For so long, he had felt nothing. He had stayed on the throne, immobile, waiting, dreaming. The ice had come to cover him as he sat still as stone, but not a prison, no, a second skin.

He had not known then what he was waiting for, but now he did. He had taken the final steps on a journey begun so long ago, begun the day that darkness had first brushed his world in the form of a weeping, young Stormwind prince mourning his father. The path had led across Azeroth, to Northrend, to this Frozen Throne and open sky. To the searching of his deepest self, and the choices to murder both the innocent that held him back and the parts of himself that had shaped him.

Arthas, the Lich King, alone in his glory and power, slowly opened his eyes. Ice cracked from them at the gesture and fell in small shards, like frozen tears. A smile formed beneath the ornate helm that covered his white hair and pale skin, and more ice fell from his awakening, slowly shifting form, fragments of an icy chrysalis that was no longer needed. He was awake.

"It's begun."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Christie Golden has written over thirty novels and several short stories in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, and horror.

Golden launched the TSR Ravenloft line in 1991 with her first novel, the highly successful Vampire of the Mists, Vampire of the Mists, which introduced elven vampire Jander Sunstar. To the best of her knowledge, she is the creator of the elven vampire archetype in fantasy fiction. which introduced elven vampire Jander Sunstar. To the best of her knowledge, she is the creator of the elven vampire archetype in fantasy fiction.

She is the author of several original fantasy novels, including On Fire's Wings, In Stone's Clasp, On Fire's Wings, In Stone's Clasp, and and Under Sea's Shadow Under Sea's Shadow (currently available only as an e-book) the first three in her multi-book fantasy series "The Final Dance" from LUNA Books. (currently available only as an e-book) the first three in her multi-book fantasy series "The Final Dance" from LUNA Books. In Stone's Clasp In Stone's Clasp won the Colorado Author's League Award for Best Genre Novel of 2005, the second of Golden's novels to win the award. won the Colorado Author's League Award for Best Genre Novel of 2005, the second of Golden's novels to win the award.

Among Golden's other projects are over a dozen Star Trek Star Trek novels and the well-received novels and the well-received StarCraft StarCraft Dark Templar trilogy, Dark Templar trilogy, Firstborn, Shadow Hunters, Firstborn, Shadow Hunters, and the forthcoming and the forthcoming Twilight. Twilight. An avid player of Blizzard's MMORPG An avid player of Blizzard's MMORPG World of Warcraft World of Warcraft, Golden has written several novels in that world (Lord of the Clans, Rise of the Horde) with three more in the works. She has also written two Warcraft manga stories for Tokyopop, "I Got What Yule Need" and "A Warrior Made."

Golden is currently hard at work on three books in the major nine-book Star Wars Star Wars series "Fate of the Jedi," in collaboration with Aaron Allston and Troy Denning. Her first book in the series, series "Fate of the Jedi," in collaboration with Aaron Allston and Troy Denning. Her first book in the series, Omen, Omen, is slated for publication in July of 2009. is slated for publication in July of 2009.

Golden lives in Colorado with her husband and two cats. She welcomes visitors to her website, www.christiegolden.com.

NOTES

The story you've just read is based in part on Blizzard Entertainment's computer game Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion pack, and its expansion pack, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. Released in July 2002 and July 2003 respectively, these t.i.tles topped sales charts and were praised by critics, picking up "Editor's Choice," "Strategy Game of the Year," "Game of the Year," and other awards from numerous publications.

Over five years later, Warcraft III Warcraft III is still a popular choice for online multiplayer matches, and is a staple of professional gaming tournaments around the world. The single-player campaigns allow players to command and interact with some of the most powerful and interesting characters in Warcraft lore and to experience a pivotal time in Azeroth's history firsthand. is still a popular choice for online multiplayer matches, and is a staple of professional gaming tournaments around the world. The single-player campaigns allow players to command and interact with some of the most powerful and interesting characters in Warcraft lore and to experience a pivotal time in Azeroth's history firsthand.

FURTHER READING: If you'd like to read more about the characters, situations, and settings featured in this novel, the books listed below each offer another piece of the story of Azeroth: Thrall's story (along with more on Taretha Foxton, Aedelas Blackmoore, Durnholde Keep, and the orc internment camps) can be found in Warcraft: Lord of the Clans Warcraft: Lord of the Clans by Christie Golden. by Christie Golden.

Jaina Proudmoore plays a central role in World of Warcraft: Cycle of Hatred World of Warcraft: Cycle of Hatred by Keith R.A. DeCandido as well as the monthly by Keith R.A. DeCandido as well as the monthly World of Warcraft World of Warcraft comic book by Walter Simonson and Ludo Lullabi, Jon Buran, and Mike Bowden. comic book by Walter Simonson and Ludo Lullabi, Jon Buran, and Mike Bowden.

Kel'Thuzad's reprimand by the Kirin Tor can be seen in detail in "Warcraft: Road to d.a.m.nation" by Evelyn Fredericksen (on worldofwarcraft.com).

The further fate of the Sunwell is revealed in Warcraft: The Sunwell Trilogy Warcraft: The Sunwell Trilogy by Richard A. Knaak and Jae-Hwan Kim (hardcover ultimate edition available). by Richard A. Knaak and Jae-Hwan Kim (hardcover ultimate edition available).

Prince Varian Wrynn of Stormwind is a young refugee in this volume, but his adventures continue in the World of Warcraft World of Warcraft monthly comic by Walter Simonson and Ludo Lullabi, Jon Buran, and Mike Bowden (hardcover collected edition available). monthly comic by Walter Simonson and Ludo Lullabi, Jon Buran, and Mike Bowden (hardcover collected edition available).

The magical city of Dalaran will also appear in Warcraft: Mage, Warcraft: Mage, a manga written by Richard A. Knaak and scheduled for release in February 2010. a manga written by Richard A. Knaak and scheduled for release in February 2010.

The story behind the mysterious prophet who warned Terenas, Antonidas, Arthas, and Jaina is revealed in Warcraft: The Last Guardian Warcraft: The Last Guardian by Jeff Grubb. by Jeff Grubb.

Further information about Ner'zhul's life and undeath has been recounted in World of Warcraft: Rise of the Horde World of Warcraft: Rise of the Horde by Christie Golden, by Christie Golden, World of Warcraft: Beyond the Dark Portal World of Warcraft: Beyond the Dark Portal by Aaron Rosenberg and Christie Golden, and "Warcraft: Road to d.a.m.nation" by Evelyn Fredericksen (on worldofwarcraft.com). by Aaron Rosenberg and Christie Golden, and "Warcraft: Road to d.a.m.nation" by Evelyn Fredericksen (on worldofwarcraft.com).

Sylvanas Windrunner and the Scourge attack on Silvermoon are both featured in Warcraft: The Sunwell Trilogy volume 3-Ghostlands Warcraft: The Sunwell Trilogy volume 3-Ghostlands by Richard A. Knaak and Jae-Hwan Kim. by Richard A. Knaak and Jae-Hwan Kim.

Illidan Stormrage, Archimonde, and the demonic forces of the Burning Legion all wrought havoc on Azeroth in the Warcraft: War of the Ancients Trilogy Warcraft: War of the Ancients Trilogy by Richard A. Knaak. by Richard A. Knaak.

Like most demons, Kil'jaeden was originally a mortal. His people, the eredar, largely decide to give themselves over to corruption in World of Warcraft: Rise of the Horde World of Warcraft: Rise of the Horde by Christie Golden. by Christie Golden.

Anduin Lothar is forced to kill one of his oldest friends in Warcraft: The Last Guardian Warcraft: The Last Guardian by Jeff Grubb. Lothar goes on to pit himself against Orgrim Doomhammer in by Jeff Grubb. Lothar goes on to pit himself against Orgrim Doomhammer in World of Warcraft: Tides of Darkness World of Warcraft: Tides of Darkness by Aaron Rosenberg. by Aaron Rosenberg.

Terenas, Uther the Lightbringer, and the Alliance of Lordaeron manage to drive back the Horde in World of Warcraft: Tides of Darkness World of Warcraft: Tides of Darkness by Aaron Rosenberg. by Aaron Rosenberg.

Orgrim Doomhammer grows to adulthood just as the orcish clans of Draenor are forged into a single savage Horde in World of Warcraft: Rise of the Horde World of Warcraft: Rise of the Horde by Christie Golden. Later, during the Second War, Doomhammer faces unexpected defeat in by Christie Golden. Later, during the Second War, Doomhammer faces unexpected defeat in World of Warcraft: Tides of Darkness World of Warcraft: Tides of Darkness by Aaron Rosenberg. by Aaron Rosenberg.

The Knights of the Silver Hand are first formed in World of Warcraft: Tides of Darkness World of Warcraft: Tides of Darkness by Aaron Rosenberg. One of their most famous members goes into exile during the events of by Aaron Rosenberg. One of their most famous members goes into exile during the events of Warcraft: Of Blood and Honor by Chris Metzen and later reappears in World of Warcraft: Ashbringer Warcraft: Of Blood and Honor by Chris Metzen and later reappears in World of Warcraft: Ashbringer by Micky Neilson and Ludo Lullabi. by Micky Neilson and Ludo Lullabi.

Khadgar's adventures are explored in detail by Warcraft: The Last Guardian Warcraft: The Last Guardian by Jeff Grubb, by Jeff Grubb, World of Warcraft: Tides of Darkness World of Warcraft: Tides of Darkness by Aaron Rosenberg, and by Aaron Rosenberg, and World of Warcraft: Beyond the Dark Portal World of Warcraft: Beyond the Dark Portal by Aaron Rosenberg and Christie Golden. by Aaron Rosenberg and Christie Golden.

Aegwynn led a challenging and largely solitary existence until she met Jaina in World of Warcraft: Cycle of Hatred World of Warcraft: Cycle of Hatred by Keith R.A. DeCandido. Aegwynn continues to advise and a.s.sist Jaina in the monthly by Keith R.A. DeCandido. Aegwynn continues to advise and a.s.sist Jaina in the monthly World of Warcraft World of Warcraft comic book by Walter Simonson and Ludo Lullabi, Jon Buran, and Mike Bowden. comic book by Walter Simonson and Ludo Lullabi, Jon Buran, and Mike Bowden.

The pit lord Anub'arak reveals the Lich King's grim plans for Azeroth in "Warcraft: Road to d.a.m.nation" by Evelyn Fredericksen (on worldofwarcraft.com).

Lord Prestor's betrothal to Princess Calia and his secret ambitions come under suspicion from the red dragon Korialstrasz in Warcraft: Day of the Dragon Warcraft: Day of the Dragon by Richard A. Knaak. by Richard A. Knaak.

THE BATTLE RAGES ON

You've met Arthas. You've seen his youth, his greatest love, his greatest loss, and his greatest challenge. You've witnessed his most desperate hour, his brutal rise to power, and finally his reawakening. But that's just the beginning. Now you can challenge him yourself in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King. World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King.

World of Warcraft is an online role-playing experience set in the award-winning Warcraft universe. In it, players create their own heroes and explore, adventure, and quest across a vast world shared with thousands of other players. Whether adventuring together or fighting against each other in epic battles, they form friendships, forge alliances, and compete with enemies for power and glory. is an online role-playing experience set in the award-winning Warcraft universe. In it, players create their own heroes and explore, adventure, and quest across a vast world shared with thousands of other players. Whether adventuring together or fighting against each other in epic battles, they form friendships, forge alliances, and compete with enemies for power and glory.

World of Warcraft is the most popular ma.s.sively multiplayer online role-playing game of all time, with more than 11.5 million active subscribers worldwide-if it were a country, that population would be larger than 135 real-world nations. Its second expansion pack, is the most popular ma.s.sively multiplayer online role-playing game of all time, with more than 11.5 million active subscribers worldwide-if it were a country, that population would be larger than 135 real-world nations. Its second expansion pack, Wrath of the Lich King, Wrath of the Lich King, released in November 2008 and set a new record as the fastest-selling PC game of all time, with more than 2.8 million copies sold in its first 24 hours of availability and more than 4 million in its first month. released in November 2008 and set a new record as the fastest-selling PC game of all time, with more than 2.8 million copies sold in its first 24 hours of availability and more than 4 million in its first month.

To discover the ever-expanding world that has captivated millions around the globe, go to worldofwarcraft.com and download the free trial version. Live the story.