Hey, Zack1187 here. Bringing you this Skyrim story. I felt that in the Dawnguard quest-line there wasn't enough opportunities to truly bond with Serana. Well, they were there. But I wanted more. So here you go. And there is romance thrown in there for good measure, because... Come on, who doesn't love Serana?
Disclaimer: I don't own Skyrim, or any characters. I won Vani, and Kaiden. That's about it really.
Kaiden Mediana wandered through the dark crypt, his sword at the ready. His loyal body guard Vani Nambella-Calden keeping close, with both her daggers, ready to strike. Kaiden opened a door, and heard several people talking down below.
He looked towards Vani and nodded, Vani sheathed her daggers, and pulled several small throwing knives from her cloak, three people. Easy targets, she threw each knife with deadly precision. Each hit, killed a target. The two moved down the stairs and crossed a bridge passing by the body of a man. They came to a large stone circle. With a strange pillar in the center, Vani and Kiden exchanged a look.
Kaiden sheathed his sword, and reluctantly touched the object, and a large blade came from it, piercing his hand, he screamed in pain, and Vani rushed to his side, pulling him off of it.
"What kind of contraption is that?" Kaiden asked, Vani shrugged.
"Well, it must be a blood sacrifice of sort, look." Vani said, pointing to the ground, a purple trail was on the ground. Kaiden drank a potion and his hand healed, painfully as instantaneous healing always was.
"Try moving that Brazier to where the trail ends." Kaiden suggested, Vani followed his order, and more of the trail was formed. Vani and Kaiden moved the Brazier's to the correct positions, then the ground sunk in, revealing a stone monolith in the center, Vani, and Kaiden examined it.
"What is this? A tomb?" Vani asked, Kaiden shrugged. As he ran his hand along the side, until he saw a button, he pushed it in, and the front began to slide down. A woman stumbled out, Vani pulled out a knife, but Kaiden put his hand over hers, to make sure she didn't strike, the woman recovered and looked at the two of them.
She was wearing vampire robes, but they looked different. She looked between the two of them nervously, and saw Kaiden's hand over Vani's which was gripping a blade.
"Ugh... Where is... Who sent you here?" She asked them, Kaiden and Vani exchanged a look.
"Who were you expecting?" Kaiden asked her, she raised her eyebrows.
"I was expecting... Someone like me, at least." She told them.
"What do you mean 'like you?'" Kaiden asked, suspiciously.
"She means a Vampire. We must kill her. The Order dictates." Vani said, taking a step forward, Kaiden put his hand on her chest stopping her.
"Stop that. I don't care what the Order wants us to do. She obviously can't have had anything to do with the attacks." Kaiden told his personal guard.
"I... I am sorry sir. I hope you can forgive my rash actions." Vani said, bowing respectfully to the woman.
"Its expected. Most people don't trust vampires. Anyway, there's a problem if people are after me, I can help you find out what it is." The woman told them.
"Where do you need to go?" Kaiden asked. The woman made a surprised noise, like she wasn't expecting them to trust her.
"My family used to live on an island west of Solitude. I would assume they still do. By the way... My name is Serana... Good to meet you two." Serana said, Kaiden nodded.
"My name is Kaiden, and this is my personal guard Vani." Kaiden introduced himself.
"We should get moving... You do know how to get out of here right?" Serana asked.
"Well, not really. But, I'll figure it out..." Kaiden said, then noticed something he should have noticed long ago. "Is that... An Elder Scroll?" Kaiden asked.
"Yes it is... And its mine." Serana told him.
"Why do you have an Elder Scroll?" Kaiden asked.
"Its... Complicated, I can't really talk about it. I'm sorry." Serana said honestly, Kaiden shrugged.
"Why were you locked away?" Kaiden asked her. Serana pursed her lips.
"I'd... Rather not get into that with you. If that's alright... I'm sorry, its not that... Its just I don't know who I can trust yet. Lets get to my home, the I'll have a better sense of where we all stand." Serana said. Kaiden nodded.
"Hate to interrupt, but I don't think we should stand here sir." Vani said, glancing around the dark crypt, Kaiden looked at her and nodded. Then looked back to Serana.
"Stay close, I promise I'll get you home." Kaiden said, before smiling at her and walking away. Vani and Serana followed close behind him. They walked across a bridge, and immediately several stone gargoyles came to life, and ran at them.
Kaiden drew his sword, and charged into battle, Vani was right next to him, and Serana was using her magic. They quickly dispatched both Gargoyles, and Kaiden, and Vani sheathed their weapons. Kaiden stopped for a second.
"Hey, Vani. Could you lead this one, I wanna hang back and talk with Serana." Kaiden said, Vani bowed to him.
"Of course sir. It would be an honor sir." Vani said, before walking in front of them, acting as the leader for the time being, Kaiden looked at Serana and smiled, she gave him the barest hint of a smile back.
"So, how long were you in there?" Kaiden asked, as Vani led them into a chamber, she motioned for them to stay back while she checked it out. Serana pursed her lips.
"Good question. Hard to say... I... Can't really tell. I feel like it was a long time. Who is Skyrim's high king?" Serana asked. Kaiden was about to respond when Vani pulled a lever, and several drauger woke up, he, and Serana rushed to aid Vani, who quickly dispatched one with a dagger to the throat.
A drauger with a large battle axe swung at Vani, she rolled out of the way, Kaiden ran and knocked the axe up, stopping the drauger's defense all together, Serana launched an ice spike through his chest, killing the drauger. Kaiden sheathed his sword, and Vani sheathed her daggers. She led them down a dark corridor, after looting the bodies of course.
"Well, that's actually a matter for debate..." Kaiden told Serana, continuing their conversation.
"Oh. Wonderful. A war of succession. Good to know the world didn't get boring while I was gone. Who are the contenders?" Serana asked. Vani scanned the room, it was large built like an inverted cone with a flat floor.
"The empire supports Elisif. But there are many in Skyrim loyal to Ulfric." Kaiden told her. Serana pursed her lips.
"Empire? What Empire?" Serana asked, Kaiden gave her a strange look.
"The... Empire... From Cyrodil..." Kaiden said, Serana raised her eyebrows.
"Cyrodil is the seat of an Empire? I must have been gone longer than I thought... Definitely longer then we planned. Please, let's hurry. I need to get home so I can figure out what happened." Serana told him, he nodded.
"You two. Shush." Vani ordered, and pointed to a drauger overlord sitting in a throne, Vani pulled out a throwing knife, and threw it at him, he grunted and got up, after the blade embedded itself in his shoulder. Kaiden drew his sword, Vani drew her daggers, and Serana readied her spells.
"Time to die again!" Vani yelled, before she ran up to a drauger, and stabbed him in the skull, killing him, she threw him down, and rolled towards another drauger, which Kaiden quickly dispatched. Serana raised a skeleton. The drauger overlord charged at Serana, who panicked and drew her dagger, Vani moved fast, and intercepted him, with a quick dagger to the temple.
"Any companion of Kaiden is under my protection." Vani explained, as she cleaned the blood from her dagger. Kaiden smiled, and sheathed his sword.
"Why are you protecting him?" Serana asked.
"I was hired long ago. During his childhood to always protect him, and in turn all he travels with." Vani explained, sheathing her dagger, and looking over Kaiden. "Are you hurt?" She asked him.
"I'm fine Vani." Kaiden told her. She walked over to him, and grabbed the hand that was impaled.
"There is no permanent nerve damage?" Vani asked him, he shook his head.
"No. I'm fine." Kaiden told her, she nodded.
"Good. Lets get out of here." Vani said before walking away. She checked the large chest for anything valuable. "Sir. Come look at this." Kaiden came up, and Vani showed him an expensive looking necklace.
"That thing is enchanted." Serana spoke up.
"What kind?" Kaiden asked her, she shrugged.
"Can't tell. Maybe someone at the college will know." Serana said, Kaiden nodded, Vani put the necklace in her satchel.
"We shall head there after we deliver you to your home." Vani told Serana, who nodded. Vani stood up and lead them up a corridor. A gate blocked their path, Vani pulled a lever, and the gate raised up so they could escape the cave. Once they arrived outside, Serana sighed and stretched.
"Ah. Its so good to breathe again. Even in this weather its better then in that cave." Serana said, Kaiden nodded, and pulled his hood up, Vani and Serana did the same. Vani pulled her scarf over her mouth and nose.
"We should get moving. Solitude is a long ways away." Vani told them, Kaiden nodded and followed Vani. They arrived in Solitude that night.
"Do you want to keep moving or rest in town for the night?" Kaiden asked Serana.
"I could keep going, but I bet you can't." Serana said, Kaiden gives her a strange look.
"Excuse me, I've had many all nighters while travelling here in Skyrim." Kaiden told her, Serana raised her eyebrows.
"I wasn't trying to insult you. You seem capable enough. Just trying to be considerate." Serana told him.
"I understand. But, I'd rather keep going, Vani you up for it?" Kaiden asked, Vani nodded.
"Of course sir." Vani said before leading them further. They arrived at a dock with a boat docked, and an ominous looking castle in the distance.
"That it?" Kaiden asked.
"Yeah. It is. Listen, you don't have to escort me any further, thank you." Serana said, Kaiden shook his head.
"I'm not leaving you to let you sail off alone. I'm coming with." Kaiden told her, Serana smiled.
"Thank you. Its good to know someone's looking out for me. Even if we just met." Serana said, Kaiden smiled.
"Stop gawking at each other. It isn't safe." Vani told them.
"Then lets move." Kaiden said, before stepping onto the boat, and holding out his hand, Serana took it, and lowered herself onto the boat. Vani followed suit, and they set off.
After about an hour they docked on the shore of the island. The castle was truly impressive. Vani led them. Kaiden and Serana trailed behind, walking next to each other.
"Hey, so before we go in there..." Serana trailed off, Kaiden looked at her curiously.
"What is it?" Kaiden asked her.
"I... Wanted to thank you for getting me this far. But after we get in there I'm gonna go my own way for a while." Serana said. Then thought for a moment. "I think... I know that your friends would want to kill everything in here, but I hope you have more control than that. Once we're inside, just keep quiet for a bit, and let me take the lead." Serana said, as they arrived at the gate.
"Lady Serana's back! Raise the gate!" The watchman yelled, and the gate raised, Serana took the lead, Kaiden and Vani following close behind. "After all these years, Lady Serana's back. Now that's something." The watchman said as Serana opened the doors to the castle, Kaiden and Vani followed her.
"How dare you trespass here! Oh, Lady Serana is that you?" The vampire asked, Serana glared at the man.
"Yes. I've returned, don't hurt them. They're with me." Serana told him.
"I understand. Your father is in the main hall, you should speak with him." The vampire said, letting Serana, Kaiden, and Vani pass. Serana led them down the stairs, and a man got up from a chair and walked towards them, Vani pressed closer to Kaiden in a protective manner.
"My long-lost daughter has returned, I trust you have my Elder Scroll?" The vampire asked, Serana made a disapproving noise.
"After all these years, that's the first thing you ask me? Yes, I have the scroll." Serana told him.
"Of course I'm delighted to see you, my daughter. Must I really say the words aloud?" He asked.
"You don't sound very delighted." Kaiden spoke up, the man glared at him.
"And who are these people?" He asked.
"They are the ones who saved me, and helped me get here." Serana told him.
"I see. Pleased to meet you, I trust you know what we are?" He asked.
"You're a reclusive cannibal cult?" Kaiden asked, with a slight smirk, Serana smiled a bit.
"No. But I can see how you could come to that conclusion. I am Harkon, lord of this court. Leader of the clan of Volkhair vampires." Harkon told him.
"And you plan to kill us right?" Kaiden asked.
"No. In fact, I'd like to offer you a reward, for bringing me my daughter, and the Elder Scroll back to me." Harkon told them.
"And that would be vamparism I assume?" Kaiden asked, Harkon nodded.
"You are a bright young man. Yes. But if you refuse my gift, you will be banished from the premises, and you will be prey, like all other mortals." Harkon told him.
"We aren't interested." Vani spoke up, taking a protective step in front of Kaiden, hand on her dagger.
"Before you make your decisions allow me to show you the power I offer!" Harkon said, before transforming into a vampire lord. Vani wasn't impressed.
"No deal. Let us go." Vani said, Kaiden nodded.
"Fine. I will not force the offer on you. I only ask that you will never return here." Harkon said, before Vani, and Kaiden began to feel faint. Then everything went black.
Kaiden woke up with Vani holding his head, and looking down at him worriedly. They were on the shore of Volkhair island.
"I am so glad you are okay Sir. We should go back to the Dawnguard they would want to know about this." Vani told him, Kaiden agreed with her, she helped him up and onto the boat. By the time they reach the mainland Kaiden had recovered. They headed for Solitude, and from there took a carriage to Riften.
"I hope Serana is okay." Kaiden said as they trekked through the wilderness towards the Dawnguard sanctuary.
"I agree. But there is something about her that I do not trust." Vani said.
"You're too paranoid." Kaiden told her, she glared at him.
"I apologize your majesty, but I am only looking out for your best interest." Vani told him.
"Its not like I'm in love with her Vani. Just want her to be safe." Kaiden told Vani.
"I never suggested such a thing sir." Vani said, with a sly smile.
"Well... I know, just saying. No need to worry about my 'interests' Vani." Kaiden told her.
"Maybe if you would stop being such an idiot and notice what's right in front of you." Vani said under her breath, Kaiden looked at her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you." Kaiden said, Vani shook her head.
"It is nothing. Just looking over the map." She told him.
"Oh. Alright then." Kaiden accepted it. "And another thing, why are you always so formal? I've told you multiple times to just call me Kaiden, not Sir, or Your Majesty." Kaiden told her.
"But Sir, you are a prince." Vani said, Kaiden glared at her.
"Can't be a prince with no kingdom. In fact, you don't even have to protect me. You were hired to protect a prince, not a regular guy." Kaiden told her.
"I swore I would always protect you. No matter what your title is. I'm sorry, but you cannot get rid of me." Vani told him.
"But your not even getting paid anymore." Kaiden said, Vani shrugged.
"I do not care for riches. I care about you. Protecting you, no matter the cost." Vani told him.
"No idea why... Oh, here we are!" Kaiden said, stepping through a rock entrance, Vani followed him. They walked down the path to Fort Dawnguard, when arriving near the entrance they saw several Vampires, and members of the Dawnguard fighting.
Kaiden, and Vani ran, and both dispatched a vampire, Isran looked at them, and merely nodded, after bashing a Vampires head in.
"I trust you cleared that crypt?" Isran asked, Kaiden nodded.
"Yes. But we found a girl there. A vampire, they have an Elder Scroll." Kaiden told him.
"We would have stopped them but there were too many. They have a castle near Solitude." Vani explained further.
"I see. Then the situation is graver than we thought. I need you two to go find two new recruits for me." Isran told them. He explained who they were, and how to find them. Kaiden and Vani found both of them and sent them back to the Fort. On their next visit, Isran asked to speak to both of them.
"Care to explain why this came here?" Isran motioned to Serana.
"I have a name. I'm not an object." Serana said to him, he merely grunted in response.
"Why are you here Serana?" Kaiden asked.
"Well, I wanted to make sure you were okay. My father cast a spell on the two of you. Then had some vampires carry you out." Serana explained.
"Thanks for your concern, are you okay though?" Kaiden asked her.
"I... Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for asking. But we have a problem. You see this Elder Scroll on my back? Well the key to understanding my problem lies within, but last I heard only a Moth Priest could read them." Serana said.
"I see, Isran, have you heard anything?" Kaiden asked.
"There have been rumors of a moth priest in Skyrim, but I don't know his location. I'm keeping an eye on you vampire." Isran said out of the blue.
"And I'll be keeping you in mind next time I'm feeling... Hungry..." Serana told him, Isran grunted.
"Well, we should get moving. Maybe we could head to the college we were gonna head there anyway." Kaiden suggested.
"Yeah... I agree, but one thing... I don't really trust your companion." Serana said.
"Okay. Vani, you think you could make us some money? While me and Serana take care of this?" Kaiden asked, Vani glared at him.
"But sir. I have not left your side all your life." Vani said, Kaiden frowned.
"Vani, I'll be fine. Trust me. We'll be okay, can you do this? For me?" Kaiden asked, putting both hands on Vani's shoulders she looked down, and nodded.
"I... Yes your majesty." Vani said, before digging in her satchel and handing him the necklace they got from the chest. He puts it in a pouch.
"Well, Serana, lets get going." Kaiden said, before walking away, Serana trailed after him. Vani frowned at their retreating figures.
"Have you ever been to the college?" Serana asked, Kaiden nodded.
"A couple times. They're new policy wouldn't let me in without joining them." Kaiden told her, as they descended the spiral staircase.
"Really, when I was there they let anyone in, not just members of the college itself." Serana told him.
"Well, I think it's because anyone willing to seek out the college after the great collapse, must have an interest in magic." Kaiden said, Serana pursed her lips.
"What collapse? What are you talking about?" Serana asked.
"Well most of Winterhold collapsed into the sea. No one really knows the reason, but most suspect the college, since it was untouched."Kaiden told her.
"Hmm. Well, last time I was there it was a full fledged city." Serana said.
"The collapse happened within a hundred years I think, I don't know. I'm not an expert." Kaiden told her, they walked out the entrance to the Fort, and continued down the path. All the Dawnguard members they passed regarded Serana with hate, or disgust.
"They're not too friendly are they?" Serana asked, Kaiden shrugged.
"They're vampire hunters, you expected them to be friendly to a vampire?" Kaiden asked her.
"Well, no. But I meant in general. They all seem so... Angry all the time." Serana said.
"That's true. Isran isn't the best example of the kindness of the Dawnguard. I am." Kaiden said, with a smile.
"I agree. You helped me when your compatriots, and guard would have killed me on the spot." Serana said.
"Well, I knew you weren't going to hurt me." Kaiden told her. Serana raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really? And how was that?" Serana asked, Kaiden shrugged.
"You were so confused. I knew you weren't wrapped up in anything trying to kill me. Not intentionally anyway." Kaiden told her.
"You're trusting. Even to someone you don't know. I like that." Serana told him, Kaiden smiled at her. "I gotta ask, why do you have a personal guard?" Serana asked.
"I'd... Rather not talk about it, Its a sore subject." Kaiden said, his eyes darkening at the memory. Serana frowned.
"Hey, I'm sorry I asked... Forget about it. I respect that you won't talk about it." Serana said, Kaiden nodded.
"Lets just get to Winterhold." He said, before speeding up his pace, Serana matched his speed. Soon enough they were outside Riften, Kaiden paid the carriage driver to take them to Winterhold. They arrived late at night. Kaiden got off, then helped Serana off.
"You okay? You look tired." Serana said, Kaiden shook his head.
"I'm fine... Lets just get to the college." He said, before walking off, at a brisk pace towards the college, Serana followed him.
"Seriously, you don't look good. You said you were a member of the college right, just sleep in your bed there." Serana suggested, Kaiden sighed.
"And what will you do?" Kaiden asked her, as they walked across the stone pathway that led to the college.
"I'll just sit and wait around. Probably read up on Moth Priest's." Serana said, Kaiden nodded.
"Sounds good. Hope you don't mind." Kaiden said, before leading her to his sleeping quarters with the other members. He walked into his room, and started removing his armor, Serana raised her eyebrows, and turned away, with a slight blush. Once Kaiden had changed into his college robes to sleep in, he turned back to her.
"Oh... Sorry about that. I'm used to Vani being around. She doesn't care if I strip, but I guess I should be more considerate." Kaiden said, sitting down on his bed. Serana sat in a chair, and smiled at him.
"Its fine. Just didn't want to intrude on something so personal." Serana said, Kaiden nodded.
"I understand that. Anyway, I'm tired." Kaiden said, falling back on his bed, and sighing. Serana stood up.
"I'm gonna go do some research. I'll wake you if I find anything." Serana said, Kiden made a noise, that signified he agreed. Serana walked away to do some research. Meanwhile back at Fort Dawnguard Vani was restless, she got up, and decided to take a walk outside, she saw Isran keeping watch.
"I'm sure they won't be stupid enough to attack us again." Vani said, as she walked up beside him, he glanced at her.
"You can never be too careful. I just want you to know, that if that creature touches anyone here, I will hold you and your friend responsible." Isran told her.
"I assure you, that will not happen. His majesty trusts Serana, so I shall support him." Vani told him.
"I know about your family lineage. The Nambella's were apart of the original Dawnguard. And the Calden's were a known Vampire clan." Isran said.
"I know my family heritage. But I am the last of my line. All was lost when we fled Antrilana." Vani told him.
"How did they come to trust each other I wonder... Nambella, and Calden?" Isran asked her.
"A Nambella man fell in love with a Calden vampire. Despite all the ridicule they endured. The man was banished from the Dawnguard, the Vampire was banished from her clan. They journeyed with a mutual friend to Antrilana." Vani told him.
"I hope your influence won't be a problem. You won't let your past cloud your judgment." Isran said.
"I did not inherit being a vampire, if that's what you are suggesting. I swore to live my own life, regardless of my family history." Vani explained.
"Yet you follow some man around like a helpless puppy." Isran told her.
"I serve his majesty by choice, I was not forced into it. I will always be there to protect him." Vani said, Isran grunted.
"Such a title is not fitting for him, a dull ordinary, and naive boy." Isran said, Vani glared at him.
"His majesty is none of those things! He is a kind, and generous prince!" Vani defended.
"The boy is no prince. He is a fool, to trust such a thing." Isran said, Vani huffed.
"I am leaving before you try my patience any further." Vani said, before taking off back inside the fort.
Hope you guys enjoyed, leave a review if you want, and stay tuned. I may update soon, or I may not. I have several other projects, and school coming up, so stick with me guys, thanks for reading.