Took me long enough, I know. Don't hate me. D:
When the Bosmer caught sight of her, his eyes widened with recognition. "It's you!" he exclaimed.
The look of utter surprise on her face was replaced with a small smile. "What are you doing here? I thought I escorted you to the border."
"You know this outlander?" asked the young Dunmer who had been giving them trouble.
Malborn barked a laugh. "Do I? This woman ruined my life."
Terah heaved a sigh. Great. Malborn still hates me. There's no way they'll let us talk to Neloth now.
His deep brown eyes locked onto hers, and a ghost of a smile formed on his face. "But she has also saved it numerous times. And if she came all this way to see Master Neloth, then it must be important. He'll definitely want to speak with her right away."
The yellow-robed Dunmer protested, "But I've never even heard of -"
"Enough, Talvas," Malborn scolded. "Believe me when I say that he will be furious if he doesn't see this woman immediately."
He sighed indignantly, "Alright. I'll go fetch him."
The little Bosmer winked at Terah before turning on his heal and returning to his duties.
Glaring at the dragonborn, Teldryn mumbled, "Pure luck."
She couldn't hide the huge grin that formed on her face.
Hearing someone approach from behind them, they turned around to see a familiar bearded face wearing familiar crimson and gold robes. "Ah. You again," he said nonchalantly. "Ran into you at the Earth Stone, yes?"
"So you're Master Neloth?" Teldryn asked rhetorically.
Terah rose her brows, "Hm. Small world."
"Indeed. Now," Neloth began impatiently. "What is so important that needs my attention?"
Teldryn rose the black book in his hand to give it to the wizard. Terah explained, "We heard that you know a lot about Black Books."
"A lot?" Neloth scoffed as he snatched the book. "I know almost everything about - wait a minute." He squinted his eyes at her, "You read it, didn't you? Don't try to deny it, you have the look! Stupid girl."
"Hey," she said as she offendedly placed a hand on her chest. "I didn't realize what it was capable of. It's a damned book, for Kyne's sake! It took me to a wretched place. . ."
"Apocrypha. Hermaeus Mora's very own realm of Oblivion," he explained. "Wretched place indeed, but full of incredible knowledge."
Teldryn nodded as if something had clicked in his mind. "Daedric prince of fate and forbidden knowledge. That explains a lot."
The dragonborn pinched the bridge of her nose. Well, it's no wonder why it was so awful. I went to freaking Oblivion and back. She heaved a heavy sigh before speaking to Neloth, "But that still doesn't explain what I saw. Not completely. You told me about Miraak, how he died years ago. Well, apparently that's false; he's in Apocrypha, or whatever it's called. I saw him there, and he spoke to me."
"I figured this had something to do with your quest for Miraak," Neloth said in deep thought. "What did he say?"
"Well, he wants me dead," Terah said blatantly. "And he wishes to return to Solstheim. He was the one corrupting the Stones."
Still in deep thought, Neloth slowly nodded with his eyes lightly shut. "You are Terah Stoneheart, the dragonborn of Skyrim," he said matter-of-factly.
Taken aback by his knowledge of her name and the randomness of his statement, she replied, "How did you know that?"
"I can sense very ancient magic resonating from you, and given the information you have provided me, it isn't difficult to put the pieces together," he said with snark. His tone lightened up with a hint of interest, "I must say, you'd make a fascinating test subject for my experiments."
"Um, thank you?" Terah replied, unsure of what to think. "How do you know my name?"
Neloth rolled his eyes and waved a dismissive hand as he turned to analyze the black book on the table beside him. "Please, dear girl, after centuries of a dragonless Tamriel, do you really think the last dragonborn is going to show up out of nowhere without me knowing about it? I simply had to know every detail the moment I heard about the return of the dragons. Especially now that they've been attacking my tower!"
"Yes, well, let's get to the point," Teldryn said impatiently. "How can Miraak be stopped?"
Neloth stood tall and straightened his robes, "I assume you two are the ones responsible for cleansing the Stones, correct?"
"Correct," Terah confirmed. "I learned a Shout to bend the will of the Stones."
Tapping a finger to his temple, the Telvanni wizard explained, "Dangerous knowledge is still knowledge, and therefore useful. Usually turns out to be the most useful, in my experience."
Her breath caught in her throat as she had an epiphany. I never thought about what the second and third Words might be capable of. Terah glanced between the Dunmer men before declaring, "I'll have to know what Miraak knows in order to stop him."
"A very dangerous path indeed," Neloth nodded. "You could very well end up like Miraak. Two power-mad dragonborn! It would be very interesting. . ."
"That's not going to happen," she clarified irritatedly. "Do you know where I can find another Black Book, then?"
"Oh yes. I haven't been idle while this fascinating madness engulfed Solstheim," he said as he delved into some notes on his table. "I have a Black Book here that I've been using to locate more, so I know where to find one that can help you. I haven't been able to get it, though. It's buried in the Dwemer ruins of Nchardak, not too far from here, but I lack the means of getting in."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Terah offered.
"Not really," he said bluntly, his eyes never leaving his notes. "I require a certain object to get in, which I have been unable to obtain. Once I have it, however, you two will certainly be of help. I'll send word for you when I'm ready."
Teldryn shrugged, "Alright then."
Terah seemed somewhat relaxed about the matter as well; cleansing the All-Maker Stones bought them a fair amount of time. She certainly wasn't looking forward to dealing with any more Black Books, but she would do whatever needed to be done.
Neloth sneered down at the traveling pair as he took in their filthy appearance. "Malborn!" he called.
The wood elf scurried over to them, "Yes, Master Neloth?"
"Draw these buffoons some baths," he ordered, still sneering down at them. "They're stinking up my tower!"
"Yes, Master Neloth," Malborn replied before smiling at Terah. "Come on, I'll take you next door to Elynea's."
"Thank you," she said smiling back. "You're bathing first, Teldryn. You smell far worse than I do."
"I beg to differ," he retorted.
Before floating down the magical lift, Terah quickly glanced around the tower for the first time. It was quite an intriguing place, and she was honestly impressed with the fact that the Telvanni were able to grow such constructs. The more she learned about Dunmer culture, the more she appreciated it. It also made her think about the harsh racism in Windhelm, which has always gotten under her skin.
If only Nords and Dunmer could get along. . .
Malborn had offered her his arm to take her toward the shoreline. They exchanged light conversation as they gazed upon the Red Mountain across the water, smoke and ash still rising from its peak. It was beautiful, in its own way, and the the colorful night sky only made the view much more striking. Terah began to appreciate Solstheim much more now that she had explored much of it, and the moment there with Malborn made her realize that it wasn't such a wretched place after all.
"I know why you're here," he said. "I eavesdropped the entire conversation you had with Master Neloth."
She giggled, "I figured you did. I'll explain everything to you later."
He simply nodded. "So who's you're friend?"
"Teldryn? I hired him when I first arrived here." She shrugged, "I didn't expect to embark on a quest to kill an ancient rebel dragon priest with him, but he's proven to be a good friend."
"Yes. He's quite the gentleman," he said sarcastically.
Terah barked a laugh. "Indeed."
They gazed across the water once more, content with the comfortable silence. Finally, Terah glanced at the little Bosmer next to her. Of course, he wasn't so little compared to her; they were exactly the same height. As she looked upon his face, she noticed that although he had a small smile on his face, the misery in his eyes never left him. Perhaps it wasn't so noticeable to others, but Terah was highly perceptive with these things. Despite the fact that she never forced him to help her infiltrate the Thalmor Embassy, she still felt like everything was her fault. Her guilt became too difficult to contain.
"Malborn," she started weakly. "I really want to apologize."
His brows furrowed, "For what?"
She honestly didn't know where to begin. Atonement was never something she struggled with, but Malborn always haunted her. He made her feel like a failure of a heroine, and she would forever feel responsible for the elf. "For ruining your life."
He cast his eyes down and sighed, "It was wrong for me to blame you. I was just angry."
"But look at you," she said sadly. "What are you doing in Tel Mithryn? I dislike seeing you ordered around by elves of higher status."
"It's safe here," he explained. "It isn't the ideal life for me, but I am content, I suppose. I get to hunt every now and then. And I never have to worry about the Thalmor finding me here."
"You're right, this is the last place the Thalmor would be," she agreed. "But I want you to be happy, Malborn. I want you to live freely without being so paranoid. I want you to meet a lovely Bosmer woman and have cute little Bosmer babies."
He chuckled lightly, unable to hold back a smile. "That life will never be mine, Dragonborn." His face fell once more. "Being a servant is all I'll ever know."
"That's not true," she argued. "The Stormcloaks are actually nearing victory in Skyrim. If they win the war, Skyrim will be safe from the Thalmor. You could come back. You wouldn't have to live like this."
He rose a brow, "You want the Stormcloaks to win?"
"I never said that," she clarified, shaking her head. "It's just an option for you if it happens."
"It wouldn't matter, anyways," he sighed. "I don't know a thing about close combat. I'd never survive in Skyrim."
She shook her head once again, "That's where you're wrong, Malborn. You could learn. I could have the Companions train you. Heck, you could even hunt with local Whiterun Bosmer and help him run his stall."
Malborn didn't look encouraged.
Terah sighed, "I'm just trying to get you to realize that there are more options for you than this." Placing a gloved hand on his shoulder, she promised, "When all of this is over, I'll come back for you. I am going to give you the life you deserve, even if it kills me. Mark my words."
He rose a brow at her, "That isn't necessary."
"But it is." Terah smiled at him before placing a chaste kiss on his cheek. Her smile grew wider as she watched his brown cheeks flush with color. "Let's head back," she said as she motioned toward the giant mushrooms. "I really need to bathe."
Wrinkling his nose, Malborn nodded in agreement. They broke out in laughter that echoed harmoniously across the ashy shore.
The door opened and Terah quickly made her way into the kitchen house, desperate to evade the ash. Malborn had convinced the cook, Ulves, to let her and Teldryn sleep there for the night, knowing that he was one of the more friendly Dunmer in the settlement. Teldryn had been calmly sitting alone on his bed roll, donned in only a clean black shirt and trousers.
She dropped her amor and equipment on the floor and heaved a sigh of relief. "I feel much better. I still have ash on me, somehow, but I feel much better."
"I'm afraid there's no getting around that," Teldryn said hoarsely. "You'll get used to it."
He noticed that she was wearing men's clothes, but they strangely fit her well. The blue shirt and tan trousers must have belonged to the wood elf, seeing that there was no way she could fit into any of the other Dunmer's clothes. Teldryn carefully watched her pull a soul gem out of her pack on the floor and place it on the table. She then lifted her thin, steel blade and quickly struck the gem. He watched the enchanted weapon recharge as the gem withered away in the process. Raising his gaze to her face, he saw that her long, golden hair was still slightly damp and framed her small, round face. He quite liked how she looked with her hair let down.
As he glanced back at her blade, now sparkling with electric magic, his brows furrowed in confusion. He swore she originally had a sword made of dragon bone. "Didn't you have a different sword with you?"
"I did, yes," she nodded, still focused on her Dragonbane blade.
"Where'd that one come from?"
"I pulled it out of my ass."
He rolled his eyes, "Seriously, where'd it come from? And what happened to that white bow you had?"
"Don't worry about it," she smirked at him.
As frustrating as she was with her little secrets, he still couldn't fight a smile. An odd feeling of fondness washed over him, giving him a very sudden urge that was difficult to resist. He rose to his feet and walked over to the little Nord, gently removing the sword from her hands and placing it on the table. Terah watched him with interest, unsure of what his intentions were.
He made his intentions very clear the moment he entangled a gray hand into her hair, and the sudden action struck her heart with both fear and excitement. Leaning his head down, he pressed his lips against hers. The kiss was soft and undemanding, but there was just enough passion behind it that ensured Terah that he wasn't kissing her out of mere lust. After taking a moment to recover from her initial shock, she allowed her hands to wander up his chest, appreciating the strong muscles beneath the fabric.
Of course, she had been pressed against his warm body before when she was ill, but she felt far too awkward at the moment to truly appreciate it. Now, the feeling of his hot lips against hers and the sweltering heat radiating off of his body was enough to drive her mad. He lightly dipped his tongue into her mouth, which sent an entire new wave of chills down her spine.
Not allowing her to relish the moment for very long, he gently pulled away. She could see a light in Teldryn's blood-red eyes that she had never seen before, but it disappeared in almost an instant. Suddenly, his expression became somewhat worried.
"I shouldn't have done that."
They finally kissed! It only took 11 chapters. . .