A.N.- Hello! I hope you like this one! Shorter than usual but I am sure that may be good to some people! Lol! So, near the bottom there will be a some Dragon Tongue, so if you need to know what it says, the individual words are explained at the bottom. Okay... about to get a little citrusy as well up in here! Don't like don't read! Thanks to everyone who reviews, favorites and follows! Your love keeps me going! See you at the bottom!


Chapter Twelve

It was the middle of the night, and Alduin woke from a dead sleep to shrieks and objects breaking. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he walked to her door. He heard Seraphina, talking to herself. Cracking the door, he saw her grab her water basin, and chucked it forcefully against the door that he just cracked. He would have believed she did that on purpose if he didn't know she was unaware of his presence.

Opening the door quickly, he saw her pick up a glass wine goblet and was ready to throw it when Alduin instinctively wrapped his large arms around her small body. She shrieked, and it was clear to Alduin she didn't know who it was.

"Shh. It's me. Stop! You are being foolish!" he stated. She tried wrenching herself away, and Alduin could see that she would have been more than capable of demonstrating it, but she just slumped down. The fight in her was gone, and her body slouched, her dead weight slumping Alduin down slightly, not expecting it. She barely weighed anything, so he dragged her to the bed, and released his hold on her.

"I am the biggest fucking fool... aren't I?" she slurred. Suddenly, her breath hit him full force, and he put the pieces together. "Yes, you are. Drunk over some little piss-ant? Why?" She growled, her eyes burning with such hatred he almost flinched away from her.

"That stupid cunt was not only working with Hrongar, but there was someone else there as well! Hrongar isn't that smart, someone turned him into a lackey which means there are bigger fish to fry! If that whore wasn't already dead I'd..." she got up and flipped over her nightstand, spilling the contents inside everywhere.

Sighing, he grabbed her from behind again. The room was completely trashed, furniture and prized possessions scattered along the floor. He threw himself on the bed, and brought her unwillingly along. His arms caging her to his chest, he wrapped a leg around one of her legs to lock her in place.

"Get off of me, Alduin!" she growled. "No, you need rest. You are acting like a child!"

She tried for a couple more minutes, but Alduin would hardly call it trying. She was like a savage beast, flailing for freedom and tame the next. He rested his head on her shoulder, and he tried thinking how he could calm her down. He didn't know any songs, aside from that disgusting song they sing in the taverns about how she defeated him, and he will never sing that out loud. He thought maybe he should talk, but what do you say in these situations?

While he was thinking, he noticed she hadn't struggled in a couple of minutes. His body clutching to hers, he lifted his head to see what she was doing. She was blankly staring ahead, and he relaxed. He was getting tired, and as much as he wanted to leave, her warmth was melting his body closer to the bed.

Shaking his head, he tried to stay awake. After a few minutes, he saw her breathing even out, her body slowly inhaling and exhaling. Alduin finally relaxed, and as drowsy as he was, he knew he had to get up and get in his room.

He tried to pull out his arm from under her small frame, and she rolled over, facing him. Before he could move, she laid her head in the crook of his neck, and wrapped her arms around his torso. He froze, and waited for her to realize what she'd done and shove herself away, but he just heard her breathing even out once again. She clutched him tightly, and he sighed, mostly annoyed but he hated to admit it felt rather... comfortable.

Not wanting to stay there, however "comfortable" he felt, he tried to find the best way out of her hold. While he thought of his best options of getting out of there, his mind kept going back to how...nice it felt, and how warm it was to keep her in his arms. Before he realized it, his eyes fluttered shut.

Feeling the bed move woke him out of his sleep. He couldn't remember the last time he slept that hard, and that good, and even though his hand that was under her fell asleep, he was surprised how perfect their bodies seemed to mold against another. His body seemed to heat her soft and creamy skin, which warmed him better as well. The smell of her hair was invading his senses, and the curls that were usually wildly everywhere, were tucked away behind her head.

Adjusting his body, he felt it. Her legs were hitched over his legs, and her head still rested in the crook of his neck, with her hand resting on his ribs. His morning wood was right up against her pussy, the warmth between there was too inviting, and his cock constricted up against his pants. Trying to adjust himself away from her heat, his cock rubbed against her inner thigh, and he bit back a loud moan, turning it into a small whimper.

She suddenly whimpered in her sleep, and her arm that wrapped around him started to roam across his chest, and she molded her body even tighter against him. He realized his free hand had been tightly grasping her hip, his thumb dipping down near her pussy.

Closing his eyes, he willed his cock to go down, but her slow rocking, trying to better adjust herself against him was making it impossible. That roaming hand of hers started moving upwards, which he was rather grateful for, and moved to his neck, her long fingers moving to the back of his head, and played with his hairs at the nape of his neck.

It felt good. Too good, and he needed to break free now. He took his hand, and pushed her away, but she was strong and he barely moved her, and she just clung to him tighter. Groaning, out of frustration in more ways than one, he decided it would be just better for him to get up.

The noise must have woken her up, because her eyes fluttered open. She parted her plump lips, and her eyes were soft and relaxed, and he saw a smile begin at the corner of her mouth, but before he realized it, it was gone and panic written clear as day in her features. She looked down, and saw their bodies intertwined, and she looked away quickly, a squeak escaping her lips, seeing his dick hard.

She let go of him and moved farther away from the bed. Alduin hissed, his arm that had been asleep was now shooting pains up his arm, starting to gain the feeling back. Alduin got to his feet, and walked to the door, covering his aching cock. He left quickly and went to his room, dropping his pants, relieved to stop the restrictions against him.

He laid on his bed, and waited to hear if she was going to follow, and when she didn't, he grabbed his cock, and slowly moved his hand up and down his thick length. He realized that humans get one of these "situations" every morning, and at least a few throughout the day. This wasn't the first time he had to take care of his needs, but to his knowledge it was the first that wouldn't go down and even worse, was that she had seen it.

His hand worked it up and down, and he had to come badly, but he couldn't get it there. He couldn't think of anything that would help him with his situation. Frustrated, he let go of his dick and took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. Resting his hand on his thigh, his mind immediately went to Seraphina's heated thigh, how close he was to her core.

Groaning, he grabbed his cock, and visualized between her legs once more. More importantly, he made sure to not think of her face, just her thighs wrapped around his hips, the heat radiating through his clothed cock, and the soft whimper she made.

"Fuck!"

Groaning, he felt his climax hit full force, and he couldn't help the loud moans escape his throat. Breathing heavily, he looked down and saw his cum all over his hand, and the tip of his cock. Grabbing a cloth, he cleaned himself up, and got dressed.

Walking into the kitchen, Fi was standing by the fire, making breakfast. She wouldn't look at him, and she seemed rather tense. "So what is the plan for today, Fi?" Jumping out of her skin, she looked nervously over her shoulder, barely meeting his eyes before looking back to the fire.

"Uh... well I need another day, at least. We can get our satchels ready, so we can head out early if you want," she said, her tone sounded nervous. He nodded, and grabbed them both something to drink. They ate in silence, and he could feel her tension the entire time they ate, and even as she got things ready for their trip.

Late into the night, before they were about to go to sleep, Seraphina made a few more potions for their trip, and checked over her cuts. She was looking more like herself for the most part, and Alduin had just gotten back from the garden, after replanting some of the ingredients that they are in need of.

Fi grabbed her journal, and started writing in there, while Alduin started to doze off on the chair in the corner of the room.


Morndas

At first light, we are heading for the soul cairn that holds Serana's mother inside. She had told me before she thinks there is something wrong, and she wishes to meet me there and we can check together. I'm sure it's nothing. If her mother had successfully evaded Serana's father for all of those years, she is more than capable.

Alduin saved me, when he could have killed me and I am not sure why. I am starting to trust him, and even last night he could have killed me when he... I was too upset about my findings of Lydia, drunk and he calmed me down. He held me down tightly, but my body gave out to exhaustion and the next thing I know, the next morning I am wrapped completely around his huge, muscular body and my clit was throbbing.

I had never been so horny in my entire life, and the weird thing is I wasn't even upset at first seeing him. It felt... not normal, but more like... comfortable. It was strange. Thank the Divines he had enough sense and got out of bed, because if he hadn't I don't know what my body would have done.

If that wasn't bad enough, I come out to make breakfast, and walking by his door, I heard him masturbate. Alduin... masturbating. It is something I definitely wouldn't have thought I would have said nor wrote in my lifetime but there you have it.

I'm not going to lie, it was the sexiest moan I had ever heard in my life. My mind is so messed up. I rarely ever thought about sex, and now I had a moment of weakness to sleep with the enemy! What is wrong with me? I feel so lost lately, and what Lydia has done makes me question everything.

Who am I to trust now? Obviously Hrongar was more evil than I ever thought, along with Lydia. Now that I thought of it, it makes perfect sense about what happened during our time together and all that time I thought she was a naïve idiot, she was trying at every turn to kill me. I just can't believe that this happened.

I don't know, maybe I'm not the best judgment on my friends anymore. Maybe I should just let the chips fall where they may when it comes to trust. I hate admitting this, but it feels more and more that I could possibly trust Alduin than anyone else. Well, besides Sliver of course. Who knows, maybe my family fucked me up so bad I can't tell the difference between right and wrong. All I know is... if I can't trust the people I love... what's the point in all of this saving the world shit?


It was getting late, and Alduin could hear thunder rolling in. It had been warmer than usual, but that meant a lot more rain. The heavy rain pummeled the roof, and aside from a few spots that were leaking into buckets, everything was fine.

Seraphina grabbed her journal, and brought it to her room. She had been hiding it since she found out he was capable of reading, which he thought was ridiculous. Like he cares what she had to say in there. When she came back, she grabbed some water for her make-shift water basin that she smashed last night which was really just a regular bucket, and said "Good night, Alduin," before heading into her room, alone.

The next morning, he wanted to sleep in. The thunder booming and the lightning flashing all night kept him up, the house shaking with its ferocious roars, along with Seraphina. She had her nightmares again last night, and this time it was much louder than usual. He would have went in there to shut her up, but he didn't want to put himself in that situation again.

The rain hadn't let up, and it seemed it would be going strong for most of the day. Seraphina walked over, and after grabbing some satchels, she abruptly stopped. Turning towards her, Alduin questioned her with his eyes.

"Alduin... the horses came back from the dragon attack, right? I mean... I know they tend to run when things get a little too scary, but they did came back, right? Because I just realized I haven't heard them since I woke up from the attack, and I know Sliver gets nervous when it thunders out! He would have whinnied, and..." she wondered, fear lacing every word.

Alduin turned away and winced, knowing he completely forgot to tell her. With everything that had been going on his mind only prioritized her recovery. "Alduin? Answer me, damn it!" Glancing at her, he sighed.

"I'm sorry, Fi. Sliver didn't make it, and my horse was dying when I had to take you back to the house. I rode her for as long as she could carry us, and I killed her to end the beast's suffering." He stated matter-of-factly.

He looked down, and gave her a second to process. Staring blankly by the window, she seemed in shock. "I need a minute. I need to..." she walked into her room, and shut the door quietly. Huffing, he sat down, and an hour later she came out, her face blotchy, eyes puffy and her nose red.

"Let's go. It's going to take us longer than I was anticipating now that the horses are gone," she said vacantly. Getting to his feet, they headed out to go meet Serana.

It took them a week to make it to where Castle Volkihar was located, that held the Soul Cairn they would be going into. Serana met them outside the castle, and after giving Serana a hug, Seraphina moved nearby the castle.

"Is there a problem just inside the Soul Cairn, or is there threats out here too? It seems quiet..." Seraphina wondered. Serana bowed a little in greeting to Alduin, her raven hair hiding her features for a moment and smirked at him before turning to Seraphina.

"Well, there is definitely something in the castle, but I think I took care of him. Why don't we go inside and take a look?" Seraphina nodded slowly, and grabbed her bow and slowly made her way to the front doors.

They walked inside, and seeing nothing, they made their way to the room that opened the portal to enter the Soul Cairn. Walking inside, they heard a voice break out in the silence of the room.

"Hello there, lass! Fancy meeting you here!" the man exclaimed. Confused, she looked around the room and looked to Serana, who proudly displayed her grin and relaxed posture. Seraphina moved around, and when she looked around again, she narrowed her eyes.

"Brynjolf? Is that you?" Suddenly, Brynjolf leaped out behind the little group, and smiled brightly. "Couldn't find me, huh, lass? You gettin' rusty, there? " he laughed. Shocked, she ran into his arms and he lifted her off the ground, and spun her.

"What are you doing here, Bryn? What's going on?" Brynjolf, his auburn hair, that touched his shoulders tied back, which was unusual for him, let go of her, and walked up to Serana. He wrapped an arm around her small frame, and smiled proudly.

"Sorry we didn't tell you, but we know how busy you are, and we knew the only way for you to come is if we said someone was in danger," Serana shrugged. Too shocked to say anything, Seraphina sputtered unintelligibly, so Brynjolf finished for Serana.

"We met a year ago, and I am so in love with this woman I actually thought of leaving the Guild to be with her! But of course, she loves me thievin' ways so I am gonna set up a side business but work a lot in the Guild too! I asked her to marry me and she said yes!"

Seraphina, excited, ran to them and gave them both a hug. They embraced her, and when Seraphina broke from their embrace, she squealed. "Wait! So, when's your wedding?" Serana and Brynjolf looked at each other before looking at Alduin and Seraphina.

"Actually today. I brought you here, so we could go into the Soul Cairn to ask my mother if she could marry us. I am going to cure my vampirism after this, and it was honestly my choice. I want a family, and I want Brynjolf to be the one to grow old with. Since I won't be a vampire anymore, this may end up being the last time I will see my mother. I wanted you as our witness, and to help me with the strength to say goodbye to her," Serana said. Her eyes were filled with pure happiness, until she thought of her mother.

Seraphina nodded, and said she was honored to be there. When they were all ready to go in, Alduin moved to be included in the group. They talked it over, and Seraphina didn't want to travel to get the cure for vampirism so she opted for her soul to be partially trapped to enter. Alduin wasn't sure he wanted to be a vampire, so he opted for the same. Serana turned sharply, and looked at him, scrutinizing Alduin and she must not have liked something because she sneered. "No way, Seraphina. Alduin isn't going in there when you are defenseless!" she snapped. Surprised, Alduin looked to Seraphina who looked the same as he did.

"What are you talking about Serana? His name is Kennet, remember?" she said feebly. Serana narrowed her eyes, and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I can see him, Seraphina. It isn't that hard to guess. I couldn't place it when I went to your house, but now I see it's plain as day. He could kill you in there!" Brynjolf narrowed his eyes, and stood in front of his girls. Alduin rolled his eyes, annoyed that they are talking about him like he wasn't even there.

"Wait. This is the Alduin? The one you supposedly killed? How did this happen?" Brynjolf asked, confused and angry. Sighing, Seraphina swallowed, and told them what happened. Shocked, the couple looked to one another before shaking their heads. "Seraphina, I don't think," she was cut off by Seraphina, who was not happy being scrutinized by her choices.

"I am fully capable of handling myself in there, Serana! Please... keep what you learned to yourself." Serana nodded, looking down.

"Of course we will. You know I would never say anything personal to anyone! I just don't want you to be in a position where he can get the upper hand!" Serana said, worried. Seraphina nodded, understanding.

"Trust me, he is no threat. It will be fine. It's your day, however, so if you want him to wait here, I will keep him here." Serana looked at Alduin, and after gauging him once again, she sighed.

"No, it's fine as long as you know he isn't a danger. I will keep an eye on him as well." Smiling, they made their alterations, and after Brynjolf and Serana were vampires, Alduin and Seraphina had parts of their souls trapped.

Going down, Alduin had never seen something so crazy. In his lifetime he could honestly say he would never have willingly went into a soul cairn, but there they were. It was hauntingly beautiful down there, and aside from the weird ingredients that Seraphina had him pick, and attacking some ghost-like things, it was so quiet.

They made the long journey to see Serana's mother, and when they reached her, she seemed cold, and slightly annoyed she was interrupted on her alchemy. Serana explained why they were there, and Valerica hugged her daughter, and said she would be glad to marry them.

Before the ceremony took place, Serana took her mother aside to tell her of her decision to become mortal, and that this may be the last time to see her. They spent some time together, and Alduin, Fi and Brynjolf rested up in her bedroom. When they all woke from their nap, the ceremony began.

Exchanging vows, they sealed the end with a kiss, and thanked Valerica. Seraphina and Valerica talked about some new potions Valerica had been working on when Serana walked over to Alduin.

"You know, I have to say I never would have thought I'd see Seraphina save you. I remember she told me when I was there last time that you had no idea how it happened, and you both wanted answers. I can't believe you wouldn't know by now what happened to you..."

"I don't. Seraphina doesn't know either and she has talked since the beginning about how she wants to get rid of me," Alduin said. Serana nodded, and looked at Brynjolf and Seraphina talking. "She's lying. She may not realize herself yet, but she kept you this long, knowing who you were all this time? She has her reasons, and so far she hasn't been wrong."

Nodding, he leaned against the wall. "Yeah, except for that Lydia thing..." Serana turned sharply, and it was clear she had no idea what he was talking about. Grimacing, he scratched his cheek, hoping Seraphina doesn't kill him for this.

"It's nothing, I swear!" Serana froze, and looked at Seraphina. "Seraphina! What happened with Lydia?" she yelled, getting her attention.

Grumbling, she shot daggers at Alduin and he took that as his cue to take a walk. He was back after a few minutes, not much to do around there, and he caught the tail end of the conversation.

"Lydia? And Hrongar? Then who is that other guy? Did you figure it out?" Seraphina shook her head, and let Brynjolf give her a consoling hug. "Have you spoke to Hrongar yet?"

She sighed. "No, and I want to, but I don't even know what to say. I don't know if I should confront him, and possibly kill him with a huge amount of political ramifications or to keep my knowledge of his indiscretions a secret until I find out more."

Brynjolf tapped his fingers, and decided, "If I were you, I would wait to reveal it. His deceit could still be in play with someone else and if you reveal too soon, he may unleash his plan earlier than he planned."

Nodding in agreement, Serana stood up. "Yes, but she can't show weakness in front of these assholes. The more oblivious she seems, the more they think they can pull the wool over her eyes."

"Yeah, I don't know what I'm going to do, but that does help me sort out this mess, thanks." They waved it off, and Serana looked around.

"Well, I think we should head back. Thank you for being here, Seraphina." Seraphina stood up, and Alduin walked back into the room, and sauntered to the group. "I was glad to be here! Thanks for inviting me!"

When they got out of the soul cairn, Serana returned their souls to them, replenishing their health. Serana and Seraphina walked to a different room, and Brynjolf locked up the portal. In case they never make it back there, they didn't want someone to stumble on to it and hurt her mother.

After an hour, the girls came back, and couldn't stop giggling. It was strange, ever since Seraphina went and talked to Serana, Serana hadn't given him the skeptical and evil glares that he had grown accustomed to receiving in that short amount of time they were there. It was getting dark, and since the elements were much harsher by the castle with its strong winds and heavy snow, Alduin hoped they could crash there, as creepy as that castle was, it was better than out there.

"Are we gonna stay, Fi? The weather out there is very... rough." Serana giggled, and looked from Alduin to Seraphina. "Wait a minute... Fi?" she giggled again.

Seraphina rolled her eyes, and gave an annoyed look to Alduin. Shrugging, he played with a weird-looking ingredient that smelled even stranger. Serana covered her mouth, and with wide eyes, looked at them again. A look of understanding crossed her face, and she bit her lip.

After whispering something to Seraphina, she looked at her, completely confused, and shook her head. Serana got up and walked into Brynjolf's arms. They kissed, and Serana whispered something to him, and he looked at the pair and with wide eyes looked to his new bride.

Serana giggled, and kissed him with fervor, and Brynjolf deepened the kiss. Alduin had noticed the rings now that adorned their hands, and wondered why they needed to have such things on their fingers. Is it a possession thing? Or does it seem to be another excuse to wear metal on their bodies?

"Well, let's stay for tonight but we are leaving right away in the morning. Serana and Brynjolf have to get that family started!" she snickered. Seraphina was so excited, and Alduin had never seen her like that before. Her cerulean eyes sparkled in the candlelight, the flames dancing in her large eyes.

Seraphina and Alduin had slept in a room that had two beds, and Serana and Brynjolf stayed in the adjoining room that had a single large bed. It was a bad choice, since they made love all night, and they were far from quiet.

Seraphina and Alduin woke early, since they didn't sleep much anyways, and made breakfast. By the time it was finished, the newlyweds weren't up yet, so they decided to put some on plates and bring them to their door.

A quick knock, they entered, and luckily, while the couple was naked, their naked bodies were covered with a thick blanket. Brynjolf was the one that woke up, and Seraphina smirked and brought him the plates of food.

"There you go. Tell her my goodbyes, and come visit as soon as you can! Promise?" Brynjolf had a goofy grin on his face, and nodded. Seraphina got closer and kissed his forehead before waving. Shutting the door, they walked back to the fire.

"Okay, let's pack our stuff. Hurry," Seraphina said, rolling up her map. Suddenly, their doors burst open, and Serana came out wearing just a sheet. "Wait! You need to say goodbye to me!" she squeaked.

Seraphina laughed, and put down her satchels. They hugged tightly, but Serana had to let go because her sheet was falling. Just to be safe, Alduin turned around, and kept packing. Seraphina told them they didn't sleep well because something or someone had kept them up all night, but that was fine since they had to leave now anyways.

When they said their goodbyes, Serana even hugged Alduin, and kissed his cheek. Alduin was shocked, and couldn't find his voice. No one had ever kissed him on a cheek before. Instead of heading out to find more things to do, Seraphina wanted to head back to the house.

Complaining of fatigue, they made it there a little longer than it took to get to the castle. Going inside, she seemed to relax visibly. Alduin did the usual unpacking, while Seraphina made food. Alduin went down to the cellar, and sharpened his weapon. After attacking the assassin on the road coming back from the castle, his blade had started to dull. The amount of times he had to slash at the assassin made him a little nauseous. He was one for carnage and blood but the long time it took and having to stare into his eyes stuck with him.

When he finished, he climbed upstairs and saw Fi, who had changed out of her gear and was just plating the food. Her face was still dirty, and bloody from the trip, but she seemed genuinely happy. Walking over, he sat down and started digging in. Giggling, she rolled her eyes and handed him a napkin.

Wiping his face, he gave her a crooked grin and went back to eating. It was delicious. "So are we packing tomorrow?" he asked, mouth full of food. She thought about it, and shook her head.

"Nah. We'll stay here for a week or two. I want to head to Markarth. I heard that there is something there that I am going to retrieve." Taking a bite of food, that was all that was said on the matter. Alduin felt his heart flip, and his pulse began racing. That sounded promising.

Later that night, Alduin got into the bath, soaking his sore muscles. Sighing, he relaxed, and after a while, he washed his hair and got out. Feeling rejuvenated, he got dressed, and walked out and Seraphina was writing letters.

"Don't you ever stop? You're always... doing things." Rolling her eyes, she smirked and shook her head.

"Sorry, Alduin. I can't entertain you every second of the day, you know. When we stopped at Dawnstar I bought you some new books. They are in my satchel hanging on the wall." Alduin walked briskly to the satchel and pulled them out.

Reading the titles, he nodded his approval of her selection. "Thank you, I don't know which I should read first, though," he wondered. The books held no sign what they were about, aside from the titles.

"The red book is an alchemy skill book, the aged, brown leather book is a pickpocket skill book, and these are," she got up from her seat and grabbed a couple more. Bringing them over, she put them in his hands and went on, "a lockpicking book, so I won't go into debt by how many you have broken, and here is a story book I got on clearance. The rest were on sale."

"Great! I have to say I am starting to enjoy reading. I'll make sure to keep a couple of them for the next time we hit the road." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Why don't you bring it into your room and read before bed. It's getting late and we have chores in the morning." Picking up her letters, along with her journal, she gave him a fake smile that just turned into a grimace. Walking to her room, she put a hand on the door and turned to look at him. She seemed different than when they first got there.

"Goodnight, Alduin." He nodded, and bit his lower lip, a chill ran down his spine, suddenly. Something was wrong, he could feel it. She seemed off, and he closed his eyes, hoping he was wrong. Going to sleep that night, he picked up the lockpicking book and started to read, but put it down. He couldn't focus enough to make out the words on the pages.

The next morning, he got up, and saw she was awake, sitting in the kitchen. There was an apple in front of her, and it had a bite mark in it, the inside all brown and unappetizing. Looking at her, her eyes were droopy, and the bags under her eyes were much more prominent than usual. She seemed exhausted. "Didn't sleep?"

Looking up from the old apple, she furrowed her brows, and nodded. "Yeah, the usual, you know. I ended up just upgrading my armor most of the night. Yours too," she shrugged, smirking. The pink lines of her new scars on her face and exposed neck glimmered in the light from the hearth, her necklaces shimmering as well.

She seemed more thin than usual, her wrists seemed so bony and frail, her collarbone much more defined, and her cheeks were more gaunt than they were the last month.

"Let's make some food." Gliding to the pantry, he looked for the foods that he knew she couldn't resist. That woman had to eat and fast. He had seen her eat, and she did eat often, but now that he thought of it, he hadn't seen her eat as much. Even when they made enough to feed an army, she hadn't finished a plate.

Grabbing the ingredients, he handed her some to chop, and he grabbed some beef and after adding some spices, he started to cook it. After chopping, she brought them over, and he cooked them next to the meat. Once it was finished, he made her eat most of it, and when she pushed it away, claiming she wasn't hungry, he stood his ground.

Reluctantly, she ate and Alduin could see she wasn't pleased, but she managed to finish her plate. Alduin refilled their plates and put the larger one in front of her.

"Eat." Managing to eat a little more, Alduin was satisfied with that, and cleaned up. Her eyes started to droop, and she started to doze off at the table. "Fi, go take a nap. Nothing else is going on today." She looked over, and sighed.

"I suppose. I just need an hour. Thanks," she said and walked to her room. After he finished cleaning up, he grabbed his book and read, learning more about how to use lockpicks.

A few hours later, she woke and came out, looking around. "Hey. Do you want to play cards after we do a few things around the house? Then later we can work on the next potion on your list," she yawned, wiping the sleep from her eyes.

She looked better, and while she still wasn't back to what she was, she seemed much more improved, and that was a start. Seraphina worked on scrubbing the floors, and when Alduin finished organizing the potion cupboards, and pantry, he started cleaning the windows.

After he finished, Seraphina was just finishing the main level floors. "Hey, if you're done I was wondering if you could chop some wood? Our stock is running low. I will be down in the cellar, scrubbing the floors." Nodding, he put down the rag, and walked outside.

The warm weather had been long since gone, and the crisp cold air hit him full force. It wasn't windy, thankfully, but the air had a heaviness to it. The snow came down heavily, with large clumps of snow coming down.

Walking over to the chopping block, he grabbed a large piece of wood and set it down on the block. Bringing the ax down, he chopped down hard, splitting it into two pieces. After a few more swings, he felt the wind pick up swiftly.

Gasping from the sudden harsh wind, he grabbed another piece of wood. When he placed it on the block, the ground shook violently, the wood now on the ground. Looking to the house, it was intact, but Alduin felt his heart sink. For a single moment he was worried she blew the house up, that she had died in the explosion that was in his mind.

Then, since the house was fine, he thought it was a giant for a moment, and he was about to yell for her help when he looked around, and in front of him nothing was there.

Turning his head slightly, he saw a huge, ashen wing fly out in his peripheral vision, and he froze. Looking down to the ax that lay in his unprotected hand, he sighed. That was the one thing he forgot when coming outside, and he shut his eyes, a little afraid but mostly pissed at himself for being so stupid. He knew to never come outside unprotected, and now he was positive he was going to pay for it.

As babyish as it was, he didn't want to turn to look at it, like children he had heard about that pull the blankets over their heads, or hide under their beds as if their blinding ignorance will save them from the horrors that are awaiting them.

Chewing his lower lip, he wondered for a moment his options. Yes, he definitely didn't have the upper hand, so he knew there wasn't a point in trying to strike, unless the dragon was focused on something else. He doubted it, but there was always hope, he supposed.

The dragon roared violently behind him, it felt like it was daring him to turn and face it like a man, but then again, he wasn't a man. Right when he made the decision to go against his instincts and turn, he twisted around slowly.

"Dovahkiin! Meyz Yah!" the dragon roared. Alduin's blood ran cold, and he turned to face his old brother, Paarthurnax. He told Seraphina in their Dragon Tongue to "come seek" him, and Alduin's body shook with mixed parts fear and rage, of this papery-skinned brother of his.

He remembered very well that Paarthurnax was vastly responsible for his almost-demise, and his hatred sprung to his heart, and he could feel his eyes blaze their sharp crimson orbs up at him. He wished he was in his old form so he could tear to pieces this sorry excuse of a Dov. His hatred for him was almost level to the amount he felt towards Fi.

Paarthurnax looked down at Alduin, and at first paid him no mind, but his facial features changed from disinterest to horror. When Seraphina opened the door, she smiled brightly at Paarthurnax. Alduin wasn't sure if she could see by the look on Paarthurnax's face or if it dawned on her that Paarthurnax knowing that Alduin had survived would be bad, but she ran as fast as she could to close the distance.

"No, Daar can not be! What have you done, Dovahkiin?" Paarthurnax asked, he began backing up, like he was going to somehow get infected. Seraphina ran barefoot all the way to Alduin, and stood directly in the line of fire.

"I don't know what you are talking about, Paarthurnax." Paarthurnax's eyes burned brighter, and he roared in anger. "Do not lie to me, Dovahkiin! Do you not think I would not recognize Dov? Let alone, Zeymah?"

"What are you even doing here?" she asked, confused.

"I am here because word had spread that you were attacked and killed by a dragon. I was coming to see if the rumor was true. Now I see you have made friends with an enemy!"

Alduin kept quiet, knowing it would only anger his brother and he wasn't in the best position to defend himself. Seraphina looked back, and she gave him a sad look before turning back to Paarthurnax. "Yes, he is Alduin. Wait, let me explain!" she shrieked as he roared in anger.

"There is nothing to explain, Dovahkiin! He is still dangerous and you let him in your dwelling!"

Fi held her hands up, and took a step back, closer to Alduin. Surprised she was defending him the way she was, he looked down, not sure what was happening. "I found him on the mountain after our battle, and I foolishly thought at first it was someone in need, and when it was Alduin, I wanted to know why this happened. I don't know how this happened, but I need to know! There has to be a reason, right? I have watched him and I would never have kept him around if he was a danger! I swear! He is practically harmless!"

Paarthurnax shook his head, and stood straighter. "A Dov's soul is never tame. Fire and ice, kill and destroy, it will never change." Paarthurnax looked into Seraphina's eyes, and shook his head once again, as if not believing he actually had to explain this to her.

"Alduin's was and will always be filled with darkness. Jul's skin will not change a thing. If you don't kill him now, you leave me no choice..." Paarthurnax took a large step closer, making it clear he was going to kill Alduin. When Seraphina saw him move, she growled in anger, and after looking back at Alduin, her eyes hardened. She backed up, her body pressed tightly against his.

"Don't take another step! He is not going to die today!" she demanded. Paarthurnax tilted his head slightly and regarded her. Paarthurnax sighed, and took a step back. "Very well, Dovahkiin. I have no choice but to tell the Greybeards."

Seraphina bit her lip, and when Paarthurnax flew up into the sky, and soared off into the distance, the way to the Throat of the World, she fell to her knees and took deep breaths, holding her chest. Alduin, completely shocked, didn't know what to do.

They stayed quiet, no one knowing what to say, when Seraphina got to her feet. She swallowed thickly, and clenched the hair on both sides of her head, looking into the sky. Snowflakes were gathering in her fiery hair, and she paced for a good five minutes before standing in front of him.

"Okay. Let's go inside. We need to pack right now. We need to pack a lot, and I need you to go and pack some regular clothes. Do not bother packing your armor. Wait, bring it. You never know. I will only bring my light armor, and we can pack our weapons. We have to leave, now!" she rambled, still looking at the sky.

Taking a deep breath in and out, she started to calm down slightly. Alduin looked down, and saw her bare feet shifting from the cold snow freezing her feet. "So what are we doing? Running away?" he asked, confused on why they are suddenly leaving now.

She started walking back to the house, and Alduin followed. When they went back inside, she breathed a sigh of relief, and grabbed some satchels. "No, of course not. We are going to the Throat of the World."

Alduin swallowed thickly, and felt like he was going to throw up. Grabbing his satchels, he slowly started packing. He had no idea what was going to await him, but he knew it was the end of their little charade, which meant his time was up.


Dragon Tongue-

Dovahkiin- Dragonborn

Meyz- Come

Yah- Seek

Daar- This

Dov- Dragon

Zeymah- Brother

Jul- Mankind Man Humans


A.N.- Hello! Hope it was easy to follow, and I hope this was something you enjoyed. Reviews are appreciated! Love you all!