"Why would I side with the man who treats us elves like dirt?" Valereth sneered, glaring daggers at the fire in front of her. "When we reach High Hrothgar, I will consider his offer."
Marcurio snorted. "Val, I know you- you won't agree to any of their offers."
Valereth didn't reply, instead sipping her ale. Her nose scrunched up in distaste. It tasted like piss. Divines, she would do anything to have some of the wine from her home in Summerset Isles.
"Have you sorted everything out?" Janessa asked. The Dunmer sat opposite the Altmer, holding her furs tightly against her. "In case you don't make it back?"
Marcurio scowled. "Have you so little faith in her?"
Janessa bared her teeth. "That is not what I meant."
"Janessa is right," Valereth sighed. "I have sent the appropriate letters, and Lydia has my Will. She has agreed to look after Runa and Hroar. Now, let's stop dwelling in this. I'll take first watch."
~0o.o0~
"A werewolf and vampire lord, best friends..." Serana shook her head, laughing. "If my father weren't already dead, he'd die of shock of finding out about us."
Valereth smirked. "You forgot that I was once a vampire, my friend. Though, I do not miss it; as the times change, it gets harder to feed. Being a werewolf... I only have to worry about the remarks."
"You do smell like a wet dog," Serana commented, dodging the hand aiming for her head with a laugh. "What? It's true!"
Valereth scowled, but her grin ruined it. "Yeah, yeah. Shut up."
~0o.o0~
"You are a disgrace to the Altmer," Vindal Athire snarled, glaring down at her. "I should kill you on general principle."
Valereth grinned up at her brother. "Aw, missed you too, brother. Mind letting me go? I have a World-Eater to kill."
Vindal paused, and finally sighed. "This is the last time I let you escape, sister. Don't let me catch you again, Miss Athire."
"It's Bloodstone now," Valereth replied, standing up. "I'm not married, though. I just don't want to put you in danger."
"So you actually do care," he sneered. "Weak."
"Says the one letting a traitor go," she snapped back, turning on her heel and leaving. "Tell Kardrion I said hi!"
"Our brother fled."
Valereth stopped. "Pardon?"
"He left last week," Vindal stated. "Everything of his was gone. There was no note."
"Guess he's a traitor like me," Valereth drawled. "If you find him, send me a letter, will you?"
"I'll think about it."
Valereth laughed.
~0o.o0~
Valereth Bloodstone was used to the names thrown at her. Some in awe, some in fear, some in respect, and some in disgust. But after saving and freeing the Dunmer slaves and slaying some elf that claimed to be a god, they started to call her a name she did not recognise. A name that belonged to someone who had slain false gods, like she had done. A name lost as centuries past, and known by very few.
Dread Wolf.
Countless searching proved near fruitless. From the Dunmer, she learned he was an elven god of rebellion and a protector of slaves. He went by other names, one being Fen'Harel. After speaking to Knight-Paladin Gelebor, Valereth learnt more. She had listened attentively, fascinated by the elven god that nearly everyone had forgotten about. She wished to know more, but Gelebor didn't know anything else on the god. Neither did the Daedric Princes.
There was nothing else to find, except for the necklace Gelebor gave her. It was a wolf carved out of dragon bone, tied with enchanted leather. The enchantment increased her speech craft and sneaking, unsurprisingly.
Valereth didn't appreciate being called the Dread Wolf, though. If the actual Dread Wolf found out… Would he kill her? Make her his Champion?
~0o.o0~
"We must celebrate!" Nazir called, raising his cup of ale. "To Valereth, our wolf, and the defeater of Alduin!"
Valereth grinned, raising her own cup. "To great friends! I wouldn't have been able to do it without you."
"Aw, you're making me blush," Marcurio laughed. "Are you getting soft on us?"
Valereth raised an eyebrow. "Me? A High elf like me does not go soft, 'curio."
Marcurio chucked a piece of bread at her. "Don't call me that."
Her grin widened. "'Curiooooo…"
Cicero was quick to pick up on it, dancing around Marcurio and chanting the nickname. Marcurio grumbled, crossing his arms. Everyone else laughed.
~0o.o0~
"Mama!"
Valereth laughed, hugging her children. "Gods, I missed you two! You've grown up so much."
It was true. They were both now in their teens. Runa had taken to the battle axes, but had to train with something smaller with Valkas and Farkas. Hroar was quite the blacksmith, and had been taken under the local blacksmith's wing as an apprentice.
"Oh, and not me?"
Valereth let her children go, embracing her housecarl. "Of course I missed you, Lydia."
Lydia let her go, grinning. "So Alduin is dead?"
"Yes," she confirmed, earning cheers from her children. Lydia clasped her shoulder, exclaiming, "I believe it's time to bring out the elven wine."
Valereth laughed. "Don't open it just yet, old friend. We'll celebrate with the Companions."
~0o.o0~
Finally! Valereth thought, collapsing into her chair with a sigh. After two weeks of celebration, I can relax. I wonder if I have any of that Spiced wine left…
She had missed Lakeview Manor. Besides Rayya, Valereth was blissfully alone.
"Valereth!"
The Altmer scowled, glaring at the five Daedric Princes. Sanguine, Sheogorath, Clavicus Vile, Hermaeus Mora, and Molag Bal. "No. I want my wine first."
Sheogorath cackled. "Oh, I love wine! Especially with cheese, whilst ripping out someone's intestines!"
She rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the mental image, Sheo."
Hermaeus interrupted. "We have a favour to ask."
Valereth frowned, straightening. "It must be pretty serious if all five of you are here. What's the next crazy adventure?"
"You'll be sent to Thedas to help the world from ending," Sanguine answered, smirking. "Don't worry, you can bring some people with you. Maximum of five."
Valereth paused, mind stalling for a moment. She sighed. Her instant thought was to bring her children, but she knew better than to bring them. She didn't want to put them in danger. She couldn't bring Lydia either- someone had to watch over her children.
Cicero and Nazir would be a good choice, and Babette would be able to look after the Brotherhood till they go back. Serana and Marcurio would definitely be coming. "Can I bring an animal?"
"Yes," Clavicus said.
Valereth nodded. "I shall bring Cicero, Nazir, Serana, Marcurio and Garmr."
Hermaeus spoke. "It is decided. Make sure to gather as much knowledge as you can."
"Of course," she muttered. "Anything else I should know?"
"Beware the Dread Wolf."
"Isn't that my nickname?" Valereth joked, but her humour was quick to die off at the serious looks. "Wait… He's real? Does he live in Thedas? Ah shit, will he kill me?"
They didn't answer, instead disappearing. Before she could shout any curses at them, a bright light blinded her.
