Eleriand

"Get inside the boat, girl."

They had begun their journey back to Vingalmo's castle just after they had stumbled into the tomb and found the mass of Draugr inside; Eleriand did not need to say anything, he just made his way out, and Serana followed.

Serana did not seem the same after their run in at the tomb, she had been acting different ever since that night; usually she would be muttering to herself, holding a piece of parchment in her hand, she seemed frustrated, but Eleriand did not know how to help her, he had to convince her that she was a nuisance.

In truth, Garon Marethi had never bit Eleriand; he had become a vampire aiding the Dragonborn in helping the town of Morthal quell a new vampire threat, contracting it from a powerful man named Movarth. He knew the Dragonborn for many years, and considered him his closest friend, Eleriand gladly volunteered to watch over Serana when he said he was leaving; he did not say where, and Eleriand did not ask.

So far he had done a good job in keeping her safe, no harm had come to her in the three years he has been a member of Castle Volkihar. But soon Eleriand would have to return to Vingalmo, who clearly stated that if he did not come back with the Nights Ring, that that failure would be his last, and he would serve as a feeding thrall for the others.

They had made their way to Icewater Jetty, a small dock with one boat and an oar, Eleriand did not expect Serana to do the rowing so he grabbed the oar himself.

"Serana…get in the boat."

"Alright, killjoy; I was just admiring the beautiful Skyrim weather." Serana smiled.

Eleriand did not. "In!" he said, pointing at the boat, Serana finally obliged, rolling her eyes as she stepped in the boat and sat down.

Eleriand began to row, it was easy at first, but as his arms began to tire it became more difficult as time went on. He had to stop and take a break every other minute.

"So…what are you going to do when we get back?" Serana asked.

"Assuming Vingalmo doesn't kill me…feed." Eleriand responded.

The two were silent, not speaking to each other; the only sound that could be heard was the sound of the paddle hitting the water, and the hawks above.

"What was that piece of parchment you're carrying around?" Eleriand asked.

"What parchment?" Serana said, looking away.

"The piece of parchment you carry around and look at every night." Eleriand said.

"I…have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't lie to me, girl." Eleriand said, menacingly.

"Fine…fine…it is a letter…that our Lord sent me…two years ago."

"Oh I see…your lover." Eleriand said, pretending not to know the Dragonborn.

"I wouldn't say that-"

"He loved you, you loved him; he is your lover." Eleriand said slowly, rowing at the same time.

Serana simply sighed, and stopped talking; looking onward to the castle that they approached.

Eleriand finally reached the small dock near Castle Volkihar, stepping onto the dirt, he considered helping Serana out of the boat, but did no such thing, and left her to get out herself.

She emerged from the boat, and the both of them made their way from the dirt shore to the stone bridge that led to the immense castle known as Castle Volkihar, currently ruled by Vingalmo, much to Orthjolf's distaste. Serana followed close behind and Eleriand speedily made his way to the gate, he did not want to know how Vingalmo would react, since he was almost always prone to anger in Eleriand's presence.

The watchman saw them coming. "Open the gates!" he called out, and slowly the metal gate rose, allowing the two to slowly make their way to the door; the watchman respectfully bowed when Serana passed him, but did not such thing when Eleriand walked by.

The two opened the doors slowly, allowing the creaking noise of the opening doors to echo through the halls, which was always disturbingly silent, only the sound of feasting and drinking of blood and flesh could be heard.

They made their way past the stone gargoyles and down the steps; looking onward to the hall as they went. Full of vampires feasting on live mortals it was; and Vingalmo could be soon in the midst of it all, smiling with appeal, sitting In a chair of someone of his stature. All the vampires suddenly stopped feasting and looked directly at Serana and Eleriand; who slowly made their way to the middle of the court.

Vingalmo, an elf of pale white skin and tall height smiled at them, "Serana, it good to see you return." He said, "I trust the two of you have the Nights Ring?"

"No, my Lord." Eleriand said. And suddenly the smile on Vingalmo's face was wiped away, he rose from his chair, anger in his eyes; here we go. Eleriand thought.

"Did I not tell you how important it was that I receive the Nights Ring? That it gives the wearer innumerable powers during the night, worthy of a vampires ownership, you think?"

Eleriand did not speak.

Vingalmo came closer, real anger in his voice. "Did I not tell you what would happen if you came without the ring?" Vingalmo said, "What is your reason for returning to me empty handed."

"The Crypt was full of Draugr…my lord, hundreds of them."

"Oh, it must be so rare to see many Draugr in a Nordic Crypt isn't it? This reason is not acceptable; perhaps you should have found way around the Draugr!"

"My Lord, we would have been cut down before we could draw out blades."

"You. Are. A. Vampire. Perhaps you have forgotten that little thing. And why is it…that instead of running, you did not embrace the full powers of the night and transform into the vampire Lord?"

"I…even in the Vampire Lord form…we were still outnumbered, five minutes in one of us would have surely been killed."

"The be killed! A man who died in my loyal service is more useful to me than a craven!"

"I…forgive me my lord; I did not mean to wrong you."

"Oh, but you did!" Vingalmo began, Serana stood next to Eleriand, saying nothing. "That ring was to help our fight with the Dawnguard! Now how do you think they will react when they find out where we have been searching and take the ring for themselves?"

Eleriand did not answer, he never had an answer for Vingalmo, because he always asked questions that Eleriand did not expect.

"You have failed me for the last time Eleriand; I cannot allow you to walk out of this unscathed."

"What?" Eleriand asked.

"What would they say of my rule if I did not punish those who deserved punishment by failing me in my hour of need? I'm afraid it is time for you to pay for your failures; but don't worry, you will be treated just as fairly as the human thralls."

Now, Eleriand thought, If you don't he will kill you if you're lucky, or torture you.

Eleriand unsheathed his dagger faster than he thought he ever could; and plunged it so deep into Vingalmo's neck that he saw it protrude from the back, Vingalmo's blood splattered all over Eleriand's face, he licked some around his lips and bolted towards Serana as the other vampires had a angry look on their face, and soon drew their weapons.

He grabbed Serana from the back of her Royall armor, Serana began to thrash around violently; "Let go of me!" she continued to shout, the other vampires rushed to help their family member.

Eleriand hit Serana on the back of the head so hard he knocked her out. Sorry, but it had to be done. He thought, rushing up the stairs, arrows and bolts of lightning flew by him as he ran past the stone gargoyles and quickly pushed open the door with all his might.

He bolted past the gatekeeper, carrying the unconscious Serana over his shoulder, he didn't know if the other vampires were behind him, and he did not look back to check; only forward. Keep running, don't look back.

He almost threw Serana into the boat and he leaped in and grabbed the oar; then he saw as the vampires were sprinting down the bridge, Eleriand paddled faster than he thought he could, suffering from no fatigue as he rowed away from the island. Thank the gods its day time.

The vampires did not dare go into the water; and they could not try to hit Eleriand with arrows in fear of hurting Serana. They just stood there and watched.

The castle will surely pass to Orthjolf now. He thought, turning to see the unconscious Serana, he wished he didn't have to do it; but she would never come with him willingly, and he could not fail in his duty to the Dragonborn.

He continued to row, where will I go now? He thought, they could not return to the castle; although Eleriand was sure that Orthjolf would send him a letter thanking him for disposing of Vingalmo. They could attempt to go to one of the cities, but they would risk being discovered as vampires and burned. He had no choice.

He had to find the Dragonborn.

Hello guys, hopefully you enjoyed this chapter; just to let me clear up a few things; the Dawnguard are still around, and the battle between the vampires and hunters is still going on. So Isran, Sorine, and everyone else is still alive; so just imagine that the "Destroy the Dawnguard." Quest never happened.