They'd been stuck in Marbruk for a week, awaiting the Queen's entourage which – according Razum-dar's letter – had departed from Elden Root a few days behind schedule. Reading the note made Aneril want to pull at her hair, and she spent the next couple of days growing more stir-crazy, until Razum-dar's unexpected and early arrival in the city. He caught Aneril in the marketplace and pulled her aside, speaking in a quiet tone, "Go to the Mages Guild's vaults and retrieve the Staff of Magnus for Queen Ayrenn. She will be arriving in the city very soon. Talk to Captain Sarandil, tell him this one sent you. Raz will take care of other matters in the meantime."
Aneril nodded, wondering at the traces of exhaustion on the Khajiit's face, but kept quiet as Razum-dar ambled off on his own. Then she turned to Vareysa and told her to stay by the Mages Guild hall with the cub, before moving on to perform her task.
She caught Captain Sarandil outside the temple, and followed the captain's lead into the guild hall, where he brought her straight to the guarded doors of its vault. Sarandil seemed quite proud of the vault and its treasures, and gave her an impromptu tour – he was able to talk of each relic's history, and even introduced the rare plants in the collection as well. Aneril listened politely – taking note of a rare flower from Morrowind as she did so – and when they were done, Sarandil led her to the final vault door, dispelling the magical wards which protected the prized relic.
The Staff of Magnus was the only item in this chamber, placed on its own stand in an alcove lit by candles burning with magical blue flame. Aneril approached the staff reverently, but when she reached out to take it, her fingers slipped through the staff, disrupting the illusion spell. They were taken aback when the staff vanished before their eyes, and Aneril withdrew her hand, allowing Sarandil to check the alcove personally. The captain expressed his shock – sounding almost disgraced by this incident – and led her out of the vault.
"Has anyone else been here recently?" Aneril asked, keeping her voice low.
"No. Only you…and Vicereeve Pelidil." Sarandil stopped short beside Aneril in the main hall, turning to her with a frown. "He toured the vault recently – on the queen's business, or so he said. The staff was here before he came, but I didn't check after that…"
A Dominion herald entered the guild hall then, and announced the arrival of Queen Ayrenn, causing a helpless expression to cloud Sarandil's face – mixed with a healthy bit of fear. But it was alleviated when Aneril volunteered to inform the queen herself, and she squared her shoulders while Sarandil's sagged in relief.
Queen Ayrenn was waiting outside the Mages Guild hall, looking resplendent in her gold-trimmed armour, standing tall beneath the bright afternoon sun. She smiled at Aneril's appearance, though her joy was quick to evaporate when she learnt of the staff's disappearance.
"Then it's true. Pelidil has betrayed us. Razum-dar confirmed that my brother's body hasn't made it to Marbruk either." Ayrenn's expression darkened, and though her fleeting scowl wasn't aimed at Aneril, the agent still felt a tiny tinge of fear. "I knew he loved Naemon dearly, but I didn't think he'd stoop to this. It seems I will once again require your aid."
"Anything you need, Your Majesty."
But Ayrenn didn't say a thing, merely giving her a nod before waving her over to Razum-dar, who stood by the steps behind them. He beckoned Aneril over, and promised to search for the staff himself – while Aneril took care of another problem. The Bosmer in Greenshade were not followers of King Camoran, and view the Dominion and its Queen with scorn. They were firmly loyal to the 'Wilderking', a forest spirit whom none has ever seen – which Razum-dar thought rather mystifying, but he was confident Aneril could win the elves over, as surely as he could.
It was a confidence Aneril didn't share, but she accepted the mission from her commander regardless – who was she to argue, after all?
As she walked away from the Mages Guild, Vareysa fell in step beside her, and listened as Aneril relayed her mission's details. Vareysa's smile grew, as if she thought the whole situation absurd.
"A warrior and spy…now a diplomat as well? You are very versatile indeed."
"Shut up," Aneril groaned, wondering not for the first time if she regretted joining the Eyes of the Queen.
"It's going to be fine." Vareysa clasped onto her shoulder. "You'll pull through, like you've always done."
Aneril knew of the Bosmer village Razum-dar had identified – it was common knowledge that the Bramblebreach clan bore a hostile attitude towards Marbruk and outsiders in general. It's why she and Vareysa had avoided it during their explorations. However, duty now compelled Aneril to venture into the village, and experience that hostility for herself. Though she understood their sentiments, it didn't make things easier while she was taking the full brunt of the treethane's disdain.
Treethane Niriel first scoffed at Aneril's status as a Dominion agent, then at her ignorance regarding the Wilderking, when she requested an audience with him.
"Ha! Sure, let me just pull him from my satchel!" Niriel said aloud, and Aneril had to bite down a sigh. But the treethane regarded her thoughtfully, and extended a sliver of grace, "I could tell you how to petition the Wilderking, but I'd have to know you can be trusted, first. There's a tribe of Wood Orcs currently plaguing Bramblebreach. I want you to get rid of them."
She gestured at her attendant, who took a filled pouch from a shelf, and handed it to Aneril. "Take these seeds, and plant them in the Orcs' camp. Lurchers will sprout from the seeds in a few minutes, and wreak havoc on them. But their chieftain is strong – that one, kill him yourself."
Aneril bowed with a fist to her heart, and left the treethane's podhouse eagerly. Together with Vareysa and the cub, they set out looking for the orc camp, but stumbled upon an Altmer pair along the way. Aranias was a mage guarded by the warrior Andur, and she expressed surprise that the treethane had humoured Aneril – Aranias had no luck appealing to Niriel herself. Nonetheless, she smiled and wished them luck, before moving on with her own search for the Wilderking.
Parting from Aranias, they made good time to the Wood Orc camp, where Vareysa took the lead and cloaked herself with a spell, stealthily planting the lurcher seeds in the ground. Aneril watched from the sides as hulking creatures of roots and branches sprang up from the soil, and fell upon the orcs in murderous rage. But she tore her eyes away from the commotion when Vareysa returned, and they headed up a short grassy slope towards the chieftain's camp.
With an expert throw of her dagger, Vareysa took out the wizened shaman standing beside the chieftain, before he could wreak havoc with his magic. Then Aneril charged in while the chieftain was still taken by surprise, and she dispatched him easily with dragonfire and steel.
Mission completed, they snuck out of the orc camp while it was still in chaos, and slipped back to Bramblebreach. Treethane Niriel raised an incredulous brow at their efficiency, but was more than willing to fulfill her own promise. She directed them towards a clearing south of her house, where they should touch a Petitioning Stone to speak with the Wilderking. Niriel offered them a warning as well – that they shouldn't keep their hopes up, for the Wilderking had been silent despite the villagers' numerous petitions before.
Not to be dissuaded, Aneril headed to the clearing, and laid her own hand on the Stone – causing it to glow an earthy green hue. Countless leaves swirled above the stone, then dissipated to reveal a figure dressed entirely in leather, bone, and bark. He wore an impenetrable mask of wood – and Aneril would've thought him a tree-like being, if not for the flesh of his fingers left bare by his gloves.
She bowed her head respectfully, and conveyed a wish for the Wilderking to align himself and his people with the Dominion. But the Wilderking just cocked his head curiously.
"I don't see how inclusion in this…'Dominion' would appeal to me or the people in my domain. Aligning with you would only alienate us from others," he spoke evenly, voice bearing an otherworldly quality.
"Only from our common enemies," Aneril replied.
"Interesting. You think we have common enemies? My only enemies are those who would seek to harm Valenwood. But I wish to see these enemies you speak of, so I might better understand."
The Wilderking gestured at the stone pillar behind him, which Aneril moved forward to touch. Upon contact, an apparition of a Veiled Heritance officer appeared, cutting down Dominion soldiers – Altmer, Bosmer, and Khajiit alike. The Wilderking watched the apparition silently as Aneril explained the Heritance's aims and violent methods, then nodded slowly.
"I sense darkness in his heart," the Wilderking murmured, mask turning towards Aneril. "The Veiled Heritance? I know of them. There is one among this group who has come to see me, and I find her…very curious. I am not inclined to consider her an enemy."
He bid Aneril touch the Petitioning Stone again, and this time, apparitions of three mer appeared – two were the Altmer they'd stumbled across before, Aranias and Andur. The last was Kinlady Estre, giving Aranias the task of slaying the Wilderking, in order to drive the Bosmer mad from the loss of his stabilising influence.
"You do not think she is an enemy?" Aneril asked. "She's trying to destroy you."
"So she believes, but there may be a greater truth to her purpose here. You may not like this, but I sense the same is true of you." The Wilderking fixed his eyes – hidden by his mask – on Aneril. "Like the branches of the Graht-Oak, I believe that Aranias' destiny, my destiny, and yours are all intertwined. I cannot yet see how these events will play out, but I do know that like Aranias, you must come deeper into the forest."
The Wilderking assured Aneril that he would remain safe until she accomplished the task he'd given her – to see how their current story began, and how it would end. Aneril wanted to screech in frustration at his vagueness, but she settled for a hike to the cottage the Wilderking had directed her to, so she could play her role in this 'story'.
A Bosmer spinner waited for them in the dingy stone cottage, and cheerfully informed Aneril that he'd already started Aranias' story…whatever that meant. Aneril didn't bother to get a clarification, only instructions from Spinner Maruin to lie on the floor comfortably, so he could guide her into a sleep which would send her into Aranias' story.
She did so quite uncomfortably, glancing at the hole in the roof, then at the cub sitting by her feet. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and looked up at Vareysa.
"Don't worry. I'll watch over you."
Aneril breathed a tired sigh, then closed her eyes. Spinner Maruin sat beside her and spoke, weaving a pleasant image of an island called Silatar back in Summerset. A powerful, young Altmer mage lived there, and Aneril should become a friend to her. Aneril was magically lulled into sleep with each word that passed his lips, until she'd finally drifted into a dream – in which she woke up.
It was disorienting at first – to know it was only a dream, and yet remain lucid in such a realistic landscape. But she didn't have time to ponder the oddness of it all, when Aranias ran up to her, clasping her hand with a bright smile. The mer seemed a little younger, though her copper blonde hair was still worn the same, falling just to her shoulders. She started talking as if they were more than passing acquaintances, and Aneril couldn't help but ask, "Do you…know me?"
Aranias' eyes grew wider in response. "Of course I know you, silly! We practically grew up together. You're the only one I can trust these days."
Ah, yes. The 'part' Aneril had to play in this story – and so, she performed. Not that it was difficult, truth be told; Aranias was bubbly and warm, and seemed to have no wish other than to spend time with her friend, before her parents returned. She led Aneril in a race to all their favourite places while growing up, and Aneril even barked a laugh at Aranias' trick of tripping her with conjured vines, before they stopped dead in their tracks – distracted by fires in the distance.
"Something's wrong," Aranias uttered, clasping tightly onto Aneril's arm. "Can you feel that? The land's in pain, burning hot. The farm's burning!"
"Where is it?"
"Over the rise. Wait. Too many footsteps. It's too early for my parents' return. Boots…" Aranias' brows drew together. "Invaders on Silatar. We have to stop them!"
Aranias rushed towards the farm with Aneril sprinting behind her hurriedly, testing her own magic in this dream – and she was glad to find it still worked. Aneril charged at the invaders, bashing and slashing with her conjured shield and sword, clearing the farm of the bandits and their Bosmer leader. They stood outside the ruined farmhouse to regroup, while Aneril looked over the bodies bleeding onto green grass.
"Why would they do this? Animals!"
"Where did they come from?" Aneril asked, only to have Aranias turn on her in anger.
"Does it matter? I'm tired of this! Everyone wants to hurt or use me, and it stops now!" Aranias clenched her fists, and the ground shook beneath them. "Where were you when my parents 'tested' me? Where were you when I needed you most? You left me. Why are you even here? Do you want something from me too?"
Her tirade left Aneril confused – it made no sense to her, but guilt still rose in response. "I–, only want to help…"
Aranias paused, then shook her head. "No. I'm sorry. It's not your fault. You helped drive off the bandits…" She looked off into the distance. "It's getting late. We need to clean up before my parents return. Meet me at the manor later."
She walked off, and before Aneril could follow her, Aranias disappeared into thin air. Confounded, Aneril cast her eyes around in search, before she heard Spinner Maruin's voice in her ear, "In her tale, Aranias was volatile and swung between anger, shame, and hope. Feared by her own parents because of her abilities, she faced the bandits alone. This made her bitter and hardened against others. Vulnerable to outside influences."
Aneril stood quietly in thought. "She doesn't remember me from Valenwood, does she?"
"Of course not. For her, that hasn't happened yet. Remember, I put you into her past to help her when she's at her most vulnerable. Now, she trusts you. That's what's important."
With a sigh, Aneril nodded and allowed the spinner to show her another of Aranias' memories – at an island in a river, with Aranias and her parents. Aranias revealed proudly that she'd made the island with her own abilities, but her joy was soon crushed by her parents' disapproval. Aneril felt a twinge in her own chest at the sight, eyes resting on Aranias' crestfallen expression, as Maruin said, "Gifted with a rare and powerful ability, Aranias tried in vain to win her parents' affection."
He transported Aneril to the lighthouse, where Aranias bore her parents' dismay at her wrecking a ship with a wall of rock – that she'd pulled up from the sea. Her parents dissipated like smoke, and so did Aranias – before Aneril could lay a hand on her shoulder.
Maruin then brought her to a room in the manor, where Aranias was pleading with her parents, "Don't leave for Summerset, please. I won't do it again, I promise. I'll try harder. Don't leave me behind."
Aneril's throat tightened, and she tried to touch Aranias, only to have her hand go through the life-like apparition.
"Don't grovel," said the mother. "It's unbecoming. Your father and I will return with help to control your temper."
"How much more can I apologise? I didn't mean to destroy that ship. I said I'm sorry…"
Aranias disappeared again, and Aneril dragged a hand down her face while Maruin said, "You are near the end. Don't give up now. Change into the dress laid on the bed, and join Aranias in the garden."
"Damn this all to Oblivion," Aneril muttered under her breath as she pulled the dress on, taking some pleasure in the soft fabric on her skin – she'd missed this sensation for a long time.
Walking out into the manor's garden, Aneril found Aranias at a party…with High Kinlady Estre in attendance. She frowned subtly in Estre's direction, then reached Aranias, who suspected that her parents had thrown this party to show off her powers. She was clearly discomfited, and asked Aneril to discover the true intention of this party.
Aneril agreed and, dredging up the social etiquettes ingrained in her since young, she mingled with the guests, partaking in superficial conversation until she overheard that Andur was holding a 'beggar' prisoner, away from the house. Aneril pried herself away then, and ventured off in search of Andur – who stood in a field, pointing his sword at a Bosmer bound on the ground before him. At Aneril's inquiry, Andur mentioned a demonstration that Aranias would perform on the Bosmer's wife in the garden, before he came to a startling realisation that Aneril was not of the Veiled Heritance.
He charged at Aneril immediately, but she threw herself to the side and lashed his dominant arm with a flame whip. He cried out and dropped his sword, which Aneril snatched from the ground and plunged into his neck without second thought. Huffing from the sudden onset of adrenaline, Aneril turned back to the Bosmer captive who, with his dying breath, begged her to save his wife.
Maruin spoke in her ear then, "Hurry to the garden. Aranias has been commanded to kill the wife of this Bosmer. Go to her. She faced this alone last time."
Aneril dropped her sword and rushed back to the garden, where the party-goers had gathered around Aranias and a Bosmer woman kneeling before her. Estre stood by them, and said, "This creature is no different from those who burned your farm. Aranias, do you remember how helpless you were when your farm burned?"
Aranias' face twisted into a mask of anger, green wisps of magic gathering about her arms. Vines exploded from the ground, and trapped the Bosmer in a tight prison – inciting a panicked reaction from Aneril.
"Aranias, stop!"
Aranias started when Aneril ran over, but raised both hands to stop her. "No, don't. This is my test. If I can take the life of this girl, it means that I'm willing to make the necessary sacrifices."
"This is not a necessary sacrifice. It's murder, Aranias!"
"What about the Bosmer who attacked my island? What were they? Dominion ambassadors? A peace mission?" Aranias argued, though Aneril heard the tremble in her voice.
"Those were bandits," Aneril said slowly, not wanting to provoke her. "This woman did nothing to you."
Aranias shook her head. "If I refuse to kill this Bosmer, then what? I'll be alone again. The 'Rock Witch of Silatar', a monster for fairy tales."
Estre huffs, "That's right–"
"Shut up!" Aneril shouted at her, then turned back to Aranias – grasping firmly onto her arms. "You won't be alone, Aranias. You'll have me. I'm here."
"You're here with me now, but what about later?" Aranias' lips quivered dangerously, before she pressed them into a thin line. "No, that's not it. I must trust myself. Believe I can do what's right. I don't need anyone, you or the Veiled Heritance, to guide me."
She broke free of Aneril's grip, turning to face Estre. "I am stronger than this. I won't murder an innocent just to prove I can. The Veiled Heritance won't control my destiny. I will!"
With a cry, Aranias wove a spell stronger than Aneril had ever seen her conjure, and vines rose from the ground to trap the Heritants present. Aneril started moving towards Aranias, but the world around her turned to white, then black.
Though Aneril woke from her dream rather calmly, she felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head – sharp and disorienting. Her eyes whipped to Vareysa when the Dunmer bent over her, and she raised a hand to clutch onto Vareysa's arm, squeezing tight to ascertain she was truly there in the flesh.
"You're real," Aneril rasped.
Vareysa smiled. "Of course I am. Seems you've been asleep for too long."
"How long?"
"Hours." Vareysa helped her to sit up, while the cub nuzzled against her cheek. "The spinner went outside for some fresh air. He said you were successful?"
Aneril nodded, sifting through the sleepy fog in her mind, and the memory of her lengthy dream – all sharp and real, as if it'd happened in real life.
"Something wrong?" Vareysa asked, noticing her darkening expression as she recalled Aranias' past.
"No. It just–" Hit too close to home. But Aneril kept that bit of detail to herself. She shook her head at Vareysa, then rose to her feet to join Spinner Maruin outside the cottage.
"You've done well," Maruin said. "It looks like you made quite an impression on Aranias, and because of you, Aranias may very well betray her masters to defend the Wilderking. But we cannot afford to delay any longer." His expression turned grave. "Aranias and Andur force their way to the Wilderking's throne as we speak. You must stop them before it is too late."
Greenheart – a small town just west of the cottage, and home to the throne of the Wilderking. Aneril – with a dull ache in her head – hiked to the town at double pace with Vareysa, spotting the fires even from a distance. When they reached the bridge leading into Greenheart, the Wilderking's projection appeared before them once again.
"It's good you're here. With earth magic and fire, Aranias and Andur force their way towards my throne, leaving chaos in their wake. I've lost control of my guardians. My power fades. I've always wondered what death would be like. Soon, I will know."
"Are you not going to fight back?" Aneril asked.
"My end was inevitable all along," said the Wilderking calmly. "Someone new must become caretaker of the Valenwood. Aranias was guided here for this purpose."
"Aranias? She'll take your place?"
The Wilderking nodded. "It's fascinating. In her heart, I think she knows the truth, but she's conflicted. Perhaps it is Andur's influence? Please, help her. Aranias must choose to accept this responsibility of her own accord, and I fear Andur will oppose her. Help her defeat him."
Aneril quickly cast a spell of protection over the cub, and with a touch to Vareysa's back, they shared a nod and picked their way through the burning town. They followed the fires which marked Aranias and Andur's destructive path, leading them to a manor near the edge of town. There, the Wilderking's projection appeared once more.
"Quickly. Aranias wavers. She knows now why she was guided here – not to destroy the Valenwood, but to save it. She wants to change course, but she's afraid. She's afraid to stand up to Andur."
"Where are they? I don't see their trail anymore," Aneril said.
"Aranias' powers grow as she draws closer to the throne. She opened the ground here and they entered the Throne Tunnels." He pointed at the massive hole burrowed into the ground – which Aneril had assumed was dug by a wild creature. "You must follow. You must be there to help Aranias when she decides to make her stand."
"I will."
Aneril jumped into the tunnel first, then helped Vareysa down as the cub leapt in without trouble. He stayed behind the pair as they ran through the long tunnel and finally emerged onto a plateau, where they heard Aranias arguing loudly with Andur. They followed the stone path along the plateau, which lead them to a tunnel filled with fire. Aranias stood by its entrance with shoulders hunched, gripping her arm in pain.
She looked at Aneril, and was taken by surprise. "It's you? From Silatar? My–, my friend."
"Yes." Aneril took the arm she was clutching onto, her sleeve stained with blood from a sword wound. Casting a healing spell, Aneril mended the injury to the best of her ability, while Aranias spoke.
"The Veiled Heritance – they used me as bait to trick the Wilderking, and now Andur is going to kill him. I can't let that happen. I have to stop Andur, but…he's too strong for me."
"Then I will help you," Aneril offered without hesitation, getting a small smile from her.
"Thank you. He's gone ahead. I can travel through the roots to catch up, but you'll have to fight your way through." Aranias pointed at the fires in the tunnel.
"It's alright. I can protect myself. See you on the other side."
Aranias disappeared in a swirl of green light, while Aneril turned around and took Vareysa by the arm, tugging her close with the cub right beside them.
"Stay close to me," she instructed, casting a barrier spell over themselves. "Let's go…now."
The group took off at a run through the tunnel, feeling the oppressive heat of the flames engulfing their barrier. Aneril glanced down regularly to check that the cub was keeping pace, while she maintained a tight grip on Vareysa's arm until they emerged unharmed, leaving the fires behind.
In the clearing ahead, they found Aranias locked in a heated battle with Andur, who roared in anger when Aneril threw a firebolt into his back. Shur'azan gave a roar of his own, but stayed at the sides as always, while Aneril and Vareysa leapt into the fray. Andur was gifted in both magic and blade, but it couldn't save him from three capable combatants at once. He soon fell under their combined blows, gasping from the multiple stab wounds Vareysa had given him, and Aneril put him out of his misery with a blade across the neck.
She looked up at Aranias, who wore a sombre expression and told them to look for the dying Wilderking in his tower, at the end of the stone path. Then she vanished amid her magic once more, leaving them to trek up to the tower themselves.
They found the Wilderking sitting on his wooden throne alone in the tower, and he beckoned them forth.
"Aranias was guided here to take my place, but I believe you were guided to her to assure her ascension. If you had not come, I fear Andur would have killed us both, leaving the Valenwood wild and vengeful. Many lives would have been lost."
Aneril nodded. "Where is Aranias? Is she to become the Wilderking–, Wilderqueen now?"
"Yes. For centuries, my sole focus has been shaping and maintaining the Valenwood, protecting it from outside influence, and from itself. Now that she has come, I am free to return to the earth, give back to that which has given so much to me." The Wilderking sat still to let the words sink in, then gestured to the ceiling. "She is up above. You should go to her. She is frightened of the transformation process, but you must comfort her. This is the natural course of things. It is necessary for her, and for the Valenwood, but she must choose it of her own accord."
"I'll go then. Thank you."
And as Aneril moved to the ladder at the side, the Wilderking said, "Goodbye now. It's time for me to rest."
Aneril turned to watch him, but he did not look at her. Instead, he leant back in his throne, seemingly at peace with his fate.
"Aneril," Vareysa said. "Should I go with you?"
Thinking it over, Aneril shook her head. "No. Stay here."
Then she climbed the ladder and emerged on the upper floor, closing the hatch behind her. She joined Aranias on the balcony, looking out at Greenheart and the thick forests beyond.
"I'm scared," Aranias said when Aneril stood by her side. "Shouldn't I be feeling confident? I mean, we defeated Andur. And look at all of this! I've worked my magic on small pieces of land in the Summerset Isles… But this is an entire forest, a living forest. Tell me I can do this."
"You can do this."
Aranias smiled at her swift reply, though it soon fell away. "I think he was a man too, once. The Wilderking. I mean, he was like us. But when he took this on, he became something else. I think he merged with the Valenwood and forgot his previous self entirely."
"Then the same will happen to you?"
"Yes. When I become the Wilderqueen, I'll forget my previous life, my home, my youth…everything."
Aneril cocked her head. "From what I saw, they weren't exactly…happy memories."
"No. But they are my memories, and some of them fond. The ones with you. They seem only partially real, but they're the memories I'll miss most." Aranias gazed at her quietly. "I have to let go though. The way I embrace you in my heart, that's how I must embrace the Valenwood."
She wrung her hands nervously, then took a tentative step forward. Aneril lifted her arms, allowing Aranias to close in for a hug. She held the younger mer tightly – a friend made, only to be lost within the same day.
"Listen," Aneril said quietly. "I understand what you've been through. In the past. And…it might be a gift, to forget what has happened before."
Aranias pulled back to watch her face, then nodded with a wan smile. She took another step back, hands moving down to clasp Aneril's. Taking a deep breath, Aranias exhaled slowly. "I am ready. But I need your help." She held up her hands, green magicka coalescing into the crown of the Wilderking, which she handed to Aneril. "You must climb the tower further, and place this crown in the gardens there. Then you must wait for me. Promise you'll wait."
"I promise."
With one last glance back at Aranias, Aneril went to climb the ladder, finding a lush garden in the tower's topmost floor. She placed the crown on a pair of entwined branches and stepped back, watching the Wilderqueen appear before her eyes in a bright flash of light. She was almost identical in appearance to the Wilderking.
Aneril stepped forward. "Aranias?"
"Everything is so…very different," came Aranias' voice through the mask, though slightly changed. "It's like I'm no longer a single physical form, but my being is spread out across the forest. Aranias is slipping away. You are my friend though, whoever I become. Will you stay for just a moment?"
"Of course."
"I am prepared to lose my memories, but I don't want to lose the lessons I've learned. You helped me understand the difference between a foe and a friend. I'm determined not to forget that, nor to forget you."
"Neither will I," Aneril said. And though she couldn't be sure, she felt Aranias smile beneath the Wilderqueen's mask.
"I know why you originally came here – to ask for the Wilderking's allegiance to the Aldmeri Dominion – to know the Valenwood is on your side. Would you still make such a request to me now?"
"Yes. Queen Ayrenn sent me to ask your allegiance on her behalf."
"And I freely give it. On behalf of myself and the Valenwood, you have our allegiance. I only hope Ayrenn realises her best ally stands before me now." The Wilderqueen fell silent, head tilting slightly. "Before Aranias' memories fade, there is something else I must tell you about the Veiled Heritance – they stole the Staff of Magnus. I know not where they've taken it, but you should search in Woodhearth, to the west. I will open a portal to the western gate of Greenheart for you. Goodbye, my friend."
The Wilderqueen extended a hand to Aneril, who was surprised, but clasped onto the proffered hand – still warm, though accompanied by an…unearthly chill.
Aneril swallowed thickly. "Goodbye…Aranias."
But as she turned back to the ladder, the Wilderqueen spoke, "Aneril. I sense a pain you bear, similar to that which Aranias carried. Though you may not be able to forget, know that you have the strength to overcome it."
She stared at the Wilderqueen for a long moment, stunned. Protests and doubt rose to clog her throat, but she forced them down, and nodded with a tight smile.
Aneril had descended from the ladder just as a gleaming portal appeared in the Wilderking's now-empty throne room. She didn't say a thing, merely gestured for Vareysa and the cub to follow, before stepping through the portal herself. Curious, Vareysa ushered the cub in first, then entered the portal to join her companions at the western gate of Greenheart.
"We're going to Woodhearth," Aneril said, voice flat. "The Wilderqueen said we should search for the Staff of Magnus there."
"Alright, let's go."
And that was the end of their conversation for the next hour. The sun had fully set, and the moon took its place in the sky; and under the dim glow of the travel lanterns tied to their backpacks, Vareysa kept a close watch on Aneril. The Altmer seemed to have grown…attached to Aranias, and it was no surprise that she felt upset at losing a friend. But she acted rather odd physically as well, often clutching and worrying at her head. Aneril's steps became uneven, and she frequently paused in her tracks as if to gather herself, before moving on again.
When Aneril tripped over a log clearly in her path and almost fell to the ground, that was the last straw. Vareysa pulled her over by the arm and forced her off the path, insisting they made camp for the night despite Aneril's protests.
"I'm fine," Aneril growled when Vareysa pushed her down to the ground.
"Oh yes, you definitely are. But I'm not going to wait until you trip and crack your head on a rock," Vareysa riposted easily, setting up their lanterns and taking out her bedroll. "Besides, you look like you can't even focus on anything right now."
"It's just a headache," Aneril muttered unhappily, crossing her arms. "Been there since I woke from that dream…"
"Yeah? Even more reason for you to rest now." Vareysa asked the cub to fetch some wood for a fire, and as it bounded off, she reached into their bags for some rations. But she took a glance at Aneril and stopped, finding the Altmer hunched with her head in her hands. Vareysa scooted over, setting a hand on Aneril's head. "Feeling alright?"
Aneril nodded, but her frown gave the lie away. She clicked her tongue when Vareysa lifted her head in both hands.
"Now, now. Relax. I'm trying to help. This has always worked for me."
Holding Aneril's head gently, Vareysa massaged her temples with her fingertips. "Try thinking of something happy. You know, something that won't give you a headache?"
Aneril rolled her eyes, then shut them. As Vareysa continued kneading at her temples, the frown on Aneril's forehead never left – instead, it grew more severe the longer she waited. Then it seemed Aneril gave up, heaving a sigh as she opened her eyes, gaze lowered in silent trouble.
"Can't think of anything?" Vareysa smiled when Aneril shook her head. "How about…something peaceful? Calm. Like…swimming in Summerset's waters?"
Aneril's eyes flickered up to her, but Vareysa focused on the massage instead, so the Altmer could have some privacy in thought. She spent a little more time at Aneril's temples, before reaching out to untie her short ponytail, allowing blonde hair to come loose. Vareysa reached for the pressure points at the base of Aneril's skull, feeling her tense slightly under the touch, then relax when Vareysa kneaded gently.
She worked her way down Aneril's neck and back up, then placed her fingertips on Aneril's temples again. Vareysa lifted her eyes to meet Aneril's, and paused in mute surprise when she found that blue gaze fixed on her. It was faraway, lost in thought – but bore a softness that never existed while Aneril was busy scowling at the world around her.
Unbeknownst to Vareysa, she had clean forgotten about the massage, hands moving to cup Aneril's face lightly instead. Then blue eyes blinked and focused on her, searching, turning curious. Vareysa came to herself then, and jerked her hands down from Aneril's face, trying to ignore the heat creeping up to her cheeks.
"Ah–, feeling better?"
Aneril cocked her head thoughtfully. "A little. Thanks."
Vareysa smiled and shifted away from Aneril, painfully aware of the thudding in her chest as she cast her eyes around, searching desperately for something to distract her. And right on time, the cub trotted back with a small bunch of sticks in his mouth – barely enough for a fire, but Vareysa welcomed his return nevertheless.
"Such a good boy!" Vareysa cooed as Shur'azan dropped the sticks on the ground, then clamped him in a hug. "My clever little baby boy!"
Shur'azan chuffed in reply as Vareysa smooched the top of his head.
My little saviour.
A/N: This fic's chapters tend to get pretty long, but ironically easier for me to write since it's mostly just…direct transcription from in-game events. Do tell me if it gets too dense, I think this chapter's length may be the limit I'll set for future ones (6k).
Still trying to fine-tune my writing style in this - mostly to keep missions more succinct, so they'll be easier to read. (And more time for gay.)