Zanin marched into the armory where Sylvanas was getting ready to push the hoard out of Quel'Thalas. As he started to put his armor on Sylvanas grabbed his gauntlets from him.
"No Zanin not this time." Sylvanas said sternly.
"Someone has to protect you!"
Sylvanas turned to him with anger. "From what!"
"From yourself!"
She let go of his gauntlets and had an exasperated look on her face that quickly turned to sadness.
"Look Zanin I don't want to loose anyone else."
Zanin wanted to hold her to comfort her but he never knew how.
"I know why you want to hunt them down I understand but you still have family, a little brother who, if you like it or not, is at Quel'Thalas. With me there I can protect you as you protect him."
Sylvanas looked away, her voice softer now. "Zanin, this isn't about protection. It's about vengeance. The Horde has taken so much from us—more than you know. But if I let that consume me, what kind of leader would I be? What kind of sister?"
Zanin stepped closer, his gaze steady. "You're stronger than that, Sylvanas. Stronger than the hate. And that's why you need someone by your side who sees more than just the enemy. Someone who sees you."
Her eyes flicked back to him, searching his face for something—doubt, fear, maybe even hope. "And what do you see, Zanin?"
Zanin held her gaze, his voice steady and full of conviction. "I see a leader who carries the weight of her people on her shoulders, who is driven by a pain so deep that it threatens to consume her. But I also see the woman beneath the armor—the one who still cares, who still has hope, even if she won't admit it. I see someone worth fighting for, not just because of what she's lost, but because of who she is."
Sylvanas swallowed hard, emotions she kept buried threatening to surface. "Zanin... I can't afford to be weak. Not now. Not ever."
"You're not weak," Zanin said, his voice gentle but firm. "You're one of the strongest people I know. But strength doesn't mean standing alone. Let me stand with you, Sylvanas. Let me be your shield, just as you are for Quel'Thalas."
She turned away again, but this time it was to hide the tears welling in her eyes. "I don't want to lose you, Zanin. Not like the others."
"And you won't," he promised. "Not today. Not ever. We'll fight together, and we'll win. For Quel'Thalas, for your brother, and for you."
Sylvanas took a deep breath, the weight of her burdens feeling just a little lighter with his words. Finally, she nodded. "Alright, Zanin. But promise me... if it comes down to it, you will put Quel'Thalas first. No matter what."
Zanin met her gaze again, this time with a resolve that mirrored her own. "I promise. But know this, Sylvanas—you're as much a part of Quel'Thalas as any stone or tree. And I will protect you with everything I have."
Sylvanas finally handed him his gauntlets, her expression softening. "Then let's make sure today is a victory, for all of us."
Zanin nodded, pulling on his gauntlets as the two of them steeled themselves for the battle ahead.