Intense fighting continued within Stormwind Keep.
Garona, now wielding only one dagger (the other teleported away with Llane), fought fiercely against Lothar.
Aragorn and Amor were also present, seemingly at the tail end of a kingdom meeting.
The white light surrounding Aragorn briefly drew the attention of Stormwind's generals, but they quickly focused back on Lothar and Garona.
"What's happening, Aragorn?" Galen asked immediately. Despite all his preparations for Lothar, the Amulet of Elune had still been used.
"When I arrived, Garona was already a Wrynn-family exclusive agent, investigating the orcs," Aragorn explained. "Her intelligence helped Lothar stabilize the Elwynn Forest line. Because of her contributions, Lothar was hesitant to act against her."
"During today's meeting, a dark force suddenly erupted from her. Before we could react, she stabbed King Llane."
Galen sighed. He knew the rest. If not for my potion, Llane would be dead. The Amulet can't teleport corpses. If the generals had seen their king die, they would have lost all will to fight, and the nobles would have scattered!
And if I hadn't prepared to reveal the resurrection spell, Llane would have been beyond saving. Fortunately, he was teleported to Minas Tirith.
Another flash of white light brought Gandalf. Galen, anticipating trouble, had summoned him remotely.
Looking at the white-robed Gandalf, Galen asked, "Gandalf, can you dispel the dark magic on Garona?"
"Your Highness, that curse is beyond Legendary. I cannot."
Hiss! Gandalf, you're in white robes now! That signifies transformation! Why aren't you demigod-level?
At this critical moment, Galen had to rely on his other resources.
He contacted Medivh, stationed at Crusader Fortress, asking if he knew how to save Garona. A night of passion is worth a hundred days of grace, after all. And he's about to become a father.
Medivh, the former Guardian, provided several methods, and Galen chose a spell, relaying it to Gandalf to use on Garona.
Gandalf sighed. Higher rank trumps lower. The old man has to do it himself.
He chanted, and a blue light wave enveloped Garona.
Garona faintly heard a shrill scream from within her, surrounded by black mist. The mist dissipated, leaving a bewildered Garona pinned down by Lothar's weapon.
Seeing Lothar's victory, Stormwind City breathed a collective sigh of relief. Galen stepped forward, pushing aside the guards.
"That's enough, Lothar. Garona was controlled. The spell is broken; she's fine now!"
Lothar glanced at Garona. Seeing her clear eyes and lack of hostile movements, he sheathed his Great Royal Sword.
"Are you alright, Garona?" Galen helped the half-orc assassin up.
Garona dusted herself off. "Thank you, Galen!"
Then, she turned to Lothar. "How is Llane? I couldn't control myself! Tell me he's alright!"
Please, sister, you stabbed him through the heart! He's lucky to be alive!
Garona had been a weapon for Gul'dan since birth, her very existence orchestrated by him.
Gul'dan had captured Draenei women and had his soldiers defile them, creating a hybrid that perfectly fused orc and Draenei genes. Garona was the most successful, and Gul'dan tortured her with dark magic, creating the ultimate dark blade.
Medivh's appearance allowed her to escape Gul'dan. She had finally found genuine human friends. If not for the dark magic, she would never have attacked Llane.
Now, Garona was filled with remorse!
Garona watched as Lothar turned to Galen, his gaze fixed on him.
Galen handed Garona the dagger from Llane's chest. "Llane is fine; he was only stabbed through the heart."
Lothar, Garona, and the nobles present were shocked!
"But I saved him. The dagger was coated in deadly poison. Although I removed most of it, traces remain, and he's unconscious. He's safe in Minas Tirith!"
Everyone sighed in relief. Since Galen had spread the paladin class, Gavinrad and his newly promoted paladins had made a name for the holy order. Stormwind City knew of the holy city of Minas Tirith!
Lothar glared at Galen. He had drawn out the explanation, almost causing a panic!
Knowing the king was safe, the nobles discussed the evacuation, now made easier by Galen's transport ships. Lothar didn't have to seize the nobles' ships, and the nobles weren't profiting from the crisis. Llane was alive, so Stormwind was in a much better state than in the original timeline.
However, the orcs were too numerous. Despite Llane's pleas, only Stromgarde and Kul Tiras had sent aid.
The other kingdoms either underestimated the threat, were indifferent, or were bogged down in internal political struggles.
Although outnumbered, Lothar, with the people evacuated and support from Stromgarde and Kul Tiras, was confident in holding Stormwind City and Elwynn Forest.