Semper Frater

After taking up shelter in Lordaeron, Varian quickly became friends with Arthas Menethil who was anxious to meet another young prince.Though most of the time he kept his composure, Varian once broke into tears as Arthas tried to console him about the assassination of his father. He was later recalled by Arthas as his "best friend" for much of their childhood and adult lives, and Varian frequently sparred with the less-athletic Arthas in an attempt to toughen him and make him a better paladin.

They build up a friendly rivalry, and a year after Varian was crowned king, they met and sparred on the day of Arthas' ascension to the Order of the Silver Hand. Though not outwardly spiteful, Arthas frequently lamented that he was not as physically strong as Varian. During the later murder of King Terenas, Arthas recalled words that Varian once said about how King Llane was "stabbed right through the heart" moments before he plunged Frostmourne through his own father's heart.

After Arthas' falling in with the Scourge and rise to become the new Lich King, Varian began to see him as the ultimate traitor to the Alliance.

~Varian Wrynn on WoW Wiki

I heart Varian, so much, even though I'll always be Jaina's biggest fan. I was reading this article and just fell in love with the idea of Varian and Arthas being such amazingly good friend's as children- almost like brothers. They're just...there's something so cute about it.

So, here we have young Varian about to try and cross a rather high wall in Lordearon, while young Arthas watches and thinks this may not be the very best of ideas.

So sad. So adorable.

So much love for WoW-lore .

Varian's design is based on the flashback in my sister's comic, and a bit of Anduin's design, while Arthas is based a LOT on Anduin. Because he's the only young human prince I knew I could find a picture of .

Arthas and Varian (c) Blizzard
Stock Image (c)