Warcraft: An Alternate Future - An Alternate Timeline Part 2

Chapter 1: Year 32 - Calm Times

Chromie sits in a chair while holding a shard in her hands. It is a shard of a fractured hourglass which once was capable of revealing alternate timelines of Azeroth. The room is lit by candles placed on a wooden table. A guest sits facing the bronze dragon in her gnome appearance.

"So, you have already listened to my re-narration of the alternate timeline and we know what has happened up to this point in time. You have seen how Thrall and Jaina fall in love after the third war, then they marry some years later, have a son named Duran, save Azeroth together, live a calm family life after the siege of Orgrimmar and Garrosh's death. They have many friends around the world, regardless of faction or race. Thrall has human friends, Jaina likes to visit the tauren in Mulgore.

Remember, this is a very sacred and secret timeline which is only known by one more person. We shall never enter or influence that world to keep it safe. However, I have a little surprise for you. It is a shame that Go'el cannot attend this meeting today. I found a way to look into their future. Some fragments of it, at least. A future which is very different from ours. So... what do you say? Shall we have a look?"

Her visitor nods silently. Chromie smiles and looks through the shard.

"Let me see. We left the previous year with a pregnant Jaina visiting the busy markets of Theramore with her family. They have a wonderful relationship after her husband made up for his failures when he killed Garrosh, promised to care for his family at last and confessed that he treated them unjustly. Thrall looks neat and enjoys his new role as a family man and neutral advisor. Some months later, she gives birth to a beautiful daughter. The orc proposes a name for her but I cannot say which one it is. Both like it a lot. The girl looks more like Jaina while Duran, their now seven-years-old son, looks more like Thrall with brown hairs. Sadly, due to complications during birth, Jaina is unable to have more children afterwards.

Peace between the factions lasts for about four years with only minor conflicts. The heroes of Orgrimmar still meet regularly to keep their friendship alive and to discuss conflicts and progress."

Chromie's spectator looks up and gives her a smile. This is too good to be true.

"Yes, it is real in that timeline. However, when Anduin turns eighteen, he clashes with the worgen leader Genn Greymane in Varian's throne room. At this point in time, the peace era has been lasting for two years but one afternoon, the prince confronts his father as he, the king of Stormwind, still has not accepted the peace treaty."

"Father, I will no longer accept your ignorance! Towards me, towards the people I love. Open your eyes. Garrosh is dead. There is no war, no global conflict currently. I do feel very comfortable when Baine or Thrall is around. The meetings with them, with Jaina, with their son Duran always fill me with joy. While you join Genn's bitterness. Those people in Kalimdor are my friends, no matter what you say... I will be back tomorrow."

Anduin turns around and wants to leave the room.

"Genn comes up to Anduin and blocks his way. Varian tries to hold his friend back but cannot stop him. The worgen and the human prince have an argument about loyalty and that the prince is blind on his Horde eye."

"You have no right to talk to me like this, Greymane. You are not my father."

"No...," Genn says but then mutates into his worgen form and tries to intimidate Anduin.

"And what about NOW?!"

"Genn, back off! You will not touch my son!" Varian shouts.

Anduin's view gets angry. Without any fear, he looks into threatening wolf eyes.

"Just look at you. You are nothing but an old, embittered man. Blinded by hatred, you are unable to accept the truth. That those you hate actually desire to live in peace now!"

Unnoticed by Anduin, Genn clenches his fists.

"You little brat have no idea what you are talking about," the worgen growls.

"Oh, I do. Worgen and forsaken are enemies but this is your war, not mine. I fought Garrosh, I witnessed his death, I saw the horror and relief in the old Horde people's eyes, those who once followed Thrall's lead. Especially his orcs and Baine's tauren. I was there when the factions, at least the Horde side, accepted the peace treaty. And you? You sat in your worgen cave and could not see past your own horizon. Instead, my father was fooled by a sour old man telling him lies afterwards!"

Greymane growls in anger, swings his fist and strikes Anduin's face.

"Stop!" Varian shouts, runs up to them and pushes the worgen away from his son. "You must not beat him, Genn! You leave this place. Immediately! I do not want to see you again today. This is an order."

The puzzled worgen looks at them, not realizing what he has done and leaves with bared teeth.

"Are you hurt, my son?" the king gently asks and tries to look at the bleeding cut.

Anduin pushes his arms away and makes some steps backwards. With tears in his eyes, the prince leaves the room.

"Anduin, please come back!" his father pleas but his wish goes unheard.

"Shortly after this incident, which opened Varian's eyes, the king accepts to negotiate a peace treaty after months of persuading by his son. His relationship to Jaina does not improve though. She still notices that Anduin succeeds in mending his father's hatred for the Horde. This concludes another year of peace, another year without conflicts." Chromie says while the image inside the shard of glass fades.