Upon learning of the second Well, three of the great Dragon Aspects converged on Hyjal. Like the night elves, they knew that so long as the fount of power existed, the Legion would have a means to invade Azeroth once again. Thus the Aspect of Life, Alexstrasza, used an enchanted seed to sprout a mighty tree over the Well of Eternity. The tree's boughs soon towered over the lake, scraping the belly of the heavens. Its roots grew deep into the earth, spreading life-giving energies across the war-torn world. Thereafter, the great tree would act as a seal over the new Well of Eternity, preventing the Legion or anyone else from abusing its powers.
Malfurion and the other night elves looked upon this colossal World Tree and named it Nordrassil, meaning "Crown of the Heavens." They vowed to keep it safe and protect the Well of
Eternity at any cost.
To honor this decision, the Dragon Aspects agreed to bless the night elves so that they could perform their guardianship successfully. Alexstrasza infused Nordrassil with renewed strength and vitality, which would also extend to the night elves.
The Aspect of Dreams, Ysera, then blessed the tree, binding it and all night elf druids to the Emerald Dream. Prior to this, Malfurion and his followers had wandered Ysera's realm, but doing so required difficult meditation. The new enchantment placed on Nordrassil would allow these druids to journey into the Dream whenever they so wished.
Lastly, Nozdormu, the Aspect of Time, wove his energies through the boughs and roots of Nordrassil, assuring that as long as the colossal tree stood, the night elves would possess immortality.
With that, the Aspects ventured back to their hidden lairs. Due to their enchantments, the second Well of Eternity would no longer act as a beacon to demons, nor could the Legion easily use it as a gateway into Azeroth. It would become a symbol of the night elves' connection to the natural world, a sacred monument that empowered their race with immunity to sickness, disease, and aging.

Text above is an excerpt from World of Warcraft: Chronicle, Volume I


Original thumbnail artwork by Justin Kunz

Music composed by David Arkenstone (Nordrassil, Hyjal, Aftermath, Guardians of Hyjal, Darkwhisper Gorge), Russell Brower (Barrow Dens, Moonglade), Neal Acree (Mysterious, Grove of the Ancients, Night Elves), and Glenn Stafford (Cataclysm)

Editor's note: I threw in original Hyjal ambient sounds from the TBC raid in two places to spice things up a bit. Inaccurate, but adds variety. I also left out all of the Twilight Hammer music, not only because it clashed with the rest of the playlist but also because I'm planning a dedicated mix for those gloomy purple snakes.

0:00 Guardians of Hyjal 1
2:02 Hyjal 1
3:17 Hyjal 4
5:11 Nordrassil 1
7:11 Night Elves 2
8:33 Grove of the Ancients 2
10:04 Cataclysm 8
11:50 Aftermath 2
13:57 Barrow Dens 1
14:57 Moonglade 7
16:28 Nordrassil 2
18:22 Aftermath 3
19:22 Guardians of Hyjal 3
20:40 Hyjal 3
22:08 Night Elves 3, Mysterious 1
25:06 Darkwhisper Gorge 2
26:59 Barrow Dens 5
27:48 Moonglade 5
29:15 Guardians of Hyjal 2
31:33 Cataclysm 9
33:19 Aftermath 4
34:40 Nordrassil 3
36:41 Grove of the Ancients 3
37:29 Hyjal 2
38:54 Barrow Dens 3, Barrow Dens 2
40:34 Hyjal 4
42:38 Guardians of Hyjal 4
44:54 Night Elves 2
46:16 Moonglade 6
47:32 Moonglade 2
48:08 Aftermath 1
50:14 Darkwhisper Gorge 2
52:09 Nordrassil 2
54:02 Aftermath 3
55:02 Barrow Dens 4
55:48 Cataclysm 7
57:40 Guardians of Hyjal 3
58:54 Hyjal 1
1:00:12 Grove of the Ancients 2, Night Elves 3

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