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(A/N: For all my muslim readers Happy Eid!)
(Chapter 92 will soon be on Patreon as well at most in an hour or less.)
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-Hammerfall Fortress-
Everyone was gathered in the war room, discussing the upcoming offensive campaign now that the Allied forces had united and assembled a sufficiently powerful force to finally begin their counteroffensive against the Scourge-Chaos forces.
Plans were made, presented, discarded, and revised. Logistics were arranged, and joint assets were positioned where they would be most effective.
Much was being done to prepare for what would likely be the final stages of the war, and everything was being directed and coordinated by none other than Alastor.
He sat at the throne-like head chair of the holo-table, the very image of a wise and great king, coordinating and leading everyone with ease.
He needed only a moment or two to review a plan or document before delivering a clear and concise decision that satisfied everyone—or at the very least, most.
Those who weren't fully satisfied were rarely opposed to his decisions; at worst, they remained neutral but still agreed, trusting his judgment.
Normally, the seat Alastor occupied belonged to Alonsus Faol, who had acted as the leader of the Northern Alliance.
But now that the Northern and Southern Alliances had united into a single, unified Alliance, Alonsus had all but stepped down, nominating Alastor Wrynn—the leader of the Southern Alliance—to take the position of Supreme Commander of the Alliance.
It was a decision that received unanimous support from all sides.
The former Southern Alliance leaders were an obvious case—they had traveled and fought alongside Alastor and trusted him completely.
As for the former Northern Alliance leaders—
Brann and Belegar had no objections, especially with the two Dwarven kings already backing him.
Malfurion had no objections either, as the Night Elves had already aligned themselves with Alastor through Tyrande.
Gelbin gave his support and agreement easily enough.
Stormwind was never in question. King Varian Wrynn had repeatedly stated that he and his kingdom would support his brother Alastor, regardless of the decisions he made.
The representative from Kul Tiras, Crown Prince Derek Proudmoore, also pledged their support for his future brother-in-law, stating that their navy and people stood with him.
Thoras was a warrior king who had already admired Alastor before the war, but with his recent achievements leading the Southern Alliance from Stormwind to Hammerfall, that admiration had only deepened.
Like many others, Thoras had begun to see him as a hero on par with the legendary Emperor Thoradin, believing that with him at the helm, the Alliance could crush their fel enemies even sooner.
The Church of the Holy Light also stood firmly behind him. If the Archbishop's endorsement wasn't enough, Alastor's status as the third Saint of the Light more than solidified the Church's support.
….....Also, the growing sentiment that he might be an incarnated avatar of the Light likely helped.
And finally, the Loyalist forces of Lordaeron.
Officially, Calia was their leader, as the new Queen and ruler of Lordaeron.
However, due to her inexperience, official matters were being handled by her regent—
High General Alexandros Mograine, a powerful Paladin on par with the great Paladins like Saidan and Tirion, and the highest-ranking military official among the Lordaeron forces.
He was respected by his men and allies alike, and he held Calia's full trust, having once been close to the Menethil family and serving as something of an uncle figure to the much younger Calia and Arthas.
Now, when Alexandros heard the latest rumors of a hidden romance between Calia and Alastor—
…or the even more far-fetched tales of their supposed elopement—
He had given Alastor a look of such flat, deadpan judgment that, even now, Alastor refused to meet his gaze out of sheer embarrassment.
Calia fared no better. If anything, she was worse at hiding her reaction whenever his eyes turned to her.
And while Alexandros did take a certain amount of amusement in making the greatest hero of the age squirm, what neither Alastor nor Calia realized was that he was actually pleased by these developments.
Technically, so was Alonsus.
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Both Archbishop Alonsus and High General Alexandros were Calia's staunchest supporters and protectors.
While their presence alone would deter most ambitious individuals from questioning her right to rule—despite her inexperience and her relation to Arthas, the Lich King—
What they would have a far more difficult time preventing were those who would seek her hand in marriage.
While Lordaeron had no laws forbidding a woman from ruling, in practice it was not a widely accepted notion—especially with Calia still growing into her role as queen.
The simplest solution would be for her to take a sufficiently powerful husband to stabilize her rule.
Yet that, too, carried its own dangers.
By taking a husband, Calia would potentially be opening the doors to the full influence of the Lordaeron royal name—and everything associated with it.
If her husband were not trustworthy, he could do any number of things: sell important secrets, leech valuable resources and wealth, or attach himself to the throne like a parasite.
In fact, if Calia were to die or suffer an "accident," her husband—even as only a king's consort—would be the most eligible candidate to become King of Lordaeron.
Neither Alexandros nor Alonsus wanted such an outcome, especially after everything Calia had already endured. Unlike them, she had not been a warrior beforehand.
The fact that she had not fallen into despair and was instead actively stepping up, striving to fulfill her role and learn what was required of her, was admirable enough.
They had no intention of adding another potential "snake" to this already "stressful" stage of her life.
That was when Alonsus had gotten an idea and suggested to Alexandros that Alastor should become Calia's husband.
Alexandros had been taken aback at first, but upon reflection, he recognized the wisdom in Alonsus's proposal.
Politically, even before the war, Alastor had possessed immense influence as a royal prince.
Now, however, he was without question the most important and influential man in the Alliance, while also serving as its leader.
His fame was equally considerable, earned through both battlefield achievements and his skill in administration and diplomacy.
And that was not considering his other achievements like in science, engineering, magic and medicine.
He was widely being hailed as the greatest hero of the modern era—one spoken of in the same breath as Emperor Thoradin.
If such a man were to become Calia's husband, it would effectively crush the ambitions of any who might seek her hand.
Aside from the utterly insane, no one would dare challenge Alastor, even indirectly.
More importantly, Alonsus knew that his newest student still harbored feelings for the heroic prince of Stormwind.
And given the kind of man Alastor was, he would not only treat Calia well but ensure her happiness.
All things considered, Alastor was a perfect candidate.
As for his existing engagements to Alleria and Jaina—what of it?
It was hardly uncommon in Azeroth's history for powerful individuals to take multiple lovers or spouses. In fact, it was often viewed as a sign of prestige and respect.
It was practically common sense on Azeroth.
If anything, it was surprising that Alastor ONLY had two fiancées, given his reputation and achievements. There weren't even rumors of him indulging in casual affairs.
At this rate, one might even think that he had never been with any woman beyond his fiancées.
(A/N: Blame Llane and Anduin, who turned him into a good boy before Taria could properly enlighte—! educate him!)
Even Alexandros despite his current discipline had indulged in quite a bit of female company in his youth.
And if Alexandros were being honest, he wouldn't mind calling that lad his king one day.
The High General still harbored resentment over Terenas's actions before his death, which had indirectly aided their enemies.
Not only had it heightened tensions between the North and South of Arda, but it had also given the Black Mages the cover they needed to complete their preparations for the current war.
After enduring Terenas's ambition and poor judgment, Alexandros would much prefer the next ruler to be an honorable, strong, and wise king.
Even if he had to personally put him in that position, he refused to suffer through another weak and paranoid king.
With that in mind, Alexandros gave his approval to Alonsus's suggestion, and Alonsus took upon himself the sacred duty of seeing the union through.
In short, the Archbishop of the Church of the Holy Light became a matchmaker.
In fact, a few days prior, when Alonsus had spoken to Alastor about Calia's mental state, he had deliberately kept vague just how difficult things truly were for her.
As a result, Alastor had grown concerned and promised to check on her as soon as possible.
(A/N: It was all for the Greater Good!)
What Alonsus had not anticipated was that his slight "nudge" would prove even more effective than expected.
From Calia's embarrassed blush when he subtly probed her, it became clear that some of the rumors held truth—and that something had indeed occurred within her chambers.
Alexandros then played his part, discreetly instructing his people to spread the rumors further—carefully ensuring that neither Calia's nor Alastor's reputations were harmed.
And if anyone attempted to spread unsavory variations?
Well, they were quietly removed by his men for some…..."disciplinary action."
Another pleasant surprise came when they approached Varian and subtly explored the possibility of a match between Alastor and Calia.
Varian had paused for a moment but ultimately gave his tacit approval.
Now, all that remained was to continue encouraging matters and subtly nudging the two closer together—which, fortunately, was the easy part.
All things considered, the greatest question among the Lordaeron forces—aside from the war itself—was whether they should begin addressing Alastor as "Your Majesty," or wait until after the wedding.
All the while, both the Queen and the Primarch remained completely oblivious to the fact that their most trusted allies were quietly "scheming" to bring them together.
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