After bidding farewell to the Night Elves, Rhodes, Jaina, Capurnia, and the other High Elf mages returned to the human settlement in Dustwallow Marsh via a teleportation array.
Meanwhile, Uther, the Paladins, and the Dwarven units began their trek back toward Ashenvale, purging demons along the way before returning to base.
Upon returning to camp, Rhodes was immediately received with a grand welcome by Princess Calia. In the month he had been away, the human town had undergone significant development.
With the help of Goblin blueprints and labor, the blueprint of a proper city had begun to emerge, and the faces of the people were radiant with happiness. After their old homes were destroyed, these two months in a new land had provided an unimaginable sense of relief; the new home was flourishing, and everything was looking up.
Rhodes found Princess Calia in her office processing government affairs. Having endured a series of hardships, she appeared much more mature than her peers, diligently learning how to manage her people under the guidance of several loyal veteran ministers.
"Rhodes, Jaina, you've returned," Calia said, her expression solemn. "I've already heard the news from the Eastern Kingdoms from the soldiers who returned ahead of you."
"The situation is even worse than we imagined," Calia continued. "Prince Kael'thas has made a difficult decision. Blood Elves... it is a name filled with sorrow and resolve."
Hearing this, Capurnia's eyes dimmed further. She bowed to Calia and Rhodes. "Princess, please allow me to immediately arrange contact with the Goblins. We must return to Quel'Thalas as soon as possible."
Rhodes nodded. "Go, Capurnia. Go directly to the Goblin trade representative and tell him it is my request. Have them prepare the fastest and best magical airship. Do not worry about the cost. Once I pack my things, I will depart with you. I intend to meet Prince Kael'thas in person."
Rhodes handed over a special emblem representing the commercial credit of the Steamwheedle Cartel. This was part of his pact with Trade Prince Steamwheedle; as long as the price was right, Rhodes' demands would be met.
"Thank you!" Capurnia took the emblem and nodded to Rhodes. The Prince and Rhodes had an agreement: once the humans were settled, Rhodes would return to the Eastern Kingdoms. He was keeping his word.
Jaina watched the departing elves and whispered to Rhodes, "The destruction of the Sunwell... for the elves who have relied on it for millennia, this is a devastating blow." Having been an archmage's apprentice in Dalaran, she knew how deep their dependency went.
Even the elves in Dalaran frequently consumed mana potions to replenish themselves. Their homeland, wrapped in the thick magical shroud of the Sunwell, had enjoyed arcane power every second of the day. Their obsession with arcane energy was near-pathological; losing it suddenly was catastrophic for the race.
"Which is why we must help them," Rhodes said. "Not just to fulfill a promise, but for the future of the Alliance. A stable and powerful Quel'Thalas is a vital ally in defending against the Scourge or any threat from the North."
This time, he wouldn't let the Blood Elves join the Horde; the "aesthetic backbone" of the world had to stay in the Alliance. Without them, the Horde's magical capabilities were laughably inferior.
"I agree. So, how was the mission, Rhodes? Did you foil the Legion's plot?" Calia asked.
"Rest assured, Princess. Together with the Night Elves, we successfully thwarted the Burning Legion at Mount Hyjal," Rhodes replied.
"That is wonderful news. While you were in Ashenvale, I received reports of an Orc force. Do they pose a threat to us?" Calia asked. This was a point of concern; she had sent scouts to Night Elf lands and learned of the "Horde." The blood feud between the two races was not easily settled.
"Don't worry. I've had discussions with the new Warchief. There won't be a conflict for now, as long as we respect each other's boundaries," Rhodes said.
"Those beasts... asking them to stop expanding is nearly impossible, isn't it?" Calia remarked. She had been eleven during the Second War and remembered the Orcs' brutality vividly.
"It's a temporary measure. We need to consolidate our internal strength before we have a real say. For now, the Orcs won't enter human territory—besides, the Night Elves stand between us and them," Rhodes explained.
"That's a relief. The Night Elves seem like a peace-loving race; perhaps we can convince them to join the Alliance," Calia suggested. A ten-thousand-year-old ally would be a boon for humanity.
"That's very likely. They don't care much for Orcs, especially given the Orcs' history with demon blood and fel energy. They'll choose us," Rhodes nodded.
"You've worked hard, Rhodes," Calia said. "I hope that after you settle things in the Eastern Kingdoms, you can stay by my side for a while and help me manage the state."
Now that the humans were settled, the nobles were pressuring Calia to have Rhodes fulfill his duties as Prince Regent. Lordaeron needed a clear line of succession. While Calia's daughter was an option, she would need a Regent until she came of age. However, if Calia and Rhodes were to have a son, everything would change. She would rule as Queen, and the boy would become the future King.
Rhodes nodded and chatted a bit longer before returning to his quarters—a newly built stone house. Night had fallen, and after dinner, he prepared to sleep. Just then, there was a knock at the door.
It was Jaina. She hadn't missed the subtext in the Princess's words, and she felt a pang of resentment. She had been the first to have an ambiguous connection with Rhodes, yet before the Battle of Hyjal, he had been flirting with a certain elf. Calia's words today only made the sting worse.
"Jaina, it's late. Is something wrong?" Rhodes invited her in.
"I... I have something to ask you," Jaina took a deep breath. "Rhodes, what exactly is our relationship? I want an answer."
She knew if Rhodes intended to marry Calia, they could only ever be friends; her status as Princess of Kul Tiras demanded no less.
"We're good friends!"
"Friends? Just friends?" she asked, clearly dissatisfied.
"Well, if you want to happen upon something beyond friendship, I'm not opposed," Rhodes teased. Before she could react, he swept her up in his arms and kissed her.
If you're going to deliver yourself to my door, I won't be a gentleman. As for the "husband-killing" curse she was famous for in the lore? Only the weak fear such things.
The next several hours are omitted...
After the passion subsided, Rhodes exhaled a long breath of satisfaction. He had finally experienced the "main heroine" of early Azeroth lore.
"I knew it... you rogue," Jaina said, leaning against him. "I am a Princess of Kul Tiras, and Calia is the future Queen of Lordaeron. You've accepted the position of Prince Regent. You know what that implies, right?"
"I know. But I told Arthas a bit of a boast earlier—I told him I was taking both his sister and his ex-girlfriend," Rhodes said.
"What?! You... you actually said that to him?" Jaina rolled her eyes.
"To provoke him, obviously. It messes with his combat focus," Rhodes joked.
"So you're just playing with me?"
"No. I mean, you and Calia can both live with me," Rhodes said.
"That's impossible! Lordaeron law doesn't allow that. Humans are monogamous," Jaina argued.
"Once I'm the one calling the shots in Lordaeron, I'll just change the law," Rhodes said.
"Goodness! You really intend to... you are a bold man," Jaina said, sitting up and clutching the sheets.
"I want it all," Rhodes said, clenching his fist with dramatic flair.
"Heh, you'd better have a strong stamina then," Jaina smirked. "And what about that female elf?"
"You and Calia are for real," Rhodes said. "With her... we were just having a bit of fun."