Nature and Soul, One Heart: Part 1
Drak'qur and Anduniel stayed in Solitude for a few days. Anduniel spent that time doing some research on meads. Or at least, more research. But Drak'qur had his own task. It was time that he stopped hiding his feelings for Anduniel. He knew what she liked. But weapons and armor were not going to win her heart, no. But music would. He walked into the Bard's College and sat next to Valla. The Dark Elf looked up and smiled at Drak'qur.
"It's good to see you again, Drak'qur." She said warmly.
He nodded. "As it is to see you, Valla."
Valla looked at Drak'qur. He was looking towards the wooden floor and she put her hand on his armored hand. "Is everything alright?"
He sighed slightly. Drak'qur never had an aptitude for singing. And it really bothered him that the woman he loved had such a wonderful and...angelic voice. Her laugh could melt his heart. But yet he could not even carry a single note. He turned his head to Valla. The eyes of the helmet glowing dimly. "I need your help, Valla. Yours and Tyrion's."
"With what?" She had a feeling she already knew, but she wanted to hear it from his lips.
"I..." The words were catching in his throat. He was Dragonborn. The Warlord of the Soul Cairn. And yet, he could barely bring himself to explain his deepening love for Anduniel. He lowered his head and removed his helmet. His eyes glowing a dull red color. They were Vampire eyes but at this point only a half-breed's eyes. "I'm in love with her, Valla. And I wish to express that to her. But only in the way truly loves. In song." He shook his head ashamed of himself. "But I don't have the voice to carry that song to her. And I have no adeptness at writing songs. Can you...will you help me?" His eyes showing his adoration for Anduniel, but at the same time, the helplessness of his situation.
Valla smiled brightly. "I had thought there was something between you two." She giggled. "Andi seems so happy around you. She stays so close to you." Valla stood up and took Drak'qur's hands, helping him up. "Come on." The two walked over to where Tyrion was standing. "Tyrion. We have a task."
The Altmer turned and looked at Drak'qur and Valla. "What's going on?"
"Andi's friend here wants to do a song for her. But he needs our help." Valla beamed at the thought of this matchmaking.
"Ahhh...a song about Andi I take it, yes?" He asked Drak'qur.
"That's correct." He responded, giving only a slight nod.
"Alright, well then. Tell us some things you like about Andi. And we'll see if we can work it into a song." Tyrion rubbed his chin.
Drak'qur told them that he loved her azure eyes, which they sparkled like the stars in the evening sky. That her voice was so angelic and that her laughter was like beautiful crystalline bells. That she was brave and strong in combat.
The two looked at one another and passed a few words between one another. Valla looked at Drak'qur and smiled. "Give us a few days to work on this. Come back on the third day and it should be ready."
Drak'qur nodded. "Of course." Drak'qur put his helmet back on and headed out of the college. He started to become lost in his thoughts when Anduniel came running up to him.
"Drak'qur! I think I figured out a way to improve the mead here!" She said excitedly.
Drak'qur pushed his thoughts to the side. "Truly? What have you come up with?" Anduniel started to show him a few things she learned. But his thoughts just seemed to drift away from what she was showing him. He tried to agree in all the right places hoping he didn't seem too distracted and gave a single word answer when she made an opinion.
Anduniel could tell he wasn't really listening. The eyes of his helmet seemed to flicker when he became lost in thought. "Drak'qur? Is everything alright? You're quite distracted."
'Dammit' he thought to himself. She was really perceptive and must have picked up how his armor reacted to his different demeanors. But he saw no sense in lying. "I'm sorry, Andi. There's just so much on my mind. I don't mean to be so distracted, especially when you try to explain things to me."
Anduniel stood in front of him. "Please, tell me what's wrong?"
Drak'qur started to say something when he heard someone yell: "VAMPIRES!" His look shot up towards a male and female killing a few citizens of Solitude and then seeing Anduniel, running straight for her. Drak'qur's armor glowed angrily as he stepped in front of her. The female Vampire let out some kind of...almost unholy screech as she leapt at Drak'qur. He had readied his shield and then caught the woman on the side of her head with his shield. He threw her to the ground as the male Vampire tackled him.
"DIE YOU MISERABLE, HALFBREED!" The male Vampire hissed as he tried to drive his dagger through the armor.
Drak'qur came to the guess that these Vampires were blood starved and completely ravenous with hunger. Anduniel was much more in danger than he was being she wore lighter armor. An arrow suddenly went through the midsection of the Vampire. He gasped but stood up glaring at Anduniel.
"Crap..." she said.
The Vampire moved so fast. He was already behind Anduniel and grabbing her to bite her. The Vampire sneered. "This one dies, half-breed!"
Drak'qur couldn't risk throwing a dagger. He would hit Anduniel. A Vampire's strength was greater than that of any mortal. He looked around to ensure no one was around. He was about to do something he had sworn himself he would not do around her. But he was out of options. The guards would be too late. He would have to risk it. "You will not harm her, Vampire."
"Oh, and you intend to stop me?" He had Anduniel's head craned so he had a clear bite at her neck. Though she was resistant to a lot of diseases, Drak'qur promised himself that even they ever married, he would not taint her with Vampirism. It was both a gift and a curse. But for her, he considered it a great curse.
Drak'qur raised his right hand. The Vampire seemed to laugh, enjoying this. He then dropped the shield in his left hand, reaching into his pouch and pulling out a Black Soul Gem. The soul inside it swirling around. The eyes of his helmet dimmed as he started to chant something. He crushed the Black Soul Gem in his hand and the soul encircled him. The eyes of his helmet flashed as he opened his right fist rapidly, aiming not directly at the Vampire.
The Vampire only seemed to laugh harder. "That was your great attack, half-breed?"
"No." Drak'qur said simply. Behind the Vampire, a Boneman formed, drawing an arrow into its shade-like bow. It loosed the arrow which went straight into the Vampire's head. The Vampire shuttered in a death rattle before collapsing in a heap to the ground. The Boneman looked to Drak'qur, making a creaking noise.
Anduniel turned slowly to see the Boneman only seconds before it collapsed into a heap of what looked like ash. She looked back at Drak'qur. "What was that?!" She exclaimed.
Drak'qur picked up his shield. "A creature of the Soul Cairn."
Anduniel's eyes widened. "You're a necromancer?"
He shook his head. "No. Not in the traditional sense."
Anduniel crossed her arms over her chest. "Then I'd be more than happy to understand in what sense it is."
Drak'qur led her to the inn and bought two rooms upstairs. He wanted to explain it to her but not in the open. Few would understand. When they were alone, he shut the door. "First, and this is quite important, understand that I am not your enemy. I am your friend."
"Then as my friend, tell me the truth, Drak'qur." Anduniel looked right in his eyes as he took his helmet off.
"The truth then." He set his weapon and shield down in the corner, sitting across from her as he took a seat. "I told you I'm a Vampire. But only in name. Yes. My blood carries my mother's and my eyes are that of a Vampire so that makes me a half vampire. Which is why you heard the other call me a 'half-breed'." He studied her a minute before continuing. "I have not been bitten yet by my mother or another Vampire. In being bit, I would become a full Vampire."
Anduniel shifted in her seat slightly. "But what does this have to do with that thing you summoned?"
"I told you that I accepted my destiny as the Warlord of the Soul Cairn. Do you remember that?" He asked.
"Yes." Was all she said.
"It's not just a title. For nearly hundreds of years, a single male has been chosen in my family line to bear the burden of that name." He showed her a Black Soul Gem. "My powers are limited. I can only use two or three spells connected to the Soul Cairn. Even then, I must use Soul Gems. Which is why I said 'Not in the traditional sense'. I can't summon anything stronger than a Boneman or trap souls."
"What is the Soul Cairn?" Anduniel asked.
"It's a part of Oblivion. A small section of it." This much he knew about it after reading some old scrolls that his mother use to have in their home. "Only the strongest souls, the most powerful go there when a Black Soul Gem is sacrificed."
Anduniel looked down. "I'm sorry, Drak'qur. I know I shouldn't get upset with you. It's just...hard to understand."
"Much of this is not known. And never shared outside of family." He took her hand. "I don't blame you for being upset. And perhaps I should have told you before. But I have done my best to not summon those kinds of creatures around you. I never wanted you to think of me as a monster."
After a few moments, Anduniel smiled as she looked at him. "I don't think of you as a monster at all, Drak'qur. But I just worry so much that something is going to go wrong and you'll be the one that gets hurt."
That warmed Drak'qur a great deal. She did care for him. But how much did she care for him? "I was going to do this alone. And I can if you want, but I received a letter from the Dawnguard."
"Those Vampire hunters?" She asked.
"Exactly. It seems they are looking for something in a cavern not far from Solitude. I have a feeling that the Dawnguard are getting in over their heads. I was going to investigate this but am unsure what I'll find." Drak'qur had always been ready to protect Anduniel from anything. Especially now that the Dawnguard were poking around.
"Well I'm certainly not going to let you go alone." Anduniel said firmly.
Drak'qur had figured as much. "Very well. We have a few days to get ready. The Dawnguard from what I understand are very few in number. So for them to go to this cavern will be foolish."
"Alright, good." Anduniel said. "We better get a good night's rest so we can start preparing tomorrow."
"Agreed." Drak'qur stood and bowed to Anduniel, leaving the room and heading to his own.
Anduniel turned to the fireplace in the room, looking at the flames lapping a bit. It was a lot to take in. But she knew that it was even harder for him to explain. But he trusted her with it. And she wouldn't betray that trust. She placed her hands over her heart, thinking of Drak'qur. She felt a warmth when he was around. A fullness she hadn't felt in a long time since leaving Valenwood. He cared for her and was always looking to protect her. Perhaps he was too chivalrous at times. She could take care of herself. But that was the one quirk she came to adore about him. She walked over to her bed and got undressed, sliding under the furs and smiling as she drifted off to sleep, her protector bringing her a sense of peace and safety.
Three days had passed and both Drak'qur and Anduniel had gathered the supplies they would need for their trek to Darkhollow Cavern. Drak'qur earlier that morning had received a letter from Valla and Tyrion. The song was ready. Drak'qur's heart thumped hard against his chest. He turned towards Anduniel, clearing his throat. "Andi, I was wondering if we could stop by the Bard's College one last time before we leave for Darkhollow."
Anduniel smiled. "I would like that. To at least thank Valla and Tyrion for helping me write the song."
Drak'qur nodded agreeing. "Shall we?" The two walked side by side and entered the college. There, Tyrion and Valla were standing waiting for them.
"Andi, Drak'qur. It's good to see you both again." Valla smiled at Drak'qur.
"We just wanted to stop by before we left. I just wanted to say thank you for helping me with the song." Andi hugged her friends.
"You are most welcome." Tyrion hugged Andi.
"But before you go…" Valla started and motioning to the back area of the library. "Your friend here wanted us to make a song for you."
Anduniel looked at Drak'qur questioningly. What had he been up to? Both Valla and Tyrion started to sing the song "Rose of Valenwood". As Anduniel listened, her eyes became moist, her hand covering her heart. The words were everything Drak'qur had come to understand…and love…about her. When the song finished. Anduniel clapped. "That was so wonderful!"
Tyrion chuckled a little. "We only did the music. It was Drak'qur who provided the words." The two excused themselves, claiming they both had to pick up on some research.
Drak'qur looked at Anduniel. There was so much he wanted to say to her. She looked at him, words seeming to having a hard time passing between the two of them. He took her hand and guided her out of the College and around to the amphitheater where there was no one around. He removed his helmet and placed it on the wall next to him. He looked deep into Anduniel's eyes. For once, the words, not in Dragon tongue, finally came so easily to him. "Fairest Anduniel, rose of Valenwood. What must I do to win your heart?"
She tilted her head only so slightly. "My heart is not a trophy to be won, Drak'qur." She said a bit more sternly than she wanted it to sound.
Drak'qur cursed himself silently. He had not taken his eyes off her. His voice was soft, gentle. "Please forgive me. I did not mean to offend you."
She blinked slowly. "I know. And I'm sorry for the way that came out. But many men have tried to court me."
Drak'qur slowly started to move his hand, his face bearing no ill intent. No ill will towards her words. It only showed compassion, and more importantly, love. He touched his hand to her cheek. "Andi…I…I cannot help for what I feel for you. It is…so much more than a passing fancy. It is not something that fades with the evening's passing." He stepped a little closer to her. "You've become so much more than a friend to me. You've become a guide, a light and beacon for me. You've shown me the world in a way…that I have only dreamed of." He noticed as Anduniel lowered her head. He placed a finger under her chin and lifted it so she looked at him. "You bring me a happiness that I have not felt since I was a child. A will to fight on, to push harder when hope seems lost." He saw a small tear fall from her eye. He used his thumb to wipe it away. "I cannot live without you here in my life, Anduniel."
The words Anduniel wanted to say caught in her throat under the weight of her emotions. She was normally so strong. But he was expressing his love for her. He was saying what was in her heart. Where he was normally the one who could not find the right words sometimes and she the poet, the roles were now reversed. She could speak no words because of how he had touched her heart with his. Like Drak'qur, she too had fallen in love with him. But she was afraid of being hurt. But now, she was afraid of him not being there with her. He had become a part of her in their travels together. She was watching him grow as the Dragonborn. Sharing in a life that so few could ever experience. She felt an emptiness when he was not around. When he left her at the College so she could work on the song, she felt alone and empty. There was a warmth when he was around. An energy that was so hard to explain. The second he had stepped closer, she felt herself drawn to him. As Drak'qur placed his other hand on her other cheek, she felt herself being guided to him. No, not guided, something in her was pulling her towards him. An attraction so strong that not even Alduin could tear it apart. She closed her eyes, feeling that moment just before…and there it was. As his lips touched hers, she felt the explosion. The fire that now became a raging inferno in her. The spark that ignited the love between them. She put her arms around him as he put his around her waist. Kissing him with as much passion as he felt for her. After several long and beautiful moments, they slowly broke the kiss. She slowly opened her eyes, looking deeply into his. All she could see in his eyes was them.
Drak'qur spoke softly. "I love you, my sweet Andi."
"And I love you, my brave Dragonborn. My wonderful, Drak'qur." She said just as softly. Both their foreheads touching one another.
From the balcony above, Valla and Tyrion watched in silence. Valla was quietly crying not tears of sadness. But tears of joy. Everything that had happened to Anduniel, now, she had found happiness. Tyrion placed a comforting hand on Valla's shoulder. "She has everything she has ever wanted now." He said in a whisper to Valla.