Here's the second chapter. thank you for reviews and support. it really motivated me to finish this chapter faster. thanks for the support.

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Chapter 2

M'raaj-Dar and Arvina sat facing each other in the tent. A heavy silence hung between them.

Arvina wanted to say something, anything to end the silence. However, seeing the Khajiit's expressionless face, she could not say anything.

As for M'raaj-Dar, he did not know whether to feel betrayed, angry, elated or sad. He had lost the only family he had ever known since he was exiled by his people at the hands of the one whom he had come to care for.

Finally, he spoke.

'I understand why you did what you did.'

Arvina started, trying to say something in response but the words would not come.

The Khajiit studied her expression silently.

'You know then?' Arvina finally asked in a small voice.

M'raaj-Dar nodded silently.

He thought back of the events that had changed both their lives.

M'raaj-Dar had decided to leave the Sanctuary for awhile to help Arvina with the shopping.

He casted a chameleon spell before emerging from the well. He had to blink several times to get use the bright glare of the sun. Eventually he began to walk around town unseen, enjoying the warmth of the sun on his fur. As he passed the chapel, he suddenly heard Arvina's voice.

As he went closer to check, he saw Arvina was talking to an Imperial. Arvina was gesturing agitatedly and suddenly, the Imperial seized her by the throat and slammed her up the wall. M'raaj-Dar was about to come to Arvina's aid when he heard the Imperial spoke. It was Lucien Lachance.

He began to creep closer to the pair so that he can hear what they were saying. Eventually he caught the words: '…start with your precious cat. You think I don't know your feelings for him?'

M'raaj-Dar froze.

The next words caused anger to rise within him, but he controlled himself to stay hidden. The Imperial had released Arvina and had spat the hurtful words at her. 'Personally I think it's disgusting: an Imperial pining after a Khajiit. If the Purification is not completed in the following week, I will carry it out myself. You understand?'

The Purification.

M'raaj-Dar knew the term well and the shock caused his anger to subside. He's telling…no, he's ordering Arvina to kill us all? How could this be, we have been nothing but loyal to him, thought M'raaj-Dar. He looked towards Arvina, the poor girl was sobbing on the ground. He wanted to comfort her very much, but the Sanctuary was in danger and there was a chance that Lucien might be around watching.

Still invisible, he ran back to the Sanctuary.

He immediately went to see Vincente. The vampire was the oldest and most experienced member of the Sanctuary, he would know what to do. What he had not expected however was the vampire to nod gravely and said he already knew. 'You knew?' M'raaj-Dar had hissed. 'You knew and you didn't tell anyone?'

Vincente sighed quietly.

'Ungolim and the other Speakers all detest Lachance,' he began. 'When the murders began, they immediately suspected him. I can't blame them as most of them were found dead near his territory. Lucien obviously felt threatened and the only way he could absolve himself of suspicion was to suggest the Purification of his own sanctuary.'

'How could he be so selfish?' cried M'raaj-Dar. 'We must warn the others!'

'No, we can't,' said Vincente, blocking M'raaj-Dar way. 'We must allow the Purification to happen.'

M'raaj-Dar just stared at him as though he was insane, which probably was true.

'You mean we must let Arvina kill us all?' he asked in a shaking voice. 'Do you have any idea how that would tear her up?'

Suddenly, Vincente smiled.

'Amazing,' he said.

'What is?' asked M'raaj-Dar.

'You know she's about to kill us all and yet you are only worried that it might affect her,' Vincente explained.

M'raaj-Dar could not think of anything to say that.

'Now listen tom me, M'raaj-Dar,' Vincente said with urgency in his voice. 'I know you will not like it but you have to do this. You must allow her to kill the others. But do not let her kill you. You must look as though she has killed you.'

'What if she attacks me outright?' asked M'raaj-Dar.

'She won't,' answered Vincente. 'If her bond with you is as strong as I think it is she won't. She'll probably attempt to poison you.'

'After…after it's over, follow Arvina and keep her safe and at the same time, try to find out who the real traitor is, understand?'

M'raaj-Dar nodded numbly.

'Good,' said Vincente.

'What about you?' asked M'raaj-Dar abruptly.

'What about me?'

'Are you going to let her kill you?'

'I have absolutely no intention of doing so.'

'What?'

'You must clean up after me, make sure it looks as though I'm sleeping or she'll probably be suspicious.'

It took a few minutes before M'raaj-Dar realised what Vincente was going to do.

Vincente had pulled out a dagger and was examining it closely.

'No, Vincente! You can't do this!' cried M'raaj-Dar.

'Why not? I had a good long run,' he said, while taking of his shirt. 'Once the Sanctuary is Purified, I'll have lost the people I love.'

'But once I find out who the real traitor is, the Sanctuary will be restored.'

'Don't you understand? It's not the Sanctuary that I love; it's the people within it. After three hundred years, I don't think I can stand the thought of leaving here. No, it is only fitting that I end my life here. I hope you understand.'

M'raaj-Dar nodded silently.

Vincente placed the tip of the dagger near his heart over his bare chest.

He looked at M'raaj-Dar and smiled.

'Spill some blood for me, dear Brother.'

And so M'raaj-Dar had been forced to watch from the shadows as Arvina killed the other members of the Sanctuary.

When there was no one else left, he pretended to have just come down from the well and ran into her.

'Where's everyone?' he asked. He quietly looked around the Sanctuary. She was good, he found himself thinking, there was not a single thing that would have indicated the horrific events that had happened here.

'Out,' Arvina had replied.

M'raaj-Dar looked at her. Is that the best you can do?

'Even Vincente?' Let's see what you can up with.

He can see her struggling internally to find an excuse.

She spouted some nonsense about Vincente feeding and wanting some fresh air.

You disappoint me.

He pretended to believe her.

When she had been about to poison him, he sniffed the liquid within the goblet.

Such an obvious poison, it's almost as if you want me to know.

Then, just before he had pretended to drink it, he saw a tear running down Arvina's cheek.

'Is something wrong?' he asked with genuine concern in his voice.

I know this must be hard for you, Arvina.

'Nothing, I'm just so happy…that we're friends.' she had said in a choky voice.

I'm sorry I must add a little bit more to your burden, but I promise I'll make it up to you.

He raised his goblet. 'To everlasting friendship.'

After Arvina left, he got up and took one last look around the Sanctuary before leaving. The thought that he may not return there saddened him greatly. And so, casting the Deathly Visage spell on himself, he followed Arvina.

Arvina looked at him after hearing his story. 'I…I see.'

'I'm sorry you had to go through all this, Arvina.' said M'raaj-Dar quietly.

'So do you know who the traitor is?' asked Arvina. M'raaj-Dar shook his head. He had been investigating and still had no clue as to who the traitor might be.

Sighing, M'raaj-Dar said. 'I should go, it wouldn't do if Lachance found out I was still alive.'

'No!' cried Arvina, grabbing the Khajiit's arm. 'Please, stay here with me. Just for tonight please.'

M'raaj-Dar tried to keep out the sorrow and longing out of his voice. 'I can't, Arvina. If Lachance finds out…'

'Please…' whispered Arvina, sobbing quietly while still holding on to him tightly. 'I lost you once, now that I've found you…I don't think I can the stand the thought of waking up tomorrow and not finding you here, that it was all a dream.'

A silence followed.

M'raaj-Dar gathered her into his arms and held her comfortingly. 'Well, the blizzard is getting stronger; I guess I have nowhere to go for awhile.'

Arvina chuckled weakly and leant into his embrace. 'Looks like Schemer doesn't want to be left out.'

M'raaj-Dar looked down and found that the rat had nestled himself comfortably between the two of them.

They both chuckled quietly. M'raaj-Dar held the still sobbing Imperial girl in his arms as he inwardly he grieved for those he had lost and rejoiced for the one he had found.

At least for this one night, surrounded by the falling snow, they had each other.

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there you have it, the second chapter. i must warn you that there is quite a bit of Lucien bashing in the story as i never really forgave him for making me Purify the sanctuary. anyway i'll do the third one soon enough