Why is this always the way of things? It’s never those grand moments of futile desperation against a cruel, callous Lady Fate that stands with us. No, it’s those small moments. Those small moments of quiet cowardice that hang on our hearts. Worms itself deep into the darkest parts of our souls and whispers that quiet siren song of self-hatred. Why is it now that Alric felt that ever so hateful song takes center stage in his mind? Why was it? Oh, that's right. It was the eyes. The eyes of a friend in need gone ignored.

Oh fine, if that's how Danny wants to play it. Couldn't even accept his demise with dignity, had to go ahead and spoil it for those of us that are going to keep living. Alric tried for a despondent sigh, but it came out more the wheezing death call of a cow. He just couldn't help it; his heart wasn't in the performance.

No, Alric Ironforge was not going to be the type of man to let a friend face Death alone. Especially when that Death was a stubby Bruno Riverfrost and his cronies. Before he realized it, Alric had walked towards the executioner's block and stood beside a confused Danny who appeared less like a person and more like a set of bulging eyes with a head thrown in as an afterthought.

"What in the high court do you think you’re doing?" asked the eyes, accusingly. Not like Alric had any less to lose than Danny. He hadn’t even met the future Mrs. Ironforge yet. Alric decided to put on a good show, "What's right. Brothers prosper together, brothers fall together, right?" He tried in his most chivalrous voice available to him. It seemed somewhere between a squeak and a meep.

"What?" Disbelief seemed to ooze out of every pore of Danny. "Alric... are you seriously bringing up that crummy ritual we did when we were seven? Is that how you're planning to go out? Lords above, why do I even hang out with you?"

Any further opportunity for Danny to put Alric into his place was interrupted by a peal of laughter that was positively bone chilling. Well, not really. Came across more like a whiny toddler to Alric, but it was the subtle sounds of knuckles cracking coming from the thugs behind Bruno that really set the ambiance.

Alric tried to swallow the knot in his throat away, but it just wouldn't budge. Here's to hoping that his act of selfless bravery will get him a good spot in the high court. No. He could do this. He could beat them and start his own legen-

Then there was blackness. Turns out psyching yourself up as a fight is about to start is a good way to get knocked out straight away. Balin Pot really knows how to punch. Must be all that practice he gets.

---

It takes longer than you'd think to recuperate from getting beat into a pulp, Alric wasn’t sure whether he’d be covered with bruises or his bruises would be covered with what remained of him. That was the first thing Alric noticed though, the second was the fact that it was significantly darker than the afternoon sun he remembered.

The lumpy pillow behind him shifted before grumbling, “Lords above, Alric get your fat arse off me feel like I’m under one of those boulders your sister uses to lift… wait what time is it?”

Alric had to stumble and roll to get off Danny, feeling every bit like a turtle on his shell, with even a slight movement triggering waves of aches and pains. After climbing to his feet and giving a hand to Danny, they both shuffled off towards the Ironforge residence mutually agreeing that the shared weight between them although painful was well worth the trade-off of not eating an unwanted dirt meal.

A silence descended over the friends, a bitter silence of defeat that's had as many drinks toasted in its name as a victory, the type that spoils any mood and traps any mind.

"Alric, I already know I'm going to regret asking this but why for the love of the Lords above did you decide to step into that fight?"

Alric wasn't quite sure how he felt. He had done it, he had stood beside his sworn brother like his father always told him to do even despite his cowardice, but then why did it leave such a bitter taste in his mouth?

"I-I don't know Danny... I just saw that look you shot me and realized I didn't want to be the type of man to abandon his friends even if that meant certain annihilation, I'd prefer that over the guilt of knowing I could've done something but instead chose to cower behind those impossible odds," the words although slow at first, seemed like a dam breaking spilling over with the murky waters of Alric's mind.

If only it was that simple, then why would he be so confused? Being a man sure is a complicated job, but then again Sis always seems to know how to be the rock to hold those around her stable just like what Pa always says and she's not even a boy. Alric's mind clouded with fantasies of saving the day like a gallant knight, inserting himself into his sister's place in so many of those flippantly told tales of adventures he could only long for.

"Lords above, Alric you really are an idiot. I was signaling you, you knobhead, to go get Ms. Joyfield so at least that way Bruno would have to wait before beating the snot out of me, well us." Daniel moaned with a half shake of his head that he couldn't finish for fear of it falling off.

Danny ever the man with a scheme, always seeming to play with the world in ways that even the world doesn't understand, much less Alric. Ah, could it have been that simple? Was it just him missing the plan? it felt like the fog was starting to thin itself out, or that was just the concussion in Alric's mind. He realized that standing with your brothers is only halfway towards being a man, to be a true man like his sister, he must also be able to stand against anything that opposed him.

"Danny, you're right, I wasn't strong enough to help you. I wasn't even strong enough to even help myself, but I swear now that even if the Lords above themselves doom you to never serve the high court I, Alric Ironforge, will stand by you every step of the way." Alric tried to say that with as much levity as possible but couldn't betray the solemn nature of such a promise, an oath that only a child who hasn't fully opened their eyes to the horrors of the world could give.

It seemed as though the world paused for a beat as if confirming with Alric's heart that he truly believed in such a ludicrous promise, then pausing for a beat more when it realized he did.

Danny considered the words for a moment, as if in time with the world Alric felt Danny's body freeze up, then resume as if nothing happened. Alric waited with bated breathe for the usual response of his friend, to brush off the oath with that same polite laugh and signature smirk, but it never came.

No, Daniel Broom took a few more steps before laughing, but it was different somehow and it made Alric's throat catch, it dripped mockery and oozed disgust. Alric felt his stomach tighten, eyes beginning to close for the emotional blow, but it never came.

Instead, Danny looked straight into the sky and declared far too loudly, "If it shall be that I, Daniel Broom, am such a burden to you Alric, then I'm not worthy of calling you my friend, much less my brother. No, I should've realized that plans and schemes aren't always the answer, but let it be known that I refuse to not be any less than the greatest knight the high court has ever seen if only to be worthy to call you my brother, and I expect you right there by my side."

A silence descended on the brothers, but now it was no longer one of defeat, but instead the gentle hearth of camaraderie, of the knowledge that no matter how heavy the weight of the world on your shoulders may be, at least you won't have to share it alone.

"Hey, Danny?"

"Yeah, Alric?"

"Thank you."