Everything fell into nothing...and nothing became everything. Her body was slumped against the forest floor...except there was no forest. A few neglected trees stood wilting, but that was all. The tundra of Eastmarch was bitter beneath her skin. Yet her arm still burned with pain. Turning, she saw the great walls of Windhelm impaling the horizon. She had to keep running. Scrambling to her feet, slipping slightly on the ice, she kicked off, snow spraying behind her. The words of the Dread Father resonated in her ears. Break the last thread...but what was the last thread? And what if she didn't want to?

What was she running from? She didn't even know. No one could run from Sithis. He was everywhere and nowhere, as visible yet invisible as the night.

She stumbled over the harsh terrain, and remembered her horse that she'd left behind in her race to escape. It was too late now though – she couldn't turn back. Someone would realise she was missing...but that wasn't what she was scared of. She was scared of the thing that pounded frantically against her ribs. She was scared of her own heart.

As the snow wasted away into the barren lands of Whiterun, she almost sighed with relief...until she realised that it didn't matter how much she ran. The thought made her crumple to the ground, feeling weaker than ever.

"Hello, Lili." A dagger curled around her throat.

"Long time, no see." The blade pressed against her chin and forced her to her feet. Slowly, a figure moved around her, stopping before her eyes.

Ragged clothes hung against his body. Matted brown hair fell around a face she knew well. She recognised that leering smile that played on his lips as if it were yesterday.

Her lungs constricted. She was barely audible as she gasped: "Sibbi."

"Surprised to see me?" He clamped his free hand down on her shoulder.

"You were in jail."

"I escaped. We have...unfinished business. I was so long in that cell that I've forgotten what the touch of a woman feels like." His eyes raked hungrily down her body.

"You will never touch me." She spat in his face.

"Oh, really? You're not in much of a position to stop me." A blazing pain branded her skin as the dagger ripped slightly through her flesh.

"You're a murderer."

"No." His sneer widened. "You are a murderer. Come now, Lili. I'm not a dragon. I won't bite."

Karia let out a strangled sob. "Don't you remember what you did?"

"Don't you remember what you did?"

"I loved him. You will never know what that's like!"

"If you loved him, why did you kill him? You made me waste away in that prison for what you did. And now, my time has come for revenge." His hands slid beneath her armour, trailing across her skin. Her pulse accelerated like a bird at a gunshot.

The evening sun was settling over Riften. The streets were teeming with herds of eager onlookers as the Dunmer entered through the great gates. Her scarlet eyes glowed with joy as the people surrounding cried "Hail, Lili! Hail, the Dragonborn!"

Hemming Black-Briar rolled his eyes and said loudly "So this girl killed a few dragons? Looks like a milk-drinker to me."

A small smile appeared on the dark elf's face as she heard him. "It's only Khajiit that drink milk. I'm no cat. If you want me to prove it, go ahead and get a ball of string – watch me not chase it."

Hemming raised his eyebrows, surprised at being addressed in such a way by an elf. Clearly, she didn't know who he was. Annoyed, he opened his mouth to impress upon her his superiority, but she pressed one of her long, thin fingers to his lips, her grin widening. "Save it for someone who cares."

The euphoria of the Dovahkiin's presence in the Rift lasted a long time. Hemming only saw Karia when she was surrounded by crowds. However, one night, he saw her sitting alone at the bar of the Bee and Barb. Cautiously, he approached her.

"Doesn't it get annoying?" He asked, sliding into the seat beside her. She gave a start, her face flooding with colour, and then laughed.

"They're just grateful. I would be too, if I were in their shoes. Though probably not your shoes, they're a bit big."

"Do you know who you're talking to?" He didn't say it as if he were annoyed, more incredulous that anyone could be so outspoken.

"Well, though I'm sure you'd love to tell me, I think the highly expensive clothes and obnoxious drawl give it away. Let me guess, you're Queen Barenziah?"

He stared at her for a second then erupted into hysterical laughter. Karia's eyes widened in surprise and she seemed to be biting her lip to stop herself from giggling. When he had calmed down, he wiped his eyes and said "Can I get you a drink?"

"Sure, I'll have some milk." She smiled innocently.

A month later, Karia and Hemming sat at the long dining table in the Black-Briar Manor. Maven sat drumming her fingers on the wood, her eyes flitting from her son to the dark elf. Beneath the table, Karia's shaking hand locked with Hemming's. The Amulet of Mara beneath her dress seemed to tighten slightly around her neck. Ingun sat beside her mother, looking rather lost. Sibbi sat at the end, his eyes feasting on Karia.

"Mother..." Hemming cleared his throat. "We've decided to get married."

Maven raised her eyebrows. "And why would you do that?"

"Well...we love each other."

The woman narrowed her eyes in thought. Despite her non-existent love for elves, it would certainly be beneficial to have ties to probably the most powerful person in Skyrim, excepting herself. She just hoped the grand-children wouldn't turn out stripy. "Then you have my full blessing."

Hemming heaved a sigh of relief and turned to his brother. "Sibbi?"

Sibbi gave a start, his face flooding with colour as his gaze was pulled away from the Dunmer. "Yes?"

"You'll be my best man, won't you?"

"Oh...certainly." A small smile twisted his mouth.

"Hemming doesn't have to know." Sibbi's breath tingled in her ear. Karia fought against the ropes tied around her hands.

"Never!" She hissed, trying to pull away from his crushing grip. He raised his hand and struck her across the cheek. The skin flared a burning red.

"Bitch!" He cried, pulling her face towards him. "You will do what I tell you."

"No, I won't."

"You don't have a choice." His hands outstretched, nearing her chest.

"FUS RO DAH!" The Shout erupted from her mouth, sending the Nord flying backwards. Karia wrenched her arms free from the ropes that tied her to the bed, wincing as they chafed her skin. Sibbi was starting to clamber back to his feet, but she darted out the room before he could.

She gabbled a rushed explanation to Hemming, knowing that Sibbi would be hot on her heels. Hemming pushed her behind him as the door slowly creaked open...

"Now, now, brother, no need to act rashly." Sibbi sneered, approaching him.

"I'm warning you, stay away from her!"

"Why? She shouldn't be yours. That whore is mine!" From the rack nearby Sibbi seized a sword.

Karia acted without thinking. The dagger, hidden beneath her sleeve, was in her hand, and she whispered in Hemming's ear "I'm sorry." before running the blade through his back.

The motionless body of the man she loved slumped to the floor. Sibbi had barely raised his own weapon before his brother was struck down in front of his eyes. Blood oozed down Karia's clothes from her soaked hands. A tear slid down her cheek.

As Sibbi advanced, rage boiled inside her and she raised her fist and grabbed his neck, forcing him to the ground. She heard a satisfying crunch as he landed. Then she threw her dagger beside his unconscious body and fled. No one would know it was her.