Emlen popped open a bottle of mead and drank it slowly. She was settled in the hold of Haafingar, in the wilderness, resting and mulling over the note she had received a few hours ago in Solitude.

Nothing but the imprint of a black hand, and the words "We know."

She didn't attach it to the murder at the orphanage. That was more than two weeks ago. She didn't even think about it.

She wasn't scared. She killed Alduin. Nothing scared her now. At least she told herself that.

She set the bottle of mead on the ground and stood. The sun was setting, slipping behind the trees and mountains. She watched it and sighed and felt the shifting wind on her skin.

She heard the small crack of a leaf being stepped on and turned around. She saw nothing. It was just a small animal. She grabbed the mead and downed the rest of it. The alcohol made her a bit dizzy.

Actually, she was starting to feel really dizzy.

The world began to tip and spin. She gave a shudder and bent over. She almost felt like she was going to be sick.

She tried to straighten out, but stumbled forward and fell to her hands and knees. Poisoned. Was she dying?

She fell and rolled onto her back, struggling to remain consciousness. Something in her stirred – and the darkness rose. It was here. It hadn't bothered her in so long.

Sleep.

She was certain the whisper was in her head, but she heard as though it was right beside her.

Sleep, my beautiful daughter. Sleep and I'll have you soon.

She gave in.

Emlen opened her eyes. For a moment, she could see nothing – and then her vision cleared and she made out a woman, lounging on top of an empty shelf. The woman wore dark red armor and had a cowl concealing her face. Emlen sat up.

She looked around fearfully and found herself in a kind of shack. Worse, three people were on their knees, bags over their faces, hands tied behind their back.

She turned her eyes back to the woman. "Where am I?" she demanded.

The woman laughed. "Don't worry about your location. It doesn't matter yet."

Emlen shook her head. She jumped up and ran to the door and tried to open it. It was locked.

"Want the key?" the woman asked teasingly.

"Why have you brought me here?" Emlen asked, starting to shake.

Emlen couldn't be sure, but she thought the woman was grinning. "You stole a kill," she explained. "We are pleased, but we must take penance. A life for a life. You took our kill. You will give us one."

There was a sickening feeling in Emlen's stomach. "What do you mean?"

The woman gestured at the three bound people. "One of these people has a contract out on them. It is your job to choose which. Kill them, and I'll give you the key."

Contract? Emlen realized who she was. "You're part of the Dark Brotherhood, aren't you?"

"Yes."

Emlen stared at the three bound people. Wasn't killing wrong? But how long had it been since she obeyed that rule?

So she interrogated the three. And it became very obvious who was the worst. A Khajiit named Vasha. He described himself as an "obtainer of goods, taker of lives, and defiler of daughters." She buried her dagger in his chest.

The woman's laughter rang out. "Good choice." Emlen turned to see the woman pounce off the shelf and land on the floor. "I am Astrid. How would you like to join my family?"

"The Dark Brotherhood?"

"Indeed."

Emlen bit her lip. Oh, it was wrong. But the darkness circled around her heart. Yes, my daughter. Come to my family.

Emlen gasped. The darkness… was it a part of the Dark Brotherhood? "Tell me about your family," she almost begged. "Do you have a father?"

The woman's eyes twinkled. "We do, Sister. Our father – Sithis. The Void. Chaos."

Emlen nodded. "Then, I'll join you."

The woman pulled off the cowl, revealing a woman, maybe thirty, with blonde hair. She came forward and placed a hand on Emlen's cheek. "You are so eager. Come to us soon. Near Falkreath, off of the side of the road, you will find a strange door. It will ask you a question – answer with 'Silence, my brother.' It will let you in. I'll see you there." She pushed a key into Emlen's hand.

Emlen turned and left the shack.

Emlen found a family in the Dark Brotherhood. It was nothing to kill for them. She loved it. And her father, Sithis, kept her safe and happy. It was amazing to have sisters, brothers, and a father. All that was missing was a mother.

There used to be a being called the Night Mother. But she was gone now. Emlen wished she'd return. And then she did. Accompanyed by a jester.

Astrid didn't like them.

But Emlen did. She thought the jester – Cicero – was funny. She liked talking to him, even though he didn't make much sense.

Astrid thought he was a traitor. She kept hearing her whisper, and was certain he was conspiring with another family member. It was her idea for Emlen to hide in the Night Mother's coffin and listen for Cicero. And she did, and Cicero rambled on.

And then her mother spoke.

"My daughter. It is so good to have you close, to feel you warm my bones."

Emlen should have been scared, but she wasn't. "Mother?" Her voice came out in a breath, quieter than a whisper.

"Yes. Yes, of course, my lovely child. Oh when your father found you, your soul so bright and happy – he made you ours. Ever since your birth parents were taken, you, my darling, have been our Listener. Oh, poor Cicero. How was he to know the Listener had already been found?"

"What should I do?"

"Tell Cicero the words he has been waiting for. Darkness rises when silence falls. You must journey to Volunruud. Speak with Amaund Motierre. Restore my family to its glory."

"I will."

The coffin opened.

"Defiler! Debaser!" Cicero slung angry insults at Emlen as she turned to face him, and stepped out of the coffin.

"Darkness rises when silence dies."

Cicero stopped and stared at her, speechless.

"That's what she told me. Mother."

Astrid burst in. "What's going on here?!"

"Pretty little Emlen is the Listener," Cicero said, his tone one of awe.

Astrid was not amused, but Cicero laughed and danced.

Emlen thought maybe this would lead to a happily ever after. But of course, no. Death was at the helm of the Brotherhood and he would take whomever he wanted.