A/N: This is my first story and feedback is very much appreciated so please leave a review, constructive criticism is welcomed!

Chapter 1

Nursing her hand where the spike had driven through, the dragonborn tensed and waited with baited breath as the stone cylinder rose from beneath the ground. She moved her hand to rest on her dagger at her hip, ready to strike should the need arise. She had dealt with enough draugr to last a lifetime and wasn't keen to be taken off guard by one now. Whatever was in that *thing was what the vampires had come here for. That meant whatever was in there was likely dangerous.

And also very pretty?

The stone slab had slid open to reveal a young woman who immediately stumbled forward towards the dragonborn who moved to catch her before she hit the ground.

"Unh… where is… who sent you here?" the woman asked, groggily getting to her feet.

"A man named Isran."

"I... don't know who that is. Is he… like me?"

"Are you a.."

"Vampire, yes." she finished.

Ah, well that explained the glowing eyes at least. "Why were you locked away like this? That couldn't have been comfortable." the dragonborn asked, gesturing to the stone coffin.

"That's… complicated. And I'm not totally sure if I can trust you. But if you want to know the whole story, help me get back to my family's home." the woman replied gaining a wary glint in her eyes. The dragonborn shrugged, "Fair enough. Where do you need to go?"

"My family used to live on an island to the west of Solitude. I would guess they still do. By the way… my name is Serana. Good to meet you."

"Shae." the dragonborn grinned, "so, any idea how to get out of here?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. This place looks pretty different from when I was locked away." Serana said as she looked around taking in her surroundings, and the differences from when she last saw it.

Shae furrowed her brows, this place was in ruins. "How long were you in there?" she hedged.

"Good question. Hard to say. I… I can't really tell. I feel like it was a long time. Who is Skyrim's High King?"

Shae snorted a bit, "That's actually a matter for debate."

Amusement shone briefly in Serana's eyes, "Oh, wonderful. A war of succession. Good to know the world didn't get boring while I was gone. Who are the contenders?"

"Well the Empire supports Elisif, but there are many in Skyrim loyal to Ulfric."

The amusement immediately disappeared, and was replaced by confusion. "Empire? What… what Empire?"

Shae's eyebrows rose. "The… Empire. From Cyrodiil." By the gods, just how long was she in there?

"Cyrodiil is the seat of an empire? I must have been gone longer than I thought. Definitely longer than we planned. Please, let's hurry. I need to get home so I can figure out what's happened."

Confused, and more than a bit curious Shae had to bite back more questions. Serana seemed wary of her enough already and more questions would likely make Serana even more tight lipped. That was at least until Shae finally caught a glimpse of what had kept Serana company in that coffin. "Is that an Elder Scroll?"

"Yes, it is, and it's mine." Wariness back in full force, Serana narrowed her eyes at Shae and shifted so that the Elder Scroll was further out of reach.

Ah, shit. "Right, sorry. Just surprised me is all." Damage control. Shae raised her hands up in surrender, "Don't worry, I won't touch." she said with what she hoped was an easygoing grin. It must have worked because Serana just rolled her eyes and her stance became slightly less defensive. Shae inclined her head toward the other side of the platform they were standing on, "C'mon, I think that's the way out."

Relieved at the thought of leaving behind the cave, Serana nodded and followed Shae towards what she hoped was an exit. While not fond of the sun, she was even less inclined to stay in this cave for any longer.

They ran into some gargoyles on the way out, as well as some more draugr, much to Shae's displeasure. "Damn draugr and their new stupid stone buddies" she grumbled. Serana just glanced at her in amusement again before she continued toward the exit.

When they finally made their way out Serana let out a sigh of relief. "Ah, it's so good to breath again! Even in this weather, it's better than the cave." Shae couldn't help but agree with that. Nordic tombs were always so stuffy.

The sun was just setting, meaning they had the whole night to travel. After a few minutes of walking in silence Shae spoke up, "So tell me about your home."

"It's on an island near Solitude. Hopefully we can find a boat to take us there. It's my family home. Not the most welcoming place, but depending on who's around, I'll be safe there."

"Wait, why wouldn't you be safe there?" Shit, she was already starting to worry about this woman and she had barely even known her for an hour. Yup, I'm fucked.

"Let's just say that my mother and father had a bit of a falling out. Don't worry, I'm not in any danger or anything like that. It'll just be more unpleasant to run into my father."

By the time they made it to the small dock the sun was just beginning to rise. Shae could see an island castle looming over the northern horizon and figured that that had to be it. Serana unknowingly confirmed her thoughts when she spoke. "That's it, out there to the north. We used to keep a boat around here to get there and back."

The boat ended up being right behind some rocks and a tree branch and Serana quickly went about getting it ready to go. It didn't take long for them to reach the island and when they did Shae's eyes widened in shock.

"This is your home?"

"This is it. Home sweet… castle." Serana smiled dryly.

"Why didn't you tell me it was so huge?"

"I didn't want you to think I was one of those… you know, the women who just sit in their castle all day? I don't know. Coming from a place like this, well… it's not really me. I hope you can believe that." She looked slightly uncomfortable and bit back a grimace as she looked up at the castle she called home.

"Of course I can. I mean you can't really be stuck asleep underground and sitting in a castle can you?" Shae teased, hoping to give her companion a small distraction from the looming reunion with at least one of her parents. Serana rolled her eyes but she was grateful for the other woman's efforts. About halfway across the bridge leading to the castle's main gates, Serana stopped walking, gaining the dragonborn's attention.

"Hey, so… before we go in there…"

"Are you alright?" she asked, concerned. Despite the vampire's earlier reassurances Shae was still worried about what might greet them once they entered the castle.

"I think so. And thanks for asking. I wanted to thank you for getting me this far. But after we get in there, I'm going to go my own way for a while. I think… I know your friends would probably want to kill everything in there. I'm hoping you can show some more control than that. Once we're inside, just keep quiet for a bit. Let me take the lead."

Shae nodded in response. She doubted anyone inside would take kindly to her presence, and she had a bad habit of putting her foot in her mouth. After passing an overly excited watchman, they entered the castle and were greeted by an angry looking Altmer.

"How dare you trespass here! Wait… Serana? Is that truly you? I cannot believe my eyes! My lord! Everyone! Serana has returned!" and with that, he ran into the adjoining room.

"I guess I'm expected." the subject of his yelling replied.

Shae took a breath and followed the friendly vampire into the dining room where a number of not-so-friendly vampires were seated. One stood tall in between the two large tables and was watching Serana intently.

"My long-lost daughter returns at last. I trust you have my Elder Scroll?" he asked. Well at least now Shae knew why Serana was hoping it was her mother that was here instead.

"After all these years, that's the first thing you ask me? Yes, I have the scroll."

Shae knew from experience how sarcasm could mask how someone was really feeling, and it pained her to know that Serana had to hide her hurt at her father's indifference to her well-being. Shae decided that she didn't like this man.

"Of course I'm delighted to see you, my daughter. Must I really say the words aloud? Ah, if only your traitor mother were here, I would let her watch this reunion before putting her head on a spike. Now tell me, who is this stranger you have brought into our hall?"

Yup, really didn't like him.

Serana briefly glanced at her before speaking, "This is my savior, the one who freed me."

Ah, shit. Her father's attention was now focused on her and his gaze was as cold as Skyrim's winter nights despite his words.

"For my daughter's safe return, you have my gratitude. Tell me, what is your name?"

"I'm Shae. Who are you?" Obviously he was Serana's asshole father, but Shae doubted that it would go over well if she ever addressed him as that.

"I am Harkon, lord of this court. By now, my daughter will have told you what we are."

His voice dripped with arrogance and she couldn't help herself when she replied, "You're a reclusive cannibal cult." Luckily he seemed more amused than truly annoyed by the remark, though she saw Serana barely resist the urge to elbow her out of the corner of her eye.

"Not quite, though I can see how an outsider might arrive at that conclusion. No, we are vampires, among the oldest and most powerful in Skyrim. For centuries we lived here, far from the cares of the world. All that ended when my wife betrayed me and stole that which I valued most."

Somehow she knew that he was talking about the scroll and not Serana when he glanced toward her, and it only lowered her opinion of him even more.

"So what happens now?"

"You have done me a great service, and now you must be rewarded. There is but one gift that I can give that is equal in value to the Elder Scroll and my daughter. I offer you my blood. Take it, and you will walk as a lion among sheep. Men will tremble at your approach, and you will never fear death again."

"And if I refuse your gift?" Shae wasn't stupid, she knew that if she did refuse, this encounter could end very badly for her.

"Then you will be prey, like all other mortals. I will spare your life this once, but you will be banished from this hall." He smirked and held out his arms. "Perhaps you still need convincing? Behold the power!"

In a matter of seconds he had transformed into a rather demonic-looking vampire. "This is the power that I offer! Now, make your choice!"

Shae glanced at Serana but the other woman avoided her eyes. Despite being a vampire hunter, Shae didn't have anything against vampires. Or rather, she didn't have anything against vampires because they were vampires. She knew that every group of people, even humans, especially humans, were capable of evil. To hold all of them responsible for the actions of the few was unfair. Serana was a prime example of how vampires could be good people. Regardless, becoming a vampire wasn't exactly on her to-do list, and if anyone was capable of stopping Harkon and whatever he planned to do with an Elder Scroll it was the Dawnguard.

While it was true that not all vampires were evil, Harkon was power hungry, that much was obvious, and whatever he planned to do with the scroll couldn't be good. So when she looked back at him she answered with "No, I refuse your gift."

To say Harkon looked displeased would be an understatement, he scowled and said, "So be it! You are prey, like all mortals. I banish you!" and the next thing she knew she was face first in the dirt in front of the castle.

Once she recovered from the bout of dizziness she turned to look up at the castle and could only form one thought.

Isran is gonna be pissed.