As soon as Tyrande finished speaking, the expressions of both Malfurion and Cenarius changed simultaneously.
Jaina and Uther looked on with curiosity, but Rhodes knew exactly what was happening.
"No. We do not need that traitor. Let him stay in his cell forever," Malfurion sighed, his voice heavy with a mix of sorrow and resentment.
"Don't be so stubborn, my love. He is your brother," Tyrande countered. "Ten thousand years ago, we fought the Burning Legion together. If not for Illidan's sacrifice, victory might have eluded us."
In that ancient war, Illidan had gone undercover within the Legion. Without his double-agent role, the outcome of the War of the Ancients would have been uncertain.
"But he is a traitor, Tyrande! He betrayed our people. If I hadn't pleaded for his life, he would have been executed," Malfurion argued.
"He is a Demon Hunter. His skills are precisely what we need to face this incursion," Tyrande insisted, looking Malfurion in the eye.
"The key to this war is killing Archimonde. We can win with or without him. Do not mention him again!" Malfurion's tone turned unusually sharp.
Tyrande glared back at her husband, refusing to back down. "I am going to release Illidan."
"I will not permit it!"
Watching the two face off, Rhodes felt speechless. He wondered what Tyrande's true feelings for Illidan were. In the future Battle for Azeroth expansion, her transformation into the Night Warrior was essentially a mirror of a Demon Hunter's path. He was certain that if Illidan were around and Tyrande asked him to kill Sylvanas, Illidan would have marched on Orgrimmar the very next day.
"Enough," Cenarius sighed. "Perhaps Tyrande is right. Illidan has atoned for ten thousand years. If he is willing to fight the Legion once more, we can grant him amnesty."
Cenarius personally didn't favor releasing Illidan, but he recalled what Rhodes had told him ten thousand years ago: that even after millennia in a cell, Illidan's only desire would be the destruction of the Burning Legion.
"Teacher? Even you?" Malfurion looked at his mentor in disbelief.
"We must gather every force available to stop Archimonde," Cenarius said firmly.
"Rhodes, who is this Illidan?" Jaina whispered, leaning in close.
Rhodes didn't know how to explain without revealing his knowledge of the "plot" or his past/future travels. Fortunately, the Highborne mage Capurnia spoke up.
"The Night Elves call him a criminal, but the Highborne see him as a hero," she explained. "Our Sunwell exists because the first Sunstrider King received a vial of water from the Well of Eternity from Illidan. He made a massive contribution to the ancient war. Despite using Fel, he is an undisputed Demon Hunter."
"Fel magic? Is that not the power of demons?" Uther frowned. As a veteran of the Second War, he knew the dangers of Fel energy all too well.
"Since it is your command, Teacher, I will comply," Malfurion conceded, though his anger was palpable. "But if he ever harms our people or our home again, I will show no mercy."
"I believe he won't. Tell us where he is held," Tyrande said. She addressed Malfurion by his name rather than "my love," clearly still angry.
"I won't go to him. He is in a cavern beneath Mount Hyjal. I will give you the location," Malfurion snapped. He transformed into a massive eagle and flew off without another word.
Rhodes watched him go. The model couple of Azeroth just had a falling out. Illidan, here's your chance to win her back!
"Don't mind them, Rhodes. The rivalry between the Stormrage brothers is... complicated," Cenarius remarked. "Both were brilliant, but Illidan craved power in a way Malfurion never did."
"I apologize for the scene," Tyrande said with an awkward smile to Rhodes. "Malfurion will understand eventually. I'll give him time."
Cenarius provided a letter of release, as not even Tyrande had the sole authority to free a high-profile prisoner like Illidan.
"Rhodes, come with me. Let's go rescue Illidan Stormrage," Tyrande said.
Rhodes nodded. He was about to meet the legendary man who would one day lead Azeroth to defeat the Legion for good.
They set out that afternoon on Wyvern Kings, flying through the night toward Mount Hyjal.
"Tyrande, how strong was I ten thousand years ago compared to now?" Rhodes asked during the flight.
"You were definitely more powerful then," she smiled. "And please, just call me Tyrande. 'Lady Tyrande' makes me feel old."
"Alright, Tyrande."
"By the way, Rhodes," she turned to him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Do you remember the joke you told me ten thousand years ago?"
"What joke?"
"The one about 'Tyrande's Dried Banana.' Back then, I had no idea what it meant. You told me when you left that I could ask you the answer the next time we met."
Rhodes coughed violently. What the hell did my future self say? Dried banana? Is this a joke about a Horde rogue stealing her fruit, or something much worse?
"I... I don't know the specifics," Rhodes stammered.
"I think you do," Tyrande teased. "You told me that one day, I would be 'accompanied by a dried banana.' I didn't get it as a young girl, but I think I understand now. You've been hiding things from me."
"Haha... it was just a joke," Rhodes said awkwardly.
"Well, for the record, I've never used a 'dried banana,'" Tyrande added matter-of-factly.
"Ahem!" My Sister in Christ, you really don't need to tell me that! Rhodes didn't dare ask more.
"I'm just getting my revenge for how you used to tease me until I was red in the face," she laughed. "Time flies. When you return from your journey, we'll have a real talk. You aren't quite the man I know yet. And don't you dare mention this conversation to Malfurion or Illidan—unless you want to die."
Rhodes felt a chill. Future me, you really are a menace. You told her everything!
"So, Tyrande... were we very close back then?"
"Just ordinary friends. Don't overthink it."
Good, Rhodes thought. That's a relief.