Back in Azeroth, Leylin discovered he had only taken a nap. When he awoke, Alleria was still resting under an oak tree. The forests of Seradane were peaceful and tranquil, where all the elves enjoyed a rare moment of relaxation.
Leylin got up and walked to Alleria's spot. He sat down and gently touched the beautiful elf's face. 'I was just wondering if you were worried about me.' Leylin quietly thought.
Perhaps sensing his concern, Alleria shrugged, opened her eyes, and asked, "How long have I been asleep?"
Looking up through the gaps in the forest at the sun's position in the sky, Leylin said, "About an hour and a half. Not too long."
An hour and a half? Enough rest time. Regrouping their elven party, they resumed their journey. Five days later, Leylin's elven party reached the northernmost mountains of the Hinterlands.
Beyond these mountains lay the northern lands of Lordaeron. Once they crossed this peak, their mission would be complete. The climb looked incredibly difficult, but it wasn't.
With a mage like Leylin in the team, traversing a mountain range was no problem at all.
Leylin retrieved ropes from the rangers' magical packs—essential tools for special missions. Using miniature linking spells, he connected the ropes together, using them as his climbing tool.
Without any external assistance, Leylin imbued the ropes with his magic and, using levitation, steadily raised them until they reached the mountain's summit.
Ten minutes later, the ropes found a protruding boulder at the top. Leylin secured the ropes firmly to it. He pulled hard and said, "I'll go first."
Alleria took the rope from Leylin, saying, "I'll go first; I'm more experienced with this kind of task."
"Don't worry, I'll protect you from below." Leylin was ready to use a slowing spell in case of an accident.
Alleria, seeing the smiling members of the elven team, rolled her eyes at Leylin, turned, and quickly began climbing using the ropes.
Alleria, true to her rank of Ranger-Captain, climbed swiftly. In less than five minutes, she reached the summit. Shaking the rope, Alleria signaled that they could proceed to the next level.
The entire elven team began their ascent in this manner. Two hours later, Leylin also reached the top. Plus, it was also a funny experience letting his mount awkwardly run while floating carrying some of their supplies.
The elven team had a good laugh about the situation, Alleria continuously teases Leylin about it.
Unlike the elven rangers and warriors, the other mages weren't faring any better, Tyr'ganal was panting, he looked at Leylin who was supposedly the in the same boat as him but Leylin was clearly unfazed with their trek, Tyr'ganal could only admit his inferiority and he swore he would train his body in the future.
The ascent was relatively difficult; descending the mountain was much easier. Using the [Slow Fall] spell, the elves could easily enter the northern lands of Lordaeron.
Leylin used [Far Sight] to survey the human towns below the mountains; the humans there hadn't yet evacuated. Lordaeron hadn't yet sent news of the orcs' northward advance.
Continuously casting [Slow Fall] spells on the elven rangers and warriors and his mount, the team was reduced to just Leylin and Alleria. Beyond this mountain lay the northern lands of Lordaeron, just a stone's throw from the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas.
"I'm a little scared." It was just the two of them, and Alleria nestled against Leylin, saying this.
Knowing what Alleria was worried about, Leylin put his arm around her shoulder and said, "Don't worry, everything will be alright, trust me." His steady heartbeat and serene expression showed Leylin's usual confidence. This chest made Alleria feel secure, no matter what.
The elven party crossed the Hinterlands and arrived at a small town in the southernmost part of Lordaeron's Eastern Plaguelands though before it was called that, the plague lands were once known as Eastweald.
Leylin didn't have a map of Lordaeron's Eastweald, so he asked a farmer busy in the fields where they were. The farmer told him that it was the town of Darrowshire.
After receiving the answer, Leylin and the elven party went to the Darrowshire Hall. They found the mayor, an elderly man. The old man seemed somewhat stubborn, with a resolute look in his sharp eyes.
The mayor's house was a wooden cabin, where he conducted his business and handled some of the town's affairs. Today, with guests present, the cabin felt a little crowded.
"Mayor Pars, are you aware of the Horde's situation?" Leylin asked, sitting opposite the elderly mayor.
Pars stroked his white beard and nodded. "A month ago, the kingdom issued an order to take away many young men from the town, saying it was for wartime recruitment to replenish the kingdom's army."
"That's right. The Horde orcs are currently in the Hinterlands, and in five days at most, they will enter the Northlands of Lordaeron. So, mayor, take your people and evacuate here immediately." Leylin warned.
Pars looked at the townspeople in the wooden hut, their eyes vacant. He hesitated, "I believe you, mage, but where can we townspeople of Darrowshire go?"
What were they worried about? Leylin pointed west, saying, "Tirisfal, the Kingdom of Lordaeron—those are places of refuge."
Pars looked at the townspeople's tattered clothes and shook his head. "No, you're too simplistic, esteemed mage. If we leave Darrowshire, we'll lose everything. We're all poor farmers; with the land of Darrowshire, we can still live. Without it, we're refugees, no different from death."
Compared to the Westfall, Leylin understood what the people here needed most.
"Alleria, we need to help them," Leylin said to the Ranger Captain beside him.
Alleria nodded. "No problem, they can enter Quel'Thalas. I'll handle that."
In the afternoon, the townspeople of Darrowshire, having packed their provisions, loaded their children and women onto the few remaining wagons. They continued north with the elven caravan.
As they passed through the northern lands of Lordaeron, the lumberjacks disappeared. War was imminent, and the lumberjacks were likely now donning full armor and wielding gleaming weapons, preparing for battle.
Knights, there was more than just Darrowshire in the northern lands of Lordaeron; many more people needed help. But Alleria couldn't do it; the six hundred-odd people of Darrowshire already placed a heavy burden on her, a ranger captain.
Unfortunately, Leylin and Alleria couldn't help everyone. So Leylin told them, head to Tirisfal or Lordaeron. The next thing that's about to happen would be up to the choices they made.
Their progress was swift, though sporadic troll squads continued to raid them along the way.
Finally, they reached Quel'Thalas and entered the Ghostlands.
Entering Tranquillien, Alleria borrowed a dragonhawk. After instructing Tyr'ganal to take care of the townspeople of Darrowshire and direct them to Windrunner Village, Leylin and Alleria hurried to Silvermoon City.