The wheels of history continued to turn. Galen's wedding concluded, and Azeroth entered the nineteenth year of the Dark Portal era.
From the fifteenth year of the Dark Portal, when Arthas joined the Knights of the Silver Hand and became a target of Ner'zhul, Azeroth had been plagued by turmoil.
The Scourge's rampage had devastated the northern Eastern Kingdoms, crippling Lordaeron and breaching Silvermoon City. On the Broken Isles, Suramar had been shattered by Archimonde's summoning.
The Night Elves, too, had suffered the Burning Legion's invasion. Though the Azeroth coalition had ultimately defeated Archimonde, Mount Hyjal and its surrounding forests were tainted by fel energy.
Now, these crises had been narrowly averted, and Galen had returned home to celebrate his wedding.
With the conclusion of Galen's wedding, Azeroth entered a new year, and the Alliance embarked on a period of relative peace and development.
In the Eastern Kingdoms, the Alliance nations focused on rebuilding their populations and economies, and held several significant events.
First, King Llane of Stormwind officially abdicated, and Varian ascended the throne.
Then, Kael'thas claimed the throne of Quel'Thalas, becoming the Sun King of the High Elves, and married Lana'thel.
Galen had not anticipated Kael'thas's choice of Lana'thel as his queen.
In this timeline, with Jaina's infatuation with Galen widely known in Dalaran, Kael'thas had never been involved in any romantic scandals with the young human mage.
Over the years, Galen had not heard of Kael'thas forming any close emotional bonds with any high elf woman.
However, Lana'thel possessed several advantages.
She was a noble of the Royalist faction, born into a prestigious family, and her status rivaled that of the most influential councilors.
Moreover, Lana'thel was a skilled fire mage. Her union with Kael'thas would likely produce offspring with exceptional magical talent.
For Kael'thas, this was likely a strategic political marriage, solidifying his control over the dominant Royalist faction. But for Galen, the most important factor was that Lana'thel had long harbored a secret affection for the gentle and refined Kael'thas, and was receptive to the idea of becoming his queen.
Otherwise, Galen would not have allowed one of his valued followers to be wronged.
The Eastern Kingdoms enjoyed a period of stability. From Quel'Danas Island in the north to the Blasted Lands in the south, the entire region fell under the Alliance's influence.
Only Stranglethorn Vale remained under the control of the jungle trolls. Galen sought an opportunity to justify an intervention, similar to the Zuldrak campaign, to bring the trolls under his rule.
With the Alliance secure, he sent an agent to Zul'Gurub in Stranglethorn Vale, tasking them with secretly aiding the troll witch doctor Jin'do in resurrecting the evil animal god Hakkar.
Once the Blood God Hakkar was unleashed in the troll capital, he would undoubtedly demand cruel blood sacrifices. The Darkspear tribe would then issue a plea for aid, and the Hinterlands troll army would strike.
After capturing Zul'Gurub and defeating the Blood God Hakkar, Stranglethorn Vale would be incorporated into Galen's territory, governed by a new generation of trolls!
But just as everything seemed to be progressing smoothly, a rebellion erupted in Gilneas. A group known as the Worgen Cult triggered a resurgence of the worgen curse, plunging the kingdom into chaos.
Galen learned that most of the population, including King Genn Greymane, had been infected and transformed into worgen, and the capital city of Gilneas had fallen to the creatures.
Knowing that the worgen curse originated from the Night Elves and the wild god Goldrinn, Galen, in his capacity as Alliance High Commander, sent an envoy to request the aid of the Cenarion Circle in containing the outbreak.
Meanwhile, Galen secretly dispatched Torsedrin to recover the artifact known as the Scythe of Elune.
However, Torsedrin returned from Eldre'Thalas with dire news.
Malfurion Stormrage had entered the Emerald Dream to investigate the growing Emerald Nightmare, but had become lost within its corrupted depths!
The Cenarion Circle was thrown into disarray. The great druids were unable to choose a new leader, and ultimately sought guidance from the demigod Cenarius.
Galen's mentor had also sensed the growing threat within the Emerald Dream. The problem that had eluded the Green Dragonflight for years was undoubtedly significant. Therefore, the demigod decided to have Fandral Staghelm preside over the resurrection ceremony of his former student, Galen Lighthoof!
At the same time, the other leader of the Night Elves, the High Priestess of Elune, Tyrande Whisperwind, took advantage of the druids' preoccupation to secretly plant a new World Tree, Teldrassil, on a large island northwest of Darkshore, and establish a new city, Darnassus, upon its branches.
Beneath the veneer of peace, Azeroth was once again stirring with hidden conflicts and looming threats.