the front and knights in the back was a very handsome young man that seemed to be in his mid-twenties with flowing golden hair and hazel eyes in elegant silver-colored armor with a red cape. He rode on a white horse and had a powerful presence.

Beside him was a woman that seemed nearly identical to him, as if they were twins; she was extremely beautiful with a feminine charm that did not reduce her heroic bearings. She also rode on a white horse and had nearly the same armor in the feminine design.

The man was named Valentin and the woman was Dimitar. Two of the most powerful Paladins trained by Arthas. They both carried well-crafted elegant swords made by the elves.

Further away, scouting their path ahead, were two others; One was a man in his fifties with grey hair that reached his shoulders. He had a thin scar on his right eye that instead of being ugly, made him appear more threatening and powerful. He was muscular and wore very simple armor and seemed to be a trained war veteran with a commanding presence. He was Atanas. He carried a giant hammer on his back that seemed to outweigh him.

Following behind Atanas was a middle-aged man with plain features. He had black hair and brown eyes, two daggers on his waist; A cloak on his back. He was named Zoran.

Above the army was a Zeppelin with royal designs, on it was several people, most of them the crew that managed it. However, Bard and Morgan could be seen watching over the army and discussing strategy for the coming war. Bard hadn't changed much, some grey hair could be seen on his head, however.

Further back another army could be seen, this one much smaller but they moved much better. Three elves led them in front, they all had graceful and holy auras. Two seemed feminine their names were Dammriel and Lúthedir. The last one had a sneer on his face as he looked to the last army behind them, he was Therion.

The last army was led by a single dwarf. He had a very heroic presence and moved with fierce eyes. He was Dwomar. Many war machines were being moved by his army. Since they were the slowest due to the machines, they were the last ones.

This was the vanguard battalion of Lordaeron heading towards Minas Tirith. This battalion contained the elite of the forces. The other lords were commanding the rest of the force from stormwind and would arrive later. Only one-fifth of Lordaeron's military would remain in the kingdom and the rest were heading to Minas Tirith as per the orders of the King.

Originally it was to be two-fifth but Arthas's letter to Ysildea had changed it.

Atanas and Zoran returned on their horses and arrived in front of Valentin. Atanas said, "We should make camp, the night is coming and the possibility of an ambush is high.".

Valentin frowned, "We won't make it if we stall. We have been delayed enough already. We cannot rest until we reach Gondor.".

Dimitar looked back at the army and saw they were quite energetic, "I agree with my brother, we should make haste. Who dares ambush us anyway?".

Atanas sighed, "the letter talked about dragons and Demons...".

Valentin rode his horse and made his way to the front while saying calmly, "The enemy won't send its core forces to ambush us. Even if they do, I am confident. Whether they be dragons or demons, I will slay them all.". Dimitar followed him and the army marched on.

Zoren muttered in a way only Atanas could hear, "Must be nice, becoming a paladin at one's prime... I wonder if you feel jealous?". Atanas snorted, "I am at my prime!" and moved away. Zoran chuckled.

As night fell, A small army of wang rider orcs ambushed them.

However, before the orcs could do something, spears of light descended from the sky and pierced them all. The ambush was over before it even began.

Valentin lowered his hand and the light in his eyes slowly diminished. They marched on... Meanwhile, Atanas who wanted to say 'I told you so.' stopped mid-way and pretended nothing had happened. Zoran laughed but the man ignored him.

As Valentin watched the plains and led the army, he couldn't help but think of the past.

50 years ago...

Back then he was an 8-year-old boy with a sick sister. His twin sister was fragile and weak, she couldn't walk. Their parents had left them because they couldn't feed them. The village they lived on was poor and struck with famine. Famine had struck the entire lands belonging to the Easterlings. It was a common occurrence.

He had heard rumors that a new kingdom was formed in the west of the sea of Rhun. A kingdom filled with food and riches. Their leaders had decided to go to war. they prepared...

He remembered working hard as a servant and eventually a soldier when he turned 13. All to make sure her sister received medicine and food. His complexion had turned Swarthy after working so long under the unforgiving sunlight.

The day the marched to Lordaeron was the day they met despair.

A single man greeted them upon the battlefield and lay waste to their army like a god of war. The came to plunder and conquer but it seemed fate had doomed them to death. When all hope was lost, The king who had single-handedly defeated their whole army, offered them to join him.

They readily agreed.

They migrated to this new kingdom and the word reached everywhere and all followed suit.

He remembered how the king personally gave them food and medicine and how he healed his sister in front of his eyes. That day he swore to serve him with all he had and he eventually became a paladin...

His sister followed his path out of gratitude to the king; for her illness had haunted her for many years...

Years and years of training and eventually; His skin healed and grew white again, he grew strong enough to call himself worthy of the name granted to him by the king. Valentin.

"We have reached Gondor." A scout shouted. He saw Minas Tirith and turned to look at Mordor. His eyes grew cold, 'No Mercy for my king's enemies.'. Other armies had camped in front of the castle...

The Zeppelin went ahead and they made camp in front of the castle; like the rest. Valentin, followed by the great Paladins, entered Minas Tirith in search of Arthas.