Laara
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Laara's Story
Laara was glad that she had studied so much, practiced so hard, and learned her skills so well. She was proud that she was so independent.
It was true that she worked hard night and day to increase her knowledge and skills. She strived with all her might to become one of the best fighters. She might not yet be the "best", but no one could claim she was timid, or that she did not give 110%. She never hesitated to jump right into battles to save those who needed help.
Like her sisters, Meenah, Dyy and Veld, she was a Lady, since they, through their father, were descendants of Prince Kael'thas (who had long ago gone to Outlands).
Laara and her sisters knew that one day, one of them would be selected to be the high ruler, the "sovereign" of their estate, when their father passed on, and after they were old enough for the responsibility, but they all hoped that day would not be for a long, long time. However, it came to pass much sooner than any of them ever expected.
One day a multitude of giant scourge ships sailed right into Stormwind Harbour and hundreds of scourge flooded onto the docks and the air was filled with their kind, screeching and clawing and biting and killing, trying to kill mankind. A great cry went out all across the lands, "Come! Aid us!" "Help us Please!", and Azurani and Donatheol heard the call. They did not wish to leave their young daughters behind, but they knew it would be safer for the girls not to go with them. They knew that both Azurani and Donatheol would be busy killing and healing, trying to protect the Human Capital City, and they would not be capable of protecting their children at the same time, so they decided it would be best for the girls to remain behind in Silvermoon City, with the City Guard to protect them, and the advisors and counsellors to aid them should that become necessary. Donatheol and Azurani trusted Kaanas (Captain of the Royal Guard) and his alt-brother Dathias (Lieutenant of the Royal Guard) fully and knew that the girls would be protected well in their absence.
On that day, Donatheol went and informed Kaanas of his decision to leave the girls in Silvermoon City while he and his wife, Azurani, went to Stormwind to help in the war. He told Kaanas that he was entrusting his daughters' safekeeping into the capable hands of the Royal Guards, and he knew that they would not let him down. Kaanas had long before that day sworn fealty to Donatheol and Donatheol knew that Kaanas was willing to lay down his life for him and any and all of his family. Kaanas and the Royal Guard would guard his daughters well.
Then Donatheol and Azurani took up their weapons and Donatheol called his fiercest pet to his side. They hugged and kissed their daughters, waved farewell to them, and then rushed to Stormwind as fast as they could to aid in repelling the massive number of scourge that were invading the Harbour. Thousands were there already, trying to protect the human capital city when Azurani and Donatheol arrived and joined in the battle. Many died beside them.
Days went by and there was no news from Stormwind, other than the fact that the battle raged on. The girls waited anxiously to hear news from their parents, and every day they looked for them to return home to Silvermoon City to them, but days and days passed and it soon turned into weeks and there was no sign of Azurani and Donatheol. No messenger ever came to bring news from them.
The sisters hoped to see the their parents again or to hear from them, to find out that they were safe and alive, but no word ever came to them. All traces of them vanished. Finally, the girls clung together and wept. They all sensed that they would not see their parents alive again. They were proud that their parents had gone to try to save mankind, but they sorely missed them and were saddened that they had not returned and were now presumed dead. Through their sorrow and tears, they let their parents go, as was the way of the Blood Elves.
On that day, the sisters pledged to each other aloud the heretofore unspoken pledges that they had so long held in their hearts: They pledged to always love and support each other and to do all in their power to become the very best with the skills, talents, and professions. They pledged to use their talents to the best advantage of their people. They also pledged to consult one another on major decisions that would affect their people greatly. They pledged to continue to encourage all to help those in need, and they pledged that they would fight at their sides if need be. They pledged to continue their training and to seek out those who could train them further in their skills and talents so that each of them could help defeat the abominations of scourge that had been brought to the lands by the Lich King to destroy the peoples they loved. They pledged justice and freedom for all from the tyranny of Arthas.
But that all happened quite a while ago, and now, months later, after the requisite morning period and time of adjustment, it was time for the sisters to decide which of the four of them would become the next "ruler", the "leader", the "sovereign", the one who would take on the responsibility of the care of their people. Everyone in the kingdom expected it would be Meenah who would take up the crown, but the girls weren't going to choose by "popular vote".
There was really not a lot to talk about to choose which of the girls would take that seat. It would be either Meenah or Laara. Neither Dyy nor Veld wanted that responsibility, and they all felt that both Meenah and Laara were well capable of ruling their people, as they were both fair and just in their judgments. It was just a matter of deciding between them which of the two it would be.
So, the four girls went up together, to the top tower in Silvermoon City, and locked themselves away from the guards and all their friends and advisors and sat down together for a day and discussed the matter among themselves, alone, and came to a decision together. It was a good decision.
Of course, they all knew that Meenah could easily rule the kingdom with her three sisters' help, just as Laara could, but when asked about it Meenah declined in favour of her sister Laara because (she said) she had seen that Laara had been doing the ruling in essence over the last few weeks and the people liked her and trusted her. It was obvious that Laara had already assumed the role simply by the actions of their people towards her. Now, all they needed to do was to make it official.
The girls also knew how much the leadership meant to Laara, and how good she was at it. They knew Laara would be a good, just, and fair ruler, and that Meenah would really lose nothing by being second in command to Laara.
Of course, Laara expected that Meenah would become the ruler and she would become second in command under her, but as Meenah had pointed out, she had noticed over the last few weeks that it was she rather than Meenah who seemed to set the pace of the sisters, and the advisors and counsellors had more often came to her than they had to her sisters for answers to their questions and instructions, which she wisely gave them and send them on their way. So, she was not entirely surprised when the girls told her that they wanted her to accept the reins and allow Meenah to become her second in command.
So, it was decided to turn the reins over to Laara.
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The girls left the chamber with smiles on their faces, and approached Kaanas, the Captain of the Royal Guard. Kaanas knew that they had come to a decision and it would be he would announce their wishes to the people. The girls drew him aside and told him in private their joint decision, assuring him that they were happy with their choice, and they instructed him to make the announcement the next day.
Kaanas bowed and saluted the four sisters, as he always did, and immediately went to make preparations for the transfer of the power.
It was he, Kaanas, who had ruled as "steward" during the mourning and resting period, and now it was his duty and honour to turn the reins over to one of the girls, and again resume his duties simply as Captain of the Royal Guard.
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The day dawned bright and the birds were singing. There was festivity in the air. Everyone was in a state of anticipation, waiting to see who would be the one to become the new leader of the people. The girls awoke and broke their fast together, then went off to get dressed for the ceremony....
It should be noted: Lady Laara had reached her 58th level just the night before.
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